The Leafs’ defensive woes are easily repairable

By Paul Bruno

The Leafs made a number of changes, call them projected upgrades, to their defensive complement in the off-season, aimed at reducing a league-worst goals against total from last season.

Despite those good intentions and a boatload of cash thrown at the likes of Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin and Garnet Exelby, to go along with returnees, Tomas Kaberle, Luke Schenn, Jeff Finger and Ian White, the early returns shown no improvement over last season’s foul numbers

If you examine the group as a whole, we have seen a lot of panic in their play and a lack of positional awareness. In their own end, the group has been unable to complete the simplest of outlet passes to start out of their end of the rink. To correct this is simple. As one of two defenders goes back to collect shoot-ins or loose pucks, it is up to the free partner to provide an outlet. That outlet position needs to be established as the first defender gets the puck. The second guy just has to head to an open space.

Moving up the ice is just as easy. You carry the puck as far as free space ahead of you allows. As that opening dries up, look for options, players skating to open ice in the neutral zone, leading to that open ice with passes in front of the receiver. If you can’t find anyone, dump the puck in over center or float a puck high off the boards.

In the offensive zone, the defensemen have a couple of key duties. In possession of the puck, they have to move it quickly, generating motion, and hopefully leading to confusion by the defending team. When shooting, it is vital to hit the net with low shots. There’s little percentage in whistling drives high and or wide. Pinching in and taking risks should be measured against possible negative outcomes. We have seen too many circumstances where a bad shot or bad pinch has led to quick transitions and a number of scoring opportunities in the Toronto end.

In the penalty kill, Leaf defenders have been passive, in terms of not tying up opposing forwards at the side of the goal and need to work on quick and accurate clearing attempts. These tactics would eliminate a number of the high percentage scoring chances that have resulted in more goals against.

None of these moves is part of a brilliant brain wave unique to this author, it’s just being able to think and execute.

These are just simple tips of the trade that, if followed, will make this group way more effective.

So, come on boys, just calm down and stick to these basics and things will get better quickly.

Tags: francois beauchemin, Luke Schenn, Mike Komisarek, Toronto Maple Leafs