| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/24/2008 12:02:24 AM | this is a question to all leaf fans on the site are you happy up to this point about what The Leafs have done this off season?
I have been A leaf fan for 8 years I remember the days of Tucker Roberts Corson and Green mixed in with the skill of Sundin, Mogliny and the goal tending of Cujo and Later Belfour. These were days when a team would come into the ACC and KNOW that if they were going to win they were going to get hit and hit HARD with Roberts and Tucker roaming around the ice.
Over the Last 4 years however this team has gone from a team that other teams hated to play for hear of getting hurt to a team that became one of if not the softest in the Entire NHL.
fast forward to 2008 The Moron JFJ is gone, the coach is gone Cliff Fletcher has gone out and revamped the coaching staff with Ron Wilson, Rob Zettler and Tim Hunter, he has hired 2 time cup winer Al Coates, Traded for gritty Winger Jamal Mayers and Drafted Blue line Prospect Luke Schenn 5th overall at the draft this past weekend.
to me it looks as though The Leafs are are trying to bring in Size. Grit and Heart something we had NONE of last season
but is that enough this off season?
are you happy with what they have done so far? are you not happy? what is next for the Leafs?
my guess fletcher signs Avery | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/24/2008 9:52:18 AM | """...are you happy with what they have done so far? are you not happy? what is next for the Leafs?..."""
i'm Ok with the little baby steps Cliff has done so far. He's added some good men around him including Wilson. So so happy to see Maurice given his walking papers. He never earned the job in the first place and should never have been given the job to begin with.
Real happy to see Cliff move up and grab Schenn. Hard rock D-man is something this club's been missing for a long time. And i'm all good with the Jamal Mayers deal.
Cliff should resign Dominick Moore and round out his thrid line with Mayers, Devereaux and Moore.
Steen, Stajan and Blake would be an OK line or throw Mark Bell onto that line and throw Blake back up to the front line with someone like Marleau.
Move Kubina for someone like a patrick marleau and bring up Kronwall, Strallman, Collaiocovo, White, Mccabe, Kaberle and Schenn as our blueline corp with one more middle of the road experience blueliner like jersey's Salvador to step in when Carlo eventually gets another season ending injury..Then maybe revisit Philly and see if they're willing to move kaberle for Jeff Carter
Throw the young hopeful phenom Kumelin on a Russian unit with Antropov at centre and Ponygirl on the wing for another line.
That leaves marleau, Blake and someone else to make up the big line...maybe try and snag a Rolston or a jeff carter, (a michael Ryder shoud be a good bargain after last years debacle in Mtl) or a Corey Perry from RFA, or get Higgins for trading Sundin's negotiating rights to mtl. Or, if you like, dump Sideshow Bob and move in Avery or malone. but it sounds like Cliff won't have enough dough-ray-me to sign Avery, or even feel that Avery is worth what his agent seems to think he's worth.
Either keep Tucker and hope he's had his mulligan last year or buy him out, and buy Raycroft out or move him and put Pogge on the bench as the backup even though Marlies coach Greg Gilbert kinda screwed up not playing him in the playoff run this past year in favor of Clemmenson until the last two games of the third round. Wellwood buh-bye.
Inch by inch it's a cinch. Yard by yard it's hard. Mile by mile is nothing but a trial. One step at a time.
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/24/2008 10:15:25 AM | It all starts in the net and works out from there. Until the Leafs get someone between the pipes that can stop some rubber on a consistent basis, they will continue to be bottom-feeders in the NHL.
cdn guy | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/24/2008 11:53:39 AM | Once Wilson gets a defensive system in place, we will probably see shortly thereafter why Fletcher, Wilson and a whole bunch of other NHL minds figure goaltending is the one area the Leafs don't need to address. Leafs would have finished with about 70 points last year without Toskala. Him and Sundin were the only two leafs we could on an honest effort from every night. Even in the 17-20 game stretch at the end of the season where the leafs finally decided to play semi-professionally, Toskala stole them their points most nights.
True Toskala had usually one real clunker of a game usually about once a month where it didn't look like he could stop a beachball, but most nights he was solid in their and i doubt there's more than a half dozen goalers in the league with a better glovehand. I'd take him over most of the other goalies in the east right now. There's a reason besides bad management that we gave up two draft picks to get this guy. He's not the weak link on that club. Hopefully he'll prove that this season to all of us.
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/24/2008 5:49:02 PM | | Nah..I think goaltending isn't the problem. Toskala played well...considering what he had in front of him. Hopefully Sundin decides to come back for one more year...I think they only player they should let go for sure is Ponikarovsky...just terrible, plays with no heart. Tucker had a horrible season...I hope he can redeem himself, but am not too sure he can. He could bring in youth from elsewhere if traded. | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/26/2008 2:51:07 PM | I hate to say it, but they're doing the right thing by cleaning house.
Tucker...buh bye. McCabe..i've waited too damn long to see him go...sounds like they're buying him out as well, and it's unfortunate at the $7.5 million he was signed for. Wellwood was picked up off waivers by Vancouver, and frankly, I think he'll do much better there.
Raycroft needs to go. Toskala played a strong season last year, and I think with a strong young defense infront of him, he's actually capable of being a starting goaltender. The thing with goaltenders is that they can only shine if they have help in the form of a defense, which T.O was seriously lacking last year. I'd love to see them call Pogge at some point.
Stralman was awesome toward the end of last season, and I think he's a good player to have on the team. If i'm not mistaken I do believe I even saw him drop the gloves a couple times, while playing for the Leafs, last season. This is what they need in a defencemen. That wanker Kubina does nothing for me. He has his moments, but they need a strong all-around player, and unfortunately Kubina is burnt out, if you ask me.
I was actually at the draft on the weekend, and was thrilled with the Leafs' picks. Luke Schenn will be an awesome addition to the Toronto franchise. Of all the top picks, I was thrilled to have him land in a blue and white jersey.
While i'd like to see Mats sign for sentimental reasons, it might be time to move the "veteran players" out and some fresh young legs in.
All in all, i'm pleased with the off-season, though I don't think firing the coach is a solution to the lack of talent the team has had. | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/26/2008 3:25:23 PM | | We will see .It all has to do with the scouts and salary cap. Ask this question 3 years from now. Toskala is a beginning Rember Cliff's draft schmaft.I hope Cliff is the front man for Mr Burk | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/27/2008 12:25:50 PM | | wait a minute are u a leafs fan in Ottawa?? wow now if we can only get all those other hated sens fans to turn into leafs fans,then the world would be alright lol.As for Luke schenn ,he reminds me of scott stevens, and did u see him play for the junior team,great pick for the leafs, as for mccabe bye bye ....did u hear the interview with tuckers agent? how arrogant his he, he was laughing when he said that he will take the buyout offer from the leafs and just sign with some other team .something wrong there don't u think so?? as for the sens fans i don't think they will even make the playoffs this year they really lost a lot in this offseason..i have to say one more thing go leafs go... | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/27/2008 12:35:34 PM | let me guess your a sens fan.if only the sens had as much heart as the leafs do they would be that much better, my beloved maple leafs still kicked the sens ass in the playoffs when we made them lol.i have two ways to make the sens better get rid of that bum of a captain, i won't even say his name, and the other chris neil ,maybe just maybe i would cheer for them. nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.lol go leafs go.. | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/27/2008 1:18:09 PM | I sure am a Leafs fan in Ottawa! Though I never turned into one. I was born here, but have always bled blue and white. It can get frustrating because most Ottawa fans know fcuk all about hockey. They're total bandwagon fans, and it is pretty frustrating when you love hockey as much as I do, to hear some ignorant jerk talk about that "bum of a captain" being some sort of goddamn hero or something. If he could get through one season uninjured, or perhaps...not be such a p***y and play through it, i'd have a little more respect for him, and them as a team.
I do agree about the Sens being much better if they played with a little more heart. That's why i'll always love the Leafs. They play with passion, grit, heart. They're not a finesse team. They don't win as often as they could, but they play the game.
I did see Schenn play for Canada. A great addition to the team! Leafs won't get anywhere until they fix their defence, and this is a great step in the right direction.
When I was at the draft, there were three Team Canada scouts sitting infront of me talking about Schenn and the Leafs, actually. It was sort of interesting to hear people on the staff talk about him and how he will contribute.
All this talk about hockey is making me wish the summer would hurry up and go! I have a sister who plays women's hockey and while they have great skill, it just doesn't compare. | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/28/2008 12:01:15 AM | | Fletcher bought out Raycroft today Can anybody tell me why they didn't send him to the Marlies where his salary does not count towards the cap and have him off the books for next year instead of of paying him for another 2 years. | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/28/2008 12:16:19 AM | why pay him for the next 2 years when you could banish him to the minors for a year and NOT have his 2.2 mil count towards the cap and also NOT waste 1.7 million on a guy that your paying to sit at home.
I'd rather he be off the books at the end of this year then pay him to stay home for 2 years | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/28/2008 5:59:01 AM | | I liked it better in the pre-salary cap days, when the Leafs could just go outspend everyone else to buy a championship.... too bad they never took advantage of the opportunity | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/28/2008 6:10:06 AM | I don't think Cliff feels it's in Pogge's best longterm interests to have Raycroft down on the marlies with him there possibly affecting his attitude. EDIT: Leafs want to decide once and for all if this kid Pogge is the goaler of the future for the Leafs.
Leafs get bit this year for 533K and next year for 733K. Not a real ton of money to write off in hockey terms. Who knows, maybe the accountants want some of these buyouts. I think it's better to cut the cord for everyone's sake, including Raycroft. The club lost confidence in him and we'd be putting up with the typical Toronto media garbage if Vesa has a bad game or two to start the season, dweebs like Damien Cox and whatnot will be clamouring in the papers to bring raycroft back up. Cut the cord. Let him go.
They're bringing in James Reimer from the 06 draft to back up Pogge and then looking to pick up someone like Ty Conklin, Dubewicz, Alex Auld to back up Toskala. Clemmenson will not be offered a new contract. Odd with Clemmenson is that coach Greg Gilbert rode this guy thru the Marlies playoff run this past spring. I would think Fletcher would be having a word or two with Gilbert about his role as coach of the Leafs developmental club and his selection of starting goalers in a playoff run.
These moves so far give Cliff about 15 million to work with to sign FA's centres Dominick Moore, Stajan (offered a contract yesterday I believe). Enough money kicking around there to go after some of the heart of that Pens club in Malone and Brooks Orpik. UFA's only for Cliff next week. He doesn't want to give up any draft picks for RFA's.
I'd like to see Cliff go sign Brooks Orpik, maybe Brad Stuart, and a Mike Commodore and/or a Bryce Salvador and then hold training camp with about 9 or 10 defencemen. Then if a guy can't make the squad and has a no-movement clause or refuses to be traded, then he should sit for the season...McCabester. He can then sit and pout while he collects 5 million or he can look in the mirror and ask himself if he's really a hockey player then maybe he should agree to go play in New York somewhere. I just have a hard time wrapping my head around McCabes attitude when every sports blog i read the fans want him off this roster and none of them mince words about him. Wouldn't most players look at it and say, Gee, these fans really don't want me playing for their club? Maybe I should swallow my false pride and get out of dodge while the rest of my cronies are getting turfed as well.
That's the hardball i would have liked to see them play on sideshow Bob. If he was sincere in that he wants to win a Cup as he says then 1) he should have agreed to a trade back in feb. and 2) he should have agreed to a trade this summer. He's full of shit about wanting to win a Cup. But it would be harder for leafs to attract quality players down the road if Toronto gets a reputation for doing this type of stuff, even if the player is full of sh1t...
Wellwood, Sundin (?), Tucker, Raycroft, Kilger, Belak, Gill all gone now since Cliff took over. I would say we're approaching "blown-up' category.
I think Cliff's warmed up now and ready to sign a couple of free agents. | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/28/2008 6:57:39 AM |
I think it's better to cut the cord for everyone's sake, including Raycroft. The club lost confidence in him and we'd be putting up with the typical Toronto media garbage if Vesa has a bad game or two to start the season, dweebs like Damien Cox and whatnot will be clamouring in the papers to bring raycroft back up. Cut the cord. Let him go
Exactly. Bad investment. Get rid of him! golatending isn't really an issue right now for the Leafs...they don't need a guy like him sitting in the minors.
I'd actually love to see Conklin to backup Vesa.
While i'm neutral on Stajan (he's hot and cold), I really do like Moore, and would like to see them sign him.
Orpik and Stuart would be a great addition to the team, though i'm going to disagree with Commodore. I don't think he'd function as well on a team like the Leafs. There's a prime example of a guy who should've been left where he was. Ottawa has a way of totally ruining hockey players (more specifically goalies, but other players sometimes as well) and I have a feeling Commodore has lost a bit of his spark. That was a trade that did little for Ottawa, and I don't know if it would pay off for Toronto, either. Commodore should be playing on a team like Buffalo or Edmonton (though, having played in Calgary would hurt him there)...another one of those grit teams.
I was actually sad to see Kilger go, at the trade.
I'm excited to see what happens next week. | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/28/2008 7:48:52 AM | """...I was actually sad to see Kilger go, at the trade..."""
Kilger never hurt us as a Leaf but Cliff knew something was up when he unloaded him. Fla still can't find him as he's been missing in action since before the trade happened. Fla waived the physical to push the deal thru and are probably regretting it now. I believe he's still under suspension by the Pantherrs. Something wierd going on in his personal life that few seem to know much about. Kilger could always be a good fourth line guy, but trouble is in To, we have too many fourth line guys already. Basically we used the third round pick in the Kilger deal to get Mayers. I have high hopes for Mayers but his last three year's plus minus is a bit of a concern.
"""... I really do like Moore..."""
So do I. i wasn't all that thrilled when fergy picked him up off the waiver wire as he's moved around a lot of clubs, but he played very well for us once he showed up. Actually there were a few times out there he looked like a future captain. Leafs have been missing the boat for years not looking for good local Toronto area talent and I think they've got something here with Moore, and possibly Mayers. Good wheels and real good defensively. Knows his fundamentals...maybe that had to do with playing under Lemaire in Minny. He totally reversed his numbers from his half season with the Wild.
As for Commodore, he'd do fine under Wilson. We need a stay at home d-man. That's half the leafs problem last year was their dmen always heading up ice headmanning the puck while no one swung back to cover him. They'd make bad pinches and turn it over or miss it and back comes the club the other way. Commodore's still got some hockey in him and could still be a key shutdown type player.
Signing a whack of d-men gives Wilson more options at camp, and it would give Cliff the opportunity to move Kubina for maybe a Marleau and somebody else up front. It doesn't sound like SJ's going to get Campbell resigned so they might like a Kubina. White matured quite a bit as the season went on I thought, and looked like he can headman it a bit as well as the breakout pass. If Carlo could ever stay healthy, he showed flashes of being definitely a top four d-man.
Leafs defence was absolutely abysmal last year. Notice both finalists, Wings and pens, both had very experienced 7th men sitting in Chelios and Sydor. You can never have enough good defencemen.
Something like this to open camp with maybe?,... with a bunch of draft picks for Mccabe to Long Island. Garth Snow must have banked a whack of picks at the draft the way he stickhandled thru that first round at the draft. Assuming we get nothing for trading the rights to Carl Brewer and Mats Sundin.
blake, marleau, malone
ponygirl, antropov, tlusty
stajan, steen, kulemin
devereaux, moore, mayers
bell/or robbie earl, boyce, jeremy williams
Kaberle, Strallman
Orpik, Commodore
White, Colliaocovo
Salvadore, Kronwall
Schenn
Toskala, Auld
...
EDIT: My guess is Stuart resigns with the Wings. Winning the Cup is worth all the money in the world to some guys... | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/28/2008 8:24:26 AM | Yeah, Kilger had some serious family stuff happening around the trade time. I heard problems in the locker room, an affair, blah blah. He was hanging out in Cornwall (his home) when he first got traded and I know he never did make it down to Fla. Sucks for them cause you're right when you say he makes a good fourth liner.
I was surprised when they got Moore off waivers cause the guy has some serious wheels and some serious heart. I guess it just goes to show that what doesn't work for one team (or many, actually) works for another. I think he is right at home in blue and white.
I know what you mean about the frustrating pinches. They coughed up more pucks in the offensive and neutral zones that lead to goals...
While I do love Kaberle...I always have, he made some really bad choices last year. I mean, I expect it from Caber, but Kabbie made some terrible pinches. For a guy that never shoots, especially. Actually, I think that's one thing I need to see more of, this season. The guy has a wicked shot (and eerily accurate as we saw at the skills challenge, last year), but I think he got so used to giving up the point shot to Caber a couple season back, that he just stopped trying.
You're right about White. There's a nice d-man for Toronto. He'll grow into it a bit more this season as well, I suspect. I kind of feel bad for Carlo. He's such a good player when he can play. I unfortunately think he'll be plagued with injury for most of his career. I hope for his sake, he can keep healthy because i'd definitely love to see him playing infront of Vesa this year.
Kubina and Caber are the last two I feel absolutely need to go. Kubina is almost as infuriating to me, as Caber is. Move them and you've really cleaned house and done the best thing for the team :)
Side note: I would do anything in my power to prevent the Leafs from ever using Wozniewski again.
So...I have a kennel and over the past few years i've taken to naming my dogs after Leafs. I know it's silly, but it's sort of my thing.
I had a dog named Tie (registered name was Drop the Gloves)
I had a dog named Blue (registered name was Shot from the Blue Line)
My next puppy that i'm getting this summer...Luke (registered named Fifth Over All)
I thought i'd share that. | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/28/2008 8:41:21 AM | """...Side note: I would do anything in my power to prevent the Leafs from ever using Wozniewski again..."""
I'm with you on that one all the way. lol. Mind you he apparently played very well for the marlies in their playoff run. But that pass in November or December to Kaberle in Dallas in the third period when they'd played so well that night was unbelievable. Forty years ago that was called the Oklahoma pass. You made a pass like that on Punch Imlach's team and you were on the next train to Oklahoma.
The next night in Phoenix was one of the wimpiest performances in years and that's when they should have gassed Maurice for not sending Wosnewski down. He taught Ian White and Mccabe and a few others how to flip the puck up over the glass. Never seen anything like it in my life.
Kaberle did shoot the puck a lot more one year a few years back. I'm not sure why he doesn't shoot it more. They should room him with Blake maybe. There's a guy that never met a puck he didn't like to shoot. | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/29/2008 10:33:22 AM | Happy with Leafs offseason?
YA BABY! KABOOM lol
the fans are gonna hate it right now, but 3 years down the road..they will look back and smile and realize how needed this was.
Next steps id like to see...
Say goodbye to Mr..
McCabe,
Antro rip off
and the Pony express
I just wish someone would f***ing realize that Defensmen Jay Harrison and Jamie Siffers deserve a chance to make this team.
I love Carlo on D...but we dont need another Alyn McCauley on this team...you get injured way way way toooo much...hit the streets kido | |
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| are you happy with the Leafs offseason so far?
Posted: 6/30/2008 6:57:42 PM | Sundin stall stiffs Cliff
General manager Cliff Fletcher will keep the porch light on one more night for Sundin, but likes neither of the options left for him by his indecisive captain. If he waits for Sundin's inner Leaf to emerge later this week, he loses out on first- and second-tier National Hockey League free agents. If he tries to replace him, he will risk overpaying in a seller's market for a limited number of impact centres.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Toronto/2008/06/30/6025846-sun.html
C'mon Sundin after all the Leafs have done for you .. you don't even give them a draft pick in exchange.. You just wimp off into the sunset and join the competition. Boo Him whenever you can | |
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