Rumours thread

[MAS]

Just like we used to on the old Leafs thread in the OTC board and on the NHL board I'm gonna put all the rumours I'm hearing coming out of Leaf land.

So the first one is that Leafs are after Ryan Smyth, which is pretty obvious but here's the reasoning. Smyth has hand picked two teams in the east which he will play for because of the extra money off the ice as well as the fact that there are job opportunities after he's done. They are Toronto and New York. The other teams looking at him are San Jose, Calgary and obviously Edmonton. Part of this rumour was from Eklund, some parts are stuff which I heard elsewhere

Now this one I don't really have any specifics, but something is going to happen soon in Leaf land now that the Cup has been won. I've been told by someone who is in the Leafs organization (and I confirmed that) that they have a few deals done which can't be announced till after the awards ceremony on June 14th. Not sure what they are, he wasn't allowed to tell me, but he told me they are significant... the Sundin signing and Antropov signings are related to deals too.

The other thing he told me is that the Leafs are looking like they're going to go after Jason Blake and Gary Roberts.

Btw, the Sundin signing should be official on Monday or Tuesday

[kelso]

Jason Blake!!??!! You have to be effin kidding me! I can't stand that little albino gutless puke. Classic case of cashing in on his first decent season and he turns down 4mil/yr from NYI- if we pay him anything close to that JFJ needs to be shot.

No thanks to Jason Blake.

[Griff83]

Lebrun, Watters etc have all said that the Ryan Smyth to Toronto rumours are legit. The reasoning is obvious that they want him because he's a upper echelon winger, but also someone who could take over once Sundin's time comes to a end, which is very soon. I wouldnt mind one bit if we signed Gary Roberts as this years playoffs have showed that having guys that are tough/experianced are at a premium come playoff time. Hopefully he can dump Kubina on some team desperate for defencemen like Washington or Edmonton and get a young forward and pick back in return.

what I see JFJ doing this summer

-Sign Winger (Smyth or Blake)
-sign backup goalie
-Make one trade (prolly having Antropov on his way out)

[CPT]

I know he's a pretty good player, but I'll be very upset if Ryan Smyth ever becomes "the face of the Leafs." I just don't like him. I think it's because he looks so stupid. And it was made even worse when TSN et al kept talking about him getting traded, showing him crying, etc.

I actually hope we don't sign him. It sounds like he's going to get upwards of $5 mil a year, and I think you can get far better players for that kind of money.

[Griff83]

I know he's a pretty good player, but I'll be very upset if Ryan Smyth ever becomes "the face of the Leafs." I just don't like him. I think it's because he looks so stupid. And it was made even worse when TSN et al kept talking about him getting traded, showing him crying, etc.

I actually hope we don't sign him. It sounds like he's going to get upwards of $5 mil a year, and I think you can get far better players for that kind of money.

Id like to know what you think you can get for 5 million dollars on the market that would be equilvalent to Smyth. Smyth playing with Sundin is easily a 40 goal scorer, brings great leadership and heart. He's easily worth 5 million , its when people say he is looking for upwards of 6 million where it seems his worth is being overstated.

Far better players for 5 million? good luck.

[CPT]

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Id like to know what you think you can get for 5 million dollars on the market that would be equilvalent to Smyth. Smyth playing with Sundin is easily a 40 goal scorer, brings great leadership and heart. He's easily worth 5 million , its when people say he is looking for upwards of 6 million where it seems his worth is being overstated.

Far better players for 5 million? good luck.

You're right, I meant $6 million, as has been rumoured. Didn't he turn down a $5+ mil per year extension from Edmonton (and then cry about it)?

For $5 mil, he's not bad I guess, but I don't think he's any kind of bargain at that price either.

I guess it's just because I don't like him, and don't think he's all that good. He's only been a point-a-game type player once (though it was this past season, and he still fell a bit short), and has only been an All-Star once (again, last season, which is a positive). And I think all the leadership and heart stuff gets overdone with him just because he's ugly and Canadian.

I just don't see him as a "star," and for $5-6 million, that's what I'd be looking for, but maybe I'm dreaming.

[Griff83]

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You're right, I meant $6 million, as has been rumoured. Didn't he turn down a $5+ mil per year extension from Edmonton (and then cry about it)?

For $5 mil, he's not bad I guess, but I don't think he's any kind of bargain at that price either.

I guess it's just because I don't like him, and don't think he's all that good. He's only been a point-a-game type player once (though it was this past season, and he still fell a bit short), and has only been an All-Star once (again, last season, which is a positive). And I think all the leadership and heart stuff gets overdone with him just because he's ugly and Canadian.

I just don't see him as a "star," and for $5-6 million, that's what I'd be looking for, but maybe I'm dreaming.

He's not a star and thats why he should get around 5.5, stars get upwards of 6+ in the new CBA unless of contractually restraints. He might not bring as much pure "skill" as a guy like Drury, but Smyth would bring the leafs alot of value the area of being able to be a guy to take the rains once Sundin has to hang them up.

The FA market for elite level talents this summer is very thin.

[bobbyp3588]

If tht's all they've got up their sleeves, it's going to one hell of a brutally long year in Leafland...Man, do they suck!!! 2 wingers with a combined age of 80 - that's the answer....someone really nees to get fired!

[Crowned]

At 6 mil per, I'd much rather sign Briere or Drury, or even use it towards Giguere, and another depth player. I think we're paying 6 mil alone for the name of Ryan Smyth, not the on-ice talent. As much as I love Smyth, there's simply better options available. He's a great leader, has a ton of heart...and can come through in the stretch, but right now, the two Sabres are better options. Better yet, save the money for next season.

[MAS]

Rumour out of Leaf land through Eklund is that they're trying to find a way to trade McCabe to make room to sign Smyth.

A few teams are interested namely Phoenix, Colorado, Washington, and Philly but the only team that he would waive his no movement for is NYI, and I don't see them taking his contract so the Leafs can steal Smyth away from them

[jalenrose#5]

Rumour out of Leaf land through Eklund is that they're trying to find a way to trade McCabe to make room to sign Smyth.

A few teams are interested namely Phoenix, Colorado, Washington, and Philly but the only team that he would waive his no movement for is NYI, and I don't see them taking his contract so the Leafs can steal Smyth away from them

That would be the smart move by JFJ. I'd personally try and deal him to COL for one of their young wingers like Wolski, Stastny or Svatos...or a great reliable d-man in Karlis Skratins (makes 2.4 million).

The Leafs in one of those moves could open up around 5 million. Already with around 12 million to play with, the Leafs could really shore up their roster.

[Griff83]

I wish it would be Kubina traded over McCabe, but either way one has to go A.S.A.P. The Islanders have been speculated for along time to be where he will go since his Wife is from Long Island and they were actually interested in signing him last summer when he was about to become a FA. Shedding salary in a trade involving one of Kubina/McCabe has to be JFJ's #1 priority this summer so he can clear more cap space to fill our holes.

as it stands we have about 4.5- 5 million to spend after the Colicavo signing and thats not enough to be impact players on the free agent market this summer.

[MAS]

I personally don't like the flak that Kubina is getting. Yes he had a bad year, but if we treat him like crap then what is that telling the rest of the FA market? If you have a bad year then we're gonna get rid of you.

Now that just aint cool, and no one will wanna come here... Toronto or not

[Griff83]

I personally don't like the flak that Kubina is getting. Yes he had a bad year, but if we treat him like crap then what is that telling the rest of the FA market? If you have a bad year then we're gonna get rid of you.

Now that just aint cool, and no one will wanna come here... Toronto or not

Its not like I boo the guy when I go to a leaf game, but I will voice my displeasure with him and his majorly bloated contract on a internet message board. He's making about 1.5 to 2 million dollars more then he should. His style is suited for the old NHL where clutching and grabbing was allowed and tollerated. Im not even complaining about Kubina's season, I was complaining when he was first innitially signed and said we paid way too much money for him and signing a guy like Preissing or Kuba as your number #3 guy was a much better route.

we're paying 15 million to 3 guys on our blueline and we were one of the worst teams in the league in terms of Goals against, so something has to give and id rather trade Kubina then McCabe.

[kelso]

Just like we used to on the old Leafs thread in the OTC board and on the NHL board I'm gonna put all the rumours I'm hearing coming out of Leaf land.

So the first one is that Leafs are after Ryan Smyth, which is pretty obvious but here's the reasoning. Smyth has hand picked two teams in the east which he will play for because of the extra money off the ice as well as the fact that there are job opportunities after he's done. They are Toronto and New York. The other teams looking at him are San Jose, Calgary and obviously Edmonton. Part of this rumour was from Eklund, some parts are stuff which I heard elsewhere

Now this one I don't really have any specifics, but something is going to happen soon in Leaf land now that the Cup has been won. I've been told by someone who is in the Leafs organization (and I confirmed that) that they have a few deals done which can't be announced till after the awards ceremony on June 14th. Not sure what they are, he wasn't allowed to tell me, but he told me they are significant... the Sundin signing and Antropov signings are related to deals too.

The other thing he told me is that the Leafs are looking like they're going to go after Jason Blake and Gary Roberts.

Btw, the Sundin signing should be official on Monday or Tuesday

Hey MAS- the 14th is tomorrow.....any news on the rumors and happenings? Inquiry minds wanna know.....

[MAS]

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Hey MAS- the 14th is tomorrow.....any news on the rumors and happenings? Inquiry minds wanna know.....

Actually spoke to someone today, 1st thing is that it's confirmed that the Isles are interested in McCabe.

2nd thing is a weird quote from McCabe when asked about the trade speculation "It's out of my hands". For someone with no movement, that's a weird statement don't you think?

By the way I won't be around tomorrow because I'll be with the HHOF at the Awards Ceremony

[Griff83]

Trent Hunter or Tambelinni+ pick for McCabe would be fine with me.

[Andrea>Dirk]

BTW just thought I'd say I LOVE this thread...MAS keep us updated!

[kelso]

Trent Hunter or Tambelinni+ pick for McCabe would be fine with me.

OMG- I would piss myself if we got that much for dumping that pantload and his salary.

I wouldn't expect anything in return for him- too bad Milbury wasn't still there. We'd get Bergeron, Hunter and 3 1sts for McCabe and Antripov

[CPT]

In our situation, anything we can get for McCabe that isn't just dead weight is a bonus.

I'd rather move Kubina, but maybe we can find a way to do both.