Confirmed with Link: [TOR/STL] Leafs trade Carl Gunnarsson and 94th pick for Roman Polak - PT II

[LMFAO]

I really like Polak in NHL14, he's like a terminator out there.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

One day? We've been trading away picks and prospects since the Quinn Era. I question MLSE and its competency related to hockey-executive decisions. Hell, I haven't heard a single management firing since the collapse. I haven't heard Belza's name mentioned once. But, that is for another thread.

When I think of Nonis throwing in a pick to grab Ville Husso and 200K x 2 for 400K in this deal, I can't help but think we have a GM problem. Brutal deal to do this when it was not necessary.

 

[diceman934]

Tried to fix this post but my cell phone is not easy

 

[Meatwagon]

Blues fan stopping by:

I have a couple questions/comments about this trade, more specifically Gunnarson.

1). How badly did his hip hinder his mobility? Was there a significant differnce pre/post injury? My biggest concern is being able to keep up, skating wise, with Pietrangelo, JBO, and Shattenkirk. They are all fast fluid skaters and that was the big downfall with the 2nd pairing in the playoffs last year, is that Shattenkirk was basically out on the ice by himself. Hitch really wants to rely on transition from the D and the Blues couldn't find a proper partner for ShattDueces.

2) IF Gunnarson is fully healthy, is he capable of playing with Petro? If we could slide JBO down with Shattenkirk, we could roll the best 2nd pairing in the NHL with Shatt-JBo. For the Blues to take full advantage of Petro's offensive capabilities, they need a solid stay-at-home D who can move the puck under pressure, but they also need to be fast enough to recover if Petro gets caught pinching. Which happens time to time, not very often though since Petro lead the league in GVT and DGVT!

3) This more of a general questions, what can Blues fans expect from Gunnar? Other than a sweet nickname for our 2nd pairing "ShattGunn"! I see that he had a lot of hits and blocked shots, but I've also heard that the Toronto score keeper recorded a hit if a player farted next to someone? Is this true? When we played TO, I didn't really see Gunnar as a big hitting Dman, or even a physical one for that matter. Any clarification would be great.

As far as Polak goes....he is a workout FREAK. His brother is a champion body builder and has been the reigning Blues strength/fitness winner for the last 4 years. He is a good Dman who just got stuck behind Petro and Shattenkirk. He is fast and has a very hard shot(least accurate on the team) and is very strong. But don't confuse that with being overly physical, because he's not. He's not a crease clearer or a dman who punishes in the corner. He will lay an occasional big hit, but usually gets beat in fights. But if he gets pissed off, ask Justin Braun how that feels?!? He is good enough to play in most teams top 4 as long you don't ask him to TOUCH the puck because he's prone to boneheaded center ice clearings that lead to goals. He can skate out with it, but sometimes he thinks he's bobby Orr and coughs it up at center ice. Fortunately for him, he's fast enough to catch up with them. He's a good player that's suited to play 4-6 on the D, but once he's asked to do more, the coach seems to regret it. He's a great teammate and will be a fan favorite in a matter of months and shouldn't be too expensive to re-sign in the future.

 

[FifthLine]

Blues fan stopping by:

I have a couple questions/comments about this trade, more specifically Gunnarson.

1). How badly did his hip hinder his mobility? Was there a significant differnce pre/post injury? My biggest concern is being able to keep up, skating wise, with Pietrangelo, JBO, and Shattenkirk. They are all fast fluid skaters and that was the big downfall with the 2nd pairing in the playoffs last year, is that Shattenkirk was basically out on the ice by himself. Hitch really wants to rely on transition from the D and the Blues couldn't find a proper partner for ShattDueces.

2) IF Gunnarson is fully healthy, is he capable of playing with Petro? If we could slide JBO down with Shattenkirk, we could roll the best 2nd pairing in the NHL with Shatt-JBo. For the Blues to take full advantage of Petro's offensive capabilities, they need a solid stay-at-home D who can move the puck under pressure, but they also need to be fast enough to recover if Petro gets caught pinching. Which happens time to time, not very often though since Petro lead the league in GVT and DGVT!

3) This more of a general questions, what can Blues fans expect from Gunnar? Other than a sweet nickname for our 2nd pairing "ShattGunn"! I see that he had a lot of hits and blocked shots, but I've also heard that the Toronto score keeper recorded a hit if a player farted next to someone? Is this true? When we played TO, I didn't really see Gunnar as a big hitting Dman, or even a physical one for that matter. Any clarification would be great.

As far as Polak goes....he is a workout FREAK. His brother is a champion body builder and has been the reigning Blues strength/fitness winner for the last 4 years. He is a good Dman who just got stuck behind Petro and Shattenkirk. He is fast and has a very hard shot(least accurate on the team) and is very strong. But don't confuse that with being overly physical, because he's not. He's not a crease clearer or a dman who punishes in the corner. He will lay an occasional big hit, but usually gets beat in fights. But if he gets pissed off, ask Justin Braun how that feels?!? He is good enough to play in most teams top 4 as long you don't ask him to TOUCH the puck because he's prone to boneheaded center ice clearings that lead to goals. He can skate out with it, but sometimes he thinks he's bobby Orr and coughs it up at center ice. Fortunately for him, he's fast enough to catch up with them. He's a good player that's suited to play 4-6 on the D, but once he's asked to do more, the coach seems to regret it. He's a great teammate and will be a fan favorite in a matter of months and shouldn't be too expensive to re-sign in the future.

It all depends really. Each seasons he's been getting hurt more and less mobile. He just had hip surgery again this offseason, so either it will help or make it worse, only time will tell..

As for keeping up with the players mentioned, probably not. But that isn't his game he rarely every rushes the puck and prefers to hang back, so his skating isn't as important. That said I doubt he will be able to handle top pairing minutes in the west. 2nd pairing with Shatt will be the best you'll get from him.

As for how he plays, not really physical, but blocks alot of shots.

 

[hotpaws]

Blues fan stopping by:

I have a couple questions/comments about this trade, more specifically Gunnarson.

1). How badly did his hip hinder his mobility? Was there a significant differnce pre/post injury? My biggest concern is being able to keep up, skating wise, with Pietrangelo, JBO, and Shattenkirk. They are all fast fluid skaters and that was the big downfall with the 2nd pairing in the playoffs last year, is that Shattenkirk was basically out on the ice by himself. Hitch really wants to rely on transition from the D and the Blues couldn't find a proper partner for ShattDueces.

His hip wasn't considered an issue until he was traded and then the homers made it a huge issue .

2) IF Gunnarson is fully healthy, is he capable of playing with Petro? If we could slide JBO down with Shattenkirk, we could roll the best 2nd pairing in the NHL with Shatt-JBo. For the Blues to take full advantage of Petro's offensive capabilities, they need a solid stay-at-home D who can move the puck under pressure, but they also need to be fast enough to recover if Petro gets caught pinching. Which happens time to time, not very often though since Petro lead the league in GVT and DGVT!

I don't why you'd want to break Petro/JBo but i'd consider Gunner a working mans J Bo type of player .

3) This more of a general questions, what can Blues fans expect from Gunnar? Other than a sweet nickname for our 2nd pairing "ShattGunn"! I see that he had a lot of hits and blocked shots, but I've also heard that the Toronto score keeper recorded a hit if a player farted next to someone? Is this true? When we played TO, I didn't really see Gunnar as a big hitting Dman, or even a physical one for that matter. Any clarification would be great.

pretty much the reason our hit totals are inflated

As far as Polak goes....he is a workout FREAK. His brother is a champion body builder and has been the reigning Blues strength/fitness winner for the last 4 years. He is a good Dman who just got stuck behind Petro and Shattenkirk. He is fast and has a very hard shot(least accurate on the team) and is very strong. But don't confuse that with being overly physical, because he's not. He's not a crease clearer or a dman who punishes in the corner. He will lay an occasional big hit, but usually gets beat in fights. But if he gets pissed off, ask Justin Braun how that feels?!? He is good enough to play in most teams top 4 as long you don't ask him to TOUCH the puck because he's prone to boneheaded center ice clearings that lead to goals. He can skate out with it, but sometimes he thinks he's bobby Orr and coughs it up at center ice. Fortunately for him, he's fast enough to catch up with them. He's a good player that's suited to play 4-6 on the D, but once he's asked to do more, the coach seems to regret it. He's a great teammate and will be a fan favorite in a matter of months and shouldn't be too expensive to re-sign in the future.

reading your last point i'm left wondering what Polak is good at and why anyone would consider him a top 4 D ?

also , is he mobile or does he only posses straight line speed ?

 

[Eb]

I think ShattGunn would be the worst and most questionable line nickname, ever.

 

[diceman934]

It all depends really. Each seasons he's been getting hurt more and less mobile. He just had hip surgery again this offseason, so either it will help or make it worse, only time will tell..

As for keeping up with the players mentioned, probably not. But that isn't his game he rarely every rushes the puck and prefers to hang back, so his skating isn't as important. That said I doubt he will be able to handle top pairing minutes in the west. 2nd pairing with Shatt will be the best you'll get from him.

As for how he plays, not really physical, but blocks alot of shots.

Not home so no way of checking but is this not his first surgery on his hip?

As for handing first pair minutes he did so with the Leafs and had better defensive numbers then his partner...so only time will tell....I can say that the blues will be very happy with this trade as it gives them a very good top 4 and two pairings that can play against their opponents top players. Options is what this trade gives the Blues.

 

[FifthLine]

Not home so no way of checking but is this not his first surgery on his hip?

As for handing first pair minutes he did so with the Leafs and had better defensive numbers then his partner...so only time will tell....I can say that the blues will be very happy with this trade as it gives them a very good top 4 and two pairings that can play against their opponents top players. Options is what this trade gives the Blues.

I think it is his 2nd, I could be wrong though. At the very least it wasn't the first time his hip was injured.

Yeah he did play top minutes here, and we finished 8th last and in an easier conference. If STL wants to finish where they always finish, Gunn will stay away from their top pairing.

 

[crump]

Blues fan stopping by:

I have a couple questions/comments about this trade, more specifically Gunnarson.

1). Had successful hip surgery. Should be ready by Sept. I only noticed him shying away from contact on a few occasions, but he still took hits through his injury. Generally speaking, he wasn't himself the last season, he made some uncharacteristic mistakes, I didn't notice a huge drop off in speed, but that's not his strength. Body position, good first pass. He was never a end to end rusher. He should be fine as long as his rehab goes well.

2) He could play anywhere just not in an offensive, pp specialist kind of way. He would be the defensive defenseman on any pairing.

3) if he returns to form, he will be a steady reliable D who gives you safe minutes. He doesn't generate much offense on his own, he'll get his points on a top 4 role but as a result of more offensive players doing their thing.

As far as Polak goes....he is a workout FREAK. His brother is a champion body builder and has been the reigning Blues strength/fitness winner for the last 4 years. He is a good Dman who just got stuck behind Petro and Shattenkirk. He is fast and has a very hard shot(least accurate on the team) and is very strong. But don't confuse that with being overly physical, because he's not. He's not a crease clearer or a dman who punishes in the corner. He will lay an occasional big hit, but usually gets beat in fights. But if he gets pissed off, ask Justin Braun how that feels?!? He is good enough to play in most teams top 4 as long you don't ask him to TOUCH the puck because he's prone to boneheaded center ice clearings that lead to goals. He can skate out with it, but sometimes he thinks he's bobby Orr and coughs it up at center ice. Fortunately for him, he's fast enough to catch up with them. He's a good player that's suited to play 4-6 on the D, but once he's asked to do more, the coach seems to regret it. He's a great teammate and will be a fan favorite in a matter of months and shouldn't be too expensive to re-sign in the future.

The bolded and the larger font don't mesh. If he plays like that he will be booed out of the arena.

 

[EastVan]

The bolded and the larger font don't mesh. If he plays like that he will be booed out of the arena.

Just ignore the bolded part then.

If he was a fan favourite in St. Louis, I am sure he'll be one here too.

I think the gaffs he mentioned are rare occurrences and solid play is the norm.

 

[PuckMagi]

Blues fan stopping by:


3) This more of a general questions, what can Blues fans expect from Gunnar? Other than a sweet nickname for our 2nd pairing "ShattGunn"! I see that he had a lot of hits and blocked shots, but I've also heard that the Toronto score keeper recorded a hit if a player farted next to someone? Is this true? When we played TO, I didn't really see Gunnar as a big hitting Dman, or even a physical one for that matter. Any clarification would be great.

I would say that his best quality is that he's very positionally sound. He doesn't make many big mistakes. So he is often in a good position to block shots, or take the body of an attacker, or keep a guy from coming out in front of the net.

I think our coach played him on the first pairing because he was a reliable guy. Our coach used him and Phaneuf as our "shutdown" pair... so they played against the other team's best players and did a pretty good job at defending against them (guys like Gardiner, Rielly and Franson all weren't great defensively).

But Gunner certainly isn't an elite player. So you're not getting some star defender. He doesn't have much of an offensive game at all. His mobility issues have come into question with respect to his hip. But he'll get the job done. You can put him out against good players... he can kill penalties... you're not going to be cursing his name. He'll be a reliable partner for whoever you decide to put him with.

 

[Muston Atthews]

Gunnarsson's hip was always an issue with him. Don't understand the person who says it wasn't until we traded him.

 

[rdawg1234]

I would say that his best quality is that he's very positionally sound. He doesn't make many big mistakes. So he is often in a good position to block shots, or take the body of an attacker, or keep a guy from coming out in front of the net.

I think our coach played him on the first pairing because he was a reliable guy. Our coach used him and Phaneuf as our "shutdown" pair... so they played against the other team's best players and did a pretty good job at defending against them (guys like Gardiner, Rielly and Franson all weren't great defensively).

But Gunner certainly isn't an elite player. So you're not getting some star defender. He doesn't have much of an offensive game at all. His mobility issues have come into question with respect to his hip. But he'll get the job done. You can put him out against good players... he can kill penalties... you're not going to be cursing his name. He'll be a reliable partner for whoever you decide to put him with.

Gunnar and Hjarlmsson are pretty similar players, I've watched both alot.

But both belong on the 2nd pairing at best and on a good defence should not be on the first pairing, Gunnar has limited offence, decent mobility, not very physical but solid positionally. He's what you would call a solid top 4 d-man.

top pairing is not where he belongs, nothing from him ever screamed top pairing player, he's dependable sure, but he's not gonna give you a tonne of offence or make that huge hit or huge defensive plays, and at times is a bit soft in his own end.

Not sure about the trade yet, I know Polak played behind probably the best defence in the league last season so it's hard to judge there, gotta wait and see how he does.

He's not as good as Gunnar strictly defence wise, but he's more mobile, more physical and still fairly smart with the puck, basically sounds like how gleason USED to be, gleason is garbage now.

so in my eyes Polak is a #4-5 guy, Gunnar is a #3-4 guy, however with our soft defence polak was more of a need(noone but Dion hits except for bottom pairing guys like Franson or Fraser or gleason etc. and they play horrible defence)

 

[agropop]

Unlike Steen for example, I think history will show that Gunnar played his best hockey for the Leafs. Damaged goods in a better conference, I think he'll be a bottom pairing plug. We got in return a serviceable right handed guy with better physicality and mobility, and a better foil for one of our left handed puck movers.

I like this trade.

 

[Gallagbi]

Gunnarsson's hip was always an issue with him. Don't understand the person who says it wasn't until we traded him.

I can't remember when it started, but I know he missed time in the 48 game season with hip issues and his mobility was noticeably worse. Still an effective defenseman, but I don't understand that poster's claim either.

 

[Muston Atthews]

I can't remember when it started, but I know he missed time in the 48 game season with hip issues and his mobility was noticeably worse. Still an effective defenseman, but I don't understand that poster's claim either.

The poster will claim (and generalize) that posters here did not bring up Gunnarsson's hip as an issue before the trade but jumped all over it after it happened. Reality is, people brought up his turning ability a lot during the season and he was noticeably different from before the injury. He could also not clear the net to save his life.

 

[nuck]

Blues fan stopping by:

I have a couple questions/comments about this trade, more specifically Gunnarson.

1). How badly did his hip hinder his mobility? Was there a significant differnce pre/post injury? My biggest concern is being able to keep up, skating wise, with Pietrangelo, JBO, and Shattenkirk. They are all fast fluid skaters and that was the big downfall with the 2nd pairing in the playoffs last year, is that Shattenkirk was basically out on the ice by himself. Hitch really wants to rely on transition from the D and the Blues couldn't find a proper partner for ShattDueces.

2) IF Gunnarson is fully healthy, is he capable of playing with Petro? If we could slide JBO down with Shattenkirk, we could roll the best 2nd pairing in the NHL with Shatt-JBo. For the Blues to take full advantage of Petro's offensive capabilities, they need a solid stay-at-home D who can move the puck under pressure, but they also need to be fast enough to recover if Petro gets caught pinching. Which happens time to time, not very often though since Petro lead the league in GVT and DGVT!

I think the hip thing only showed up in 12-13 and they tried to avoid surgery until now. He should be fine after suitable rehab. He wasn't gimped by it but to hear him talk it was always there and he had needed physio just to play. He was effective for the club even at less than 100% I don't think the hip is why the club moved him, they just want a different skillset. If he can't play where they put him, it won't be because of mobility. This has the potential to be a really nice deal for the Blues.

 

[Meatwagon]

The bolded and the larger font don't mesh. If he plays like that he will be booed out of the arena.

Yeah after re-reading my post I cam see the confusion.

Polak is what he is and is very good at it. In STL we love blue collar type players, he's a hard worker who is very steady. But when he is asked to do more he makes mistakes. Is that his fault or the coaches fault for asking too much from a player? I think that's where some of the confusion may come from. If he's asked to be a solid #5 dman playing on the PK and in a shutdown role, he will blow your doors off. But is he's asked to carry the puck or make a tape to tape pass under pressure, you will tear your hair out. That's why Blues fans hated the Jackman/Polak pairing, they did great at reducing scoring chances, but they could get hemmed in easily due to poor puck moving skills. As long as he plays with a talented puck moving dman, he will be great. Ask him to be more than a strong stay at home dman, you'll be dissappointed.

Thanks to the other posters for the Gunnarson feed back!

Cheers

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Gunnarson had a hip injury the last 2 seasons but played through the pain. The fact he was a plus player despite this is a testament to his courage and quality.

He finally took care of it through operation this off season, to think he can be 100% healthy this season, really is even better news for St Louis.

For Leafs fans, bad news, if Gunnar is healthy, he is going to be even better than he was for us the past 2 years.

The guy was good enough to play for Team Sweden, first pairing mins, and did so with an injury. Now that he is healthy, skies the limit for Gunnar.

 

[yubbers]

He'll be played top 4 and overused by Carlyle.

 

[indigobuffalo]

Gunnarson had a hip injury the last 2 seasons but played through the pain. The fact he was a plus player despite this is a testament to his courage and quality.

He finally took care of it through operation this off season, to think he can be 100% healthy this season, really is even better news for St Louis.

For Leafs fans, bad news, if Gunnar is healthy, he is going to be even better than he was for us the past 2 years.

The guy was good enough to play for Team Sweden, first pairing mins, and did so with an injury. Now that he is healthy, skies the limit for Gunnar.

He wasn't even invited to play for the Swedish team, let alone play top pairing minutes.

Unless you're using intentionally misleading incorrect grammar and changing from present to past tense in the same sentence.

Gunnarsson has not been good for the better part of 3 seasons. The "homers" as hotpaws calls them, are people that saw him for what he was, an overly cautious defensive defenceman that brings nothing else to the table (zero offense).

Gunnarsson's lack of offensive is so aggravating, because it's exactly like Kaberle was in his last couple seasons in Toronto.

Once the other teams realized that Kaberle NEVER shoots the puck, they were able to exploit that by having their centre or wing play high in the slot and pressure McCabe or intercept the pass.

Kaberle would regularly have a bunch of time to take a shot and never would.

With Gunnarsson, it's a different type of liability. Because he's so cautious, teams know that the offense is pretty much only coming out of Dion's side of the ice, so they can block the right-side of the neutral zone and prevent Phaneuf from breaking out or being able to find a suitable pass target.

It's like having all offensive plays converted to 5-4 man-advantages for the other team.

Yet people ignore this because it requires actual observation and it is SO MUCH MORE obvious to blame Phaneuf for turnovers and "reckless" play when he's the one forced by Gunnarsson to be making all the plays against teams playing more aggressively against him.

Paired with someone who can actually make his own offense, I think Phaneuf will excel, because teams won't be able to slant the ice against him, by virtue of having another partner that can also drive the puck up the ice.

That's a good reason to move either Rielly or Gardiner up to the top pairing. Either of those two create a threat on the left side of the ice, forcing defending teams to spread themselves out and creating openings for either defenceman to make plays.

 

[indigobuffalo]

He'll be played top 4 and overused by Carlyle.

Polak won't likely be usurping Phaneuf, Robidas, Rielly or Gardiner. Or Franson, for that matter.

Barring a marked synergy with one of those guys, or massive underperformance by Robidas.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

He wasn't even invited to play for the Swedish team, let alone play top pairing minutes.

Unless you're using intentionally misleading incorrect grammar and changing from present to past tense in the same sentence.

Gunnarsson has not been good for the better part of 3 seasons. The "homers" as hotpaws calls them, are people that saw him for what he was, an overly cautious defensive defenceman that brings nothing else to the table (zero offense).

Gunnarsson's lack of offensive is so aggravating, because it's exactly like Kaberle was in his last couple seasons in Toronto.

Once the other teams realized that Kaberle NEVER shoots the puck, they were able to exploit that by having their centre or wing play high in the slot and pressure McCabe or intercept the pass.

Kaberle would regularly have a bunch of time to take a shot and never would.

With Gunnarsson, it's a different type of liability. Because he's so cautious, teams know that the offense is pretty much only coming out of Dion's side of the ice, so they can block the right-side of the neutral zone and prevent Phaneuf from breaking out or being able to find a suitable pass target.

It's like having all offensive plays converted to 5-4 man-advantages for the other team.

Yet people ignore this because it requires actual observation and it is SO MUCH MORE obvious to blame Phaneuf for turnovers and "reckless" play when he's the one forced by Gunnarsson to be making all the plays against teams playing more aggressively against him.

Paired with someone who can actually make his own offense, I think Phaneuf will excel, because teams won't be able to slant the ice against him, by virtue of having another partner that can also drive the puck up the ice.

That's a good reason to move either Rielly or Gardiner up to the top pairing. Either of those two create a threat on the left side of the ice, forcing defending teams to spread themselves out and creating openings for either defenceman to make plays.

Gunnarson has been good enough to play for Team Sweden, and has, thus it is the correct terminology. Gunnarson's in his prime years of his career, so I expect him to continue to be able to do so if he is healthy and if he wants to.

 

[ACC1224]

He wasn't even invited to play for the Swedish team, let alone play top pairing minutes.

Unless you're using intentionally misleading incorrect grammar and changing from present to past tense in the same sentence.

Gunnarsson has not been good for the better part of 3 seasons. The "homers" as hotpaws calls them, are people that saw him for what he was, an overly cautious defensive defenceman that brings nothing else to the table (zero offense).

Gunnarsson's lack of offensive is so aggravating, because it's exactly like Kaberle was in his last couple seasons in Toronto.

Once the other teams realized that Kaberle NEVER shoots the puck, they were able to exploit that by having their centre or wing play high in the slot and pressure McCabe or intercept the pass.

Kaberle would regularly have a bunch of time to take a shot and never would.

With Gunnarsson, it's a different type of liability. Because he's so cautious, teams know that the offense is pretty much only coming out of Dion's side of the ice, so they can block the right-side of the neutral zone and prevent Phaneuf from breaking out or being able to find a suitable pass target.

It's like having all offensive plays converted to 5-4 man-advantages for the other team.

Yet people ignore this because it requires actual observation and it is SO MUCH MORE obvious to blame Phaneuf for turnovers and "reckless" play when he's the one forced by Gunnarsson to be making all the plays against teams playing more aggressively against him.

Paired with someone who can actually make his own offense, I think Phaneuf will excel, because teams won't be able to slant the ice against him, by virtue of having another partner that can also drive the puck up the ice.

That's a good reason to move either Rielly or Gardiner up to the top pairing. Either of those two create a threat on the left side of the ice, forcing defending teams to spread themselves out and creating openings for either defenceman to make plays.

Lots of good points here. A good partner for Phanuef has been long overdue.

The guy was good enough to play for Team Sweden, first pairing mins,

It would be interesting to see the Swedish roster when he was on the top pair.