Well when u get a partner like Makar whose one of the best Dman out there it helps lul. As it helps shortcomings and when u look at the Avs system they deploy him and Makar in a matter that helps prevent that issue from arising.

WTF happened to Tampa jesus

Like it matters, the playoffs are like entering a new dimension of the nhl

True but at the same time this is a new level of struggle for them.

True but at the same time this is a new level of struggle for them.

Its all motivation and focus at this point. They're just checked out mentally rn

Its all motivation and focus at this point. They're just checked out mentally rn

From what u said I just picture them skating with that meme whats going on inside their head and its just their brains on a beach chilling

Leafs have 5 defense focused defenders rn in Brodie, McCabe, Giordano, Holl, and Schenn. And if u watched the Avs game Rielly was their best Dman shutting down numerous 2 on 1's while also chipping in their only goal. And if u look at his playoff stat last year vs. Tampa 3 goals and assists and one fight won. Sandin meanwhile as I mentioned struggles against tight forecheck. Sure you can go Sandin's stats are better. Leafs had better stats than Tampa in the 7 game series what happened they lost. Stats honestly are clouding people's vision these days.

Rush defense is not something to go to Rielly for as Leafs have 5 defensive Dman for that but little credit's given to him as we have seen him do it. Omar got clips from the Avs game highlighting it. McCabe-Holl will probs get that responsibility as thats what a shutdown pair is for. In general rush defense was something leafs used to struggle with but now are fine. Besides have u seen Tampa 26th in Rush offense since the All-Star Break, Leafs 14th.


But as for Sandin vs. Rielly in probabilities of a cup thats just silly. No team would go with a rookie with potential over a long time vet in a 7 game series vs. a team who has gone to the finals 3 times. That rookie would have to put up 2-way stats on par with Josi, Makar, Hedman to get a shot. If anything that would be asking the coach and GM to be fired. As we see rn Sandin and top 4 mins arent a real healthy mix as 4 assists and a -11 in 5 games not good. And u wouldnt want Gio in the top 4 at 40 years old. Meanwhile Rielly last series vs. Tampa had a good performance and there is little to say he wont do it again as hes been on the right track with some good defensive performances vs. Carolina and the Avs and potting up some points. When u go into a playoff series vs. Tampa your gonna want Dman who dont crumble under the pressure of forechecking as that is how they do their damage and Rielly, Brodie, Holl, and Gio have the experience of facing Tampa already



Guy worked for the NHL's front office as an analyst so when he says this pretty clear Sandin would have been in the pressbox in the Tampa series lowering the value and would have been traded for less at the draft.

Looking at point totals, Rielly has 17 at 5v5 while Sandin has 20. Rielly has less 5v5 points than Luke Schenn. Leafs definitely would’ve been better off not signing Rielly and using that cap elsewhere while keeping Sandin

Rielly had a slow start but is picking up speed. Getting hurt for a month didnt help. And 1 goal and assist in 5 more games isnt drastic lul for Schenn come on use a better example. But since then hes been picking up pace. Hes slowly becoming the rielly of last season who helped push Tampa to 7 games so I got 0 issues. U keep the guy u know works as 3 goals and assists in the Tampa series aint bad. The tweet says it best "Sandin struggles against tough forechecking teams" and in the playoffs thats how teams play. Heck in top 4 mins -11 last 5 games for WSH if Sandin was doing that here rn in the top 4 people would be screaming pressbox or why did we let Rielly go again

If Leafs went into the playoffs with Sandin whose not got a lot of playoff experience and struggles in these types of games or a 40 year old Giordano yea Tampa would pulverize them even with their recent struggles

Were going for the win now and not babysitting. Wish Sandin the best but hes not built for a playoff run against teams like Tampa, Boston, and Carolina or NYR. But in the end all the Rielly talk is like what we saw out of Siakam and the raptors, one bad year blah blah blah, rebounds people go why were we mad. Rielly gets healthy plays well nobody will bat an eye. Heck he does what he did last playoffs all the silly talks gone.

Rielly isn’t built for a long playoff run in the top 4. If anything he should be sheltered 5v5 and play on PP1

Rielly had a slow start but is picking up speed. Getting hurt for a month didnt help. And 1 goal and assist in 5 more games isnt drastic lul for Schenn come on use a better example. But since then hes been picking up pace. Hes slowly becoming the rielly of last season who helped push Tampa to 7 games so I got 0 issues. U keep the guy u know works as 3 goals and assists in the Tampa series aint bad. The tweet says it best "Sandin struggles against tough forechecking teams" and in the playoffs thats how teams play. Heck in top 4 mins -11 last 5 games for WSH if Sandin was doing that here rn in the top 4 people would be screaming pressbox or why did we let Rielly go again

If Leafs went into the playoffs with Sandin whose not got a lot of playoff experience and struggles in these types of games or a 40 year old Giordano yea Tampa would pulverize them even with their recent struggles

Were going for the win now and not babysitting. Wish Sandin the best but hes not built for a playoff run against teams like Tampa, Boston, and Carolina or NYR. But in the end all the Rielly talk is like what we saw out of Siakam and the raptors, one bad year blah blah blah, rebounds people go why were we mad. Rielly gets healthy plays well nobody will bat an eye. Heck he does what he did last playoffs all the silly talks gone.

Rielly has played more minutes at 5v5 than Schenn and is known as an offensive dman. There’s no excuse for him to have less 5v5 points than Schenn

He has played 5 less games then Schenn. 1 goal and assist 5 on 5 for 5 less games played isnt a backbreaker lul

We dont know if he is or isnt as the team has the entire team has a hurdle. Got a feeling if they beat Tampa and kept going he would have continues wracking up points and creating plays. As 3 goals and assists in 7 games vs. a team whose been to 3 finals aint to shabby.

As for the mins no need to shelter. With him recently its been found if u play him 19mins vs 22 mins his numbers look better. And with McCabe and Brodie taking the hard defensive assignments it will free him to do his things and so far hes been good with one hicup in his last 5 games. That Avalanche performance especially highlighted what he is capable of as him stopping a 2 on 1 rush between Rantanen and MacKinnon was pretty dam good.

Yes but it is Luke Schenn. For a renowned offensive defenseman, you got to be doing a lot better than "replacement level" Luke Schenn

You don’t want Rielly on the ice in a tie game or defending a lead. He’s one of the biggest defensive liabilities in the NHL. He’s pretty much a slightly above average offensive D who excels on the PP

He has played 5 less games then Schenn. 1 goal and assist 5 on 5 for 5 less games played isnt a backbreaker lul

With 2 goals and 5 assists in his last 5 games got a feeling he will be passing Schenn soon. With games to spare

He’s played less games but still has more minutes at 5v5. For someone who’s supposed to be one of the better offensive dmen in the league, he should have more 5v5 points than 33 year old journeyman Luke Schenn, especially when he’s played more minutes

Who’s been more disappointing

Horvat
Meier
Kane