Comments on: Can the Leafs make the playoffs?

By: cam7777

cam7777 — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:09:26 +0000

we'll see…

By: lafleur10

lafleur10 — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:07:51 +0000

this year the habs will sweep the leafs like they did to the bruins last year!

By: cam7777

cam7777 — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:57:42 +0000

So I'm guessing no one is still looking at this article, but I don't want to post this in one of the pens or habs discussions going on near the top.

Is anyone bothered by the fact that Mathieu Schneider might be dealt to the Atlanta Thrashers, or some rubbish team like that? You know if a team like that gets him, they'll stick with him and try to make a run at a playoff spot, only to fail. He deserves better (which is why you should try not to laugh at the next sentence until you've completed it).

I say the Leafs should step up and do something about this (given the Leafs have already submitted to failure, and can then trade Schneider to a contender at the deadline). Burke is willing to consider broadening the trade and including another player. How about this:

Mark Bell, Alex Ponikarovsky and Ian White for Mathieu Schneider and Chris Kunitz.

It doesn't sound like a good trade for Anaheim, but it's actually not so bad. They get to clear enough salary to sign Selanne at 3.5 million. We've already established that Schneider is worth nothing due to his salary. Then, Poni alone has similar point production to Kunitz, at half the price. Bell also has had similar point production, but fallen off lately. Still, he fits Anaheim's mould. White is a throw in, simply because he'll be unnecessary with all the D-men in Toronto. Finally, Anaheim needs some left wingers. They have the top two pairings down with Getzlaf and Perry followed by Morrison and Selanne. But this allows them to keep Bobby Ryan in the minors, call him up when necessary, and let Poni and Bell take over on the top two left winger posts.

Toronto on the other hand does just as well. Poni and White are guys that I for one would like to see moved at some point this season anyways. If hardwork is the moral of the story, then Kunitz is our guy, and Poni should leave. His cap hit is probably high for his production, but he brings a lot more to the table. Bell could have a comeback year, which would be a shame to miss out on, but at the same time, wouldn't be a crucial loss. With the addition of Schneider we get to keep Kaberle and Kubina together on the top line and pair the old man with Anton Stralman. Finally, TO gets to trade Schneider to a contender at the deadline for whatever his value is then. He'll be much more sought after come February when his cap hit is only a 5th of his total 5.625 million.

Just a thought I had. Does anyone think that trade makes sense at all?

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:54:20 +0000

9 is greater than 8. End of arguement.

Oh also, Cam777 you are right, if the two teams finished tied with identical records, the tie breaker would go to head to head where the Leafs would get the edge. Therefore the NHL recognizes that Toronto won the season series with Montreal (according to tie breaker rules). Therefore Lafleur is WRONG.

By: cam7777

cam7777 — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:50:51 +0000

i understand what you're saying lafleur, but, even though they lose that 1 game either way, it still means they won the season series. They accrued more points, and that's what i infer as winning the season series. if they were both battling for 8th seed with identical records, the leafs would move forward with the extra point....thats just how i see it though....

the point is, the leafs beat good teams. if the canadiens were really far and away better than toronto, they wouldn't lose 4 games to them.

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:38:39 +0000

Just to quote you:

"a loss is a loss it doesn't matter if it is in a shoot out over time or regulation"

Somebody get this guy a rule book please. OT and shootout losses are a different category than regulation losses. That's why when you look at a team's record you'll see more than just a "Wins" and a "Losses" column. Unlike baseball.

Is this your first year of following hockey? lol

By: lafleur10

lafleur10 — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:33:04 +0000

4-4 4-3-1 it doesn't matter! the 1 still represents a loss you pissant! open you *****ing leaf colored eyes!! a loss is a loss it doesn't matter if it is in a shoot out over time or regulation! maybe you should think before you speak!he mentioned that you won the season series he didn't say you guys came away with more points! and i merely said it was tied! so you grab the *****ing calculator!

By: leafy

leafy — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:31:54 +0000

I agree too.

By: I-BE-LEAF

I-BE-LEAF — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:34:59 +0000

Right on the nose, sir!

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:46:47 +0000

Ya its littered with those calibre players, but you need a couple of those guys in your line up. I'd hang on to both Steen and Bell. Or deal Bell at the deadline if he's having a good year and you can get a good return for him, because I guess he's replaceable.

Matt Stajan so far is a consistant 30 point guy, hasn't put up much more than that in 4 years in the league. Seems to always finish with like 32 points give or take. He needs to step it up a bit this year and try to prove he can be a 2nd line centre, he could be a Stu Barnes type too.