Paul Bissonnette Urges Calm Amid Maple Leafs’ Defensive Woes: “The Answer’s Already in the Room”
While the calls for a blockbuster trade echo across Toronto, Paul Bissonnette is pumping the brakes. The former NHL forward turned analyst-never one to sugarcoat his takes-believes the Maple Leafs don’t need to look outside the locker room for answers. In his view, the fix isn’t about finding a savior; it’s about tightening up what’s already there.
Bissonnette, a known Leafs supporter who’s as comfortable praising the team as he is calling them out, took to the airwaves on The FAN Hockey Show to deliver a dose of perspective. With the team navigating a rocky start to the season, many fans are ready to sound the alarm. But Biz isn’t reaching for the panic button just yet.
“If anything has to change, it’s just the way they overall defend... they just got to figure it out,” Bissonnette said. “I’m not going to hit the panic button.”
That’s not blind optimism-it’s a belief that the team’s issues are correctable, and the core group has what it takes to turn things around. But it starts with playing smarter, not necessarily harder.
Defensive Details Matter
Bissonnette didn’t go deep into X’s and O’s, but the message was clear: Toronto’s defensive habits need refining. It’s not about overhauling the roster-it’s about cleaning up the details, especially in their own zone.
One of the key points he hinted at? Awareness.
The Leafs don’t need to reinvent their style, but they do need to be more alert in high-pressure moments. That means cutting down on careless clears, owning the puck once they’ve got it, and avoiding the kind of soft plays that lead to extended shifts in the defensive zone.
It also means embracing a bit more edge. Not dirty play-just a willingness to win those 50-50 pucks, to get into the corners, to make life harder for opposing forwards. That’s the kind of “heaviness” head coach Craig Berube has been preaching, and it’s the kind of hockey that wins games in the spring.
The Rush Defense Is Improving-But There’s More Work to Do
There have been signs of progress. Toronto’s doing a better job limiting rush chances, which was a major issue earlier in the season.
But Bissonnette noted that they still need to be cautious about pinching too aggressively. When defensemen get caught up ice, it leaves the goaltender exposed and the forwards scrambling.
The solution? Don’t chase.
If the puck’s lost, get back, regroup, and live to fight another shift. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective.
And perhaps most importantly, the Leafs need to stop puck-watching. That split-second of hesitation-waiting for someone else to make the play-has cost them in key moments. Cleaning up those habits could go a long way toward stabilizing their game.
Patience Over Panic
The frustration in Toronto is understandable. Expectations are sky-high, and when the team stumbles, the instinct is to look for a quick fix. But Bissonnette’s message is one of patience-and belief.
This isn’t a roster that needs a shakeup. It’s a team that needs to tighten the screws. If they can clean up their breakouts, play with a little more bite, and stay disciplined in their own end, the Leafs have the talent to get back on track.
So while the trade talk will continue to swirl, Bissonnette’s advice to Leafs Nation is simple: take a breath. The answer might not be in the trade market. It might already be wearing blue and white.