Not saying I'm against the trade, but lots of teams don't have # 1 Dman. Actually a lot of teams that have # 1 Dmen, don't necessarily make the playoffs or even do well in the playoffs. Just saying this # 1 Dman fantasy especially by Leaf fans, is kinda bewildering to me. It's not a great panacea to success.

Not sure how you can claim that with #1 dmen!

Look at how many Cups the coveted Erik Karlsson brought Ottawa...err...I mean Shea Weber brought Nashville...umm...OEL won...uh...well atleast Pittsburgh had Letang last year when they won the Cup...and....I guess he didn't play at all. Ouch!

I wish the Leafs D were a little stronger (bigger??) to be able to break the cycle but I personally always like upgrading everything in my life....except my wife of 29 years.

Leafs trade says "Leafs top defenseman", implying Gardiner is Leafs #1 D?

But that is clearly Rielly, and that is what they would want.

Couldn't sneak that one by you huh? I have heard hockey pundits sing Gardiner's praises as a statistical superstar. I was trying to ride the crest of that Gardiner wave but also feel that Rielly is our better Dman. Wasn't sure if I was alone with that though.

I would hate to trade a Leaf draft pick instead of a player we traded for... might be a bit too sentimental but that is why I suggested Gardiner, Kapanen and Carrick instead of Rielly, Brown and Dermott.

Bulldog: That's for understanding my "confusion" on why the a think the title of # 1 Dman is so overrated. Just to add, Hedman and Doughty didn't make the playoff last year.

You've had a wife of 29 years. Me...37 years. I'm sure if anyone would want the upgrade and could do would be my wife. I'm just lucky to she keeps around. Although I must admit when I go my mother's retirement home (she's 96), and there are so many more women than men, I'm considered a stud,, well in my own mind.

We've sorta been discussing the title of # 1 Dman. As I have wrote I'm kinda of confused.

Most so called # 1 Dmen or even centre sget that title because they play the PP and get more points. Yes, the PP is important, but geez, the players may not be that much better than the next guy.
In baseball, I'm confused about the "ace" or # 1 starting pitcher. The top 4 pitchers usually pitch the same number of starts. When you're on the mound, you're the guy, ratings be damned.
Same when the bottom pairing is on the ice for their 16 minutes a night. They can't be sheltered forever, they better be NHL good, or your team is going to lose.

Completely agree. When I do mine it's a pipe dream not reality. I don't see the Leafs getting any of Tavares, Doughty, Karlsson and OEL.

BTW both of you have been married longer then I've been alive... (26) sorry lol