I noticed both Komarov and Gardiner.
Komarov had some nice open ice hits to knock pucks loose and keep plays alive (especially in the early third). His goal was a very shrewd and opportunistic move to sneak into a strong net front position. He disappeared towards the end however.
Gardiner had a ridiculous number of quick stick checks to defuse rushes and either turned them up ice with short passes or gained the offensive zone himself skating through traffic. His pinches and passes were directly responsible for chances and a couple of goals.
Nice to see Gardiner finally getting more props. I feel like he's like the Rodney Dangerfield of the Leafs, often mentioned in trade rumours. Personally, I think he's benefited from the Babcock era as much as anyone, along with Kadri. I'd like to see both of them remain in the core.
I think Gardiner paired with a 5-7 guy in Carrick, so paired with a guy like Zaitsev (I'm not saying move Zaitsev to pair with him unless the Leafs acquired a legitimate number 1-2 right handed shot). I am saying if they traded for a more experienced, defensively responsible guy like Zaitsev, Gardiner I think would do even better.
He kind of reminds me of a Brian Leetch or Phil Housley type, both of whom were offensive minded. You can't compare stats because the Gretzky era they played in was quite different. Just the style of play of Gardiner more closely resembles those type of players.
Question to through out there, If they Leafs found another top 4 d-man. Would be better off with Carrick or Polak in the third pairing right-handed spot, or platoon them based on the opposition match-up? Carrick for against smaller fast teams and Polak and bigger cycle teams. And, who might be a top 4-guy to go after? Do you think the Leafs would have any interest in a guy like Kevin Shattenkirk to pair with Rielly and move Zaitsev back, or do we look for a more defensive type guy to pair with Gardiner and leave Zaitsev with Rielly? I guess it all depends on what opportunities present themselves.
