Keefe gave Liljegren compliments after the game but also mentioned that he made some mistakes and let the puck get behind him.

I thought he looked good but Liljegren hasn’t earned a top 6 roll yet.
- Dozzer

Amazing how when that happens every shift on Holl, crickets.

Lily was a little underappreciated before camp started, but I still believed he could/should make the club. But to say he should leapfrog Holl at this stage is a bit of a stretch. I know you have a tinted perspective on Holl, so I get it, but as it stands; Holl>Liljegren>Dermott. At least in my opinion.
That being said, ask me again half way through the season. Lily will be better than Holl eventually. And keeping Lily on the 2nd pair and putting Holl with Sandin sounds like ideal pairings.
- UsernameUnknown

Liljegren > Dermott >> Holl

they should
defense wins championships👍
- Skalapy

The best defence is attack

Amazing how when that happens every shift on Holl, crickets.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Holl actually blocks a lot of poop to be fair

Problem is when one gets by him it’s a truly ugly play

Somehow there’s no “in between” when it comes to that with him

Liljegren > Dermott >> Holl


- GreatGigInTheSky

My goodness do you ever love the 7th d man lol

I know, Amadio and Liljegren will likely get sent down when both Matthews and Mikheyev are back in the lineup (barring other injuries) however I think it will be Bunting and Kase who flip back and forth in the lineup. They need a guy who can play C on the 4th line so Spezza can play the wing outside of the faceoffs. So Engvall will stay in the lineup for that and that alone.
- Dozzer

Unfortunately, most likely. Which sucks. He deserves to be on the team. But unless the team trades someone to clear space (Holl), it'll need to happen.

That was the only blip that led to a goal. There’s been a bunch of times when he either failed to get it out of the D zone or into the offensive zone.
- Canada Cup

Well then, it might be safer to let Reilly take care of us in that situation.

Amazing how when that happens every shift on Holl, crickets.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I think Holl is the one player who gets the least amount of scrutiny because we all hope and pray that he's actually a legit Top 4 d-man who serendipitously fits the bill and for very cheap $$$.

Unfortunately, this is the kind of Kool-Aid you have to drink when you've locked up so much cap space into 4 elite forwards.

In an alternate reality, there is no pandemic and the cap goes up year-on-year and the Leafs have room for improvements and win, obviously, multiple Cups.

This simulation though? TML=FML and we have to sign UoT goalies on an emergency basis.

The best defence is attack
- Zezel

that’s how the french used to think🤦‍♂️

Unfortunately, most likely. Which sucks. He deserves to be on the team. But unless the team trades someone to clear space (Holl), it'll need to happen.
- GreatGigInTheSky

They’re not trading Holl

Let’s be honest here… the only true quality NHL defensemen they have is Rielly, Brodie, Muzzin, Holl, Sandin, Dermott, and Liljegren

Only 7, they won’t be moving one without the unlikely arrival of another.

So they’ll take the one guy who doesn’t need to clear waivers and bump him up and down so they can hang onto their 13th forward.

I think that unless they move a forward that makes enough to clear enough space for both a 13th forward and 7th d man (like Mikheyev for instance) we might as well expect the up and down handling of Liljegren this year

Holl actually blocks a lot of poop to be fair

Problem is when one gets by him it’s a truly ugly play

Somehow there’s no “in between” when it comes to that with him
- Dozzer

Holl's biggest problem (outside of straight up sucking ) is that he's getting slower at a crazy quick pace. And he was never fleet of foot to begin with.

I think Holl is the one player who gets the least amount of scrutiny because we all hope and pray that he's actually a legit Top 4 d-man who serendipitously fits the bill and for very cheap $$$.

Unfortunately, this is the kind of Kool-Aid you have to drink when you've locked up so much cap space into 4 elite forwards.

In an alternate reality, there is no pandemic and the cap goes up year-on-year and the Leafs have room for improvements and win, obviously, multiple Cups.

This simulation though? TML=FML and we have to sign UoT goalies on an emergency basis.
- mjones242

i agree👍🏿

who was thinking that hole was a top 4?🤦‍♂️

Why would we possibly take out one of the very few guys in our line-up who can seriously skate the puck out of trouble when we're pressured in our end.

His only blip so far was the cross ice pass in the Sens home game that led to a goal.
- Leafsmart

I agree - people see him making mistakes but he has the puck an awful lot. 🦒👍

My goodness do you ever love the 7th d man lol
- Dozzer

Technically he would've been a 4/5 yesterday. Played with Muzzin.

Honestly, though. Most of this is just straight up validation for me. I've been pumping Liljegren's tires for years in here, since I'm apparently one of only a handful that watched him play with the Marlies.

Having to constantly read about how he's a "bust". So I've decided to throw it back. No mercy!

Holl's biggest problem (outside of straight up sucking ) is that he's getting slower at a crazy quick pace. And he was never fleet of foot to begin with.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Well if I were you I’d figure out a way to like him because he’s not going anywhere in the near future (ie: this season) lol

Technically he would've been a 4/5 yesterday. Played with Muzzin.

Honestly, though. Most of this is just straight up validation for me. I've been pumping Liljegren's tires for years in here, since I'm apparently one of only a handful that watched him play with the Marlies.

Having to constantly read about how he's a "bust". So I've decided to throw it back. No mercy!
- GreatGigInTheSky

Oh to be clear I like him too! But since the leafs consider themselves cup contenders then playing two rookie defensemen in the top 6 core is nothing short of foolish.

My guess is still this, Rielly ends up walking at the end of the season since he’ll be looking for roughly 9 million, Sandin jumps into his spot and then Liljegren jumps into Sandin’s

I agree - people see him making mistakes but he he the puck an awful lot. 🦒👍
- Garnie

And the minute he takes the puck, opposing teams start to backtrack.

I never worry when his line is on the ice.

If somebody needs to come out of the lineup when AM returns, it should be Ritchie

I love the guy, but he needs to find his role here.

So far we haven't seen it.

I think Holl is the one player who gets the least amount of scrutiny because we all hope and pray that he's actually a legit Top 4 d-man who serendipitously fits the bill and for very cheap $$$.

Unfortunately, this is the kind of Kool-Aid you have to drink when you've locked up so much cap space into 4 elite forwards.

In an alternate reality, there is no pandemic and the cap goes up year-on-year and the Leafs have room for improvements and win, obviously, multiple Cups.

This simulation though? TML=FML and we have to sign UoT goalies on an emergency basis.
- mjones242

Honestly, you're probably right.

And the minute he takes the puck, opposing teams start to backtrack.

I never worry when his line is on the ice.

If somebody needs to come out of the lineup when AM returns, it should be Ritchie

I love the guy, but he needs to find his role here.

So far we haven't seen it.
- Leafsmart

He’s playing his role perfectly

Like I said he’s working the boards perfectly, has a dozen hits, and parks his big body in front of the net great.

The problem with that line has been JT and Marner, they’re the ones supposed to produce, not Ritchie, unless it’s banging in rebounds and that’s about it.

They’re not trading Holl

Let’s be honest here… the only true quality NHL defensemen they have is Rielly, Brodie, Muzzin, Holl, Sandin, Dermott, and Liljegren

Only 7, they won’t be moving one without the unlikely arrival of another.

So they’ll take the one guy who doesn’t need to clear waivers and bump him up and down so they can hang onto their 13th forward.

I think that unless they move a forward that makes enough to clear enough space for both a 13th forward and 7th d man (like Mikheyev for instance) we might as well expect the up and down handling of Liljegren this year
- Dozzer

For sure. I've known all along that it'd happen. I just didn't think Liljegren would actually get in a game. And not this soon in the season.

So it's like a slap in the face watching an improved team that won't last because of CAP circumstances.

Well if I were you I’d figure out a way to like him because he’s not going anywhere in the near future (ie: this season) lol
- Dozzer

Nah. I'll stick to hating the bum. I'll live with him on the team but I'm still gonna female dog about it.

I’d rather spend $500k and keep a better player. Armadio? 🤮
- Garnie

I haven’t even seen him on the ice, no idea how to spell it 🤣

*croons*
- Garnie

Hmmmmm....your Engvall enjoyment is showing.

Hi guys,
What’s shakin?

Oh to be clear I like him too! But since the leafs consider themselves cup contenders then playing two rookie defensemen in the top 6 core is nothing short of foolish.

My guess is still this, Rielly ends up walking at the end of the season since he’ll be looking for roughly 9 million, Sandin jumps into his spot and then Liljegren jumps into Sandin’s
- Dozzer

I'm hopeful that Rielly factors in his dad disowning him if he leaves and signs a new deal that starts with a 6. Shut up! I can dream.

Nah. I'll stick to hating the bum. I'll live with him on the team but I'm still gonna female dog about it.
- GreatGigInTheSky

We need to make a Hollywood joke here somehow lol

Holl? y wood you depend on him?

Or something like that