Toronto Maple Leafs Mid-Season Player Grades and Analysis

<strong><a rel=. D. Toronto<br /> Maple Leafs. CONNOR CARRICK. B-

D. Toronto<br /> Maple Leafs. FRANK CORRADO. D. What can you really say about <strong><a rel=

A-. Jake Gardiner was perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the Leafs’ fist half. The Minnetonka, Minnesota native leads the team’s defenceman with 22 points and has developed into a steady offensive defenceman. He’s taking on a much larger role, quarterbacking the top power play, and while he is still prone to making a mistake or two, his aggressive style of play has meshed well with the Leafs’ offence. I understand why there are still Gardiner detractors, but I think even they would admit he’s had a terrific first half. – Chris Okrainetz. D. Toronto<br /> Maple Leafs. JAKE GARDINER

C-. Regularly criticized by Leafs fans, <strong><a rel=. D. Toronto<br /> Maple Leafs. MATT HUNWICK

Toronto<br /> Maple Leafs. MARTIN MARINCIN. D+. <strong><a rel=. D

Toronto<br /> Maple Leafs. ROMAN POLAK. C-. At this point in his career, Roman Polak is what he is. The 6-foot-2 Czech hammer is a physical stay-at-home defenceman who doesn’t bring much to the Leafs offensively, but, like Hunwick, he contributes on the penalty kill and has carved out a nice role for himself. Aside from blocking shots and playing physical, I don’t think anyone expects much from Polak. His play during the first half won’t overwhelm anyone, but it wasn’t terrible either. It was, well, to be blunt, exactly what you would expect from Polak. – Chris Okrainetz. D

Toronto<br /> Maple Leafs. MORGAN RIELLY. B+. <strong><a rel=. D

D. Toronto<br /> Maple Leafs. NIKITA ZAITSEV. B. <strong><a rel=