Can the Leafs GM Brian sign.....

[Sareth1988]

Chris Chelios - because he want to join with the Leafs.
http://hockey.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/6561/20090818/chelios_wants_to_play_for_leafs/

And what about
Sergei Fedorov - I think he is still available, isn't he?

Jeff Hamilton(08-09 with the Leafs) - why can't Brian keep him? cause he is good and played really good with the Leafs. What do you think of him?

G: Olaf Kolzig - I don't understand why the Leafs kept him last season and never let him play, so again why is he a free agent? why can't Brian keep him and see how he doing for this coming season.....?

Any more players you like to add and wants Brian to sign a player?

[bryant08]

1) Chelios - he's 47 and he sucks. He's made comments about not wanting to play in Toronto in the past (didn't like the fans) and is just showing his desperation. I would be neutral with him in a front office role, but I don't want this guy near our defense. We already have a log jam as it is back there.
2) Federov - signed in the KHL.
3) Hamilton - We've got enough guys that can produce at his level, would much rather give a spot to a youngster.
4) Kolzig - He was a filler in the trade so we could acquire the draft pick for taking on a little bit of salary. He wouldn't have a spot on the Leafs and wouldn't want to play for the Marlies.

In terms of guys I want Burke to sign, why not Tanguay? We're lacking some legit top 6 forwards, so why not sign him to a one year, mostly incentive based contract? I doubt he's been getting good offers based on health concerns (surgery on both shoulders iirc), but perhaps we could tempt him with more money on a one year deal. He can prove he's the same old Tanguay again with big minutes and plenty of opportunity, then go get that big contract from a contender next summer. That's just me throwing out stupid ideas though, we've got PLENTY of forwards that can make the roster, the only issue is there are only so many spots on the top 6. In that bottom 6 role, you're likely going to see guys like Primeau, Mayers who are traditionally ussed to playing in those roles.

[Sareth1988]

1) Chelios - he's 47 and he sucks. He's made comments about not wanting to play in Toronto in the past (didn't like the fans) and is just showing his desperation. I would be neutral with him in a front office role, but I don't want this guy near our defense. We already have a log jam as it is back there.
2) Federov - signed in the KHL.
3) Hamilton - We've got enough guys that can produce at his level, would much rather give a spot to a youngster.
4) Kolzig - He was a filler in the trade so we could acquire the draft pick for taking on a little bit of salary. He wouldn't have a spot on the Leafs and wouldn't want to play for the Marlies.

In terms of guys I want Burke to sign, why not Tanguay? We're lacking some legit top 6 forwards, so why not sign him to a one year, mostly incentive based contract? I doubt he's been getting good offers based on health concerns (surgery on both shoulders iirc), but perhaps we could tempt him with more money on a one year deal. He can prove he's the same old Tanguay again with big minutes and plenty of opportunity, then go get that big contract from a contender next summer. That's just me throwing out stupid ideas though, we've got PLENTY of forwards that can make the roster, the only issue is there are only so many spots on the top 6. In that bottom 6 role, you're likely going to see guys like Primeau, Mayers who are traditionally ussed to playing in those roles.

Ahh I'm totally agree with you...

[drew1981]

1) Chelios - he's 47 and he sucks. He's made comments about not wanting to play in Toronto in the past (didn't like the fans) and is just showing his desperation. I would be neutral with him in a front office role, but I don't want this guy near our defense. We already have a log jam as it is back there.
2) Federov - signed in the KHL.
3) Hamilton - We've got enough guys that can produce at his level, would much rather give a spot to a youngster.
4) Kolzig - He was a filler in the trade so we could acquire the draft pick for taking on a little bit of salary. He wouldn't have a spot on the Leafs and wouldn't want to play for the Marlies.

In terms of guys I want Burke to sign, why not Tanguay? We're lacking some legit top 6 forwards, so why not sign him to a one year, mostly incentive based contract? I doubt he's been getting good offers based on health concerns (surgery on both shoulders iirc), but perhaps we could tempt him with more money on a one year deal. He can prove he's the same old Tanguay again with big minutes and plenty of opportunity, then go get that big contract from a contender next summer. That's just me throwing out stupid ideas though, we've got PLENTY of forwards that can make the roster, the only issue is there are only so many spots on the top 6. In that bottom 6 role, you're likely going to see guys like Primeau, Mayers who are traditionally ussed to playing in those roles.

Tanguay is still a free agent? Burke should be all over that.

[Contract Season]

1) Chelios - he's 47 and he sucks. He's made comments about not wanting to play in Toronto in the past (didn't like the fans) and is just showing his desperation. I would be neutral with him in a front office role, but I don't want this guy near our defense. We already have a log jam as it is back there.
2) Federov - signed in the KHL.
3) Hamilton - We've got enough guys that can produce at his level, would much rather give a spot to a youngster.
4) Kolzig - He was a filler in the trade so we could acquire the draft pick for taking on a little bit of salary. He wouldn't have a spot on the Leafs and wouldn't want to play for the Marlies.

In terms of guys I want Burke to sign, why not Tanguay? We're lacking some legit top 6 forwards, so why not sign him to a one year, mostly incentive based contract? I doubt he's been getting good offers based on health concerns (surgery on both shoulders iirc), but perhaps we could tempt him with more money on a one year deal. He can prove he's the same old Tanguay again with big minutes and plenty of opportunity, then go get that big contract from a contender next summer. That's just me throwing out stupid ideas though, we've got PLENTY of forwards that can make the roster, the only issue is there are only so many spots on the top 6. In that bottom 6 role, you're likely going to see guys like Primeau, Mayers who are traditionally ussed to playing in those roles.

Tanguay is still a free agent? Burke should be all over that.

Go to Fan hot audio. Burke said the Leafs have no interest in Tanguay because he is saving the cap space to package with an excess defenceman for a stud forward.

[bryant08]

^Heard it. But I don't believe that stud forward crap for a second. He basically said that would be the logical thing to do (trade a defenseman for a high end forward with a higher salary), but I've seen a few interpretations of what he said on different forums. Many people were jumping the gun that we were going to trade a dman for an overpaid star (ie. Marleau). I don't think Burke will find the value he's looking for in this scenario without including MAJOR future picks/prospects. Nonetheless, it's interesting to think about.

[Contract Season]

^Heard it. But I don't believe that stud forward crap for a second. He basically said that would be the logical thing to do (trade a defenseman for a high end forward with a higher salary), but I've seen a few interpretations of what he said on different forums. Many people were jumping the gun that we were going to trade a dman for an overpaid star (ie. Marleau). I don't think Burke will find the value he's looking for in this scenario without including MAJOR future picks/prospects. Nonetheless, it's interesting to think about.

We'll see. I believe that there are a ton of hockey teams losing a lot of money. One of them will have a bad season and trade a highly paid, all-star level player (think Jokinen last year) to the Leafs to save $4 or $5 million.

Ian White has proven he has some talent, he also makes only $950K. I can easily see him getting moved for a $5 or $6 million dollar forward. Exelby at $1.7 is also possible, but his trade value is surely not as high as White's.

I'd rather see Exelby dealt as he duplicates (with less skill) what 4 or 5 other guys on the team do, while only Kaberle and Van Ryn are at White's level offensively.

Dream scenario is Atlanta knows it will lose Kovalchuk and takes a couple of firsts for him.
I still think Kessel is a possibility. Boston will have to pony up for Lucic and possibly Rask next year and already is near the cap. If they give Kessel a big deal and the cap falls, they won't be able to keep Lucic and unrestricted free agent Marc Savard (plus Derek Morris).

Patrick Sharp would be a great pickup too. Kane and Toews and Duncan Keith are restricted next year and Chicago will need to find some dough to pay them.

Michael Nylander is probably dirt cheap right now, etc.

Burke has many options and perhaps a stud like Sharp comes available after the season, when Chicago realizes they need a ton of cash for 20 Cent, Toews and Keith.

[bryant08]

^I don't believe White's value is high enough unless we're talking about a guy like Nylander. The same with Exelby. Obviously, Kovalchuk would be great, but I'd still be hesitant to trade multiple 1sts (depending on how we do next season). Kessel would be a great addition but it seems those negotiations have broken off, and even at that time we were looking a price that was too high to pay (Kaberle+1st). Sharp would also be a solid addition, not sure how Chicago values him at the moment (has to be pretty high).

Anyway you slice it, unless you're looking at a total cap dump like Nylander, the Leafs are going to have to add major value to a deal to get a top line forward. And at least with your interpretation, it's not necessarily an immediate issue. As you mentioned, we've got nothing but time so Burke can wait until players' values fluctuate (ie. White, some of the forwards you mentioned) to try and buy as low as possible. I was calling BS on the fact that Burke can use one of our spare d-men to get a top line forward right now. And if we get Nylander, I'm going to be ridiculously pisssed.

[Griff83]

Whites value isnt high enough to bring in a star player. He played well last year but hes become very overrated by a majority of leaf fans. He recieved so much icetime last year mostly due to injuries, others underperforming, having a raw 18-19 year old and it was a mandate from upper management to get the younger players alot of playing time for development. As of today hes a bottom pairing defencemen on this team and he would be so on many other teams in the league. We could possibly deal him plus someone like Stajan and get back a semi star, possibly someone like Nathan Horton (who ironically is rumoured to be on the block) but thinking your going to get a frontline 5-7 million a year type player for White is a pipedream. Teams might want to save money or free cap space but they arent going to bend over bigtime talent wise in the process.

Tanguey was not very good in his last year in Calgary and was injured for a chunk of games last season. In Burkes interview he also mentioned that his next move would be something other then signing a free agent and said although Tanguay is a solid player hes not really what he has in mind (im reading between the lines but I think he means his next move is a major one and Tanguay doesnt fit that mold).

The two players that come to my mind and seem like the most realistic trade targets are Patrick Marleau or Brad Richards. Marleau has been on the block for awhile but hes rumoured to have had a rocky relationship with Ron Wilson. Richards makes too much money for the Stars, seeing hes basically a 2nd line center now with Ribiero developing into that teams 1st line center. They are very thin on defence and could definitely use someone like White. Richards also only has two years left on his deal so his 7.8 million a year isnt that bad. I'd offer them White, Stajan and a 2010 second round pick and see if they bite.

[Contract Season]

Whites value isnt high enough to bring in a star player. He played well last year but hes become very overrated by a majority of leaf fans. He recieved so much icetime last year mostly due to injuries, others underperforming, having a raw 18-19 year old and it was a mandate from upper management to get the younger players alot of playing time for development. As of today hes a bottom pairing defencemen on this team and he would be so on many other teams in the league. We could possibly deal him plus someone like Stajan and get back a semi star, possibly someone like Nathan Horton (who ironically is rumoured to be on the block) but thinking your going to get a frontline 5-7 million a year type player for White is a pipedream. Teams might want to save money or free cap space but they arent going to bend over bigtime talent wise in the process.

Tanguey was not very good in his last year in Calgary and was injured for a chunk of games last season. In Burkes interview he also mentioned that his next move would be something other then signing a free agent and said although Tanguay is a solid player hes not really what he has in mind (im reading between the lines but I think he means his next move is a major one and Tanguay doesnt fit that mold).

The two players that come to my mind and seem like the most realistic trade targets are Patrick Marleau or Brad Richards. Marleau has been on the block for awhile but hes rumoured to have had a rocky relationship with Ron Wilson. Richards makes too much money for the Stars, seeing hes basically a 2nd line center now with Ribiero developing into that teams 1st line center. They are very thin on defence and could definitely use someone like White. Richards also only has two years left on his deal so his 7.8 million a year isnt that bad. I'd offer them White, Stajan and a 2010 second round pick and see if they bite.

Ya, those guys make sense. I'd be all over a Richards deal, but have zero interest in Marleau. He has no heart, no drive, nothing. Just garbage. Makes Thornton look like Messier.

I'd try to dump Stempniak in a deal too. $2.5 million for a worthless player.
Richards just turned 29, so has some good years left. He's a winner, a possible captain until Schenn's ready and a 25-goal, 65-70 point second-line centre.
He makes a ton though, more than he's worth, so I don't give up a second to get him like you proposed. Maybe Stajan, White or Exelby and a 4th?

[Griff83]

Whites value isnt high enough to bring in a star player. He played well last year but hes become very overrated by a majority of leaf fans. He recieved so much icetime last year mostly due to injuries, others underperforming, having a raw 18-19 year old and it was a mandate from upper management to get the younger players alot of playing time for development. As of today hes a bottom pairing defencemen on this team and he would be so on many other teams in the league. We could possibly deal him plus someone like Stajan and get back a semi star, possibly someone like Nathan Horton (who ironically is rumoured to be on the block) but thinking your going to get a frontline 5-7 million a year type player for White is a pipedream. Teams might want to save money or free cap space but they arent going to bend over bigtime talent wise in the process.

Tanguey was not very good in his last year in Calgary and was injured for a chunk of games last season. In Burkes interview he also mentioned that his next move would be something other then signing a free agent and said although Tanguay is a solid player hes not really what he has in mind (im reading between the lines but I think he means his next move is a major one and Tanguay doesnt fit that mold).

The two players that come to my mind and seem like the most realistic trade targets are Patrick Marleau or Brad Richards. Marleau has been on the block for awhile but hes rumoured to have had a rocky relationship with Ron Wilson. Richards makes too much money for the Stars, seeing hes basically a 2nd line center now with Ribiero developing into that teams 1st line center. They are very thin on defence and could definitely use someone like White. Richards also only has two years left on his deal so his 7.8 million a year isnt that bad. I'd offer them White, Stajan and a 2010 second round pick and see if they bite.

Ya, those guys make sense. I'd be all over a Richards deal, but have zero interest in Marleau. He has no heart, no drive, nothing. Just garbage. Makes Thornton look like Messier.

I'd try to dump Stempniak in a deal too. $2.5 million for a worthless player.
Richards just turned 29, so has some good years left. He's a winner, a possible captain until Schenn's ready and a 25-goal, 65-70 point second-line centre.
He makes a ton though, more than he's worth, so I don't give up a second to get him like you proposed. Maybe Stajan, White or Exelby and a 4th?

I have to disagree with you on Marleau having no heart part. After the leafs the sharks are the team I watch the most and Marleau definitely showed more drive and willingness to go all out then Thonrnton and this was definitely visible in the playoffs this past season. Marleau isnt someone I would be wanting to build around but I wouldnt mind him if he was a secondary forward piece playing second fiddle. Hes a excellant winger/center, great skater and awesome penalty killer.

Richards salary doesnt bother me seeing hes only got two years left on his contract and we have a boatload of cap space again next offseason. If he was making 7 million a year for 4-5 more years then it would definitely be a much bigger issue. I personally dont think your deal gets it done, there is sometimes alot of difference value wise between a 2nd and 4th depending on the depth of that years draft. I also dont mind just staying pat and waiting till this upcoming offseason and throwing a big chunk of cash at Marc Savard.

[Contract Season]

I don't know man, I stupidly took mostly Sharks in my pool so watched all their playoff games very closely and Thornton was going much harder in my eyes than Marleau was.
Thornton at least looked like he was trying.

Not a Savard fan at all. It's really too bad Rick Nash is off the market.

[Griff83]

Im not sure how you can say Thornton was actually trying. CBC spotlighted him in 2-3 games and pointed out numerous shifts where he was just floating, not finishing his checks and missing many defensive assignments. He also cost his team BADLY in the final game with some boneheaded plays. Marleau was finishing his checks and going to the dirty areas much more consistantly then Thornton in that series and this was also the case in the 08 playoffs.

Marleau gets a bad rap because of his teams failures but if you look closely to the actual problem you will see Thornton is just as much to blame also along with Nabakov. Even at team Canadas camp they interviewed both Thornton and Marleau and asked them about the team stripping the letters off and Thornton seemed much more nonchalant about it. Saying something along the lines of it being a innovative idea and that more struggling teams should try it. He didnt take any ownership for the team underachieving while Marleau seemed much more concerned about the situation. Ask any Bruins fan and they will tell you that Thornton has always lacked leadership and charachter and this is one of the big reasons they traded him.

[Griff83]

Why arent you a Marc Savard fan?

one of the best playmakers in the league.

[Contract Season]

Im not sure how you can say Thornton was actually trying. CBC spotlighted him in 2-3 games and pointed out numerous shifts where he was just floating, not finishing his checks and missing many defensive assignments. He also cost his team BADLY in the final game with some boneheaded plays. Marleau was finishing his checks and going to the dirty areas much more consistantly then Thornton in that series and this was also the case in the 08 playoffs.

Marleau gets a bad rap because of his teams failures but if you look closely to the actual problem you will see Thornton is just as much to blame also along with Nabakov. Even at team Canadas camp they interviewed both Thornton and Marleau and asked them about the team stripping the letters off and Thornton seemed much more nonchalant about it. Saying something along the lines of it being a innovative idea and that more struggling teams should try it. He didnt take any ownership for the team underachieving while Marleau seemed much more concerned about the situation. Ask any Bruins fan and they will tell you that Thornton has always lacked leadership and charachter and this is one of the big reasons they traded him.

We're not going to agree on this. The few games I watched, Thornton was clearly playing harder than usual and certainly harder than Marleau.
I'm not denying Joe lacks leadership, but so does Marleau.
Not sure why I dislike Savard entirely. Part of it was attitude stuff I heard about in the past, part of it is he is pretty small and doesn't really do anything else well besides pass.

I do agree that Nabby is the main problem. Like Toskala, he posted great numbers in a great defensive system, but when the pressure was on and the system didn't work anymore int he playoffs, he was exposed.

[Contract Season]

Anyways the Sharks did a salary dump today so if they deal Marleau/Thornton, it will be to shake up the team, not for financial reasons.
They are now comfortably under the cap after giving away Eherhoff.