Random rumours

[Redleaf]

Just an observation, but 20 years on the beat suggests otherwise.

Just because he maintained his job doesn't mean he was good at it. Especially in the later years. He got caught a number of times purely making things up or trusting "sources" that had no reliability or inside information - like the whole 'Ron Wilson's cousin email' BS. He may not have been a hack his entire career, but he certainly became one later in it. He did not adapt well to the internet becoming such a big part of sports coverage.

His last few years on the job, he basically tried to be Damian Cox, but without being able to write as well as Damian Cox.

I'm not trying to advocate Berger here, but you'd have to think somewhere along the line during his twenty year tenure, one of his bosses might find out that he wasn't very good at his job? I mean, their job would have been in jeopardy as well if he constantly submitted bad articles for that long of period?  Not worth taking this argument any further, but I just don't see him as the inept, good-for-nothing writer some do.

 

[bustaheims]

I'm not trying to advocate Berger here, but you'd have to think somewhere along the line during his twenty year tenure, one of his bosses might find out that he wasn't very good at his job? I mean, their job would have been in jeopardy as well if he constantly submitted bad articles for that long of period?  Not worth taking this argument any further, but I just don't see him as the inept, good-for-nothing writer some do.

As Corn Flake pointed out, the second there was a management change at the FAN590, Berger was out. And, let's be honest, sports radio doesn't exactly have the highest standards for these sorts of things. Bogus rumours/trades get reported by radio guys at the various FAN radio stations across Canada all the time, and nothing happens to them. His former bosses obviously liked him and he drove traffic to their website, but, that doesn't mean he had any meaningful connections within any organization (and, if he did, by the time he was let go, he had burned those bridges) or that he had any real credibility to start with. When Berger stuck to the facts, he wasn't bad. It was once he started injecting his opinion into things that he'd show his true colours - and, unfortunately for him, that was something he did all too often in his later years of employment.

 

[Corn Flake]

Bogosian for Gardiner.

I'd do that but I'm not crazy about Bogo's contract.

Yeah, but I think he can earn that money in the long run.  Still only 23.

Man that team has some ugly looking contracts.  I hadn't noticed until looking at it now.  $5.9 for Wheeler? Lulz.  Pavelec at $3.9.  They got Kane at a good rate, but that's about it.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Bogosian for Gardiner.

I'd do that but I'm not crazy about Bogo's contract.

I didn't realize that he's getting $5.1 M per for 7 years. Unless his production takes off (which it has yet to do) the Leafs can't make that trade unless Phaneuf is moving on IMO.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Yeah, but I think he can earn that money in the long run.  Still only 23.

Man that team has some ugly looking contracts.  I hadn't noticed until looking at it now.  $5.9 for Wheeler? Lulz.  Pavelec at $3.9.  They got Kane at a good rate, but that's about it.

Yeah I'm just not sure he's ever going to be worth it. I mean some people here freak out over Phaneuf at just $1.5mil more and I don't think they would even be close.

As for the Jets cap situation in general, yeah it's something else. They essentially just locked up the same core that's led them absolutely nowhere to contracts that are pretty darn big. That's what happens when you let an AHL management team take over a NHL club though.

 

[bustaheims]

Yeah, but I think he can earn that money in the long run.  Still only 23.

Still . . . he's really need to step up the offence AND find a way to stay healthy to get there.

 

[TML fan]

Bogosian for Gardiner.

Stick the word report in front of that and you're golden.

 

[Corn Flake]

Bogosian for Gardiner.

Stick the word report in front of that and you're golden.

Sweet. 

....Can I have some money now?

 

[Corn Flake]

As for the Jets cap situation in general, yeah it's something else. They essentially just locked up the same core that's led them absolutely nowhere to contracts that are pretty darn big. That's what happens when you let an AHL management team take over a NHL club though.

Soooo true. And they probably have that deer in the headlights look the Oilers Management team had on Saturday when the team doesn't win.  "Huh? I don't get it? What did we do wrong here??"

"Blake Wheeler is a stud! You'll see!!"

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

What's wrong with Wheeler?  His cap hit is probably too high, but he's coming off a season of 64 points in 80 games and last season put up points at a 70-pt pace.

 

[Corn Flake]

What's wrong with Wheeler?  His cap hit is probably too high, but he's coming off a season of 64 points in 80 games and last season put up points at a 70-pt pace.

He's not clutch enough. 

8)

 

[Rebel_1812]

Franson and Tyler Biggs for Oscar Klefbom & Ryan Jones

We are not giving up Biggs for anything.  He is the second coming of Clarkson.

 

[Jalili]

We are not giving up Biggs for anything.  He is the second coming of Clarkson.

You make it sound like Biggs is really good or something.

 

[mc]

Franson and Tyler Biggs for Oscar Klefbom & Ryan Jones

We are not giving up Biggs for anything.  He is the second coming of Clarkson.

So he will peak at 28 and sign a 8 year deal at 29? DONE!

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Nobody discussing the Vanek/Miller for Yakupov ++ rumours?

I don't see both headed for Edmonton but Miller might.

I'd see if they'd be more inclined to add Reimer as he's cheaper and a bit more controllable though wingers aren't really a need for us..

 

[bustaheims]

Nobody discussing the Vanek/Miller for Yakupov ++ rumours?

I don't see both headed for Edmonton but Miller might.

I'd see if they'd be more inclined to add Reimer as he's cheaper and a bit more controllable though wingers aren't really a need for us..

Honestly, I don't believe a word of it. Both Miller and Vanek are UFAs at the end of the season, and both seem unlikely to re-sign in Edmonton. I feel like this is more of a "Edmonton needs goaltending and seems unhappy with Yakupov - what rebuilding team might have a goalie to trade" type scenario than anything that has much legs to it.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Nobody discussing the Vanek/Miller for Yakupov ++ rumours?

I don't see both headed for Edmonton but Miller might.

I'd see if they'd be more inclined to add Reimer as he's cheaper and a bit more controllable though wingers aren't really a need for us..

Honestly, I don't believe a word of it. Both Miller and Vanek are UFAs at the end of the season, and both seem unlikely to re-sign in Edmonton. I feel like this is more of a "Edmonton needs goaltending and seems unhappy with Yakupov - what rebuilding team might have a goalie to trade" type scenario than anything that has much legs to it.

Edmonton is also apparently on Miller's no-trade list, and from what I've read online, the Buffalo reporter who reported this isn't very credible.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Apparently Miller's 8 team NTC has Edmonton on it, so he isn't going there unless he waived it, which I highly doubt he would.

Edmonton would be stupid to give up Yakupov for two UFA's.

I think a deal that might be closer to reality is Reimer and Gardiner for Yakupov and something.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Apparently Miller's 8 team NTC has Edmonton on it, so he isn't going there unless he waived it, which I highly doubt he would.

Edmonton would be stupid to give up Yakupov for two UFA's.

I think a deal that might be closer to reality is Reimer and Gardiner for Yakupov and something.

You know, given our cap situation now (and in the future) that would be a tempting deal. If Gardiner and Reimer play well their pay increases which isn't really something we can afford.

Yakupov will be a very good player. We'd be adding a replacement for one of Lupul/JVR/Kessel down the road at a much lower cap hit with similar (or more) upside.

I think a core with Kadri/Yakupov/Reilly + any 2 of Kessel/JVR/Lupul would be incredible. Toss in what we'd get back in a trade for one of JVR/Kessel/Lupul and this team would be contenders for a good stretch.

Don't see that trade happening necessarily but I think it would be wise.

 

[Leafaholic99]

I'd like to see the Leafs improve on D, get a nice stay at home dman, before upgrading the forwards any further, I am quite happy with our forwards right now.