Stay away from the UFA's! How do we improve?

[Peter D.]

1. A #1 centre.  This goes without saying.  I don't think this team could become a true contender until one is obtained.  Depending how we do down the stretch here, it come in the form of drafting one. 

I'm still waiting for Burke to pull a Pronger/Sedins-type move(s) on draft day.

2. A goalie.  I want to say an elite one, but getting one of those is just as impossible as a #1 centre.  So it comes down to what the Leafs believe they have in Reimer -- is he the 55/60-game per year goalie and we just need to bring a cheaper option to spell him every so often (Biron, Mason, Johnson, even Emery); or do we bring in a veteran who could push him for starts and split the load (Vokoun, Nabokov).  Harding...really don't know what to think.

3. Veteran presense.  Doan (doubt it), Selanne (doubt it), Arnott, Langenbrunner, Koivu. 

4. Younger depth.  Moen, who is familar with Burke.  Winnik.  And surprising to me, I notice Tootoo is on the list.  I can't stand him, and I doubt Nashville let's him go, but he's the type of player this team could really use on the bottom lines.

 

[cw]

3. Veteran presense.  Doan (doubt it), Selanne (doubt it), Arnott, Langenbrunner, Koivu.

I think Arnott (37), Langenbrunner (36) & Koivu (37) are pretty close to done. The idea of a good character, respectable vet is a good one though. I'd rather find a guy who is a little younger and can hang around for a few years.

 

[Bender]

Definitely like Biron and Moen as pickups.

If we can shoot the moon for Parise that would be fantastic but I don't see this happening. At the same time we're starting to put together a respectable crop of prospects and I definitely wouldn't be up for trading any of them right now, especially now that they all seem to progressing under the Marlies (except maybe Kadri whose totals are down...hmmm...)

 

[Corn Flake]

Can everyone who wants to talk about the coaching change do so in the appropriate thread? 

Seriously.

Actually it's relevant to the topic of this thread. Thanks for your advice though.

It really isn't if you read the first post and the attempt to look at the roster via UFA and trades, prospects etc, but I know you and a few others can't help but bring it up in every thread and post.  Try real hard.

This is the first time I have ever mentioned a coaching change in ANY thread. And it is absolutely part of this thread regardless of your crazy notion that it isn't. Why don't you 'try real hard' and grab yourself a clue.

You were one of 3-4 people who had mentioned the coaching change in the thread, but the one who responded to my post.  Not much else to say.

 

[Corn Flake]

Definitely like Biron and Moen as pickups.

If we can shoot the moon for Parise that would be fantastic but I don't see this happening. At the same time we're starting to put together a respectable crop of prospects and I definitely wouldn't be up for trading any of them right now, especially now that they all seem to progressing under the Marlies (except maybe Kadri whose totals are down...hmmm...)

Burke has to shoot for Parise and Suter.  Both are no brainers and I expect he will if he gets the chance.  Will he get them?  Chances look slim, unless he bucks the 5 year rule.  Then again, the new CBA will try to lock those down anyway so he may not have to go there.

 

[Champ Kind]

Outside of Suter and Parise topping the wish list.... I would be all about looking for guys who can be leaders on this team and help the kids.  I think its the biggest problem on the team right now. A true veteran leader at all positions.. forward, defense and goal.  The kids need help, Phaneuf needs help leading and it would have taken onus off the coaches. You can't have Alt captains not on the ice every game, especially when those two are expected to be your veteran leadership.  We know Komi has to be done.  Armstrong shouldn't be but something is up there.

So:

1. Veteran forward who can lead, contribute and isn't a reclaim project

Top choice: Shane Doan.
Alts: Ray Whitney, Jamie Langenbrunner, Travis Moen.

2. veteran d-man who leads but quietly does his job well.

Top choice: Brad Stuart. 
Alts: Adrian Aucoin, Sean O'Donnell, Scott Hannan, Colin White.

3. veteran backup goalie, capable of playing 40 games at least but who isn't going to get all pissy if he doesn't play that much.

Top choice: Martin Biron (I would go big on him to make it happen)
Alts: Johan Hedberg, Curtis Sanford, Chris Mason, Nabokov.

Other ideas:

-  Greg Campbell... lots of 4th line sandpaper and two-way game.  Upgrade on right side. 

- Jim Slater .. same as Campbell.

- Shawn Thornton.. a great current day enforcer who can play a bit, distracts the heck out of the other team and knows how to get his team going. I could see Burke going hard after him because he fits the bill of a fighter who isn't useless if he's not fighting.

I think the Leafs would sacrifice some youthful enthusiasm and legs by going with the above but they need balance and far more leadership laced into the lineup.  The ideas above I think would do that.

Excellent post, couldn't agree more.  My only change would be the inclusion of Josh Harding as a 1B in goal, though Biron would be my first choice (didn't realize he was a UFA)

 

[Champ Kind]

Surprised to see no mention of Gaustad as an important part of the bottom 6.  Certainly an upgrade on Steckle, can do everything relatively well, provide some leadership.  What's the going rate on him?  Colby-like numbers (3 yrs x $3/per)?

 

[Bender]

Surprised to see no mention of Gaustad as an important part of the bottom 6.  Certainly an upgrade on Steckle, can do everything relatively well, provide some leadership.  What's the going rate on him?  Colby-like numbers (3 yrs x $3/per)?

I think we'll be getting too heavy on our salary if we take on a bunch of $3m third/fourth liners. We have to figure out a way to purchase them for cheap. Steckel came for a 5th (I think), what's a 3rd for someone better?

 

[Tigger]

Definitely like Biron and Moen as pickups.

If we can shoot the moon for Parise that would be fantastic but I don't see this happening. At the same time we're starting to put together a respectable crop of prospects and I definitely wouldn't be up for trading any of them right now, especially now that they all seem to progressing under the Marlies (except maybe Kadri whose totals are down...hmmm...)

Burke has to shoot for Parise and Suter.  Both are no brainers and I expect he will if he gets the chance.  Will he get them?  Chances look slim, unless he bucks the 5 year rule.  Then again, the new CBA will try to lock those down anyway so he may not have to go there.

Yeah, the end result of the CBA could influence a ton of things.

If there's a free buyout period

If there's contract rollbacks with lowered player share

If the floating cap goes up to 69 mil in the offseason prior to that

If there's a further cap on contract length.

I mean, a perfect storm of all of those things plus landing Suter would be wonderful, Burke could look to some financial muscle, ie, buying a few contracts from poorer teams again that could also be bought out if need be ( on top of Komi's contract ), nudging right to the cap ( 10% over even ) to load up on talent and if Burke doesn't have to repeat his notion of cap circumvention around some of the longer deals ( ie, a Suter wouldn't get to sign for a billion and one years anywhere)

I don't know how likely those things are but here's hoping some of it helps.

 

[Champ Kind]

I'd also have to say that adding Brandon Prust would be wonderful.  I'm sure the British Bulldog would be behind that as well.  Like Corn Flake said, someone with sandpaper who can play and support Brown would be an important ancillary piece.

 

[Britishbulldog]

I'd also have to say that adding Brandon Prust would be wonderful.  I'm sure the British Bulldog would be behind that as well.  Like Corn Flake said, someone with sandpaper who can play and support Brown would be an important ancillary piece.

You got my vote on that one Champ.    I love the way he plays and for a little guy he is tough!

 

[lamajama]

Definitely like Biron and Moen as pickups.

If we can shoot the moon for Parise that would be fantastic but I don't see this happening. At the same time we're starting to put together a respectable crop of prospects and I definitely wouldn't be up for trading any of them right now, especially now that they all seem to progressing under the Marlies (except maybe Kadri whose totals are down...hmmm...)

Burke has to shoot for Parise and Suter.  Both are no brainers and I expect he will if he gets the chance.  Will he get them?  Chances look slim, unless he bucks the 5 year rule.  Then again, the new CBA will try to lock those down anyway so he may not have to go there.

I just can't see that without him moving some dead Cap space like Komi, Armstrong - even Connolly or saying goodbye to Grabbo. Suter can't co-exist with Lord Phaneuf either IMO. Although I think Suter is exactly what we need.

 

[Tigger]

Why can't Suter and Phaneuf get along?

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Why can't Suter and Phaneuf get along?

Let me explain to you how this works: you see, the corporations finance Team America, and then Team America goes out... and the corporations sit there in their... in their corporation buildings, and... and, and see, they're all corporation-y... and they make money.

 

[Tigger]

...Ok...?

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

...Ok...?

You left your sense of humor in the other pants?

 

[Tigger]

...Ok...?

You left your sense of humor in the other pants?

Who's wearing pants?...

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

...Ok...?

You left your sense of humor in the other pants?

Who's wearing pants?...

Touche...

 

[Erndog]

Ok, with the Grabbo signing, I'm still left wondering.

How are we going to improve ourselves next year?

a)  Very little cap space
b)  Most of the roster is locked into next season (for better or worse)
c)  Very few impact free agents


I mean, sure we could sign Gaustad and someone else for $3M/year and maybe dump a Lombardi or Armstrong but how much further along would that get us?  In the grand scheme of things probably very little difference.

I just don't know how we're going to take a step ahead next year???

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Well we are a young team, it's not entirely unreasonable to think there is a mild improvement from some of the younger guys.  Players in the system might take the next step.

On top of that, I think we might see some of the deadwood contracts shipped out this summer as Burke attempts to give Carlyle what he needs.  There is also the Carlyle factor, who is to say that under his tutelage, some guys are better than under Wilson and a more defensive system as a whole could give us more success.

We just don't know, there will be a lot of swaying one way and then the other before we get there.