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Dubas free agency moves leave more questions than answers on the blueline

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Ben Hodgson
July 19, 2022 (3:22 PM)

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One of the best things Kyle Dubas has done as GM of the Maple Leafs has been his work building a solid D core. At this point, Morgan Rielly is the only defender left over from Lamouriello's core. Dubas has added Muzzin and Giordano through trades, Liljegren and Sandin through the draft, signed Brodie, Mete and Jordie Benn through Free Agency and graduated Justin Holl from the Marlies. As they stand, the Leafs have by far the best D core they've had in recent memory. Now Dubas has a new problem. There are 9 names there and only 6-7 slots on the active roster. Something is brewing in the Leafs front office, but at this point, it's difficult to see what.

The immediate answer is that Dubas plans to move Justin Holl. Holl has 1 year left at $2 million against the salary cap, but can be replaced fairly easily by Jordie Benn. Substituting Holl for Benn immediately clears $1.25M in cap space for the Leafs, but still leaves an issue on the left side.

On the left there is a huge question, who are your top 3? Morgan Rielly is the clear #1 on that side and Mark Giordano is an absolutely fantastic value signing at 2x$800,000. That leaves Jake Muzzin and Rasmus Sandin to contend for that third slot.

Muzzin, 33, missed significant time last season due to a pair of concussions in close proximity and another unrelated injury - not to mention being injured in the playoffs the previous 2 years. Moving on from a player like Muzzin is difficult. He's a home town guy, an absolute warrior on the ice and a Stanley Cup champion. He's exactly the type of player you want on your team when the going gets tough. Moving Muzzin may make the most sense from a business standpoint, but it's a move that cannot be taken lightly.

Part of the reason Sandin hasn't signed on the dotted line yet is that at this point, he's not sure he'll have a roster slot. He was injured last season by a brutal knee on knee hit from Neal Pionk. Because of that, he was an extra through the playoffs with Mark Giordano taking his place. He doesn't want to be an extra again. Sandin has certainly played well enough to earn himself a roster slot, but you're not taking Muzzin or Giordano out of the lineup to put Sandin in. The simplest solution is to move Sandin to the right, except Dubas made it clear he would rather have the young Swede play on his strong side.

It's still unclear how the whole situation will pan out, or what roles Mete and Benn are meant to play. Neither have spent any time in the AHL over the past couple of years and I don't see either of them clearing waivers to go down. It seems most likely that Jake Muzzin will be moved despite his NTC. If that is indeed what happens, the picture on defense becomes much clearer. The question then becomes, is it better or worse?

Previously on Maple Leafs Daily

Pierre Engvall setting a huge goal for his 2022-23 season

Johnny Gaudreau admits that he was trying to finalize a deal with another club before Columbus called him back

Seattle Kraken fans appear angry that the Kraken signed Shane Wright to his ELC; they CAN'T be serious.. right?

POLL
JUILLET 19 \| 644 ANSWERS Dubas free agency moves leave more questions than answers on the blueline Who will be moved out of the Leafs D core?
Muzzin	103	16 %
Holl	261	40.5 %
Sandin	41	6.4 %
Muzzin and Holl	239	37.1 %
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Dubas free agency moves leave more questions than answers on the blueline

Who will be moved out of the Leafs D core?