I don't want to make the playoffs by giving up a pick, prospect, and a roster player for a one season 50 pt man.. with an attitude...

Sorry respectfully disagree
- DoctorNHL

Attitude??

McLaren didn't plaster anyone.

Strachan slipped on his own, and if you look at the fight, none of the McLaren punches connected while he went down either.

Wheeler on TSN Fan590 is praising my email comments about the goalies being left out to dry... last year and how the responsible defending has made a huge difference in the Leafs results this year.
- DoctorNHL

Cool..... said the same thing last Nov.

Rielly has far more upside than Gards. I look at Rielly and think "#1 Puck moving defenseman, Franchise potential" Watching him skate is magic, he looks like a natural born figure skater he's just so smooth on his turns and pivots. He's definitely that next step up from Gards. Gardiner is this teams best skater now, wait til Rielly fills out. And he's lights out fast when he's moving his feet. Not a small kid either, body frame suggests he'll bulk up some. Very lithe.

I'm also of the belief that Gardiner isn't a true PMD. He's a hybrid; while he can gain the zone, he's not the most creative playmaker and his main shot is mostly accurate, lacks a little power. Unlike Kessel whose shot is scary quick. All the goals I've ever seen him score he was positioned well or he caught someone off guard. It's his skating, is positioning and his vision in terms of seeing what's going on around him that makes him good. Not a Top line, PMD with top PP minutes. You'd likely see him on the PP with a guy like Franson and his booming shot, or with kostka for two accurate wristers and guys crashing the net (So JVR up front with Grabo causing mayhem around the slot trying to clear the lanes or opening up defensive coverage). Rielly, if he pans out, could become a Brian Rafalski. But with Phaneuf eating the top line minutes in the foreseable future, something needs to be done to either move him down to a #3 or pairing him with a Regehr to open up his playstyle.

But back to O'Rielly, I'd rather be paying him what we're likely paying Bozak, Gunnerson I feel is a commodity we can't accomodate nor does he have a game breaking factor to be placed in the Top Four at this time. His first pass and his defensive positioning so far has been mirrored by more physical defenders like Holzer and Fraser, and Kostka makes a good first pass to make up for that loss. If I could, I'd send Kostka down to bring back Gunner and evaluate him properly to make that kind of decision. Bozie is such a floater it kills me. We praise how Kessel works all 200 feet of the ice now, but I still don't see Bozak doing enough defensively, he seems to have this constant urge to hover at the blue line not really covering defenders unless the puck breaks free from a scrum and he can either feed Kessel or go for a breakaway. Not a fan; O'Rielly would get in there, take the puck away before a likely scrum occurs around or near the slot and be pushing a 3-on-2. And just think how much better his offense will develop with Kessel/Lupul and co? Or how much more refined his defensive aspects will become under Carlyle's new system and tactics.

Getzlaf and Perry... I wish. But even still, O'rielly would flourish in Toronto with the type of team we have, and could likely speed up a rebuild. Goaltending, Defense haven't been the issue so much as having that Top Line center capable of doing it all and putting up 60+ points to boot. Hell, O'Rielly would probably cushion his teammates stats with is defense alone. Bozak still manages to lack points as purely offensive most times. Don't you think being paired with Kess and Lups he'd have at least comparable offensive stats?
- Viktory

He could.. Or he could self destruct on the big stage because of the unrealistic expectations Leafs fans would have for him, leaving us with 4 second line centers assuming we don't trade one of bozak or grabo. Also he would demand top dollar and constrain the organization. I would rather wait until the summer and take a stab at Getzlaf and Perry. O'Reilly no doubt is a good player, the type of guy you want to be a core part of a developing team. But unless the Avs are willing to come down in price i think it's too risky. The Leafs need leaders. Guys who have been there before and know what it takes. Dion simply isn't providing the type of leadership this team needs. Getzlaf and/or Perry would.

Attitude??
- burn

I think he means he has an attitude towards getting a deal done, not on the ice.

I'd grab him in a heartbeat. We should pursue a Kessel for Perry trade, as long as he signs a long term deal here.
- PrinceLH

insanity.

I think he means he has an attitude towards getting a deal done, not on the ice.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

So?? he's trying to get a deal done that is best for him.

People comparte him to Grabo and he's at 5.5, but people say no to o'Reilly for 4.5-5?? What do you think Bozak will ask for this summer??? He's going to be close to that and he's not worth it.

So?? he's trying to get a deal done that is best for him.

People comparte him to Grabo and he's at 5.5, but people say no to o'Reilly for 4.5-5?? What do you think Bozak will ask for this summer??? He's going to be close to that and he's not worth it.
- burn

3.5

So?? he's trying to get a deal done that is best for him.

People comparte him to Grabo and he's at 5.5, but people say no to o'Reilly for 4.5-5?? What do you think Bozak will ask for this summer??? He's going to be close to that and he's not worth it.
- burn

Im not arguing with you.. I just don't see him worth what the Avs are asking for him.

3.5
- The_Vark

I don't think so..... bozak isn't going to accept that.

I don't think so..... bozak isn't going to accept that.
- burn

I was hoping

I don't think so..... bozak isn't going to accept that.
- burn

I like him better then Garbo .... Hope they move Garbo and keep bozak
Bozak as a 3rd line c would be a good look


We just need 2 find the first line centre

how's he on faceoffs?
- XxHarounXx

Fantastic

McLaren didn't plaster anyone.

Strachan slipped on his own, and if you look at the fight, none of the McLaren punches connected while he went down either.
- broc

Plaster no ... But did get a few in

I don't think so..... bozak isn't going to accept that.
- burn

Should be interesting what happens with Bozak, and the centre ice position in general in Toronto going forward.

I don't think so..... bozak isn't going to accept that.
- burn

What if we added in a bff friends forever friendship bracelet for him and kessel

Should be interesting what happens with Bozak, and the centre ice position in general in Toronto going forward.
- fifty__missions

Leafs need a top line center.. when they find one Bozak is gone. Kadri and Grabo will battle it out for the chance to anchor the second line.

Should be interesting what happens with Bozak, and the centre ice position in general in Toronto going forward.
- fifty__missions

He and Kessel seem to be bromates.

What if we added in a bff friends forever friendship bracelet for him and kessel
- The_Vark

Oscar Pistorius was charged with premeditated murder, he then sprung out of the courtroom and Usain Bolted after him!

Huge game tomorrow. Need another W.

Great team win...well for the most part anyway.

Gotta think a trade involving a dman might be coming...especially if Gardiner keeps his play of late up.

It's a good position to be in with so many teams looking for help. I'd package Mac and Liles somehow...
- Canadian kid

I love how when anyone hasn't played up to there potential for a period people a) want to trade him and b) think there trade value is good while they are not playing well.

I'd grab him in a heartbeat. We should pursue a Kessel for Perry trade, as long as he signs a long term deal here.
- PrinceLH

Umm no.

Starting to wonder if the Leafs are legit. Playing pretty well.Still hate Phaneufs face.
- sanfordnson

Ya but no one cares about your opinion.

Very nice.


Taking Tampa on my proline tonight though... Forgive me. Seems like one they'll lose.