1: give up on Robidas.. he said himself he was told when he signed he would be paired with rielly or gardiner.. this is straight from robidas' mouth

2: polak is not top pairing

its going to be gardiner and phaneuf
- Dozzer

Gunnar wasn't top pairing either, neither was Holzer, Kostka, or Aulie... and neither is Gardiner.

Robidas was guessing. He's not the coach.

From what I understand, Dion is trying to change his game - last year, that puck would miss the net high.

This year, he's going to try to miss the net wide more often.
- Atomic Wedgie

DP gets the main defensive assignments

he shouldnt even worry about offense.. if it comes great.. but dont go for it

Gunnar wasn't top pairing either, neither was Holzer, Kostka, or Aulie... and neither is Gardiner.

Robidas was guessing. He's not the coach.
- Feeling Glucky?

robidas said he was TOLD that

(frank) sakes.. robidas and phaneuf together makes the rest of the D full blown poop on the defensive side of the game

its not happening.

Thanks for the smug remark to an honest question. I dont think anyone in here knows for certain what their plan is. They traded dions partner for polak so its not too far fetched to think he could be tried with dion. Last season most folks were female doging about gardiners horrible defensive play, so much so alot wanted him traded. How does he go from that to, oh hes now a first pairing guy.
- TonkaPhaneuf

Polak is a 5-6, so playing him as a #2 is not wise. I don't care for the trade in the first place, so referencing who he was traded for carries little weight. Polak was playing low in the blues lineup and not exactly keeping up, what could possibly lead you to think he could play more against tougher opposition with weaker support.

The NHL is changing, dmen like gardiner and Reilly that move the puck so well are becoming more valuable. Yes their d isn't great by its not as bad as some make it out to be, and their offense/puck moving way outweighs their defensive shortcomings.

you guys are really wishing for robidas and phaneuf

fine .. here is another reason

you pair those two together you are left with rielly gardiner franson and polak to handle the rest of the defensive responsibilities on their own.. how do you think that will go?
- Dozzer

I'd rather weaker defensive pairings against weaker competition than a weak defensive pairing against top competition.

I also don't expect Franson to be on roster come october.

From what I understand, Dion is trying to change his game - last year, that puck would miss the net high.

This year, he's going to try to miss the net wide more often.
- Atomic Wedgie

There goes Lupul's ankle.

DP gets the main defensive assignments

he shouldnt even worry about offense.. if it comes great.. but dont go for it
- Dozzer

Unfortunately he is too dumb to understand. It takes him 5 second to think about pinching in and by the time he does it the other team is on a two on one or breakaway.

He is not bright enough to understand the position or change.

DP gets the main defensive assignments

he shouldnt even worry about offense.. if it comes great.. but dont go for it
- Dozzer

what?

Now we have a 7 million dollar stay at home D

It's not a terrible idea at all. Phaneuf has always played better with a defense-first partner.
- Feeling Glucky?

yes it is. Playing guys out of position is a bad idea. Polak isn't close to. #2.

Polak is a 5-6, so playing him as a #2 is not wise. I don't care for the trade in the first place, so referencing who he was traded for carries little weight. Polak was playing low in the blues lineup and not exactly keeping up, what could possibly lead you to think he could play more against tougher opposition with weaker support.

The NHL is changing, dmen like gardiner and Reilly that move the puck so well are becoming more valuable. Yes their d isn't great by its not as bad as some make it out to be, and their offense/puck moving way outweighs their defensive shortcomings.
- burn

Our entire defense core would be playing behind the guys polak played behind on the blues.

Thanks for the smug remark to an honest question. I dont think anyone in here knows for certain what their plan is. They traded dions partner for polak so its not too far fetched to think he could be tried with dion. Last season most folks were female doging about gardiners horrible defensive play, so much so alot wanted him traded. How does he go from that to, oh hes now a first pairing guy.
- TonkaPhaneuf

Well it was Nonis who we assume made that trade...and he is really clueless..

A lot has changed since then.. I am really doubtful they would make that deal now with the 2 dummies fired and Dubas hired

i am not even entertaining the robidas top pairing crap anymore

its going to be phaneuf gardiner / robidas rielly / polak franson

and if franson is moved it will be granberg instead.

man oh man i'm done with this nonsense.

Phaneuf Gardiner
Robidas Rielly
Franson Polak




* edit *


Bruce blows dead bears

That's an absolutely terrible idea. Just brutal.

Gardiner will play with him. Defense isnt an issue if you aren't in your zone.
- burn

Well said

So sick, 1 Million buy in each...Aces vs Aces

http://deadspin.com/guy-l...ook&utm_medium=socialflow

Unfortunately he is too dumb to understand. It takes him 5 second to think about pinching in and by the time he does it the other team is on a two on one or breakaway.

He is not bright enough to understand the position or change.
- LeafMan

(frank) extending him was such a bad idea

yes it is. Playing guys out of position is a bad idea. Polak isn't close to. #2.
- burn

The two roomies will toy with the opposition and play keep away with the puck on every shift, leaving Dion, Polak, Franson and Robidas to fill out the other pairings.

Our entire defense core would be playing behind the guys polak played behind on the blues.
- TonkaPhaneuf

And in front of polak!

Polak played not very well for the blues, with limited mins agianst weaker opposition. How does making him player tougher mins here make him better?

now thats a Bad Beat

Phaneuf Gardiner
Robidas Rielly
Franson Polak




* edit *


Bruce is awesome
- .HOHO.

i am not even entertaining the robidas top pairing crap anymore

its going to be phaneuf gardiner / robidas rielly / polak franson

and if franson is moved it will be granberg instead.

man oh man i'm done with this nonsense.
- Dozzer

You really think they give granberg a shot
I think they just go some sign a ufa dman for 1m

And in front of polak!

Polak played not very well for the blues, with limited mins agianst weaker opposition. How does making him player tougher mins here make him better?
- burn

I admit i dont know much about the guy or watch blues games. I just thought a shutdown guy would be good for dions game and when they made that trade it seemed like they were swapping his partner out for a new one.

Phaneuf Gardiner
Robidas Rielly
Franson Polak




* edit *


Bruce is awesome
- .HOHO.

What are you brown nosing for ? what did you do ?

You really think they give granberg a shot
I think they just go some sign a ufa dman for 1m
- MTL1

they should, he's earned it

and to provide actual evidence to my opinion, which seems to be a rarity around here, robidas will be paired with rielly or gardiner

“Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner,” Robidas said from his off-season home in Sherbrooke, Que. “When we talked about my role and what the Leafs are looking for, they’d like me to help the younger defencemen. To me that’s a great opportunity. I’ve watched them play. I know exactly how good they are and everything. Having a chance to play with one of the two and try to help those guys is going to be good for me.”

http://sports.nationalpos...ensive-mentor-in-toronto/

- Dozzer