Quoting: RipNasty
The thing about a Muzzin type defenceman is Muzzin was actually good both ways and also was physical. Schenn and Gudas are both physical but suck at everything else in hockey. Neither are good skaters, both have no offence to add and both of them, despite a cap friendly reputation to the contrary, aren't overly good at defending.
The defense is the toughest position to correct in my opinion.
Muzzin is a physical 6'3" 217 lbs LHD that averaged approximately 2 hits a game and had an offensive upside of approximately 0.5 ppg. He was just about to turn 30 when the Leafs acquired him and his 5.8% Cap hit at the time would be equivalent to approximately $4.9 MIL with an additional year left. Not sure who replaces him in the league currently (LHD or RHD) . There is certainly no Leaf that can replace that role. I feel we need to find some way to replace Muzzin but....what current dman in the league born around 1992 that is 6'3"+ 217+ lbs who plays physical and scores at a 0,5 ppg pace while being signed for around $5.0 MIL this year and next?
And who do we move to get that fiction dman?
- Rielly has struggled on and off for a few years (not sure what the advanced stats say) but now has a NMC for 8 years at $7.5 MIL. He's not going anywhere.
- Giordano took a MASSIVE pay cut to play in TO and has been playing great. He's not going anywhere.
- Brodie is owed $7.5 MIL in real money next season and has an NTC. He's not going anywhere.
- Benn is a 6'2" LD that can play both sides on a league minimum contract. He's not going anywhere.
- Dubas just acquired 6'2" RD Timmins who is still under team control as an RFA. He's not going anywhere.
- Sandin and Liljegren are young with decent talent. They might be traded but being the youngest players in the top 6 by a country mile. I think they're not going anywhere.
That leaves UFA Holl on a rental contract to move but he might not get back his current value to the Leafs so I am not sure if he should be moved or not.