Edited Jul. 17, 2017 at 9:51 a.m.
Well, Gardiner might be 17th giveaways, one reason he isn't afraid to handle the puck. He's given he responsibility to rush the puck. I'm sure if the other 16 players above have many "premier" players on it, for the same reason.
Only on the site, do folks think the Leafs have terrible Dmen. Collectively it's about average maybe a bit below. Good enough to get into the playoffs last year. With Hainsey and the expect growth of two rookies Zaitsev, and Carrick, should be better this year.
Only on this site, do the the Leafs and only the Leafs, have to give up top players for two year rentals like Doughty and OELarsson. If getting a # 1 Dman was that important to a teams success, why isn't Arizona or Kings making the playoffs? Gee, even Tampa Bay with Hedman missed the playoffs. Washington and all there star Dman, won one playoff round last year.
So this what are the facts about needing a "top" Dman to win the Cup based on? Look at the Penguins last spring. Schultz and bunch of competent Dmen, not a star filled defence at all.
Guys that drafted 17th aren't NHL ready, so Liljegren is at least two years from being in the NHL. If you watched Dermot, even will only half a season with the Marlins (injured the other half) he looks the part and appears to ready for NHL duty. Rosen and Borgman are 25 and 22 and have SHL experience and would likely be much closer to the NHL than Nielsen, Liljegren, Valiev or the other other prospects.
Paul: How is Toronto's D so crap? It is certainly comparable or probably better than Bostons. Boston has all those stars making over 7m Bergeron, Krejci and has a career year from Marchand, have this 7m goalie the 6m Backus and where did it get them?
rangerandislesfan: Folks really get got up in these ranking of # 1 etc. Yea, Reilly, Gardiner and maybe this Zaitsev might all be about the same. Not Karlsson or Doughty number one, but good enough to be a good core of above average NHL team. You think Oilers might have the best shot of any team to win the Western Conference this season, but certainly they don't have what are considered a great # 1 Dman.