Jake Gardiner

[slapshot]

For the life of me, I can't understand why his name keep popping up in trade rumours. Yes, I understand he sometimes makes a defensive gaff. But tell me is he anymore prone to defensive gaffs than Phanuef, Gunnerson, Ranger and Franson, all of whom I'd be afraid to carry the puck 10 feet unless they were on a power play. Gleason to his credit doesn't try to carry the puck.
In last year's 7 game series against the Bruins, Gardiner was the best defenceman for the Leafs, he was all over the ice, and proved to be a real handful for the Bruins. In this year's collapse, he may have made a few gaffs but he has also been consistently trying to make things happen - I see no quit in him. Gardiner needs someone dependable to play with, not Franson and probably not Phaneuf. He also need to put a bit more weight, but other than that, I think some structural system changes and best supporting cast will do him wonders. I think the Leafs would be absolutely nuts to trade him at this stage. When they finally do start making the playoffs, they will need players like this to make a difference. To score or set up a key goal when the game is on the line. I think he's cut down on errors from earlier in the year and he's certainly been no worse than the team's veterans who generate little or no offence.

 

[Deebo]

Trading a player doesn't mean management thinks he sucks. His names come up in trade rumours because he's probably one of the players that other teams ask for in trade discussions.

 

[lamajama]

I agree but the Leafs will trade him because you know, it's what they do. The Leafs give only a limited time to develop regardless of the circumstances and if that player is not performing like an all-star by then, he's shipped off to be a great player elsewhere.

 

[slapshot]

Trading a player doesn't mean management thinks he sucks. His names come up in trade rumours because he's probably one of the players that other teams ask for in trade discussions.

Yeah, and there is a reason why other teams are asking for him.

 

[Deebo]

Trading a player doesn't mean management thinks he sucks. His names come up in trade rumours because he's probably one of the players that other teams ask for in trade discussions.

Yeah, and there is a reason why other teams are asking for him.

Because other teams want good players when you are asking for good players from their roster.

 

[lamajama]

That's the scary part. Other than Garth Snow I don't know who else to flog our problems off to. But we don't fill holes when we create a new one in a trade.

 

[KadriFan]

Trading a player doesn't mean management thinks he sucks. His names come up in trade rumours because he's probably one of the players that other teams ask for in trade discussions.

Yeah, and there is a reason why other teams are asking for him.

I wouldn't worry about him getting traded.  He's the best we have and will only get better.  Dion on the other hand....

 

[slapshot]

Trading a player doesn't mean management thinks he sucks. His names come up in trade rumours because he's probably one of the players that other teams ask for in trade discussions.

Because other teams want good players when you are asking for good players from their roster.

I don't think it's a case of the Leafs asking for good players off other teams rosters, I think it's a case of team's inquiring about Gardiner...hoping the Leafs will be desperate enough to do something stupid...thankfully I don't think Nonis (and now Shanahan) are as stupid as JFJ.
Yeah, and there is a reason why other teams are asking for him.

 

[Rebel_1812]

His plus minus is much better then most on the team. 

 

[Highlander]

No trade Gardiner, no trade Kuliman? get rid of Gleason, Franson and trade Gunner in a package

 

[mc]

Kulli is a free agent. Don't see him signing here. Pittsburgh or Washington seem likely destinations. Sad cause the guy is a work horse.

 

[moon111]

I honestly think Carlyle was trying to play him for his weaknesses rather then his strengths.  The problem with Gardiner is if he makes a mistake, you have to have forwards expecting it and willing to help out defensively.  Honestly having to worry about Phaneuf, Reilly, and Gardiner going to jump into the play at any time would have to worry the opposition. 

 

[Rebel_1812]

I don't trade Gardiner; I think Franson is the blueliner to be traded.

 

[Highlander]

A comment over at PPP, is interesting. Gardiner has all the skills of a scoring forward, why not move him up and have a look at him on the wing. This opens some positions (once you dump Franson and Gleason) to move ups some interesting Marlies, Granburg, Percy and Brennan.  I think Percy would steady Phanuef and Gardiner would be available if a D Man when down in a game. I just think Gardiners upside with his skillset is too much to pass by. 

 

[gunnar36]

For the life of me, I can't understand why his name keep popping up in trade rumours. Yes, I understand he sometimes makes a defensive gaff. But tell me is he anymore prone to defensive gaffs than Phanuef, Gunnerson, Ranger and Franson, all of whom I'd be afraid to carry the puck 10 feet unless they were on a power play. Gleason to his credit doesn't try to carry the puck.
In last year's 7 game series against the Bruins, Gardiner was the best defenceman for the Leafs, he was all over the ice, and proved to be a real handful for the Bruins. In this year's collapse, he may have made a few gaffs but he has also been consistently trying to make things happen - I see no quit in him. Gardiner needs someone dependable to play with, not Franson and probably not Phaneuf. He also need to put a bit more weight, but other than that, I think some structural system changes and best supporting cast will do him wonders. I think the Leafs would be absolutely nuts to trade him at this stage. When they finally do start making the playoffs, they will need players like this to make a difference. To score or set up a key goal when the game is on the line. I think he's cut down on errors from earlier in the year and he's certainly been no worse than the team's veterans who generate little or no offence.

100% agree.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

A comment over at PPP, is interesting. Gardiner has all the skills of a scoring forward, why not move him up and have a look at him on the wing. This opens some positions (once you dump Franson and Gleason) to move ups some interesting Marlies, Granburg, Percy and Brennan.  I think Percy would steady Phanuef and Gardiner would be available if a D Man when down in a game. I just think Gardiners upside with his skillset is too much to pass by.

ugh.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/19/nonis-theres-been-talk-of-making-jake-gardiner-a-forward/

 

[CarltonTheBear]

ugh.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/19/nonis-theres-been-talk-of-making-jake-gardiner-a-forward/

If it gets Bozak off the top line I'm all for it.

Kidding.

Kinda.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

ugh.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/19/nonis-theres-been-talk-of-making-jake-gardiner-a-forward/

If it gets Bozak off the top line I'm all for it.

Kidding.

Kinda.

I don't think they would actually do it, but I just have visions of him being some 'meh' run of the mill, poor-man's Mason Raymond as a forward.

 

[bustaheims]

ugh.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/19/nonis-theres-been-talk-of-making-jake-gardiner-a-forward/

Yay. Gardiner is officially the new Kaberle!

 

[rdowdall]

Moving him to forward doesn't make much sense to me because part of what makes him dangerous is that he can lead a rush and jump in to a rush from the back end causing a mismatch.  Moving him to forward takes that part of his game away from him.