Why do Gardiner, Kadri, etc always pop up in trade proposals? These guys are already producing nicely at NHL level and yet we're always more than ready to toss them into trades like they were garbage.
I mean "Kadri, Gardiner, TOR 21st overall for TB 3rd overall"?
Are you serious Leaf Nation (the user who proposed that trade seems to be a Leafs fan)? I wouldn't even trade Kadri alone for the 3rd overall.
No one under management has ever admitted to offering Kadri or Gardiner. If other teams have asked like Vancouver, obviously if that is true the Leafs were not willing to part with those guys.
When Dale Hunter coached the Caps briefly he apparently tried to get him from the Leafs 2 yrs ago. Hunter coached Kadri and before Nazem was drafted, Hunter compared Kadri's upside to that of Tavares and Duchene. He thought that highly of him.
Before Gardiner was inserted into the Maple Leafs lineup in the Playoffs, I was worried that Carlyle and his preference to big, strong defenders, who block shots and are strong in there defensive zone was going to push Gardiner back in the depth chart. The fact is Toronto has no one who can dominate the defensive zone. That is Toronto's biggest weakness. Boston could flip a switch and get mean and forecheck and TORONTO WILTED. It hurt to watch, It still stings. Phaneuf is suppose to be that player with that salary but is NOT. Fraser has heavy feet, but i love his courage. Now that Gardiner stepped in and dominated against the Bruins, he must have locked himself into a Top 4 to start next year. Reilly I think will play in the WHL again.
Toronto needs an upgrade in a solid Defensive Defenseman.
I like Gardiner, Franson as my offensive guys moving forward. I like Fraser as wellproviding toughenss and grit and standing up for team-mates Fraser in the 5-6 role I ok with. Reilly is not ready. I dont like Liles, Phaneuf, Kostka, Gunnarsson I like in the 5-6 role.