18 replies to this topic

[Jonathan10]

Here are some UFA’s who are tough guys I think Burke should be looking at,
C Zenon Konopka Adds some toughness to the fourth line instead of detracting from it like Steckel, Can kill penalties and fight.
LW Tanner Glass adds some size and toughness to third line, Dustin Penner can be got cheap. I think will have a bounce-back year.
RW Jordin Tootoo Great energy player that can kill penalties
D Johnny Boychuk Can add thundering hits to the back end and defianatly can add to the Leaf defence if he’s available. (He probably won’t be)
G Martin Biron The most obvious UFA goaltender available to fix our goalie issues.

[howiegethere]

For sure Burke needs to add some toughness and sort out the goalie problem but the major thing he needs to address is the lack of leadership and toughness of the top six . Whether BB elects to get a top center or more aggresive wingers makes little difference but something has to be done there . The Leafs have plenty of prospects to fill in the bottom half and unless he wants to handcuff the team with a big ticket goalie there are a few choices for reasonably priced veteran help in goal .

The small deals are the easy ones it is the big ones where Burke seems to strike out .

[Jonathan10]

For sure Burke needs to add some toughness and sort out the goalie problem but the major thing he needs to address is the lack of leadership and toughness of the top six . Whether BB elects to get a top center or more aggresive wingers makes little difference but something has to be done there . The Leafs have plenty of prospects to fill in the bottom half and unless he wants to handcuff the team with a big ticket goalie there are a few choices for reasonably priced veteran help in goal .

The small deals are the easy ones it is the big ones where Burke seems to strike out .

I think what the Leafs really lacked during the breakdown was; some good role and energy players, a decent goaltender, a good defensive coach, (fixed) and (obviously) a top line center. I think some size in the top six would be useful but not absolutely crucial to a playoff berth. Perhaps better leadership could be argued, but not proven.

[Gurouche]

I think what the Leafs really lacked during the breakdown was; some good role and energy players, a decent goaltender, a good defensive coach, (fixed) and (obviously) a top line center. I think some size in the top six would be useful but not absolutely crucial to a playoff berth. Perhaps better leadership could be argued, but not proven.

Im with you Jonathan, a leader in the forward group would be nice though,

[Kadrix43]

Eric Staal would cover a lot of those things... He can PK he can be a great 1st line center, he adds size and leadership...And hes a go to guy. And i think our youngsters and prospects will become great role/energy guys, but i wouldnt mind getting a Paul Gaustad or Brandon Prust for the 3rd line at all... I like Joey Crabb though, high energy pretty gritty and can score... I like leaving a spot on the 3rd line for a rookie too, D'amigo Ashton or Frattin most likely... Maybe Ross or Biggs. As for the Goalie i think theres a lot on the market right now, we can go for a cheap vet via FA or a not cheap vet via trade like Lu...I think getting Bernier of L.A would be a good move if you could do it for the right price...

[primosleafs]

Eric Staal would cover a lot of those things... He can PK he can be a great 1st line center, he adds size and leadership...And hes a go to guy. And i think our youngsters and prospects will become great role/energy guys, but i wouldnt mind getting a Paul Gaustad or Brandon Prust for the 3rd line at all... I like Joey Crabb though, high energy pretty gritty and can score... I like leaving a spot on the 3rd line for a rookie too, D'amigo Ashton or Frattin most likely... Maybe Ross or Biggs. As for the Goalie i think theres a lot on the market right now, we can go for a cheap vet via FA or a not cheap vet via trade like Lu...I think getting Bernier of L.A would be a good move if you could do it for the right price...

Eric Stall would be a great adition to toronto...

[MPL_Phaneuf89]

I think this summer we have got to start getting rid of our quantity players and try to add quality players with that. With the "quantity" players gone, it will open up spots at training camp. Of course it will be really tough to get teams to take those players for their quality players.

Quantity players inlcude: Armstrong, Macarthur, Lombardi, Connolly, Bozak/Colborne, Frattin, Liles, Komi etc

Lupul - ?????? - Kessel
????? - Grabovksi - Kadri/Frattin/Abbott/Kulemin (if he regains form)
????/D'amigo - Bozak/Colborne - Kulemin/K.F.A (1 of them)
????/Hamilton/Crabb - Steckel - Brown

Phaneuf - ??????
Gardiner - Schenn
Gunnarson - Franson
*Holzer/Blacker/Gysbers/Mikus (whoever has the best camp can be extra)

Guys we should be going after to fill in that 2nd line role I would say would be Ryane Clowe. He's probably worth a 2nd + a prospect/ NHL ready or playing Top 6 forward (2nd + MacArthur + maybe?)

I also wouldn't mind signing Jason Garrsion, depending on his asking price. he's a pretty Good RHD and that way all our defensemen can play their strong side.(especially Phaneuf who makes alot of mistakes on his weak side) It's doubtful though since Florida has money to throw around and the fact that Garrison was their only + defensemen and had 16 goals.

For 4th line, I would replace Brown and make him the healthy scracth if we could get a guy like Shawn Thornton, who might not be happen that he didn't get to play Game 7, although I think he will probablu stay in boston

The #1 centre is the toughest thing to get and I'm not even gonna bother speculating.

But overall with these additions were would be a bigger and grittier team, and also with a few losses of players the marlies will still get a few additions next year like Mckegg, Ross and Percy.

[youngbud]

We are spent almost right to the cap...we have some under-achieving idiots on this team with bad contracts. No one wants to take on bad contracts or over spend, it's the cap era and we cannot spend needlessly getting top tier talent anymore. We are going to have to stick with what we got mostly and suck it to hell up....whoever does not pull their weight gets bumped to the minors or thrown on waivers. If they do not like it too bad.

We will likely have to fill out roster spots with guys from the farm that can do the job cheaper and maybe just as good.

[howiegethere]

I think what the Leafs really lacked during the breakdown was; some good role and energy players, a decent goaltender, a good defensive coach, (fixed) and (obviously) a top line center. I think some size in the top six would be useful but not absolutely crucial to a playoff berth. Perhaps better leadership could be argued, but not proven.

The Leafs have plenty of 3rd line role players they lacked size on the top two lines and leadership from the same guys . Not a chance they get through the first round with the guys they have in the top six . Kulemin would have made a lot of difference if he had a better year and Lupul if he hadn't got injured but the way things went pointed out the deficiencies pretty clearly . Lack of physical play when it was needed was their biggest fault . Burke and Carlyle both know you can't teach size and even the small guys have to play bigger or get replaced .

[youngbud]

BINGO when was the last time we had a guy on our team under 6 foot that played with any damn heart or emotion or skill or played hard on a regular basis? The only one I can think of is Doug Gilmour within the last 20 years or so. Right now Grabovski is one of those little guys that plays with a lot of heart, but he is still not in the same calibre as Dougie was.

This is the thing, obviously we can't wave a magic wand and make everyone 6 foot 4 or 5 and 225-240 pounds. IE a fricking tank. It just won't happen. We can learn to play big, I know lots of NHL players who are not that big but they sure as hell play like they are! The leafs under carlyle will have to do that. I'm sure Carlyle wants them to be like that, and will try to coach them to be a team like that. I agree if some of the current guys under contract on our roster can't do that, then go to the farm and find someone who can!

[Pick]

BINGO when was the last time we had a guy on our team under 6 foot that played with any damn heart or emotion or skill or played hard on a regular basis? The only one I can think of is Doug Gilmour within the last 20 years or so. Right now Grabovski is one of those little guys that plays with a lot of heart, but he is still not in the same calibre as Dougie was.

This is the thing, obviously we can't wave a magic wand and make everyone 6 foot 4 or 5 and 225-240 pounds. IE a fricking tank. It just won't happen. We can learn to play big, I know lots of NHL players who are not that big but they sure as hell play like they are! The leafs under carlyle will have to do that. I'm sure Carlyle wants them to be like that, and will try to coach them to be a team like that. I agree if some of the current guys under contract on our roster can't do that, then go to the farm and find someone who can!

I agree, the players have to play bigger and fight harder. They don't have to beat anybody up, just work hard for 60 mins a night. We can point to many weeknesses last year, but a lack of fight and hard work was probably the biggest problem.

[Kadrix43]

i still want the leafs to be tough and push teams around... Which we should eventually looking at our prospects.

[jigson]

Sometimes I wonder if people mistakenly equate size and fighting/toughness to compete.

You don't have to be big and tough and a fighter to compete hard.

You want to be successful in the NHL, put together an average team of 20 goal scorers who are willing to compete harder than their assignment on the other side of the puck and you'll be sipping from the silver chalice come June.

Simple.

That's what I've seen from LA so far this playoffs. They want it more, and their willing to pay the price to take it.

Has nothing to do with being bigger or stronger or punching guys in the face.

Compete and compete harder than your opponent and the game will take care of itself.

It's all about team culture and starts from the owner/manager/coach.

[Tigon]

I think part of the problem is people getting too caught up in what Burke say. "Size", "Toughness". We need a hockey player that has these as secondary bonuses to his compete level, puck moving ability, and overall skill.

[jockdent]

Sometimes I wonder if people mistakenly equate size and fighting/toughness to compete.

You don't have to be big and tough and a fighter to compete hard.

You want to be successful in the NHL, put together an average team of 20 goal scorers who are willing to compete harder than their assignment on the other side of the puck and you'll be sipping from the silver chalice come June.

Simple.

That's what I've seen from LA so far this playoffs. They want it more, and their willing to pay the price to take it.

Has nothing to do with being bigger or stronger or punching guys in the face.

Compete and compete harder than your opponent and the game will take care of itself.

It's all about team culture and starts from the owner/manager/coach.

Jig, this is the most insightful hockey comment that you have made on this forum since I've been a member!

[ringgo11]

BINGO when was the last time we had a guy on our team under 6 foot that played with any damn heart or emotion or skill or played hard on a regular basis? The only one I can think of is Doug Gilmour within the last 20 years or so. Right now Grabovski is one of those little guys that plays with a lot of heart, but he is still not in the same calibre as Dougie was.

How about Darcy Tucker?? I'm telling you, we need Tucker and Domi as assistant coaches to teach our young players how to man up and fight. As for adding size, it will be done, on draft day. Look for Burke to trade Kadri and our 5th to land a power forward.

[Carmissimo]

Seems to me talk of the leafs needing more size up front is just a way for Burke to seem as if he has a definitive target for his efforts to improve the team. Size is not an issue when you consider that Lupul checks in at 6 ft. 1 in. 206 lbs., Kulemin 6 ft. 1 in. 225 lbs, Kessel 6 ft. 202 lbs. to provide some size in the top six.

If Burke truly was that worried about adding size, does he sign Grabovski to a five-year extension that pretty much locks him in as the team's second-line centre. Clearly not.

Meanwhile, size abounds on the blue line and there are support players in the mix who are not, by NHL standards, smallish players. Let's keep in mind that this is a hockey team we'talkng about, not a football team. Burke needed to point to something easy to nderstand to throw out there as a need and as is his habit, he talked of size and aggressiveness.

There are two important elements needed for the Leafs to turn the franchise around. One, clearly, is quality, reliable goaltending. The other is to de-emphasize trading and the signing of free agents in favour of drafting and developing talent.

Burke talks as if he's not taking that approach but I don't think he has a lot of options. There is more potential for improvement via the kids powering the Marlies than from outside sources. What I don't think will matter is how much more height and weight the next version of the Leafs has compared to last season. Better goaltending and a more competitive spirit overall would be great. Can those upgrades happen from within? I doubt it will come from outside the organization, certainly not this off-season. Even if there are a handful of useful players available as UFAs, their numbers are so small that I suspect there are going to be some absurd contracts. Best to steer clear. We don't need another Finger.

[Topleft11]

JVR, Jokinen, Boychuck, Luongo could be done this season. This would address all our needs, unless we decide to go after Nash.

[DAN_TML]

Eric Staal would cover a lot of those things... He can PK he can be a great 1st line center, he adds size and leadership...And hes a go to guy. And i think our youngsters and prospects will become great role/energy guys, but i wouldnt mind getting a Paul Gaustad or Brandon Prust for the 3rd line at all... I like Joey Crabb though, high energy pretty gritty and can score... I like leaving a spot on the 3rd line for a rookie too, D'amigo Ashton or Frattin most likely... Maybe Ross or Biggs. As for the Goalie i think theres a lot on the market right now, we can go for a cheap vet via FA or a not cheap vet via trade like Lu...I think getting Bernier of L.A would be a good move if you could do it for the right price...

eric staal is the best but its like trading for crosby unrealistic