34 replies to this topic

[RPaj]

Leave spots open alright

I want Galchenyuk to play between Phil and Lupul next year, and I want to see Kadri on the second line.

[H-B-C-Y-G]

I wouldn't want Galchenyuk to be our hope for a first line centre next year. I would want him to prove it before the job is just given to him...if we even draft him. If draft a D man, that pretty much guarantees they'll be trying to move a guy like Schenn for a younger forward.

Lupul-Bozak/Connolly-Kessel
Kadri/Frattin-Grabs-Mac
Lombardi-Bozak/Connolly-Kulemin
Brown-Steckel-Hamilton/Crabb
Hamilton/Crabb, Rosehill

Gunnarsson-Phaneuf
Liles-Franson
Gardiner-Schenn
Komisarek
Holzer/Blacker

Reimer/Gusto

That's what they have to play with right now.

If they move a D man Holzer is next in line for a call-up Duty, but Blacker is another possibility pending a strong camp. They need a top six forward, which is either going to be a gritty winger for a the second line or a good two way playmaking centre for Kessel.

They need to look at goalies too. I'd try Hard for Vokun, or Harding/Biron as plan B.

[Fast_Eddie]

If I'm Brian Burke this summer I'd take a run at getting Getzlaf or E. Staal. I feel we must get a good centre for our first line. Don't know what that will cost but it will be high. I'm not a fan of trading Gardiner; he's a really good defenceman who will only get better with experience. Ditto Schenn; he was misused by Wilson as he tried to make an offensive defenceman out of him and screwed with his confidence when things didn't go good. Luke is a stay at home defenceman and was drafted as such. I think he'll be OK with Carlyle as his coach and as far as I'm concerned he wouldn't be going anywhere. I wouldn't like to trade our 1st round pick but if it came right down to the nitty gritty to get one of the above two centres I'd do it bbut we'd have to get their 1st round pick back; so however it could be worked out. The other positions that we are concerned about I'm sure could be fixed up without messing up our supply of good youngsters too mcu.

[jigson]

If I'm Brian Burke this summer I'd take a run at getting Getzlaf or E. Staal. I feel we must get a good centre for our first line. Don't know what that will cost but it will be high. I'm not a fan of trading Gardiner; he's a really good defenceman who will only get better with experience. Ditto Schenn; he was misused by Wilson as he tried to make an offensive defenceman out of him and screwed with his confidence when things didn't go good. Luke is a stay at home defenceman and was drafted as such. I think he'll be OK with Carlyle as his coach and as far as I'm concerned he wouldn't be going anywhere. I wouldn't like to trade our 1st round pick but if it came right down to the nitty gritty to get one of the above two centres I'd do it bbut we'd have to get their 1st round pick back; so however it could be worked out. The other positions that we are concerned about I'm sure could be fixed up without messing up our supply of good youngsters too mcu.

Couldn't agree more. but I would also have a long look at Thornton out of SJ also. He's getting a bit long in the tooth but he would do wonders between Lups and Kess. Big setup guy but only a narrow window with him.

[Boneshaker]

Couldn't agree more. but I would also have a long look at Thornton out of SJ also. He's getting a bit long in the tooth but he would do wonders between Lups and Kess. Big setup guy but only a narrow window with him.

Love the idea of Thornton between Kessel and Lupul. But still all 3 players would not be a "Physical' style of player at that point. So if they got Thornton (and cheap mind you) what about a deal involving Lupul + a couple other pieces to land Nash. Lupul is a UFA next year, and his trade value has never been higher and may never be again.

If you got Thornton between Nash and Kessel you would easily have the most dominent 1st line in hockey and with Thornton who is an assist machine between the two I would guarantee both wingers hit 40+ goals with Kessel getting a shot a maybe even 50. With a few Thornton will throw in, that's 100+ goals from your first line alone!!! Plus think of the deadly PP they would have with Phaneuf and Gardiner at the points....

Playoffs are guaranteed, but the question remains, would Thornton disappear in them as soon as you hit the playoffs as he has so much in the past??

[sluggo]

If I'm Brian Burke this summer I'd take a run at getting Getzlaf or E. Staal. I feel we must get a good centre for our first line. Don't know what that will cost but it will be high. I'm not a fan of trading Gardiner; he's a really good defenceman who will only get better with experience. Ditto Schenn; he was misused by Wilson as he tried to make an offensive defenceman out of him and screwed with his confidence when things didn't go good. Luke is a stay at home defenceman and was drafted as such. I think he'll be OK with Carlyle as his coach and as far as I'm concerned he wouldn't be going anywhere. I wouldn't like to trade our 1st round pick but if it came right down to the nitty gritty to get one of the above two centres I'd do it bbut we'd have to get their 1st round pick back; so however it could be worked out. The other positions that we are concerned about I'm sure could be fixed up without messing up our supply of good youngsters too mcu.

Couldn't agree more. but I would also have a long look at Thornton out of SJ also. He's getting a bit long in the tooth but he would do wonders between Lups and Kess. Big setup guy but only a narrow window with him.

LMAO

So don't trade the good young D-men, only trade the 1st round pick if they get a 1st back, and some how get an elite/franchise centerman

[Hapanese]

Yeah, you dont watch the games, Gardiner is solid defensivley... only time he looks bad is when a big guy out muscles him in the boards, besides that he always looks solid...

I agree, he's a rookie, but he's reminiscent of an Ian White or Kaberle in that he uses his head instead of his size when defending.

These types of players tend to get beat by brute force once in a while, but one on one they almost always have good position and rarely get undressed. Gardiner may develop an edge to his game as he matures since he does have the size on his frame to use his body along with his head.

It's just too early to tell if his blunders are due to his maturity as a player or flaws in his nature. Since he's a cerebral player, I suspect these problems will improve over time but his physical side may or may not evolve.

He makes a lot of mistakes, but if he can improve in those areas, he'll be a solid player on any team with star potential.

[howiegethere]

How can anyone say Gardiner had no defensive skills? The kid single handedly had more defensive breakups by rushing back and cutting of the angle to the net or steering guys into the corner then our entire D-corps combined.

Which player were you people watching?

I was watching the Gardiner that turned over pucks at the offensive blueline and getting out muscled along the boards . This is normal for a rookie defenceman but he has room for improvement and he will get stronger . Just lets not get out of control with the hero complex since he has plenty of time and room for improvement .

[howiegethere]

What exactly do you mean leave spots open ? As I understand it teams all have 22 skaters when the final cuts are made and the season starts . If these prospects are going to make the team they had better earn their roster spot or we will see a second rate team again next season .
Philly is a lot better team than the Leafs and had good prospects that were ready plain and simple . The Leafs lack the veteran leadership necessary to absorb more prospects and the Leafs also lack the quality of prospects despite the Marlies having a good year .

If the prospects the Leafs have are not good enough to crack the Leafs line up let them play in the minors it is that simple .

[Tigon]

Nothing personal, but from a hockey stand point, you'd be a terrible GM Kadrix43. You have a very weak NHL roster that would be a lottery contender, not a playoff contender.

Secondly, Toronto doesn't have the foundation to leave roster spots open, they have too many holes already that shouldn't be plugged with kids.

I truly believe the Leafs have 1 spot open and that is 3rd/4th line and most likely Frattin.

I would assume the top six will consist of Kessel, Lupul, Grabovski for sure. MacArthur would surely fit in assuming he isn't traded and Kulemin will be given another shot. Bozak/Connolly will be given first tries again if a #1 isn't brought in. Colborne isn't the answer on the first line and shouldn't be, that isn't proper transition or development.

4th line is set with Steckel and Brown teaming with a re-signed Crabb, similar UFA signing (Tootoo would be good muscle) or a Marlie that figures to actually project that low in the NHL (sorry no Kadri/Colborne time wasting here).

3rd line will consist of the loser of the Bozak/Connolly battle. If a #1 is brought in they both will call 3rd line home, maybe getting rotated with Mac or Kulie depending on play. You also have to consider Armstrong and Lombardi have contracts which may, or may not, end up on this line if not traded or demoted. The "open" spot is essentially Frattin or another Marlie winning a job here. If it were my choice, Armstrong would have played his last game already and a player like Moen (grit and leadership) brought onto this line. More importantly, Meon can actually still put up points and plays hard without frequent injury.

As for defense, it is pretty set unless players are traded or demoted. Holzer is also ready to start his NHL career. The only defenseman worth pursuing as the roster sits is Justin Schultz. That would be the best signing here the Leafs could make, Suter isn't coming - I'm a realist.

[jigson]

Love the idea of Thornton between Kessel and Lupul. But still all 3 players would not be a "Physical' style of player at that point. So if they got Thornton (and cheap mind you) what about a deal involving Lupul + a couple other pieces to land Nash. Lupul is a UFA next year, and his trade value has never been higher and may never be again.

If you got Thornton between Nash and Kessel you would easily have the most dominent 1st line in hockey and with Thornton who is an assist machine between the two I would guarantee both wingers hit 40+ goals with Kessel getting a shot a maybe even 50. With a few Thornton will throw in, that's 100+ goals from your first line alone!!! Plus think of the deadly PP they would have with Phaneuf and Gardiner at the points....

Playoffs are guaranteed, but the question remains, would Thornton disappear in them as soon as you hit the playoffs as he has so much in the past??

Definitely a question in regards to Thornton. He has been accused of it for years.

Some rumblings out of SJ the last day or so about ownership not being very happy, but at the same time throwing their hat in the ring with Wilson.

Not sure if that means a coaching change or big player shuffles, or both.

I'm thinking Boyle, Marleau, and Thornton could all have new addresses come Sept.

[racer888]

Nothing personal, but from a hockey stand point, you'd be a terrible GM Kadrix43. You have a very weak NHL roster that would be a lottery contender, not a playoff contender.

Secondly, Toronto doesn't have the foundation to leave roster spots open, they have too many holes already that shouldn't be plugged with kids.

I truly believe the Leafs have 1 spot open and that is 3rd/4th line and most likely Frattin.

I would assume the top six will consist of Kessel, Lupul, Grabovski for sure. MacArthur would surely fit in assuming he isn't traded and Kulemin will be given another shot. Bozak/Connolly will be given first tries again if a #1 isn't brought in. Colborne isn't the answer on the first line and shouldn't be, that isn't proper transition or development.

4th line is set with Steckel and Brown teaming with a re-signed Crabb, similar UFA signing (Tootoo would be good muscle) or a Marlie that figures to actually project that low in the NHL (sorry no Kadri/Colborne time wasting here).

3rd line will consist of the loser of the Bozak/Connolly battle. If a #1 is brought in they both will call 3rd line home, maybe getting rotated with Mac or Kulie depending on play. You also have to consider Armstrong and Lombardi have contracts which may, or may not, end up on this line if not traded or demoted. The "open" spot is essentially Frattin or another Marlie winning a job here. If it were my choice, Armstrong would have played his last game already and a player like Moen (grit and leadership) brought onto this line. More importantly, Meon can actually still put up points and plays hard without frequent injury.

As for defense, it is pretty set unless players are traded or demoted. Holzer is also ready to start his NHL career. The only defenseman worth pursuing as the roster sits is Justin Schultz. That would be the best signing here the Leafs could make, Suter isn't coming - I'm a realist.

So only 1 spot up for grabs and in your opinion it will be Frattin (who played on the big club for a good part of the season). Hmmmmmsounds a lot like last years team and we all know how that turned out

[Tigon]

So only 1 spot up for grabs and in your opinion it will be Frattin (who played on the big club for a good part of the season). Hmmmmmsounds a lot like last years team and we all know how that turned out

I would expect Lombardi and Armstrong to be replaced on the third line and Frattin taking one of those spots. Komisarek would be a bonus to lose as well. I would assume Bozak gets replaced as top centre and joins Frattin and Connolly on the third. Crabb earned an extension but someone like Moen would be nice with Brown and Steckel

racer you would be foolish to expect a full overturn with the contracts in place but as of right now, only 1-3 spots would actually be open. (Just looking at the guys already signed and plugging them into spots, incl. RFAs, not an actual lineup prediction)

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
Kulemin-Grabovski-MacArthur
Lombardi-Connolly-Armstrong
Brown-Steckel-Frattin
extras: Orr/Ashton/Kadri

Gunnarsson-Phaneuf
Komisarek-Liles
Schenn-Gardiner
Franson

Reimer
Scrivens

As you can see, hard to imagine we would get more than a full line overturn and a new blueliner.

[racer888]

I would expect Lombardi and Armstrong to be replaced on the third line and Frattin taking one of those spots. Komisarek would be a bonus to lose as well. I would assume Bozak gets replaced as top centre and joins Frattin and Connolly on the third. Crabb earned an extension but someone like Moen would be nice with Brown and Steckel

racer you would be foolish to expect a full overturn with the contracts in place but as of right now, only 1-3 spots would actually be open. (Just looking at the guys already signed and plugging them into spots, incl. RFAs, not an actual lineup prediction)

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
Kulemin-Grabovski-MacArthur
Lombardi-Connolly-Armstrong
Brown-Steckel-Frattin
extras: Orr/Ashton/Kadri

Gunnarsson-Phaneuf
Komisarek-Liles
Schenn-Gardiner
Franson

Reimer
Scrivens

As you can see, hard to imagine we would get more than a full line overturn and a new blueliner.

I do not expect much of a turn over at all. I have been saying all along that this team is handcuffed by BB's liberal handing out of high dollar contract even if they are short. We will have at least 1 more year of pain

[Tigon]

Yes, unfortunately one more year of the same result with a slim chance of 8th. Next year will be much better - Armstrong, Lombardi, and Connolly come off the books. Komisarek could be moved or bought out of his remaining year.

Bozak will be the only major guy needing to be re-upped depending how our current corp looks and new additions. Burke may have cashed in on MacArthur. Steckel could be moved as well if Burke feels a Marlie is ready to fill in the bottom six.