Leafs offseason discussion

[bryant08]

Leafs appear totally uninterested in re-signing Tim Brent:

http://www.therecord.com/sports/hockey/ ... ent-market

[whysoserious]

If Stamkos becomes available (somehow), you do whatever it takes to get him. I don't care if you throw the 4 firsts at him, or a Schenn/Kadri/whatever package. If you need to overpay, you do it. We're talking about one of the best players in the NHL, and he's what...21? He won't become available, but one can dream.

If I'm the Leafs, I'd take a serious run at Erhoff. He'd command somewhere in the neighbourhood of 5 million, but you'd need to find a taker for Komisarek. I think you can find a team that needs to hit that cap floor to take him, if we added some sweetner in there. Imagine a top 4 of Phanuef, Schenn, Liles and Erhoff...rounded out by Aulie and Gunnarson? That's a nice defensive core.

If I'm Burke, and strike out on Richards and Stastny, I'd look at signing Erhoff to a long term deal, Connolly to a short team contract, and someone like Talbot to play on your 3rd/4th line.

Great post. I'm shocked that Tampa Bay still hasn't signed Stamkos. If he hits the market, Burke better be there with an offer sheet at 12:01 am. With all the talk of Richards and what not, Stamkos would be the biggest signing this team has ever made and he's young and will be the cornerstone for years to come if we can get him

Stamkos and Kessel, Kadri and Colbourne looks pretty good up front for a few years and Phaneuf, Schenn and the rest of the defensive corps is pretty solid.

[Next Coming]

http://hockey.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ar ... r_12_pick/

[Next Coming]

Still holding out for Stamkos. I know it's like a 1 percent chance of happening but I could dream right?

A core of Stamkos, Kessell, Kadri, Kulemin, Schenn, Phaneuf, Aulie, and some of the young talent we have coming up has me fery, fery, habby in the pants.

[PJTucker]

As much as I'd love to get Stamkos, or even take a run at him with a big long term offer, I don't see it happening.

Burke has openly been against teams using the offer sheet. He still has beef with Kevin Lowe over the Penner signing. He'd need to publicly change his stance on RFA's, and that seems less likely to me than Stamkos actually signing a big contract (if offered) with us.

[bryant08]

Here's Dreger's latest:

Leafs interested in a number of UFA's. Richards, Ehrhoff (if free),Upshall, Talbot, etc. Won't get them all, but will inquire on most.

[PJTucker]

Here's Dreger's latest:

Leafs interested in a number of UFA's. Richards, Ehrhoff (if free),Upshall, Talbot, etc. Won't get them all, but will inquire on most.

If they walk away with Richards and Upshall I'll be thrilled. Heck, if they walk away with Richards they've won in free agency this year.

If they somehow got Richards, Upshall, and Ehrhoff? I think this team becomes a legit playoff team this season. That said, how likely is it they can bag all three?

[bryant08]

^Very unlikely, I think it'd require dumping Komisarek to be able to afford all 3 and even then I doubt it with those 3 costing around $15M combined.

[Crowned]

Erhoff to Buffalo looks almost done, so there's a target off our list. I have a really good feeling that we'll walk away empty handed on Friday, and for most of the free agency period. If we get Upshall cheap, I'd go for it, otherwise I'd rather sit back and watch (assuming we lose out on Richards, which is very likely).

Like I said earlier, I don't mind Connolly for cheap, and Talbot as well. I honestly think we'll be using our assets to improve this offseason.

[bryant08]

I wonder if Buffalo goes harder at Richards now with their added pieces or just totally backs off. They'd have to make a few adjustments to squeeze Richards in but it's doable.

[Crowned]

If Buffalo signs Richards, they're immediate contenders in the East. They'll be contending as is, but that'll push them over the top

[bryant08]

No D'Agostini, no Upshall.

[bryant08]

No Rupp either. So the Leafs are going to have to fill out that bottom 6 somehow, but just bring Richards in please

[Crowned]

These teams will be regretting these contracts in about 3 months.

Talbot for 5 years?
Cole for 4.5 mil?
Ward for 3 mil?
Upshall for 3.5?


That's ugly.

[Relentless88]

So....any updates on Richards? Leafs have been quiet today.

[bryant08]

^Everyone's making their pitches in Mississauga. Kings were with Richards for 90 minutes, Leafs (Nonis/Fletcher) were with him for 60, Lightning were in last. Rangers didn't make the trip but are obviously still very much in it and a few other teams were meeting with him face-to-face also. I honestly just don't think he ends up here.

[darth_federer]

Wait wait hes in Mississauga? Any idea where?

And word is that the Leafs have made a huge offer to Villie Leino. I hope they dont overpay.

Edit: Sabres him give 27 million over 6 years

[bryant08]

Wait wait hes in Mississauga? Any idea where?

And word is that the Leafs have made a huge offer to Villie Leino. I hope they dont overpay.

Edit: Sabres him give 27 million over 6 years

201 City Centre Drive at the Newport Sports Offices. It's pretty packed in the area with Canada Day Celebrations later today.

It's down to a 3 horse race IMO, the Kings, the Leafs and the Rangers.

[Crowned]

I really couldn't see the Kings signing him, unless they either move Kopitar to the wing, or trade him all together. They couldn't possibly have Brad Richards, Mike Richards, Anze Kopitar and Stoll down the middle, that's a ton of money.

At this point, the Leafs should be countering every offer encountered until they're the highest bidder. I don't care if they end up paying him more then Crosby and co. A player of his stature doesn't come around for free too often

[bryant08]

I would've agreed with you this morning, but bringing their entire entourage to try and woo Richards gave me the idea they wanted to push hard and if Richards decides he doesn't want to be THE guy in the limelight it's a great alternative while still picking up some decent coin on a potentially very good team.