Trading JVR for a Defenseman Will Not Solve the Leafs' Blueline Woes

James Guillory-USA TODAY SportsThe Leafs blueline, to put it lightly, has been their Achilles' heel all season. The team boasts a high-event style that is both exciting and terrifying. The Leafs are a fairly middling possession team (50.3% score-adjusted CF), but it's the wild extremes by which they've attained that which are most telling. When it comes to generating shot attempts, the Leafs are among the best in the league; 2nd in CF60 (60.0), behind only the Bruins. At allowing shot attempts? 28th in CA60 (59.4), ahead of only the Islanders and the lowly Arizona Coyotes.

I'm telling you nothing you don't already know, and the primary culprit should be no surprise: the Leafs blueline simply…