no its not. the defense is significantly worse

Rielly is HARDLY a defensive stalwart! Dermot is just as good in his own end, and even more physical than Rielly. Better PK option too. Plus, you have to let Sandin take on more of a QB role eventually!

Plus, this is really just a reply to a Flames trade post earlier in the day. This is just my take on that and what it would look like from the Leafs' side of the ledger

Calgary is not doing that

Dermott is not just as good in his own end. If Rielly was so bad, why does he play the most minutes for TO? Also defensively they are a very good team now.

Hmm… I don’t know, maybe Reilly is there 1 of their top pairing defenseman and TOR really only plays their big boys because their depth and defense is garbage. Frankly speaking, I would take the shambolic defense the Isles played against the Canes before I ever even consider Toronto’s dcore. Heck, I would take the Sabres dcore before I even thought about the Leafs. Also, I think you are confusing defense with offense. They are still really bad with defense, and the only reason they arent letting in 6 goals per night is because Campbell is bailing the team out. Oh, and Calgary doesn’t even consider that trade.

Maybe the Leafs considerably worse. Carrying just 6m Dmen, and really weaker at centre with Kerfoot. Losing two starters for one starter and one you have scratched

Capfriendly commentators on the Leafs. Their defence is garbage, the only reason they don't get scored on is because Campbell. Also Campbell is just a backup and sucks. Definitely no typical anti leaf bs here.

Alright, I'll bite. If Campbell is just a backup and sucks, why does he have the starting role? Mrazek was brought in to help balance out the goaltending, but only play a small amount of games as he would likely not perform as well in Toronto as he did in Carolina based on the defense alone. The Leafs originally brought him in as the backup, but he is starting a lot of games. The leafs didn't even have enough cap space to bring up their AHL goalie for pity's sake when Mrazek got injured. When the rest of the leafs were sucking last postseason against the Habs, the only player who was even remotely competent in that series was Campbell. Just because the Leafs suck as a whole doesn't mean one player individually sucks.

The point eluded you sir. My point is people on this site will say nonsense like this.

Capfriendly commentators (such as yourself)

"The Leafs defence sucks the only reason they don't get shelled is because of Campbell"

"The Leafs will never go anywhere unless they fix their defence"

"One of the core will have to be traded for a #1 defenceman"

And at the same time those same people in a different conversation

"Campbell is just a backup, he's laughable as a starter."
"The Leafs have 2 backup goalies"

"The Leafs defence make it easy on him because they don't allow a lot of shots."

Always the same crap