Comments on: Rink Wrap: Burke needs to land a big one

By: realistic_leafs_fan

realistic_leafs_fan — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:19:47 +0000

If I'm wrong, then show me, prove it. I've researched it.
Typically a player who is top six talent(especially impact players like we need or as you suggest Kadri is) are either in the NHL or are top players in the minors by the time he is 21. I'm not talking about third or fourth liners, I'm talking about quality first and second liners. There is exceptions...St. Louis for instance. The majority are not lingering back and fourth between the show and the minors.
Look at all the top young guys right now. How am I "actually wrong"?

As far as Kadri goes, how can you say I'm way off base? He's done nothing so far. Only time will tell if I'm way off base...time may also show I'm dead-on. I admire your "Kadri Love-fest" but man, go watch him play live where you see what the cameras don't and also see how small compared to other guys he really is. He has always been rumoured to be a little lazy with an attitude problem...and that's what I saw.

By: toronto77

toronto77 — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:16:18 +0000

to me the AHL is nothing but a beer league. I prefer the OHL over the AHL because the OHL is just like the NHL but a much younger version. AHL is a league that will lul you to sleep. Having said that, when young players are sent down to play in the AHL it's simply just to toughen you up. So players like Colborne, Frattin, Ashton, Kadri and D'Amigo not tearing it up isn't a bad thing.

Tearing it up in the CHL or NCAA is good but it will not physically prepare you for the NHL. As young players get older they slowly develop the size and toughness needed to play in the NHL, that is why some players go from the CHL and NCAA straight into the NHL, much like Frattin did. if they are developing size and toughness slower than most average players than they are sent to the AHL that will ease them into the preparation for NHL toughness.

The AHL only consists of 2 types of players.

1. Players that will never make the NHL and/or bounce back and fourth from the AHL and playing on an NHL 4th line.

2. Young prospects just looking to add some toughness to help them adapt into the NHL.

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:29:16 +0000

Your way, way off base on Kadri. Way off base. And your idea that he has typically shown in by the time he is 21, is actually wrong…

By: realistic_leafs_fan

realistic_leafs_fan — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:19:44 +0000

Hey DA, I like Ashton, don't get me wrong and totally understand the caution of moving him, or a Colborne(for some), or Kadri (for others) . I like Ashton, Colborne, Frattin and the offensive up-side of Kadri as potential forwards.

Problem I see, is that none of these guys are tearing it up in the pro's(AHL or NHL) in a way that makes me think we have top3 potential or maybe even top6 guys in our young depth pool. Colborne seems to be the closest to top 6 but I doubt he's legitimate top 3.

We need more top 6 talent with size IMO and typically (obvious exceptions) if a player is a legitimate top 6 guy, he has shown it by the time he is 21 years old.

I just think at some point we have to stop saying we have all these good "prospects" we aquired and be willing to part with one or more to get some proven available top 6 talent to compliment the finese style players we have.
Unfortunately, we don't have 2 or 3 top 5 picks to build a team around like Pitt, Edmonton, NYI or Chicago etc, or else I would be all for letting it develop more.

I get the "be patient with our young prospects" because they have some raw skills and I'm all for it, but if it means be patient so we can develop him into a great third liner...how do we ever improve the top 6? I think at some point, as we did to acquire Kessel, we need to consider moving some assets to get some much needed help.

By: hockey_lover

hockey_lover — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:46:00 +0000

The problem with the deal is that ... since Neal came into his own, Pittsburgh doesnt really need Kessel. They got Geno who is good for 40+, Sid who is good for 40+ and Neal who is good for 35+.

I break it down this way:

Kessel: elite goal scorer (35 - 40), PP dynomite, meh backchecker/defensive game

Staal: decent goal scorer (20 - 25), meh PP player, excellent backchecker/defensive game

So really, the difference of the 15 goals a year doesnt really give the Pens that much more. Staal obviously doesnt provide nearly the offense but his defensive game is way way better. Which, given the potent offense the pens already have, is more important. So I see the deal as fair, it just doesnt make that much sense for the Pens. What the Pens needs are some cheaper options on D. Martin is NOT playing up to his contract (much like Komisarek). Thats $5mil that can be used elsewhere. We need to dump him and bring in one of the younger guys on an entry level, saving us $4mil. With the cap likely to go up about $2mil, that'll give us $6mil extra to resign guys or whatever.

By: dumbassdoorman

dumbassdoorman — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:43:37 +0000

I am a fan of Ashtons and called for us to aquire him before, so I for one am against trading a big young power forward with decent hands.

By: realistic_leafs_fan

realistic_leafs_fan — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:32:32 +0000

I would do Kessel/Staal straight up, but I wouldn't add our first to get it done. Nothing against Kessel, but Staal fills a greater need right now, which is size with skill in the top 6.

Say Kessel/Staal happened (hockey Lover will chime in for sure.LOL) I still like the idea of getting D.Brown if the price was right. How about Gunarsson and Ashton for Brown. Add a Moen/Laggenbrunner to the third line.

It's not that hard to get Lombardi and Connolly off the books if Burke is willing to bury them in the minors for 1 year...but unfortunately, I doubt he will. I believe Finger comes off the books at the end of this year as well. If Burke buried Lombo and Connolly, move Bozak and promote Colborne, we would likely have cap room left over for whatever else...

Kulimen Staal D.Brown
Lupul Grabovski MacArthur
(Moen?Armstrong)Colborne Frattin
M.Brown Steckel Rosehill
Armstrong???

3 Big centremen, grit and some speed/(skill,finese), it's not bad.

Can't wait for next year!LOL

By: realistic_leafs_fan

realistic_leafs_fan — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:54:44 +0000

Fair enough. Different opinions is what makes this site work:)

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:08:40 +0000

He's gone through injuries, he's gone through bad years. Harding had plenty of chances. I'm not willing to give him one on the Leafs. I'd rather fix it with an actual starter, one that has played like that before. Harding is not that. Harding is not that veteran in my opinion.

By: realistic_leafs_fan

realistic_leafs_fan — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:11:47 +0000

If we were talking about an average goalie to supplant I would agree, but we are talking about backstrom here…who could supplant him? I. Am looking for a good solid goalie to help Reimer, but has the potential of being a number 1. I am not giving up on Reimer just yet, but as I felt we needed going into this year, we need a veteran to help that can carry the load if needed.