Toronto Maple Leafs Defense Is Improving

The Toronto Maple Leafs, with 40 points, remain at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. However, there is a reason to be optimistic going forward. The Leafs’ defense suddenly looks like it’s working. Toronto is only three points away from being 4th in the division from 8th. So, it’s still a bit too early to panic.

The sudden improvement in the defense is not a coincidence. It’s also not a Christmas miracle. The improvement just so happens to correspond with the return of Chris Tanev. Tanev returned to the Leafs’ lineup on December 23rd against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Since then, the defense looks better.

Toronto’s sudden improvement on defense goes to show just how valuable having Tanev in the lineup is. Tanev, along with Troy Stecher (claimed off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers), has given the Maple Leafs more stability on their blue line. That’s not an overexaggeration either.

The game against the Penguins is a perfect example. Although the game on Saturday night against the Ottawa Senators got rather chaotic (for both teams), the Leafs managed to hold the Senators at bay to get the 7-5 win. On Sunday night, the Leafs dug deep against the Atlantic Division-leading Detroit Red Wings. Detroit is clearly a better team than in previous seasons. So, getting the loser point on the second half of a back-to-back is actually a good thing.

With Tanev back, the Toronto blue line has found the identity they’ve been searching for all season. While the Leafs still need to find a decent defense partner for Morgan Rielly, the overall makeup of the Leafs’ defense corps looks improved. The biggest challenge for them now is to maintain consistency. However, if their last three games have been any indication, they may have finally found something to stick to.

Maple Leafs Should Target a Defenseman at Trade Deadline

Should the Maple Leafs rise in the standings between now and March, I assume they will be buyers at the NHL trade deadline. Adding another defenseman should be their top priority. Since Brandon Carlo doesn’t appear to be close to returning anytime soon, Toronto GM Brad Treliving must set his sights on a defensive defenseman. It’s the one piece the team will need to have for any decent playoff run.

Let’s face it, top-pairing defensive defensemen will not be cheap. Treliving needs to find a more cost-effective solution to his problem. There’s been plenty of talk of Rasmus Andersson, but what Toronto needs is another defenseman like Stecher or Tanev.

Ideally, the Leafs would love to find the perfect partner for Morgan Rielly. The last two decent partners he’s had were Luke Schenn and Ron Hainsey. They knew their role, were able to be the defensive partner Rielly needs so that he can play his more offensive style.

Now, there’s no telling which defensemen the Leafs will target, but despite sitting in last place in the division, the Maple Leafs are just two points out of a playoff spot. One solid winning streak could easily put them back into the playoff picture.