In the face of Blue Line Adversity, will the Leafs act before the trade deadline?
This season, the Toronto Maple Leafs blue line has faced numerous challenges, including illnesses, injuries, and suspensions. It’s been difficult to establish a stable lineup because of the frequent player turnover, which occurs virtually every game.
Adversity on the Blue Line: Toronto Maple Leafs
Liljegren’s Daily Situation and Giordano’s Comeback
Due to an unspecified injury, Timothy Liljegren, who missed practice on February 26, is currently listed as day-to-day. His average time on ice increased significantly during Morgan Rielly’s recent five-game suspension, so his absence comes at a crucial time. Liljegren has been an important player for the Maple Leafs, racking up seven assists during their remarkable seven-game winning streak, when paired with veteran T.J. Brodie.
But this has given seasoned defenseman Mark Giordano a chance, who
But this has given veteran defenseman Mark Giordano an opportunity. Giordano missed the team’s four-game road trip because of the unexpected death of his father, Paul Giordano, but he is expected to return to the lineup now.
The defensive core is happy to have Lagesson and Rielly back because they bring depth and experience to the blue line. They restored stability and experience to the lineup by taking the place of the youthful Lajoie and Rifai duo. After their five-game winning streak, Rielly’s return caused some initial anxiety among the team members, but it didn’t slow them down—in fact, it seemed to energise them even more.
Keefe’s Protective Combinations
The defensive tandems for the Leafs have shown promise, with players displaying chemistry just when it’s most needed. Brodie and Liljegren, with their inherent left-right dynamic, have made an impressive team. In Morgan Rielly’s absence, Liljegren filled in admirably, and Brodie’s ease on his natural side has improved their play, making them possibly one of the league’s top pairs at the moment.
Brutal Defensive Pair
Benoit and McCabe have also made an impression by showing more physicality and ice time. Their aggressive play style and deft puck handling have worked well together. Reliability expert Sheldon Keefe praised McCabe, saying, “Very little has gone poorly when he’s out there.”
Their hard-hitting performances have given the team new life and vitality, capturing the tenacity and toughness of traditional hockey. The Leafs now view Benoit and McCabe as underdogs because of their gruff style of play, which has earned them respect. When it came to covering for Rielly during his suspension, the two performed exceptionally well. By playing more minutes on the ice, routinely stopping shots, hitting hard every game, and defending their teammates when necessary, they have demonstrated their tenacity. McCabe has stepped up, adding his name to the scoreboard and showcasing both his offensive and defensive prowess.
The Leafs are in a pivotal position as the trade deadline draws near. Despite beginning the season on waivers, Lagesson and Benoit have been welcome surprises, bringing tenacity to the blue line. But as the team gets ready for the playoffs, worries about their defensive depth are raised by the season’s workload and injury toll.
The Leafs have a critical decision to make as the trade deadline draws near: should they add players to their defensive depth to bolster it further, or should they depend on this group going into the postseason? Weighing the possible benefits of reinforcement against the possibility of upsetting the team’s chemistry and cohesiveness is a difficult decision that needs to be carefully considered.
Potential trade targets like Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin, Jakob Chychrun, and others stand out as interesting choices in the hunt for defensive reinforcements. The Leafs would gain stability and experience through the trade of a defenseman, which would be essential for a deep playoff run and provide the team much-needed depth.
All eyes are on the Leafs front office as March 8th approaches. Their confidence in the current defensive core will be revealed by their choice to trade for a defenseman. This deadline offers them a chance to reaffirm their belief in the team’s potential to advance to the postseason, even though they have encountered obstacles this season.
John E. Sokolowski/USA TODAY Sports is the main photographer.
