so is Burke finished..

[Kin]

Dudley stated he's a top 4. Someone else is getting pushed out of the top 6. So I would say that since Franson isn't a #7 replacement, and by all accounts he's going to push someone like Komisarek or even Gunnarson out then I don't see that as insignificant or marginal.

If it's true that Franson ends up in the top 4 then clearly he'll have a bigger impact than Lebda. However if Franson comes into the top 4 then the potential for upgrade won't really be Franson vs. Lebda but rather Franson vs. whoever he pushes out.

It may end up being a big change or a small one. I just think that we know so little about Franson and the defense this year that I'd hold off on trying to gauge his impact.

 

[cw]

Dudley stated he's a top 4.

I think Dudley is over the top.

In the Franson thread in the old database, there were reports that his PK was suspect in junior & the AHL. In the NHL, Nashville didn't use him on the PK.

He's a #3 on Nashville's PP ice time/game but he's a #6 or 7 at even strength.

In ice time/game over the last two seasons and two playoffs, he's always been a #6 or #7 guy.

One might project he'll become a top 4 some day but he hasn't proven that yet in my opinion. To me, he's been used nearly as sparingly as possible at even strength with no PK and therefore, he seems closest to a #6 PP specialist right now based upon how he's been used to date.

Conservatively, I see him as an upgrade on Ledba with some potential to be more than that. I do wonder with the pattern of reluctance to use him on the PK going back to his years in the minors whether he'll ever be respected as a fully fledged #4 in the NHL.

However, I don't really care what label he gets. If he helps the team win games, they can call him Bobby Orr2 for all I care. Given he's replacing Ledba on this roster, it's pretty tough to imagine how the Leafs lose in terms of talent acquired vs talent lost because Lebda was pretty awful.

 

[gilmourthegreat]

I would argue adding Franson is more than a marginal upgrade over Lebda.

I think it's tough to make that argument until we get a better sense of how the team looks on a game to day basis. Franson may be a better player than Lebda but any upgrade in the #7 defensive spot is a marginal upgrade.

The defensive spots which will be upgraded by the one Franson occupies and all the ones under it. It's too early to say if trading for him was just a marginal upgrade of the #7 spot or more, but I would wager it will be more than that right out of training camp.

 

[nutman]

I think he is doing the right thing sitting in a holding pattern until the season gets going.

Didn't he say he'd jump any any opportunity to improve the team? I'm not sure I want a GM with a "holding pattern" feature.

I would think he wants to the see players fight for  that spot in camp then the chemistry factor before he pulls the trigger again.

I think thats what his plan seems to be. i think it will be one of the best camps in years, and we may see a job or two taken away by a rookie.

 

[WAYNEINIONA]

Replying to the title "is Burke finished" I don't think he will ever be finished. No matter what time of the year, if there is a deal that can be done that in his assessment will improve the team he's going to jump on it.

 

[nutman]

Replying to the title "is Burke finished" I don't think he will ever be finished. No matter what time of the year, if there is a deal that can be done that in his assessment will improve the team he's going to jump on it.

yes we heard that a few posts ago, but the question is..... is he done for now. 

 

[Guilt Trip]

for the record 45-36-11 equates to 90 points over an 82 game schedule

no, first your record that also represents 92 games.....secondly that record would equal 101 pts....as for BB being done, GM's are never done on improving their teams, and if a deal makes sense and improves, he'll do it.

 

[cw]

for the record 45-36-11 equates to 90 points over an 82 game schedule

no, first your record that also represents 92 games.....secondly that record would equal 101 pts....as for BB being done, GM's are never done on improving their teams, and if a deal makes sense and improves, he'll do it.

45-36-11 is 101 points over 92 games for a pts win% of .549

.549 win% over 82 games is 90 points (which is effectively what he originally said)

Burke is never done. Some times of year are easier to get things done than others. Between now and the start of the season is one of those times something is more likely to get done.

A few weeks ago, Loiselle said they were looking for a good-sized prototypical 4th line center who can win faceoffs. In spite of who they've signed, I suspect they're still looking for that player and it wouldn't surprise me if they made a deal to get him. I'm not expecting much in terms of the D talent or in goal on their NHL roster between now and the start of the season though some of that depends on what shakes loose from other NHL rosters.

 

[Guilt Trip]

^^^^Got it...didn't see where he got the record from at first look, made for my confusion.

 

[moon111]

The roster is full of 'compromises', never perfect.  Burke will never be finished.

 

[nutman]

I believe the next moves will come one month in. all we will need is some minor tweeking. i believe this team will compete with the best all season.

 

[Scot4bz]

I believe the next moves will come one month in. all we will need is some minor tweeking. i believe this team will compete with the best all season.

If I recall correctly, you have made some astounding predictions on this site over the years - I hope you are right! I am really itching for the season to start!!!!

 

[Bullfrog]

I believe the next moves will come one month in. all we will need is some minor tweeking. i believe this team will compete with the best all season.

I'm confident it will compete for a playoff spot, but I don't believe it will be ranked as one of the best teams. It'll squeak into the playoffs in 8th or 7th.

 

[Redleaf]

I believe the next moves will come one month in. all we will need is some minor tweeking. i believe this team will compete with the best all season.

I'm confident it will compete for a playoff spot, but I don't believe it will be ranked as one of the best teams. It'll squeak into the playoffs in 8th or 7th.

I think if the Leafs make the post season this year, it will be considered a monumental achievement considering how long we've missed out. Plus it will shut up some of these Leaf haters that see the Leafs plate on my truck and NEED to make some off the cuff remark about how much they suck, without any knowledge of the current organization or rebuilding process. I used to let these comments slide off my back without much thought, but lately these people are really starting to irk me. I'd rather get into some long drawn out debate with Nik about what colour the sky is than deal with these imbeciles.   

 

[Bullfrog]

You're either hopeful or naive.

They'll make stupid off the cuff comments regardless. 

 

[Chett]

I believe the next moves will come one month in. all we will need is some minor tweeking. i believe this team will compete with the best all season.

If I recall correctly, you have made some astounding predictions on this site over the years - I hope you are right! I am really itching for the season to start!!!!

Remember last year when even nutman was upset with the team? That was a bad time!

 

[leafplasma]

I believe the next moves will come one month in. all we will need is some minor tweeking. i believe this team will compete with the best all season.

If I recall correctly, you have made some astounding predictions on this site over the years - I hope you are right! I am really itching for the season to start!!!!

Yep, it is really quite shocking how bang on he is.  Bridging on the paranormal actually.

 

[Bender]

I believe the next moves will come one month in. all we will need is some minor tweeking. i believe this team will compete with the best all season.

If I recall correctly, you have made some astounding predictions on this site over the years - I hope you are right! I am really itching for the season to start!!!!

Remember last year when even nutman was upset with the team? That was a bad time!

That was probably two years ago. Nothing went right that year.

 

[nutman]

I believe the next moves will come one month in. all we will need is some minor tweeking. i believe this team will compete with the best all season.

I'm confident it will compete for a playoff spot, but I don't believe it will be ranked as one of the best teams. It'll squeak into the playoffs in 8th or 7th.

I believe i said we will compete with the best teams, not that we will be a top team. my point is we have started to and will turn the corner on becoming a team to enjoy watching game in and game out.

 

[maplesyrup]

I believe the next moves will come one month in. all we will need is some minor tweeking. i believe this team will compete with the best all season.

I'm confident it will compete for a playoff spot, but I don't believe it will be ranked as one of the best teams. It'll squeak into the playoffs in 8th or 7th.

I believe i said we will compete with the best teams, not that we will be a top team. my point is we have started to and will turn the corner on becoming a team to enjoy watching game in and game out.

- Prospect cupboard reasonably full (though it lacks "franchise" caliber talent.)
- Big club (still the yongest in the league I think) has a good number of players I enjoy watching night in, night out.
- Not really tied in to any horrible long-term contracts outside of Komisarek but even with him, three more years is something that is managable.

I still don't think we're making the playoffs but we're headed in the right direction I think. There's a lot to like here.