Like I said before, Montreal was not a contender last year. They had an amazing run lead by elite goaltending and a total team effort but let's not pretend they were contenders. I don't really see that as a transition game though, to transition game means capitalizing on neutral zone turn overs like the Leafs or a run and gun style of play. Playing defensively and creating breakouts from your own zone isn't really transitional IMO anyway. That being said you are right you also can't really just sit back and play a defensive style letting teams have 305+ shots a night and expect to be successful, you have to be able to create chances as well.

Just to add about Muzzin. He has a NTC. So he really untradable. His 5.6m contract can't be traded to a team with cap (a poor team).
Agree with Please Ban Me for My Good. Leafs are going to ride with their current top 7 Dmen, partly because they have to. Might add short term piece, but certainly won't be subtracting from their current group.

That is exactly what TO does though, they deny controlled zone entries and keep teams to the outside when they do have the puck, once they get the puck back they move up ice with control and keep it with a strong cycle game waiting for teams to over commit and then take the puck to the dangerous areas to create chances. Everyone wants to transition quickly and smartly. Run and gun was Babcock's style of throwing the puck up ice as fast as possible through long stretch passes. That's not really how TO plays under Keefe. They hold the puck and make smart high percentage passes or turn back and regroup with control. It absolutely will work in the playoffs because that's what the best teams do as well.

TBH I haven't watch a lot of hockey the last couple if years outside of the majority of Habs games and the playoffs. I was just assuming the Leafs were still playing the run and gun style Babcock employed lol. Like I said before though and my reason for the involvement on the thread was simply to point out the report and find out if it was true as it makes no sense for the Leafs to subtract heading into the playoffs instead of adding.

Yeah that report was pure speculation.