Despite having one of the best Goals Against Average (GAA) records in the league, injuries and inexperience within their defence core have caused Toronto Maple Leafs struggles on the ice this season. General Manager Kyle Dubas has expressed his desire for an experienced defenceman but whether or not he will be able to acquire one remains uncertain - leaving their playoff chances hanging in balance.
Dec. 29, 2022 7:54PM
Generated in 22.0 seconds
A photo of goalie Frederik Andersen looking dejected after giving up a goal during a game against Ottawa Senators earlier this season
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been dealing with a plethora of injuries to their defence core, yet they still remain second in the league for Goals Against Average (GAA). Despite this impressive statistic, the team is struggling to find success on the ice. The Leafs have been unable to keep up with other teams in terms of wins and losses, and it appears that their defence core is not as strong as it once was. With key players such as Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin out due to injury, the team has had to rely on rookies and depth players who are not accustomed to playing at a high level. This lack of experience has led to some costly mistakes on the ice, which have resulted in more goals against than usual. Even when these players are able to make a play or two here and there, they are often outmatched by opponents who have more experience. It's clear that something needs to be done if the Leafs want any chance at making it into the playoffs this season. General Manager Kyle Dubas has already expressed his desire for an experienced defenceman, but whether or not he will be able to acquire one remains uncertain. The fact that Toronto is still able to maintain such a solid GAA despite all of these issues speaks volumes about how good their goaltending has been this season. However, if they don't make some changes soon then their playoff chances could be in serious jeopardy.