Since I doubt that option is available to us right now, I think our best move is to hold onto him until one of those no.1 centers becomes available near the deadline.

Dealing Franson to get a guy like Paajarvi is a solid idea in theory but it isn’t something we really need atm.

I’ve been thinking of swapping him and a prospect for Paajarvi or something.

I wish we could have done Franson and a 2nd for Turris when he was available seeing as how Runblad and a 2nd got it done.

I just don’t think he’d start in the top 4. He’d probably be really slowly worked in.

but if Franson goes…..and even Komisarek, he definitely has a shot.

At least he played 1 year in the A. i hope they don’t throw reilly in there. That’s my biggest concern

And commissioner point is an interesting one. I’ve more and more recently thought he’d be a natural replacement for the day Bettman leaves. He has the relationship with the owners, he’s a lawyer and has a firm understanding of the workings in the league/CBA etc and he can also take the heat that would go with the job.

I do think this is also a product of Nonis taking over more and more every day. His style is starting to assert itself and its showing. I think that this has more to do with us seeing less “aggressive Burke” and more “tame Burke” if you will.

The way I see it, only two top 4 spots are spoken for. Obviously Phaneuf and Gardiner. Gunnarsson is a capable top 4, but on a winning team, I see him as a #5. Regardless, he will probably be Phaneuf’s partner again, leaving a spot open next to Gardiner.

Having a sophomore paired with a rookie in Blacker could be dangerous, but so long as Gardiner doesnt have a sophomore slump, and continues his mature play, I think it could work out. Blacker is by far the most NHL ready of Toronto’s young blueliners, and he has an intriguing skill set, as well as top notch skating. (A theme on Toronto’s future blueline; Gardiner and Rielly both being elite skaters, and Phaneuf, Gunnarsson, Finn, Percy and Blacker being well above average skaters.

If Blacker made the team and has a good rookie season, the Leafs would have some serious options at the draft next year in regards to who to move.

Also, i think they could use another Keith Aulie type. someone young, and developing, but very close to being NHL ready. too bad he was traded.

The minor league team will be good again I think.

The main club will have:

Lupul-JVR-Kessel
MacArthur-Grabovsk-Kulemin
Komarov-McClement-Connolly
Brown-Steckel-Lombardi
Orr-Bozak

Gunnarsson-Phaneuf
Gardiner-Komisarek
Liles-Franson
Holzer

Reimer-Scrivens

The Marlies:

Frattin-Colborne-Kadri
Hamilton-Zigomanis-Aucoin
D’Amigo-Deschamps-Abbott
Scott-Acton-Ryan
Devane-Brenner

Gysbers-Fraser
Kostka-Blacker
The rest of the D will likely be filled by some random minor league players.

Owuya-Rynnas

Ross, McKegg, Crescenzi and Carrick are 20 years old. I think they are eligible to play in the AHL. I think too though they could play in the O as overagers?

Mikus and Mueller went back to Europe.

Broll, Biggs, Sparks and Percy are 19 and will likely play again in Junior.

They have guys in College and players like Granberg who will be playing in Europe.

They have 48 players under contract.

You can tell from the big club, they need help and have a few players they’d like to get rid of. Like Connolly, Lombardi, etc. Its going to be challenge. I think taht would open the door for Kadri, Frattin, etc, and thus open the door with the Marlies for Ross, McKegg etc to get a chance to play.