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Joined: May 2018
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I understand where you are coming from but this is way off base.
Faulk is essentially the same thing as Gardiner but likely even worse defensively. Bean isn't needed, the Leafs have several young prospects coming up that can fill holes so there is no need to jump the gun and overpay for Bean or Faulk.
The Leafs defence isn't a problem, its just not nearly as good as their offence and that to some means its a big issue. It just isn't nearly as big as people think it is.
With the offense this team will run with, what they need are fast and mobile players on the back end who make smart decisions and can go retrieve the puck in their end before forecheckers get there. I see a lineup something like this in 3 years for TO.
Rielly with Liljegren
Dermott/Rosen with Zaitsev
Sandin with Ozhiganov
Maybe Ozhiganov plays with Rielly, I don't know or care. This isn't going to be nearly as much of a problem as others think it will be.