Mike Augello: Leafs hold on for win over Oilers; Gardiner status uncertain

I'm looking forward to Tampa tomorrow!

Staring to understand why the Leafs wanted to trade Brown.

I like him,he is a good 3rd line checking forward who can kill penalties.

But (frank), he doesn’t fit on a 4th line energy line.
- Santo_44

I defended Brown previously and always saw his value as a PKer and backchecking.

He’s still pretty fast, but the fourth line is faster. Watching the game last night in person first game I’ve got to attend.

Really only had 3 players that surprised me or changed my opinion of them. Marleau, Brown and Marincin. Sounds homerish but I actually thought every other player (outside maybe Oz) looked great.

Marincin looked peak-Gardiner lost. He looks like he wants to make the big high risk play but he’s too indecisive? He’s got the tools, without the tool box.

Brown looks like he’s trying out there but it was very noticeable how weak his checks were on the forecheck. He just doesn’t have the strength to move an average size defenseman. He bounces off a lot of guys and doesn’t even seem to bother them or make them rush the play.

Marleau on the other hand impressed me thoroughly. He doesn’t create offense but I think he can still be a complimentary top 9 next year with skilled players.

He doesn’t waste energy flying around but he was seemingly always in the right place, and his hits had a surprising amount of energy. He’s a pretty big guy when he bumped defenders behind the net it’s a good crunch, they don’t bounce off.

If there was no salary cap I have to ask myself is Brown better than Moore? Gotta say no. Toss in the fact there is a salary cap, he’s looking like a solid casualty. Dubas’ depth signings cap hit is pretty indicative of his philosophy of how to fill this roster.

I'm looking forward to Tampa tomorrow!
- TrashPanda

Me too, huge test and measuring stick. They match up well though. Is Kucherov going to have the most points of any player this millennium?!

Brown has to go for cap reasons. And with his speed, age and 20 goals as a rookie, he can be moved easily.
People always scream about the star players getting big contracts, but the real killer is paying too much for bottom 6 guys.

All the big guns and even Johnsson and Kapanen looked great as well.

Rielly is at minimum a Norris finalist, I can’t even remember what period it was but he joined a rush that was turned the other way quickly and he doubled back and caught the Oiler puck carrier near the Leafs blue line. Has the speed and the work ethic to not give up on the play.

I’m starting to lean towards no Matthews-Tavares controversy and give Rielly the damn ‘C’, he gets it. Seen some low points in Toronto’s history and turned into an elite D in the process.

We'll beat Tampa. Tampa has won nothing

All the big guns and even Johnsson and Kapanen looked great as well.

Rielly is at minimum a Norris finalist, I can’t even remember what period it was but he joined a rush that was turned the other way quickly and he doubled back and caught the Oiler puck carrier near the Leafs blue line. Has the speed and the work ethic to not give up on the play.

I’m starting to lean towards no Matthews-Tavares controversy and give Rielly the damn ‘C’, he gets it. Seen some low points in Toronto’s history and turned into an elite D in the process.
- Blazed

The thing about Rielly is, he always plays such tough minutes against the best players every game. He's never been "Sheltered".

I love this team. Matthews hasn't even been in freak mode lately and they're winning. And you know Matthews is gonna go off.

*dispenses blue and white fluids*

- TrashPanda

I love this team. Matthews hasn't even been in freak mode lately and they're winning. And you know Matthews is gonna go off.

*dispenses blue and white fluids*
- Zezel

It is interesting if they can fire on all cylinders once the playoffs start.

It is interesting if they can fire on all cylinders once the playoffs start.
- RogerRoeper

I thought Kadri looked good coming back. The forward group is a hydra monster and I think that will shine the most in the playoffs.

I defended Brown previously and always saw his value as a PKer and backchecking.

He’s still pretty fast, but the fourth line is faster. Watching the game last night in person first game I’ve got to attend.

Really only had 3 players that surprised me or changed my opinion of them. Marleau, Brown and Marincin. Sounds homerish but I actually thought every other player (outside maybe Oz) looked great.

Marincin looked peak-Gardiner lost. He looks like he wants to make the big high risk play but he’s too indecisive? He’s got the tools, without the tool box.

Brown looks like he’s trying out there but it was very noticeable how weak his checks were on the forecheck. He just doesn’t have the strength to move an average size defenseman. He bounces off a lot of guys and doesn’t even seem to bother them or make them rush the play.

Marleau on the other hand impressed me thoroughly. He doesn’t create offense but I think he can still be a complimentary top 9 next year with skilled players.

He doesn’t waste energy flying around but he was seemingly always in the right place, and his hits had a surprising amount of energy. He’s a pretty big guy when he bumped defenders behind the net it’s a good crunch, they don’t bounce off.

If there was no salary cap I have to ask myself is Brown better than Moore? Gotta say no. Toss in the fact there is a salary cap, he’s looking like a solid casualty. Dubas’ depth signings cap hit is pretty indicative of his philosophy of how to fill this roster.
- Blazed

I’ll defend Marleau all day.

From what everyone says Marleau is a fantastic guy to have around the team.

And he can still produce 20 goals and 40 points.

Brown is a solid player but Moore is just better....with 15 games left I see Moore taking over that spot.

Everyone says Babs is too stubborn to do poop like that...that may be true mid season but as last playoffs showed he will choose the best team for when it matters.

I’ll defend Marleau all day.

From what everyone says Marleau is a fantastic guy to have around the team.

And he can still produce 20 goals and 40 points.

Brown is a solid player but Moore is just better....with 15 games left I see Moore taking over that spot.

Everyone says Babs is too stubborn to do poop like that...that may be true mid season but as last playoffs showed he will choose the best team for when it matters.
- Santo_44

Usually just as people are complaining about Babs not making an adjustment he makes one and they don't seem to notice. He doesn't oversteer as much as fans.

So...when is Tavares named captain?

I’ll defend Marleau all day.

From what everyone says Marleau is a fantastic guy to have around the team.

And he can still produce 20 goals and 40 points.

Brown is a solid player but Moore is just better....with 15 games left I see Moore taking over that spot.

Everyone says Babs is too stubborn to do poop like that...that may be true mid season but as last playoffs showed he will choose the best team for when it matters.
- Santo_44

Look at AMs tribute to Marleau at the ASG...pretty obvious he has an influence on the young guys. He's paid a legacy premium no doubt but if he makes a lasting impact on the kids it's worth it. And he can still play the right way, real good pro.

I thought Kadri looked good coming back. The forward group is a hydra monster and I think that will shine the most in the playoffs.
- Zezel

Nice to see kadri back. He looked pretty good last night.

Leafs despritely need gards and Dermott back and healthy now

If im edmonton, im offer sheet'n kap.
4.5 - 5m per x 5 years.
Kap and mcd would look good together.
Edmonton has no forward depth.

Jesus they had hall and eberle.

So...when is Tavares named captain?
- AdamFrench

Dunno, but they need to make someone the captain.

Nice to see kadri back. He looked pretty good last night.

Leafs despritely need gards and Dermott back and healthy now
- burn

Gards is on holiday in Robidas Island.

Nice to see kadri back. He looked pretty good last night.

Leafs despritely need gards and Dermott back and healthy now
- burn

The news on Gardiner wasn't good yesterday - there was talk that he might need back surgery. Dermott is probably 3 weeks away still. Not sure why Marincin is in the lineup. I can't understand why a call to the Marlies hasn't been made. Surely Rosen is better than at least 3 d-men currently on the Leafs

If im edmonton, im offer sheet'n kap.
4.5 - 5m per x 5 years.
Kap and mcd would look good together.
Edmonton has no forward depth.

Jesus they had hall and eberle.
- Fakepartofme

If I’m Kap I’m not signing with Edmonton.

A very important aspect people seem to forget about RFA’s.

So no one picks UFA’s to go to Edmonton but RFA’s apparently will love it there?

There are a bunch of NHL players that are on the record for saying it sucks to play in Edmonton.

The news on Gardiner wasn't good yesterday - there was talk that he might need back surgery. Dermott is probably 3 weeks away still. Not sure why Marincin is in the lineup. I can't understand why a call to the Marlies hasn't been made. Surely Rosen is better than at least 3 d-men currently on the Leafs
- winsix

Thst is worrisome. I home he if fine a a couple week

Marincin is (frank)ing brutal. It's embarassing watching him in the lineup. Put holl in dam it.

Rosen is injured, which is terrible timing. I dint know what his timeline is. Borgman is also injured.

The news on Gardiner wasn't good yesterday - there was talk that he might need back surgery. Dermott is probably 3 weeks away still. Not sure why Marincin is in the lineup. I can't understand why a call to the Marlies hasn't been made. Surely Rosen is better than at least 3 d-men currently on the Leafs
- winsix

Rosen can still be injured and my guess is Babs like a guy who's got NHL experience.