fair trades and solid team
few changes though

-Merkley likely isn't ready and having him on the 3rd pair isn't great for his development
-switch Gregor and Thornton
-switch Kapanen and Labanc

Can gambrell play decent middle six minutes?

Probably not. He was given plenty of chances last year and did nothing offensively. He seems weak on the boards and doesn't play like a center. He was supposed to be very fast but he just doesn't seem very talented. Maybe a change of scenery is what he needs.

I'd probably pass on that deal then.

Even with those shortcomings, I thought he was a better center lol

Really? What did you like about him? Other than the skating ability?

I liked him in concept -- right-handed guy with speed who can play center or wing. And I liked when he scored against the Blues when the depleted Sharks lost in the WCF.

What did you notice about his play?

Yeah but if you figure that Gambrell is still young and maybe just needs a change of scenery, him plus a 3rd gets Johansson. And Kapanen is probably worth a 1st, right? So that would, in theory, make for an even trade.

Nah I agree with what you said in your first post about him.

He cycles the puck well and can pass as well, but he's not strong enough, can't really grind along the boards, and gets bodied off pucks all the time. Also his shot is accurate, but his release is horrible. He always takes an extra second too long with the puck which is why he had such a lack of success over the last year or two. He just doesn't think the game very well and doesn't play to his strengths well even though he does have some.

I'm just saying that I think he's a better center than a winger. His main attribute is obviously his skating and I thought that was better utilized when he was at C. He just looked more comfortable at center than on the wing. That's all I'm saying.

It's not bad value, but not what the Leafs need.