21 replies to this topic

[Kadrix43]

1.) Vet Back up

2.) Solid checking line winger with size (3rd line shutdown player with some physicality)

3.) Dump useless players (Connolly and Lombardi not top six or bottom 6)

4.) Draft a number 1 center (Galchenyuk) and let him Bozak and Colborne duke it out

5.) Get a top six winger with size (You could leave the 2nd line wing spot for Macarthur Kadri or Frattin but i prefer if we trade Kadri and Franson for a solid 2nd line winger with size and skill (JVR) but i wouldnt be mad if Kadri or Macarthur started the year there, we just need some more size in our top six. I think Philly would take Franson and Kadri for JVR.. If not we could try Kadri Colborne Franson for Clowe and Murray plus there 1st or 2nd round pick. I dont know this isnt a need but eventually we need to add some size into our top six. And Burke should at least try to accomplish this in the summer.


Tell me if you disagree with any of these needs.

[howiegethere]

Nope I don't agree . What the leafs need is some size up front and toughness . Get rid of the guys that just don't intimidate anyone especially the 1st and 2nd line wingers that just aren't getting it done . The Leafs don't have the cap space to do much without getting rid of some salaries in trades or dumps so don't expect much . Maybe one improvement or two but no way 5 unless they make some trades .

Don't forget the leafs have several free agents to deal with .

[racer888]

I am not sold on Colborne. He has played bad for a good part of the season. Not sure if he has the talent to be an NHL player or just one more Burke sales job

[youngbud]

Ya I think you have covered pretty well everything possible Kadri. First on the list would definitely be goaltending that solid veteran presence can have a great positive effect on the team, and our young goalies. Burke knows his hockey he is a smart man it's no secret the leafs need to probably draft a center with some potential. They also made some interesting signings of youngsters like ross this year and carrick, maybe they feel these young guys are ready if not close to stepping in.

I would have to agree with colborne I relally do not know what to make of him, but at least this time around the leafs have some trade-able assets unlike years where JFJ left us with nothing desirable that way. It may be only a short term solution but how about moving nik kullemin down to 3rd line wing? Okay maybe that plane crash and death of the russian team members as well as igor koralev affected him and threw him off this year...that is no excuse for next year though. We know Kulli at his best can dig in the corners and hit! He would be a good consideration for a 3rd line winger with size and we know he has some scoring punch too. Bozak would be great on that third line center role as well if we can nail a first line center that is.

Then we just need to dump some useless players.

I actually think we should consider packaging schenn in a trade. I'm not happy with him or komi. Up front we need to say goodbye to the likes of: Lombardi, Connolly, Armstrong, Orr, Rosehill.

Kessel, ???, Lupul
Macarthur, Grabovski, Frattin
Ashton, Bozak, Kullemin
Brown, Steckel, Crabb

Gardiner, Phaneuf
Liles, Gunarsson
Franson, Holzer/Blacker/etc.

??? whoever we draft this off-season....forsberg? galenychuk?

[Kadrix43]

I wanna say i agree with you but i dont trust Macarthur Frattin as our 2nd line wingers... I think Kulemin was just really slow this season, he was much MUCH quicker in sesasons past and speed is everything in this NHL. Trading Schenn and Komi would be a big mistake, they are our only realy physical shutdown d men. If we trade them we will be in need of Physical d men real quick here in T.O. We want to patch our wholes without leaving new ones. Also rookies are not gonna be guys to score 20 goals, they may be ready for the NHL but they usually only score 10-15 goals in there rookie years. So its not gonna be a big difference besides maybe some more highlight real plays. I would think Grabo would take 1st line duties. As for our checking line i agree Kulemin could do it but i like Kulemin and Grabo together if Kulemin can get his scoring game back. I think the perfect guy i was thinking of for that 3rd line wing spot is Brandon Prust... Big strong tough physical shutdown winger with experience. But the only problem is i believe hes gonna have an outstanding playoff run and he will be hard to get here in T.O. Also i think Steckel can be our 3rd line center easily. Hes a good shutdown center. Also Rosehill is a very effective 4th liner, besides some bad penaltys hes real good at everything and does a good job with the time on ice he gets. Hes pretty quick for a big man and will stick up for his team mates, hes good on the cycle and not sloppy with the puck. I think Ashton will get time on our shutdown line when there is an injury. I say we get rid of Connolly and Lombardi and trade Mac for a late 1st or 2nd. Then our 2nd line is Kulemin with Grabo and maybe Kadri or Frattin. Or we use the 5th need and get a winger with size. I think we will seriously regret trading Schenn.

[Kadrix43]

To be honest i think we may need more toughness on the back end, I like Komi and Franson as the bottom pair and Gardiner Schenn and Gunner Phaneuf with Holzer and Blacker as call ups. But i dont know if we can get much with Liles, so trading Franson may be a better fit. We dont need any more offensive d men, we can afford to lose one.

[Kadrix43]

I like a real good shutdown physical defense with good goaltending, a solid shutdown line with toughness that can log big minutes against the oppositions top line, a solid defensive second line that can score some when needed and a real good creative skilled 1st line, not one that lacks good board play and work ethic though. Along with a 4th line that includes a faceoff specialist/PK guy a Enforcer who can cycle well and get in on the forecheck and lay the body and a pure energy guy with wheels and physicality (Brown-Zigomanis-Rosehill) perfect 4th line. (Rupp-Boyle-Prust) PERFECT shutdown line out in new york, if that line is put together to go against Spezza along with the d line Girardi and Staal with Lunquist in net... They will be getting very little goals scored on them.

[youngbud]

I agree we need guys on defense that can shut it down...but we have tired and tried and tried different guys and the result is the same...the leafs still can't keep the puck out of their net...it is not entirely the goalies fault because out goaltending system sucks the bag as well, but come on you have to admit, watching schenn skate sometimes is like watching a guy move n quick-sand....he is a shut down d man who is a pylon in his own end...not good enough....komisarek is just a horrible horrible contract.

Believe it or not a powerful...truly powerful offense and veteran presence in net could cover A LOT of our defensive liabilities! Remember edmonton in the 80's i swear to god their defense sucked....if it had not have been for gretzky's ability to score 3 goals a game and great goaltending they would have been a total joke.

[Sonny_l_Styles]

I am not sold on Colborne. He has played bad for a good part of the season. Not sure if he has the talent to be an NHL player or just one more Burke sales job

No kidding

[youngbud]

5 needs this summer:

- A draft pick that can play.
- Remove some dead weight
- Hire a REAL goalie (Veteran would be nice)
- A few more brains
- A realistic shot at the playoffs.

[mapplebeck66]

1.) Vet Back up

2.) Solid checking line winger with size (3rd line shutdown player with some physicality)

3.) Dump useless players (Connolly and Lombardi not top six or bottom 6)

4.) Draft a number 1 center (Galchenyuk) and let him Bozak and Colborne duke it out

5.) Get a top six winger with size (You could leave the 2nd line wing spot for Macarthur Kadri or Frattin but i prefer if we trade Kadri and Franson for a solid 2nd line winger with size and skill (JVR) but i wouldnt be mad if Kadri or Macarthur started the year there, we just need some more size in our top six. I think Philly would take Franson and Kadri for JVR.. If not we could try Kadri Colborne Franson for Clowe and Murray plus there 1st or 2nd round pick. I dont know this isnt a need but eventually we need to add some size into our top six. And Burke should at least try to accomplish this in the summer.


Tell me if you disagree with any of these needs.

I agree with most of this. The vet goalie I'd pass on and instead go after a shut down dman who isn't as slow as Komi, schenn and fransen and Phaneuf. We lack speed guys who can also be a shut down guy. A better defence always makes goaltending better. I think Reimer and Scrivens will be good enough until we can afford a real number one guy and when one actualy becomes available.

Dumpinf salary is a must as in Armstrong, Lombardi and Komi.or Connolly. The problem is how to get their salary off the books, that's the problem. Armie and lombo can be sent down but ?komi has a no movement clause. Connollly is just useless and no team will want him even for a bag of pucks.

Galchenyk is too risky of a pick with his reconstructed knee. I'd rather pick grigorenko or Forsberg.

Colborne needs to show what he's got now. No more minors for him. It's time to fish or cut bait with him. Mckegg and nichols will go to the marlies and Damigo and Blacker will be given a good look this year. Same with Percy who will go to the marlies for seasoning. All in all a high first rounder is exactly what we need as fans and this year could see a more thorough sell off at the deadline if this team is still stuggling which means alot more first round picks next year.

The only way I see this team avoiding firing BB and not selling off next year is if BB gets Parise and every guy plays to their absolute potential and I'm thinking that probably isn't going to happen. I'd prefer the selloff and the rebuild.

Oh by the way your third line shut down guy and checkers name is Kulemin. He slotted himself into that role with this years performance.


Lupul Grabovski Kessell
Kadri Colborne Parise
MacCarthur Bozak Kulemin
Brown Steckel Ashton
Frattin?
This is about as good as this team will be next year and without the addition of Parise doesn't look too promising to me for a playoff run. It looks promising for the future but not next years playoffs.

When you consider Connolly and Komi will probably be back our chances of being able to offer Parise anything good is unlikely.

Good post though you seem to be thinking it the same way any good leaf fan would. This will probably be BB's last year as GM unless he can pull a rabbit out of his a ss. I hope he doesn't get stupid and geopardize the future for his own *** and trade away any youth for a longshot. That will really piss me off and should definately be a concern for any real leaf fan.

[mapplebeck66]

To be honest i think we may need more toughness on the back end, I like Komi and Franson as the bottom pair and Gardiner Schenn and Gunner Phaneuf with Holzer and Blacker as call ups. But i dont know if we can get much with Liles, so trading Franson may be a better fit. We dont need any more offensive d men, we can afford to lose one.

I really don't understsnd what everyone sees in Gunnarson. To me he is a huge non-physical liability and I'd trade him in a minute. He is weak, doesn't move the puck very well, turns the puck over way too much and backs in way too far which gives up the shot and the rebound way too often. He is one of your weak links on this d corps next to Komisarek. Liles is one of the most dependable guys back there. Gunnarson is a very tradeable commodity. Ask me and this d corps is way overrated. None of them should feel secure. I'd consider trading all of them except gardiner for the right offer.

[AlexanderTheGreatJr]

I really don't understsnd what everyone sees in Gunnarson. To me he is a huge non-physical liability and I'd trade him in a minute. He is weak, doesn't move the puck very well, turns the puck over way too much and backs in way too far which gives up the shot and the rebound way too often. He is one of your weak links on this d corps next to Komisarek. Liles is one of the most dependable guys back there. Gunnarson is a very tradeable commodity. Ask me and this d corps is way overrated. None of them should feel secure. I'd consider trading all of them except gardiner for the right offer.

What games have you been watching?
Gunnarson is a keeper.

[Kadrix43]

ya really... Gunnarson is much better then Liles in our end. Gunner is was our only shut down defender this year. He shutdown other teams top lines with Phaneuf fairly well actually. But i agree another shutdown d man wouldnt hurt us. But we would need to lose Liles and Franson to make space. Marc Staal would be great here. But i think we need to use our assets to help our size up front issue if anything so i say signing a vet goalie is something we should do to be safe. Liles is not solid at all hes small and easy to get around. Franson and Liles are our most unreliable d men defensivley then Komi then Gardiner. Schenn is reliable he just makes mistakes with the puck.

[Kadrix43]

Phaneuf is also quite reliable at times, he just has his dumbie moments.

[Kadrix43]

I agree with most of this. The vet goalie I'd pass on and instead go after a shut down dman who isn't as slow as Komi, schenn and fransen and Phaneuf. We lack speed guys who can also be a shut down guy. A better defence always makes goaltending better. I think Reimer and Scrivens will be good enough until we can afford a real number one guy and when one actualy becomes available.

Dumpinf salary is a must as in Armstrong, Lombardi and Komi.or Connolly. The problem is how to get their salary off the books, that's the problem. Armie and lombo can be sent down but ?komi has a no movement clause. Connollly is just useless and no team will want him even for a bag of pucks.

Galchenyk is too risky of a pick with his reconstructed knee. I'd rather pick grigorenko or Forsberg.

Colborne needs to show what he's got now. No more minors for him. It's time to fish or cut bait with him. Mckegg and nichols will go to the marlies and Damigo and Blacker will be given a good look this year. Same with Percy who will go to the marlies for seasoning. All in all a high first rounder is exactly what we need as fans and this year could see a more thorough sell off at the deadline if this team is still stuggling which means alot more first round picks next year.

The only way I see this team avoiding firing BB and not selling off next year is if BB gets Parise and every guy plays to their absolute potential and I'm thinking that probably isn't going to happen. I'd prefer the selloff and the rebuild.

Oh by the way your third line shut down guy and checkers name is Kulemin. He slotted himself into that role with this years performance.


Lupul Grabovski Kessell
Kadri Colborne Parise
MacCarthur Bozak Kulemin
Brown Steckel Ashton
Frattin?
This is about as good as this team will be next year and without the addition of Parise doesn't look too promising to me for a playoff run. It looks promising for the future but not next years playoffs.

When you consider Connolly and Komi will probably be back our chances of being able to offer Parise anything good is unlikely.

Good post though you seem to be thinking it the same way any good leaf fan would. This will probably be BB's last year as GM unless he can pull a rabbit out of his a ss. I hope he doesn't get stupid and geopardize the future for his own *** and trade away any youth for a longshot. That will really piss me off and should definately be a concern for any real leaf fan.

Yea thats not what i had in mind when i said checking line. Macarthur is not a defensive player Bozaks not physical or big enough and Kulimen could play that role but we need a toughish guy on that line to frusterate the top line and piss them off.

[Kadrix43]

If it was so easy to dump players i would personally dump Armstrong Lombardi Komi and Connolly, but i dont think its easy... If we can dump Lombardi and Connolly ill be very pleased. Then we could maybe sing Ryan Suter... Id sign him over Parise, i think defense is more important then offense. Id sign him and Vokoun if i had a choice. Then draft Galchenyuk and trade Franson Kadri and Blacker for JVR. Then sign Brandon Prust for a shutdown line. But thats a pipe dream. I just think we need more size up front, a decent first line center thats actually a 1st line center a good shutdown line that Carlyle can use effectivley against other teams top lines and i would want the leafs to be a team that are stacked on d. I personally like a skilled first line then a team of grinders and hard workers with a great defense and good goaltending with a good checking line. But with our roster thats really not the type of team we are.

[Kadrix43]

My dream:

Dump:
Armstrong
Connolly
Lombardi


Trade:
Franson Kadri Blacker for JVR

Trade Macarthur for a 2nd round pick
Trade Liles for a 2nd round pick. Trade 3 2nd round picks for a 20th overall pick

Draft:
Galchenyuk
Wilson

Sign:
Vokoun/Harding
Ryan Suter (pipe dream)
Brandon Prust (gonna be expensive because hes about to have a good playoff run, probs 3 milish)


Kessel-Galchenyuk/Bozak/Colborne/Mckegg-Lupul
Kulemin-Grabovski-JVR
Ashton/Crabb/Frattin-Steckel/Bozak-Prust
Brown-Steckel/Zigomanis-Rosehill

Phaneuf-Suter
Gardiner-Schenn
Gunner-Komi
Holzer/Percy

Reimer/Vokoun

Thats the team i want, JVR is a bit of a pipe dream and so is Ryan Suter though. Id rather sign Suter then Parise to be honest i prefer defense over offnese, but were not gonna get either of these big ticket FA's because we wont be able to dump Connolly/Lombardi/Armstrong/Komi. I like JVR though because hes really big and skilled, pure goal scorer and will take Lupuls spot in time. And he may not be a hitter/power forward but hes a really good two way forward and he wins a lot of battles, and thats what Carlyle wants. Obviously id rather go for Weber if hes avalible in my dreams but Suter is free from FA...LOL i can dream.

[jigson]

Interesting comments that jumped out at me from Burke's presser was;

1) He won't be trading the 1st round pick.
2) His plan moving forward is not to wait for a draft pick to develop in 2-3 years to address the needs of the team.

He also said he wants to get bigger, meaning 4-5 players and that he is happy with the 2nd line the way it is and intends on keeping them together.

The top line center is the most glaring position that needs to be addressed, outside of the crease, but when you start looking around the league at centers with size, the pickins are slim to none.

Obviously the two that have been discussed to death are Stall and Getzlaf.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Getz in play but it's a wait and see.
I doubt Stall is going anywhere.

The one guy that we haven't heard much about is Kopitar.
He's a big talented, young center with great hands and puts up lots of points, especially in the assist column.

To me, he is the guy that fits the Leaf's needs perfectly.

LA, has an abundance of good centers with Carter, Richards and Stoll down the middle, as well as some young guys that got some time with the club this year.

Their scoring depth on the wings is almost none existent.

I wouldn't be shocked to see LA make a deal to address some of their weaknesses and offer up Kopitar for the right package.

[jigson]

I'll be hoping for a first round sweep of the Kings for 2 reasons this year.

1) My wife and kid are Nucks fans (booooo)
2) It may motivate the Kings to deal.

If there is any chance of Kopitar being on the move, I would love to see him as our TLC. if at all possible.