Leafs Offseason Discussion

[Crowned]

We weren't on his list, there were very few that were. If we were, he'd be a Leaf...almost guaranteed.

Based on Burke's almost flawless record of getting big deals done?

Based on the fact that he could've offered a more attractive package than what they ended up with. He could've thrown Kadri, Schenn, Colborne and a pick at Columbus, and it would've been a better deal.

[whysoserious]

So Allaire is out as Goaltending Coach. I wasn't a fan of his work overall with the guys on the big club but this shows again the problems with this organization where too many people interject and try to assert themselves in areas they should back off. I don't see things getting better with Rogers/Bell on board.

It's so sad to watch this **** constantly for so long with Toronto sports franchises.

[sanity]

Was it Allaire who attempted to turn Gustavsson into a butterfly goalie? If so he pretty much ruined his 2011-2012 year

[Bankai]

I hear that the Leafs were interested in going for Roberto Luongo. I think its a good idea. They need that bonifide starting goalie. Ive seen Roberto give up poor goals in the past, but when he is on, he is ON! And as we have seen with Halak and Quick, you just need your Goalie to get hot in the playoffs and your team could ride him all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.

[GREY 1769]

Not sure where to post this, but while we wait for the lockout to end, there's some Leafs related news in that Burke is doing some great charity work. He's the co-chair of Sleep Out: Executive Edition for Covenant House, an organization that helps homeless youth.

http://covhou.convio.net/site/TR/SleepOut/National?sid=1100&type=fr_informational&pg=informational&fr_id=1080

Yahoo article:

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/downtown-toronto-maple-leafs-gm-brian-burke-slept-212424275--nhl.html

Say what you will about the product he puts together on the ice, but off the ice he gets top marks for his involvement in bringing attention to and actively supporting important causes.

[Adrian_05]

Good on BB for doing that.

[Brew666]

Ok, there''s not much left but what do people think will be BB plans for the rest of the offseason?

We have 2 amnesty clauses and Franson is still a RFA. I'm hoping one amnesty is spent on Komi and then we hold on to the other one (no idea when it would expire). Then with the money saved, we resign Franson (not a huge a fan of him but we shouldn't let him walk). I don't really see a point in amnestying Connolly or Lombardi b/c they're off the books by next year anyhow. If we have a significant piece we can add, sure, but I don't expect that.

Other than that I'd hold steady b/c I don't know how to gauge this team. It feels like we see 2 different teams play every year; whether it's the team that comes out like hot stink and drops a record number games in a row or vice-versa. Though it' s a shortened season, I think mgmt has to decide this year whether to continue the current path or blow it up (again). If we're out of the playoff race, then it's time to have a fire sale with whatever assets we have and start all over again. If we're in the running, then continue with what we have.

[whysoserious]

If the Leafs are smart, there is no better year to tank for them than now. A shortened season, no high end talent available right at the moment. This year should be about leaving guys like Kadri up and playing them heavy and teaching them. They've got capspace coming on the horizaon whereas many teams are capped out.

Don't make the move for Luongo, stay the course for one more shortened season. Making a quick push to the playoffs this year would be about the worse thing they could do right now.

[whysoserious]

Leafs put Connoly on waivers for a potential buyout. The cap hit still counts, this one makes no sense. he expires after this season anyway. That's a total waste of a compliance buyout IMO.

[Homer Jay]

Leafs put Connoly on waivers for a potential buyout. The cap hit still counts, this one makes no sense. he expires after this season anyway. That's a total waste of a compliance buyout IMO.

Want to open up a roster spot maybe?

Down the centre this year looks like Bozak, JVR, Steckel, and McClement. Grabo can play C in a pinch and they probably want to bring up Colborne at some point this year as well. Leo Komarov will probably given a looksy as well.

Just no room for Conolly.

I think this strongly indicates that they intend to keep Bozak and the deal for Luongo as rumoured could be dead.

[Brew666]

I'd have to agree; doesn't make a lot of sense unless you need that roster spot. Couple tweets from Mark Masters have me thinking Kadri is making the club out of camp.

@markhmasters: Carlyle says, from an offensive standpoint, Kadri has been among the top players at camp

@markhmasters: Kadri in the middle of JVR & Komarov at practice; Steckel & Frattin the extras it appears; top line & Grabo unit remain in tact

[Crowned]

Connolly will not be bought out, I've heard he'll be assigned to the Marlies once he clears waivers.

[whysoserious]

Opening a spot for Kadri to play the whole year makes sense. Bozak is no answer and though he's solid, this shortened season is the season to let Kadri center the top line for the season and play through it.

Also, as far as opening the roster spot up putting Connoly on wavers, it makes sense to send him down. It doesn't make sense to waste a compliance buyout on a player with an average cap hit that comes off next year anyways. Sending him to the Marlies makes sense, not the buyout. Unless there's a trade to absorb a big deal. There's no big FA's left to sign.

In a shortened year, play all the kids this year as much as possible.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Opening a spot for Kadri to play the whole year makes sense. Bozak is no answer and though he's solid, this shortened season is the season to let Kadri center the top line for the season and play through it.

Also, as far as opening the roster spot up putting Connoly on wavers, it makes sense to send him down. It doesn't make sense to waste a compliance buyout on a player with an average cap hit that comes off next year anyways. Sending him to the Marlies makes sense, not the buyout. Unless there's a trade to absorb a big deal. There's no big FA's left to sign.

In a shortened year, play all the kids this year as much as possible.

You might get your wish. Nonis sounds like he's talking directly to Gillis, but still the past two moves seem to be pointed at clearing the deck.

[url]http://espn.go.com/nhl/preview2012/story/_/id/8854584/new-toronto-maple-leafs-gm-dave-nonis-looking-make-mark
[/url]

"Am I asking the fans to be more patient? Not really, because I understand what they've gone through," he said. "We've got fantastic fans. I don't think you ask the fans to be patient. But we have to be. We have to be. It's up to us to try to put together a team that can win and win for a long time. Our ownership group has made it clear what they want: a winning team that can win for a very long time. They've been very supportive and given us all the resources, we have everything we need here to try and put together a winning team. But we're going to take the time that we need to allow these players to grow. If we can make moves that will fast-track it, we will, but not at the expense of first-round picks and good, young players."

[emfive]

This is not a compliance buyout. He is on simple waivers. They wouldn't save a cent on the cap. This is his last year, Time to move on. Get rid of middling of the road vets and develop the younger players. Maybe BC can have a looksee.