Quoting: MauriceArthur15
This defence is better than more than 3/4 of the league. This is a deep line up and you forget that Menell, Dahlstrom are in the minors as well. Liljegren you need to see what you have in him. You either play him or trade him simple.
No team has the Stanley cup winning roster at season start. The add throughout the season and get better as the season continues. Players like Manson, Schultz, Domi and etc will be available at the deadline, and Toronto has the assets to get top players in expiring deals.
Or Holl looks like he did the 2nd half of the season, Sandin, Liljegren or both look a step behind as obviously neither has proven that they are legit NHL dmen yet. And then the Leafs are scrambling to find a Dermott type.
I didn't forget about anyone. 95%+ of the time when guys that are 24, 25, 26 and not playing in the NHL, it means they are not NHLers. Look at Lehtonen, best Dman in the KHL, put ahead of Dermott by 90% of fans on here before anyone saw him play in NA, and then the 3rd pair looks awful when Lehtonen was in instead of Dermott.
Contenders don't have 6 guys that are maybes for the 5,6,7 spots on the blueline. They have legit NHLers and the odd prospect that has more than proven they are ready.
Leafs made a big step last year defensively, it would be foolish to go into the season with that many question marks.
Holl gets hurt 2nd game of the season, are you really stoked with Liljegren getting top 4 minutes?
Keep Dermott, keep Liljegren as the 7th, and let the 3 of them (incl Sandin) battle it out to see who deserves those 5 & 6 jobs.
Also injuries happen, it's very likely the three of them get plenty of games.