Sheldon Keefe credits Mark Giordano for Leafs' recent defensive improvements

Mark Giordano has played over 1000 games in the NHL and has been widely recognized as one of the best defensemen in the game, culminating in a Norris Trophy win in 2019. While the 38-year-old is not exactly a spring chicken anymore, that does not mean that he's ready to cash in his chips. Giordano still has some hockey left in him and he's showing that early on in his limited run with the Leafs.

Since Giordano came into the lineup, a sense of calmness has washed over the Leafs' D corps. Maybe it's that calming veteran presence, or maybe it's just the fact that he provides another voice - a very experienced, high-level voice - to a Leafs blueline who may have been in need of some on-ice direction. He's certainly rubbed off on 22-year-old Timothy Liljegren, who is arguably playing his best hockey alongside Giordano.

Other than leadership and experience, Giordano provides the Leafs with some good decision-making, physicality, poise and good positioning both during times when the Leafs possess the puck and when they don't. This is something that Sheldon Keefe has noticed over the last 3 games.

When Jake Muzzin returns from injury, that will provide the Leafs with yet another one of those types. Sadly, however, it may push Liljegren and Sandin to the 7th and 8th defenseman spots, but that may not necessarily be a bad thing. Sandin and Liljegren will have a lot of tutors in practice in Morgan Rielly, T.J. Brodie, Jake Muzzin and Mark Giordano that they can look to for guidance and who they can watch from the press box and pick up on some of the things that they can do to find long-term success as an NHL defenseman.

While it may not be the ideal situation for Leafs fans who liked that infusion of youthful skill on the blueline, it is worth noting that injuries do happen and the playoffs provide plenty of opportunity for guys to slide in and out of the lineup based on matchups as well.

As for Gio, he could very well be the missing piece that the Leafs have lacked in recent years who can help propel them past the 1st round for the first time in almost two decades.