With Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren playing full-time on the Toronto Maple Leafs, there were some big shoes to fill at the top of the Marlies defensive depth chart. Filip Král has done a great job on the left side of the first pair so far this season. Kristiu0101ns Rubu012bns has been there too, but in more of a defensive role, especially when Alex Biega was suspended.
One defenseman from last season that caught my eye was Noel Hoefenmayer. The big rangey quarterback showed poised and a capacity to play defensive hockey — parts of the game that almost seem alien to the likes of Duszak, Menell, and Hollowell.