Gardiner is a prime example of the analytics not matching the eye test. He makes some brutal decisions that lead to scoring chances/goals against at times. I would call him a good puck mover, a guy that can create offense, but not someone you want out there against top lines.
- Nucker101

He would pair pretty well with Tanev on their 2nd pairing.

My theory on Gardiner is as he grew up playing hockey, he could skate 10X better than the kids he was playing against. As a result, he never had to learn what to do with the puck under pressure - he simply skated his way out of trouble.

Sadly, that doesn't work in the NHL.

The dude shows flashes of incredible talent - and then he has the most magnificent brain farts that you wonder how he even gets his equipment on by himself before games.

I'm now at peace with the fact that we will be seeing him in a Leafs uniform for the foreseeable future. As per above, he simply has too much raw talent for management to give up on him.

But I don't think he'll ever change.
- Atomic Wedgie

Sounds like Hanifin.

My theory on Gardiner is as he grew up playing hockey, he could skate 10X better than the kids he was playing against. As a result, he never had to learn what to do with the puck under pressure - he simply skated his way out of trouble.

Sadly, that doesn't work in the NHL.

The dude shows flashes of incredible talent - and then he has the most magnificent brain farts that you wonder how he even gets his equipment on by himself before games.

I'm now at peace with the fact that we will be seeing him in a Leafs uniform for the foreseeable future. As per above, he simply has too much raw talent for management to give up on him.

But I don't think he'll ever change.
- Atomic Wedgie

This is why Tanev would be a good fit for the Leafs. He can cover up mistakes and let his partner wheel

Sounds like Hanifin.
- manvanfan

Except that Hanifin is an exceptional skater.

Except that Hanifin is an exceptional skater.
- BINGO!

So he's still only a 2nd pairing D man with huge lapses in judgement. Good to know.

Except that Hanifin is an exceptional skater.
- BINGO!

Quinn Hughes, Adam Boqvist, and Noah hanifin are even better skaters.

Quinn Hughes, Adam Boqvist, and Noah hanifin are even better skaters.
- classic321

Why are you stating the player is an even better skater then the player he was talking about?

So he's still only a 2nd pairing D man with huge lapses in judgement. Good to know.
- manvanfan

Let me put it this way.... The more he plays, the better he seems to be.

When he's been provided with opportunities to eat up more minutes he's generally excelled. When his role is reduced, he tends to struggle. But yeah he tends to make some really dumb decisions at times.

Why are you stating the player is an even better skater then the player he was talking about?
- manvanfan

Let me put it this way.... The more he plays, the better he seems to be.

When he's been provided with opportunities to eat up more minutes he's generally excelled. When his role is reduced, he tends to struggle. But yeah he tends to make some really dumb decisions at times.
- BINGO!

Blame the coach.

Hutton's top 4 on Van too. Just needs the minutes.

I'm being a bit sarcastic.

If Hanifin was better then the others then why isn't he playing more then them?

Blame the coach.

Hutton's top 4 on Van too. Just needs the minutes.

I'm being a bit sarcastic.

If Hanifin was better then the others then why isn't he playing more then them?
- manvanfan

Peters..hopefully he (frank)s up Calgary too

Lucic and a first for Sutter - he could play with Louie and Gauds on the 4th line.

great Monday content, worth all of my 30 seconds.

Button saying Lucic on the block or bought out...I’d be ok with signing him for 3M and 3-4th line if so...

Or....

To Vancouver:
- lucic with 1.5M retained by oilers
- this years 2nd
- next years 2nd

To oilers:
- Hutton

Only one of us is a Leaves fan there stud, enjoy that time

The other gets paid 6 figures and lives very well. So... have a good day
- neem55

If you have a bigger Dad than him, you Sir, have the trifecta.

Blame the coach.

Hutton's top 4 on Van too. Just needs the minutes.

I'm being a bit sarcastic.

If Hanifin was better then the others then why isn't he playing more then them?
- manvanfan

It's more of a pairings problem.

Hanifin-Faulk do some remarkable things out there, but Faulk was so bad defensively that putting them together caused massive collapses.

You don't want to split up Slavin-Pesce as they can eat a ton of minutes as a solid shutdown pair.

So you put Fleury with Faulk so the rookie can bail him out a bit, and Hanifin gets paired with van Riemsdyk because it's the only pairing left.

It's more of a pairings problem.

Hanifin-Faulk do some remarkable things out there, but Faulk was so bad defensively that putting them together caused massive collapses.

You don't want to split up Slavin-Pesce as they can eat a ton of minutes as a solid shutdown pair.

So you put Fleury with Faulk so the rookie can bail him out a bit, and Hanifin gets paired with van Riemsdyk because it's the only pairing left.

- BINGO!

So Hanifin goes on your 3rd pairing then?

So Hanifin goes on your 3rd pairing then?
- manvanfan

He played 2nd/3rd pair most of the year, yep.

Should he have? No. But he did.

He played 2nd/3rd pair most of the year, yep.

Should he have? No. But he did.
- BINGO!

I think Van could find more then a 3rd pairing D in the draft especially at 7oa. Van will HOPEFULLY keep the pick. Otherwise JB fired on the spot, Gallant style.

I think Van could find more then a 3rd pairing D in the draft especially at 7oa. Van will HOPEFULLY keep the pick. Otherwise JB fired on the spot, Gallant style.
- manvanfan

If JB trades the pick it’s because linden and aqulini signed off on it. He isn’t going anywhere

I'm back b1tches.

Go off the grid for 5 days come back

-Leaf fans telling us how good their D is
-OJ a bust
-Hanifin ROR trades
-Lefty disappointed in Benning
-Canucks still don't have assets to make a big trade
-Sell off our first round pick


I bet I could come back in 5 years and it would still be the same topics

I think Van could find more then a 3rd pairing D in the draft especially at 7oa. Van will HOPEFULLY keep the pick. Otherwise JB fired on the spot, Gallant style.
- manvanfan

Well that's the thing... I think Hanifin IS more than a 3rd pairing D. He's a 3/4 right now with #2 potential. It's just the way that the former coaches had everything set up focusing entirely on structure had him playing on a bottom pair many nights.

I'm back b1tches.

Go off the grid for 5 days come back

-Leaf fans telling us how good their D is
-OJ a bust
-Hanifin ROR trades
-Lefty disappointed in Benning
-Canucks still don't have assets to make a big trade
-Sell off our first round pick


I bet I could come back in 5 years and it would still be the same topics
- VANTEL

Yah, nothing's changed.

Lucic and a first for Sutter - he could play with Louie and Gauds on the 4th line.
- 1970vintage

Why can't we just swap Lucic for LE? Both players need a change.

I'm back b1tches.

Go off the grid for 5 days come back

-Leaf fans telling us how good their D is
-OJ a bust
-Hanifin ROR trades
-Lefty disappointed in Benning
-Canucks still don't have assets to make a big trade
-Sell off our first round pick


I bet I could come back in 5 years and it would still be the same topics
- VANTEL

Ballard, Raymond and a 3rd bro.