Speculation: Trade Rumors/Speculation Thread Part VI: Do Something

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Because Gardiner is performing better than Del Zotto, is controllable for two seasons beyond Del Zotto, and is paid less than him.

Now why would they?

Gardiner is healthy scratched tonight. I don't see how he's performing better.

 

[Thirty One]

Gardiner is healthy scratched tonight. I don't see how he's performing better.

Del Zotto's been healthy scratched how many times?

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Del Zotto's been healthy scratched how many times?

Three times. But he's not a healthy scratch now and he has been pretty solid since coming back.

 

[Kwayry]

Because Gardiner is performing better than Del Zotto, is controllable for two seasons beyond Del Zotto, and is paid less than him.

Now why would they?

Consistency? He has struggled in the past to stay on the team. And I don't buy he is performing better. What's the criteria? He has better possession numbers? Meh ...
He has been sheltered in Toronto. He has produced exactly 1 more point that DZ in 5 more games. While DZ has been on his off side.
He is a better skater no question about it, but there is a lot more to hockey than just skating. Like there is a lot more to fishing than standing on the shore holding a fishrod. But that's just me.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Gardiner also doesn't have Del Zotto's pedigree at the NHL level as of yet. The former has only played 111 games, while Del Zotto has played twice that.

 

[ecemleafs]

going forward i like gardiners skating and puck handling more than del zotto though. id make the trade straight up if thats the best we could get for MDZ.

 

[Jabroni]

He's capable of playing both sides, but he's a lefty. Yes, he's top-4 material.

He is LHD who plays on the left in Toronto, there was a time he played RD with McDonagh in college for part of the year.

Thanks. Maybe a change of scenery for both is the best.

 

[aufheben]

Thats my dream, my nightmare; Byfuglien crawling on the edge of a skate blade.....

Yeah, me too.

I'm also skeptical of Toronto adding to Gardiner for Del Zotto.

 

[The Gloaming]

Consistency? He has struggled in the past to stay on the team. And I don't buy he is performing better. What's the criteria? He has better possession numbers? Meh ...
He has been sheltered in Toronto. He has produced exactly 1 more point that DZ in 5 more games. While DZ has been on his off side.
He is a better skater no question about it, but there is a lot more to hockey than just skating. Like there is a lot more to fishing than standing on the shore holding a fishrod. But that's just me.

Everyone can stand on the shore and hold a fishrod. Not everyone can skate like Gardiner. Let's not diminish the role that good skating has in today's game.

 

[Kwayry]

And where do you play Gardiner?
Top 4 LD is taken by Staal and McD.
He replaces Stralman? That would not be my choice, Stralman has been playing good.
Play him on the right on the bottom pair?

I think if DZ is to be traded, the return can be better fit for the team needs than that.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

And where do you play Gardiner?
Top 4 LD is taken by Staal and McD.
He replaces Stralman? That would not be my choice, Stralman has been playing good.
Play him on the right on the bottom pair?

I think if DZ is to be traded, the return can be better fit for the team needs than that.

McDonagh-Gardiner
Staal-Stralman
Moore-Girardi

 

[Ail]

I really wish they'd find a F for DZ but it sounds like they are looking for a D that better suits team needs. I guess that's not so bad.

I would do a DZ for Gardiner swap.

How about:

DZ, Poopalot

for

Gardiner, Raymond

 

[The Gloaming]

McDonagh-Gardiner
Staal-Stralman
Moore-Girardi

This. Was going to post same parings, then thought I'd get flamed for placing Girardi on the third pairing.

 

[Kwayry]

McDonagh-Gardiner
Staal-Stralman
Moore-Girardi

Ambitious.
Rekindle the chemistry between the 2, I see the logic but don't agree with it since he has not proven he can handle top pair on his strong side, let alone top pair on the right side.
In that case, you are flipping Girardi, makes no sense to play him on the bottom pair with his salary.

 

[Thirty One]

Consistency?

So a team is going to trade for Del Zotto because of consistency? Think about that one.

He has struggled in the past to stay on the team.

Yep, he was sent down in his second pro season. Didn't Del Zotto?

He has been sheltered in Toronto. He has produced exactly 1 more point that DZ in 5 more games.

And Del Zotto hasn't been sheltered?

Gardiner has a 42% OffZoneSt% (2nd lowest on the Leafs), compared to Del Zotto's 55.4% (2nd highest on the Rangers). Similar quality of competition.

He is a better skater no question about it, but there is a lot more to hockey than just skating. Like there is a lot more to fishing than standing on the shore holding a fishrod. But that's just me.

I fully understand that there's more to hockey than skating. I'm not suggesting moving a core piece of the lineup in hope that Gardiner re-finds his game because ZOMG SKATING. I'm suggesting that the underperforming Gardiner is worth more than the underproducing Del Zotto.

 

[Thirty One]

MDZ out tonight. Suck it, Stove.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

MDZ out tonight. Suck it, Stove.

Still don't see how Gardiner's been any better or worse.

Could also be for a trade bro

 

[Thirty One]

This. Was going to post same parings, then thought I'd get flamed for placing Girardi on the third pairing.

I'm still going to flame you for it, once I get the energy.

If we're deadset on McD and Gardiner rekindling their magic from Wisconsin, I think it would have to be:
Staal - Girardi
McDonagh - Gardiner
Moore - Stralman

 

[The Gloaming]

I'm still going to flame you for it, once I get the energy.

If we're deadset on McD and Gardiner rekindling their magic from Wisconsin, I think it would have to be:
Staal - Girardi
McDonagh - Gardiner
Moore - Stralman

Switch the first two if we're deadset on having Girardi in the top 4. Moore-Stralman is meh.

 

[Ail]

I'm still going to flame you for it, once I get the energy.

If we're deadset on McD and Gardiner rekindling their magic from Wisconsin, I think it would have to be:
Staal - Girardi
McDonagh - Gardiner
Moore - Stralman

I concur.

Honestly Girardi played some of his best D paired with Staal and vice versa. If everything else worked out that could be a solid solid defense.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I'm still going to flame you for it, once I get the energy.

If we're deadset on McD and Gardiner rekindling their magic from Wisconsin, I think it would have to be:
Staal - Girardi
McDonagh - Gardiner
Moore - Stralman

Stralman needs to be in the top-4.

 

[Thirty One]

Switch the first two if we're deadset on having Girardi in the top 4. Moore-Stralman is meh.

You mean flip the order?

I don't curr what order we list them in, but the Staal-Girardi one would get most of the defensive zone starts, while McDonagh-Gardiner would be used like Staal-Stralman is now.

Moore-Stralman is better than Moore-Del Zotto, IMO.

 

[Ail]

Stralman needs to be in the top-4.

If the rest of your top-4 is forcing a consistently good defensemen like Stralman to the 3rd pairing, isn't that a good thing?

I like Stralman better than Girardi in a vacuum, but if Girardi/Staal as a pair helps them both elevate their strengths, then I do that.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

If the rest of your top-4 is forcing a consistently good defensemen like Stralman to the 3rd pairing, isn't that a good thing?

I like Stralman better than Girardi in a vacuum, but if Girardi/Staal as a pair helps them both elevate their strengths, then I do that.

I think the Staal-Stralman pairing already does that.

 

[The Gloaming]

I think the Staal-Stralman pairing already does that.

Zis.

I like the pairings you proposed. Some of it has to do with me not liking Girardi nearly as much as some on this board. And the rest if me liking Stralman's game a lot this year.