Randoms How to Build a D Core for Dummies

Team: 2019-20 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Oct. 15, 2018

Published: Oct. 15, 2018

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

On the cap, BoG and NHLPA have said this is the likely minimum (81.5 + guaranteed 1.25% inflation)
Chart for player classes:
Superstar
#1 Dman
Top 2
Top 4
Middle 2
Bottom 4
Bottom pair

There are a few ways to build a defensive core:
The Loaded D model:
Have superstars for your top 2 (note: doesn't actually need to be superstars, just two #1 D), three other top 4 guys and a middle 2 guy to round it out (Nashville, Winnipeg, Anaheim). - Very,very expensive unless you are Jesus (Nashville).

The Top 2 Model:
Maybe you go with an amazing top 2 (at least one #1 D, and a top 2 D) with adequate bottom 4 (a middle 2 and three bottom 4 guys) (Philadelphia, Boston (although Chara is ageing), St. Louis). - Teams lucky enough to get 2 superstars but need to be more cost efficient than the Loaded D model.

The Top 4 Model:
You could have a #1 guy or a Top 2 D (not necessarily a superstar), three solid top four guys with decent bottom 2 (Washington, Tampa Bay, LA). - Most teams goal, cost efficient, solid D core.

The Depth Model:
Or you can run four top 4 guys with two bottom 4 guys. (Carolina, Colorado). - A cheap way to get effective defence, What teams with no real superstars/#1 strive for.

If I did not mention your team, don't worry, I am just lazy.
So where does that leave Toronto next year? The way I see it our D core breaks down like this as of right now (will include Gardiner, even though he likely does not come back):

Rielly - #1/Top 2
Gardiner - Top 4
Zaitzev - Middle 2
Dermott - Bottom 4 (Potential to be top 4)
Liljegren - Bottom 4 (Potential to be top 2)
Ozhiganov - Bottom 4
Sandin - Bottom pair (Potential to be top 4)
Rosen/Borgman/Marincin/Holl (The extras) - Bottom pair

So what can we do with this? If Liljegren, Dermott and Sandin all pan out to full potential, then we could go with the Loaded D model, but that is years away at best, and relies on everyone hitting their absolute ceiling. (Rielly - Liljegren (top 2)|Dermott - Sandin (top 4)|Zaitzev (middle 2)|Ozhiganov (bottom 4)

So what is realistic within the next year or two? Well we only have one top 2 guy, so that also eliminates the top 2 model, but Rielly is too good to get lumped into the Depth model. That leaves us with the Top 4 model, which fits our cap constraints, coach and play style.

I propose this lineup next year:

Rielly - Dermott
Ozhiganov - Zaitzev
(Extra) - Liljegren

Rielly is a top 2 and Dermott will be either a middle 2 or top 4 by then. Babs is clearly trying to transition to this pair anyway.

Ozhiganov is a bottom 2 while Zaitzev is a middle two. It is a weaker than normal 2nd pair for this model, but not by a huge amount. It is also temporary. A quick note: Oz and Zaitzev were a pair in the KHL before coming over, and they tore it up there. Not sure who played left, but I assume Oz because of his wicked shot.

This is a decent bottom pair, with the bottom 2 guy and the (currently bottom 4) prospect.

So all we have to do is wait, and we will have a solid D core built upon the Top 4 model. No trades, no signings, just patience (which Leafs fans are renown for /s).
Near future lines could look like this:
Rielly - Liljegren
Dermott - Zaitzev
Sandin - (Extra)