Leafs to make a run at the Sedins this summer?

Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun is reporting on the possibility that Burke will make a run to land the Sedins this offseason. He notes that Burke is very loyal to his players and has made moves to bring players who he has worked with in the past into his organizations.

On the flip side, the Sedins are quite happy at present in Vancouver and there is a chance that they will take a hometown discount to remain with the organization that drafted them.

Another player who Burke may have his eye on is Mattais Ohlund who is also set to become unrestricted this summer. Years ago Leafs fans may remember that it was the Leafs who signed Ohlund to his first NHL contract which forced the Canucks to match.

HTR would like to know … Leaf fans … do you really feel that the Sedins would help the Leafs to make the playoffs? Would you be happy committing 12 or 13 million toward the cap on these two players.

Read the full article from

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/columnists/lance_hornby/2009/02/22/8481831-sun.html


46 Responses to Leafs to make a run at the Sedins this summer?

  1. reinjosh says:

    i would love to have them provided that a suitable winger could be found for them and they could be signed for 5 mil each (which i know is not likely though i don't feel they are worth much more)

  2. Leaffan14 says:

    I really hope that the leafs do not do this! The Sedins are very good players but do not provide leadership and at about 6.5 mil a year they are not worth it! They will be looking for a multi year contract and my hope is that the Leafs do not do this

  3. leafy says:

    I like Nash and Bouwmeester a little more.

  4. Kyleton says:

    I doubt it. And was this not just posted like 4 days ago?

  5. LEAFSLEAFSLEAFS1967 says:

    Rather it be 4 days ago than 4 hours ago like all those habs posts.

  6. RossCreek says:

    Enough already!

  7. dumbassdoorman says:

    I agree STOP!!!!!!! ENOUGH, the trade deadline hasn't even passed and we are talking about possible free agents. First off it is no wonder people take shots at us Leaf fans. Next we are only talking the Sedins, who cares, really? Add this with the Nash stuff and you know what you have? A twenty million dollar first line that has prodeuced exactly zero 50 goal or 100 point players. Thats a lot of money for that, isn't it? It also defeats the purpose of rebuilding, doesn't it? There is no quick fix, like it or not.

  8. Kyleton says:

    ah Habs articles. Stories so nice they post them thrice. Lame I know…lol…

  9. cam7777 says:

    no, go after the Niedermayer brothers and trade Kaberle.  Niedermayer would continue to provide Schenn with invaluable experience and Rob would add some of the toughness Burke feels the team is lacking up front.  I'd rather dump Kaberle for some top offensive prospects and pick up the Niedermayers than keep Kaberle and add the Sedin's at 13 million for many years….

  10. Kyleton says:

    But its the Maple leafs there's always a way. They are gonna get the sedins, nash, and Jay Bo all for 4 Mil a year 8 year deals and win the cup in  2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and become a dynasty.  2012 is won by the Habs you talked Vinny into waiving his no trade clause at the deadline to come to Montreal for Halak, Higgins and a 1st round pick.

  11. Kyleton says:

    thats the deadline in 2012…. and yes the Habs hold onto Higgins and Halak that long because they knew  they would eventually be able to trade them for that star player they always wanted.

  12. canuck67 says:

    For all the players the leafs are after, they'll need a 100 million cap!

  13. dumbassdoorman says:

    Really? I mean not to sound like an a$$ but, why would you want to pay more for Scott than Kabs. I would rather keep Kabs for a year or two, then move him. He is worth as much then as now I would think. Allowing the addition of other talent because of his cap hit. Plus i think 13 million is too much for the Sedins, but thats just me

  14. Kramer says:

    I hope the Leafs make a trade.

  15. NHLSlayer says:

    You're retarded.  Why would you go after the ancient Niedermayer Brothers?

    Maybe in 1999, not in 2009.

    LMAO

  16. dumbassdoorman says:

    You would go after them for what they can teach the young players. I am just not sure they are what the Leafs need. Not that they would hurt, just not sure. Although Scott does really allow the trade of Kabs, depending on what you can get for him? If they did get him do you make a short term guy your captain? Like it or not they are a storied franchise and it doesn't seem right to just give it out.

  17. mojo19 says:

    Well to answer the question, its a tough one.

    Personally I wouldn't want to commit $12-13 million in cap space per season on these two players. I think they're good players, who over the past few seasons have been really consistant in putting up around 70 pts or so per season each, but I don't think they dominate the game in a way that warrants that kind of money.

    Would they help the Leafs? Sure. But that cap space would be better off saved or tried for other UFA's. I'd sooner like to see the Leafs go for Jay-Bo at $7-8 million and then target a $4-5 million guy as a forward, or something to that effect. Or just target one UFA this year and save some more space for the summer of '10, who knows who'll be available at that point including Kovalchuck and Nash.

  18. mojo19 says:

    I agree with you Cam. Between the Sedin's or the Niedermyer's I'd prefer the Niedermyers. I think the Leafs would be wise to offer Scott Niedermyer a 1 or 2 year deal to come in and captain the team. His experience, work ethic and leadership would be so valuable to a young rebuilding team. Rob has been a scratch with the Ducks this year, but he could come in and play the Jamal Mayers/Brad May type of role on a fourth line (not exactly the same cuz he's not a scrapper, but in terms of playing 10 minutes a night as a fourth liner).

    Its not like we'll be contenders within the next year or two, why not bring in a Scott Niedermyer, there's not many guys like him out there, he would be a perfect mentor for Luke Schenn, Ian White, Mike Van Ryn, even Kaberle.

  19. mojo19 says:

    You can't sign everyone you target, genius. This is just speculation anyway's so chill, you'll probably keep the sisters in Vancouver.

  20. leafmeister says:

    The bigger question is why would the Niedermayers want to come here? Scott has won at every level, and he probably will not want to end his career mentoring a bunch of young guys.

  21. BLUE_AND_WHITE says:

    The nice thing about the sedins is you dont have to worry about how they'll fit on your team. they'll make they're own line and be done with it.

    Heres the problem with free agency. Every team signs free agents planing to give them a different role. The Leafs signed Kubina (who got all kinds of PP time in Tampa) and gave him 30 seconds after Kaberle and McCabe. Thus his numbers dropped.

    The sedins regularly get 80 points apiece. This puts them around 20-30th in terms of production for NHL forwards. Thus there is no question that wherever they go, they will be on the top line, getting close to 20 minutes a game. Thus you dont have to worry about whether they will be on the 2nd line and have they're production tank.

    Thus their consistent, they know there role, they play 82 games, they don't even take many penalties. In almost every way, they are the perfect free agent signing.

    The bad news is that they will almost surely be re-signed, and not come cheap. It will probably cost the cannucks 13 mil for them (although negotiations are apparently 'millions' of dollars apart), and a free agent seeking team 15 mil.

  22. mojo19 says:

    Well that’s probably true. Speaking in hypotheticals I think they’d be good for the Leafs, but you’re right the Leafs would probably not be good for them. But on the other hand we don’t know what Niedermyer wants, maybe Scotty would like to come in and mentor a young team, being on a young rebuilding team with few expectations he wouldn’t have the pressure to win, it could be a good laid back gig for him.

  23. mojo19 says:

    Ya you're right. And I doubt anyone would pay them $7.5 million a peice, but if that's what they're asking for they'll probably get at least $6-7 million each.

    I'd still save my cap space for different guys. For all their talent I just look at the Sedins as guys who don't have that drive to be great, and I don't see them leading their team to championships. I could be wrong.

  24. leafy says:

    Yup, the Sedins go together. You could say they're like a pair of shoes.

  25. cam7777 says:

    for many reasons, you ignorant *****.  

    the first of which, is that the niedermayer's would not require long-term commitments.  Scott, being a friend of Burke's, would sign a reasonable contract for 2 years with the Maple Leafs, whereas the Sedin's are seeking 6 year commitments. 

    secondly, if you have ever watched Scott Niedermayer, or are even vaguely familiar with who he is, you would know that he is still an all star defensemen.  the problems in Anaheim do not stem from him this year.  He has been on fire, and when the team does win, it is because he and Getzlaf have placed the team on their backs.  He is one of the best defensemen of the modern era, and he is only 34 (not 44).  perhaps you've heard of another couple of pretty good d-men in that age range : Niklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski.  but yea, you're right, guys like that should only be acquired when they're 24 because they're past their prime.

    thirdly, the Leafs need an experienced veteran to guide them through the next couple years while the superstars they draft and trade for develop into quality talents.  Niedermayer is a proven commodity when it comes to performing this task.  Just ask Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Francois Beauchemin, etc…

    finally, Niedermayer (Scott) is a proven winner.  Everyone says the Leafs will tank the next few years, but this is not what Brian Burke has in mind.  He firmly believes that the only real way to make your team a team of champions, is to get them to the stage where champions play.  that said, trading Kaberle for offensive assets, while bringing in the Niedermayers to replace his defensive skills and leadership, gives the Leafs an outside chance at squeeking into the 8th place within the next two seasons. 

    but you're right, those Niedermayer guys suck….

  26. cam7777 says:

    well, there are a couple reasons I think.  For one, he is friends with Brian Burke.  Don't think for a second that he, Teemu, and Brian didn't sit back and try to orchestrate his entire vacation plan the previous year.  They were in close contact that in entire time, and everyone involved knew that the two of them would be back once they could fit back in under the cap.  The point is, they established a repore, and exchanged favors.  This means that if Scott hits the market on July 1st, Brian will at least get the chance to plead his case to an old friend.

    The other reason lies in Scott's motivation to take his vacation last year in the first place.  He often told the media that he felt he had done it all, and had nothing left to prove.  He's won in every city, and at every level he's ever competed at.  There is literally nothing else for him to do.  This is where the Leafs could stroke his ego.  One thing no one has done in 46 years is bring a Stanley Cup to the Mecca of hockey : Toronto.  No one has even been able to force that team into the playoffs in the last 4 years.  Is Scott Niedermayer washed up?  Or does he have what it takes to will one more young team to their full potential?  If I were him, I'd be tempted….

    Finally, I think Burke can sell the Leafs as a pretty viable option.  Even right now, they aren't doing so bad for a team designed to fail.  They are doing better than last year when they had a host of veterans and a superstar captain.  The team is clearly on the right track.  They've lost 12 games after regulation this year.  You find a way to turn even half of those into wins, and you've got a fringe playoff team.   (I won't even mention our horrendous goaltending situation.  If Toskala plays like last year, this team is competing for the 8th spot right now)

  27. cam7777 says:

    Here is why I reason the Sedin's to be a poor signing choice for the Leafs given their rumored price tag.  So for 160 points on average, you're paying about 12 million dollars.  That doesn't sound like too bad of a deal looking around at some other teams payroll.  But here is my problem : look at a tandem like Jeff Carter and Mike Richards.  They cost almost 11 million dollars, so within the same ball park as the Sedin's.  They also are slated to put up about the same number of points (actually about 10-15 points more). 

    The thing is though, that when they are putting up their poitns, they are doing it on separate lines.  So between the two of them, they contribute to the team scoring close to a 160 goals (maybe a bit less, as I'm sure they occassionaly pair up and contribute to the same goal).

    By comparison, the Sedin's never score a goal without the help of the other.  So while they put up 160 points, they are only contributing 80 goals (approximately) to the team.  So really, they are half as useful, but exactly the same price.  Does that make sense to any one else?  Or is my logic totally skewed here?

  28. mojo19 says:

    Wow, Scotty would have to have one hell of an ego to think he could help the Leafs win a cup in the near future. But who knows, suppose we get Tavares or Hedman, or even Cowen, Kane, Svensson-Paajarvi at the draft (chances are we will end up with one of those guys), maybe with a Scotty Niedermyer and another UFA next summer the Leafs could be competitive sooner rather than later (sooner meaning in the next 2-3 years, not next year). So how much hockey does Scott have left?

    But I like what you're thinking Cam777

  29. mojo19 says:

    Also Carter, and especially Richards are considered much better two way players.

    Datsyuk and Zetterberg are the best two-way tandem in the league and they only combine for around $12-13 million (starting next year).

  30. cam7777 says:

    I think he has two really good years left.  And if the team gets to a point where winning looks viable by the end of those two years, there's a good chance a guy like that would stay on and see it through.  At least, that's my little defensive strategy fantasy….

    Expect us to draft Schenn unless we win the lottery and get Tavares….

  31. mojo19 says:

    You would draft Brayden Schenn if you had 2nd pick? I would definitely look at Hedman 2nd, after that you consider Cowen or MSP

  32. luongo101 says:

    Instead of wasting the money on two players who can't separate from each other
    the Leafs should try to find player who can fit and help rebuild the team
    getting the Sedin's won't solve their rebuilding problems
    they can use the 12 mil their using on those two and get 3 players for 4 mil a piece.
    Or they can save the money up and use it for the following year
    Possible options this year for the leafs would be bouwmeester and cammaleri
    the leafs should also look for players like dominic moore

  33. cam7777 says:

    Well, my guess is we end up with the 3rd-5th overall pick.  If that's the case, I wouldn't be surprised to see Burke draft down to select Brayden Schenn.  Are Cowen or MSP really any more reliable than Schenn will be.  He's going to be awesome just like his brother.  Plus, Burke likes the whole brothers thing. 

  34. cam7777 says:

    yea exactly.  That's why I'd love for us to sign the Niedermayers, and someone in the mould of Rene Bourque in Calgary.  He's putting up stellar numbers at a bargain of a price tag.  I really hope Burke has the kind of vision to find a player like this.

  35. canuck67 says:

    Geez…hit a nerve I see….relax and take your advice, not my fault your team sucks!!

  36. dumbassdoorman says:

    I like  your logic and totally agree. If they were say game changers, even though they played togather it would be different. I don't see them as the type of guys who pick a team up on their backs to win a playoff series. Though it would be funny to sign them to deals without NTC's and trade won just for $hit$ and giggles!

  37. dumbassdoorman says:

    I wouldn't sign either Jbo or Cammy(depending on salary) to be honest. First I would trade for some young talent and picks. Let them play and see what they have, at whichever level. I would also sign some good mid level type free agents i.e. Bourque. Save your cap money for 2010-11, when teams are going to be really strapped for cap space. You may offer better longer term contracts for guys like Nash or Kovalchuk. Not saying we will get them or they wanna be Leafs. Plus we can't or shouldn't rely on free agaency. But with more good young players it would make the rebuild process faster, easier and more attractive to BIG names, so to speak. I could be wrong and am several times a day….just a thought.

  38. DJTOKid says:

    If Brian Burke can work magic and sign them both for 10mil total, I say do it. They're only 28 going to be 29 this sept, why can't they play until they are 39? Lots of life left in these two, and they are very consistant. You know what your going to get with them. Two top 30 scores in the nhl year in and year out. Thats a pretty solid sounding investment. They haven't had bad injury issues and don't show signs of slowing down. I would love to get them as a leaf fan, but for no more then 5.5mil each a year.

  39. mojo19 says:

    If he has 3rd pick and figures Schenn is as good as those guys he should trade down and grab some extra picks cuz you'll get Schenn at 5 or 6.

  40. mojo19 says:

    your comments are pretty much useless. Go away

  41. canuck67 says:

    Your just a fucl<ing idiot.

  42. cam7777 says:

    exactly, or maybe even seven depending on who the teams are.

    To Colorado
    3rd overall pick

    To Toronto
    7th and 37th overall picks
    (Brayden Schenn, Taylor Doherty)

  43. mojo19 says:

    uh oh I hit a nerve. Sorry the truth hurts.

  44. reinjosh says:

    not enough at all
    look at what toronto had to give up last year just to move to the 5th spot
    toronto would at least get 3 picks

  45. LeafsNation91 says:

    Don't worry the Canucks still have not won a cup, and doubt they will win this year.

  46. canuck67 says:

    You dumb fucl<s should worry more about the Laughs not getting Tavares…Thats all you ever talked about at the start of the year.
    I'm safe to say the Laughs won't win another cup anytime soon.
    Well I'm done rambling on like you dorks…Later

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