Preseason GDT 4: Leafs vs Sabres L2-1

[Tigger]

That was a nice breakup by Aulie.  He has the reach and size I just wish he was nastier i guess.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE2akwOU10Y

That was a nice fight and it's good to know he won't be intimidated.  What I am trying to say is that when he plays he kinda plays really clean.  Hardly ever stands his man up at the blue line but that maybe because he would get burned real bad if he tried.  He reminds me of a poor guys hal gill.  He's quite a bit more mobile than gill but gill is much more physical and edgier.  It's early days yet but Gardiner stands out as being way flashier.  Mind you i don't think franson has done much of anything either.  Kadri has looked hungry this time about, cant wait to see if he's for real over 82 games

I think Kadri is approaching his cusp, I honestly think he'll be NHL ready this year, probably early.

With Aulie I think what you see is what you get, a defensive slow burning flame that you don't want to fan. He'll be fine.

 

[ZBBM]

Jim Ralph just declared that Gardiner has the "wow factor."

Also, the guy who replaced Beyak is bland.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I saw shoulder on shoulder personally.

 

[brothert]

So was that suspendable?

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

I guess I don't know what a penalty is anymore. It seemed pretty obviously to me as shoulder to shoulder contact.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

So is Phaneuf gonna be allowed to hit this year?

Interference?

 

[Tigger]

My projection of our defence right now

Phanuef - Aulie
Schenn - Liles
Franson - Gardiner

sorry gunnar you are good but Gardiner is just better.  Also komi will be there but that is just cause we can't put him on waivers, allready having a shaky training camp when with last year he needed to come into it with everything he had.

Just to revisit, perhaps...

Liles                Phaneuf
Gardiner            Schenn
Aulie/Gunnar      Franson

Good grief.

Notice how I didn't include Komi, he's been pretty, pretty brutal so far. There really is only so much slack, still, nice problem.

 

[Tigger]

So is Phaneuf gonna be allowed to hit this year?

Interference?

Is that what the call was? Cereal, missed it but saw the hit.

 

[Propellertop]

Too many penalties....leads to a goal against. Grrrrrrrrrrr.

 

[pnjunction]

How nice of the refs to step up and decide this close game

 

[brothert]

My projection of our defence right now

Phanuef - Aulie
Schenn - Liles
Franson - Gardiner

sorry gunnar you are good but Gardiner is just better.  Also komi will be there but that is just cause we can't put him on waivers, allready having a shaky training camp when with last year he needed to come into it with everything he had.

Just to revisit, perhaps...

Liles                Phaneuf
Gardiner            Schenn
Aulie/Gunnar      Franson

Good grief.

Notice how I didn't include Komi, he's been pretty, pretty brutal so far. There really is only so much slack, still, nice problem.

How much are we paying for two guys (komi and finger) who aren't good enough to be our 7th dman this year? 7.5 million? Wow!

 

[Bullfrog]

$9.5 million actually. The cap hit would be $8M if they were both on the team.

 

[Tigger]

$9.5 million actually. The cap hit would be $8M if they were both on the team.

Factor Lombardi and that's some cheddar, 13 mil?

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Reimer is good.

 

[brothert]

That was the most exciting offensive play from the leafs in a looooong time.  some really sharp 1 touch passes.  Liles really has a knack for bringing down pucks.

 

[WAYNEINIONA]

Good game. Came down to a goaltending duel and Miller won.

 

[Kessel Run]

$9.5 million actually. The cap hit would be $8M if they were both on the team.

Factor Lombardi and that's some cheddar, 13 mil?

Well if Lombardi were healthy he would more than likely be in the lineup.

 

[Deebo]

I don't think 3 strong pre-season games is enough to take Aulie's spot on the team. I think Aulie  earned a chance to start the year with the Leafs last season.

I think Gardiner will start in the AHL and will get a chance with the Leafs sometime during the year.

 

[maplesyrup]

I don't think 3 strong pre-season games is enough to take Aulie's spot on the team. I think Aulie  earned a chance to start the year with the Leafs last season.

I think Gardiner will start in the AHL and will get a chance with the Leafs sometime during the year.

Yeah... I think I agree with that. I remember two years ago a lot of people (myself included) was gaga over Stalberg. Not that I don't think Gardiner (or Stalberg for that matter) is worth being excited about but my point is I'm not sure what a handful of pre-season games will tell you. Someone is going to absolutely implode on the blue-line (or get dealt) I feel if Gardiner is to secure a roster spot - regardless of how he plays.   

 

[Bender]

Just watched the game in 6. Looks like the Leafs had the better chances, but just couldn't stuff them. Looks like the Sabres game plan again is to rely on Miller.

Reims looks very solid, stats looked good. Nice to see Gardiner play well. Looks like it just didn't go our way tonight, because it seemed like both teams stacked up pretty well against each other.