I agree totally. Timmy L TRIED to scrap and rebuild the raps until they started winning. Seems like he took the same approach with the leafs.

all these one year deals scream patchwork season. A high pick in a strong draft is the goal it seems to me.
- clark_griswold

You have no clue what you are talking about. If the Leafs were going for a high pick Phaneuf,Lupul, Kessel would of been gone.

Well he did serve on the Danville train 'till Stoneman's cavalry came and tore up the tracks again
- Canada Cup

The night they drove ole dixie down.

Polak is no meat head. He hits but he's not insanely tough. He'll fight maybe 2-3x a year. He's no scott stevens but he can play physical. Ppl love to say 'he played behind' the greats on STL, but i think he was also insulated by them. Just like how gunnarsson will look great on STL (see how improved JBO became when moving from CGY to STL)
- clark_griswold

I didn't mean meat head as a bad thing. I meant it as somebody who can play the actual important part of job. From what I've read about him I'm happy he's here.

They wanted toughness. Someone who can win puck battles around the boards. Someone to clear the net. Someone to hit. And hit well. I think they want what Fraser brought to the team in the lockout shortened season.
- JVR_42_PK81

So gleason basically, it was more.of a translated move than a upgrade

Doughty was top 3. pretty sure he is a cornerstone player. LA also had a 4th overall that didnt really pan out (Hickey), so they were pretty bad at one point
- GardinerExpress

Agreed, but trades have been LA's strength. The trading for J Johnson from the hurricanes and then sending him to columbus for Carter was great. Do you remember who LA traded for J Johnson? Tim Gleason and Éric Bélanger!
That's just the tip of the iceberg. Check out the lopsided trades. Ridiculous.

I have no idea why other GMs get soaked by LA...

I'm not saying we have great defence but if our forwards could have pushed the pace and not have to spend 80% of the game in our end we wouldn't be so concerned with out defence right now.
- Yeti1181

So much blame was put on the defensemen. When the forwards are only possessing the puck for 40 percent if the game that does not help the defensemen out. When no forwards backcheck once again not helping the defense out. When your wingers are hanging out at the red line when our d is holding the puck once again not helping the defense.

You have no clue what you are talking about. If the Leafs were going for a high pick Phaneuf,Lupul, Kessel would of been gone.
- JVR_42_PK81

i have no clue at all. Yeah, because if you are bad for a year or 2, oh no we'll only have kessel and dion for 5 more years and they'll be so old.

its not a total rebuild, but it's a one year swan dive.

But yeah we are so much better with these guys. I'm wrong.

I'm as big a leaf fan as there is. Have been since about 87-88. I'm just not delusional and have seen this story many, many times.

So gleason basically, it was more.of a translated move than a upgrade
- DougGilmour_93

Gleason could block shots. He really couldn't do anything else.

I like our defense within Gards, Rielly, Phaneuf and Robidas but i never understood the point of trading gunner for polak
- DougGilmour_93

Polak is 236lbs Gunner is 196lbs

I think Polak is going to be as good or better in our end...and he looks like you wouldn't want to (frank) with him

I didn't mean meat head as a bad thing. I meant it as somebody who can play the actual important part of job. From what I've read about him I'm happy he's here.
- weirdoh

i didn't think you did. Im just pointing out he's not as tough as some think. Let me rephrase that - he's tough, but doesn' t give it out excessively.

i have no clue at all. Yeah, because if you are bad for a year or 2, oh no we'll only have kessel and dion for 5 more years and they'll be so old.

its not a total rebuild, but it's a one year swan dive.

But yeah we are so much better with these guys. I'm wrong.

I'm as big a leaf fan as there is. Have been since about 87-88. I'm just not delusional and have seen this story many, many times.
- clark_griswold

So you probably have no idea what advanced stats are? Probobly too stubborn to look into them.

So you probably have no idea what advanced stats are? Probobly too stubborn to look into them.
- JVR_42_PK81

it's clear you get defensive. You say they're good, i say they're bad. difference is you say things like:

'you have no clue what you are talking about'

'you have no idea what advanced stats are'

'too stubborn'

good work. Mature. Keep in mind advanced stats are kind off affected by you know, the other 4 guys on the ice with winnik, polak etc. But i don't know anything about them.

Polak is 236lbs Gunner is 196lbs

I think Polak is going to be as good or better in our end...and he looks like you wouldn't want to (frank) with him
- Garnie

Just by looking at those weight numbers - once could deduce that gunner could probably skate much faster than a guy who weighs 40lbs more

So you probably have no idea what advanced stats are? Probobly too stubborn to look into them.
- JVR_42_PK81

Corsiizdabest!

What are advanced stats?

Just by looking at those weight numbers - gunner could probably skate much faster than a guy who weighs 40lbs more
- MTL1

My opinion is we have enough D skaters and need some weight to play against the likes of Lucic etc in front of our net.

Franson missed Fraser last year and I'm hoping he's the replacement but maybe a bit better. ( not saying I want to play him with Franson or that Franson will even be around )

I know what your saying...but changes needed to be made...we can't just keep our guys because they are good guys or because they are "just ok" etc.

So you probably have no idea what advanced stats are? Probobly too stubborn to look into them.
- JVR_42_PK81

It's all about advance stats now that you have an AGM that's known to use them?

I will be so happy when the term advance stats disappears. For (frank) sakes, it's all statistics, it just depends on what stat you find credible.

What are advanced stats?
- robin_steele264

something the Oilers excel at

What are advanced stats?
- robin_steele264

Sounds like a Mexican dish.

Just by looking at those weight numbers - once could deduce that gunner could probably skate much faster than a guy who weighs 40lbs more
- MTL1

gunnar is a solid defenseman. 17pts in a purely defensive role and +14 on a bush league defensive team. Polak was a lateral move with a little more physicality. Both are good D but yes i think Polak is the better option for us.

it's clear you get defensive. You say they're good, i say they're bad. difference is you say things like:

'you have no clue what you are talking about'

'you have no idea what advanced stats are'

'too stubborn'

good work. Mature. Keep in mind advanced stats are kind off affected by you know, the other 4 guys on the ice with winnik, polak etc. But i don't know anything about them.
- clark_griswold

"advanced stats" (frank) me. It's like people got bored with using +/- as their go to so they use other poop that nobody gives a (frank) about to try to prove something. And just like +/-, those other stats are greatly affected by the teams play.

gunnar is a solid defenseman. 17pts in a purely defensive role and +14 on a bush league defensive team. Polak was a lateral move with a little more physicality. Both are good D but yes i think Polak is the better option for us.
- clark_griswold

that's exactly my hope

something the Oilers excel at
- Garnie

Ok good

"advanced stats" (frank) me. It's like people got bored with using +/- as their go to so they use other poop that nobody gives a (frank) about to try to prove something. And just like +/-, those other stats are greatly affected by the teams play.
- weirdoh

oh so you mean winnik wouldn't have as good corsi / fenwick possession numbers on Edmonton as he did on the ducks? Oh i see.....the better teams have the puck more. Noted.

Ok good
- robin_steele264

how are things?

are you back at work or on the holiday stretch?