How can we fix the Leaf's

[Tor-Rap-Tor]

I'm very torn on this issue and not sure the best route to go, my instinct is to mostly keep the team intact and add younger talented prospects or draft choices by making a few trades at the deadline. We have however missed the play-offs the last two years and it looks like we may miss them again...

Those trades at the deadline could include Mats Sundin (this is the one that I would do as a last resort and only if the package blew my socks off), he is the most marketable of any player we have...

Other players could be Kubina, McCabe, Kaberle or in fact any of the D we have...

Forwards with the exception of Steen, Stajan Tlusty and Wellwood could be had for good young prospects or draft choices...

Goal tenders one should go and that one has to be Raycroft we are paying him way too much as a back up and Clemmenson could easily replace him...

Notes:
JfJ has backed us into a corner giving out Large, long term, no trade contracts and has made some players, virtually impossible to move and no cap room to maneuver...

Maurice seems to have had trouble motivating his players and they seem out of position in many instances...

What is your solution?

[Griff83]

I'm very torn on this issue and not sure the best route to go, my instinct is to mostly keep the team intact and add younger talented prospects or draft choices by making a few trades at the deadline. We have however missed the play-offs the last two years and it looks like we may miss them again...

Those trades at the deadline could include Mats Sundin (this is the one that I would do as a last resort and only if the package blew my socks off), he is the most marketable of any player we have...

Other players could be Kubina, McCabe, Kaberle or in fact any of the D we have...

Forwards with the exception of Steen, Stajan Tlusty and Wellwood could be had for good young prospects or draft choices...

Goal tenders one should go and that one has to be Raycroft we are paying him way too much as a back up and Clemmenson could easily replace him...

Notes:
JfJ has backed us into a corner giving out Large, long term, no trade contracts and has made some players, virtually impossible to move and no cap room to maneuver...

Maurice seems to have had trouble motivating his players and they seem out of position in many instances...

What is your solution?

Whole thing needs to be blown up, especially starting with puting a capable and proven mind in the managerial position and give him the keys to team and full authority. This situation is like a open cut and instead of cleaning it out and stitching it back up the higher ups would rather to continue to just put a bandaid over it and see how long that lasts.

Bring in Scotty Bowman, let him be sellars at the deadline and move Sundin to a cup contender. If Sundin wants to play after this season theres no reason he cant resign with us in the offseason ala Doug Weight with the blues a few years back. In the process we could most certainly get a first rounder+Prospect and current player.

[TR50]

combo of the two...without firing the idiot of a GM we have we won't be able to blow the team up

[emfive]

I believe the only solution that works for this year is the OP's. more or less. Although some of the trades would be salary dumps rather than real trades.

I would trade at least one of the vet defense McCabe/Kubina or Gill (or any combo) as a last resort to make room for youth on the back line. I am not sold on White, but I would be willing to stick with the other youngsters. (I still believe the problem with the GA is mostly the fault of the forwards play BTW)

On the forward line there are issues as well of course but they are not as old up front as one might think. They need to do something dramatic there but that probably will not happen. There is no quick fix unless they can make a bold move and that will not happen till the end of the season.

At that point (unless there is a dramatic turnaround) all bets are off (or maybe on ) in terms of direction. They will be hunting a new GM. In many peoples eyes they will have given JFJ his shot and go hunting for a big name with a solid background.

[Tor-Rap-Tor]

http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Hockey ... 2-sun.html

This article in The Sun is definitely Blake skirting the issue about his feelings on how Maurice is coaching the Leafs. It's not what he's saying but what he's inferring, going so far as to applaud Ted Nolan's approach to the game but it's not only the coach he's panning here, there are players too he is not happy with and it seems to go deeper but without him actually saying what it is we can only speculate...

When players start to point fingers, who is closer to the problem than they are and is anyone listening? Maybe Maurice should go but who can replace him, Quinn, we know thats not going to happen but Pat Burns may be the solution, a demanding coach with a boring checking style of coaching?...

Blake won't say he isn't crazy about playing with Sundin, but he will say he liked the fit with Kyle Wellwood.

I was going to post something the other day about how well Blake and Wellwood worked together and it would have been something to see Gamache another speedster on that line however defense would have to been thrown out the door, as these 3 are not noted for their defensive abilities, Devereaux could work here, he has some defensive instincts and has good wheels...

[Crowned]

This team doesn't need to be blown up. We've got enough players on the current roster that could fit in long term. There are a couple contracts that need to be moved, but that's about it. I'd rather see us draft well, and re-tool through free agency.

"Blowing" a team up implies that you're trading everyone away for youth or draft picks. Other than Sundin and McCabe, who exactly are we going to deal? I'd rather hang onto the likes of Toskala, Kaberle, Steen, Stajan, and the rest of our youth. Who else does that leave? We could deal Kubina, and re-assess our defensive core next free agency. We could deal Blake, but I'd rather not at this point in the season. We JUST signed the guy to a long term contract. McCabe, Sundin and Raycroft could go, and free up some cap space.

We need to re-tool the roster. We'll have Kulemin, Tlusty, Stralman and Pogge on the roster in a year or two, and our current youth on the team is already developing at a reasonable pace. We need to draft well from here on out, and get smarter through free agency.

[Griff83]

This team doesn't need to be blown up. We've got enough players on the current roster that could fit in long term. There are a couple contracts that need to be moved, but that's about it. I'd rather see us draft well, and re-tool through free agency.

"Blowing" a team up implies that you're trading everyone away for youth or draft picks. Other than Sundin and McCabe, who exactly are we going to deal? I'd rather hang onto the likes of Toskala, Kaberle, Steen, Stajan, and the rest of our youth. Who else does that leave? We could deal Kubina, and re-assess our defensive core next free agency. We could deal Blake, but I'd rather not at this point in the season. We JUST signed the guy to a long term contract. McCabe, Sundin and Raycroft could go, and free up some cap space.

We need to re-tool the roster. We'll have Kulemin, Tlusty, Stralman and Pogge on the roster in a year or two, and our current youth on the team is already developing at a reasonable pace. We need to draft well from here on out, and get smarter through free agency.

The team itself doesnt have to be fully blown up(not every player has to be dealt), but when I say it needs to be blown up, Im speaking more about both JFJ and Maurice getting the boot as I think they have both have enough time to prove there worth and it has been rather underwhelming. You speak about drafting well and being smart thru free agency, do you really trust Ferguson to be the guy to do these things going forward? The same guy who trades away picks at will and his 2 latest free agency signings could be argued to be overpaid and majorly underperforming for what they are getting paid.

Sundin, McCabe, Kubina, Tucker should all be shopped this season for picks, prospects or just to open up cap space going forward. This season seems like the perect season to Trade Mats while his stock is sky high and retool on the fly like Philly did last season with dealing Forsberg and making a few slick trades that set themselves up well for the draft and free agency.

something has to give, either JFJ gets canned or Maurice fired because this can no longer go on where we have the highest paid defence in the league and are pretty much the worst defensive team.

[risktaker91]

JFJ needs to go.

[MAS]

I've been advocating blowing it up for a long time, therefore I will continue to do so

I really like the way the Flyers retooled.... we should do something like that

[The-Insider]

Trade Sundin then re-sign him through free agency. It's been done before...

[Crowned]

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The team itself doesnt have to be fully blown up(not every player has to be dealt), but when I say it needs to be blown up, Im speaking more about both JFJ and Maurice getting the boot as I think they have both have enough time to prove there worth and it has been rather underwhelming. You speak about drafting well and being smart thru free agency, do you really trust Ferguson to be the guy to do these things going forward? The same guy who trades away picks at will and his 2 latest free agency signings could be argued to be overpaid and majorly underperforming for what they are getting paid.

Sundin, McCabe, Kubina, Tucker should all be shopped this season for picks, prospects or just to open up cap space going forward. This season seems like the perect season to Trade Mats while his stock is sky high and retool on the fly like Philly did last season with dealing Forsberg and making a few slick trades that set themselves up well for the draft and free agency.

something has to give, either JFJ gets canned or Maurice fired because this can no longer go on where we have the highest paid defence in the league and are pretty much the worst defensive team.

Kubina has been our best defenseman this year, and I still stand by my comment that Jason Blake is worth his contract. He has drafted well since he's been here.

The problem is, ownership is putting too much pressure on winning, JFJ has no choice but to deal picks for immediate help. He'll lose his job.

[Griff83]

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Kubina has been our best defenseman this year, and I still stand by my comment that Jason Blake is worth his contract. He has drafted well since he's been here.

The problem is, ownership is putting too much pressure on winning, JFJ has no choice but to deal picks for immediate help. He'll lose his job.

Blake has 2 goals this year and last time I checked we signed him to put the puck in the net no?

there was some people around here who I will leave unnamed who said he would challenge 50 goals and was certainly a lock for 30 and the way its going he will be lucky to break 25. I dont have issues with what were paying him now, but as his contract goes along and he declines with age its not going to look good.

[youreachiteach]

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Blake has 2 goals this year and last time I checked we signed him to put the puck in the net no?

there was some people around here who I will leave unnamed who said he would challenge 50 goals and was certainly a lock for 30 and the way its going he will be lucky to break 25. I dont have issues with what were paying him now, but as his contract goes along and he declines with age its not going to look good.

And how many points does he have? And what is that disease no one knew about that he has...oh yeah LEUKEMIA!! Good call on that one. You knew it all along.

[Griff83]

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And how many points does he have? And what is that disease no one knew about that he has...oh yeah LEUKEMIA!! Good call on that one. You knew it all along.

We signed him to score goals, not grab assists.

Blake said at the press conference he's never felt better and it would not effect his performance. If you have watched him before this season (which I hardly doubt) youd realize that his speed is the same from years before and the disease hasnt effected those strengths yet.

Was just silly to ever think the guy would seriously challenge 50 goals but on the other hand you once told me in the offseason this team was going to be a legit contender

[Tor-Rap-Tor]

Well the poll has indicated, that most other Leaf fans, are also split on how to get the Team on track.

2 for Blow-up the team and start over
2 for Trade a few players and add some young blood
2 for Combination of any of the above also includes(fire JFJ-fire Maurice or fire both)

I think once all the players get back from injuries (Kubina just went down) we can reassess how the team is doing and get a better idea of how we are doing and how JKJ and Maurice will proceed in righting the ship...

I think JFJ and Maurice will be replaced at the end of the season if things don't improve and if we don't make the play-offs. A new mgr. and coach will be found and they will have the task of what to do to improve the team...

[Griff83]

Well the poll has indicated, that most other Leaf fans, are also split on how to get the Team on track.

2 for Blow-up the team and start over
2 for Trade a few players and add some young blood
2 for Combination of any of the above also includes(fire JFJ-fire Maurice or fire both)

I think once all the players get back from injuries (Kubina just went down) we can reassess how the team is doing and get a better idea of how we are doing and how JKJ and Maurice will proceed in righting the ship...

I think JFJ and Maurice will be replaced at the end of the season if things don't improve and if we don't make the play-offs. A new mgr. and coach will be found and they will have the task of what to do to improve the team...

hopefully JFJ is replaced before the deadline so we dont see a horrible trade for some rental like we did last season with Perrault. Im just scared to think what he might do when he knows is job is on the line (say goodbye to more picks and prospects).

[emfive]

BJ You need to check Blake's shots on goals. Nothing has changed except they are not going in. If he gets a couple the drought may vanish in a hurry.

[Griff83]

BJ You need to check Blake's shots on goals. Nothing has changed except they are not going in. If he gets a couple the drought may vanish in a hurry.

exactly, his shot totals havent changed which would lead you to believe that his disease isnt causing him to perform below expectations. If his speed and shot totals were down then someone could make a argument the disease was effecting him.

[Marmoset]

I definitely think it's a combination of the above, but let's take a look at a few key ones:

- Blow-up the team and start over

I was calling for this for about the last three years, just as a lot of other people were. However, when they gave those contracts to McCabe and Kubina, and traded for Raycroft, it made that harder to do. When they signed Blake, re-signed Tucker, and traded for Toskala, it made it just about impossible. There are simply too many big contracts for just 'good' players on the team. I don't think blowing it all up is practical until at least another year ticks off these contracts. At the very least it will have to wait until the trade deadline, and if the Leafs are somewhat in the hunt, you know they won't do it. They have to be definitively out of the race for a rebuild to happen.

- Trade a few players and add some young blood

This is practical, and should happen. But I'm going to go a little against the grain here. One thing the Leafs have been terrible at is following the premise of buy low, sell high. They seem to buy high, and eventually be forced to buy OUT or just let guys decline. They need to take the initiative and not just try and dump a bad contract, but take a page from the NBA and package the bad contract with something of value to get a really valuable asset.

Example #1 - Nik Antropov. He's been hot, looks like he's finally living up to some of potential after all these years. Personally, I think that while he improved, he can't possibly maintain the level he's played at, and he's already starting to cool down. Trade him while he's hot along with one of the guys you really want to dump. Ex #2: Hal Gill - okay, he's looked like a pylon in some recent games, but his contract isn't horrible and virtually untradeable like a Kubina, and he has value in the NHL.

Also, guys like Stajan, Steen, etc. should not be untouchable, although I wouldn't actively look to move them unless I had decided they're not likely to amount to much. But the Leafs do not have a single player I would call untouchable (although in my mind Kaberle comes close because of his ability, age, and contract).

- Get Rid of Paul Maurice and John Ferguson jr

This has to be a package deal. If JFJ goes, Maurice has to go. We can't have the situation of a GM being stuck with a coach he doesn't want. We already had JFJ stuck with Pat Quinn. An exception can be made if the GM chooses to give the coach a chance, like Colangelo with Sam Mitchell. But it has to be totally up to the GM. As for the new GM, spend the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ !!!!!!! It amazes me that both Toronto teams have spend millions and millions on players but gone cheap with management. They've finally seen the light on the basketball side, and it's time to do the same with the Leafs.

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I don't think this is rocket science - which is what makes it all the more frustrating for Leafs fans.

[Tor-Rap-Tor]

Marmoset

Thats a very good assessment and I can't disagree with you, I think after the season is over both JFJ and Maurice will be history here...

As for Kubina being untradeable, we may have to get creative here. This is something I came up with a while back and it is possible. The Rangers and Leaf's making a trade

Rangers Trade Kasparitis 3.1 million
Prucha 1.6 million
Total 4.7 million
Leaf's Trade Kubina 5.0 million

Reason for the Trade Rangers looking for a puck moving D.

Leaf's reason is Kasparitis's 3.1 mill contract is over after this season and he is a UFA, we get Prucha a young, reasonably good player, we may also have to take another young player to even out the cap hit, someone expendable in their organization, ( Kasparitis's contract may already be off their cap because he is on loan to the Russian league), I thought this out before he was loaned out...

The question is will our team and JFJ in particular think this way and find a similar deal?...

I am having my doubts about coaching recently because our players seem to be running around in our own end, when pressured and are out of position every time there is a flurry around the net. I think our goal tending is pretty good but nobody is clearing the front of the net and picking up the open man who invariably scores uncontested. Either the team is not performing Maurice's System, or his system is useless, in either case it's not working...

Paul Maurice is a good interviewee but is he a good coach and as I alluded to above, maybe a coaching change can get our team back on the tracks and players like McCabe can get some confidence in their game, maybe it's a matter of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) and also a little direction too wouldn't hurt?...

edited for addition and spelling