Comments on: Alternative Approaches for Fletcher, Trade Everyone

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:12:13 +0000

Hmmm, I guess so. I would still keep them, 3 or 4 years from now, with a couple high draft picks in there we might be a team similar to what Chicago is right now. And maybe just a couple moves away from being a young team on the verge of contention. It would be nice to have a goalie like Toskala who can't be attained that easily.

On the other hand if we get rid of Toskala and Nik, we'll probably sink right to the bottom for the next couple seasons and surely draft top 5. So i don't know....either way I guess.

By: Bleeding_Blue

Bleeding_Blue — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:19:13 +0000

First of all history isnt bound to repeat itself, so dont sit there and say that the leafs will continue to make mistakes in resigning huge contracts. With JFJ out of the picture i belive cliff can make a difference. I also agree with the point (although as a huge leaf fan it pains me to say) that we need o give up on this season and next and set to rebuild for the 2010 or 2011 season. As far as who should stay...Toskala, you dont trade him. He has a decent contract and has proven that he is a stud in between the pipes. The fact that he does what he does with the crap defense he has infront of him speaks for itself. The only defensemen i wouldnt trade are Kaberle and Coliacovo. Kubina isnt necessarily a bad defenseman just he shouldnt be making the money he is (obviously). Trade him! he could be a decent top four dman for a team looking to make a run. Mccabe, Blake, Tucker should all be moved. If Sundin says he'll look at being moved... MOVE HIM! dont trade robbie earl, tlusty, stajan, steen, or devereux as these are all young guys with cheap contracts that look like they could make up decent 2nd or 3rd liners in the future. trade what you can for prospects and draft picks and give up on the next few seasons. Ive been waiting for a cup in T.O my whole life and it wouldnt kill me to wait 2 or 3 more years!

By: Bleeding_Blue

Bleeding_Blue — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 10:17:59 +0000

By: the_word

the_word — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:18:19 +0000

This plan, like any others has its obstacles, however this is the only way to blow up this roster as I see it. Tanguay and Marleau may be a litte optimistic, I'm fine with the Leafs taking back depth players so long as they have good contracts. For example, deals simillar to Ottawa moving Havlat for Corvo and Priessing. Ottawa took back two solid defense at reasonable deals. Could the Leafs work out three way deals to move players? It'll take creativity, but these are the types of deals I can see Fletcher pulling off.

As for holding onto Antropov and Toskala we have to give up on the idea of having pieces that we can build around. The immediate goal to be pursued is to clear the deck, and pick up the pieces however they lie afterwards. We have no future as it is, so the notion of having untouchable pieces to build around is illusionary.

Might as well be purposeful in giving up the next few years, get younger and cheaper in the meantime. The organization needs to redefine itself and not in moderate fashion.

By: goose

goose — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 07:27:10 +0000

for the next couple of weeks im going to be really focused in on the hockey world, and i want a chance to see what Fletcher can really do, and hope that he can make some outstanding trades!

By: wingedim

wingedim — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:07:30 +0000

This goof as you point out is having the year that was expected of him from day one. He has finally been able to avoid being bit by the injury bug for an extended period of time. As a result, his value has gone up as a player. Is it possible this is a fluke year and next year he'll be injury ridden again? Sure it is, but why not trade him when his value is high and possibly avoid a repeat. Worst case he'll flourish like most other 'high expectation' players did when they moved on to other cities. (ie. Freddie Modin, Steve Sullivan, Kenny Johnson)

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 23:20:05 +0000

One big problem in packaging 2 players like this would be the giant cap hit. Maybe these deals could be made in the offseason, but certainly not at the deadline. Imagine a team taking on McCabe and Kaberle, that's $10 million against the cap in those 2 players, even if the Leafs do take some salary back, holy!

But I like your idea, I actually really hope this is what happens. However, if they're trading for Marleau and Tanguay (as you used in your example) you might as well hold onto Antropov and Toskala.

By: Quebec4Life

Quebec4Life — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:00:42 +0000

Well then you're one big jealous moron man have you seen their hits man they both live together now in Montreal and go visit Kovalev often and its proven to be great look at Andrei in the last game he's getting some crazy hands man and he's hitting hard so did Sergei. I think you simply don't watch Habs game which I understand, but geez don't be a prick about it.

By: arigold

arigold — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 19:21:08 +0000

Everything going on in the hockey world these days and thats what you look at, please. Worst job, give me a break. Hardest job, definitely, and only truly quality gm's would be interested. The big mistake when it comes to hiring JFJ, is that in this position, there is simply no room for development. The job of Leafs GM requires only a veteran GM. We'll see if Brian Burke thinks its the worst job when he takes over.

By: arigold

arigold — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:27:39 +0000

I agree, but simply writing off the next few seasons waiting for an opportunity to sign players that may or may not be available doesn't sound like a respectable game plan.

I also want to state that i don't totally buy into this building a team around certain players. I think teams should be taking the necessary steps to better the team all the time, and not necessarily look to build around a few key players. The teams who have experienced the most success over the last few years have done so by having 4 solid lines. Depth is the key, not superstars. An all around good team will cause great matchup problems for teams with 3 or 4 stars and a bunch of filler.