Leafs Regular Season Discussion

andyo · Post #261 » by **andyo** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 4:07 am

Our PK is single-handedly losing us games right now. If our PK was simply average, we'd be one of the best teams in the league right now. It really annoys me because I am one to think that coaching has the biggest effect on special teams, and Ron Wilson has fielded terrible PK teams throughout his entire tenure now- and there's talk of him getting extended?. Some of the passes opposing teams are getting cross-crease are simply ridiculous.

J-Roc · Post #262 » by **J-Roc** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 4:30 am

Leafs are in an interesting time now. Unlike the Jays and the Raps, the Leafs are on their way up again. So now instead of just tanking and moving out contracts, which is easy, Burke has to get the right pieces to make those incremental jumps. They're a good team, but clearly still not good enough to win the big games.

_venom_ · Post #263 » by **_venom_** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 5:08 am

andyo wrote:Our PK is single-handedly losing us games right now. If our PK was simply average, we'd be one of the best teams in the league right now. It really annoys me because I am one to think that coaching has the biggest effect on special teams, and Ron Wilson has fielded terrible PK teams throughout his entire tenure now- and there's talk of him getting extended?. Some of the passes opposing teams are getting cross-crease are simply ridiculous.

Pretty much. We're a decent 5 on 5 team and our PP is one of the best in the league but our PK is absolutely horrendous. Whoever is coaching the PK needs to be removed. The players are constantly out of position. It's not all on the personnel. A lot of the guys we have were part of good penalty killing units on other teams. The PK is killing us right now. When you give up 2 PPG against every game it's tough to win.

Post #264 » by **Crowned** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 7:13 am

whysoserious wrote:
darth_federer wrote:
TheRealistGM wrote:I'm not liking the no Saturday night games. Normally my saturdays are all scheduled/revolve around the leafs playing at 7 pm.

Blame the league. Changed it up in 2008 and there was a limit on the number of times a team could be on national tv.

Hearing the Leafs are in on Eric Staal. Hes having a bad year but hes clearly a star. Wouldn't sell the farm for him though.

What would you give up for him? He's exactly the kind of presence this team has been missing and he's still young. If he is available I think Burke should do everything to get him. As well as Bozak has played so far this year, how many people actually believe he's a top line centre?

Anything but Kessel, Gardiner and Reimer. I think anyone else should be (minus maybe Schenn, I don't think Burke will trade him) available for Staal.

When and if someone like Staal becomes available, you don't stop until he's acquired. He's EXACTLY what Kessel needs next to him up the middle.

whysoserious · Post #265 » by **whysoserious** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 12:46 pm

Crowned wrote:Anything but Kessel, Gardiner and Reimer. I think anyone else should be (minus maybe Schenn, I don't think Burke will trade him) available for Staal.

When and if someone like Staal becomes available, you don't stop until he's acquired. He's EXACTLY what Kessel needs next to him up the middle.

I agree whole-heartedly. I mean we've seen some guys like this come on the market and the Leafs be too stingy with their prospects to make a move or just late getting in the discussion. In the past, our prospect cupboard was pretty bare but now we've got some good young talent developing.

I'd say a Kadri, Aulie, and a first for Staal wouldn't be bad. If you had to throw in some other pieces maybe but that's a good start.

TheRealistGM · Post #266 » by **TheRealistGM** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 6:11 am

I for once agree with Don Cherry. Ziggy needs to be called up from the minors to help with the PK. I'd like to see Dupuis gone. He brings nothing.

The wierdest part is, he is said to be our penalty killing specialist, but when Phaneuf got that 5 minute penalty the other game. Why was Dupuis serving the penalty? Wouldn't it make sense to have your best penalty killing forward on the ice lol.

Also with Steckels faceoff numbers coming back down to earth its apparent he is a liability as well because of his lack of footspeed.

Post #267 » by **YogiStewart** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 2:27 am

looks like lots is coming back down to earth.

so which Grabo-Kulimen-McArthur is the accurate one? last year or this year's version?
last year, they played like a 1st line. this year? like a 3rd line, at best.

that plus the penalty killing's the reason why the Leafs are now a loss out of falling out of the playoffs.

Relentless88 · Post #268 » by **Relentless88** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 2:48 am

^Agreed, 2nd line has pretty much been non-existent this entire season, yet the Leafs are somehow still in the playoff picture. No other team relies on their top line as much as the Leafs. Burke needs to go after an impact C, and Eric Staal makes all kinds of sense.

andyo · Post #269 » by **andyo** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 7:52 am

I would trade Schenn for Staal if he was a deal-breaker, with him being the only main peice they get back. Carolina is specifically looking for defense and its a given we will have to give up Schenn or Gardiner in any deal. Personally, I feel Gardiner has a lot more upside due to his skating ability, etc. He just needs experience and a physical element to his game.

As for Schenn, his upside is limited but he's already a very good shut-down stay at home type defenseman. He is what he is but his value will start to plummet because it looks like his development has hit a wall. I don't see him becoming significantly better than he is right now, in other words. He projects as a #2/#3 defensive defenseman.

Post #270 » by **YogiStewart** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:43 pm

have any of you guys looks at Staal's caphit?
first, its almost impossible to make the trade from the current cap point of view.
but his cap hit is HORRIBLE.
SEASON AHL SALARY NHL SALARY P. BONUSES S. BONUS CAP HIT
2009-10 $6,000,000 $6,000,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2010-11 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2011-12 $7,750,000 $7,750,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2012-13 $8,500,000 $8,500,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2013-14 $9,250,000 $9,250,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2014-15 $9,250,000 $9,250,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2015-16 $9,500,000 $9,500,000

He is not a $9.5 mill/year player no matter how you dice it. i'd be more tempted to trade for Lecavalier if you're going to piss away money and cap space.

some people - including Mr Burke - need to understand how to manage the cap. Look at the Lightening as a prime example how to NOT manage the cap well.

Post #271 » by **YogiStewart** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:44 pm

Armstrong is out tonight. again.
i'd argue that after Komisarek and Phanef, he's the biggest waste of cap space.
I don't care about the things he does when he's healthy.
he hasn't been healthy in the last 2 seasons.

Post #272 » by **darth_federer** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 1:46 am

Phaneuf is miles better than those two. He might be overpaid but hes a pretty good player.

Post #273 » by **Crowned** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:24 pm

YogiStewart wrote:have any of you guys looks at Staal's caphit?
first, its almost impossible to make the trade from the current cap point of view.
but his cap hit is HORRIBLE.
SEASON AHL SALARY NHL SALARY P. BONUSES S. BONUS CAP HIT
2009-10 $6,000,000 $6,000,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2010-11 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2011-12 $7,750,000 $7,750,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2012-13 $8,500,000 $8,500,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2013-14 $9,250,000 $9,250,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2014-15 $9,250,000 $9,250,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2015-16 $9,500,000 $9,500,000

He is not a $9.5 mill/year player no matter how you dice it. i'd be more tempted to trade for Lecavalier if you're going to piss away money and cap space.

some people - including Mr Burke - need to understand how to manage the cap. Look at the Lightening as a prime example how to NOT manage the cap well.

If we want an elite center or top line player, that's what it's going to cost. You don't really find many players better than Staal up the middle. With the stats he put up, I'd argue the best offensive player he's played with (outside a 36+ Ron Francis and Rod Brind'amour) is Justin Williams and Erik Cole. He's still young, he's big and strong....and has never finished with a poorly played season.

I don't think an 8.2 mil cap hit is too much for him at all, especially considering it expires when he's what...32 years old?

TheRealistGM · Post #274 » by **TheRealistGM** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:10 pm

Anyone think Kulemin's slow season to date could be a sort of blessing in disguise. He is FA at the end of the year and poor numbers could mean we retain him for cheap

TheRealistGM · Post #275 » by **TheRealistGM** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:13 pm

Crowned wrote:
YogiStewart wrote:have any of you guys looks at Staal's caphit?
first, its almost impossible to make the trade from the current cap point of view.
but his cap hit is HORRIBLE.
SEASON AHL SALARY NHL SALARY P. BONUSES S. BONUS CAP HIT
2009-10 $6,000,000 $6,000,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2010-11 $7,500,000 $7,500,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2011-12 $7,750,000 $7,750,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2012-13 $8,500,000 $8,500,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2013-14 $9,250,000 $9,250,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2014-15 $9,250,000 $9,250,000 $0 — $8,250,000
2015-16 $9,500,000 $9,500,000

He is not a $9.5 mill/year player no matter how you dice it. i'd be more tempted to trade for Lecavalier if you're going to piss away money and cap space.

some people - including Mr Burke - need to understand how to manage the cap. Look at the Lightening as a prime example how to NOT manage the cap well.

If we want an elite center or top line player, that's what it's going to cost. You don't really find many players better than Staal up the middle. With the stats he put up, I'd argue the best offensive player he's played with (outside a 36+ Ron Francis and Rod Brind'amour) is Justin Williams and Erik Cole. He's still young, he's big and strong....and has never finished with a poorly played season.

I don't think an 8.2 mil cap hit is too much for him at all, especially considering it expires when he's what...32 years old?

Also take into consideration that the NHL salary cap has been increasing every year. And really it shows no sign of slowing down. So his cap hit will likely not even be as significant later on in his contract

Bankai · Post #276 » by **Bankai** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:37 am

When was the last time Phil Kessel scored a goal in a shootout? Of all the Leaf games ive watched that went to the SO it seems like never, but he keeps getting the opportunity to try. :roll:

Hes also had numerous breakaway opportunities but he can never convert. He only seems to score when there is obstacles. Seems disappointing but I think Kessel's goal scoring capabilities are overrated.

Post #277 » by **YogiStewart** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 5:12 pm

Leafs recalled Boyce and Kadri.

wondering if this is the last time you'll see Armstrong this year.

_venom_ · Post #278 » by **_venom_** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 5:19 pm

Yea Armstrong could be gone for the year. Never know how he'll respond after a concussion. Thank goodness Dupuis is on the IR too. He's been totally useless all season long. Boyce is a much better option.

Also this is probably Kadri's last chance with the big club. If he doesn't play well I don't see him making it the year with the Leafs organization, he'll be moved in a trade. Hopefully he steps his game up and can add some secondary offense to the team. With Armstrong, Dupuis, Brown, and Lombardi out indefinitely he will probably get at least a week or two to show what he can do.

The lines for tmrw will apparently be:

Lupul/Bozak/Kessel
Kulemin/Grabovski/Frattin
Macarthur/Connolly/Kadri
Rosehill/Steckel/Boyce

Post #279 » by **Crowned** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:27 pm

Kadri's offensive game is surely going to help. Here's a thought, is he going to be auditioned?

Post #280 » by **YogiStewart** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 11:46 pm

Crowned wrote:Kadri's offensive game is surely going to help. Here's a thought, is he going to be auditioned?

for whom?
would you trade for him?
scrawny scorer who hasn't scored when playing in the NHL?
he'd net you a 2nd or 3rd round pick, max.
you trade him for basically the equivalent of Luca Caputi i.e. a failed prospect.