Can Cliff Fletcher Fix the Toronto Maple Leafs Defense?

The Toronto Maple Leafs yet again have shown their true weaknesses.

On January 24, the Capitals played host to the Maple Leafs after losing a close one in Toronto.  The score was tied, due to some great offensive pressure from Toronto.  On the next play, however the efforts of the team were chucked in the garbage due to some sloppy coverage by the defensive pair of Kaberle and Kubina. 

After Toronto tied it up, Washington set up a dump-and-chase into the corner.  Kubina chased the puck in the corner, but it slipped past him.  Tucker came back to check and tried to get the puck, but was met by Ovechkin.  With Kubina behind the net, Kaberle decided to go and aid Tucker.  This left no defensemen in front of Toskala, and Ovechkin got the puck and shot on net. 

Kozlov at this point was wide open because (1) Kubina chased a puck behind the net and didn't come up with it (2) Kaberle chased the puck up the boards when Tucker and Blake were both there (3) Not one blue sweater was in front of the net. 

How many times must we see this happen?

Along with poor defensive plays, we have poor skaters on defense.  At times there are players just coasting around in their own end while the puck is being controlled and cycled.  This appears to be the result of either a lack of conditioning, lack of effort, or just simply tired legs.  Whatever it is, it cannot continue if the Leafs are to finish with a winning season. 

Tomas Kaberle is a great skater and a great puck handler, one of the best in that category as a defenseman.  He has a gift and an ability to skate with such speed down the ice on offense—but when the puck is in his own end, there are nothing but question marks.  He is never home when the puck is passed out front.   Kaberle is -2 right now.

When Kaberle is paired with Kubina, it's a dangerous combination, and Toronto should be scared.  Kubina has also been caught several times going behind the net and not getting back into the play. 

McCabe is known for his infamous playoff give aways, but he has been currently sidline with an injury making him also hard to trade. 

Hal Gill may be in his last years as a hockey player.  Gill, who played many years in Boston building a reputation for his physical power, has slowed down.  Many players in the league can easily beat Gill to the corners for the puck and get out before he can hit them.  Gill is also guilty of puck chasing and cruising in his own end. 

As for the other defensemen, they are young still, and they need guidance from a Nicklas Lidstrom-type of defenseman.

Statistically, no other players in the league come close to the type of stats that Lidstrom has put up.  Lidstrom won the Norris trophy in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2007—beating out great defensemen like Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer.  With such a defenseman leading his team and the league in many different categories, no wonder Detroit is always among the best teams every year.

Mr. Fletcher has a great task at hand. Can he build with the materials he has now? The most pressing changes need to start on the blue line.  Many goalies have come and gone in Toronto, changes have been made to the forwards and the coaching staff—but the defense has, for the most part, stayed the same.

It's hard to watch hockey in Toronto anymore.  It's hard to believe that with so much skill and so many years of experience, the defense in Toronto has always been and will continue to be the main cause of Maple Leaf failure. 

Thursday night was another perfect example of the defensive troubles that Cliff Fletcher will have to address.