It’s been no secret that the Leafs have been looking for answers in the bottom two pairs of their defense this year. Muzzin and Holl were their shut down pair for the past two seasons, and done it rather well considering. But this year both have not looked nearly the same, and it’s been hurting the Leafs.
Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy replacement in-house. Their third pair (and occasional replacement for one of Muzzin/Holl on the second pair) is made up of a trio of younger, smaller guys: Rasmus Sandin, Travis Dermott, and Timothy Liljegren. Sandin has been the best of the three, but he’s a lefty and the youngest with no experience playing on the right.