General Leafs Talk

[Tigger]

I dunno, I think a round of post season experience would be pretty beneficial to most every Leaf player and give further evidence to support roster/system changes.

 

[Bender]

I dunno, I think a round of post season experience would be pretty beneficial to most every Leaf player and give further evidence to support roster/system changes.

I don't mind any move Burke makes as long as we aren't picking up rentals (unless it's for Komisarek). Reimer definitely needs to sit, but I think that's obvious now. I'm sure there was a theory in keeping him playing though. Maybe they were hoping he can come back to last year's form? Maybe they're evaluating his potential? His trading value?

I'm not sure, but there's got to be a method.

 

[Tigger]

I don't mind any move Burke makes as long as we aren't picking up rentals

Couldn't agree more and I'm pretty sure Burke is square in that corner too.  Reimer did win a few so I can understand why they went with him when they did, just that he's not on track right now and Jonas should get a few starts. I don't think they're necessarily shopping him either, fwiw, probably just something as simple as 'win and you're in' with a finger on the trade pulse.

 

[Redleaf]

The more I look at the schedule the more pessimistic I get on our playoff chances. I checked the schedules of our closest rivals and here is what I found:

Team  GP  Pts  GR  OppWinPct  OppAvgPos  Playoff-Opp  NonPlayoff-Opp
FLA    58  65  24      1.05            19.0              9                    15
OTT    60  68  22      1.11            16.5            10                    12
TOR    59  64  23      1.12            15.7            13                    10
WIN    61  64  21      1.11            16.8            10                    11
WAS  58  63  24      1.11            16.7            12                    12

So, Florida has the easiest schedule - only 9 current playoff teams as opponents in their 24 remaining games and the rest of our rivals have about the same schedule, with Ottawa the next lightest and Winnipeg and Washington about dead even.

The Leafs have the toughest road - with 13 out of our last 23 games against current playoff teams and our remaining opponents also have the highest average points per game at 1.12, and the highest average position of 15.7.

It's not THAT much of a difference, but every little edge counts - these 5 teams are fighting for 3 spots. Currently it looks tough for us to pull ahead of Florida or Ottawa, unless they skid. Our best chance is to hold off the Caps - we can hope that they continue to stay cold, but I'm not sure that they will.

Fun times ahead!

I've resigned myself to the fact we may not make it afterall. I have come to terms with it and would be happy to see a graduation to the post season next year. This would allow the team to get a year older, which should help the younger guys to mature and fill out their frames a bit.

It also allows Burke another year to find the right peices to bring in (and move out) and to add some more size and skill. It would help to determine whether or not Reimer is just going through a sophmore slump or if we do need to acquire another goalie moving forward. We should see more from likes of Colborne, Kadri ,Owuya to name a few, and get a good read on the true potential of Jake Gardiner.

There are lots of pluses in waiting another season to make the playoffs priority number one. I can hold out another year if Burke thinks its the right way to go. I'm not sure how the media and Leafs nation will react to another post season outside looking in though? But in the grand scheme of things, its not the worst thing that could happen to this young team.

Out of curiosity, even though we'd get smoked in the 1st round, what is your reasoning? A 14th overall pick vs a 16th? Unless you mean Burke being desperate and doing something stupid which I don't think he'd do. Then again, missing the playoffs may actually spur BB to do what this team actually needs - goaltending, defense and a new coach.......

You didn't highlight the rest of the sentence. Making the playoffs  'priority number one' implies that, yes, he pulls out all the stops to make it happen. I would have no problem staying the course and making the playoffs.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Yeah, I'd love to be in the playoffs again, but not just to get smoked in the 1st round. I think it speaks volumes that Burke hasn't done a knee-jerk move like trading for a veteran goalie. I think he's made the call that we are sticking with Reimer/Gus this year and even if it means missing the playoffs by a point or two, so be it. He wants those guys to develop along with this young team and who can argue with that? Hopefully it makes them stronger for next year. We shall see.

Well, at least if we miss the playoffs we likely get a coaching change.  That will stir things up and give us something to talk about in the offseason.  8)

On a side note, I was thinking about how Schenn has been playing this year and trying to figure out what his ceiling is.  I think he could really take his game up a big notch if he could learn to skate better, but is that something that can be taught? 

 

[caver]

With the trade deadline coming up soon everyone is wondering if Burke will acquire new player(s), but will trade away anyone without bringing another player back? 

 

[Redleaf]

With the trade deadline coming up soon everyone is wondering if Burke will acquire new player(s), but will trade away anyone without bringing another player back?

Is that a summarization or a question?

 

[caver]

I'm not sure...

 

[princedpw]

I'm with the crew who believes our deadline trades should be geared towards making us better next year or the year after as opposed to this year. 

Having said that, a trade for Nash or retaining Grabbo might accomplish that.  It depends on what we'd give up for Nash or to retain Grabbo vs. what was available ... vs. what happens with the cap next year (a huge unknown) vs. what CBA-bridging buyouts are allowed (another huge unknown).

 

[Strangelove]

I think it's a real testament to how poorly this team has been managed over the past 8 or so years that even now, this far into a "rebuild" (or "retool" or whatever), we still likely don't, according to most pundits, have the players it would take to get a Nash-type deal done.  There really aren't many "good" contracts on the team's books right now, at least amongst the players in their free agent years.  And the prospect cupboard is pretty bare too.

 

[armche123]

I really think whats taking so long is that there are two blockbuster trades that are going to happen in the leafs favour.

Nash and (someone else from a different team)

 

[Madferret]

I really think whats taking so long is that there are two blockbuster trades that are going to happen in the leafs favour.

Nash and (someone else from a different team)

I'm thinking Nash & Rinne.

 

[losveratos]

I think it's a real testament to how poorly this team has been managed over the past 8 or so years that even now, this far into a "rebuild" (or "retool" or whatever), we still likely don't, according to most pundits, have the players it would take to get a Nash-type deal done.  There really aren't many "good" contracts on the team's books right now, at least amongst the players in their free agent years.  And the prospect cupboard is pretty bare too.

Really? The cupboard is bare?
Aulie
Gardiner
Kadri
Holzer
Scrivens
Colborne
Frattin
Blacker
Owuya
Rynnas
Not to mention draft picks like Biggs, Percy, etc.

If you're going to say something as damning as the word bare at least know what you're talking about.


Edit* Also I'm sure I forgot some... feel free to chime in anyone if I did.

 

[Strangelove]

I think it's a real testament to how poorly this team has been managed over the past 8 or so years that even now, this far into a "rebuild" (or "retool" or whatever), we still likely don't, according to most pundits, have the players it would take to get a Nash-type deal done.  There really aren't many "good" contracts on the team's books right now, at least amongst the players in their free agent years.  And the prospect cupboard is pretty bare too.

Really? The cupboard is bare?
Aulie
Gardiner
Kadri
Holzer
Scrivens
Colborne
Frattin
Blacker
Owuya
Rynnas
Not to mention draft picks like Biggs, Percy, etc.

If you're going to say something as damning as the word bare at least know what you're talking about.


Edit* Also I'm sure I forgot some... feel free to chime in anyone if I did.

Gardiner isn't a prospect anymore.  Amongst the others, I don't see anything resembling a surefire NHLer. Of course we have prospects - all teams do.  It's good prospects that we lack.

 

[nutman]

I think it's a real testament to how poorly this team has been managed over the past 8 or so years that even now, this far into a "rebuild" (or "retool" or whatever), we still likely don't, according to most pundits, have the players it would take to get a Nash-type deal done.  There really aren't many "good" contracts on the team's books right now, at least amongst the players in their free agent years.  And the prospect cupboard is pretty bare too.

Really? The cupboard is bare?
Aulie
Gardiner
Kadri
Holzer
Scrivens
Colborne
Frattin
Blacker
Owuya
Rynnas
Not to mention draft picks like Biggs, Percy, etc.

If you're going to say something as damning as the word bare at least know what you're talking about.

I agree.....
And if we look even deeper into the cupboard you would find a kid named Greg Maclegg, that was just a  crazy statment.

 

[armche123]

I dont know why there isn't any attention being given to Marcel Mueler off the Marlies. Everytime I watch his play, I wonder why they havent called him up. Great hands, physical, and shows effort in every shift he plays. A real dedicated player with skill and size.

 

[Kin]

If you're going to say something as damning as the word bare at least know what you're talking about.

Edit* Also I'm sure I forgot some... feel free to chime in anyone if I did.

Before you get too heated on the subject, I think it's important to point out that the issue is pretty clearly how the Leafs do in terms of their prospects in relation to other teams. Obviously saying "the cupboard is bare" doesn't mean a team has no prospects, the issue is whether or not the list of names you just came up with stacks up well to other teams.

I mean, take Holzer. He's 24 and looks pretty fringe-y right now. I'd bet any team in the league has someone comparable playing in the AHL.

 

[losveratos]

I think it's a real testament to how poorly this team has been managed over the past 8 or so years that even now, this far into a "rebuild" (or "retool" or whatever), we still likely don't, according to most pundits, have the players it would take to get a Nash-type deal done.  There really aren't many "good" contracts on the team's books right now, at least amongst the players in their free agent years.  And the prospect cupboard is pretty bare too.

Really? The cupboard is bare?
Aulie
Gardiner
Kadri
Holzer
Scrivens
Colborne
Frattin
Blacker
Owuya
Rynnas
Not to mention draft picks like Biggs, Percy, etc.

If you're going to say something as damning as the word bare at least know what you're talking about.


Edit* Also I'm sure I forgot some... feel free to chime in anyone if I did.

Gardiner isn't a prospect anymore.  Amongst the others, I don't see anything resembling a surefire NHLer. Of course we have prospects - all teams do.  It's good prospects that we lack.

If you honestly think that Colborne and Kadri aren't surefire for at least the 3rd line in the NHL some day then this conversation is pretty much over. I don't confer with heavy pessimists. Have a good day sir.

 

[caver]

... and having said that, he turned and stormed out... never to return...

 

[Bender]

I think it's a real testament to how poorly this team has been managed over the past 8 or so years that even now, this far into a "rebuild" (or "retool" or whatever), we still likely don't, according to most pundits, have the players it would take to get a Nash-type deal done.  There really aren't many "good" contracts on the team's books right now, at least amongst the players in their free agent years.  And the prospect cupboard is pretty bare too.

Really? The cupboard is bare?
Aulie
Gardiner
Kadri
Holzer
Scrivens
Colborne
Frattin
Blacker
Owuya
Rynnas
Not to mention draft picks like Biggs, Percy, etc.

If you're going to say something as damning as the word bare at least know what you're talking about.


Edit* Also I'm sure I forgot some... feel free to chime in anyone if I did.

Gardiner isn't a prospect anymore.  Amongst the others, I don't see anything resembling a surefire NHLer. Of course we have prospects - all teams do.  It's good prospects that we lack.

If you honestly think that Colborne and Kadri aren't surefire for at least the 3rd line in the NHL some day then this conversation is pretty much over. I don't confer with heavy pessimists. Have a good day sir.

Yeah, right?

I mean, how can saying "Gardiner isn't a prospect anymore" mean anything of value? He was a prospect to start the season and he's panning out. That's far better than simply being a prospect. I don't get how stating Gardiner isn't a prospect makes the argument that the cupboard is bare STRONGER. It's the classic HockeysFuture nonsense.