Can someone please explain to me the love for Gardiner? Some leaf fans talk about him like hes the next drew daughty. Don't get me wrong, I dont think he's horrible but no one can argue, he's an undersized d-man, who doesn't throw hits, and has an avg slap shot...what's all the excitement about? His point totals aren't impressive...I just dont get it

A Jamaican patty and a Burkie dog.
- sloppyseconds2

I have enough of those to eat at home

Can someone please explain to me the love for Gardiner? Some leaf fans talk about him like hes the next drew daughty. Don't get me wrong, I dont think he's horrible but no one can argue, he's an undersized d-man, who doesn't throw hits, and has an avg slap shot...what's all the excitement about? His point totals aren't impressive...I just dont get it
- LeafsBlueline

He's young, and the potential is there to become better.

Smooth skater, reads the play, and isn't relied on for goals, but will set up some sweet passes from the line.

But yes, he could be more physical, give him some time ffs.

I have enough of those to eat at home
- Tumbleweed

You swallow a Burkie weiner?

He's young, and the potential is there to become better.

Smooth skater, reads the play, and isn't relied on for goals, but will set up some sweet passes from the line.

But yes, he could be more physical, give him some time ffs.
- sloppyseconds2

I disagree with "reads the play". His defense awareness is brutal. I'm not saying they should trade him, but people talk way to highly of him. I personally think they should try him at forward.

You say he's not relied on for goals, but he's an offensive defense....kinda contradicting yourself there.

He's an avg d-man. That's it. Not great, but not bad either

I disagree with "reads the play". His defense awareness is brutal. I'm not saying they should trade him, but people talk way to highly of him. I personally think they should try him at forward.

You say he's not relied on for goals, but he's an offensive defense....kinda contradicting yourself there.

He's an avg d-man. That's it. Not great, but not bad either
- LeafsBlueline

I'm not contradicting myself, offence doesn't mean scoring goals,,assists are offensive stats too.

I'm not contradicting myself, offence doesn't mean scoring goals,,assists are offensive stats too.
- sloppyseconds2

So the future franchise player, as some dream he will be, is only an assist man? A rookie defensemen on the leafs had 4 more assists than him last year.

doctors won't let them play unless they are ready. period.
regardless, goal tending wasn't the Leafs problem.
i've mentioned this 3 or 4 times, before the Olympics the Leafs scored 4 goals 21 times. after the Olympics just once.
the bottom six didn't eat up enough minutes or contribute anything offensively, so the top 2 lines and the defense were over played.
therefore over tired
- the_eye

Team Canada basically admitted price was hurt during the Olympics, you're naive if you think every player on the ice is healthy. Not long ago boogaard (R.i.p.) was out on the ice smacked out of his head.

I disagree with "reads the play". His defense awareness is brutal. I'm not saying they should trade him, but people talk way to highly of him. I personally think they should try him at forward.

You say he's not relied on for goals, but he's an offensive defense....kinda contradicting yourself there.

He's an avg d-man. That's it. Not great, but not bad either
- LeafsBlueline

Just read this again, So he's not great, but not bad either.

I don't see your point here.
Let the kid develop in the nhl, you seam too quick to judge.

So the future franchise player, as some dream he will be, is only an assist man? A rookie defensemen on the leafs had 4 more assists than him last year.
- LeafsBlueline

Who ever said that?

Who ever said that?
- sloppyseconds2

a lot of people on here talk about him like he will be

My whole point is some leaf fans talk way to highly of him. He's an average NHL'er. He has above average skating and offensive awareness (why I think he should be tried on forward). His defensive awareness is horrible and he's not big enough to be an effective dman. He doesn't block shots, he doesn't hit, he is muscled off the puck at times, he doesn't do a lot of things good nhl dmen do.

Every team in the league has a "jake gardiner". In my mind he's nothing special, and completely understand why Carlyle is the way he is towards him.

It's all reimers fault

@SkinnyPPPhish: Bernier sv% post Oly (11gms): .904
Reimer sv% post Oly (12 gms): .909
RT @DamoSpin "Reimer's inability to fill for injured Bernier...
- burn

Reimer went 2-10 and was pulled twice to finish the season, that is ugly no matter how you slice it

a lot of people on here talk about him like he will be

My whole point is some leaf fans talk way to highly of him. He's an average NHL'er. He has above average skating and offensive awareness (why I think he should be tried on forward). His defensive awareness is horrible and he's not big enough to be an effective dman. He doesn't block shots, he doesn't hit, he is muscled off the puck at times, he doesn't do a lot of things good nhl dmen do.

Every team in the league has a "jake gardiner". In my mind he's nothing special, and completely understand why Carlyle is the way he is towards him.
- LeafsBlueline

well average lead our D in goals. and the advanced numbers show he had a positive impact with his line mates, so that's a start in my book.

well average lead our D in goals. and the advanced numbers show he had a positive impact with his line mates, so that's a start in my book.
- Jay Uller

1 guy argues he isn't a goal scorer, he's an assist guy. The next guy says he is a goal scorer.

Can someone please explain to me the love for Gardiner? Some leaf fans talk about him like hes the next drew daughty. Don't get me wrong, I dont think he's horrible but no one can argue, he's an undersized d-man, who doesn't throw hits, and has an avg slap shot...what's all the excitement about? His point totals aren't impressive...I just dont get it
- LeafsBlueline

one of the fastest d-men in the league, amazing puck handling skills and vision. Doesnt have a rocket of a shot, but pretty accurate. Also one of the better possesion players on the team. led D-men in goals, and even strength points.
not much more to say I guess.

I disagree with "reads the play". His defense awareness is brutal. I'm not saying they should trade him, but people talk way to highly of him. I personally think they should try him at forward.

You say he's not relied on for goals, but he's an offensive defense....kinda contradicting yourself there.

He's an avg d-man. That's it. Not great, but not bad either
- LeafsBlueline

He has played 2 years in the NHL. D-men take longer to develop. those 2 years are pretty impressive given the struggles of other young d-men.

try him at forward? if he was a 6'4, 220-240 pound power guy like Byfuglien or Burns sure. I really hope the leafs dont completely ruin his development by making him change positions, because that would be idiotic.

Can someone please explain to me the love for Gardiner? Some leaf fans talk about him like hes the next drew daughty. Don't get me wrong, I dont think he's horrible but no one can argue, he's an undersized d-man, who doesn't throw hits, and has an avg slap shot...what's all the excitement about? His point totals aren't impressive...I just dont get it
- LeafsBlueline

Undersized?

Unimpressive pts totals?

The skates like the wind and isn't afraid to hold onto the puck. He sees the ice terrifically. Not sure what else i can say if you don't know what is so exciting a out the kid.

Play him at forward?

My god.

I disagree with "reads the play". His defense awareness is brutal. I'm not saying they should trade him, but people talk way to highly of him. I personally think they should try him at forward.

You say he's not relied on for goals, but he's an offensive defense....kinda contradicting yourself there.

He's an avg d-man. That's it. Not great, but not bad either
- LeafsBlueline

What is the avg NHL pts total for an NHL dman?id imagine its not 30pts.

a lot of people on here talk about him like he will be

My whole point is some leaf fans talk way to highly of him. He's an average NHL'er. He has above average skating and offensive awareness (why I think he should be tried on forward). His defensive awareness is horrible and he's not big enough to be an effective dman. He doesn't block shots, he doesn't hit, he is muscled off the puck at times, he doesn't do a lot of things good nhl dmen do.

Every team in the league has a "jake gardiner". In my mind he's nothing special, and completely understand why Carlyle is the way he is towards him.
- LeafsBlueline

And go.... Name them. I don't beleive that for one second.

one of the fastest d-men in the league, amazing puck handling skills and vision. Doesnt have a rocket of a shot, but pretty accurate. Also one of the better possesion players on the team. led D-men in goals, and even strength points.
not much more to say I guess.
- GardinerExpress

This.

He has played 2 years in the NHL. D-men take longer to develop. those 2 years are pretty impressive given the struggles of other young d-men.

try him at forward? if he was a 6'4, 220-240 pound power guy like Byfuglien or Burns sure. I really hope the leafs dont completely ruin his development by making him change positions, because that would be idiotic.
- GardinerExpress

Anyone who says he should be tried at forward has no clue about hockey.

It might.......Im a truck driver...we take that route.
- nbboy

Midland Transport?

I bought a Leaf/Brodeur jersey for nothing?!

So the future franchise player, as some dream he will be, is only an assist man? A rookie defensemen on the leafs had 4 more assists than him last year.
- LeafsBlueline

Wait...what?

I bought a Leaf/Brodeur jersey for nothing?!
- Not_Stee

Should have went the Stamkos jersey route, like the rest of us.