Igor Ozhiganov

[Dog]

He has been okay.

 

[PemIceKing]

Ozzy's foot speed hurts him in all facets of the game. He cant get pucks thru from the point because of his skating as his lateral movement is easy to stay in the path of his shot. He cant out skate pressure, he cant win races to pucks, recover from poor positioning, etc etc. Depending on what happens with this D core, Id let Ozzy walk. He is a 7th Dman. I have no clue why Holl who was paired with Dermott in the AHL is not getting any looks at all. Maybe the difference between Holl and Ozzy is small as a singular player but Dermott might elevate him and the sum of the parts is greater. Ozzy imo is holding Dermott back, Dermott is not comfortable/does not trust Ozzy.

I disagree. For a free wallet player I believe Oz is doing just fine. I think his skating is very good, he playing more physical and can move the puck. He learning North American game. Coach likes him. I believe Dermott looking very good the last few games as well. There is a reason he sticking around. Holl is a 7th.

 

[1specter]

I'm shocked people have any complaints about this guy really. He's been very solid and is giving everything we'd want in a #6. He's also brought stability to a position that has been a revolving door for us, with the constant swaps between Polak, Marincin and Carrick in the past.

 

[1specter]

He is just a guy. If he were a LHD he would be behind Marincin and Rosen IMO.

He's definitely better than Marincin.

 

[Big Cactus]

7 years 4.5 mill

 

[PemIceKing]

Thought last night was one of his best games as a Leaf. Can tell he's slowly becoming more confident making the right play as opposed to the quick play, which separates him from the likes of Marincin/Holl talent-wise.

Assuming we lose Gardiner to free agency this upcoming summer, I wouldn't mind rolling into next season with:

Rielly - ?
Dermott - Hainsey
Zaitsev - Oz

Hainsey contract is up. He takes a cut to stay if he wants to win another cup. Right D will be addressed, I believe. We are a bunch of bloggers, I’m sure the real front office knows what the Leafs need.

Rielly, ?
Dermott, Ozhiganov
Hainsey, Zaitsev
?

Hainsey and Zaitsev, PK and reduced 5v5 might be a good pair. Lots can happen over a season and off-season. Expansion draft to think about as well.

 

[Lightsol]

Jake is so good he makes Z look Ok.

People are going to be utterly shocked by how much better the Leaf D looks after this year, when Gardiner is finally gone and Dermott moves into the top 4...

 

[thewave]

People are going to be utterly shocked by how much better the Leaf D looks after this year, when Gardiner is finally gone and Dermott moves into the top 4...

For sure when Jakes 18pts in 30 games and 3rd best +/- of +11 vs. Z with his 0 (somehow) and 2pts as a top 4 is left with a good player but essentially a kid. They should try it out vs Tampa and see how it goes. No jokes. I would love to see it.

 

[supermann_98]

People are going to be utterly shocked by how much better the Leaf D looks after this year, when Gardiner is finally gone and Dermott moves into the top 4...

Not me, I’m anxiously waiting for it

 

[lebdafor norris]

People are going to be utterly shocked by how much better the Leaf D looks after this year, when Gardiner is finally gone and Dermott moves into the top 4...

I know a lot of posters here dont like analytics but even if we look at traditional stats, Gardiner's goals against average per 60 this year is only 1.95, lower than Dermott, Zaitsev, Rielly and Hainsey, while his defensive zone starts% is second only to Zaitsev among the Leafs D. Team is definitely gonna be hurting if he leaves which is why this is the year to maybe sacrifice that 1st round pick or top prospect like Liljeg to get us that, mobile RHD to replace Hainsey.

Thing is even if you go as far back as 2016, using the traditional goals against per 60 stat, Gardiner number (2.06) will still be significantly lower than Rielly (2.85), Zaitsev (2.64) and Hainsey (2.41). Granted, the Rielly pairing did faced tougher assignments during the previous 2 years.

 

[swint]

Hainsey contract is up. He takes a cut to stay if he wants to win another cup. Right D will be addressed, I believe. We are a bunch of bloggers, I’m sure the real front office knows what the Leafs need.

Rielly, ?
Dermott, Ozhiganov
Hainsey, Zaitsev
?

Hainsey and Zaitsev, PK and reduced 5v5 might be a good pair. Lots can happen over a season and off-season. Expansion draft to think about as well.

Completely agree... always wondered what Zaits would look like as a sheltered #5/PK specialist.
IMO suits his game far more than the role he's currently being asked to fill.

 

[Stephen]

He's been a quiet defenseman you barely notice back there. For a European UFA pickup that's mission accomplished. What were people expecting, Vladimir Konstantinov?

 

[AreBe]

I'm shocked people have any complaints about this guy really. He's been very solid and is giving everything we'd want in a #6. He's also brought stability to a position that has been a revolving door for us, with the constant swaps between Polak, Marincin and Carrick in the past.

Ozhiganov a Eurotrash skill guy fans of Good Canadian Kids hate
Finally a good defenseman who will only get better and stick with this team and really last
He might not be Salming "but he's a plus 3 with an average ice time of 14:31" that's what I state
Igor Ozhiganov Stats | Hockey-Reference.com

 

[Magic16Mitch]

He has been very solid in my opinion.

 

[Raging Bull]

He looks good enough that if Lou was here he'd sign him to a 7 year, 31 million dollar extension.

 

[Brown Dog]

That Zaitsev contract kills me.

 

[7even]

As productive as Polak but twice as capable. That's a win in my eyes.

 

[unitedstars87]

For sure when Jakes 18pts in 30 games and 3rd best +/- of +11 vs. Z with his 0 (somehow) and 2pts as a top 4 is left with a good player but essentially a kid. They should try it out vs Tampa and see how it goes. No jokes. I would love to see it.

This is very true. Feel losing Gardiner would be bad timing. Hoping Liljegren can fill his potential but he’s not near contributing at gardeners level for at least a few seasons. Gardiner and Reilly are very important for our offensive attack. Dermott is getting better every game. Reilly, Gardiner, Dermott on the left side is actually pretty strong. Just don’t have as much on the right side. OZ I feel is great for the 6th dman role. Zaitsev is adequate as a 4. Need a solid D guy for Reilly though.

 

[Randy Randerson]

That Zaitsev contract kills me.

Hopefully it's not time to call it for him yet, if he could be the player he was in his first year that would be enough but just can't seem to get back there

 

[DoobieDubas]

I think it's premature to say that with certainty, and don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he is that either. He's git great underlying numbers which could be all Dermott, and I've really liked what I've seen recently from him

And the gamble in this case isn't paying him like a #4, it's paying him appropriately for a little longer than we might otherwise. If he doesn't cut it as more than a bottom pairing guy, you'd have an appropriately paid bottom pairing guy through his prime

Fair enough if you don't like the gamble though, it was just an idea

I dont mind a 1-2 year deal to assess it more but ya im fine with him on the team np just don't see any top 4 upside IMO.

 

[GoldenGOOSE]

Garbage NHLer.

 

[topched]

As productive as Polak but twice as capable. That's a win in my eyes.

Agree, and this seems to be a popular sentiment.

That said, solid #6 does not translate to a multi year deal imo.

 

[1specter]

Garbage NHLer.

Garbage post

 

[7even]

Agree, and this seems to be a popular sentiment.

That said, solid #6 does not translate to a multi year deal imo.

Depends on the AAV, of course.

 

[Steveei]

Well hes a RD, and hes fine at his current AAV. Dont have much RD so I'd probably sign him for another year at like 1M.