Mar 17, 2012; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) during warmup prior to game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

So TSN’s Darren Dreger called it:

In light of the Leafs skid, a simple swap NHL-AHL swap…Holzer for Gardiner was being considered. Trade market for others isn’t there yet.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 13, 2013

The Toronto Maple Leafs have sent down Korbinian Holzer to their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, and called up Jake Gardiner.

I can’t say that I am surprised by this move, it seemed to have been set in motion by Gardiner’s agent’s #FreeJakeGardiner campaign (If you don’t know what I’m talking about click here). The twitter fiasco isn’t the only reason for this move, the Leafs have been struggling as of late and a lot of that has to do with their defense. They have been trying to combat their defensive problems with defensmen they already have, but are still on a five game losing streak.

There is another question that is raised by this move. Why was Gardiner in the AHL for so long? I think it has to do with Randy Carlyle. Carlyle’s style of play leans towards defensive defensemen, this Gardiner is not. He was initially sent down because he wasn’t fully healed from the concussion he sustained while playing for the Marlies during the lockout. He’s stayed down because his style of play doesn’t fit into to Carlyle’s system. Unfortunately for Carlyle the Leafs most talented defensmen are offensive, which is why his system has been falling apart. The return of John-Michael Liles was a good first step but with the addition of Gardiner we might see the Leafs defense start to shine.

February 5, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Korbinian Holzer (55) celebrates with teammate Mike Kostka (53) after scoring a goal against Washington Capitals in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Big win last night for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Washington Capitals who now drop to the very bottom of the league standings (to be honest it makes me really happy to see Alex Ovechkin at the bottom). The score was a little closer than I would like it but the Leafs still won.

James van Riemsdyk was by far the star of the game scoring 2 goals only 2 minutes and 35 seconds apart. The first one was a beauty wrap around caused by a lapse in judgment by Tom Poti (that one made me laugh). The second was a wicked wrister with assists by Cody Franson (he’s playing really well definitely won’t be scratched anytime soon) and Phil Kessel.

The game winning goal however came from recent call up Korbinian Holzer, the first of his NHL career. His beauty shot from the point that somehow found the back of the net extended the Leafs lead to 3-1. If Holzer keeps this up he won’t be the one sent down when Carl Gunnarsson returns from injury.

Now in case you haven’t noticed none of these goals came from last season’s top goal scorer Phil Kessel. He has gone 10 games with 0 goals. The man can’t seem to hit the net. This goes beyond bad luck. My theory (feel free to disagree) is that Phil is a one-trick pony and the goalies have him solved. Part of it is bad luck (the amount of times he has missed an empty net is encroaching on the comical) but I think the Phil Kessel smoke show is over and I wouldn’t be surprised if his goals remain in the single digits this year.

And so I leave you with my favourite part of the game Ovechkin celebrating a goal that didn’t actually go in. Please enjoy!