Does Jake Gardiner absolutely have to be “untouchable” as the Leafs keep looking?

It's rarely a good idea to talk about trades in the aftermath of a lousy performance.  I'm pretty sure what the Leafs put forward Saturday night in Vancouver was precisely that.  As good as the Canucks might be, they aren't the '77 Habs, so they should not be unbeatable, even at home.  But, the Leafs proved that at the ACC not long ago, when they beat the Canucks in a strong effort.  It's just one game.

Or is it?

Regardless,  the truth is, the idea of a trade is indeed on our minds, at least most of us who follow the Leafs closely.  A few visitors to the site may remember that, some weeks ago, I posted a piece with the following notion:  if I was Bob Murray in Anaheim, what would I insist on if I was prepared to trade either Ryan Getzlaf or Bobby Ryan to the Maple Leafs?

My comment was, well, let me will reiterate it now:  if I am in Murray's shoes, or for that matter if I am in the shoes of Scott Howson, the GM in Columbus, there is a minimum expectation of what I'm getting back  if I’m dealing with the Maple Leafs and they want my best player (Getzlaf, Ryan or, in the case of the Blue Jackets, Rick Nash)

His name is Jake Gardiner.

Now I want Leaf fans reading this to understand what I’m saying here.  I’m not saying the Leafs should trade Jake Gardiner.  I am saying that, if I was a GM of another NHL team and Burke wanted what amounts to my best player, then the discussion starts with a simple demand:  I want your best young prospect, and that is, without question, Jake Gardiner.

Here’s the thing:  everyone in the NHL now knows what Leaf scouts apparently knew just over a year ago when they landed the biggest (long-term) impact player in the Beauchemin deal.  That, of course, is Gardiner.  Whether Anaheim under-estimated Gardiner, or was so desperate to make the playoffs one last time with what was left of their Cup-winning team from a few years previous, I don’t know.  But I do know I posted shortly after that deal was consumated that I was stunned that Bob Murray had given up what he did for Beauchemin.  I don’t care how “well” Beauchemin might play some nights for the Ducks, or how many minutes he plays on a team that, while hot right now, just hasn’t been that good in the Western Conference these last two seasons.  Beauchemin, while a generally reliable and dependable rearguard, was never, ever a front-line defenseman. To give up a kid like Gardiner for a guy Beauchemin’s age made no sense then (unless you were convinced he was the last piece to re-claiming the Cup…) - and no sense now.  You never, ever give away an elite young defense prospect without getting something unbelievable in return—and you certainly don’t do it for a relatively aging “d” man.

But that was then.  This is now.  Now, the talk is all about what the Leafs will/should do before (or at) the NHL trade deadline at the end of this month.  Some Leaf fans believe they can “stand pat” and work with what they have.  That thinking is based, to a certain extent, on the notion that the Leafs will have some expiring contracts coming off the books by next season, if I’m not mistaken, and there are youngsters like Frattin, Kadri and Colborne who can’t wait to play with the big club (and will carry modest contracts, comparably-speaking).  That view suggests these youngsters will provide extra offensive dash and some quality depth throughout an ever-improving line-up that may be a bit lacking right now in terms of “top-six” forward talent.

Then there are those who feel, if the Leafs do make a move or two, that the Leafs’ greatest need is on defense- that we need to obtain that hard to play against, shutdown-type of defenseman who can control the other team’s top offensive threats and play big minutes while doing so, especially at playoff time.

Still others think the Leafs could use an upgrade in goal, while there are also a fair number of Leaf observers who have made it clear that they would love to get their hands on one of, say, Ryan, Getzlaf, Nash, or an emerging name like van Riemsdyk in Philadelpbia.

The issue is this:  if you want to take the best player - or the best young player - on another guy’s team, we need to expect the Leafs to pay up.  I still hear people suggesting, “well, let’s give Kulemin, and ah…Scrivens and a, say, a second-rounder and we’ll take one of Getzlaf or Nash…”

C’mon.  I recognize that we Leaf fans see things too often through a very narrow Leaf-colored lens, and I know that we stole Gardiner and Phaneuf/Aulie in two separate trades.  And yes, I realize that isn’t ancient history.  Burke pulled off those deals within the last 48 months, basically.

But I would be shocked, knocked off my feet, whatever phrase comes to mind, to even think that we could acquire the best forward Anaheim has, or the best player Columbus has ever had, unless we give back something that is going to hurt.  So I say again:  If I’m Howson, or I am Murray, any talk involving my “best guys” means I absolutely insist on getting Gardiner back in the deal, and that’s just the beginning of the package.

I’m sure not giving up those guys for a second round pick and a “prospect”.  Way, way too many “prospects” become, well, former prospects—full stop.

So no, those GM’s would be absolutely off their rocker if they traded one of the guys I mentioned above (JVR in Philly is a little different, he’s not Giroux, after all, but even JVR should command something noteworthy in return…) without making sure Gardiner goes back the other way.

Here’s my question for you, and it is two-fold:  how badly would you want someone like Nash or Getzlaf/Ryan, if at all?  If you do want them, would you be prepared to trade Gardiner?

Or is Gardiner simply an untouchable in your mind, a guy that is not worth trading for anyone in the game right now?

As I mentioned above, I know we often see things through our blue and white eyes.  We overrate players, etc.. But while I’m not saying Gardiner is perfect (he makes miscues like any young player, but the guy has vision, can skate away from most problems, and oozes potential in, let’s say it again, the vein of a Niedermayer…) the kid can play.  And he should only get better and better.

A historical note:  twenty-some years ago, we traded away the draft pick that turned out to be New Jersey selecting Scott Niedermayer, when we acquired Tom Kurvers.  As good a player as Kurvers was, it was not worth Niedermayer.

In the past, we have also traded former very high draft choices,  young stud defensemen like Gary Nylund and Al Iafrate (albeit after both had had serious knee injuries…).  Do we want to go down that path again?

Is the opportunity to boost our team now with a superstar talent—now and for the next few years—worth giving up a kid that may be something special?

I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts…..