Leafs offseason discussion

[darth_federer]

Only one game left so might as well do this. Leafs have the most capspace this year but its a bad NHL free agent crop. Still, with that kind of cash and the assets (Colborne, Gardiner, 2 firsts, 2 seconds e.t.c) they ve accumulated lately they should be able to make a few trades too.

At long last, Toronto Maple Leafs fans have a few things to smile about.

Not only are the Maple Leafs making an unexpected, last-ditch push for a playoff spot, but general manager Brian Burke has the club firmly positioned to make a splash on the free-agent market in the offseason.

Among teams that traditionally spend to the cap, the Maple Leafs are a clear leader in space with just $35.1 million committed to 12 players. That's $24.3 million under the current cap, more than enough room for Burke to do significant remodeling.

For example, the Maple Leafs -- who obviously could use a playmaking center to complement sniper Phil Kessel -- could throw as much as $8 million at Brad Richards and still have space under the current cap to fill out their roster with players averaging $1.8 million.

Even factoring in the need to re-sign restricted free agents Clarke MacArthur, Tyler Bozak, Luke Schenn and Carl Gunnarsson, the Leafs could also take a shot at signing a goaltender such as Ilya Bryzgalov, especially if the cap increases by several million, as expected.

The Maple Leafs are one of 10 teams we've identified this week that are positioned to make free-agent improvements on July 1, factoring in both cap space and a historic or anticipated willingness to spend it.

[hsb]

Team salary breakdown: http://www.capgeek.com/charts.php?Team=4

[whysoserious]

Not sure it's possible as Vancouver seems high on him, but making a play for Schneider this off-season would be a solid move.

[Crowned]

Not sure it's possible as Vancouver seems high on him, but making a play for Schneider this off-season would be a solid move.

I've been saying this for awhile, along with Cody Hodgson. I doubt they'd be willing to part ways with either unless we brought something big to the table.

[Crowned]

Not sure it's possible as Vancouver seems high on him, but making a play for Schneider this off-season would be a solid move.

I've been saying this for awhile, along with Cody Hodgson. I doubt they'd be willing to part ways with either unless we brought something big to the table.

[whysoserious]

Not sure it's possible as Vancouver seems high on him, but making a play for Schneider this off-season would be a solid move.

I've been saying this for awhile, along with Cody Hodgson. I doubt they'd be willing to part ways with either unless we brought something big to the table.

The thing is, eventually one of if not two of the three will have to be moved. My guess is if Vancouver doesn't win it all, between this off-season and next they might start exploring moving Luongo. If Luongo has a solid run this playoff, win or lose as long as he's not soft at key times, they should then move one of the two prospect goalies.

You might have to give up something significant but again, both are still prospects that could be really good and would be worth a gamble. Vancouver can't continue on with Luongo and two solid goalie prospects. Burke should get proactive on this well before the draft and free agency instead of holding out for Bryzgalov. Then he can focus on Center the rest of free agency.

As for Center, say San Jose doesn't win it, could Thornton be put in play via trade? He'd be perfect for the first line allowing us to leave Colborne down for one more full season and then taking over for Grabovski as a second line center behind Thornton.

[hsb]

Reimer, Macarthur, Phaneuf and Schenn all playing for team Canada at the World Championships.

Komisarek and Brown on USA, Kulemin on Russia and Gunnarsson on Sweden.

Three Leaf prospects playing for Germany; Müller, Flaake and Holzer.

[Crowned]

Not sure it's possible as Vancouver seems high on him, but making a play for Schneider this off-season would be a solid move.

I've been saying this for awhile, along with Cody Hodgson. I doubt they'd be willing to part ways with either unless we brought something big to the table.

The thing is, eventually one of if not two of the three will have to be moved. My guess is if Vancouver doesn't win it all, between this off-season and next they might start exploring moving Luongo. If Luongo has a solid run this playoff, win or lose as long as he's not soft at key times, they should then move one of the two prospect goalies.

You might have to give up something significant but again, both are still prospects that could be really good and would be worth a gamble. Vancouver can't continue on with Luongo and two solid goalie prospects. Burke should get proactive on this well before the draft and free agency instead of holding out for Bryzgalov. Then he can focus on Center the rest of free agency.

As for Center, say San Jose doesn't win it, could Thornton be put in play via trade? He'd be perfect for the first line allowing us to leave Colborne down for one more full season and then taking over for Grabovski as a second line center behind Thornton.

I don't think I'd make a run at Luongo at all. He had a great season once again, but what recent history is showing is that you don't need to go out and spend a boat load of money on a goaltender. Look at teams like L.A, Detroit, San Jose, Chicago, etc. We have a young goaltender in Reimer that we should be placing some faith into. If he doesn't pan out, see what one of our younger goaltenders have got to show, and make a Niemi/Nittymaki type of signing to split duties with. With that said, I'd make a push at Schenieder personally. He's got all the tools to succeed and is going to be a heck of a goaltender. He'll cost us a top prospect or two and some draft picks, but he's going to be a franchise goaltender.

Cody Hogdson is a tricky one. I've always thought of him as a top line center. He hasn't played as well as I had hoped recently because of his injuries, but he has top tier talent. Vancouver won't let him go cheap, but teams aren't going to throw the farm at him either. I think they'll keep him, but he's someone I've wanted in this organization for a very long time.

Thornton is an interesting name that could be in play with the emergence of Couture. They just made him captain, but they've got a lot of money tied up in their top 3. I'd go after Thornton hard, and would compliment Kessel perfectly. A lot of people don't like him, but I do. Another name that might become available out of San Jose is Pavelski. Either way, Burke HAS to find a top line center to play with Kessel.

[darth_federer]

According to the Swedish news outlet Aftonbladet, the Maple Leafs are looking to add once again to their very deep pool of goaltending prospects. The Toronto Maple Leafs and the San Jose Sharks are reportedly the two front runners for the services of Mark Owuya, a young standout netminder out of the Swedish Eliteserien. Playing as a 21 year old rookie, Owuya stole the starting job for the Djugarden hockey club and went on to post a 2.18 GAA and .927 SV%, good for third and first overall respectively among qualifying goaltenders this past season. For comparison’s sake, Jonas Gustavsson recorded a 1.97 GAA and .932 SV% during his last year in the Eliteserien, albeit at 24 years of age.

Now in terms of playing style, this is where most comparisons can be thrown out the door. Standing at 6’2, Owuya possesses adequate size for a goaltender but does not play a true stand-up or butterfly style. The technical skills in terms of smooth transitions and sound positioning aren’t quite as sharp as they should be, nor does he boast the kind of elite athleticism or quickness that would supposedly be able to compensate.

Drawing some parallels to Boston’s Tim Thomas, he has been described as a bit of a flopper with good lateral movement who can effectively shut down the bottom half of the net. However, he is prone to over-committing and being susceptible up high. What Owuya does have going for him is tremendous work ethic, desire and confidence on the ice. His mental game is excellent as he rarely gets rattled and has the ability to battle through games in order to give his team a chance to win every night. It may not always be pretty, but Owuya consistently seems to find a way to throw his body in front of the puck. And it sure is hard to argue with those kinds of numbers.

http://mapleleafshotstove.com/2011/04/1 ... -prospect/

More goalie depth. One of these guys should pan out for sure. Goalie depth a big reason why the farm is ranked as one of the best in the NHL.

[Crowned]

That's what our deep pockets are for. I'm glad they're putting it to use.

[hsb]

Correction: Sport-Express report mentions Toronto, not TB. "Toronto, Philly favored in Bryz sweepstakes, but Wash in it, too." Fascinating

http://twitter.com/#!/SlavaMalamud/stat ... 1520621568

The Stars have not asked Brad to waive his no-trade clause, and at this point in time, he has no intention of doing so," agent Pat Morris told the Daily News Monday night when informed that a source had said a move to the Toronto Maple Leafs could be completed by the end of this week. "We're still pointing toward July 1.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hocke ... _star.html

[Ducksplatt]

Mike Richards
Why would the Flyers dump Carter, a player who they JUST signed to an 11-year extension, when they are having serious issues with their captain? There are rumours Richards doesn’t get along with coach Peter Laviolette (who is going nowhere), and his struggles with the media are well documented. It all sounds a lot like the Dion Phaneuf situation a couple of years ago.

Richards’ contract runs to 2020 and costs $5.75-million per year, but you would be hard pressed to find a team that would not jump at the chance to have him. He offers about 70 points, a high faceoff percentage and defensive smarts that should make him a perennial Selke candidate after Pavel Datsyuk retires.

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/06/ ... are-ahead/

Hypothetically, if Richards was available, would you want him on the Leafs and how much would you be willing to give up?
I'll take a stab - 2011 1st (Phi) 2nd (Tor), plus swapping a big contract from Phi for youth on Leafs:
a) going by the article, adding Timonen and sending back Gunnerson or Gardiner or Blacker.

I think other teams could probably match that but keep in mind, with the above deal Phil is taking 12 million off of their cap for the next 2 years.

[Crowned]

Any deal for Richards would start with Kadri or Schenn. From there, you're going to have to add one of Blacker, Gardiner, Aulie and maybe even Colbourne. You're then going to have to add picks.

Richards is an elite player, one of the best in the game. We'll have to pay through the nose to get him. Look what we got for Kaberle and even Beauch/Versteeg. Add a significant amount to one of those packages and you're in the ballpark for a Richards deal.

[Crowned]

In addition to Mike, we should be running hard at Brad Richards. If I'm the Leafs, I'm doing everything possible to get him signed. Not many players of his stature hit the open market as an UFA. He's be an absolute perfect fit next to Kessel on the first line.

[bryant08]

Brad Richards or bust this offseason, I don't want Brooks Laich or a secondary piece that we try to play off as a #1 center.

[j127]

It's going to cost an arm and a leg, but I hope the Leafs get Richards.

I haven't been following the Leafs off-season too much (too busy paying attention to the Canucks ), but I read that Richards prefers playing for the Rangers instead? Am I totally wrong?

[darth_federer]

It's going to cost an arm and a leg, but I hope the Leafs get Richards.

I haven't been following the Leafs off-season too much (too busy paying attention to the Canucks ), but I read that Richards prefers playing for the Rangers instead? Am I totally wrong?

According to Brooks on twitter he isnt as gungho going to NY as previously thought.

The only issue I have with Richards is that he wants too much money. I dont mind going 4 years and a 7.5 million cap hit even though its tough to swallow, but the guy is looking for 5+ years. Hes 31 and wants one of those retirement deals. Burke says that he would never go past 5 years for anybody. But is Richards for 7.5-8 for 5 years too much? The guy just came off a concussion and he has a hip issue.



I mean they offered him Thornton money and declined.

So trade is the most likely scenario. Philly has cap issues and with the Bryz signing expected they might move someone like Jeff Carter.

[whysoserious]

I'm kind of weary about signing Richards with his health concerns but i can't help think the Leafs need to make a move and let the chips fall where they may.

We've spent too many recent years trying to sign secondary players and trying to make them play bigger roles. It's time to get that big piece and give Kessel something to work with.

Richards, Kessel and Kadri would be a pretty solid first line with the guy they got in the Kaberle deal centering the second line.

[bryant08]

^We had a lotta success with Kulemin/Grabovski/MacArthur, and if we hang onto Mac (which we should be able to if that's what Burke wants), I'd imagine that's our second line. I'd prefer to give Colborne one more year of development, his game still needs some refinement. It's going to be a tough adjustment for him, going from a 6-5 skill player to have to rise through the ranks on this team one way or another. It's not easy to adjust from being a predominantly skill based player to likely having to earn your role grinding and getting your nose dirty - so I hope one more season will allow Colborne to round out. My ideal team going into next season:

Lupul - B. Richards - Kessel
Kulemin - Grabovski - MacArthur
Kadri - Bozak - Armstrong
Orr - Brent - Brown

Phaneuf - Aulie
Schenn - A. Greene
Gunnarson - Komisarek

Reimer
Gustavsson

So the two acquisitons are Richards/Andy Greene. I went with Greene because I know we'll be on a budget, but he's a guy that can move the puck and he's not too old. Richards is pretty self-explanatory, and yeah it looks like Burke would have to break some of his rules to get Richards, but it's not everyday you can get a player like him without giving up any assets in a trade. If we're unable to get Richards, I'd certainly give Philly a call about Jeff Carter, but I'd be concerned about the price we're paying there. If we can't get Brad but want to use the FA market to patch some holes, I guess a combination of two of the better forwards on the market wouldn't be the worst thing in the world (adding a Brooks Laich and a Scottie Upshall, or perhaps Ville Leino). A forward group like this isn't all that bad:

Leino - Laich - Kessel
Kulemin - Grabovski - MacArthur
Kadri - Bozak - Lupul
Brown - Brent - Armstrong

But honestly, Burkie better get Richards

On the defensive end, I wouldn't mind giving Gardiner/Blacker a chance either.

[bryant08]

The cap is reportedly going up to $64M, although that gives us the ammunition to get a guy like Richards and still have enough to get a top 4 dman, it also gives teams like the Rangers and Flyers more breathing room (the Rangers can go hard after Richards, the Flyers can afford to keep both Richards/Carter while signing Bryz).