Comments on: This ’n’ that

By: DannyLeafs

DannyLeafs — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:01:30 +0000

Well the Martin thing is mostly trying to be creative with a weak crop of forward FA's. Burke has said all along that he wants a stacked D, so if they trade Kaberle, Martin would be an upgrade from Beachemin, and it makes Beachemin expednable as well, thus making it possible to trade him for a good forward. Also, I said any Nashville D would be good, and it would, but I would still love to get Franson, he has been good in his limited NHL action, and I think Burke would rather go with someone a little further long in their development. Nashville is in a situation, where the fact that he is a little further along could make him more expendable, as they can't really afford a big re-sign if he has any type of a break out season next year, so I think they would rather have the 6th spot be an open competition between the plethora of talented young defensemen at the beginning of their entry level deals.

By: dumbassdoorman

dumbassdoorman — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:40:57 +0000

Agreed man you have some excellent ideas…I like the idea of either nash dman….and I agree Kabs goes to the best deal possible….i know cam doesn't like that, but I think it will happen. If they get an offen dman from Nash I think they leave Martin alone….unless Beach get traded. I think Chi, Phi and Chi are a chances to aqquire some good forwards. Here is hoping for good things!!!!

By: DannyLeafs

DannyLeafs — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:31:26 +0000

I think that Pavelski is a good center who could play wing, and having a proven center will take the pressure off of both Bozak and Kadri. But I realize that the likelihood of a deal that big is low. So we could break it down a little.

First move Kaberle for whatever the best available package is

ideas:
San Jose has Pavelski or Setoguchi, plus a good prospect or a first.

Dallas has Neal or maybe Benn and a prospect/pick

Chicago (if they ever managed to move Campbell) has Sharp and prospect,

Pittsburgh (if they lose Gonchar) has Staal (likely have to be more than Staal for Kaberle straight up, but if they want to replace Gonchar, Staal is the only moveable and attractive piece)

St. Louis would need to part with Backes or Perron plus a prospect or pick. If they make it Boyes, I would want a little more than just a prospect, how about Boyes and Backlund.

Vancouver has Raymond plus prospect and or pick

So we move Kaberle for whatever we can get that helps out.

Then move Grabovksi for a Nashville defender, I would be fine with Blum or Franson.

Then try and land Martin.

If successful move Beach to SJS to replace Blake in exchange for Clowe.

sign eveyone as before, numbers could be different obviously, but ball park should be close.

Sign Williams or Belanger to one year deals with the intention of trading to contenders if either rookies pan out well, or we fall out of the hunt.

Sign both if we don't land Martin.

By: dumbassdoorman

dumbassdoorman — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:54:49 +0000

Good points man, however having two number one centres isn't bad….ask the Pens…lol. And a good centre can make average wingers better than I think a good winger can make an average centre….does that make any sense? I do not see STL trading backes after the way he has played, but that is just me. I like Clowe and think we have a real shot a Torres, because of playing time.

By: reinjosh

reinjosh — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:23:40 +0000

Realistically I think we can get Clowe for pretty cheap and still trade Kaberle somewhere else. Having said that, this one isn't bad, but I think we could get more.

And Franson would be sick. It all depends on Nashvilles cap situation. Should they resign Hamhuis, then Franson is expendable. If they resign Grebeshkov and not Hamhuis, but figure that a Franson raise is better spent on pitching a contract for a forward like Frolov, then he is expendable. Personally, I think Franson or one of their non-NHL defenseman will be used in a trade for a serious RFA like Pavelski or Ryan. They tried to go all out last year on Kessel, and I think the fact that they are doing quite well but need more offense just reinforces the need for a top forward. I think they use their 1st, a defense prospect and one of Grebeshkov/Franson for a package to get one of the above mentioned RFA's.

I also don't agree with the need to get a first line center. I just think its pointless to take that spot away from Kadri. I know he could play the wing, but I would rather go after WInger and let Kadri grow into his natural position. Get Clowe or Hartnell in a cap saving move (if possible) and then use Kaberle to get a winger like Backes from St. Louis or Neal from Dallas . Then role with a top six that is basically two strong second lines. Kadri (provided he can make the team) with Neal and Clowe, and then Bozak with Kessel and Stalberg/Caputi/Kulemin/whoever gets the spot.

By: dumbassdoorman

dumbassdoorman — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:16:59 +0000

oH i LIKE IT JUST TRYING NOT TO GET HOPES UP….LOL…I MEAN THAT'S WHAT WE DO RIGHT?

By: leafmeister

leafmeister — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:10:33 +0000

I like it.

By: dumbassdoorman

dumbassdoorman — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:54:40 +0000

I must say well thought out and I do not dislike it. However….lol, I am not sure i see SJ trading for both dman and Mitchell. Only because one is enough as Beach for the pickle has SJ losing salary wise. Plus until Komi proves healthy I do not see Burke trading both dmen. Beach provides a stable calm presence on the back end. I also don't see Gus getting that big a raise right now, he has potential yes, but too many big, costly rebounds….so not sure I agree there. The Nash trade would be great so here is hoping, but I think they will trade Blum first as he is smaller and he and Ellis would have similar roles. Like the idea of signing Martin, but I think Jersey keeps him. I like the Williams idea, and incase i would try and sneek an option in the contract. LOL….here is just hoping that the change we know is coming provides fruitful……and i still think Kabby goes to FLA

By: DannyLeafs

DannyLeafs — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:35:04 +0000

Bored at work, so obviously new leafs offseason plan, this time going to borrow form an old Cam strategy and be aggressive with San Jose and their precarious cap situation. Going into next season San Jose has 35 million committed to 9 guys, with Nabokov, Marleau, Pavelski, and Setoguchi needing new contracts. Also, with Rob Blake not under contract for next season, he is likely to either retire, leaving a hole in their top four, or need a new contract in the 3.5 million dollar area. Let's assume he retires. So San Jose does a great job and gets Nabokov and Marleau back for a combined 12 million dollar cap hit, (that is pretty wishful thinking, but maybe possible with very long deals). We are at 47 million for 11 players. Pavelski and Setoguchi will get at least 3 million a piece, since any RFA offer sheet 3 million or under only requires a second as compensation, it is pretty likely that they will easily be able to get a deal for 3 million. So lets say San Jose does retain them, then we have 53 million for 13 players. Great, now just sign about 9 guys for a combines 3 million, including a top 4 defensemen, shouldn't be too hard, except for the pesky league minimum salary making this impossible.

The point is, that either San Jose makes cap space, or they can't re-sign everyone, so I think Burke should make an aggressive move here, and try and at least one of San Jose's second line players. Wouldn't it be great if San Jose signs its way out of the running for a guy like Pavelski and we can nab him for a second, that would be great, but unlikely. The numbers dictate that at least one of San Jose's second line is up for grabs, but I would like to push for two. So here is my most radical proposal.

to San Jose:              To Toronto:
Kaberle                     Pavelski
Beachemin                Clowe
Mitchell                     Vlasic

San Jose gets to go into next season with a stacked number one line, and a stacked D-core. They lose two-thirds of their number two line, but also shed what should be about 2 million in salary (assuming re-signs).

to Nashville:               to Toronto:
Grabovski                   Cody Franson

We add a good young defensemen with upside, and Nashville gets to add a forward with scoring ability and a good skill set to a team that could use an offensive boost. They have a ton of good young defensmen in the mix, so Franson may be expendable.

re-sign Gustavsson 2 years 4.5 million
re-sign Kulemin 3 years 6 million
re-sign Hanson 2 years 2.25 million
re-sign Primeau 2 years, 2 million
sign Paul Martin 4 years 20 million
sign Jason Williams 1 year 1.5 million

Leafs line up next season

Clowe - Pavelski - Kessel
Kulemin - Bozak - Williams
Stahlberg - Primeau - Sjostrom
Caputi - Hanson - Orr
(Kadri)

Phaneuf - Martin
Komisarek - Schenn
Vlasic - Gunnarson
(Franson)

Giguere
Gustavsson

Remaining cap space is approx 1 million

Kadri obviously won't be sitting in the press box, he will be playing, either in the NHL or AHL, but this is just for salary reasons, leaving enough room for a current roster player to sit out, or an AHL player to sit in the press box. Williams has had a hard time staying healthy, but when healthy he is a 20 goal 50 point threat, so I like the idea of giving him a one year deal to create more internal competition, and if he stays healthy he could actually get an OK return at the deadline if we are out of the playoff race. Finally, I really like adding Martin to this group, he has been a very important part of New Jersey's defense core for a long time and I would love to nab him in free agency.

Like I said this is a pretty radical plan with a lot of parts, but I really like this option for now, and for the future of the team.

By: dumbassdoorman

dumbassdoorman — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:14:37 +0000

It could happen, for sure. i don't think Chi will get what they want, no. But I do agree that NYI could make a move. The only real ace Burke has is he could easy Huets contract by bury him. I am NOT suggestting he would or should just pointing it out lol. But there is more than Chitown in trouble. The Bruins have about 12 mil in cap space and 11 players to sign according to the way I read cap geek. PHI,NYR and PITT come to mind as teams with players to sign and not a ton of space to do it. So more than one team could see themselves having to make non hockey deals….which is good and bad I suppose?