Put Gardiner with Reilly Experiment

SprDaVE

Moderator
Sep 20, 2008
51,548
32,322
In fact, we could probably make a good argument that the type of LHD that should play on the right side are the more skilled and better skating ones, not the limited ones like Hainsey who have less time and fewer options on how they get the puck out of their zone.

I hope that he goes the Martin and Komarov route soon. One game to another, both were dropped quite a bit in the lineup in the middle of the season --- for the better.

I don't mind Hainsey and he can play, but I think it's time to recognize that he should not be having a large role anymore.
 

zeke

The Dube Abides
Mar 14, 2005
66,937
36,957
I hope that he goes the Martin and Komarov route soon. One game to another, both were dropped quite a bit in the lineup in the middle of the season --- for the better.

I don't mind Hainsey and he can play, but I think it's time to recognize that he should not be having a large role anymore.

Yeah Hainsey would likely be solid in a 4/5 role at this point, but him being used on the top pair is just not working anymore.

More interestingly, Hainsey would be the perfect type of safe, veteran partner to help break Liljegren into the NHL.
 
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Macallan18

Registered User
Aug 10, 2015
9,562
5,494
I’d go with Rielly-Gardiner (huge minutes, they have dominated albeit in small samples)
Dermott-Oz (I think they can handle second pairing)
and then take your pick of the dregs for minimal third pairing minutes (and I prefer Marincin over Zaitzev)

Need to optimize right now for the playoffs.
 

JT AM da real deal

Registered User
Oct 4, 2018
12,056
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There is no way you give Hainsey and Oz offensive zone starts lol. It'd be a total waste. Hainsey shouldn't even be in the lineup if we're being honest.
Did you know that OZ has a 106 mile per hour slapper? It is by far hardest on team. He would be guy if they wanted a slap shot specialist on PP who would go on it.
 

NiL8r87

Registered User
Jun 30, 2009
3,142
764
Did you know that OZ has a 106 mile per hour slapper? It is by far hardest on team. He would be guy if they wanted a slap shot specialist on PP who would go on it.

It'd be an interesting experiment but 4F1D seems to be the common setup these days and I'd rather not lose Rielly or Gardiner on the PP.
 

Slyfox

Registered User
Dec 12, 2016
2,166
1,392
Toronto
This would be a good experiment especially for all the Gardiner haters too. Let's see how Zaitsev does without Gardiner carrying him. On the other hand as someone who wants to keep Gardiner beyond this year this could cause his stock to rise tremendously.
 

JT AM da real deal

Registered User
Oct 4, 2018
12,056
7,321
Z is too soft. He is an OK skater. He is ok at passing. But he can't get puck back from other team when we lose it on the forecheck. We don't have that guy or two who can puck retrieve on the back end.
 

BlueForever75

Registered User
Oct 4, 2017
5,691
2,303
This would be a good experiment especially for all the Gardiner haters too. Let's see how Zaitsev does without Gardiner carrying him. On the other hand as someone who wants to keep Gardiner beyond this year this could cause his stock to rise tremendously.

I honestly believe that the overall D core would be better for 2 reasons as I originally stated earlier:

Gardiner and Reilly together would do wonders for Gardiner's game because he will be the secondary piece to the pairing and not the leading one like he is with Zaitsev.

Zaitsev will be better because with Dermott, Dermott is better defensively then Gardiner will ever be with offensive flare to boot.

So its a win-win either way. Both Gardiner and Zaitsev will be better in change of partners because I personally feel they both drag each other down. Where players are having to do more due to others deficiencies.
 

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