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The Official 2011/2012 Armchair GM thread

BlueWhiteBlood said:
CarltonTheBear said:
I'd try to dangle Franson in the trade here. Can't see why Ottawa would be interested in Komi with a few overpaid and underperforming veteran defencemen already. I like Franson and haven't soured on him at all, but in a trade like this he could be an important piece.
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I wouldn't be opposed to that, as if we trade a defenseman, I think it has to be a right-side playing D', rather than one that plays the left, just to make things work better for us.
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Agreed on right side d-man.  It really has to be at this point.  Franson's mistake on the GWG the other night can be at least partially forgiven as he was in a position habitual for a right side d-man when it was scored.  But having guys on their off-sides like that can do a lot of harm.  They did it with Schenn two seasons ago and it really messed him up.

The way the defense has played so far it would be really risky for Burke to move one of the top 5.  Yes even Komi has been good and relatively stable.  Gunarsson & Phaneuf have been top notch which will all but cement CG in there for the long haul. 

Franson either needs to be given the keys to a top six role and play his natural side, or he should be traded before things get messy (and his value drops).
 
CarltonTheBear said:
I'm just thinking out loud here, but...

Spezza and Kuba for Kadri, Bozak, Franson, and a first.

It's quality for quantity, but Kadri, Franson, and the 1st are all decent value. And Bozak can help replace what Kelly brought to the table before they dealt him, or be a stop-gap top-6 centre for them.

No idea how this works cap-wise as I haven't checked, but I'd imagine it will be very tight and other moves might be necessary. Maybe put Mac in too. Ottawa could definitely use some help on the wings. Kuba would likely be waived unless it's not necessary to get under the cap.
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Spezza and Kuba are 10.5 million coming in and the players you mention are not near the cap going the other way, but I think if you substitute Bozak with Connolly and I think there is a deal there, at least where I'm looking.

Kuba would most definitely be waived IMO.
 
Corn Flake said:
Franson either needs to be given the keys to a top six role and play his natural side, or he should be traded before things get messy (and his value drops).
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This is why I would have liked to see a Gardiner/ Franson pairing tonight instead of what is playing. Surely, Komisarek could sit one game to see what pans out. I would rather have Komi out vs Winnipeg, than against Boston.
 
I think I'd pass just on the basis that you'd probably have to overpay the Sens to get them to send Spezza to a rival. Even ignoring the 4 quarters for a dollar problem, I think the fact that any sizeable contract sent the other way would almost certainly be a burden as opposed to an asset would make this a really tough deal to put together.
 
CarltonTheBear said:
I'm just thinking out loud here, but...

Spezza and Kuba for Kadri, Bozak, Franson, and a first.

It's quality for quantity, but Kadri, Franson, and the 1st are all decent value. And Bozak can help replace what Kelly brought to the table before they dealt him, or be a stop-gap top-6 centre for them.

No idea how this works cap-wise as I haven't checked, but I'd imagine it will be very tight and other moves might be necessary. Maybe put Mac in too. Ottawa could definitely use some help on the wings. Kuba would likely be waived unless it's not necessary to get under the cap.
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Spezza and Kuba for Kadri, Connolly, Franson, and a first.

Waive Kuba.  Ottawa would probably prefer the Leafs taking Gonchar but his NMC is blocking any deal and waiving ability.

The lineup could be:
CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR

FORWARDS
Phil Kessel ($5.400m) / Jason Spezza ($7.000m) / Joffrey Lupul ($4.250m)
Nikolai Kulemin ($2.350m) / Mikhail Grabovski ($2.900m) / Matt Frattin ($1.300m)
Matthew Lombardi ($3.500m) / Tyler Bozak ($1.500m) / Colby Armstrong ($3.000m)
Mike Brown ($0.736m) / David Steckel ($1.100m) / Philippe Dupuis ($0.650m)
Jay Rosehill ($0.600m) / / Colton Orr ($1.000m)

DEFENSEMEN
Carl Gunnarsson ($1.325m) / Dion Phaneuf ($6.500m)
John-Michael Liles ($4.200m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Jake Gardiner ($1.116m) / Mike Komisarek ($4.500m)
Matt Lashoff ($0.600m)

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: $61,278,334; BONUSES: $212,500
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $3,021,666

The big issue getting a #1 Center at $7 MIL+ is what about Grabovski and Kulemin next year?

I would like to see that team above for atleast another year including Liles.  If Grabovski and Kulemin makes Connolly money then the Leafs will be over the CAP.
 
Britishbulldog said:
CarltonTheBear said:
I'm just thinking out loud here, but...

Spezza and Kuba for Kadri, Bozak, Franson, and a first.

It's quality for quantity, but Kadri, Franson, and the 1st are all decent value. And Bozak can help replace what Kelly brought to the table before they dealt him, or be a stop-gap top-6 centre for them.

No idea how this works cap-wise as I haven't checked, but I'd imagine it will be very tight and other moves might be necessary. Maybe put Mac in too. Ottawa could definitely use some help on the wings. Kuba would likely be waived unless it's not necessary to get under the cap.
Click to expand...


Spezza and Kuba for Kadri, Connolly, Franson, and a first.

Waive Kuba.  Ottawa would probably prefer the Leafs taking Gonchar but his NMC is blocking any deal and waiving ability.

The lineup could be:
CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR

FORWARDS
Phil Kessel ($5.400m) / Jason Spezza ($7.000m) / Joffrey Lupul ($4.250m)
Nikolai Kulemin ($2.350m) / Mikhail Grabovski ($2.900m) / Matt Frattin ($1.300m)
Matthew Lombardi ($3.500m) / Tyler Bozak ($1.500m) / Colby Armstrong ($3.000m)
Mike Brown ($0.736m) / David Steckel ($1.100m) / Philippe Dupuis ($0.650m)
Jay Rosehill ($0.600m) / / Colton Orr ($1.000m)

DEFENSEMEN
Carl Gunnarsson ($1.325m) / Dion Phaneuf ($6.500m)
John-Michael Liles ($4.200m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Jake Gardiner ($1.116m) / Mike Komisarek ($4.500m)
Matt Lashoff ($0.600m)

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: $61,278,334; BONUSES: $212,500
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $3,021,666

The big issue getting a #1 Center at $7 MIL+ is what about Grabovski and Kulemin next year?

I would like to see that team above for atleast another year including Liles.  If Grabovski and Kulemin makes Connolly money then the Leafs will be over the CAP.
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Having watched the Leafs so far this year I don't think they're a relatively soft #1 away from being Cup contenders, especially at the cost of all their cap space and some decent to good pieces in Kadri, Connolly, Franson (although not at all sold on him yet) and a 1st.

It's possible that Connolly comes back plays well and is tradeable himself for a relatively decent return. Kadri, given the chance to show what he can do at the NHL this year may increase his value drastically. Why sell low on a guy who's yet to be given a proper shot at the NHL yet? A 1st has pretty significant value these daysm and without really knowing what we have in this team so far this year, why trade away an unknown asset?

All these possibilities for Spezza @ 7M........Seems really really premature and quite foolish.
 
Ok, so I realize what I'm about to say is still very, very unlikely to happen, but I figure it's worth monitoring how things go.

Eric Staal is having an epicly poor start to the season this year.  In 14 games, he has 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points, -16!  I realize plus/minus is not a very good stastiscal measure (i.e. see Phil Kessel last year vs this year) but either way, he's having an atrocious start to this season.

So I glanced over their message boards and it looks like a lot of fans are turning/have turned on him.  Some quotes (taken from 2 different message boards):

"I'd trade him in a heartbeat if a fair deal was offered. He's paid like a top 10 forward, but is not."

"No one's advocating trading him scraps. If we do trade him, it should be for a return that's worth what Staal can play like when he's on top, and not what he plays like the other 90% of the time."

"This team will never succeed long term with a lump on a log coach that accepts this from his Captain"

"He's not worth $8 million per either. He's a 2nd tier star player....not NHL elite."

"A committed and intelligent captain would not take a "maintenance day" even when they are offered!
Ridiculous. This is a great way to lose respect from your teammates."

"IMO bench his ass for a few games"

"Grabbing at straws would be trying to excuse Staal's poor play by pinning it on his linemates, who have all either improved by being moved off his line, or are out-performing him while they're on it. And that doesn't even touch on the (lack of) captaincy issue the team exhibits with every 40-minute effort followed by an implosion "

"i guess my biggest issue is just with him wearing the C. he is not a leader"

"all he is doing is hurting the team, so a trade, no matter how pitiful would almost certainly be an improvement"

"The Canes have suffered for most of the time since the won the Cup with the lack of consistent play. Staal is a big part of the problem"

I could keep going.  I know that fans obviously don't make the trades here but there is clearly some souring going on with their fanbase.

Staal is a big ticket (4 more years after this one at $8.25M) especially for a team that operates at a budget and nowhere near the cap.

His linemates are clearly terrible (Tlusty and Larose right now)... I have no doubt he would work real well with Lupul and Kessel. 

Again, I don't find it likely, but it's something worth keeping an eye on.  It sort of, ever so slightly reminds me of when Phaneuf started being run out of town in Calgary when his play dropped off (I know their was some locker room stuff also).  And yes, I realize that #1 centers don't grow on trees and are rarely moved, however if there was EVER a time since he was drafted that Staal might be moved, I would guess the chances now are the best they've ever been.

 
 
Erndog said:
Again, I don't find it likely, but it's something worth keeping an eye on.  It sort of, ever so slightly reminds me of when Phaneuf started being run out of town in Calgary when his play dropped off (I know their was some locker room stuff also).  And yes, I realize that #1 centers don't grow on trees and are rarely moved, however if there was EVER a time since he was drafted that Staal might be moved, I would guess the chances now are the best they've ever been.
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If the Leafs could get him in a Phaneuf type deal, I'd be all over it, but, with the Canes likely looking for fair value for him based on how he's played in the past (which, right now, is still justifiable), the cost likely outweighs the benefit.
 
Busta Reims said:
Erndog said:
Again, I don't find it likely, but it's something worth keeping an eye on.  It sort of, ever so slightly reminds me of when Phaneuf started being run out of town in Calgary when his play dropped off (I know their was some locker room stuff also).  And yes, I realize that #1 centers don't grow on trees and are rarely moved, however if there was EVER a time since he was drafted that Staal might be moved, I would guess the chances now are the best they've ever been.
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If the Leafs could get him in a Phaneuf type deal, I'd be all over it, but, with the Canes likely looking for fair value for him based on how he's played in the past (which, right now, is still justifiable), the cost likely outweighs the benefit.
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I know, I agree.  However, I was thinking of his past performance, and while still very good, it's actually not elite like some people probably think.

His past 3 years he has point totals of 75, 70, 76.  He's averaged 35 goals and 40 assists.  He was also -15 last year.

Again, he's been very good, but hasn't come anywhere near duplicating his 100 point season (05-06).  In fact, he's registered only 80+ points one other time in his career.

He's certainly a very good center, and would easily the best we've had since Mats but he hasn't really been playing at that elite level (ala Stamkos, Crosby, Henrik Sedin, etc) even though he still pretty much has elite status (if you get what I'm trying to say here?). 

 
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