Crosby/Malkin/Kessel... Matthews/Nylander/Marner same thing right? I always thought we were so far away because we needed that Pronger like D man on the blueline but maybe just maybe we don't, maybe it's not an absolute requirement. Is Letang really a spectacular #1? Obviously PIT managed without him this playoffs.bustaheims said:cabber24 said:I am still not entirely sure how PIT won back to back with the D they have. I always thought of guys like Niedamyer, Pronger, Lidstrom, Keith/Seabrook as being massive reasons teams won but PIT has broke the mold for sure.Maybe the Leafs don't need a new 1A and 1B D to take the next step?
The Pens are an outlier, who have 2 of the top 5 forwards in the league on their roster - and had an excellent #1 defenceman for last year's Cup run. They're not exactly a model that can be followed, nor does their success downplay the Leafs' need to improve their blueline.
Do Leafs need to upgrade their D? YES, will they be upgrading with elite talent anytime soon I would bet on NO. Could they possibly win without a 1A D man... they will probably have to try since none seem to be available or in their system.