what will an emergence of Rielly and Gardiner mean for Dion?
if Mo Riles and Gardz become really good do you trade Dion? do you play him on the 2nd line? where do you see Dion when R and G come up and play to their potential? this could happen sooner than later.
They play very different styles. Dion will be needed as a physical presence on the first pairing. I wouldn't like 2 puck movers on the same line. I would do:
It means that Dion's point totals are probably going to go from 44 back up to 60. Dion is a physical all around defense man. Rielly and Gardiner alone will get pushed around back there. Nothing happens to Dion. He will be a leaf until his body cant play the way he currently does.
Wouldn't that be something? Having TOO MANY good D-men. I don't think we have to worry about that. Neither Rielly or Gardiner play the aggressive game like Dion. They aren't going to be stepping on each others' toes.
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Dion has his faults but we should keep him. Let's not forget how much prospects have been overvalued in the past (Schenn/Kadri/Tlusty/Stralman/etc). We're HOPING Rielly can become a franchise D or a top pairing D, but for all we know he will just become a 2nd pairing guy.
As for Gardiner, I think the expectations on him are that he becomes a ~#2-3 type of guy. So even if they hit expectations, it'd still be good to having another top pairing guy like Phaneuf around, especially since he's more physical than either of them. If they fall below expectations? We'll definitely want Dion. If they exceed expectations? Well we could probably still use him. For once I'd like to be a tough team to play against with a strong blueline / defensive mindset.
Burke has already expressed how he believes the game has changed for the defenceman in the new NHL.
He believes Mobility and Puck movement are at an absolute premium in this era, and he's right.
If your defensive core can beat the forecheck and outlet the puck before encountering any real danger, than you're well ahead of the play. We saw this with LA, and Detroit teams of the past.
With a current core of Dion, Gunnar and Liles able to make an effective outlet pass, and Blacker, Morgan Reilly, Matt Finn, Stuart Percy and Gardiner all potentially NHL ready over the next couple seasons, it screams of his new desire to move the puck on the back end.
Not to mention Paul Ranger who was known for being one of the best, if not the best outlet pass in the NHL when he was playing.
I've had the opportunity to see Paul on ice, and his skating is so natural and fluid, it looks as if he'll certainly be NHL ready after this season in the AHL. He'll just need some conditioning and contact to really feel at home.
IMO:
Dion - Rielly
Gardiner - Finn
Blacker/Percy - Ranger/Gunnarsson
Fantastic mobility, puck movement, stick work and defensive awareness.
He'll have a hell of a QB for the powerplay to set him up.
Rielly and Gardiner have no impact on Dion's spot in the line-up. Totally different playing styles. Gardiner and Rielly would affect Liles' playing time more than anyone else.
It means that Dion's point totals are probably going to go from 44 back up to 60. Dion is a physical all around defense man. Rielly and Gardiner alone will get pushed around back there. Nothing happens to Dion. He will be a leaf until his body cant play the way he currently does.
Wow our future top 3 looks fantastic.
Phaneuf Rielly
Gardiner Ranger
Finn Gunnarsson
I am a huge fan of gunner, however, I think blacker will be able to take his spot in maybe a year or 2
Burke has already expressed how he believes the game has changed for the defenceman in the new NHL.
He believes Mobility and Puck movement are at an absolute premium in this era, and he's right.
If your defensive core can beat the forecheck and outlet the puck before encountering any real danger, than you're well ahead of the play. We saw this with LA, and Detroit teams of the past.
With a current core of Dion, Gunnar and Liles able to make an effective outlet pass, and Blacker, Morgan Reilly, Matt Finn, Stuart Percy and Gardiner all potentially NHL ready over the next couple seasons, it screams of his new desire to move the puck on the back end.
Not to mention Paul Ranger who was known for being one of the best, if not the best outlet pass in the NHL when he was playing.
I've had the opportunity to see Paul on ice, and his skating is so natural and fluid, it looks as if he'll certainly be NHL ready after this season in the AHL. He'll just need some conditioning and contact to really feel at home.
IMO:
Dion - Rielly
Gardiner - Finn
Blacker/Percy - Ranger/Gunnarsson
Fantastic mobility, puck movement, stick work and defensive awareness.
Would love a defensive lineup like that. Still young by the time everyone makes it to the NHL and if everyone projects it could be without a weak link. Would be hard to improve that core of guys.
It means that Dion's point totals are probably going to go from 44 back up to 60. Dion is a physical all around defense man. Rielly and Gardiner alone will get pushed around back there. Nothing happens to Dion. He will be a leaf until his body cant play the way he currently does.
Wow our future top 3 looks fantastic.
Phaneuf Rielly
Gardiner Ranger
Finn Gunnarsson
Why is Ranger even on here? He's not even leafs property
are u kidding me, before he left, he had top 4 NHL potential. He will be a a awesome bottom pairing Dman
he has come a long way. You will see him in NHL after a month or in the AHL.
He plays good on D and has a good offensive game. You probably have not heard of ranger than
He'll be a fantastic bottom pairing guy if he does adjust. He would have been a Top 4 at the very least if he had not left due to very personal and understandable reasons.
He's not permitted to join the Leafs with just an AHL contract, he'll have to take positive strides and earn a two-way next offseason, or potentially be signed to a new two-way deal if he impresses during the season. I am saying this because I am of the understanding that his contract is specifically an AHL contract. I could be wrong, but I believe that is the case.
The Leafs have them right in their back yard, and will keep close tabs on his play.
It means the future looks bright. As a fan base we just need to remain patient and all the pieces will fall into place. I know we've waited a long time and patience is running thin, but for the first time in a long time we're headed in the right direction.
Ignore the haters, forgive the impatient, our cup will come.
On another note I have tickets to watch Reilly in Red Deer. November 24th, can't wait!
They play very different styles. Dion will be needed as a physical presence on the first pairing. I wouldn't like 2 puck movers on the same line. I would do:
Phaneuf - Reilly
Gardiner - XXX
Agreed. I'd also add to that the fact that Gardiner and supposedly Rielly have subpar slap shots. They both need a shooter in their pairings.
It means the future looks bright. As a fan base we just need to remain patient and all the pieces will fall into place. I know we've waited a long time and patience is running thin, but for the first time in a long time we're headed in the right direction.
Ignore the haters, forgive the impatient, our cup will come.
On another note I have tickets to watch Reilly in Red Deer. November 24th, can't wait!
I have patience just some others dont. This is the most positive comment I have heard here in a while
You are lucky. I'm sure you will see his elite offensive abillity on display
Well Gardiner is only a bottom pairing defenseman and Rielly didn't even play a full season last year. I don't think Dion will be looking over his shoulder just yet...
