All Purpose Training Camp Thread.

[ACC1224]

Why is it nice? Lol, he was one of our best D last year. Not like he didn't belong at the top pair.

Top pair by default, it's nice to see him pushed down the depth chart by better players.

No doubt once the Leafs are competitive again it won't be with Gunnar on the top pair.

 

[Rob Brown]

Top pair by default, it's nice to see him pushed down the depth chart by better players.

No doubt once the Leafs are competitive again it won't be with Gunnar on the top pair.

By default? Gardiner was as good and he wasn't there. Gunnar has great chemistry with Phaneuf and is a good player. He wasn't there because we had no other options.

 

[Badger Mayhew*]

Top pair by default, it's nice to see him pushed down the depth chart by better players.

No doubt once the Leafs are competitive again it won't be with Gunnar on the top pair.

I just like him there because he's a defensive presence who allows Phaneuf to stretch out, get creative and play his game.

Look at Scuderi. Not a top-pairing defenceman in the traditional sense, but he fits in well with Doughty because of his strong defensive game.

 

[ACC1224]

By default? Gardiner was as good and he wasn't there. Gunnar has great chemistry with Phaneuf and is a good player. He wasn't there because we had no other options.

I agree he's a good player, just not a top pairing defenseman.

 

[zeke]

In the end, I want to see:

Gardiner - Phaneuf
Rielly - Gunnarsson
Liles - Franson

 

[bunjay]

Why exactly is gunnar not a 'top pair' defenseman? And what does that mean? He's obviously not a #1, but half of the 'top pair' doesnt have to be. Weber/Suter and Keith/Seabrook pairings are the exception, not the rule. Most top pairings are an excellent defenseman paired with a good one.

 

[selltrade]

In the end, I want to see:

Gardiner - Phaneuf
Rielly - Gunnarsson
Liles - Franson

winner winner chicken dinner... and if Reilly is deemed not ready Liles moves up and either MF or KH is in.

 

[iArts]

In the end, I want to see:

Gardiner - Phaneuf
Rielly - Gunnarsson
Liles - Franson

This seems to be the best way to go.

 

[Leafidelity]

Terry Koshan ‏@koshtorontosun
Phaneuf already taking Rielly under his wing. They've been out to dinner a couple times in the past week. #Leafs

Nice to see the Captain take another rookie into the fold

 

[topched]

In the end, I want to see:

Gardiner - Phaneuf
Rielly - Gunnarsson
Liles - Franson

Gunnar is absolutely the best guy to play Rielly with. Compliments him perfectly. He's so steady, will keep Rielly out of trouble and while he can contribute offesnively is happy to sit back and let Rielly skate with it.

Rielly will hold Dion back from playing his game long-term imo because he'll have to play too cautious. Dion's great at jumping up into the rush or steping up on a guy at the blueline. Occaisonally he'll make a bad read and will need someone to cover his ***. Gards has the wheels to do it.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

Nice to see the Captain take another rookie into the fold

Contrary to popular belief the guy can lead, he's done so with other newbies in town as well in the past.

 

[Warden of the North]

Nice to see the Captain take another rookie into the fold

Captain being a Captain

 

[DD03]

What are you guys talking about? Dion's probably just seeing if he likes Morgan or not so he can get him traded..

 

[Leaf Rocket]

What are you guys talking about? Dion's probably just seeing if he likes Morgan or not so he can get him traded..

agreed all he can do is just turn on the ipod

 

[LeafsMonster]

By default? Gardiner was as good and he wasn't there. Gunnar has great chemistry with Phaneuf and is a good player. He wasn't there because we had no other options.

Gunnar was one of our best d year round. He was consistent, quiet, got the job done, and had chemistry with dion. I don't think he should be on the third d pairing.

 

[cup67]

Nice to see the Captain take another rookie into the fold

keep rielly as far away from dion.
we dont want rielly to become a phaneufy

 

[TootooTrain]

Rielly picked up the tab no doubt. lol.

 

[NaiveLeafsFan]

keep rielly as far away from dion.
we dont want rielly to become a phaneufy

I'd be thrilled if Rielly ends up being as good as Dion. But I guess that's just me seeing value in a top defenseman.

 

[Leafidelity]

I'd be thrilled if Rielly ends up being as good as Dion. But I guess that's just me seeing value in a top defenseman.

Phaneuf had one of the best rookie campaigns for a defenseman in the last 20 years. Not many other players better equipped to mentor Rielly in his first season.

 

[LeafsMonster]

Contrary to popular belief the guy can lead, he's done so with other newbies in town as well in the past.

He did it with kadri a long time ago.

 

[Atomos2]

Nice to see the Captain take another rookie into the fold

This is what I like to see. I don't care what anyone else says about Phaneuf, he is a great captain and takes his job seriously. You can really tell this is his team.

 

[DevinH2004]

In the end, I want to see:

Gardiner - Phaneuf
Rielly - Gunnarsson
Liles - Franson

While I do agree that this might be how it shakes out barring injuries, I think the Gardiner, Rielly, Liles becomes a bit redundant and we'd be better served to have a Holzer or Fraser (Holzer would be my pick he deserves it) on that last pairing. Komisarek you could keep around to slot in and out where needed.

 

[bobermay]

Seems like we got too many centermen (Bozak, Grabovski, McCLement, Steckel, Lombardi, Connolly...). I wouldn't be surprised to see one of Bozak, Steckel, Lombardi or Connolly traded in the not too distant future.

I'd like to see:

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
MacArthur-Grabovski-Kulemin
Lombardi/Connolly-McClement-Komorov
Connolly/Lombardi-Steckel-Brown

Gunnarsson-Phaneuf
Liles-Franson
Gardiner-Komisarek
Holzer

 

[zeke]

While I do agree that this might be how it shakes out barring injuries, I think the Gardiner, Rielly, Liles becomes a bit redundant and we'd be better served to have a Holzer or Fraser (Holzer would be my pick he deserves it) on that last pairing. Komisarek you could keep around to slot in and out where needed.

on the other hand, we'd be the only team in hockey with 5 dmen with legit 40pt scoring talent.

 

[TootooTrain]

For those thinking of attending tomorrow's open practice:

Toronto Maple Leafs ‏@MapleLeafs
The FREE open practice tomorrow will have FREE hot chocolate, coffee & popcorn.