Kin
New member
bustaheims said:That physicality is over-rated. In Nurse's case, it doesn't really result in less goals or chances against in any meaningful way - which is what any changes to the blueline should be focusing on. As for not bringing Gardiner back - the Leafs have legit Cup aspirations this season, unlike last year. They shouldn't be shipping out one of their best defencemen just because he might not be back next season.
I also think the idea of his youth being a plus is kind of debatable. Gardiner is young enough that for the next 4 or 5 years, years where like you point out the Leafs should have cup aims every year, he should be able to keep playing at a high level.
Beyond that the Leafs prospect base at D is pretty good right now so I don't know what that youth actually manifests as unless the argument is that Nurse is going to get a lot better which strikes me as a weird thing to bank much on.