Modifié 10 juin 2021 à 14 h 49
This roster construction is based upon the intrinsic value of players which the Leafs have failed to address in years past. You have to look at players like Debrusk, Kuhlman, Janmark, Bellemare, McGinn (all players who reached the second round of the playoffs this season playing bottom six roles for good teams; Colorado, Vegas, Boston, Carolina) and put them in positions where they naturally fit. All players with more pedigree and bring a role to the team that the numbers don't make sense of but the eye test does. Players with defined roles in proper slots, opposed to the collection of misfit players Toronto has been trying to role out the past few seasons. (Engvall, Mikheyev, Kerfoot, Ennis, Thornton, Simmonds, Boyd, Vesey, Gauthier, Moore, Lindholm, Timashov, Korshkov, Petan, Aberg, Malgin, the list goes on.) This shows an ability to adress bottom 6 roles necessary for competition in the playoffs.
Also shows an upgrade on defence. Jones is a better player than Rielly. (Bigger, smarter, more in your face, more difficult to play against, better shot, etc.)