If Keef doesn't get more from the core, the Leafs move to the defender on the table

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Until now, Brad Treliving has resisted trades for defensemen, whether they were deals crafted by Internet crackpots or trusted National Hockey League teammates.

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But with the deadline more than a month away, the general manager will have to pull the trigger or coach Sheldon Keefe's staff will have to believe that the eight blueliners currently on the roster — possibly including Marley — can get this team into the playoffs. and maybe in May or June.

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Looking at a loss like Monday's — eight of 11 giveaways came from a shootout, Timothy Liljegren missed the Islanders' Kyle McLean going out of the box, and Morgan Rielly's weak clearance turned into New York's game-winner — it wasn't sure of the game. first post-all-star stretch drive test.

The collective output in the 3-2 loss underscored one of the reasons why Toronto has struggled to stay above .500: Often a reason to praise Jake McCabe's hit, Simon Benoit's ball, or marvel at Mark Giordano's 40-year game. – old resistance, they or others have a counterproductive moment. Because of this, the Leafs aren't in a real fight for division in the standings.

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“I talked to you guys and the team about it, it's a consistency thing,” Keefe said after Tuesday's practice. “We have different players going through different situations.

“Three will do what a manager needs to do behind the scenes to improve the team (Chris Tanev rumors are not going away and Ottawa GM Stav Steyos' appearance on Monday at Scotiabank Arena was noted).

“We discuss this every day. However, from my point of view, we have a good team, good players. We need to work better with them as a staff to help them recognize their role in helping the team reach its potential. We did that about 50% of the games, but that's not enough in the NHL.”

Free-agent signing John Klingberg looked to solve the depth problem that arose when late-season loanee Luke Schenn wasn't re-signed, but it won't work long-term. Then Connor Timmins, Liljegren and Giordano were injured at times, stressing Liljegren.

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It's been a rough year for TJ Brodie on and off the ice, and his pairing with Rielly has suffered, but McCabe and Benoit have flourished.

A physical William Lagesson was trending, as was Benoit, which was an unexpected bonus, but the return to health of others left him and Timmins stranded.

Liljegren fumed after Keefe's game Monday for the “lying” mistake that allowed Maclin to get away.

“I need to be more aware,” Liljegren said. “I focused on the puck. If I had known (that bench or goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov tapped his stick to signal that the minor had stood up and apparently heard no warning) I would have been there.”

Liljegren, who recently partnered with Giordano, admits he's struggling a bit now.

“I'm trying to get over it. I'm sure I'll find my way.”

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He didn't want to use the upper leg sprain in November as an excuse, though Keefe said in a conciliatory tone Tuesday that the slow-healing condition has set the Swede back.

“The message is with him, he has played very well for us in his time here. Even last night there were a lot of goodies, so take them. He's a young man who has made big strides and, unexpectedly, has high expectations this year.

“We're looking for him to do more. It wasn't what he expected, or what we expected. This does not mean that he is not capable of good things.

“In this powerful play, not only Lily, but other plays are broken.”

Keefe attributed the general problems of the home game to a recent decline in scoring by those not named Auston Matthews.

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“Nights like Monday are special when it hurts us so much. If we score more points, you can fix (flaws) in matches, practice and say how good it is to win after the break. You don't score, you get a couple of calls from the post (Mathew hit two shots on one shot), and now you're talking about other things.

“I liked the process. As in many of our games, we outplayed them a lot, had chances to score and then made mistakes at key moments, which often happens.”

Keefe tried to explain why he held the top block for nearly two minutes, leading to McLean's goal.

“It was our third game and I thought our guys had the power to stay here. But you don't get interrupted, now you're late for your shift and we didn't manage it very well.

“As a rookie defenseman on the ice (Lillegren), you're responsible for the guy in the box, but there are things that everybody owns, including me.”

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