Toronto's Offseason
I know that every second article is what the leafs should do with their offseason. I just want to offer my 2 cents, as I am not a leaf fan (go sabres).
MLSE: With the leafs not making the playoffs, it sort of wakes up MLSE to the infamous dealings of JFJ. If they were smart, he will be fired. But this is MLSE we are talking about. The only way to get them to change things is simple. Stop showing up. Stop wasting 300$ to watch the hockey game live. No moolah means that MLSE would wake up and realize fans are tired of 40 years of mediocrity.
GM: Everybody wants JFJ fired, but if he is, who would replace him? Who would fit in well with the Leafs? I can’t think of one.
Head Coach: Paul Maurice has done exceptionally well, and should not be let go. He had bad goaltending, a wicked injury bug, and slow defense, and still got his team to one point out of a playoff spot. Maurice obviously stays.
Goaltending: Despite numerous complaints, Raycroft is not going anywhere. While Raycroft works on his glove hand in the offseason, he will need a backup. Aubin will not come back, so who is there to choose from. There are a lot of rumors about Niklas Backstrom. He is not going anywhere either. There are four options for a backup:
1. Jussi Markkanen
2. Mathieu Garon
3. Mika Noronen
4. Curtis Joseph
I would try to get either Markkanen or Joseph. Joseph could help tutor Raycroft, and Markkanen is somewhat underrated I believe. But, since the Leafs are strapped for cash, Noronen would be the best option
Defense: For all those McCabe haters, everybody wants him to leave, he just can’t. He has a NO MOVEMENT CLAUSE. FORGET ABOUT IT. As for Kubina, I believe that you should try and get him to Edmonton. But don’t expect a fair deal, as his 5 million dollar deal makes him hard to move.
Kubina
for
Tjarnqvist
Young
I know it sounds like a terrible deal, but its probably the only one they can do. As for free agency, they should try and get a 6th or 7th defenseman. I would go for Duvie Westcott in Columbus, or Tomas Pock from NYR.
Forwards:
Players to keep:
Sundin
Antropov
Deveraux
Battaglia
All the other free agents should go. I would try and trade Ponikarovsky. He does little work on the boards while Antopov and Sundin do it all. Id trade Poni for a 2nd, 3rd or 4th round pick. The Leafs despreatley need a LWer. Names like Karyia, Smyth and Briere are being thrown around. They would be perfect, if the leafs could afford them. I would go for Nagy, Slava Kozlov or Hartnell, preferabley Kozlov. I know he is old, but he is great in shootouts and a good finisher.
What are your thoughts?