If there is something to remove from the Maple Leafs' bad start to the 2013 NHL Playoffs against Boston, it is this. The Leafs' defence is merely plain bad. Dion Phaneuf's decision-making and passing is clearly overrated, Carl Gunnarsson is playing on half of a hip, and John-Michael Liles rarely gets snow time until it is on the energy play. He has also observed his fair share of the press box this season, creating him and Mike Komisarek probably the most costly press box defensive couple in hockey. That, then, leaves Cody Franson, who has astonishingly had a bounce-back year. Mark Fraser and Mike Kostka make-up the remainder of your defensive corps. Fraser began the entire year out on fire, a magnet it seemed for pucks, as he led the Leafs in blocked photographs, and eventually gets. In terms of Kostka, the free-agent collection was originally planned to be not and a Marlies defenceman a Leaf defenceman. His constant play in exhibition gained an area to him, and spelt the end of Komisarek in a Leaf shirt as he was sent back to the AHL. To Komisarek's credit, he's taken the demotion such as a winner and has not complained. Nevertheless, while the period went on, the holes begun to show. Regardless of the Leafs' leading the league in hits and blocked shots, and position in the top two in fee killing, additionally they lead the league in giveaways and were in the top four when it came to shots against per game at a whopping 32 shots against. Lots of people will say that's a staff stat, and yes, you're probably correct. The machine Randy Carlyle employs isn't very desirable for an easy, young, experienced team. His system is more aimed at larger, more actual teams. Yes, the Leafs do lead the league in hits, but their chief in hits was Leo Komorov, who is one of their smaller people. Others like Frazer McLaren and Colton Orr, who put into the hit whole, just begin to see the snow in motion. Personally I think the Leafs, who also placed third to last in shots per game at 26 shots a game, have to get started better from their own end. Better store travels and better perspective general can actually help their offensive assault get more reliable. Sport 1 exposed some obvious holes in the Leafs' strike. It began with Fraser, who seemed lost on the market, paying up the puck repeatedly and also going for a delay of game penalty. Shifting down, Kostka finished the game much the same, looking lost. He maintained a minus-three rating and fundamentally broke his finger, which many in Leafs Nation hope keeps him out the rest of the series. Phaneuf got a reducing fee that ultimately resulted in a back-breaking, game-winning goal by Nathan Horton with 12 seconds remaining in the first time. From the period on, the game was over as it was taken by the Bruins to the Leafs because they outshot them 40-20 and won Game 1, 4-1. because the contracts of Tim Connolly, Clarke MacArthur, Tyler Bozak and AOrr are all expiring, as many of you know, the Leafs present a ton of hat place. The Leafs should sign restricted free agent Nazem Kadri to a brand new offer, in addition to Joe Colborne and the rest of the RFAs. The Leafs could have more cover place as they can buy out two participants, if they so choose. Probably the most logical choices for that are Komisarek and Mikhail Grabovski, who make close to a combined $10 million. Demonstrably, the Leafs will soon be seeking another top-six forward and possibly a seasoned goalie, but their primary emphasis must be on defence. Adding two top-four defenceman should really be important. Listed below are three free agents the Leafs should look into signing. Defenceman Ryan Whitney: Edmonton Oilers The Oilers were very nearly as bad whilst the Leafs defensively, but Whitney was externally looking generally in most times. Straddled with a $4 million price, Whitney quickly fell out of favor in Oil Country, as the membership elected to go with their young defencemen including Justin Schultz, Nick Schultz, Jeff Petry and Ladislav Smid. Whitney is an excellent puck mover and is just a expert. At 6'4" and 220 pounds, his power to actually get a crime moving is his calling card. Up until 2 yrs before, he averaged more than 23 minutes a, and was a defenceman on the Ducks, Penguins and also the Oilers for a short while. His best season came in his sophomore season, where he completed with 59 points and 14 aims in 81 games played. He had be described as a small risk as a result of a number of his accidents, but he could be had at a much cheaper selling price than what his 2013 pay dictates. Defenceman Mark Streit: New York Islanders Streit might quickly become the Leafs' top used defenceman. He is very skilled offensively and adequate defensively. His ability to run an electric play is also a fantastic advantage. Streit won't come low priced and to be honest, could be from the Leafs' price range, but I still feel he is worth a go. As they begin their transformation in to the Brooklyn Islanders I will see himA re-signing with the Islanders. When Streit left Montreal, he converted into a stud defenceman playing over 25 minutes a night. The very best part about himA is he is consistently healthier, minus a knee injury in 2008-09. He finished with 16 goals and 56 points and still were able to play 74 games. Defenceman Ian White: Detroit Red Wings White hasn't played many games recent months due to injuries, but he is a great locker area person, a puck mover and a veteran. A former Leaf, White was included in players that were sent four by the package to Calgary as a swap for Dion Phaneuf, Keith Aulie (now with Tampa Bay after being given for Carter Ashton) and Fredrick Sjostrom. White was most likely the player in the offer I was least very happy to see worked. He was a really gritty opponent and an excellent defenceman despite his not enough size. His most readily useful year came a year ago by which he finished with 32 points and an impressive +23 rating with the Red Wings. White will be a cheaper signing and one I personally hope the Leafs at least examine. As potential free-agent defenceman pickups added names include Robyn Regehr, Jordan Leopold, Douglas Murray and Sergei Gonchar. Now in closing, the Leafs' protection does need work, that's for sure. But they do have a few top-six NHL defencemen already in the device. Mike Gardiner, despite his defensive faults, continues to be an skater, puck handler and a fantastic passer. His presence on the back end could help out their exits from the defensive area. Increase that Morgan Rielly, who had been the final cut at training camp in 2013. He's close, but may need another year of seasoning in the AHL. John Ranger is a huge constant influence on the Marlies' right back end, and at 6'3" and 215 pounds, poses a much better puck-moving alternative within the RFA-to-be Mark Fraser. The last name is Jesse Blacker, who's also very close to his debut with the Maple Leafs. Blacker is very strong defensively and is just a very good passer out of his own end. With having said that, Leafs' GM Dave Nonis will undoubtedly be working the phones feverishly, I hope, looking for seasoned defencemen, because I am fearing looking at an 82-game season with the existing Leafs' defence they've today.
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