Comments on: The Maple Leafs fail

By: leafdiehard

leafdiehard — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:00:38 +0000

If the Leafs ever have a chance of signing some big names, they need to get rid of their plugs and their Europeans. Look at what happened in Anaheim. I believe their only European was Sammy Pahlson, who by the way is one of the toughest Europeans in the league. The leafs need to take their hits in the next couple of years to re-shape their team. Sundin signed for a year to say get me a cup or I am gone. Now that we know McCabe is willing to waive his no-movement if he can go to the Islanders, bank on it in the near future. Also, JFJ to me comes across as a soft personality. The Leafs need a ruthless GM who can make trades, take their hits, and sign some big free agents.

As for the Leafs this year, expect some more production from Steen. He will be a solid 2 or 3rd line winger who will have 20 goals. If Sundin and Blake doesn't work, I imagine Wellwood-Blake will. Also, I think Bell will get back to his form that he displayed in Chicago. HE did not have a great year in San Jose but I can see his bouncing back.

On a personal note, I hated the way JFJ just let Jason Allison go. Sure he is not the strongest skater, but did u see how he fired Sundin up in the latter part of the 05/06 season. Might be a good idea to get Allison or someone who is a playmaker for Sundin. The future right now of the Leafs lie in Wellwood, Blake, Tucker, Steen and Stajan. Find someone to play with Sundin for his final year and let Wellwood and Blake sort things out. My ideal lines for this year.

Kozlov/Shanny Sundin  Tucker
Blake            Wellwood Bell
Steen           Stajan   Pohl
Poni             Antropov Kilger

(battaglia, Deveraux)

Kaberle Kubina
McCabe Colaiacovo
White   Gill

Toskala, Raycroft (split)

This team has a shot at being in the playoffs. And with Paul Maurice at the helm, who knows what can happen during the playoff run. But even if the Leafs don't get somebody for Sundin, the playoffs, sure, a cup run, possible but not probable.

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 22:54:21 +0000

Raycroft to Tampa, that makes sense. I could see it happening, like mid-season if Denis and Holmqvist struggle again.

By: Gretzkin

Gretzkin — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 22:30:50 +0000

Interesting opinion on how Kariya and Smyth would have been eaten alive in Toronto...

You think a "Cowboy from the West" has a problem with the soft city folk of Toronto, blinders on, looking forward to their next month's rent?

Doofus.

Woulda made the Leafs much better, with no problems.

What most people don't realize, even with passion incuded, is that the tax is such crap in Canada.

The Westerners whoop the Torontonian douce with ease, noting to worry about in this boring town of knob jockey armchair GM's cheering for a team owned by their teachers (the same teachers that they hated...)

By: BLUE_AND_WHITE

BLUE_AND_WHITE — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:41:47 +0000

Colorado was a damn good team last year, and they missed the playoffs. Budaj alone cannot carry them far. they need a compotent guy to share the load

By: BLUE_AND_WHITE

BLUE_AND_WHITE — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:10:50 +0000

they play too rough a style, trust me, the injuries will come.

By: Gryphon

Gryphon — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:05:15 +0000

Nice!

By: 92-93

92-93 — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 18:16:37 +0000

what the leafs should do now:

a) clear cap space and trim the fat
b) deal for prospects and picks

...

trade Kubina back to Tampa Bay for Marc Denis and either Shane O'Brien ro Paul Ranger.

trade Raycroft to LA for a 2nd and 4th rounder.

waive Belak to the Marlies

...

the focus will then turn to trading Denis at some point (and acquiring Joseph for cheaper) but the point is that the leafs do clear more than $4 million in cap space (for a total of nearly $6 million in available cap space)

the rest of the year the leafs will be keeping an eye on dealing names like Antropov, Tucker, Poni, Bell, Gill, etc. - all tradeable assets that don't necessarily need to be traded.

the available cap space coudl also see the leafs sign various free agents, including Joseph, Kozlov, Sutton, Peca, etc.

Finally, the leafs get an extra 2nd and 4th round pick in the 2008 draft (to make up for the lost 2nd round pick in 2007 and 4th rounder in 2009), not to mention another solid young D-guy in Ranger/O'Brien.

...

Blake-Sundin-Antropov
Bell-Wellwood-Tucker
Poni-Stajan-Steen
Kilger-Pohl-Devereaux
[Battaglia]

McCabe-Kaberle
O'Brien/Ranger-Coliacovo
Gill-White
[Pilar]

Toskala
[Denis]

By: shakrmakr

shakrmakr — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 16:12:15 +0000

Finally someone who thinks like me!! When your defence was right behind Buffalo for plus/minus in the east close to the end of the season and your goaltending was below .900 in save percentage and GAA of 3.00, it is clear that goaltending cost them the season.

Every other number 1 goalie at least stole one game for their team during the season except for Raycroft. Number 1 goalies should be able to do that every now and then.

Raycroft also has this attitude about him like he is amazing and the goals are never his fault which I don't like.

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 16:03:07 +0000

You're totally right Stuv-Dog

By: DJTOKid

DJTOKid — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 15:40:29 +0000

Who's faster? Blake or Kariya???