I'm glad Liljegren seems to be taking the Adam Larsson path to just being a good defenseman. Period. No "offensive," "defensive," "penalty killer," "puck mover" or "tough guy." Just a good defenseman.
- AdamFrench

I can see his offensive production increasing each year. He has a decent shot(way better than Rielly's) and sees the ice well. He could setting into a 30-40 point guy.(eventually)

But yes, more importantly right now is he is just playing solid D.

The eye test doesn't lie, Liljegren comes closer to stabilizing Rielly than anyone on the team. 👀
- joel878

If they continue to pan out well together I wouldn’t mind this

Rielly Liljegren - stable offensive pairing 1
Giordano Holl - primary shut down pairing
Sandin Brodie - stable offensive pairing 2

Benn slides in for Liljegren, Giordano, Holl, or Brodie gets hurt and Timmins slides in to replace Rielly or Sandin

I’d be okay with the leafs rolling with that D unless of course it’s more than just a tweaked change and it’s a significant upgrade (like another $5 million plus type)

If they continue to pan out well together I wouldn’t mind this

Rielly Liljegren - stable offensive pairing 1
Giordano Holl - primary shut down pairing
Sandin Brodie - stable offensive pairing 2

Benn slides in for Liljegren, Giordano, Holl, or Brodie gets hurt and Timmins slides in to replace Rielly or Sandin

I’d be okay with the leafs rolling with that D unless of course it’s more than just a tweaked change and it’s a significant upgrade (like another $5 million plus type)
- Dozzer

Not so different than what I suggested the other night. 👀

I'm a big fan of that set-up personally. No focus on flash just 3 capable responsible pairings that can chip in offensively periodically. All 3 have their defensive aspect to lean on.

If they continue to pan out well together I wouldn’t mind this

Rielly Liljegren - stable offensive pairing 1
Giordano Holl - primary shut down pairing
Sandin Brodie - stable offensive pairing 2

Benn slides in for Liljegren, Giordano, Holl, or Brodie gets hurt and Timmins slides in to replace Rielly or Sandin

I’d be okay with the leafs rolling with that D unless of course it’s more than just a tweaked change and it’s a significant upgrade (like another $5 million plus type)
- Dozzer

The concern here for me is that this pair would be up against 2nd lines and have absolutely no foot speed whatsoever .. and will be going against fast wings. Otherwise pretty solid.

If they continue to pan out well together I wouldn’t mind this

Rielly Liljegren - stable offensive pairing 1
Giordano Holl - primary shut down pairing
Sandin Brodie - stable offensive pairing 2

Benn slides in for Liljegren, Giordano, Holl, or Brodie gets hurt and Timmins slides in to replace Rielly or Sandin

I’d be okay with the leafs rolling with that D unless of course it’s more than just a tweaked change and it’s a significant upgrade (like another $5 million plus type)
- Dozzer

If Rielly and Liljegren can work long-term together, than this definitely solidifies the rest of the pairings.

Not so different than what I suggested the other night. 👀

I'm a big fan of that set-up personally. No focus on flash just 3 capable responsible pairings that can chip in offensively periodically. All 3 have their defensive aspect to lean on.
- joel878

I like Gio and Brodie together but I’m not sure where Holl goes in that scenario

My skates came in the mail! Can't wait to get back into some shinny.

I model my game half on Peter Zezel, half Iafrate, half Willy Styles and half Dino Cicarelli
- Zezel

get it while you can buddy👍

i’ve recently given up skating to focus on the weight pile and making fat stacks👍🏿

i had modeled my game on half Howe, half czerkawski and half andy (frank)ing wozniewski👍

Not so different than what I suggested the other night. 👀

I'm a big fan of that set-up personally. No focus on flash just 3 capable responsible pairings that can chip in offensively periodically. All 3 have their defensive aspect to lean on.
- joel878

Yup, bang on, with the forwards the leafs have the D is more than able to go defence first offence second without it even effecting their goal scoring as a team

The concern here for me is that this pair would be up against 2nd lines and have absolutely no foot speed whatsoever .. and will be going against fast wings. Otherwise pretty solid.
- dozerD10

These guys would be up against top lines since they’re the shut down pair.

Which is the same role they’ve had since put together and are by far and away effective at it.

Their foot speed is fine because they typically sit back and wait for the opposition to come to them. Also, this will sound ridiculous but Holl isn’t all that slow, problem is when you watch him play he’s skating backwards against top 6 opposition forwards and people wonder why he gets beat? Really? Lol

That being said they stick back for a good reason, if Keefe wants a more offensive pairing out there then that’s when they come off the ice

If Rielly and Liljegren can work long-term together, than this definitely solidifies the rest of the pairings.
- rSole

You sure you can agree with me? Lol

I like those pairs. I could see Keefe setting the basic ice time for about 20mins each which would be altered by special team time. More PP time = more Rielly ice time vs more PK time = more Gio & Holl ice time kind of thing.

I like Gio and Brodie together but I’m not sure where Holl goes in that scenario
- Canada Cup

I get what you’re saying but Brodie and Holl are similar D-men but Brodie is notably better and able to cover his partner where Holl can hold his own just fine but that’s about it.

That’s why they need Brodie with the D-men who are questionable defensively.

I get what you’re saying but Brodie and Holl are similar D-men but Brodie is notably better and able to cover his partner where Holl can hold his own just fine but that’s about it.

That’s why they need Brodie with the D-men who are questionable defensively.
- Dozzer

If Rielly and Holl worked they could use Brodie and Gio against top offensive lines and keep Sandin and Lilli together. Alas….

They really need Brodie to be healthy

You sure you can agree with me? Lol

I like those pairs. I could see Keefe setting the basic ice time for about 20mins each which would be altered by special team time. More PP time = more Rielly ice time vs more PK time = more Gio & Holl ice time kind of thing.
- Dozzer

Well sometimes you make good points. Lol. I don’t mind admitting that.

If Rielly and Holl worked they could use Brodie and Gio against top offensive lines and keep Sandin and Lilli together. Alas….

They really need Brodie to be healthy
- Canada Cup

A: Rielly and Holl won’t work because that’s expecting Holl to cover his partner defensively. It would be Sandin and Holl all over again.

And B: why break up Gio and Holl when they’ve been one of the league’s best defensive pairings this year? Just to go back in time and enjoy what Flames fans did years ago?

Holl is fine defensively but is only able to handle his own coverage responsibility, so out of the three left side guys, Rielly, Gio, and Sandin it’s pretty clear who he should be playing with. Rielly needs a defensive guy that can cover his ass, hence Brodie but I do believe Liljegren can handle it too. Sandin is Rielly #2 so he needs a similar partner as well. A defensive guy who can cover his partner’s ass when necessary, hence why Brodie would work with him as well.

Well sometimes you make good points. Lol. I don’t mind admitting that.
- rSole

So I’m only 99% annoying? Sweet

That’s a good hockey number lol

Is it a coincidence that the defense was better when Morgan Reilly was out than since hes been back?

Anyone else see this?

Bueller

Bueller

Is it a coincidence that the defense was better when Morgan Reilly was out than since hes been back?

Anyone else see this?

Bueller

Bueller
- Koots 33

Leafs were 10-0-3 when Brodie was out earlier. Does he suck?

So I’m only 99% annoying? Sweet

That’s a good hockey number lol
- Dozzer

doesn't look too good if you're only a 98 though

Leafs were 10-0-3 when Brodie was out earlier. Does he suck?
- Canada Cup

The Leafs have been almost unstoppable when any goalie playing has a .935sv%.

A: Rielly and Holl won’t work because that’s expecting Holl to cover his partner defensively. It would be Sandin and Holl all over again.

And B: why break up Gio and Holl when they’ve been one of the league’s best defensive pairings this year? Just to go back in time and enjoy what Flames fans did years ago?

Holl is fine defensively but is only able to handle his own coverage responsibility, so out of the three left side guys, Rielly, Gio, and Sandin it’s pretty clear who he should be playing with. Rielly needs a defensive guy that can cover his ass, hence Brodie but I do believe Liljegren can handle it too. Sandin is Rielly #2 so he needs a similar partner as well. A defensive guy who can cover his partner’s ass when necessary, hence why Brodie would work with him as well.
- Dozzer

Gio-Brodie would be better but it’s not an option because both Rielly and Holl need somebody other than each other to be paired with.

justin hole is the new stiffin kronhole🤣

as loaf fans, we’ve known over the decades what this team has been lacking and that’s a grownup to protect the net and some more jam👍🏿

yet we continue to jizz our shorts when buston, pencil neck, floater willi and really (?) get mad pointz 🤦‍♂️

our loafs need some legit grown men who can handle themselves and their teammates on and off the ice if they want to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup👍🏿

i’m talking guys like poon jenner, greenway or chickenrun👍

i will maintain my long held belief that there is a lack of commitment to winning at the management level🤦🏿‍♂️

mlse can print money by maintaining ice dancers who sell merch and season tickets to us🤦‍♂️

The Leafs have been almost unstoppable when any goalie playing has a .935sv%.
- AdamFrench

They’ve never won a game when there wasn’t a Swede in the lineup

get it while you can buddy👍

i’ve recently given up skating to focus on the weight pile and making fat stacks👍🏿

i had modeled my game on half Howe, half czerkawski and half andy (frank)ing wozniewski👍
- Skalapy

I've been jacking The Iron too. Wozniewski is a beast

The Leafs have been almost unstoppable when any goalie playing has a .935sv%.
- AdamFrench

btw, did you see that Mrazek was kicked out after 12 mins with a .200 the other night?

btw, did you see that Mrazek was kicked out after 12 mins with a .200 the other night?
- 21peter

I'm shocked they would pull him at any point.