I agree I think he has Gardiner so concerned about defense he is caught in the middle being mediocre both ways right now. But he does have to learn the defensive part and when he does he could be great
- Rang

Thats just it, and as I explained in the blog, either you trade away these types for players who are more suited to your systems, or you change your systems/coach...

Thats just it, and as I explained in the blog, either you trade away these types for players who are more suited to your systems, or you change your systems/coach...
- Colin Dambrauskas

change the coach already, i can't recognize a system on this team

Thats just it, and as I explained in the blog, either you trade away these types for players who are more suited to your systems, or you change your systems/coach...
- Colin Dambrauskas

Let's see how it turns out. He won a Cup with Neidermayer who had the puck on offense and could skate the puck out of trouble so well he was a champion everywhere he played.

I understand your points though. You may be right I just respectfully disagree on trading Gardiner

Let's see how it turns out. He won a Cup with Neidermayer who had the puck on offense and could skate the puck out of trouble so well he was a champion everywhere he played.

I understand your points though. You may be right I just respectfully disagree on trading Gardiner
- Rang

I think Reilly is currently, and will be the better player down the road. The kid isn't lost on defense but is always so aware and effectively in the offensive zone. He doesn't move the puck quite like Gardiner, but the similarities are there.

I don't think trading Gardiner is at all a bad idea. I think if a player like Couturier could be had for Gardiner and some, you jump on it. You take that chance and go with it. Courturier looks like he's going to be the next Bergeron or Toews. He very well is nearing that level defensively and would be perfect in our line-up. Could you imagine a having a Center depth chart like this?

Courturier
Kadri
Bolland
Holland/Smithson/Smith/McClement

And Gauthier in the pipeline, McKegg and a few others filling out some real depth.

But anyways... I'm likely dreaming.

I liked Colin's blog with the rumours with Carolina. With interesting swirling around Gleason (And possibly Ruutu) could be very interesting. Ruutu and Gleason would add a largely missing element to the Leafs line-up. Gleason as that veteran who can actually play defense. Ruutu being another possession centric player who can benefit from offensive players and is a speedy player. Defensively not half bad either.

And my other dream would be trading for Faulk but that's not gonna happen...

I think Reilly is currently, and will be the better player down the road. The kid isn't lost on defense but is always so aware and effectively in the offensive zone. He doesn't move the puck quite like Gardiner, but the similarities are there.

I don't think trading Gardiner is at all a bad idea. I think if a player like Couturier could be had for Gardiner and some, you jump on it. You take that chance and go with it. Courturier looks like he's going to be the next Bergeron or Toews. He very well is nearing that level defensively and would be perfect in our line-up. Could you imagine a having a Center depth chart like this?

Courturier
Kadri
Bolland
Holland/Smithson/Smith/McClement

And Gauthier in the pipeline, McKegg and a few others filling out some real depth.

But anyways... I'm likely dreaming.

I liked Colin's blog with the rumours with Carolina. With interesting swirling around Gleason (And possibly Ruutu) could be very interesting. Ruutu and Gleason would add a largely missing element to the Leafs line-up. Gleason as that veteran who can actually play defense. Ruutu being another possession centric player who can benefit from offensive players and is a speedy player. Defensively not half bad either.

And my other dream would be trading for Faulk but that's not gonna happen...
- Viktory

a 3rd line C playing first line??

a 3rd line C playing first line??
- burn

In that Situation I think Kadri would have to be the #1.

JVR-Kadri-Kessel
Lupul-Couturier-Raymond
Clarkson-Bolland-Kulimen
???-McClement-???

Not sure what happens to Bozak, or who plays the 4th line with McClemmnt, but that does look like a good lineup

That 3rd line is scary

a 3rd line C playing first line??
- burn

I'd rather go after Schenn tbh...if you can, grab both!

a 3rd line C playing first line??
- burn

Yeah, like Bozak.

Yeah, like Bozak.
- Viktory

everyone is loving how thats going....

everyone is loving how thats going....
- burn

It was going fine til Bolland got injured. And besides, is Courturier going to remain a 3rd C forever? I doubt it, the kid is phenominal defensively playing with poor offensive players as a 3rd C in Philly.

Put him between Kessel/JVR or Lupul/Clarkson...

He'll be a hell of a player.

It was going fine til Bolland got injured. And besides, is Courturier going to remain a 3rd C forever? I doubt it, the kid is phenominal defensively playing with poor offensive players as a 3rd C in Philly.

Put him between Kessel/JVR or Lupul/Clarkson...

He'll be a hell of a player.
- Viktory

I'm not that high on the kid. Didn't see it in his draft year, still don't see it. Hes a fine defensive player but i don't think he'll end up puttin up more than 3rd line pts.