If there's one thing to take away from the Maple Leafs' bad begin to the 2013 NHL Playoffs against Boston, it's this. The Leafs' support is merely plain bad. Dion Phaneuf's decision-making and passing is clearly overrated, Carl Gunnarsson is playing on half of a hip, and John-Michael Liles seldom gets snow time until it is on the energy play. He has also seen his fair share of the press box this year, making him and Mike Komisarek the most costly press box defensive couple in baseball. That, then, leaves Cody Franson, who has amazingly had a bounce-back time. Mark Fraser and Mike Kostka make up the others of your defensive corps. Fraser started the year from fire, a magnet it seemed for pucks, as the Leafs were led by him in blocked photographs, and eventually hits. For Kostka, the free-agent pickup was originally planned to be a Marlies defenceman and not a Leaf defenceman. His consistent play in exhibition earned him a spot, and spelt the end of Komisarek in a Leaf jacket as he was delivered back to the AHL. To Komisarek's credit, he's taken the demotion just like a winner and has not reported. But, whilst the year continued, the holes started to show. Despite the Leafs' leading the league in hits and blocked shots, and position in the top two in punishment killing, they also lead the league in giveaways and were in the top four when it stumbled on shots against per game at a massive 32 shots against. Many people may say that's a group statistic, and yes, you are likely correct. The device Randy Carlyle employs is not very interesting for a quick, young, competent team. His system is more geared towards larger, more real teams. Yes, the Leafs do lead the league in hits, but their leader in hits was Leo Komorov, who's among their smaller players. The others like Frazer McLaren and Colton Orr, who put into the reach total, only begin to see the snow in limited action. Personally I think the Leafs, who also ranked third to last in shots per game at 26 shots a game, need to get started better from their particular end. Better store passes and greater vision general can actually help their offensive attack get more reliable. Sport 1 revealed some glaring holes in the Leafs' attack. It started with Fraser, who seemed lost on the market, paying up the puck repeatedly and also having a delay of game penalty. Moving on down, Kostka finished the game very similar, looking lost. He managed a minus-three score and fundamentally broke his finger, which several he is kept by in Leafs Nation hope out the rest of the series. Phaneuf took a cutting punishment that fundamentally resulted in a back-breaking, game-winning goal by Nathan Horton with 12 seconds remaining in the first time. From this time on, the overall game was over as it was taken by the Bruins to the Leafs while they outshot them 40-20 and won Game 1, 4-1. The Leafs provide a huge amount of hat room, while the agreements of Tim Connolly, Clarke MacArthur, Tyler Bozak and AOrr are all expiring, as numerous of you understand. The Leafs will have to sign restricted free agent Nazem Kadri to a fresh deal, as well as Joe Colborne and the relaxation of the RFAs. The Leafs might have more cover space as players could be bought out two by them, if they so choose. Probably the most logical choices for that are Komisarek and Mikhail Grabovski, who make near to a combined $10 million. Clearly, the Leafs will be seeking another top-six forward and perhaps a veteran goalie, but their main emphasis must certanly be on protection. Adding two top-four defenceman ought to be a priority. Here are three free agents the Leafs should explore signing. Defenceman Ryan Whitney: Edmonton Oilers The Oilers were since the Leafs almost as bad defensively, but Whitney was on the exterior looking in many nights. Straddled with a $4 million cost, Whitney quickly dropped out of favour in Oil Country, as the team selected to go with their young defencemen which included Justin Schultz, Nick Schultz, Jeff Petry and Ladislav Smid. Whitney is an excellent puck mover and is a expert. At 6'4" and 220 pounds, his capability to really get an offense going is his calling card. Up to two years before, he averaged more than 23 minutes a, and was a defenceman on the Ducks, Penguins and also the Oilers for a short time. His most readily useful season came in his sophomore season, where he finished with 14 aims and 59 points in 81 games played. He'd be a small danger as a result of a few of his accidents, but he could be had at a much cheaper selling price than what his 2013 income dictates. Defenceman Mark Streit: Nyc Islanders Streit might quickly end up being the Leafs' top matched defenceman. He is very experienced offensively and adequate defensively. His capability to run an electrical play is also an excellent asset. Streit won't come inexpensive and to be honest, could be from the Leafs' budget range, but I still feel he's worth a shot. As their transformation is begun by them in to the Brooklyn Islanders I could see himA re-signing with the Islanders. A night as soon as Streit left Montreal, he converted into a stud defenceman playing more than 25 minutes. The most effective part about himA is he's consistently healthy, minus a knee injury back 2008-09. He still was able to play 74 games and completed with 16 objectives and 56 points. Defenceman Ian White: Detroit Red Wings White hasn't played many games recent seasons due to injuries, but he is a great locker place guy, a puck mover and a veteran. A former Leaf, White was included in the package that sent four people to Calgary as a swap for Dion Phaneuf, Keith Aulie (now with Tampa Bay after being treated for Carter Ashton) and Fredrick Sjostrom. White was most likely the person in the deal I was least very happy to see worked. He was a really gritty defender and a fantastic defenceman despite his insufficient size. His most readily useful year came a year ago by which he concluded with 32 points and an astonishing +23 rating with the Red Wings. White is a cheaper signing and one I personally hope the Leafs at the least investigate. Additional titles include Robyn Regehr, Jordan Leopold, Douglas Murray and Sergei Gonchar as possible free-agent defenceman pickups. Now in conclusion, the Leafs' support does need work, that is for sure. But they do have a few top-six NHL defencemen already in the system. Jake Gardiner, despite his defensive faults, is still an skater, puck handler and a great passer. His presence on the back end may help out their leaves from the defensive zone. Enhance that Morgan Rielly, who was the past cut at training camp this year. He's close, but may need another year of seasoning in the AHL. Paul Ranger has been a steady influence on the Marlies' back stop, and at 6'3" and 215 pounds, presents a far greater puck-moving alternative within the RFA-to-be Mark Fraser. The last title is Jesse Blacker, who is also very close to his debut with the Maple Leafs. Blacker is very powerful defensively and is just a decent passer out of their own end. With that said, Leafs' GM Dave Nonis is going to be working the telephones feverishly, I hope, looking for experienced defencemen, because I am dreading looking at an 82-game season with the present Leafs' protection they have right now.
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