Leafs should be targeting Orlov this summer

I may be in the minority here but I have really liked Bozak's play the last little while. He could get 55+ points this year.
- Santo_44

I've been a Bozak fan (mostly realistic) since he broke in with the Leafs. He's been pretty this year - except after the All-Star break... which quite franky he has sucked and appeared lethargic since... until I'm guessing Babcock "hinted" that the veterans might have to be better.

I also think he (in general) gets comfortable... and having Boyle show up with a face off pedigree and ability to move up in the line-up may have woken good old Tyler up from the nap he'd been taking since the All-Star break.

he's been good the past few games... but he was at time brutal prior to that.

They just lost Ekblad to injury as well.

and with Reimer driving the ship it dosnt look good for them.
- Santo_44

they should shut him down for the season. It's his second concussion/whiplash in 6 the last months or so.

I've been a Bozak fan (mostly realistic) since he broke in with the Leafs. He's been pretty this year - except after the All-Star break... which quite franky he has sucked and appeared lethargic since... until I'm guessing Babcock "hinted" that the veterans might have to be better.

I also think he (in general) gets comfortable... and having Boyle show up with a face off pedigree and ability to move up in the line-up may have woken good old Tyler up from the nap he'd been taking since the All-Star break.

he's been good the past few games... but he was at time brutal prior to that.
- BorjeFan4Ever

For what he is he is a pretty decent player. If he is your third best center you are doing well IMO.

He may be traded this summer but if he keeps his play up the Leafs may want to keep him around

they should shut him down for the season. It's his second concussion/whiplash in 6 the last months or so.
- dmnted

6 points out of the playoffs and with Luongo hurt there is no point in rushing him back

Gardiner Is a +23 and the next closest is Carrick at +8. Found that odd. Is tanner right about Gardiner

He's just being used to his strengths, that is in situations where he doesn't need to do as much defending. When Reilly was hurt his numbers and play didn't look so good. This feels like a pump & dump for the off season.

He's just being used to his strengths, that is in situations where he doesn't need to do as much defending. When Reilly was hurt his numbers and play didn't look so good. This feels like a pump & dump for the off season.
- leafsfann

Gardiner, Rielly, and Zaitsev are keepers. They need a top 4 RD, and a cheap bottom pairing that doesn't crap the bed and they'll be good to go.

He's just being used to his strengths, that is in situations where he doesn't need to do as much defending. When Reilly was hurt his numbers and play didn't look so good. This feels like a pump & dump for the off season.
- leafsfann

he was plus 2 with rielly out

Gardiner, Rielly, and Zaitsev are keepers. They need a top 4 RD, and a cheap bottom pairing that doesn't crap the bed and they'll be good to go.
- The Shrike

Was talking to my old man about this yesterday.
Dermott will be bottom pairing next year and honestly Nielsen might be our Parayko. Solid defensively and has a nose for offence too.
I don't think defense, going forward, is as big an issue as everyone thinks.


Thankfully it doesn't matter if I'm right or wrong

he was plus 2 with rielly out
- daeth

Playing more, yet sheltered minutes. Don't get me wrong, I like having Gardiner on the team and Babschlong is playing him in a role he's clearly excelling in. If we want a top 2 or 4 shutdown defender though, I just think this will be the cost.

Was talking to my old man about this yesterday.
Dermott will be bottom pairing next year and honestly Nielsen might be our Parayko. Solid defensively and has a nose for offence too.
I don't think defense, going forward, is as big an issue as everyone thinks.


Thankfully it doesn't matter if I'm right or wrong
- lowsix

I wouldn't count on either of them being in the team next year. they might, but it's no guarantee. and looking at any dman short of the ekblad caliber and projecting them into a very good first pairing dman is begging to be disappointed. odds are not in his favour for that, and that's putting it lightly.

Playing more, yet sheltered minutes. Don't get me wrong, I like having Gardiner on the team and Babschlong is playing him in a role he's clearly excelling in. If we want a top 2 or 4 shutdown defender though, I just think this will be the cost.
- leafsfann

Who was sheltering him while Rielly was out?

Hopefully Rielly get's a confidence boost from that GWG

and Marner's baaaaack

Was talking to my old man about this yesterday.
Dermott will be bottom pairing next year and honestly Nielsen might be our Parayko. Solid defensively and has a nose for offence too.
I don't think defense, going forward, is as big an issue as everyone thinks.


Thankfully it doesn't matter if I'm right or wrong
- lowsix

I think your assement is wrong of Nielsen.. Hes good offensively but struggles in the Dzone from everything ive read from people that watch lots of marlies plus his own comments and coachs about him trying to imrpove in his end. Plus he looked lost in pre season in his end. Still young

Who was sheltering him while Rielly was out?
- Feeling Glucky?

Believe it or not, Polak and Hunwick. You notice how much Babcock relies on them for defensive play. Polak played more then Reilly or Gardiner last night and he never saw the ice in overtime.

Was running through the KHL stats for young guys making a mark over there. Anyone know anything about Vladimir Tkachev? On the small side, but 39pts in 49 games as a 21 year is pretty impressive. Surprised no one has picked him up yet on a tryout basis.

Hockeys Future was pretty rosie with his talent analysis as well:
"Although small, Tkachyov is a dynamic offensive talent. An explosive skater and a wizard with the puck, he is just beginning to scratch the surface of his immense potential. Oodles of skill and game-breaking ability, the outstanding question is whether he can round out his game and get stronger."

Believe it or not, Polak and Hunwick. You notice how much Babcock relies on them for defensive play. Polak played more then Reilly or Gardiner last night and he never saw the ice in overtime.
- hagar58

LOL no. Polak and Hunwick have inflated TOI from penalty killing. Polak, Marincin, Hunwick are all sheltered pretty heavily. Which puts an extremely heavy load on Zaitzev, Rielly, and Gardiner

LOL no. Polak and Hunwick have inflated TOI from penalty killing. Polak, Marincin, Hunwick are all sheltered pretty heavily. Which puts an extremely heavy load on Zaitzev, Rielly, and Gardiner
- Santo_44

Penalty killing is a heavy defensive load. Polak and Hunwick log the most minutes doing that. If Babcock didn't trust them and didn't think they were his best option, they wouldn't be out there.

Penalty killing requires a different skillset than even strength play. Being able to make clean breakout passes isn't super important on the PK while it's an essential skill 5 on 5. Polak can't do it so he gets sheltered even strength minutes (under 15 minutes per game for Polak vs 18 for Gardiner). As much as everyone hates him Gardiner is probably the best at that on the Leafs even if his actual defending and ability to win board battles is poop.

LOL no. Polak and Hunwick have inflated TOI from penalty killing. Polak, Marincin, Hunwick are all sheltered pretty heavily. Which puts an extremely heavy load on Zaitzev, Rielly, and Gardiner
- Santo_44

Polak and hunwick and sheltering others? I've seen it all now.


Those guys get the most sheltered mins on the team and get their poop kicked in repeatedly. They're junk.

Penalty killing requires a different skillset than even strength play. Being able to make clean breakout passes isn't super important on the PK while it's an essential skill 5 on 5. Polak can't do it so he gets sheltered even strength minutes (under 15 minutes per game for Polak vs 18 for Gardiner). As much as everyone hates him Gardiner is probably the best at that on the Leafs even if his actual defending and ability to win board battles is poop.
- daeth

This.

People see this mistakes he makes but don't see (or care to see) all the plays he does make. He plays tougher 5v5 mins than polak and is a plus player and gets more shots than he gives up while he's on the ice (2:1). He's doing something right

Polak and hunwick and sheltering others? I've seen it all now.


Those guys get the most sheltered mins on the team and get their poop kicked in repeatedly. They're junk.
- burn

Not sheltering, just playing in certain situations that Gardiner is not well suited for.

Not sheltering, just playing in certain situations that Gardiner is not well suited for.
- hagar58

Giving Polak the least amount of even strength time per game out of all 6 dmen isn't sheltering?

Not sheltering, just playing in certain situations that Gardiner is not well suited for.
- hagar58

What? Those 2 play least amount of 5v5 and face weakest opposition, usually 4th lines. How are they not sheltered?

And they're getting their crap kicked in in those sheltered mins.