2010 Free Agency Discussion

[YogiStewart]

I'd be trying to sign Manny Malhotra. He's one of the best 3rd/4th line centers in the league, big, strong and from Toronto. Sure we need to badly increase the skill on the top 2 lines but the teams bottom six is also weak and needs some better/more experianced role players.

I like this option as well. There are plenty of good 3rd-4th liners for us to pounce on, Malhotra would be a perfect fit.

you guys know that the LEafs are a team full of 3rd and 4th line centres, right?

they really would be best off letting some minor league players come up and fill that gap for the next 1-2 seasons. of course, if Kessel and Giguere and Phaneuf weren't gobbling up the payroll, the slow rebuild concept would be the smart way to go.

Leafs don't have nearly enough talent up front to compete. trade Kaberle for a 2nd line centre and a draft pick and you are one step closer to competing, but still another 3 talented forwards away from really striking fear. and there aren't any free agents that would help the Leafs out (bum market this year and the Leafs are going to be capped out. hahaa! capped out and the 2nd worst team in the league. well done.)

[darth_federer]

They arent as capped out as you think. A team like Chicago will try to move some of its players and the Leafs can take advantage there. They can also dump guys like Finger in the minors. Grabovski is a bet to be moved. The only one who is getting somewhat overpaid is Phaneuf, but if he plays well, hes well worth the cost.

The Leafs have two legit top 6 forwards in Bozak and Kessel. Kulemin is borderline in the sense that he wouldnt be a top 6 forward on a very good team, but hes amazing defensively and can produce, so you can pencil him in there. Grabovski is very talented, but it remains to be seen if he can put it together. Hes had a 50 point season though, so you can pencil him too (asuming he doesnt get moved). Now, lets assume they get another legit top 6 forward like a Frolov on the free agent market and you have the makings of a decent forward corps. The Kaberle trade probably nets them another top 6 forward as well. So you ll have 4 legit top 6 forwards and two maybes. The defense and goaltending is set, so you have the makings of a decent team. Im not saying they would make the playoffs, but I dont think they finish 29th again.

[Griff83]

I'd be trying to sign Manny Malhotra. He's one of the best 3rd/4th line centers in the league, big, strong and from Toronto. Sure we need to badly increase the skill on the top 2 lines but the teams bottom six is also weak and needs some better/more experianced role players.

I like this option as well. There are plenty of good 3rd-4th liners for us to pounce on, Malhotra would be a perfect fit.

you guys know that the LEafs are a team full of 3rd and 4th line centres, right?

they really would be best off letting some minor league players come up and fill that gap for the next 1-2 seasons. of course, if Kessel and Giguere and Phaneuf weren't gobbling up the payroll, the slow rebuild concept would be the smart way to go.

Leafs don't have nearly enough talent up front to compete. trade Kaberle for a 2nd line centre and a draft pick and you are one step closer to competing, but still another 3 talented forwards away from really striking fear. and there aren't any free agents that would help the Leafs out (bum market this year and the Leafs are going to be capped out. hahaa! capped out and the 2nd worst team in the league. well done.)

Just because the Leafs have a bunch of players that arent capable of playing in the top 6 doesnt mean they are good bottom six players. Sure we badly lack top end talent but the bottom 6 over the past few years has been just as bad. We have basically no good role players who effect the game without scoring. Just look at the two teams in the finals this season and look how much of a impact there bottom two lines had in the run to the cup finals. Our whole forward core needs a overhaul, not just the top 6, thus why I suggested signing one of the better 3rd line role players in the league in Malholtra.

[darth_federer]

Malhotra isnt a bad player. Hes married to Steve Nash's sister too, so maybe Nash comes out to the games? I guarantee Raffi Torres will be a Leaf after this summer. Mutual interest on both sides.

[engageTHEmasses]

i had season tickets for the Guelph Storm (OHL) from their inception until just recently. it was a fun ride-- Jeff O'Neil, Todd Bertuzzi, Dan Cloutier, Dustin Brown, Ryan Parent, Drew Doughty, Craig Anderson, Daniel Girardi, Daniel Paille, etc... but my favorite was always good ol' Manny Malhotra.

such a great two-way guy, good instincts, strong, great attitude.

Manny's a guy that you want for depth-- not just a 3/4 line player for the sake of it-- a guy who adds character and helps you win.

love to see Manny in the blue and white.

[Brew666]

i had season tickets for the Guelph Storm (OHL) from their inception until just recently. it was a fun ride-- Jeff O'Neil, Todd Bertuzzi, Dan Cloutier, Dustin Brown, Ryan Parent, Drew Doughty, Craig Anderson, Daniel Girardi, Daniel Paille, etc... but my favorite was always good ol' Manny Malhotra.

such a great two-way guy, good instincts, strong, great attitude.

Manny's a guy that you want for depth-- not just a 3/4 line player for the sake of it-- a guy who adds character and helps you win.

love to see Manny in the blue and white.

Rico Fata! I remember seeing Fata play and being so impressed with his speed! Good thing I'm not a scout...

[J Dilla]

The Score reported the leafs have 13.4 million in cap space. They can bring Kovalchuck easily...but my impression is Kovalchuck is looking to make more dough than flour after that deal he rejected. What was it, a 12 year 120? You ****

[RomaniaLuvTR]

we signed joey crabb now,2 way contract

[CRACKSMATIC]

leafs just signed Brett Lebda according to the wiretap

good signing. i wonder if this means a Kaberle trade is coming soon?

[CRACKSMATIC]

just got the contract info for the Lebda signing

looks like its 1.45 million per year for 2 years.

a little bit of an overpayment in my opinion but he'll be a good 6th D-man