That goal was Kadri. He's been bad this year so far.
- Archaic

yes! that was it...he was back there on a PP right?

I'll agree with you on that, but I think the frequency of these mistakes is the root of the issue and I wouldn't compare the two of them in that regard.
- RickJames77

I don’t think anyone disagrees with that either...he’s not a 1st pairing D. However as Burn said earlier, his positives far outweigh his negatives.

He’s 9th in cap hit for the Leafs this season. He’s Jake Gardiner. He’s not Morgan Rielly.

He makes this team better. It’s really that simple to understand. And when a shade under half the team makes more money than him this year....you take it and run.

yes! that was it...he was back there on a PP right?
- RickJames77

Gardiner's was on a PP.

Kadri's was even strengrh

Yeah, and the best dmen in the league usually have a good partner to back him up.

Jake's actually been better this year for Jakestakes by my eye test.
- gravyface

I think so as well.

It’s funny because the first month and a bit he was not playing well at all but seemed to be making less “jakemistakes”. People on here were saying he was playing well. It made me chuckle

Gardiner's was on a PP.

Kadri's was even strengrh
- walshyleafsfan

Gotcha - mixed up the two a bit

Oh I've seen it...I just don't agree with allowing that instance of Doughty doing it to make it "acceptable" or to support the argument of you have to take the good with the bad.

Trust me, Gardiner is not the only out there doing things like that and I'm not saying that he is. I'm not hating on Jake Gardiner. I'll just critique poor play when I see it and there were a lot of instances of trying to turn to make a play out of the zone in that game instead of taking the safe play, which you should as a defender. To be fair the Rantanen incident wasn't a defenseman I believe...I forget who though
- RickJames77

Well, with Jake there, he tried playing the body (on a big dude) which he was doing ok at, but then wiffed on the puck... that's kind of a Jake trademark: the Big Wiff.

I think so as well.

It’s funny because the first month and a bit he was not playing well at all but seemed to be making less “jakemistakes”. People on here were saying he was playing well. It made me chuckle
- Santo_44

Misjakes ™

I totally agree: I was thinking, wow Gardiner has really settled down and him and Z have found a system that works: Z breaks up cycle on the forecheck, Jake's there for short outlet and to try (and usually hit) a stretch pass to a winger or a bump to a center...

Well, with Jake there, he tried playing the body (on a big dude) which he was doing ok at, but then wiffed on the puck... that's kind of a Jake trademark: the Big Wiff.
- gravyface

I have been saying he has epilepsy for years. Every time he needs to make a quick decision, he studders and stumbles, then (frank)s it up... Happy trails.

yes! that was it...he was back there on a PP right?
- RickJames77

It was a regular strength goal

Misjakes ™

I totally agree: I was thinking, wow Gardiner has really settled down and him and Z have found a system that works: Z breaks up cycle on the forecheck, Jake's there for short outlet and to try (and usually hit) a stretch pass to a winger or a bump to a center...
- gravyface

Good one.

I have been saying he has epilepsy for years. Every time he needs to make a quick decision, he studders and stumbles, then (frank)s it up... Happy trails.
- bixll

The deer syndrome.

Russ Courtnall had the same problem back in the early 90's.

Sadly, there is no cure.

The deer syndrome.

Russ Courtnall had the same problem back in the early 90's.

Sadly, there is no cure.
- Scabeh

There certainly is a cure.... It involves a suitcase and plane tix..

Misjakes ™

I totally agree: I was thinking, wow Gardiner has really settled down and him and Z have found a system that works: Z breaks up cycle on the forecheck, Jake's there for short outlet and to try (and usually hit) a stretch pass to a winger or a bump to a center...
- gravyface

Nobody takes into account how poopty it is for Gardiner to play with Zaitsev.

For Z it’s either panic and throw it to Gardiner or bang it off the glass back to the opposition. Which is a giveaway that doesn’t actually register as a giveaway in the stats.

And you would think every team in the league knows this...it’s very easy to exploit.

There certainly is a cure.... It involves a suitcase and plane tix..
- bixll

You're too kind bix. I'd go the torch and pitchfork route myself

I don't think we really want to travel down the road of trying to compare Jake Gardiner to Drew Doughty.
- RickJames77

Lol

Eklund getting called out on the Steve Dangle Podcast is awesome. Calling him lazy and stupid.

You're too kind bix. I'd go the torch and pitchfork route myself
- RickJames77

Should be moved at the deadline. Kadri has been brutal.. Willie has been BAD for the team and is causing Matthews issues.. Team is a mess, but it is a good mess to have.

I don’t think anyone is...it’s clear Doughty is far superior.

But there is a lot of people who think good defensmen don’t make mistakes because they only watch the Leafs play. But that is not true. Even the best d men in the league make mistakes that lead to goals.
- Santo_44

Nope.
No one ever said good defenders dont make mistakes. Ive never seen anyone say that.

Eklund getting called out on the Steve Dangle Podcast is awesome. Calling him lazy and stupid.
- walshyleafsfan

Ex couldn't believe someone actually read his blog.

Should be moved at the deadline. Kadri has been brutal.. Willie has been BAD for the team and is causing Matthews issues.. Team is a mess, but it is a good mess to have.
- bixll

<-----------------

keep Kapanen, trade Nylander.
no difference in output while on Matthews' line, and Kapanen comes at 3-4million cheaper coming season.

in addition, Kapanen actually puts in some effort, and does not shy away from physical play.
- plantheparade

amen

Fo sho.

This idea that Gardiner makes a mistake once in a while, or picking out other players who made a mistake (as all players do) is asinine.

If Jake Gardiner made a mistake now and then, there wouldn't be anyone giving a poop. It's a complete fabrication that Jake Gardiner rarely makes mistakes.
- walshyleafsfan

Exactly.

There certainly is a cure.... It involves a suitcase and plane tix..
- bixll

Lol

<-----------------
- Scabeh

If you remember, I wanted them to let him sit out the year... (frank) Willie..

I don’t think anyone disagrees with that either...he’s not a 1st pairing D. However as Burn said earlier, his positives far outweigh his negatives.

He’s 9th in cap hit for the Leafs this season. He’s Jake Gardiner. He’s not Morgan Rielly.

He makes this team better. It’s really that simple to understand. And when a shade under half the team makes more money than him this year....you take it and run.
- Santo_44

wonderful - he has a manageable cap hit this year.

two questions:
1) will you say the same thing next year when the "experts" say his CAP hit will be north of 6M?
2) will we be having the same debate after he craps the bed in the playoffs again?