tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post312179747772562338..comments2023-04-28T05:53:41.295-04:00Comments on Vintage Leaf Memories - Michael Langlois: Now that the trade logjam has been broken, who, if anyone do the Leafs move? Where do Gunnarsson and Grabovski end up?Michael Langloishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17526281022840514679noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-25216160145413364492012-02-25T18:15:51.184-05:002012-02-25T18:15:51.184-05:00Thanks Slill2Envy....What you are outlining as a p...Thanks Slill2Envy....What you are outlining as a possible discussion point in any Dustin Brown talks may in fact be closer than we realize!<br /><br />I'm guessing if Ott moves at all, it will be to the Canucks or a team that has a real shot at the Cup.Michael Langloishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526281022840514679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-76063048999153861102012-02-25T16:31:04.820-05:002012-02-25T16:31:04.820-05:00Hello fellow posters, I'm back for a brief ret...Hello fellow posters, I'm back for a brief return (University work piles up around this time of year leaving less time for you guys).<br /><br />Here are my thoughts on the "trade deadline" so far:<br /><br />Carter: Was never sold on acquiring a 10 year contract for a guy who brings much of what we already have, scoring.<br /><br />Nash: He is simply too rich in talent needed to acquire and he isn't a centre.<br /><br />Ruutu: Carolina confirmed my belief that he would be overpaid for a guy we slides between 2nd/3rd line.<br /><br />Now we come to Brown and Ott, both player would bring size and toughness which we lack outside the 4th line. They both can play hockey while delivering big hits and energy every shift, something we thought we had in Armstrong.<br /><br />Of the two I think Brown would be the better first option due to his natural talent (a 50 point man) would would fit into the top 6. Ott would be a second option as he could easily fill into 2nd or 3rd line duty without being out of place (better than the Crabb experiment).<br /><br />I would suspect a fair price of Brown would be a player like MacArthur and Holzer. MacArthur is on pace for more goals and would get you as many or more than Brown on a yearly basis. I think he adds scoring ability LA is seeking and has term remaining to fill the void. Holzer can step into their line-up as early as next season. Franson could be a piece I'd be willing to replace Holzer with if needed as I already in my mind at the beginning of the season had him and Connolly going for Stastny.<br /><br />Ott I assume would command a prospect and pick. Something along the lines of a 2nd and Mueller. Mueller may not be NHL ready next season but he is slowly adjusting to the North American game and would bring size to a 3rd line in Dallas.Skill2Envyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07339255754539098184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-53638937079597603072012-02-25T13:10:13.836-05:002012-02-25T13:10:13.836-05:00Thanks for the update, DP. Boyce is a good guy an...Thanks for the update, DP. Boyce is a good guy and a nice payer. He took a hard-working road to the NHL. I hope he gets a real shot to play in Columbus...Michael Langloishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526281022840514679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-44861496925251696362012-02-25T12:45:51.841-05:002012-02-25T12:45:51.841-05:00Boyce got claimed by Columbus.
Too bad I always l...Boyce got claimed by Columbus.<br /><br />Too bad I always liked him.DPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-89377700764015219462012-02-25T12:40:09.177-05:002012-02-25T12:40:09.177-05:00Anon....Thanks for your comment. The well-spoken ...Anon....Thanks for your comment. The well-spoken posters here can well defend their own views. I'm not sure fans have so much been "duped" as they are eternally hopeful, I guess, that the latest "strategy" of "plan" will come to fruition.<br /><br />If you did not see it, given your perspective, you might want to visit my post of a few days ago on Burke, the legend and the myth....Michael Langloishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526281022840514679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-77990298269304088092012-02-25T09:23:45.693-05:002012-02-25T09:23:45.693-05:00Reading the comments has me scratching my head. W...Reading the comments has me scratching my head. While I was still investing in stocks on the market, I learned an important lesson: do not get emotionally involved with any of my holdings. The truth is that there are few fans still around that can even remember the last Stanley Cup win in Toronto. We have all been duped by what transpires. You have a GM who has made himself larger than the team. Burke is more of the problem than any feasable solution. I look at Steve Yzerman operating more or less on his own. He's wheeling and dealing and the team is progressing. Then, turning to the Leafs, look at what Burke has done. He has surrounded himself with a hired team of alleged experts and former GMs and a coach that has long been out of touch. Among them, methinks that they spend far too much time back slapping, sipping cocktails and noshing business lunches. Now, less than 72 hours before the trade deadline is NOT the time to accomplish very much as we all watch them fall out of (at least!) a play off spot. Seriously folks, it's time to recognize that Burke's grand plan was in reality no plan. Let's cut the tie with Burke and move along.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-21337109937866484582012-02-24T19:53:52.649-05:002012-02-24T19:53:52.649-05:00Loved your post Willbur. Right now, I think we a...Loved your post Willbur. Right now, I think we are all waiting and wondering if any "shoes" drop!Michael Langloishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526281022840514679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-5440351256000392232012-02-24T19:51:50.977-05:002012-02-24T19:51:50.977-05:00Agree DP, Frattin makes sense....Agree DP, Frattin makes sense....Michael Langloishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526281022840514679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-19011493280514454892012-02-24T19:27:57.897-05:002012-02-24T19:27:57.897-05:00Well I'm not sure what to think today (much li...Well I'm not sure what to think today (much like Leaf managment) it will probably change by sunday. I might go and see if you could trade Franson, MacArthur and Kadri for Bernier and Brown out of LA. I still believe in Riemer, he is after all only in his second year and recovering from a bad injury has put him two months behind schedule. Getting another decent goalie for those two would be a no brainer. Brown would bring that muckulence we so badly need. Franson has some good qualities but could be replaced. MacArthur can score but Frattin will replace him. Kadri has good potential but I'm not sold on him for some reason. He just doesn't excite me.<br /><br />I think Grabovski is a goner will miss him but Colburne has shown he can play and score when playing on a top line.<br /><br />Connolly should be moved for whatever is offered, a bag of pucks and some fried icecream would suffice. I actually was a fan of his to start this season but now I can't wait till he goes.<br /><br />Komisarek, doesn't deserve the flack he catches here in Leafland. He is still a servicable 5-6 dmen. I don't care what he makes, that's not his fault. Still if he is going to sit he might be a fit somewhere. Same goes for Armstrong, decent player but hasn't fit in, so cut bait and get something in return.<br /><br />The only guys I would not trade would be Gardiner, and Schenn. I have leaned towards letting Schenn go in the past but I just can't give up on a young defenseman with that much upside. He is going to be a consistent 40-45 point guy who hits like a ton of bricks.<br /><br />Anybody else is available for the right price. The deal would have to be wicked good though.Willburnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-79512767236493705492012-02-24T18:44:07.703-05:002012-02-24T18:44:07.703-05:00Katherine Dolan:Toronto based reporter for TSN
@TS...Katherine Dolan:Toronto based reporter for TSN<br />@TSNDolan<br /><br />"Leafs will promote 'mystery' player from Marlies tomorrow- Wilson wouldn't say who. Armstrong+Lupul expected to play - Lombardi game time?<br /><br />My guess is Frattin is coming up.DPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-61490992307027068102012-02-24T16:28:20.992-05:002012-02-24T16:28:20.992-05:00As with Gerund O', Kid K...you've staked o...As with Gerund O', Kid K...you've staked out your ground. I don't need to add anything.Michael Langloishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526281022840514679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-40692058808319937072012-02-24T16:26:07.848-05:002012-02-24T16:26:07.848-05:00You've said it clearly, Gerund O'...I'...You've said it clearly, Gerund O'...I'll let your comments stand on their own...Michael Langloishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526281022840514679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-85148647814194392422012-02-24T16:24:09.169-05:002012-02-24T16:24:09.169-05:003.....I think Schenn is in play but as you may hav...3.....I think Schenn is in play but as you may have read here before, I also think Schenn is a young guy that still may be just scratching the surface. How high the ceiling is, I don't know, but he's a hard-hitting guy who can play a simple game. If people can accept that, like most any defenseman, he will make mistakes, and like him for what he brings as opposed to what he isn't, then he could be a fixture here. But you have to believe some other teams might want him.<br /><br />Good post. Thanks 3.Michael Langloishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526281022840514679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-16084294054067979332012-02-24T15:48:20.634-05:002012-02-24T15:48:20.634-05:00Good post Darryl. I'm probably not as hopeful...Good post Darryl. I'm probably not as hopeful as some that other GM's will want to take on salary for players like Armstrong, Connolly and Komisarek. Each comes with mega question marks...<br /><br />While a change of scenery sometimes helps, those guys have all had that experience before and it hasn't helped much. It may be that they won't be able to offer much more to a new team, and if I was a rival GM, I'd be loathe to take on those contracts- much less give any any assets to obtain them. But again, who knows?<br /><br />Liles is a name that has come up here today.<br /><br />I believe Schenn has been and continues to be in play. I'm not saying they should move him, simply that he is likely part of any serious Leaf trade talks, since Burke won't move Gardiner.<br /><br />I don't have a strong opinion on the goalies you mention, but maybe you are right about Harding. (I just see too many goalkeepers who are solid one season then struggling the next....) The UFA summer will prove interesting, if Suter and Parise get that far!<br /><br />Thanks Darryl...well said.Michael Langloishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526281022840514679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-17853326816996549332012-02-24T15:11:28.105-05:002012-02-24T15:11:28.105-05:00I tend to think of the team in terms of "is P...I tend to think of the team in terms of "is Player A part of our Cup-contending roster or not", which includes Kessel, Phaneuf, Gunnarson, Gardiner, GRABBO. Second tier is Bozak on lower line, Steckel for 4C, maybe Franson, Kulemin for his D-work and non-stop effort, Schenn if he truly learns to play shut-down D. The rest are expendable. We need to rid the organization of Armstrong and Komisarek and their financial or performance drag and replace them with critical pieces. <br />Sell high, now, on Lupul, Lombardi. Keep focusing on the roster that will be brutal to compete against. And we simply have to fix our goaltending- I no longer believe we have a goalie with the talent to be a bona-fide #1, and we cannot move to the next step without it- full stop. Our top line is scoring in bunches but is a severely defensively flawed line. And we need a true top-flight shut-down D pairing, period. Anyone who's watched the last 2 weeks of hockey surely must understand this. <br />On the Marlies, Frattin, Kadri, Colborne, Blacker/Holzer all keepers unless one of our critical pieces can be acquired with them. <br />Have to keep our eyes on the prize.kidkawarthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07333836912627161971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-60588379568738192932012-02-24T15:09:48.247-05:002012-02-24T15:09:48.247-05:00It's Potential vs. Results, isn't it? The ...It's Potential vs. Results, isn't it? The perennial GM's headache. Kulemin - done or dozing? Reimer - upside to spare or just letting the side down? It's difficult to support keeping almost any of our players if a good deal comes along - we're now about 2 points ahead of last year's mess, I believe. <br />Frankly, this has me in a state of disbelief. I look at the team on paper and cannot fathom why we're yet again scrambling for the scraps off the playoff table. What's noticeable these days, and baffling, is the almost complete lack of motivation, of fierce drive, of my favorite new word, Bobby Craig's "muckulence" on the team. It used to be just the goalies - now everyone looks befuddled.<br />Sure, looking ahead I like our D, I like the chemistry and points production of Lupul/Kessel/Bozak (who aren't doing much these days, btw), but why should anyone be untouchable on such an underachieving team, if the right deal is there? Brian Burke has shown he's a pretty good dealmaker, we say to ourselves, but as per yesterday's subject, he's in the business of winning, and it ain't happening.<br />I'd also be looking at a coaching change - and I've been a Wilson supporter - but this group isn't getting it done.Gerund O'Malleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18212577489787017900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-3943144189833646302012-02-24T14:42:06.766-05:002012-02-24T14:42:06.766-05:00There is rumour that the Winnipeg Jets are interes...There is rumour that the Winnipeg Jets are interested in Colby Armstrong today.DPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-45811936885361885542012-02-24T14:32:10.560-05:002012-02-24T14:32:10.560-05:00I believe Kulemin is a very great asset going forw...I believe Kulemin is a very great asset going forward. Although he is having a less than stellar season, I believe he will rebound. His defensive game is phenomenal and something the leafs are lacking... <br /><br />All the hoopla surrounding luke schen is quite annoying. He lead the league last year in hits, this year he is up there and he leads the leafs with a plus 8. His offensive game is picking up as of late and he is only 22. As we all know defensmen tend to bloom late. JVR for luke schen I must admit intrigued me at first however look at the statistics. JVR only has 75 points in 153 games and was a minus 2 this season. Luke Schen has 55 points has the most hits since 2009 and is plus 8 this season. They both have pretty much identical contracts but schen has been the better of the two. <br />Our defensive core is deep with prospects and young nhlers and therefore we can sacrifice a few defensmen here and there. As much as this pains me to say if the offer is right i would trade either gunnarson, holzer or blacker in a heartbeat to get a great top six foward or maybe <br />a young good goalie such as bernier, tokarski or maybe even a cory schnieder (although that would be a hefty cost) <br />I believe reimer was never the same since the concussion and we should give him the off season to recover. We should let gustavson go and maybe sign someone like an attero nittimaki or someone like that.<br />Personally i believe the future is bright and we shouldn't mortgage it for the immediate future. Nash's cap hit is way to high, he isn't a centre which we desperatly need and his defensive game is atrocious. I really wanted jeff carter because off his great defensive presence, but he is gone. Maybe we should just wait for the offseason to make any big moves. <br />I am really looking foward to the draft,this year defensmen and goalie's are a plentiful. Hopefully malcom subban will dawn the blue and white.Ahmed Ga'alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04308143002686434598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-952589020118053462012-02-24T14:32:01.115-05:002012-02-24T14:32:01.115-05:00Burke should be selling off guys who might help fl...Burke should be selling off guys who might help floor teams and contenders. If the likes of Armstrong and Komisarek are still on this roster next season, the Leafs will just be another borderline playoff team. Burke would also do well to shed the contracts of Lombardi and Connolly, although both could be decent trade chips as expiring contract rentals to contenders next year.<br /><br />I would not at all be upset to see Liles move before the trade deadline, if for nothing more than to free up some cap space for Grabo and to open up a spot for a youngster like Holzer.<br /><br />I think Schenn should only be traded for a top asset or someone like a Dustin Brown type or JvR type player. I think Burke will make a move, but I'd almost be more inclined to see him just sell of some contracts to prepare for the off season.<br /><br />The Leafs should make a big push for Josh Harding or Cory Schneider in the off-season, as well as make sure they have enough space to resign Grabo and make a serious bid on Parise. Freeing up enough space (getting rid of Lombardi/Komi/Armstrong/Connolly would free up around $16million in cap space), to make a run all 3 of Parise/Suter/Harding, while leaving enough money to resign Grabo and keep the rest of the current roster intact (Kulemin stays on a cheapish RFA deal along with Franson).<br /><br />If Burke trades now I agree that it'll likely be small trades, and potential salary dumps, the biggest possible move being one to get Josh Harding now to avoid having him hit UFA and going somewhere else, and have him settle down the goaltending for a minor playoff push.Darrylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16695391040376508320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-63206884748817151842012-02-24T13:36:50.590-05:002012-02-24T13:36:50.590-05:00Mark....I hear you. I, too, sense we can't ju...Mark....I hear you. I, too, sense we can't just un-load guys we don't want to attract a difference-maker. While Burke has done it twice before, I acknowledge, I would think rival GM's would not want to make the same mistake as Calgary and Anaheim...<br /><br />You raise an interesting thought about making room for some of the young guys (who need to know they may indeed have a shot at a future here at some point...). Thanks as always for a good- and realistic- post here.Michael Langloishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526281022840514679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-60871546401934946792012-02-24T12:58:57.007-05:002012-02-24T12:58:57.007-05:00Interesting note, Leafs placed Boyce and Rosehill ...Interesting note, Leafs placed Boyce and Rosehill on waivers today. I know there are those who are fans of these guys, frankly I like Boyce myself... gritty, works pretty hard. <br /><br />But, this is just making room for a possible deal. You can't trade Darryl Boyce or even Tim Connolly or Colby Armstrong and expect to improve your team. <br /><br />I am not of the mind this team can simply develop away most of the problems. And, I've said before, there's only 1 net, only 7 NHL defenceman spots, etc. At some point, bodies have to be moved, or we risk having some of the prospect 'die on the vine' as it were (I wonder at this point if Mikus, Gysbers and Holzer would even consider re-signing with Toronto this summer, given they are not likely to get an NHL shot here).Mark Ascionenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-85652039213060527862012-02-24T11:34:42.345-05:002012-02-24T11:34:42.345-05:00Hi Tom...not sure if your references are specifica...Hi Tom...not sure if your references are specifically in regard to something I alluded to. But I hear you. Yes, there have been many late in life Leaf acquisitions. I've posted on that subject often here.<br /><br />I will defend the Nolan deal (I posted on that recently...what did we really give up...?) because when he arrived here, he was still in one piece and we had legitimate aspirations of a long playoff run. But he was injured more when he got here....Michael Langloishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526281022840514679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-71609827577096799542012-02-24T11:24:55.626-05:002012-02-24T11:24:55.626-05:00Alex C.....I nodded throughout your comment today....Alex C.....I nodded throughout your comment today. (And yes, I caught your dental reference, but as you note, you're biased in that regard, eh...?)<br /><br />I think your assessment makes a lot of sense. Burke wants to be the guy that holds the cards, as it were. He doesn't like playing the "I gotta have" game too often. (He did it with Kessel, and that deal all be debated forever, as we watch Seguin and Hamilton in Boston for the next few years.) He obviouly much prefers the kind of deals he did with Anaheim and Calgary.<br />And you are absolutely right about Kaberle.<br /><br />On your last point Alex, I don't think Burke will give away the candy store, even for one "truculent" guy. <br /><br />And yes, I'm always leery of guys like Carter, who are moved for a reason and are one injury away (I guess everyone is...) from being not near worth the huge contract they have...Michael Langloishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17526281022840514679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-60128704089356551092012-02-24T11:11:35.339-05:002012-02-24T11:11:35.339-05:00Geez, remember when we got the corpse of Al Secord...Geez, remember when we got the corpse of Al Secord? And the rotting remains of Owen Nolan? And Tom Fergus came down with PDD? Past Due Disease? Lindros was just another in the storied tradition . . . so I think we add the crumbling ruins of the Bulin Wall and maybe, I don't know, hey, how about we see if Yashin has anything left?Tom Holdernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-600575121886358008.post-5978158091456538872012-02-24T11:06:31.394-05:002012-02-24T11:06:31.394-05:00lots of great comments today on another great entr...lots of great comments today on another great entry. <br />is the trade-deadline the time for a mediocre team like our beloved leafs to go all-in? for me as fantasy-GM for the moment, i think now is a better time for us to allow the desperate-to-be-#1 teams to come to us with offers. i loved the kaberle deal last winter... kaberle, a leaf-fan favorite, really was showing his age and deteriorating skill in '10/'11... however for a team like boston, acquiring the veteran blue-liner was a NECESSITY for them... which is why (in my opinion), burke cleaned-up on this deal. <br />no one here is claiming the leafs are going to be stanley cup champs this year, and the way things have been going in february, they'll get into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth (i love dental metaphors). i think the leafs have players that may be attractive to other teams, but the deal would be done on MY terms, as i'm content with the leafs moving forward/developing with their current roster.<br />now as a petition to mr. burke 'please don't trade away the decent prospects and our number-1 draft-pick for the next two years, in order to land some currently 'truculent' player. one player does not a hockey-team make. (watch jeff carter re-injury his foot/shoulder in the next couple of weeks).'alex chttp://xanderdds.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com