Moving forward

[slapshot]

With the season over Saturday, we're all hoping the Shanaplan, or whatever you want to call it gets things on the right track. Mark Osbourne I think called the tank right in that it will finally result in the gutting of an ineffectual core. Here are a few of my thoughts on a few things moving forward.

1.  Core players moving out: Phanuef, Kessel, Bozak, Lupul. Despite their fall-off. If all moved, these four guys should bring back some significant assets. It's critical that management get the right pieces in prospects and picks, hopefully some for the coming draft.

2. Players forming part of the new core and will continue to improve. This of course starts with Morgan Rielly and he certainly looks like a mainstay moving forward. Four important pieces here moving forward are: Kadri, JRV, Gardiner and Bernier. I think Kadri and Gardiner both played better all-round games this year. I've been particularly impressed with Gardiner since Horachek. He seems more relaxed, more confident and fewer mistakes. Better body position on forwards and better positioning overall. I think this is primarily the addition of Staios on the bench, which has probably helped Rielly too. Both Rielly and Gardiner stepped up with Phaneuf out. When Phaneuf came back it seemed to curtail the young guys to a degree, so moving Phaneuf I think is the first step. Kadri needs to take the next step to #1 centre, and we need bounce backs from JVR and Bernier.

3. Marlies. There seems to be a lot of promise in a couple of Marlies, Williams Nylander and Connor Brown. If they can make the playoffs, have a good run and strength up over the off-season, that could be two more pieces sometime next year. There could be a few others on the Marlies who might make a push as well. After Saturday the Leafs could send a few players back to the Marlies to strengthen their playoff push.

5. Free agency and fill-ins. It would be nice if the Leafs could find a nice piece or two during free agency, like the Islanders did last year for their defence. But not counting on this. Guys like Holland and Komo will likely be part of the bottom six, but otherwise it's anyone's guess.

One thing is for sure, this is going to be one of the most interesting off-seaons the Leafs have had in years...






 

 

[Kin]

I really don't see how either Lupul or Bozak would return "significant assets" at this point.

 

[freer]

I really don't see how either Lupul or Bozak would return "significant assets" at this point.

NIK

that is just his opinion. Bozak is a cap friend contract for a player with 40+ pts. I take a pick for Lupul (I like his play when not injured) IMO I think Kadri, Gardiner and Bernier will all be gone too.

 

[Al14]

I really don't see how either Lupul or Bozak would return "significant assets" at this point.

In a package deal, surely they could return something worthwhile.

What I fear is that the core players will not be traded until after the draft, and therefore, the draft picks will be 2016 ones.  That puts us back a whole year on our rebuild!

I want as many 2015 draft picks for our core players as possible.

 

[Kin]

In a package deal, surely they could return something worthwhile.

Why? I wouldn't sign either guy at their current rate as UFA's.

What I fear is that the core players will not be traded until after the draft, and therefore, the draft picks will be 2016 ones.  That puts us back a whole year on our rebuild!

I want as many 2015 draft picks for our core players as possible.

Not all players make it to the NHL at the same time. There's every possibility that a player taken next year makes it to the NHL before one this year. 2016 picks have some added bonus in that their values are non-specific and, like when Boston traded us Kessel, could end up being more valuable than we think.

 

[rdowdall]

I really don't see how either Lupul or Bozak would return "significant assets" at this point.

In a package deal, surely they could return something worthwhile.

What I fear is that the core players will not be traded until after the draft, and therefore, the draft picks will be 2016 ones.  That puts us back a whole year on our rebuild!

I want as many 2015 draft picks for our core players as possible.

There isn't a way to fast track this.  Even after drafting Crosby, the Penguins still finished in the bottom 2 his first year. 

 

[Al14]

In a package deal, surely they could return something worthwhile.

Why? I wouldn't sign either guy at their current rate as UFA's.

What I fear is that the core players will not be traded until after the draft, and therefore, the draft picks will be 2016 ones.  That puts us back a whole year on our rebuild!

I want as many 2015 draft picks for our core players as possible.

Not all players make it to the NHL at the same time. There's every possibility that a player taken next year makes it to the NHL before one this year. 2016 picks have some added bonus in that their values are non-specific and, like when Boston traded us Kessel, could end up being more valuable than we think.

That may be true, however, we still have to play the waiting game to see what we end up with.  Chances are, the 2016 drafted players will more than likely take longer to make an impact.  This coming 2015 draft has a lot of talent.  Let's get them in our system, and developing, sooner rather than later.  JMHO.

 

[Kin]

That may be true, however, we still have to play the waiting game to see what we end up with.  Chances are, the 2016 drafted players will more than likely take longer to make an impact.  This coming 2015 draft has a lot of talent.  Let's get them in our system, and developing, sooner rather than later.  JMHO.

Like SI said, if you're desperate for the Leafs to rebuild fast, you're probably going to be disappointed. It's a long haul and one year of development isn't going to make or break things. What the Leafs need to do is maximize value, not go as fast as they can.

 

[Al14]

That may be true, however, we still have to play the waiting game to see what we end up with.  Chances are, the 2016 drafted players will more than likely take longer to make an impact.  This coming 2015 draft has a lot of talent.  Let's get them in our system, and developing, sooner rather than later.  JMHO.

Like SI said, if you're desperate for the Leafs to rebuild fast, you're probably going to be disappointed. It's a long haul and one year of development isn't going to make or break things. What the Leafs need to do is maximize value, not go as fast as they can.

You are correct, I want the fast turnaround.  May not be the best way to maximize value, however, in my case, I'm closer to death than I am to birth.  I would love to see ONE MORE Stanley Cup Leaf victory before my time on Earth is up! 

 

[rdowdall]

That may be true, however, we still have to play the waiting game to see what we end up with.  Chances are, the 2016 drafted players will more than likely take longer to make an impact.  This coming 2015 draft has a lot of talent.  Let's get them in our system, and developing, sooner rather than later.  JMHO.

Like SI said, if you're desperate for the Leafs to rebuild fast, you're probably going to be disappointed. It's a long haul and one year of development isn't going to make or break things. What the Leafs need to do is maximize value, not go as fast as they can.

You are correct, I want the fast turnaround.  May not be the best way to maximize value, however, in my case, I'm closer to death than I am to birth.  I would love to see ONE MORE Stanley Cup Leaf victory before my time on Earth is up! 

So I don't know how much time you have left on this earth, but to do this right, they are about 4 years out.  Next year is going to be a gong show, probably worse than this year.  The year after that they will hopefully be a little better, but still not great.  The year after that they will be a lot like Florida this year. 

If they do this right, then by that 4th year they should be a team that can reliably make the playoffs, and a threat to win the cup.

 

[Frank E]

That may be true, however, we still have to play the waiting game to see what we end up with.  Chances are, the 2016 drafted players will more than likely take longer to make an impact.  This coming 2015 draft has a lot of talent.  Let's get them in our system, and developing, sooner rather than later.  JMHO.

Like SI said, if you're desperate for the Leafs to rebuild fast, you're probably going to be disappointed. It's a long haul and one year of development isn't going to make or break things. What the Leafs need to do is maximize value, not go as fast as they can.

You are correct, I want the fast turnaround.  May not be the best way to maximize value, however, in my case, I'm closer to death than I am to birth.  I would love to see ONE MORE Stanley Cup Leaf victory before my time on Earth is up! 

It's these kinds of posts that worry me...I think next season is going to be a tough thing to watch, and likely the season after that one too.

If they're committing to a revamp like has been suggested, I don't think this team sees much of a chance for playoffs for 3+ years.

So what I'm saying is get used to being patient, or get used to being disappointed. 

 

[Kin]

You are correct, I want the fast turnaround.  May not be the best way to maximize value, however, in my case, I'm closer to death than I am to birth.  I would love to see ONE MORE Stanley Cup Leaf victory before my time on Earth is up! 

If it makes you feel better, any one of us could be dead tomorrow.

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

That may be true, however, we still have to play the waiting game to see what we end up with.  Chances are, the 2016 drafted players will more than likely take longer to make an impact.  This coming 2015 draft has a lot of talent.  Let's get them in our system, and developing, sooner rather than later.  JMHO.

Like SI said, if you're desperate for the Leafs to rebuild fast, you're probably going to be disappointed. It's a long haul and one year of development isn't going to make or break things. What the Leafs need to do is maximize value, not go as fast as they can.

You are correct, I want the fast turnaround.  May not be the best way to maximize value, however, in my case, I'm closer to death than I am to birth.  I would love to see ONE MORE Stanley Cup Leaf victory before my time on Earth is up! 

greedy...i haven't even seen one

 

[Al14]

You are correct, I want the fast turnaround.  May not be the best way to maximize value, however, in my case, I'm closer to death than I am to birth.  I would love to see ONE MORE Stanley Cup Leaf victory before my time on Earth is up! 

If it makes you feel better, any one of us could be dead tomorrow.

Oh, I know.  I've died once already.  Thankfully, when I went into cardiac arrest, I was in the back of an ambulance, and, the paramedics brought me back from the brink of death!

 

[Highlander]

did you see the white light A14?

 

[AvroArrow]

Trade it all except Reilly and Nylander.  Do everything possible to extract 2015 1st round picks.

 

[slapshot]

I really don't see how either Lupul or Bozak would return "significant assets" at this point.

If Franson and Santo can bring back a 1st round pick and prospect, surely Lupul and Bozak can bring a fair bit more than that. There is always the odd team that will overpay. Some teams will look at the Leafs situation and say these guys will play better with a change of scenery. There are teams that the salary they bring won't really matter that much. And, just getting their salaries off the Leaf's books is a significant asset in terms of flexibility moving forward.

 

[slapshot]

I really don't see how either Lupul or Bozak would return "significant assets" at this point.

NIK

that is just his opinion. Bozak is a cap friend contract for a player with 40+ pts. I take a pick for Lupul (I like his play when not injured) IMO I think Kadri, Gardiner and Bernier will all be gone too.

Thank you, though I disagree at least at this moment about Kadri, Gardiner and Bernier. I think they'll all be back and whether they stay or not will depend on the kind of years they have next season and beyond.

 

[L K]

Lupul has 83 points over the last 3 years.  "When healthy" is a statement you can make about a guy who has the odd injury, not a guy who is chronically injured.  Lupul is a bad defensive player who isn't in the lineup often enough to be worth much of anything and his cap hit isn't insignificant.  Every time he misses 5-8 games and doesn't give your team a LTIR exemption he just eats away at cap space.

 

[slapshot]

In a package deal, surely they could return something worthwhile.

What I fear is that the core players will not be traded until after the draft, and therefore, the draft picks will be 2016 ones.  That puts us back a whole year on our rebuild!

I want as many 2015 draft picks for our core players as possible.

I concur, we are all anxious to get better as soon as possible. But we still have to get the best deal possible whether this year or next. Hopefully they can get some good stuff done before the draft. But more important to do it right.