Why Gardiner and OReilley doesn't work, is because of the third pairing. Hainsey and Zaitsev are not puck movers. Leafs would not have good puck possession with them on the ice. I like Hainsey and Zaitsev is OK and seems to be getting into his good old form lately, but they need puck carrying partners.

Rielly-Dermott
Muzzin-Zaitsev
Gardiner-Hainsey..

You dont pay 7.5 mil to 3rd pairing playing 8-10 minutes.. Gardiner can play right side but he needs babysitter for his defensive mistakes like Hainsey. Also weights out the puck moving part. Muzzin-Zaitsev is two-way pairing playing every situation. Zaitsev is offensive defenceman who was misplayed and looked very good last few games with Muzzin or any other partner other than Gardiner and Dermott is so good both ways.. its pleasure to watch and he looks great on both sides. Thats why him and Rielly together.

You're right and I don't think Babcock will ever move Hainsey out of top four, BUT why would they need a puck moving partner when all they would do is ice it...think about it lol

Negative chance Dermott gets to top pairing with Babcock. Also it doesn't matter that they make 7.5 million...Zaitsev is overpaid and Hainsey is not good

Hainsey is useful in defensive role. For your information, Dermott was playing top pairing this season from time to time, often him and Ozhiganov with Rielly changing depending on situations and score. Babs has only great words for Travis really. Zaitsev is not overpaid, he is overtermed. Too long of a contract, but he is good. Also Z is only RHD that can log on 20 minutes every night..

For your information...I watch leaf games lol. I know Dermott has been brought up, similar to Rielly and Gardiner being used late in games. I am saying there is no chance Dermott gets used on top pairing full time, when Babcock is still playing Hainsey there even with Muzzin's arrival. I hope Dermott is moved up next season.

Just saying lol, nothing bad in terms of intentions lol. Muzzin is not playing there because he was never playing a minute of right side in his career. He is comfortable on left side and Rielly on right side that experiment is dead for a reason. Babs feels that it is safe to play Hainsey there because of experience.. I get it, although I definitely am not agreeing with it, I get it. I would honestly just play Zaitsev there if it comes to that.. Dermott with Muzzin and Gardiner with Hainsey. Ron should play bottom pairing. He was much better there.

I suspect Reilly and Gardiner would be disasterous as a top pairing. Though I don't have the stats handy, I am pretty certain through their careers together as Leafs, the pairing has been tried and failed. They both give up pucks, Gardiner more than Reilly of course. But Reilly's usual good defensive play makes up for any giveaways or hiccups, where Gardiner's play does not. You are asking for additional trouble by putting these two together.