Rumours thread

[MAS]

From one of my Leaf sources:

Smyth to Toronto likely, McCabe not fighting a move to NYI, a Cujo return is most likely

[Crowned]

That'd be an ideal offseason.

- Signing Ryan Smyth (that'd be huge in T.O. .. even tho I think there's better options available). The Leafs haven't had a capable winger next to Sundin since Mogilny.

- Signing Cujo for <1 mil. He'd be a good mentor for Raycroft, and spot start when Razor is struggling.

- Getting rid of McCabe... all hail JFJ.

[juucer]

I'd much rather get rid of Kubina than McCabe... McCabe is only making $750k more in cap space and IMO is a much better player (yes, even defensively) and is less prone to injury. McCabe's also got heart and Leaf pride, and is more of a leader.

Move Kubina, not McCabe!

[Crowned]

I'd much rather get rid of Kubina than McCabe... McCabe is only making $750k more in cap space and IMO is a much better player (yes, even defensively) and is less prone to injury. McCabe had heart and Leaf pride, and is more of a leader.

Move Kubina, not McCabe!

Fixed.

In the past 2 seasons, McCabe has showed absolutely no signs of playing with "heart". He used to drop down and block shots, and skate back with determination. I didn't see that last season. Like I said somewhere else, someone needs to confront the guy. If he's earning 'elite defenseman' money for this team, he better play like it. Shooting one-timers from the blueline on the powerplay just won't cut it, he needs to be more responsible in his own end.

[CPT]

If JFJ can pull off those moves (Smyth [even though I dislike him], CuJo, and moving McCabe and/or Kubina...and hopefully a few solid smaller moves) I would be willing to change my opinion of him.

He could go from the worst GM in the league to bottom 5...we're moving on up baby!

[kelso]

Still no action....MAS< I thought the 14th was the magic day? C'mon, I need some hockey transaction.....this is the worst part of the year for a fan....

[MAS]

Still no action....MAS< I thought the 14th was the magic day? C'mon, I need some hockey transaction.....this is the worst part of the year for a fan....

Draft day my friend, look at draft day. That's when stuff should go down. Maybe before, maybe a day or two after. But now stuff CAN happen now that the awards are done

[jalenrose#5]

I can't wait for draft day.....I'm interested in seeing if Angelo Espisito falls to the Leafs. Probably not though

Hopefully JFJ makes a good pick....because he's going to need it. Weird to see BC make a move before JFJ.....since the Raps did make the playoffs.

[Griff83]

I can't wait for draft day.....I'm interested in seeing if Angelo Espisito falls to the Leafs. Probably not though
Hopefully JFJ makes a good pick....because he's going to need it. Weird to see BC make a move before JFJ.....since the Raps did make the playoffs.

Id rather not, he's the most overhypped player in this draft. Id much rather draft Zach Hamill or Backlund.

[jalenrose#5]

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Id rather not, he's the most overhypped player in this draft. Id much rather draft Zach Hamill or Backlund.

I'm hearing Best Case like Gaborik worst case Alex Daigle....I've always like Gaborik....

But.....Hamill is intriguin...hmm..

[Crowned]

If Esposito is available at #13, we take him and run. I think his attitude will change drastically in the NHL. He'll no longer be able to act the same way in the pros. He'll be benched, confronted by vets, or sent down to the minors. I think he'll be fine, as his "attitude" is one of his major setbacks heading into the draft. He's just to offensively gifted, and is an excellent skater.

As for Hamill, if he works on his speed...he could very well be a steal as well. Either one of them is fine with me.

[Griff83]

If Esposito is available at #13, we take him and run. I think his attitude will change drastically in the NHL. He'll no longer be able to act the same way in the pros. He'll be benched, confronted by vets, or sent down to the minors. I think he'll be fine, as his "attitude" is one of his major setbacks heading into the draft. He's just to offensively gifted, and is an excellent skater.

As for Hamill, if he works on his speed...he could very well be a steal as well. Either one of them is fine with me.

Im certainly not sold on his supposed "great offensive upside". The guy only had 27 goals and looked like a completely different player and not as effective this season without Radulov. Ive never once been impressed with him when ive tuned into watch Remparts games. Sure he is a good skater, but I dont really see much after that. He plays in a league where tons of players put up HUGE offensive numbers , put him in the OHL or WHL and I think his offense takes a nice dive.

id rather have Backlund or Hamill at #13 then Esposito.

[Crowned]

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Im certainly not sold on his supposed "great offensive upside". The guy only had 27 goals and looked like a completely different player and not as effective this season without Radulov. Ive never once been impressed with him when ive tuned into watch Remparts games. Sure he is a good skater, but I dont really see much after that. He plays in a league where tons of players put up HUGE offensive numbers , put him in the OHL or WHL and I think his offense takes a nice dive.

id rather have Backlund or Hamill at #13 then Esposito.

I honestly don't think the OHL is any different than the Q offensively. Several players put up huge numbers in the OHL as well.

If we're going to judge players based on number of goals scored this season, take a look at these stats:

Jakub Voracek - 23 goals, similar point production as Esposito.

Logan Couture- 26 goals, similar point production as Esposito.

Zach Hamill- 7 more goals than Esposito in apprx 10 more games played.

Oscar Moller- 69 points

Brandon Sutter - 20 goals

James O'Brien- 6 goals



...those are all expected 1st round picks, with lackluster point/goal production, similar to Angelo.


I'm not arguing that Hamill is not the better prospect, because I'd love to acquire him, I've posted that elsewhere on these boards. However, Esposito is still a fantastic offensive player. In all fairness, he did score 100 points in 57 games last season, but again...disappeared in the playoffs (that attitude point I brought up).

[Griff83]

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Im certainly not sold on his supposed "great offensive upside". The guy only had 27 goals and looked like a completely different player and not as effective this season without Radulov. Ive never once been impressed with him when ive tuned into watch Remparts games. Sure he is a good skater, but I dont really see much after that. He plays in a league where tons of players put up HUGE offensive numbers , put him in the OHL or WHL and I think his offense takes a nice dive.

id rather have Backlund or Hamill at #13 then Esposito.

I honestly don't think the OHL is any different than the Q offensively. Several players put up huge numbers in the OHL as well.

If we're going to judge players based on number of goals scored this season, take a look at these stats:

Jakub Voracek - 23 goals, similar point production as Esposito.

Logan Couture- 26 goals, similar point production as Esposito.

Zach Hamill- 7 more goals than Esposito in apprx 10 more games played.

Oscar Moller- 69 points

Brandon Sutter - 20 goals

James O'Brien- 6 goals



...those are all expected 1st round picks, with lackluster point/goal production, similar to Angelo.


I'm not arguing that Hamill is not the better prospect, because I'd love to acquire him, I've posted that elsewhere on these boards. However, Esposito is still a fantastic offensive player. In all fairness, he did score 100 points in 57 games last season, but again...disappeared in the playoffs (that attitude point I brought up).

Well I dont consider players like Couture, Sutter guys with huge offensive potential. Yes Esposito had a good rookie campaign, but he also played with the best player in the CHL in Radulov. I just feel that for a guy so hyped up and said to have such great offensive ability, he should have at least finished in the top 20 in terms of Pts in the Q. I wasnt just trying to use his pts total as my whole basis, it just goes along with being rather underwhelmed watching him with the remparts and with the U-18 team as well.

and I do think the Q is alot more suited for offensive players then the OHL, but thats just my opinion.

[Crowned]

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Well I dont consider players like Couture, Sutter guys with huge offensive potential. Yes Esposito had a good rookie campaign, but he also played with the best player in the CHL in Radulov. I just feel that for a guy so hyped up and said to have such great offensive ability, he should have at least finished in the top 20 in terms of Pts in the Q. I wasnt just trying to use his pts total as my whole basis, it just goes along with being rather underwhelmed watching him with the remparts and with the U-18 team as well.

and I do think the Q is alot more suited for offensive players then the OHL, but thats just my opinion.

So many players have such noticeable strength's/weaknesses after pick #8-10 or so. That's why it's so wide open, and quite difficult predicting where players are going to land.

Couture- Speed
Ellerby- Offense
Hamill- Overall speed
Esposito- Attitude concerns
Petrecki- Offense
Backlund- Injuries

...the thing I like about this draft is that, with the above weaknesses...nothing is really alarming to me. I think overall speed and skating abilities can certainly improve at the NHL level, especially at such a young age. Esposito's attitude will definitely be adjusted in an NHL locker room, it wouldn't be pretty if he started with vets present. Although it's considered a weak draft, with no real potential stars after the first 6-7 picks (as projected, we'll see the outcome of that prediction later on)...an NHL squad can benefit from the players in the draft. Especially with the Leafs since they're trying to strengthen their overall pool of youth. A player like Hamill, Backlund or Couture would certainly begin addressing that.

[Griff83]

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Well I dont consider players like Couture, Sutter guys with huge offensive potential. Yes Esposito had a good rookie campaign, but he also played with the best player in the CHL in Radulov. I just feel that for a guy so hyped up and said to have such great offensive ability, he should have at least finished in the top 20 in terms of Pts in the Q. I wasnt just trying to use his pts total as my whole basis, it just goes along with being rather underwhelmed watching him with the remparts and with the U-18 team as well.

and I do think the Q is alot more suited for offensive players then the OHL, but thats just my opinion.

So many players have such noticeable strength's/weaknesses after pick #8-10 or so. That's why it's so wide open, and quite difficult predicting where players are going to land.

Couture- Speed
Ellerby- Offense
Hamill- Overall speed
Esposito- Attitude concerns
Petrecki- Offense
Backlund- Injuries

...the thing I like about this draft is that, with the above weaknesses...nothing is really alarming to me. I think overall speed and skating abilities can certainly improve at the NHL level, especially at such a young age. Esposito's attitude will definitely be adjusted in an NHL locker room, it wouldn't be pretty if he started with vets present. Although it's considered a weak draft, with no real potential stars after the first 6-7 picks (as projected, we'll see the outcome of that prediction later on)...an NHL squad can benefit from the players in the draft. Especially with the Leafs since they're trying to strengthen their overall pool of youth. A player like Hamill, Backlund or Couture would certainly begin addressing that.

Wouldnt increased strength be another big concern?

[Tor-Rap-Tor]

From one of my Leaf sources:

Smyth to Toronto likely, McCabe not fighting a move to NYI, a Cujo return is most likely

If all this can be accomplished, you won't be able wipe the smile off my face for weeks...

Smyth will become the new leader in Toronto when Matts retires

McCabe was a one trick pony (slap shot from the point). Other teams now go out to him and have all but stopped that shot. He has never really been a good defenceman and now doesn't block shots. Add an excess young blueliner and get back Satan this would be a good trade...

Cujo has lost a step from the last time he was here and I would like to see someone younger and more at the top of their game but Cujo will do...

[The-Insider]

Well, about a week ago Jeff Marek on Leafs Breakfast said the team is interested big time in Ryan Smyth and says the Leafs also have interest in Bell from Chicago fwiw.

Eklund reports that the Dallas Stars are trying to get a major player from the Leafs roster. I hope it's McCabe or Kubina ( we could use the cap space).


www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=8091

[juucer]

Well, about a week ago Jeff Marek on Leafs Breakfast said the team is interested big time in Ryan Smyth and says the Leafs also have interest in Bell from Chicago fwiw.

Eklund reports that the Dallas Stars are trying to get a major player from the Leafs roster. I hope it's McCabe or Kubina ( we could use the cap space).


www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=8091

Ek is now reporting that it's Steen who Dallas is after. I wouldn't want to see Steen go, I think he's going to be a great 2-way player. Not sure who Dallas is willing to return, one can only speculate.

[Banger_bro]

Is Eklund really that reliable? Didn't he great 0 of the trades correct on the Sportsnet trade deadline coverage?