The Official 2011/2012 Armchair GM thread

[Zee]

Leafs are playing in Anaheim on Sunday, are you telling me Getzlaf is getting back on the plane with the team when we leave? 

 

[Redleaf]

So you think that 1st line needs to be upgraded? Fine. My point was, depending on who gets shipped out, the scoring needs to be balanced on the two top lines. I wouldn't touch the 1st if we had someone like Getzlaf, but in fact try and bolster that 2nd line.

It's not about upgrading the first line, but, rather, actually maximizing the talent on the roster. If Leafs get Getzlaf, Connolly moves to the 2nd line. Getzlaf is going to provide more to the team playing with the Leafs' best scoring threat than he is trying to improve the output of 2nd liners.

Lets agree to disagree. I don't think putting a better centerman on the top line right now helps the team at all. I'm not convinced it even would help the top line, who are on fire this year. You put someone like Getz or Carter on the 2nd line, and on the 1st power play unit. That has a better chance of helping the overall team than it does loading all your best talent onto one line when that line is clearly playing well enough as is.

 

[Britishbulldog]

If Anaheim could flip Getzlaf into Grabovski, Kadri and MacArthur they might jump at it because it might help them more having 3 good players (2 centers) to replace 1 really good player.

The question to ask here isn't whether or not Anaheim would consider trading Getzlaf but whether, if they were inclined to move him, if Grabo, Mac and Kadri is the best they could do if their intentions are to go for depth. I think it's just about a certainty that someone would offer more.

I see your point.  Then the question I guess is how much can Burke gut the Leafs before it hurts more than helps.  Add Schenn?  (Could Aulie replace Schenn in the Leafs line-up?)

Without analyzing every team I am not sure who would have a better package to offer.  They would probably prefer to move him out of Anaheim's conference so I would look at Eastern teams.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Seeing the depth in San Jose and the lack of scoring/toughness from Dupuis on the 4th line I wonder if Brandon Mashinter might be available for the 4th line LW with Steckel and Brown.  '88 6-4 230 lbs and has been able to score in the ohl and ahl half decently for a heavyweight fighter.

Watching the Boston/Buffalo game tonight really makes me wish some team would physically punch their faces in but man what a tough team.

 

[caver]

if Brown is out with his groin again then Burke could make a move or two to upgrade that line.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Seeing the depth in San Jose and the lack of scoring/toughness from Dupuis on the 4th line I wonder if Brandon Mashinter might be available for the 4th line LW with Steckel and Brown.  '88 6-4 230 lbs and has been able to score in the ohl and ahl half decently for a heavyweight fighter.

Watching the Boston/Buffalo game tonight really makes me wish some team would physically punch their faces in but man what a tough team.

If the Leafs wanted a fighter in the line-up don't you think they'd go with one of the two on the teams roster?

 

[Britishbulldog]

Seeing the depth in San Jose and the lack of scoring/toughness from Dupuis on the 4th line I wonder if Brandon Mashinter might be available for the 4th line LW with Steckel and Brown.  '88 6-4 230 lbs and has been able to score in the ohl and ahl half decently for a heavyweight fighter.

Watching the Boston/Buffalo game tonight really makes me wish some team would physically punch their faces in but man what a tough team.

If the Leafs wanted a fighter in the line-up don't you think they'd go with one of the two on the teams roster?

I guess versitilty.  Mashinter has a bit more versitilty as he could probably score around 8 goals if the 4th line played regularily, he doesn't have Orr's punching power but unlike Orr he is willing to fight with both hands and he is a better fighter than Rosehill.

I just wish the one dimensional goon was eliminated.  Guys like Thornton and Eager are scoring a few goals and protecting the skilled forwards as well.

 

[caver]

It's pretty obvious that the NHL is evolving away from the designated goon. I think Burke was one of the last GM's to accept this new direction. I remember how pleased he was to sign Colton Orr yet it takes injuries to get Orr or Rosehill into the lineup. Brown gets the roster spot before them because he brings speed and forechecking to the game. These days the ideal tough guy can play a bit of hockey too. Along the lines of Tie Domi or Chris Neil.

 

[Britishbulldog]

It's pretty obvious that the NHL is evolving away from the designated goon. I think Burke was one of the last GM's to accept this new direction. I remember how pleased he was to sign Colton Orr yet it takes injuries to get Orr or Rosehill into the lineup. Brown gets the roster spot before them because he brings speed and forechecking to the game. These days the ideal tough guy can play a bit of hockey too. Along the lines of Tie Domi or Chris Neil.

In around 4 years the Leafs might have Jamie Devane playing a balanced game on the 4th line scoring 8-10 goals a year but also able to fight if the Leafs need it.

After this rash of injuries I am wondering if some Leaf players that might be able to be traded. For instance (edit:I should clarify for cap hit):

- I like Frattin's game more than Armstrong's. 
- I like Franson's more than Komisarek's.
- I am not sure how much the Leafs need MacArthur when they have Grabovski and Lombardi.
- How about only needing 3 offensive style dmen out of Phaneuf, Liles, Gardiner and Franson.  Could Liles be moved and see how Gardiner survives?

Those could be some good trading chips.

 

[groundskeeper willie]

It's pretty obvious that the NHL is evolving away from the designated goon. I think Burke was one of the last GM's to accept this new direction. I remember how pleased he was to sign Colton Orr yet it takes injuries to get Orr or Rosehill into the lineup. Brown gets the roster spot before them because he brings speed and forechecking to the game. These days the ideal tough guy can play a bit of hockey too. Along the lines of Tie Domi or Chris Neil.

In around 4 years the Leafs might have Jamie Devane playing a balanced game on the 4th line scoring 8-10 goals a year but also able to fight if the Leafs need it.

After this rash of injuries I am wondering if some Leaf players that might be able to be traded. For instance (edit:I should clarify for cap hit):

- I like Frattin's game more than Armstrong's. 
- I like Franson's more than Komisarek's.
- I am not sure how much the Leafs need MacArthur when they have Grabovski and Lombardi.
- How about only needing 3 offensive style dmen out of Phaneuf, Liles, Gardiner and Franson.  Could Liles be moved and see how Gardiner survives?

Those could be some good trading chips.

- I doubt they trade Armstrong. There is such a noticeable difference in the team's record when he is in the lineup vs injured that it is clear that type of player is very needed in the Leafs - to the point that having two of that type (Armstrong and Frattin) could only be a good thing.

- Franson over Komisarek is an easy call most of the time. The problem is, of course, finding somebody to take Komisarek.

- I have been more impressed with MacArthur this year than a lot of the other secondary scorers. I expected him to prove last year was a fluke, but he has been atleast as valuable as Grabs or Lombardi (or Kulemin so far). Finding a way to break guys like Frattin and Colborne into the lineup full time next year might be a challenge without moving somebody though.

- It will be interesting to see what they do with Liles. He has played quite well, but will he be worth signing long term at 4-5 mil? I don't know the answer to that right now, but there is always the concern that Gardiner has a sophomore slump next year. Hopefully the answer will present itself before the season is over.

 

[caver]

If last night showed anything it was that the Leafs need more sandpaper in the line-up. Armstrong helps out with that and Komisarek is a good hitter which would slow up some of those Bruin rushes. The talent level has increased but some toughness (real toughness not fighting) would help. It would have been nice to get Clarkson from the Devils over the summer.

 

[Britishbulldog]

- I doubt they trade Armstrong. There is such a noticeable difference in the team's record when he is in the lineup vs injured that it is clear that type of player is very needed in the Leafs - to the point that having two of that type (Armstrong and Frattin) could only be a good thing.

- Franson over Komisarek is an easy call most of the time. The problem is, of course, finding somebody to take Komisarek.

- I have been more impressed with MacArthur this year than a lot of the other secondary scorers. I expected him to prove last year was a fluke, but he has been atleast as valuable as Grabs or Lombardi (or Kulemin so far). Finding a way to break guys like Frattin and Colborne into the lineup full time next year might be a challenge without moving somebody though.

- It will be interesting to see what they do with Liles. He has played quite well, but will he be worth signing long term at 4-5 mil? I don't know the answer to that right now, but there is always the concern that Gardiner has a sophomore slump next year. Hopefully the answer will present itself before the season is over.

- If Armstrong stays then I wish his $3 MIL contract could play on the 2nd line but I don't think he is good enough.

- I think that Komisarek could be moved to NYI for a 2nd pick or something.  His cap hit is going to be higher than his salary for the remainder of his contract which could be attractive to a cap floor team.

- the tough thing about MacArthur is I like his game this year more than last year as well.  But with Grabovski playing so well as a centerman and Lombardi costing $3.5 MIL while still not himself (which I feel was an almost exact duplicate of MacArthur in size, points and LH shot) might be harder to move.  Kulemin is a big, responsible forward who has an offensive upside (I thought) and should be good to keep.

- the 'Liles factor' is the wild card for me.  I think the benefit of him being on the team is large.  Re-signing him to a $4.2 MIL/ 2 or 3 year contract would allow other moves to happen on defense... or...trading him for draft picks or assets might help even more in the long run.  Again, I figure the Leafs can move one NHL leftside dman out of Aulie, Gunnarsson, Liles and Gardiner and one NHL rightside dman out of Phaneuf, Schenn, Komisarek and Franson. 

I would prefer to see Mohamed Aulie left in T.O. and see if he can get his game up to NHL standards again as he is the only dman that has size and can fight if he has to (no offense to Phaneuf, Schenn and Komisarek).  Gardiner is young with an apparently huge ceiling so I would like see him stay.  So I would hope Burke can flip either Gunnarsson or Liles into a top asset of the left side and Komisarek off the right side.

 

[Bender]

- I doubt they trade Armstrong. There is such a noticeable difference in the team's record when he is in the lineup vs injured that it is clear that type of player is very needed in the Leafs - to the point that having two of that type (Armstrong and Frattin) could only be a good thing.

- Franson over Komisarek is an easy call most of the time. The problem is, of course, finding somebody to take Komisarek.

- I have been more impressed with MacArthur this year than a lot of the other secondary scorers. I expected him to prove last year was a fluke, but he has been atleast as valuable as Grabs or Lombardi (or Kulemin so far). Finding a way to break guys like Frattin and Colborne into the lineup full time next year might be a challenge without moving somebody though.

- It will be interesting to see what they do with Liles. He has played quite well, but will he be worth signing long term at 4-5 mil? I don't know the answer to that right now, but there is always the concern that Gardiner has a sophomore slump next year. Hopefully the answer will present itself before the season is over.

- If Armstrong stays then I wish his $3 MIL contract could play on the 2nd line but I don't think he is good enough.

- I think that Komisarek could be moved to NYI for a 2nd pick or something.  His cap hit is going to be higher than his salary for the remainder of his contract which could be attractive to a cap floor team.

- the tough thing about MacArthur is I like his game this year more than last year as well.  But with Grabovski playing so well as a centerman and Lombardi costing $3.5 MIL while still not himself (which I feel was an almost exact duplicate of MacArthur in size, points and LH shot) might be harder to move.  Kulemin is a big, responsible forward who has an offensive upside (I thought) and should be good to keep.

- the 'Liles factor' is the wild card for me.  I think the benefit of him being on the team is large.  Re-signing him to a $4.2 MIL/ 2 or 3 year contract would allow other moves to happen on defense... or...trading him for draft picks or assets might help even more in the long run.  Again, I figure the Leafs can move one NHL leftside dman out of Aulie, Gunnarsson, Liles and Gardiner and one NHL rightside dman out of Phaneuf, Schenn, Komisarek and Franson. 

I would prefer to see Mohamed Aulie left in T.O. and see if he can get his game up to NHL standards again as he is the only dman that has size and can fight if he has to (no offense to Phaneuf, Schenn and Komisarek).  Gardiner is young with an apparently huge ceiling so I would like see him stay.  So I would hope Burke can flip either Gunnarsson or Liles into a top asset of the left side and Komisarek off the right side.

To be honest, I think Aulie is a big mistake right now. He needs a lot of development time in the AHL yet. Right now he's big, slow, doesn't play physical too much and gets beat constantly. This is exactly the kind of guy we don't need right now.

 

[Britishbulldog]

If last night showed anything it was that the Leafs need more sandpaper in the line-up. Armstrong helps out with that and Komisarek is a good hitter which would slow up some of those Bruin rushes. The talent level has increased but some toughness (real toughness not fighting) would help. It would have been nice to get Clarkson from the Devils over the summer.

I have really liked Prust since his days in Calgary and a 4th line of Prust / Steckel / Brown for the next few years would be great and as a line that would probably produce 20 goals a year.  Even though Rosehill got the upper hand tonight I still like Prust more than Rosehill, Dupuis or Orr on the 4th line.

Clarkson on the 3rd line RW would probably still approach 20 goals with Connolly or Grabovski at center and still get into a few fights (which he almost always wins)

 

[Britishbulldog]

To be honest, I think Aulie is a big mistake right now. He needs a lot of development time in the AHL yet. Right now he's big, slow, doesn't play physical too much and gets beat constantly. This is exactly the kind of guy we don't need right now.

That's a shame. 

I would love to see an 'Engelland out of Pittsburgh' type player.  He scores the odd goal, plays tough and is a great fighter when he has to be.  He is a perfect 6th dman. 

The Leafs lack that.

 

[L K]

If last night showed anything it was that the Leafs need more sandpaper in the line-up. Armstrong helps out with that and Komisarek is a good hitter which would slow up some of those Bruin rushes. The talent level has increased but some toughness (real toughness not fighting) would help. It would have been nice to get Clarkson from the Devils over the summer.

I have really liked Prust since his days in Calgary and a 4th line of Prust / Steckel / Brown for the next few years would be great and as a line that would probably produce 20 goals a year.  Even though Rosehill got the upper hand tonight I still like Prust more than Rosehill, Dupuis or Orr on the 4th line.

Clarkson on the 3rd line RW would probably still approach 20 goals with Connolly or Grabovski at center and still get into a few fights (which he almost always wins)

I like him too...he works hard, plays good defensively, throws hits, will drop the gloves to defend teammates and has some offensive abilities.  He was also one of the primary guys the Knights put on Sidney Crosby when they dominated Rimouski in the Memorial Cup.  Well that and I grew up with him so that would be pretty cool as he might give me free Leafs tickets.

 

[Corn Flake]

If last night showed anything it was that the Leafs need more sandpaper in the line-up. Armstrong helps out with that and Komisarek is a good hitter which would slow up some of those Bruin rushes. The talent level has increased but some toughness (real toughness not fighting) would help. It would have been nice to get Clarkson from the Devils over the summer.

I think the challenge is Brown and Armstrong staying healthy.  Rosehill can't take a shift without doing something stupid so he can't replace Brown at all.  Komi on the blueline - now that he has shown he can play again as well, but the defense doesn't need it as much as the offense does.  Leafs could really use another forechecking/net crashing winger who can play in the top six and not look out of place, who will go into corners and behind the net with Chara to take some steam out of the guy.

I need to watch more Bos vs. Philli games to see how the Flyers deal with him.  One of few teams he has a career minus rating for +/- .

 

[Britishbulldog]

I think the challenge is Brown and Armstrong staying healthy.  Rosehill can't take a shift without doing something stupid so he can't replace Brown at all.  Komi on the blueline - now that he has shown he can play again as well, but the defense doesn't need it as much as the offense does.  Leafs could really use another forechecking/net crashing winger who can play in the top six and not look out of place, who will go into corners and behind the net with Chara to take some steam out of the guy.

I need to watch more Bos vs. Philli games to see how the Flyers deal with him.  One of few teams he has a career minus rating for +/- .

I think the forward you are describing is Ryan Clowe unfortunately.

 

[applecheeks]

If last night showed anything it was that the Leafs need more sandpaper in the line-up. Armstrong helps out with that and Komisarek is a good hitter which would slow up some of those Bruin rushes. The talent level has increased but some toughness (real toughness not fighting) would help. It would have been nice to get Clarkson from the Devils over the summer.

Totally agree on the sandpaper, and a guy like Neil when he first came into the league and he hit everything insight, hard, a true pest who could back it up. If Rosey or Orr had wheels they'd be great. need for speed and sandpaper would be great. Brown will also fit with Army when both are back. We'll be fine in the mean time. should be a great game if they learn from last nights game.

 

[L K]

If last night showed anything it was that the Leafs need more sandpaper in the line-up. Armstrong helps out with that and Komisarek is a good hitter which would slow up some of those Bruin rushes. The talent level has increased but some toughness (real toughness not fighting) would help. It would have been nice to get Clarkson from the Devils over the summer.

Totally agree on the sandpaper, and a guy like Neil when he first came into the league and he hit everything insight, hard, a true pest who could back it up. If Rosey or Orr had wheels they'd be great. need for speed and sandpaper would be great. Brown will also fit with Army when both are back. We'll be fine in the mean time. should be a great game if they learn from last nights game.

The thing is the Bruins aren't slow...Komisarek is useless in terms of being a deterrent because the two things he struggles the most with are quick transition offense and getting the puck out of the zone on forecheck.  Sure he hits guys, but he was one of the guiltiest guys on the PK for not clearing guys from the front of the net.  How does Komisarek hitting the odd guy on the boards improve on say Franson actually providing offensive contribution?