Scott Cullen has notes on the Maple Leafs' defence, Columbus' goaltending, the top-scoring lines in hockey and money well-spent in Colorado.

THE CONSTANT GARDINER

Leave it to a three-game losing streak and an article doubting that they can maintain their strong start for controversy to find the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Jake Gardiner's agent, Ben Hankinson, took to Twitter after Toronto lost 5-2 to Winnipeg Tuesday night, simply posting the hashtag #FreeJakeGardiner. This is hardly a new phenomenon on Twitter. Maybe it's unusual for it to come from the player's agent, but if anyone wants a player to get more playing time or a better opportunity than they are being afforded in their current situation, this meme has been standard fare. For example, #FreeTrevorBauer (referring to the highly-touted former Diamondbacks, current Indians, pitching prospect) got quite a bit of play in baseball circles last summer. The Diamondbacks were ultimately accomodating, apparently, dealing Bauer to Cleveland this past offseason.

continued