Maple Leafs Defense: Who Is In and Who Is Out

With three injured defensemen expected back soon, the Maple Leafs have a jam on the back end, yet again.

Mike Van Ryn, who was injured on the 8th of November, should be back within a week, while Jonas Frogren, injured on the 22nd of November against Chicago, still has some time to serve on the IR, but should be back within three weeks. Luke Schenn remains injured after being hit by Alexander Ovechkin, but just like Van Ryn, he should be back within the week.

Once all three are back, the Maple Leafs are most likely to send down Jamie Sifers, and switch Ian White to forward, but they still have seven defensemen on their NHL roster, with six spots to fill.

The men on the bubble are most likely going to be Jonas Frogren and Anton Stralman. Jonas Frogren has not played every game possible anyways because of Van Ryn.

However, since Carlo Colaiacovo was traded to St. Luis, Stralman will most likey take the fall. The reason is because Carlo and Jonas were splitting time on the back end and Stralman has been filling the shoes of Carlo Colaiacovo. But since Stralman has played so well, he most likely will stay with the big club and split time with Jonas Frogren, who is a good, durable, and strong D-man.

But that doesn't mean that Mike Van Ryn has a safe spot.

What if Frogren and Stralman both start going on hot streaks? If they were to, then it would probably be Van Ryn (who has three goals and five assists) getting scratched.

Just look at their defense: Kaberle, Kubina, and Finger, are all safe. So once Luke Schenn (who is also safe) is healthy, which is only about a week away, and everyone else is healthy, this problem will take effect. Until then, the Maple Leafs are fine with their defense.

So, what I am trying to say here is that the Maple Leafs may be making some moves, mainly to their defense, as soon as the new year rolls around.