I don't get why Liles is not playing.

He is absolutely not that much worse, or worse at all, than some guys they have played. Besides, if you want to trade him, you might want to actually show other teams he can still play in the NHL.
- Aetherial

Prior to his concussion Liles was playing quite well.

Since then, like Kaberle and others, he has not been the same player offensively, which just highlights how soft he is on the puck defensively.

He is 32, past his best before date and will soon be gone . Too bad, he seems like a decent guy in all the interviews I have seen with him.

new blog

Ibanair
- LeafMan

lets take it back a ways...

kramair

I think it would be a huge mistake to trade Gardiner. The guy will eventually be a top pairing offensive d-man with the ability to control the game. His skating is off the charts.

Unless it's a Sean Monahan type big centre with skill coming back you don't trade that kind of talent away.
- Rang

Though I agree on a certain level...for me...Rielly > Gardiner and you dont really need two of those in your top two defensive lines.

I just finished playing my my hey hey. no lie.... before that it was the hip, metric, nirvana, pearl jam
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I've been playing lots of Pearl Jam too....Blind Melon...some Fleetwood Mac...etc etc.

Ibanair
- LeafMan

You prolly have a few. You play your Ibanez must, or its your favorite?

I have a friend that plays lead for Lenny Gallant, he has several high-end Ibanez's beautiful.

I think it would be a huge mistake to trade Gardiner. The guy will eventually be a top pairing offensive d-man with the ability to control the game. His skating is off the charts.

Unless it's a Sean Monahan type big centre with skill coming back you don't trade that kind of talent away.
- Rang

meh, he can skate alright, he skates the puck out of trouble and then right back into trouble.

one sum up for ya buddy,

$$$
- big_dion

Costs us the same to play Liles or Ranger.

Though I agree on a certain level...for me...Rielly > Gardiner and you dont really need two of those in your top two defensive lines.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I was wondering why you grouped Rielly in with Franson and Gardiner. I see him consistently making good plays in all areas of the ice. I think his defensive game will be just fine by the time he's Gardiner's age (what, 4 more years?)

I bet you rock it too..
- bixll

I'm slightly better at air drums, but yes, I play a mean air guitar.

Read: I have zero shame and fewer inhibitions

I'm slightly better at air drums, but yes, I play a mean air guitar.

Read: I have zero shame and fewer inhibitions
- lumlums

I m just learning, but love it. Great hobby. I have a Fender Strat made in China, but plays and has been worked on to work very nicely. I am getting a Sigma mahogany acoustic from the wife for Christmas, If not the new Dishwasher I installed last night is getting ripped from it place in our kitchen..

Though I agree on a certain level...for me...Rielly > Gardiner and you dont really need two of those in your top two defensive lines.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Why not? Look at the Hawks with Keith and Seabrook.

The Blues with Bouwmeester and Pieterangelo. Probably the two best teams in the league with two top offensive guys.

The idea of seeing what Gardiner and Rielly could develop into is intriguing to me. I don't really understand all the trade Gardiner talk.

But in any case neither of us get to make the call....

Why not? Look at the Hawks with Keith and Seabrook.

The Blues with Bouwmeester and Pieterangelo. Probably the two best teams in the league with two top offensive guys.

The idea of seeing what Gardiner and Rielly could develop into is intriguing to me. I don't really understand all the trade Gardiner talk.

But in any case neither of us get to make the call....
- Rang

I think you greatly underestimate the defensive abilities of these 4

Why not? Look at the Hawks with Keith and Seabrook.

The Blues with Bouwmeester and Pieterangelo. Probably the two best teams in the league with two top offensive guys.

The idea of seeing what Gardiner and Rielly could develop into is intriguing to me. I don't really understand all the trade Gardiner talk.

But in any case neither of us get to make the call....
- Rang

.
I totally agree. We have a great young nucleus of kids, we should just have some patients and let the kids evolve. Gardiner seems like the kid that you trade away, and 2 years later he is another Paul Frankin Coffee.

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I totally agree. We have a great young nucleus of kids, we should just have some patients and let the kids evolve. Gardiner seems like the kid that you trade away, and 2 years later he is another Paul Frankin Coffee.
- bixll

The guy had 5 points in 6 games against the Bruins last year in the playoffs.

More than Crosby and Malkin combined.

Not saying he is the next Coffey but geez there is another level this guy can play to and when he figures out the defensive part he could be great.

Or maybe a bust but right now I would hold on based on what I see as his upside.

I think you greatly underestimate the defensive abilities of these 4
- BestRapperAlive

Maybe and perhaps you underestimate Gardiner's defensive ability. Yes he was brutal against Columbus but so were a lot of guys.

The guy had 5 points in 6 games against the Bruins last year in the playoffs.

More than Crosby and Malkin combined.

Not saying he is the next Coffey but geez there is another level this guy can play to and when he figures out the defensive part he could be great.

Or maybe a bust but right now I would hold on based on what I see as his upside.
- Rang

you know the big problem?

carlyle.

has all these guys trying to play a game they are not confident in, or comfortable in. Let them play their strengths and WORK on the other parts, right now you guys guys like Gardiner second guessing everything they have ever done every time they get the puck.

i dont want to sound like a broken record, but i think carlyle needs to pull his head out of his ass.

Give him a quick punch in the throat from Leafs nation please
- lumlums

I blamed him for us losing Game 7.

He's a changed person now. That's for sure.

you know the big problem?

carlyle.

has all these guys trying to play a game they are not confident in, or comfortable in. Let them play their strengths and WORK on the other parts, right now you guys guys like Gardiner second guessing everything they have ever done every time they get the puck.

i dont want to sound like a broken record, but i think carlyle needs to pull his head out of his ass.
- big_dion

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

you know the big problem?

carlyle.

has all these guys trying to play a game they are not confident in, or comfortable in. Let them play their strengths and WORK on the other parts, right now you guys guys like Gardiner second guessing everything they have ever done every time they get the puck.

i dont want to sound like a broken record, but i think carlyle needs to pull his head out of his ass.
- big_dion

You're right on. My first post the other night I made a point saying we should be thinking is Carlyle the right fit for these players/ players right fit for him. Management can look at it either way. I just feel players like Gardiner are playing outside the way they play.

AND we're more of a rush team. Defense first doesn't work when we've got some softies like Kessel/Raymond/Kadri and glass Lupul.

We're doing it wrong folks. We'd be more successful if worked based on our players capabilities and not what one system our coach wants us to do.

You're right on. My first post the other night I made a point saying we should be thinking is Carlyle the right fit for these players/ players right fit for him. Management can look at it either way. I just feel players like Gardiner are playing outside the way they play.

AND we're more of a rush team. Defense first doesn't work when we've got some softies like Kessel/Raymond/Kadri and glass Lupul.

We're doing it wrong folks. We'd be more successful if worked based on our players capabilities and not what one system our coach wants us to do.
- CanadianBodmon

exactly.
people dont like to hear that, but the truth is, carlyle may not be the right coach for this set of players, even if we are bringing in "carlyle" type players...

you know the big problem?

carlyle.

has all these guys trying to play a game they are not confident in, or comfortable in. Let them play their strengths and WORK on the other parts, right now you guys guys like Gardiner second guessing everything they have ever done every time they get the puck.

i dont want to sound like a broken record, but i think carlyle needs to pull his head out of his ass.
- big_dion

Takes time and he's young, he absolutely needs to learn that part of the game so I respectfully disagree. Think Ovechkin switching wings, was terrible for a while but now is back to his elite level.

WHAT?!?!

HH hasn't been around yet to comment on Gardiner being healthy scratch tonight?

He must still be rubbing one out to the news.

Backlund for Liles..
- whipper334

FIXED

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I totally agree. We have a great young nucleus of kids, we should just have some patients and let the kids evolve. Gardiner seems like the kid that you trade away, and 2 years later he is another Paul Frankin Coffee.
- bixll

The problem though, is the style of defensive play which Carlyle is pushing on them....its not very suitable to your Gardiner/Rielly types I dont believe.