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This is exactly what Burke has said regarding the upcoming unrestricted free agency period. Those are some pretty serious words when you factor in this years crop of UFA's. You have Kovalchuk and Marleau at the top and then basically a bunch of support players. Signing the likes of Colby Armstrong, Raffi Torres, Manny Malhotra etc really isnt that big and certainly doesnt deserve to have the UFA period looked at as some huge day like Burke implies. Burke keeps talking about Toronto being the center of the hockey universe, "BIG BLUE" and how money is never a problem with this team. In the past few weeks he keeps mentioning how he wants to add a big goal scoring winger. This team needs a Star in the worst way. Sure Kessel is a nice young player and same with Phaneuf but these guys arent frontline, consistant game changeing players (at least not yet).

Burke has been embaressed this past year. Misjudged the talent of his team and traded away the teams next 2 first rounders. He spent lots on defence and was still one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Now you have hockey night in canada taking jabs at the Leafs and Burke is apparently not very happy. Basically Burke is going to make a HUGE move this offseason to insulate his team. There is no way hes going to allow this team to potentially bottom out again this offseason and hand over another lottery pick to a division rival. This all brings me to one player------------------------

ILYA KOVALCHUK

You can like Kovalchuk or not but the fact remains that players of his ilk hardly ever hit free agency. Sure you will get players like Gaborik or Hossa but they also come with more question marks and in Hossa's case not as much high end scoring ability. IMO Kovalchuk is basically as goood as anyone in the league at scoring goals. Put Kovalchuk on that Caps team and in that weak division and he would put up similar goal totals as Ovie is currently doing. He is just 27 years old and entering his prime. Although he says he wouldnt want to play in a big hockey market I find that hard to believe because he strikes me as a person who loves to be in the spotlight and have all eyes on him while he's the man.

Burke also use's the reference of "finding a wallet on the side of the road". We'll this is a perfect chance to find that wallet without having to use any trade assets (picks, prospects or current players). Kovalchuk address's many needs on this team (size, scoring, elite player). It gives us a offensive player that we know every night is going to be dangerous and opposing teams will gameplan to stop him. This allows Kessel more room to roam and have less of the opposing teams top forwards/defence smothering him all over the ice. I cant remember the last time the Leafs have had a player with the pure skills of Kovalchuk and natural goal scoring ability.

Burke talks up this franchise and its history. He paints the picture that we are similar to the Yankees and Manchester United's of the world. Well you know what these teams do when a elite star player reachs free agency or whatever you call it in soccer, THEY GO ALL OUT to get that guy. This chance doesnt come around very often that you can aquire a player of this talent, at this young - ish age for only cap space dollars. This guy would be loved in this city like no player has since Dougie. Yes he'd be loved even more then Mats. Once he pots 50 goals and leads this team to the playoffs he would be treated like a god.

If Burke is serious about making this team better at all costs, he should be on Kovalchuks door on July 1st willing to do what it takes to get him signed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hpxCfs5 ... re=related

I don't know much about the NHL salary cap but I would love Kovalchuk on the Leafs. I know he'll be pricey but it will be damn worth it!

How much will he cost anyway? 10 mil/yr?

Relentless88 wrote:I don't know much about the NHL salary cap but I would love Kovalchuk on the Leafs. I know he'll be pricey but it will be damn worth it!

How much will he cost anyway? 10 mil/yr?

I've heard he wants close to what the top tier players make. I would think he's looking at wanting like 8 - 8.5 million a season. I would pay him that as long as its not some crazy length he's looking for like one of those 10 year deals.

Well I think Burke is probably interested in him, but he will not be willing to pay him at what Kovalchuk is demanding

He turned down 12 years for $101 million from the Thrashers...I don't remember the reasoning but I can't see it being any less than $8-8.5 million and I have no idea what our cap situation is but isn't the rule that you can be over the cap in the offseason but not what the season starts? So Burkie could sign Kovy on July 1st and then figure something out after.

Definitely see your point about Burke being embarrassed and it wouldn't make sense that he would talk up FAs if he wasn't going after Kovy.

Regardless, I'm excited to see how the Leafs (& Raps) are going to look after this summer...

Relentless88 wrote:I don't know much about the NHL salary cap but I would love Kovalchuk on the Leafs. I know he'll be pricey but it will be damn worth it!

How much will he cost anyway? 10 mil/yr?

Probably still wants 11 per. There were some serious rumors of him taking a huge paycut to get on Detroit for 12 years, though.

I think he was offered 3-years and 14-million per, from Moscow of the KHL........ the fact that he didnt except yet, might meen he prefers to stay in the NHL.

I dont see him taking a huge paycut to join Detroit. I mean it would have to be a HUGE big TIME paycut. just not possible.

I dont know why Brian Burke wont atleast talk to him. He said he isent interested. dosent make sense. Kovalchulk is everything u wish Kessel could become. Only he will not cost any assest to retain.

Burke shot this down.
He said on Fan 590 that they will not go after Kovalchuk. Too " costly " and hes going to be looking for a 8-9 year deal and at this " time " the leafs aren't willing to committ to that " sort " of player.

We're not going to win games with mediocre players.