Hall Of Fame Defenseman Reveals What The Maple Leafs Are Lacking

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Dawson Mckenzie
October 4, 2023 (4:11 PM)

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This hall-of-fame defenceman recently revealed what he thinks the Leafs are missing from their roster that will help them get over the hump.

Chris Pronger Reveals The Leafs Are Missing Grit on the Blueline

In the Leafs Morning Take podcast today, legendary defenseman Chris Pronger was asked about his opinion on the Leafs' roster as it is today, and what he thinks they are still missing. His response was that they were still missing something on the back end in terms of toughness.

I think up front they will be, I still I think on the back end they still need to provide a little more grit. They have mobility and puck movers, but they need a solid defensive defenseman to get the most out of each player.

Chris Pronger thinks the Leafs need to add a little more grit & bite on the blue line.

Obviously, Pronger has seen how a team can be successful with a gritty, hard-nosed, shutdown defenseman in their midst, as he was that for most of his career. He thinks that they have that in their forwards, but are still missing that in their back end.

Pronger Not Quite Sold on the Leafs Roster and Upcoming Season

Pronger also shared his thoughts on the Leafs' overall roster, and that he believes they still have some question marks up and down the lineup. Overall, he still has the same questions that are asked before every Leafs' season.

I like their team, they obviously have a lot of star power. I still, and it is the same question until they actually do it, can they finish it off, is the goaltending going to be as solid? As many checkmarks as they get, there are also a lot of x's and question marks.

The Leafs are certainly hoping that Samsonov can repeat the success that he showed last season with Matt Murray out long-term. Only time will tell whether or not Brad Treliving's tougher group will have an impact in the spring.