Its all because of me

I'm sorry



- faceto27

Way to go faceto27...and we can't talk about chocolate bars, beers or boobies because of you either. Edit: sad crying face - as per Fruitcakenipple

Lupul is better than Kunitz.. Do you think Crosby is complaining?
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Kunitz isn't out of place like Bozak is though.

Its all because of me

I'm sorry



- faceto27

Oh....(angry face)

If the real deal is a 2nd pairing transitional D man with great speed and vision but significant defensive deficiencies I agree with you.
- Lipchitz

Best defense is being able to take the puck and keep it in the other teams zone.. Seen him make a pretty impressive play on a two on one the other game as well. He may not be the best in his own zone but id say hes no worse than.. gulp dion...

He finds himself starting the game because he is our top pairing Dman. And if you put him on other teams with questionable D just as Toronto's, he would still be top pairing. You're right in the sense that he is no Letang, but Letang, Karlsson, Chara are very rare to come around and teams like Winnipeg, Tampa, Jersey, Philly etc. are all int he same boat. If every team had a standout D, those standouts wouldn't be so amazing now would they? Gardiner is good, probably the best the leafs have right now, and being that he is so young he is something to hold on to.
- gardinerfan

Gardinerfan defending Gardiner isn't really shocking. No one is saying he is bad but, he isn't a top pairing D man (ie one that can play +20min a night in ANY situation against any opposition). Maybe he gets there one day but he more than likely wont for the exact same reason you mentioned, there simply aren't very man of them.

The only way I move Gardiner is for a young superstar. If you don't feel that's RNH that's fine but it's not like anyone wants to just give Gardiner away.

He finds himself starting the game because he is our top pairing Dman. And if you put him on other teams with questionable D just as Toronto's, he would still be top pairing. You're right in the sense that he is no Letang, but Letang, Karlsson, Chara are very rare to come around and teams like Winnipeg, Tampa, Jersey, Philly etc. are all int he same boat. If every team had a standout D, those standouts wouldn't be so amazing now would they? Gardiner is good, probably the best the leafs have right now, and being that he is so young he is something to hold on to.
- gardinerfan

I wouldnt move Gardner right now either, I don't think Dion is a very gd number 1

Kunitz isn't out of place like Bozak is though.
- MapleLeafsFTW

Ya Bozak sucks.. He scores the odd timely goal tho.. I think we should trade Bozak and Gards of a real #1 center. Theres gotta be a team out there that needs a defenseman

Significant deficiencies? Assumption much? Go watch a game... And actually watch it...
- gardinerfan

Huge deficiencies. He's lucky he is quick or his defensive zone turnovers would be a lot worse.

Way to go faceto27...and we can't talk about chocolate bars, beers or boobies because of you either. Edit: sad crying face - as per Fruitcakenipple
- Your_Mom

Gardinerfan defending Gardiner isn't really shocking. No one is saying he is bad but, he isn't a top pairing D man (ie one that can play +20min a night in ANY situation against any opposition). Maybe he gets there one day but he more than likely wont for the exact same reason you mentioned, there simply aren't very man of them.

The only way I move Gardiner is for a young superstar. If you don't feel that's RNH that's fine but it's not like anyone wants to just give Gardiner away.
- Lipchitz

i wanted them to give him away for O'Reilly

Oh....(angry face)
- Fruitcakenipple

probably, the whiny little baby that he is
- bobbyisno1

He just loves to whine, it's too bad we aren't in the same division for the alignment

Kessel makes Bozak look semi decent
- bobbyisno1

Kessel scored 30gs with Joey Crabb and Matt Stajan.

Huge deficiencies. He's lucky he is quick or his defensive zone turnovers would be a lot worse.
- Lipchitz

Yup.. Thank goodness for that luck that made him soo quick...

Kunitz isn't out of place like Bozak is though.
- MapleLeafsFTW

Poor Bozak.

Best defense is being able to take the puck and keep it in the other teams zone.. Seen him make a pretty impressive play on a two on one the other game as well. He may not be the best in his own zone but id say hes no worse than.. gulp dion...
- orienbrady22

Look I'm not saying Gardiner is bad. Outside of Rielly and Kadri he is the best young player the Leafs have and his potential is as high as both of those guys. Which is why I feel he can be packaged for a superstar. You gotta give to get.

Ya Bozak sucks.. He scores the odd timely goal tho.. I think we should trade Bozak and Gards of a real #1 center. Theres gotta be a team out there that needs a defenseman
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I'm sorry I don't mean to say he sucks, I just think he's out of place as 1C. He has his nights and you have to give it to him for trying to I still think we should be using him in a checking roll.

- faceto27

Awwwwww...ok.

That reminds me....I have to pick up my wifes white and black spotted fur coat at the cleaners.

Poor Bozak.
- Leafland

Because his numbers are inflated from the 1C role it will soon be 'Rich Bozak'

Look I'm not saying Gardiner is bad. Outside of Rielly and Kadri he is the best young player the Leafs have and his potential is as high as both of those guys. Which is why I feel he can be packaged for a superstar. You gotta give to get.
- Lipchitz

Im all for it.. Move GARDINER NOW! And KESSEL! and PHANEUF!

Kessel scored 30gs with Joey Crabb and Matt Stajan.
- Schennski

Ha ha yes!

The name has nothing to do with it, yet another assumption. The guy did play 20 min a game last year in all situations. And will get he chance to do so again this year. He may not be super physical but he is fast and angles players off of the puck very well. He controls the game with his puck possession, and those deficiencies you speak of will be ironed out. He's 22. The talent is there, he just needs to play in the NHL more consistently. And it seems like he will. Also I agree with your point about RNH, yes these players are young but RNH dominated some games last year... opposing teams couldn't get out of their own end when their line was on, however the oil have many more holes than small-ish centers. I'd take that trade in a heartbeat with Rielly up and coming.

Yup.. Thank goodness for that luck that made him soo quick...
- orienbrady22

Well it comes down to genetics and random assortment so yes, he is lucky to be blessed with being a great skater.

However you know what I mean. His speed covers up a lot of his mistakes. He makes some brutal turnovers in his own end and a sizable of them will find the back of the net.

Kessel scored 30gs with Joey Crabb and Matt Stajan.
- Schennski

If he was playing with a real center he would get 50....

I'm sorry I don't mean to say he sucks, I just think he's out of place as 1C. He has his nights and you have to give it to him for trying to I still think we should be using him in a checking roll.
- MapleLeafsFTW

If Bozak could model his game after McClement then i say ya.. But if he stays the way he is trade him to a team that needs a 2/3 center.