I like Carrick a lot, he can figure things out on the fly but goes in deep a bit too much. I think he skates better than Gardiner, especially backwards.
- LeafMan

I agree, except with going in deep to much. I've been a big fan of his decision making. As much as he's pinched, he hasn't been burned as much as you'd expect from a kid with as little nhl experience as him. He hasn't been paired with someone who would expose it as much as gardiner would, but I think it'd be a coachable adjustment for a kid who appears to have a relatively complete skillset.

Really impressed with him, top two potential.

You didn't post his other tweet.

Rielly leads with 11 block shots, who is second?

Hint, has played just one game and Has 7 block shots, most of them on the PK.
- LeafMan

I don't trust him when he is out there, even 5on5 in the O zone, I see a bad pinch coming right away from him. On the PP, he is fine.
- LeafMan

Gardiner is a top 5 D in the LEAGUE

-Tanner

Rielly/zaitsev, gardiner/Carrick, hunwick/polak.

I don't see what the issue is Babs.
- joel878

He doesn't want to throw Zaitsev on the top line and hurt his confidence. The guy is real good and Babcock knows it, but exposing him to the best regularly will eventually bite him. These lines will happen, but not until Zee gets more time in.

Gardiner is a top 5 D in the LEAGUE

-Tanner
- Symba007

Yep, if you're looking to miss the playoffs...

Yep, if you're looking to miss the playoffs...
- Garnie

Tanner still thinks Gardiner is a top D...which is pretty funny

He doesn't want to throw Zaitsev on the top line and hurt his confidence. The guy is real good and Babcock knows it, but exposing him to the best regularly will eventually bite him. These lines will happen, but not until Zee gets more time in.
- Falon

He is more than groomed for it. 7 khl seasons by 24. He saw better competition on the top pair for Russia at the world cup. And it shows.

This is the NHL. It's not like the competition you see from the second pairing is a gravy job.

I think Babcock is keeping Reilly and Zaistev apart because they might be the two best d man we have and wants some balance. Judging by ice time I think Babcock has pretty good faith in Zee.

Not sure about the whole trouba thing, really can't stand guys that are young and star demanding, however if they get him for a good deal and Wil make us better than (frank) it go get him
- Yeti1181

I know I would be pretty happy having Blake Wheeler on my team.

Gardiner is a top 5 D in the LEAGUE

-Tanner
- Symba007

He is an average D man, nothing more. He just doesn't have the acumen to be a solid reliable defenseman.

He is an average D man, nothing more. He just doesn't have the acumen to be a solid reliable defenseman.
- LeafMan

another proof corsi stats are not gospel....

another proof corsi stats are not gospel....
- Symba007

How dare you!

Tanner still thinks Gardiner is a top D...which is pretty funny
- Symba007

He's elite, his Corsi says so...so it's fact.

End debate

No. I want more than Babs based on these pairings alone.

Id also have kadri with marner and JVR, and komarov/Bozak/brown on the third line.

See? Worth every penny.
- joel878

another proof corsi stats are not gospel....
- Symba007

Wow..u got's some nerve b'y..

I think Babcock is keeping Reilly and Zaistev apart because they might be the two best d man we have and wants some balance. Judging by ice time I think Babcock has pretty good faith in Zee.

Not sure about the whole trouba thing, really can't stand guys that are young and star demanding, however if they get him for a good deal and Wil make us better than (frank) it go get him
- Yeti1181

I don't want him.

Something about his attitude, thinking he can call his own shots and what not... I don't feel like that attitude makes for a good experiment with Babcock.

That, and the price tag he will come with in both what it will take to trade for him and what it will take to get him signed are ridiculous. I have no interest in giving up top prospects and picks and making him the highest paid player on the team

Best to stay the course. Look for value deals like Carrick and zaitsev, and draft the high end guys like rielly.

Wow..u got's some nerve b'y..
- Fruitcakenipple

I'll enjoy my ban

I'll enjoy my ban
- Symba007

I will let you suffer Senstroll adv. stat reteric.

That should be punishment enough.

Please excuse Lums as he is busy arguing with a nut job on my Facebook wall.
- Yeti1181

I will let you suffer Senstroll adv. stat reteric.

That should be punishment enough.
- LeafMan

now that's just mean

I grimace when he comes on the ice!
- Zezel

I don't want him.

Something about his attitude, thinking he can call his own shots and what not... I don't feel like that attitude makes for a good experiment with Babcock.

That, and the price tag he will come with in both what it will take to trade for him and what it will take to get him signed are ridiculous. I have no interest in giving up top prospects and picks and making him the highest paid player on the team

Best to stay the course. Look for value deals like Carrick and zaitsev, and draft the high end guys like rielly.
- joel878

This

Making Trouba the top paid player on the team just smells like a Leafy thing to do, the old Leafy way.

He is an average D man, nothing more. He just doesn't have the acumen to be a solid reliable defenseman.
- LeafMan

he has an above average good low shot from the point... the rest of his game is meh

he has an above average good low shot from the point... the rest of his game is meh
- Dozzer

mindblowing elite hockeysense

he has an above average good low shot from the point... the rest of his game is meh
- Dozzer

He's pretty good at skating the puck out of the leafs end and into the other team's end. He's frustrimg cause he will do good things then mistakes a huge mistake that leads to a goal.

He's pretty good at skating the puck out of the leafs end and into the other team's end. He's frustrimg cause he will do good things then mistakes a huge mistake that leads to a goal.
- ClarksonDavid

I hate when people mistake huge mistake