Soccer is a joke.. There's been like 10 brutal dives and we're not even finished the first half.. The whole sport revolves around diving and getting free kicks.

Demers is the only dman that grabs my attention.

Helm is the other guy i could see.
- Tumbleweed

Demers if possible at around 4-4.5 would be interesting - otherwise go for a work-horse type guy like Polak at around 3.

no thanks to Helm.

Demers if possible at around 4-4.5 would be interesting - otherwise go for a work-horse type guy like Polak at around 3.

no thanks to Helm.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Fuuuuuuuuuuck (frank)ing Polak!!

He's terrible. He would easily be our worst defenseman..

Lamoriello spotted wearing a polar fleece jacket after that trade with Columbus! #whatasteal #Kerby #grit #grind

With Babs asking if he ever wants to make an Olympic team again.
- Canada Cup

while subtle... I think this line of thinking is exactly why Stamkos considered leaving tampa in the first place.. .and if you think back all the nonsense with St. Louis started around the same time.

Yzerman was the GM. There has to be back-room conversations that the player was unhappy with.

As a comparison, think back to Quinn and Joseph, Joseph got hung out to dry at the Olympics... the following autumn he wasn't the Leaf goalie any more.

Lamoriello spotted wearing a polar fleece jacket after that trade with Columbus! #whatasteal #Kerby #grit #grind
- Lucas Neilson

I think Kerby will be playing with the Marlies..

Demers is the only dman that grabs my attention.

Helm is the other guy i could see.
- Tumbleweed

Agreed. He makes our defence better now and in the future. I'm hesitant to give him the type of salary and term that we'd be competing with though...

Fuuuuuuuuuuck (frank)ing Polak!!

He's terrible. He would easily be our worst defenseman..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

clearly the reason the Sharks didn't win the cup.

you can't have a six defenseman core that are all Gardiners or Marincin or Hunwick - guys like Polak bring a different dimension which the Leafs currently lack.

I don't want Rielly beat up from killing penalties with Hunwick as his partner.

clearly the reason the Sharks didn't win the cup.

you can't have a six defenseman core that are all Gardiners or Marincin or Hunwick - guys like Polak bring a different dimension which the Leafs currently lack.

I don't want Rielly beat up from killing penalties with Hunwick as his partner.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Polak is garbage. We don't need garbage

Rielly beat up and playing with hunwick?? A litre dramatic today are we?

Elliotte Friedman ‏@FriedgeHNIC 2m2 minutes ago
Alexander Radulov could not find an NHL team willing to pay his asking price. He has signed with KHL Salavat.


Good (frank)ing riddance...

Soccer is a joke.. There's been like 10 brutal dives and we're not even finished the first half.. The whole sport revolves around diving and getting free kicks.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

You seem to be watching a fair bit of it for somebody who hates the sport...

Polak is garbage. We don't need garbage

Rielly beat up and playing with hunwick?? A litre dramatic today are we?
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Agreed. Would much rather have one of the kids like Loov if it's more of a physical edge that is desired (hint - it's not. Skill first!)

You seem to be watching a fair bit of it for somebody who hates the sport...
- lumlums

Meh..

Ireland usually plays with integrity so sometimes I watch them.. They are good underdogs.. But it's just hard to respect these atheletes who have no honor..

Polak is garbage. We don't need garbage

Rielly beat up and playing with hunwick?? A litre dramatic today are we?
- Arctic_AARDVARK

do you have the capacity to comprehend that a player might be worn out more by playing tough minutes, blocking shots and trying to handle players in front of the net?

here's a simple as I can put this...
1) what aspect of defensive zone coverage do the Leafs defensemen get criticized the most for?
2) do you want your best defender with the greatest upside having to carry the entire load for both penalty killing and power play and baby sitting his partner?
3) what makes the Keith - Seabrook partnership work well?

and before you blow your load commenting on how I'm comparing Seabrook and Polak - I'm not - any rationale human being would realize that - so I shouldn't even need to put this disclaimer in...

but Polak is not garbage - if he was he wouldn't have been playing as much as he did in the SC Finals- and he has the ability to contribute defensively in a fashion no other Leafs defender currently can.

Stamkos watch is tooooo quiet. With the Leafs that could be a good thing. ... suspense is killing me though. I still think he goes elsewhere but it's hard to get rid of the hope and wish factor.
- systemtool

100 percent agree

do you have the capacity to comprehend that a player might be worn out more by playing tough minutes, blocking shots and trying to handle players in front of the net?

here's a simple as I can put this...
1) what aspect of defensive zone coverage do the Leafs defensemen get criticized the most for?
2) do you want your best defender with the greatest upside having to carry the entire load for both penalty killing and power play and baby sitting his partner?
3) what makes the Keith - Seabrook partnership work well?

and before you blow your load commenting on how I'm comparing Seabrook and Polak - I'm not - any rationale human being would realize that - so I shouldn't even need to put this disclaimer in...

but Polak is not garbage - if he was he wouldn't have been playing as much as he did in the SC Finals- and he has the ability to contribute defensively in a fashion no other Leafs defender currently can.
- BorjeFan4Ever

This is a lot of nonsense directed at fans who have seen him play on the Leafs. And he did nothing to help anyone. So no, I don't want to retry something that failed the first time.

You seem to be watching a fair bit of it for somebody who hates the sport...
- lumlums

just have to look at the players "considered" the elite or emerging elite currently - versus say 1990-1995.

guys like Messi, the Spanish national team players and the overpaid floppers from early 2000s all excelled because of "poor" officiating.

all that's required (which won't happen) is the governing bodies standing behind the officials calling the games like they did in the early 90s - but they won't because they make too much money from the marketing of shoes, jerseys and television rights.

everyone apparently wants to watch Messi or Nymar take yet another free-kick from just outside the box.

I actually find the possession games incredibly boring to watch... the so-called attacking players looking first and foremost for a defender who they fall down beside to draw the foul.

do you have the capacity to comprehend that a player might be worn out more by playing tough minutes, blocking shots and trying to handle players in front of the net?

here's a simple as I can put this...
1) what aspect of defensive zone coverage do the Leafs defensemen get criticized the most for?
2) do you want your best defender with the greatest upside having to carry the entire load for both penalty killing and power play and baby sitting his partner?
3) what makes the Keith - Seabrook partnership work well?

and before you blow your load commenting on how I'm comparing Seabrook and Polak - I'm not - any rationale human being would realize that - so I shouldn't even need to put this disclaimer in...

but Polak is not garbage - if he was he wouldn't have been playing as much as he did in the SC Finals- and he has the ability to contribute defensively in a fashion no other Leafs defender currently can.
- BorjeFan4Ever

I think you're either paranoid or have no idea how bad Polak really is. Idk why you brought up Keith/Seabs because it doesn't help your argument. Why do you swing so far into the abyss of fear? Rielly isn't the only capable defenseman on the team..

I think you're either paranoid or have no idea how bad Polak really is. Idk why you brought up Keith/Seabs because it doesn't help your argument. Why do you swing so far into the abyss of fear? Rielly isn't the only capable defenseman on the team..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I'm going to make a Seabrook Keith comparison. But don't be dumb enough to think I'm comparing them by comparing them. They aren't the same but they're the same when it comes to this point I'm trying to make.

I'm going to make a Seabrook Keith comparison. But don't be dumb enough to think I'm comparing them by comparing them. They aren't the same but they're the same when it comes to this point I'm trying to make.
- systemtool

I remember when Shanny signed in Detroit in 2000. I saw a quote the other day that he said and direct quote

“It doesn’t matter how much money you make,” said Shanahan back then, this after he forewent free agency and signed with the Red Wings. “The most important thing is how you feel coming away from work every day . . . I know what I want and it’s here.”

That's a good pitch he will give to Stamkos. He's been in the exact same position as Stammer.
- Santo_44

Exactly right, that pitch - plus bringing in guys like Sittler and Clark to show that they can have excellent incomes after hockey which will not be the same in other markets as well as giving him a feeling of being part of very important club. That plus not working with a douche bag like Murray.

Go back to bed. Have a water. Don't drive for a few hours.
- systemtool

watching Ireland v France in the pub first.

Polak's not coming back. Not even sure why we're talking about this. He was exposed badly this SC finals against the speed of PIT.

He's not a terrible 6/7 guy at this point, but limited minutes is key.

watching Ireland v France in the pub first.
- walshyleafsfan

Go Ireland!

So what are the thoughts of the return of Schenn as 5/6 man?
- iTOLDu

No.
Hes garbage.