a lot of talk about a shut down D.. who in the NHL is actually considered that?

a lot of talk about a shut down D.. who in the NHL is actually considered that?
- senstroll

Think every defenseman who's not good at scoring and is considered "reliable".

Because he must be good at something right?

Rielly-Zaitzev
Gardiner-Hamilton
Nielson-Carrick
7th defensmen

I'm pretty comfortable with that next year.
- Santo_44

Gardiner and Hamilton together? Why do you hate Andersen?

a lot of talk about a shut down D.. who in the NHL is actually considered that?
- senstroll

Normally that's reserved for plods like Schenn and Polak who can't do much with the puck on their stick. For me, it's guy who don't have massive amounts of offense, but do an excellent job of suppressing shots against. Guys I'd put in that group include folks like Tanev, Josh Manson, Jared Spurgeon to name a few

If the Leafs keep dragging this out they are gonna miss out on Ryan McDonagh for Mitch Marner as Larry Brooks suggested last year.

Gardiner and Hamilton together? Why do you hate Andersen?
- Steven_Seagull

Actually, if you look at shot generation and suppression data, you'd see that Gard and Hamilton both do a pretty good job of both generating and suppressing shots (albeit usually away from the other team's top lines). If you want a pair that you can line-match against the other teams 2nd through 4th lines, it's not the worst idea.

Normally that's reserved for slow plods like Schenn and Polak who can't do much with the puck on their stick. For me, it's guy who don't have massive amounts of offense, but do an excellent job of suppressing shots against. Guys I'd put in that group include folks like Tanev, Josh Manson, Jared Spurgeon, to name a few
- lumlums

Amazing how you can see any of that with all those pooh crumbs from last night in your eyes.


WTF was that all about...did you piss in his pooh flakes?


Glad you're okay.

Actually, if you look at shot generation and suppression data, you'd see that Gard and Hamilton both do a pretty good job of both generating and suppressing shots (albeit usually away from the other team's top lines). If you want a pair that you can line-match against the other teams 2nd through 4th lines, it's not the worst idea.
- lumlums

Thanks Tanner.

Amazing how you can see any of that with all those pooh crumbs from last night in your eyes.


WTF was that all about...did you piss in his pooh flakes?


Glad you're okay.
- underhill14

No (frank)ing clue... seems that a few wobbly pops brings out some latent anger. Guy should invest in a Costco-sized box of Snickers

Thanks Tanner.
- Steven_Seagull

Woah, easy now - notice that I said that he performs well away from other teams top lines, and not that JG is a top 15 d-man in the league...?

No. Acquiring core assets in FA is something that is so rarely done - and so rarely works out for the Leafs - that they should avoid it at all costs.

The thing with the Leafs is that the prospect pool is front loaded. Beyond Neilson and Dermott (who both may be 2 or more years away), its woefully thin on the back end.

Adding a top 4 defenseman via trade is something that is worth doing, even if it costs a forward we don't want to lose. The Leafs are far more easily able to replace that from within, and it's crystal clear that the defense needs some bolstering.


The suggestion you make that does make a lot of sense is the one where they wait for the expansion draft to be over before seeking out a trade. As it is, they have to protect Rielly, Gardiner, Carrick and possibly Zaitsev (who may or may not be safe under the 1st/2nd year pro rules - not sure). Acquiring Hamilton (for example) means they have to expose one of those 4, likely Gardiner or Carrick, even if they do the 4 forwards, 4 dman and one goalie option.

I'm glad brighter hockey minds than I have to make those decisions
- WingmanWillie

Zaitsevis safe he'll be a UFA.

Think every defenseman who's not good at scoring and is considered "reliable".

Because he must be good at something right?
- Scabeh

I guess
It just sounds like everyone wants Marincin or Hunwick but better...which is who exactly?

Woah, easy now - notice that I said that he performs well away from other teams top lines, and not that JG is a top 15 d-man in the league...?
- lumlums

If Calgary gave up a lot to sign Hamilton to an offer sheet and long term contract I wonder what they see in him in that they are willing to part with him via trade?

Normally that's reserved for plods like Schenn and Polak who can't do much with the puck on their stick. For me, it's guy who don't have massive amounts of offense, but do an excellent job of suppressing shots against. Guys I'd put in that group include folks like Tanev, Josh Manson, Jared Spurgeon to name a few
- lumlums

Tanev is a good example i thinkl

But I suspect most fans would go wtf? why Tanev

Tanev is a good example i thinkl

But I suspect most fans would go wtf? why Tanev
- senstroll

To which I would encourage people to go and find tape of the worlds when he played with Rielly - was an excellent partnership

If Calgary gave up a lot to sign Hamilton to an offer sheet and long term contract I wonder what they see in him in that they are willing to part with him via trade?
- BreathLeafs2015

I honestly don't know... it's all a bit strange tbh. If they truly want to move on from him, I suspect that they'll be forced to accept a price of cents on the dollar for him.

I honestly don't know... it's all a bit strange tbh. If they truly want to move on from him, I suspect that they'll be forced to accept a price of cents on the dollar for him.
- lumlums

He's been playing more and more in the last 2 weeks.

I honestly don't know where these rumors are coming from, he's their best defenseman.... especially with Giordano playing the way he is this year.

No (frank)ing clue... seems that a few wobbly pops brings out some latent anger. Guy should invest in a Costco-sized box of Snickers
- lumlums

He definitely needed a Snickers.

I read it all this morning, bummed I missed the fun.

He's been playing more and more in the last 2 weeks.

I honestly don't know where these rumors are coming from, he's their best defenseman.... especially with Giordano playing the way he is this year.
- Scabeh

The Corsi God Brodie has lost his Caresi this year.

The Corsi God Brodie has lost his Caresi this year.
- AdamFrench

He doesn't CAREsi anymore?

He doesn't CAREsi anymore?
- Scabeh

Nope.

Gotta be honest, I typically go with the polish or italian rather than the dog.

Either way, sauerkraut and a good mustard is a must
- lumlums

hot Italian with mustard and corn relish...

He's been playing more and more in the last 2 weeks.

I honestly don't know where these rumors are coming from, he's their best defenseman.... especially with Giordano playing the way he is this year.
- Scabeh

Yeah, and he was good in Boston also... I feel like he's a guy that Babs could help out a bit

hot Italian with mustard and corn relish...
- bobbyisno1

Not the biggest fan of corn relish, but can see how that combo would work

Why the (frank) is my new car so awesome. Brb going to do laps around DT