Rick Nash potentially available

[Erndog]

I'm with you both bullfrog and busta...

I like Ryan more than Nash for several reasons.  The ONLY thing that would scare me is whether Ryan can make something out of nothing on his own (like Nash has shown) or whether he's somewhat of a product of Getzlaf/perry.

Ideally we get a Ryan or Carter (I've warmed a lot on this idea) and go after Ryan Suter in the summer.  Although I like our defencemen, I think it's PARAMOUNT we get another bonafide first pairing dman who knows his way around both ends of the ice.  Not sure who to replace of the group however.

 

[ZBBM]

I think Nash is one of the pieces we need. The main problem is his cap hit is too high because col had to overpay to sign him. That may make a deal impossible.

 

[bustaheims]

I think Nash is one of the pieces we need. The main problem is his cap hit is too high because col had to overpay to sign him. That may make a deal impossible.

I think a Nash-type player is probably one of the pieces that the Leafs need, but, I don't believe it's Rick Nash specifically.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Ideally we get a Ryan or Carter (I've warmed a lot on this idea) and go after Ryan Suter in the summer.  Although I like our defencemen, I think it's PARAMOUNT we get another bonafide first pairing dman who knows his way around both ends of the ice.  Not sure who to replace of the group however.

I've been big on the trade for Nash bandwagon, but if Burke thinks he has any chance at signing Suter this summer that would be my top priority. Like it's been said in the past though, I'm not really all that confident in Burke's ability in landing the top fish in free agency after last summer.

That signing would definitely force Burke to make a move on the blueline though:

Suter-Phaneuf
Liles-Schenn
Gunnarsson-Franson
Gardiner-Komisarek

Komisarek would almost definitely have to go to make things work with the cap. And while Gunnarsson and Gardiner are my two favourite defencemen on the team, a Suter signing would definitely make one of them expendable on the left-side.

 

[Tigger]

Not to mention Aulie, Holzer, Blacker...

A free buyout of Komisarek's contract would be ideal ( nothing you can count on ) but even so there's definitely some movement necessary there.

I don't know how realistic it is to get Bobby Ryan but that would suit me far better too ( bustas point ), for argument, if Schenn were involved and you get out from under Komi...

Suter    Phaneuf
Liles    Gardiner
Gunnar Franson

...IIRC Gardiner plays both sides fairly well and you still have those three from the minors kicking around, maybe even Gysbers in the mix too.

 

[Erndog]

I think Gunnar is probably the most steady and consistent dman we currently have on the roster, I think he would have the least amount of issues flipping sides.

I'd go with:

Suter-Phaneuf
Gardiner-Gunnarson
Liles-Franson

Either way, as we've seen combos will flip flop a number of times throughout the season but the point remains, I think Suter would be an incredible upgrade for this team and fill a roll we desparately need.

Then we can focus on the forwards/goaltending IMO.

 

[maplesyrup]

Are we suggesting dealing for Suter now and taking our chances leading into July 1? - Because personally, that's something I'm prepared to do. I'd also be prepared to trade Grabo to get some assets back that we'd lose in the Suter deal. 

 

[Tigger]

I think Gunnar is probably the most steady and consistent dman we currently have on the roster, I think he would have the least amount of issues flipping sides.

I'd go with:

Suter-Phaneuf
Gardiner-Gunnarson
Liles-Franson

Either way, as we've seen combos will flip flop a number of times throughout the season but the point remains, I think Suter would be an incredible upgrade for this team and fill a roll we desparately need.

Then we can focus on the forwards/goaltending IMO.

You could be right there, the only thing that bugs me about that is the recent play of Liles/Franson even strength, the pairing seems to have been exposed a bit defensively which might not be a consistent issue and/or correctable.

 

[bustaheims]

Are we suggesting dealing for Suter now and taking our chances leading into July 1? - Because personally, that's something I'm prepared to do. I'd also be prepared to trade Grabo to get some assets back that we'd lose in the Suter deal.

Considering Nashville is poised to make a Cup run, I'd say Suter (or, more accurately, his free agent rights) won't be available until the draft.

 

[Tigger]

Are we suggesting dealing for Suter now and taking our chances leading into July 1? - Because personally, that's something I'm prepared to do. I'd also be prepared to trade Grabo to get some assets back that we'd lose in the Suter deal.

I'm not, no.

 

[maplesyrup]

Are we suggesting dealing for Suter now and taking our chances leading into July 1? - Because personally, that's something I'm prepared to do. I'd also be prepared to trade Grabo to get some assets back that we'd lose in the Suter deal.

Considering Nashville is poised to make a Cup run, I'd say Suter (or, more accurately, his free agent rights) won't be available until the draft.

Yeah, well, there's that.  :-\

 

[Corn Flake]

I think the Leafs can afford to add a Nash and still make things work to land a Suter if available. 

Burke would just need to rid himself of several of the very "meh" contracts he has on his hands to make room.  Connolly, Lombardi, Komisarek, maybe Armstrong, and possibly Schenn (assuming he goes in the trade or another trade).  Frees up a pile of cash.

Just look at how the Rangers are structured and it can work.. they have 3 guys making around $7 mil, 4 guys making around $4 mil and the rest are $2 mil or under.  They had cap room all year.

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR

FORWARDS
Rick Nash ($7.800m) / Tyler Bozak ($1.500m) / Phil Kessel ($5.400m)
Joffrey Lupul ($4.250m) / Mikhail Grabovski ($4.900m) / Nikolai Kulemin ($2.350m)
Clarke MacArthur ($3.250m) / Joe Colborne ($1.100m) / Nazem Kadri ($1.720m)
Colby Armstrong ($3.000m) / David Steckel ($1.100m) / Mike Brown ($0.736m)

DEFENSEMEN
Dion Phaneuf ($6.500m) / Ryan Suter ($6.500m)
John-Michael Liles ($3.875m) / Jake Gardiner ($1.116m)
Carl Gunnarsson ($1.325m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)

GOALTENDERS
James Reimer ($1.800m) / Jonas Gustavsson ($1.350m)

BUYOUTS: Darcy Tucker ($1.000m)

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $64,173,334; BONUSES: $1,525,000
CAP SPACE (20-man roster): $126,666

The one change I would probably make in here is one of Mac or Armstrong has to go as well.  Need to make more playing time for kids and move one more of those $3 mil contracts.

edit: of course in this scenario I neglect to trade anyone for Nash.   I'm just trying to illustrate how this many giant contracts can sit on one team.

 

[maplesyrup]

Are we suggesting dealing for Suter now and taking our chances leading into July 1? - Because personally, that's something I'm prepared to do. I'd also be prepared to trade Grabo to get some assets back that we'd lose in the Suter deal.

I'm not, no.

If I thought Nashville would move him (and I don't think they will) I'd do it, though I know the odds would be against me that he's re-sign. Reckless? Perhaps. Bold? Certainly.

 

[Corn Flake]

Another angle to look at here is whether Burke wants to hold off on Nash to take a run a Zach Parise.  No way to know if he's going to reach UFA but it certainly is possible where that never would have been the case not long ago.  Heck even Bobby Holik is lobbying for a trade of Parise on his blog. 

Parise is the better player and has Art Ross potential in him where  Nash does not.  Different style but if I had to pick one I'd take Parise. Of course the whole UFA / zero loss via trade thing helps matters too.

 

[Erndog]

At the end of the day though, the Leafs just don't win those big UFA signings like some other teams do.  Like Nik pointed out, Burke only offers them his terms and chances are, that's going to he beaten by some other team.  He's just not going to offer that 8 year deal at $7.5m like some other team.  He just won't.

We aren't a small market but we sort of have to treat ourselves like one and look to trading and the B class of free agency.

 

[Peter D.]

The thing I struggle with on Nash is if he is truly a player we can build around.  Perhaps I am narrow-minded or pigeonholing it, but I've always been of the mindset that a team should/needs to build around a bonafide #1 centre.  We expended a lot of assets on Kessel, and we'd be doing the same with Nash.  I have a tough time convincing myself that the best thing for the franchise is giving up, in total, 6/7/8 quality pieces and tying up $13.2M in cap space for what I feel are two complimentary players. 

 

[Tigger]

Are we suggesting dealing for Suter now and taking our chances leading into July 1? - Because personally, that's something I'm prepared to do. I'd also be prepared to trade Grabo to get some assets back that we'd lose in the Suter deal.

I'm not, no.

If I thought Nashville would move him (and I don't think they will) I'd do it, though I know the odds would be against me that he's re-sign. Reckless? Perhaps. Bold? Certainly.

Well, you're consistent with that approach but I generally don't agree with it, maaaaaybe for his rights in the offseason if the price wasn't sky high but I'm just not into trading for expiring contracts at this point without an iron clad guarantee of re-signing, even then the Leafs just don't have the treasure to throw away when there's an outside chance to acquire the player for little or no talent cost.

 

[maplesyrup]

At the end of the day though, the Leafs just don't win those big UFA signings like some other teams do.  Like Nik pointed out, Burke only offers them his terms and chances are, that's going to he beaten by some other team.  He's just not going to offer that 8 year deal at $7.5m like some other team.  He just won't.

We aren't a small market but we sort of have to treat ourselves like one and look to trading and the B class of free agency.

It's true... Maybe it's reason #1 why you wouldn't trade for a pending big ticket UFA.... but if it is, perhaps it's also reason #1 why you'd jump all over a trade for a superstar forward with youth and contract term on his side. I mean, guys like Nash just don't always become available.     

 

[ZBBM]

Another angle to look at here is whether Burke wants to hold off on Nash to take a run a Zach Parise.  No way to know if he's going to reach UFA but it certainly is possible where that never would have been the case not long ago.  Heck even Bobby Holik is lobbying for a trade of Parise on his blog. 

Parise is the better player and has Art Ross potential in him where  Nash does not. Different style but if I had to pick one I'd take Parise. Of course the whole UFA / zero loss via trade thing helps matters too.

I disagree with the bolded.  I have no justification for believing this, but I just feel that Nash would blossom into one of the top 5 forwards in the league if he came here.  I think his motivation would be off the charts and there's enough complimentary talent to give him he linemates he needs.

He's the power forward Burke dreams about, I have no question about that. 

Let's say we acquire Nash this week and Suter is not dealt by Poile.  Would he be more attracted to sign in TO over the summer?  Who knows, but it's possible and your cap calcs above show it's possible to get both.  Because, truth be told, it's a Suter we need more.

EDIT: Also, what Sarge just said.

 

[Tigger]

At the end of the day though, the Leafs just don't win those big UFA signings like some other teams do.  Like Nik pointed out, Burke only offers them his terms and chances are, that's going to he beaten by some other team.  He's just not going to offer that 8 year deal at $7.5m like some other team.  He just won't.

We aren't a small market but we sort of have to treat ourselves like one and look to trading and the B class of free agency.

Burke has said he might consider a longer more expansive contract for the right player so I don't think it's impossible, unlikely maybe, still.

If he thought he had a real shot with those two I think he'd open up a leetle more at least.

I think Burke's preference is to trade anyways so who knows, maybe trying to pry B. Ryan/Nash is more in his wheelhouse.