Leaving Kyle Dubas’ Roster Philosophies Behind, Maple Leafs
Dubas & Keefe Tried to Build a Team That Was Based Upon Speed and Puck-Possession Hockey
They were eventually able to combine their leadership approaches with those of the Maple Leafs after Dubas fired Mike Babcock and appointed Keefe as the manager of the organization. Puck-moving, puck-possession style was Dubas’ preferred offensive and defensive approach. He was an analytics guy and frequently gave priority to smaller, more nimble defensemen who could obstruct passing routes. Puck control, identifying players with speed and agility, passing and playmaking, and offensive zone dominance were the four defining characteristics of the hockey style he supported.
To be more precise, keeping possession of the puck was essential to strong puck-possession hockey play. Keeping the puck clean, cutting down on turnovers, and making wise decisions with the puck were top priorities for the Maple Leafs teams under Dubas and Keefe. They thought that if their team controlled the puck, they could control the play and open up scoring opportunities while cutting down on the opposition’s opportunities.
Strong skating and agility were given priority while assembling a team using this ideology. To create space for passing and shooting, players need to be nimble skaters who can elude opponents. In order to keep possession and generate scoring opportunities, the Maple Leafs looked for players who could move quickly through traffic, accelerate, and change directions.
The third need was that the Maple Leafs’ additions needed to be proficient passers and producers of plays. For the purpose of maintaining offensive pressure and creating scoring opportunities, puck possession hockey emphasizes fast, accurate passing. Players could exploit defensive openings and create high-percentage scoring opportunities with such swift and inventive passes.
Finally, fourth-place teams that were successful at controlling play in the attacking zone were also skilled at possession of the puck. Creating shots on goal, maintaining pressure, and moving the puck along the boards were their top priorities. Pucket-possession teams tried to wear down opponents, force defensive lapses, and create scoring opportunities through prolonged offensive possessions by holding possession in the offensive zone. As long as the other side did not possess the puck within the Maple Leafs’ defensive zone, they would be unable to score.
Their teams were designed around puck control, efficient skating and passing, and dominating offensive play to create scoring opportunities and set the tone for the game when they initially collaborated with the Maple Leafs (Dubas as general manager and Keefe as head coach). With these fundamental ideas, they believed their teams would be able to stay in control, produce offensive plays, and restrict the opponent’s opportunities, which would finally result in victory. It did not do well in the playoffs, despite working well in the regular season.
Brad Treliving, the new general manager, has introduced a new team-building philosophy this season.
As a former defenseman himself, Brad Treliving, the current general manager of the Maple Leafs, has a different approach to developing a club. Stronger, more physically fit defensemen who can clear the crease and play a more conventional style of defense are what he looks for. Treliving’s change in player preference seems to be in line with coach Keefe’s coaching philosophy, based on his responses this season. Treliving’s defensive-first mentality aligns with Keefe’s attitude, which initially seemed to surface with his intention to construct a shutdown third line around David Kampf, the team’s pivot.
Dubas’ team-building methodology and Keefe’s coaching style diverged philosophically as the squad developed under Treliving this season. The Maple Leafs, influenced by Treliving, are displaying a fresh identity as they approach the 2024 postseason. He strategically traded for size and physicality at the trade deadline without giving up draft picks in the future. Dubas typically takes more daring, all-in actions that frequently result in the loss of substantial draft capital and prospects; this strategy contrasts with his tendencies.
Seeking effectiveness in a club that more closely resembles his defense-first coaching style, Keefe seems to be accepting this new course. With a combination of offensive prowess and defensive depth heading into the postseason, the Maple Leafs’ identity and postseason strategy are being shaped by the philosophical divide between Dubas’ style and the current direction under Treliving and Keefe.
The Outcome for This Season: a Defense with More Flexibility
Purchasing two physically strong defensive defensemen, Joel Edmundson and Ilya Lyubushkin, was one of Treliving’s two largest trade deadline transactions. The Maple Leafs will now have four large, physical defensemen on the roster when Simon Benoit and Jake McCabe join.
The team includes Morgan Rielly, TJ Brodie, Mark Giordano, Conor Timmins, and Timothy Liljegren at the other end of the physicality scale. Despite not being renowned for their physicality, these players can be strong. To be sure, Rielly’s offensive prowess is what makes him most famous. First-pass and shot-blocking skills are well-known for Brodie and Giordano. In addition to being competent passers and puck handlers, Liljegren and Timmins also play solid defense. More agile and skilled skaters than the group in person are all four players.
If the Maple Leafs kept their current lineup of nine players, they could field two whole different defensive schemes. Irrespective of the team’s preferred defense, only Rielly is a player who is guaranteed to play. As one of their main five players, he leads the team in offensive defensemanship.
Which is the greatest defense? Puck control and mobility, or big and physical?
Rielly could be joined by McCabe, Edmundson, Lyubushkin, and Benoit if the Maple Leafs wanted to highlight their physicality and make life difficult for opposing players. The remaining four defensemen in a game might then be filled by Timmins, Liljegren, Giordano, or Brodie.
With Brodie, Giordano, Liljegren, and Timmins and one of McCabe, Edmundson, Lyubushkin, or Benoit, the Maple Leafs may highlight speed, puck management, and movement. With his apparent superiority over the others in terms of skating and puck handling, McCabe would probably win.
The “all-mobile” or “all-physical” defensive lineups are unlikely to be seen by Maple Leafs supporters, to be honest. Likely, a blend of the two will be utilized. But now that he has these nine men at his disposal, Keefe can choose how to deploy his defensive core. There have been significant changes in the defense from prior seasons heading into this postseason.