Side note there is a polak thread so can we move this there?
http://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/the-blind-hate-of-polak.2432795/page-8
http://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/the-blind-hate-of-polak.2432795/page-8
Pretty sure Gardiner hasn't been sheltered at all this season.. has a high level of QoC, plays close to 23 minutes a night and has a 50/50 zone start %.If we’re not going to scratch him, we need to change how we deploy him:
- Home games only so we don’t lose the last change
- Match him exclusively against 4th lines at ES
- Save him for PK and play him less at even strength. Kind of like what Columbus did with Gagner last year on the PP.
It’s too bad we have to shelter multiple defencemen on this roster (Gardiner, Carrick, Borgman as well) because it really complicates our deployment strategy.
Pretty sure Gardiner hasn't been sheltered at all this season.. has a high level of QoC, plays close to 23 minutes a night and has a 50/50 zone start %.
Gardiner started terribly but hasn't been too bad in recent times. Honestly I think he may look better without Zaitsev. They just don't have chemistry and never seem to know where each other are.All true. My (poorly made) point on Gardiner is that he has struggled this season in this deployment, and could benefit from additional sheltering. But having a very thin blueline behind him makes that an impossibility. In my view, based on what we've seen this season, Gardiner doesn't have the capacity to take on more responsibility to lessen the load on Polak, because he's having tough enough a time with his current deployment.
Gardiner started terribly, but hasn't been too bad in recent times. Honestly, I think he may look better without Zaitsev. They just don't have chemistry and never seem to know where each other are.
Maybe a Zaistev/Borgman pairing would be add some balance to the top 6
Lou already said Dermott will be coming back. Not worried.Dermott with an assist already
Are these zone starts?Jakes last 15 games
IMO, Polak obviously has taken defensive responsibility from Gardiner since Zaitsevs injury.
- 72% ~ Sens game
- 80%
- 63%
- 60%
- 58%
- 58%
- 58%
- 55%
- 70%
- 81%
- 40%
- 70% < Zaitsev broken foot
- 35%
- 42%
- 25%
I didn't here that but I was pretty sure he would be back. When Z comes back, that will be when the rubber hits the road.Lou already said Dermott will be coming back. Not worried.
I agree. Hopefully Babs lets him play. Here's the article in case you wanted to read it.I didn't here that but I was pretty sure he would be back. When Z comes back, that will be when the rubber hits the road.
Thanks for the link! Much appreciatedI agree. Hopefully Babs lets him play. Here's the article in case you wanted to read it.
Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello offers mid-term report | Toronto Star
LouLamoriello said:And both (Dermott and Gauthier) will be back after the break, yes … Dermott has done very well, his maturity, his instincts, he has a bright future.
A few of the very high O-zone games were with Dermott so I think that makes sense.Are these zone starts?
I think you missed the point of why Polak's PK numbers were even brought up in the first place. It's been explained ad nauseam on the last page.I think you missed the point or are proving the point.
The quote was about special teams
He will be a mainstay on this defence for a long time. The fact he didn’t play against Ottawa is another in a long line of boneheaded decisions made by Babcock with player utilization. To his credit,he eventually does get it right.I think you missed the point of why Polak's PK numbers were even brought up in the first place. It's been explained ad nauseam on the last page.
Enough off topic, very encouraging that both Dermott and Gauthier will be back with the team after the break. The insertion of Dermott especially will go a long way to finally provide some inner-organisational optimization. His skillset is tailor made for modern hockey and will be a big boost to our defensive corps.
And counter explainedI think you missed the point of why Polak's PK numbers were even brought up in the first place. It's been explained ad nauseam on the last page.
Enough off topic, very encouraging that both Dermott and Gauthier will be back with the team after the break. The insertion of Dermott especially will go a long way to finally provide some inner-organisational optimization. His skillset is tailor made for modern hockey and will be a big boost to our defensive corps.
All true. My (poorly made) point of including Gardiner in that grouping is because he has struggled this season in this deployment, and could benefit from additional sheltering. He's shown to perform best with 60/40 zone start ratio, which he isn't getting this year.
But having a very thin blueline behind him makes that sheltering an impossibility. In my view, based on what we've seen this season, Gardiner doesn't have the capacity to take on more responsibility to lessen the load on Polak, because he's having tough enough a time with his current deployment.
dermott, gauthier, and kappy all look ready, but lou and babs are sticking with their philosophy of i rather they be over ready and that if you make team you are on it to stay, and love riding the vets instead
It's funny because I'm pretty sure all of us fans want a winning mentality for the team yet when the management goes about creating it so many fans buckle and want it done their way.It's essentially they want to instill a hard work mentality. Nothing is given. No matter how good you are you need to compete and there's nothing wrong with that
except for the whole thing where veterans get a free pass completely, and that Dermott and Kapanen have worked hard and have the talent to be on the teamIt's essentially they want to instill a hard work mentality. Nothing is given. No matter how good you are you need to compete and there's nothing wrong with that
Old vs new. You instill these ideals into the new blood as you get rid of the old bloodexcept for the whole thing where veterans get a free pass completely, and that Dermott and Kapanen have worked hard and have the talent to be on the team
new players aren't blind. they can see the double standardsOld vs new. You instill these ideals into the new blood as you get rid of the old blood