Justin Schultz

[bustaheims]

Considering that the money will be the same everywhere you have to assume that things like playing time will be a big deal. The Leafs are young but with a fairly crowded blue line.

It's not as crowded as it gets made out to be. The only locks for playing time are Phaneuf, Liles and Gunnarsson. Komisarek will probably still be around, but could easily spend a lot of time in the pressbox. Gardiner will likely be in most nights, but, with young defencemen, you just never know. Franson is an unsigned RFA who is one of the more likely Leafs to be moved this summer. The rest are guys who haven't proven they can play outside the AHL. 2nd pairing ice time is very much up for grabs.

 

[maplesyrup]

It's not as crowded as it gets made out to be. The only locks for playing time are Phaneuf, Liles and Gunnarsson. Komisarek will probably still be around, but could easily spend a lot of time in the pressbox. Gardiner will likely be in most nights, but, with young defencemen, you just never know. Franson is an unsigned RFA who is one of the more likely Leafs to be moved this summer. The rest are guys who haven't proven they can play outside the AHL. 2nd pairing ice time is very much up for grabs.

Yeah, I hate to say it but there's that dreaded sophomore you know what... He just might not be all of the bees knees he was last year and could need some more seasoning as these kids generally do.

 

[Kin]

It's not as crowded as it gets made out to be. The only locks for playing time are Phaneuf, Liles and Gunnarsson. Komisarek will probably still be around, but could easily spend a lot of time in the pressbox. Gardiner will likely be in most nights, but, with young defencemen, you just never know. Franson is an unsigned RFA who is one of the more likely Leafs to be moved this summer. The rest are guys who haven't proven they can play outside the AHL. 2nd pairing ice time is very much up for grabs.

I disagree about the relative lock-ness of Gardiner specifically but just in general I think there are better opportunities elsewhere.

 

[bustaheims]

I disagree about the relative lock-ness of Gardiner specifically but just in general I think there are better opportunities elsewhere.

Maybe, but I'm not sure those opportunities are significantly better - or at least, better to the point that they outweigh the other factors the Leafs have in their favour.

 

[maplesyrup]

Maybe, but I'm not sure those opportunities are significantly better - or at least, better to the point that they outweigh the other factors the Leafs have in their favour.

Like I said earlier, I think Edmonton might give him the better opportunity for early personal success in regards to role, TOI, etc. but you're right too... It's close I think.

 

[Kin]

Maybe, but I'm not sure those opportunities are significantly better - or at least, better to the point that they outweigh the other factors the Leafs have in their favour.

There's obviously a lot unknowable without talking to the guy but I question that the Leafs really have any factors in their favour.

 

[bustaheims]

There's obviously a lot unknowable without talking to the guy but I question that the Leafs really have any factors in their favour.

THat obviously depends on what other teams Schultz is considering, but, his relationship with Gardiner is fairly well documented and is absolutely a factor in the Leafs' favour.

 

[Zee]

All this Schultz stuff is pure speculation on everyone's part until Sunday.  We'll know *finally* where he wants to go then.

 

[#1PilarFan]

Maybe, but I'm not sure those opportunities are significantly better - or at least, better to the point that they outweigh the other factors the Leafs have in their favour.

There's obviously a lot unknowable without talking to the guy but I question that the Leafs really have any factors in their favour.

That and opportunity aside, why anybody would choose to live in Edmonton over Toronto is beyond me.

 

[Kin]

THat obviously depends on what other teams Schultz is considering, but, his relationship with Gardiner is fairly well documented and is absolutely a factor in the Leafs' favour.

I doubt that. I think it's the sort of thing that's easy to say as an amateur but I think these guys learn that it's a business very quickly and make their decisions accordingly.

 

[Zee]

Maybe, but I'm not sure those opportunities are significantly better - or at least, better to the point that they outweigh the other factors the Leafs have in their favour.

There's obviously a lot unknowable without talking to the guy but I question that the Leafs really have any factors in their favour.

That and opportunity aside, why anybody would choose to live in Edmonton over Toronto is beyond me.

If you're the type of guy that likes a smaller town type of lifestyle you would.  Edmonton is a fairly big city but still has a sort of small-town feel about it.

 

[bustaheims]

I doubt that. I think it's the sort of thing that's easy to say as an amateur but I think these guys learn that it's a business very quickly and make their decisions accordingly.

Even as professionals, it's an influence in the decision making process. People naturally want to be in situations they're more comfortable in - that includes situations where they already have established relationships. Heck, we say it recently with Jordan Staal's preference to go to a team where one of his brothers plays. The degree to which it is an influence is certainly open to debate, but, until they replace the human players with robots, the fact that it will be an influence can not. I mean, this is pretty basic psychology here.

 

[Kin]

Even as professionals, it's an influence in the decision making process. People naturally want to be in situations they're more comfortable in - that includes situations where they already have established relationships. Heck, we say it recently with Jordan Staal's preference to go to a team where one of his brothers plays. The degree to which it is an influence is certainly open to debate, but, until they replace the human players with robots, the fact that it will be an influence can not. I mean, this is pretty basic psychology here.

I don't disagree with your premise here, just in its application. By your own admission earlier there's no guarantee that, even if he signs here, Schultz is on the same team as Gardiner next year or ever. Comparing that to Carolina(where Jordan Staal didn't choose to go or sign yet) where Eric Staal is both entrenched and has a NTC doesn't seem accurate.

 

[Corn Flake]

THat obviously depends on what other teams Schultz is considering, but, his relationship with Gardiner is fairly well documented and is absolutely a factor in the Leafs' favour.

I doubt that. I think it's the sort of thing that's easy to say as an amateur but I think these guys learn that it's a business very quickly and make their decisions accordingly.

Yeah it's never about relationships.. all business. We haven't seen any brothers recently figure out a way to essentially force a trade so they could play together,  now have we.

 

[Corn Flake]

Maybe, but I'm not sure those opportunities are significantly better - or at least, better to the point that they outweigh the other factors the Leafs have in their favour.

There's obviously a lot unknowable without talking to the guy but I question that the Leafs really have any factors in their favour.

That and opportunity aside, why anybody would choose to live in Edmonton over Toronto is beyond me.

If you're the type of guy that likes a smaller town type of lifestyle you would.  Edmonton is a fairly big city but still has a sort of small-town feel about it.

Curtis Joseph lived in King City for that very reason.  You can have small town here if you want.

 

[Kin]

Yeah it's never about relationships.. all business. We haven't seen any brothers recently figure out a way to essentially force a trade so they could play together,  now have we.

Even if not for the differences outlined above I'd say there's a slight difference between two guys playing together in college who got along well and, you know, brothers.

 

[Zee]

I saw "Gardiner" trending on Twitter and I thought "oh no, we traded Gardiner!" but it's just about pieces of the Gardiner falling on a car.    (Nobody was hurt so I can laugh)

 

[bustaheims]

I don't disagree with your premise here, just in its application. By your own admission earlier there's no guarantee that, even if he signs here, Schultz is on the same team as Gardiner next year or ever. Comparing that to Carolina(where Jordan Staal didn't choose to go or sign yet) where Eric Staal is both entrenched and has a NTC doesn't seem accurate.

Sure, but it's not just about playing together. As long as their both in the Leafs' organization, they'll both be playing for Toronto based teams, which means they'll have the opportunity to live together, hang out with each other, etc. It's the overall situation where the relationship is a factor, not just whether they'll end up playing on the same team at the same time all season.

 

[Redleaf]

Yeah it's never about relationships.. all business. We haven't seen any brothers recently figure out a way to essentially force a trade so they could play together,  now have we.

Even if not for the differences outlined above I'd say there's a slight difference between two guys playing together in college who got along well and, you know, brothers.

So, essentially you're agreeable to the point being made, but only when it applies to siblings.

 

[SchenNeuf]

There are a few connections with the Leafs - Gardiner being the obvious one.  He was drafted by Burke, but I really don't think that makes much of an impact (other than Burke being able to legitimately say to him during this process that "I've always been a fan of your play, which is why I drafted you in the first place").  I'm assuming he also would've gone through at least one minicamp or training camp with Carlyle. I'm sure his opinion of the coach will play into the decision.  So, depending on how he feels about Carlyle, that could be a very good thing or a deal breaker.