The Official 2011/2012 Armchair GM thread

[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.

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?

Schenn had to change gears too, it seemed he wasn't on the same page with the team earlier and he has turned it around and lately clearing the front of the net. Maybe Komo will continue his metamorphoses and step it up. He has improved since last year. I really like Franson, being he's from my neck of the woods and the mean streak is growing. gotta like it.  I'm talking a mean type forward, 3rd or 4th line.

 

[Erndog]

The NHL christmas trade freeze goes into effect Dec 19 right?  Burke has always said he starts his trade freeze 10 days earlier.  So likely 2-3 more possible days.  Don't expect anything to happen until the new year then.

 

[Zee]

The NHL christmas trade freeze goes into effect Dec 19 right?  Burke has always said he starts his trade freeze 10 days earlier.  So likely 2-3 more possible days.  Don't expect anything to happen until the new year then.

So no blockbusters in the next 48 hours?

 

[Erndog]

The NHL christmas trade freeze goes into effect Dec 19 right?  Burke has always said he starts his trade freeze 10 days earlier.  So likely 2-3 more possible days.  Don't expect anything to happen until the new year then.

So no blockbusters in the next 48 hours?

Sadly no Bobby Ryan

 

[LuncheonMeat]

The NHL christmas trade freeze goes into effect Dec 19 right?  Burke has always said he starts his trade freeze 10 days earlier.  So likely 2-3 more possible days.  Don't expect anything to happen until the new year then.

So no blockbusters in the next 48 hours?

Hot off the press from Mike Augello's blog at HockeyBuzz:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Mike-Augello/Are-The-Leafs-Interested-In-Brassard/120/40323

"Sportsnet?s Jeff Marek mentioned during his podcast with Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo Sports on Monday that the latest fodder in the Leafs rumor mill is a deal with Columbus that would send 2009 first round pick Nazem Kadri to the Blue Jackets for center Derick Brassard."

Get ready to bust some blocks! 

 

[cw]

The NHL christmas trade freeze goes into effect Dec 19 right?  Burke has always said he starts his trade freeze 10 days earlier.  So likely 2-3 more possible days.  Don't expect anything to happen until the new year then.

So no blockbusters in the next 48 hours?

Hot off the press from Mike Augello's blog at HockeyBuzz:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Mike-Augello/Are-The-Leafs-Interested-In-Brassard/120/40323

"Sportsnet?s Jeff Marek mentioned during his podcast with Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo Sports on Monday that the latest fodder in the Leafs rumor mill is a deal with Columbus that would send 2009 first round pick Nazem Kadri to the Blue Jackets for center Derick Brassard."

Get ready to bust some blocks! 

Doesn't make sense to me. Two players currently going in different directions. Brassard has been devalued with his healthy scratches, criticism of his two-way play and his cap hit of $3.x mil/yr isn't easy to move.

 

[maplesyrup]

Yeah, I don't see it. The Leafs would require a kicker from Columbus for sure. Kadri for Brassard and Leaf option to flip 1st round picks? Would you do that?

 

[bustaheims]

Doesn't make sense to me. Two players currently going in different directions. Brassard has been devalued with his healthy scratches, criticism of his two-way play and his cap hit of $3.x mil/yr isn't easy to move.

As a general rule of thumb (for me, at least), any rumour that is that specific for a player that's been on the block for as long as Brassard has been and appears to be so far off in value was created by a blogger somewhere. Also, anything from Mike Augello (AKA Mike In Buffalo) is pure crap.

 

[bustaheims]

Yeah, I don't see it. The Leafs would require a kicker from Columbus for sure. Kadri for Brassard and Leaf option to flip 1st round picks? Would you do that?

Kadri and a middle of the pack 1st round pick for Brassard and a top 3 pick? That starts to become much more interesting. No way Columbus offers that, though.

 

[maplesyrup]

Yeah, I don't see it. The Leafs would require a kicker from Columbus for sure. Kadri for Brassard and Leaf option to flip 1st round picks? Would you do that?

Kadri and a middle of the pack 1st round pick for Brassard and a top 3 pick? That starts to become much more interesting. No way Columbus offers that, though.

I don't know... Like you said, it's an interesting thought. 

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

The NHL christmas trade freeze goes into effect Dec 19 right?  Burke has always said he starts his trade freeze 10 days earlier.  So likely 2-3 more possible days.  Don't expect anything to happen until the new year then.

So no blockbusters in the next 48 hours?

Hot off the press from Mike Augello's blog at HockeyBuzz:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Mike-Augello/Are-The-Leafs-Interested-In-Brassard/120/40323

"Sportsnet?s Jeff Marek mentioned during his podcast with Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo Sports on Monday that the latest fodder in the Leafs rumor mill is a deal with Columbus that would send 2009 first round pick Nazem Kadri to the Blue Jackets for center Derick Brassard."

Get ready to bust some blocks! 

I think I could say with great confidence that Burke would want nothing to do with a player whose agent went public the way Allan Walsh did last week.

 

[cw]

Doesn't make sense to me. Two players currently going in different directions. Brassard has been devalued with his healthy scratches, criticism of his two-way play and his cap hit of $3.x mil/yr isn't easy to move.

As a general rule of thumb (for me, at least), any rumour that is that specific for a player that's been on the block for as long as Brassard has been and appears to be so far off in value was created by a blogger somewhere. Also, anything from Mike Augello (AKA Mike In Buffalo) is pure crap.

Yep.

It's kind of obvious how it's put together.
1. Find underachieving team
2. Find good prospect/player on the outs/down
3. Match up with another team
4. Find player on other team that will stir the pot

Talking about going in different directions:
For the Bruins, it was supposedly between Kessel & Brassard at the draft. Bruins took Kessel #5 overall. Columbus took Brassard at #6.

Phil is #1 in scoring. Brassard is 427th.

I haven't seen him much and I don't know what the problem really is. But with that contract, I wouldn't give them a 1st or 2nd round pick or a prospect comparable to a 1st or 2nd pick right now. Need to know more about him to be sure.

Unless someone saw how they could realize his upside, I don't know why the Leafs would want him because he's not a physical player. We need some grit.

Looked at Umberger for that but his contract seems too high.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Doesn't make sense to me. Two players currently going in different directions. Brassard has been devalued with his healthy scratches, criticism of his two-way play and his cap hit of $3.x mil/yr isn't easy to move.

As a general rule of thumb (for me, at least), any rumour that is that specific for a player that's been on the block for as long as Brassard has been and appears to be so far off in value was created by a blogger somewhere. Also, anything from Mike Augello (AKA Mike In Buffalo) is pure crap.

Yep.

It's kind of obvious how it's put together.
1. Find underachieving team
2. Find good prospect/player on the outs/down
3. Match up with another team
4. Find player on other team that will stir the pot

Talking about going in different directions:
For the Bruins, it was supposedly between Kessel & Brassard at the draft. Bruins took Kessel #5 overall. Columbus took Brassard at #6.

Phil is #1 in scoring. Brassard is 427th.

I haven't seen him much and I don't know what the problem really is. But with that contract, I wouldn't give them a 1st or 2nd round pick or a prospect comparable to a 1st or 2nd pick right now. Need to know more about him to be sure.

Unless someone saw how they could realize his upside, I don't know why the Leafs would want him because he's not a physical player. We need some grit.

Looked at Umberger for that but his contract seems too high.

I think Brassard would make an interesting project, and am curious to wonder what he would do in Toronto given some ice time and a fresh start.  I would be willing to part with a 3rd or conditional 2nd for him (obviously, that wouldn't get it done).  I still can't figure out how Kadri fits in to the picture here (or whether he does) but I certainly wouldn't give up his promise for Brassard.

And as far as Mike Augello goes, I think he actually irritates me more than Eklund.  Imagine that!!

 

[Tigger]

Yeah, getting Slaney back and trading him for Brassard seems more likely at this point.

 

[bustaheims]

The major shoulder injury Brassard suffered in his rookie season seems to have really derailed his development. Before that happened, it looked like he might have been able to handle 1st line duties. He just hasn't been the same calibre of player since - to the point where he's been a healthy scratch on a team that is in desperate need of offensive help.

 

[cw]

Sorry I can't recall who I heard say this: but someone like LeBrun was talking to a NHL coach or GM. There have been something like 17 in season (ignoring off season) coaching changes in the NHL over the last 2-3 seasons. The reason is that the GMs are desperate to do something to shake up their team but due to the CBA, they can't make a trade so they go with the only alternative they have - even though they're not completely down on the coach.

Apparently, that has also been the case even more so this season. There's been plenty of talk but it's very difficult to make a deal. It's apparently worse this season because there is talk that the new CBA will reduce the salary cap. Teams don't want to get caught with a lot of salary to get rid of a month before next season.

Something to keep in mind when considering deals or having expectations about deals.

When one looks at the revenue share the NBA and NFL players got, it's considerably lower than the 57% the NHL players currently enjoy.

 

[Britishbulldog]

After this goal in the 1st of the year by Colton Orr I was hoping that he could be used like a Shawn Thornton or Ben Eager as a 5-6 goal scorer and a sherriff with NO STAGED FIGHTS!! 

Goal against Boston

Goal against Montreal

I don't know the last time Colton Orr scored more than 5 feet from the net. 

He has been trying to get his reputation as a feared fighter and hard puncher that he hasn't even handled his defensive responsibilities.  Can a 29 year old player be adjusted to play a simple tough 4th line game?

If he isn't used at all he might as well be moved.

 

[Corn Flake]

The major shoulder injury Brassard suffered in his rookie season seems to have really derailed his development. Before that happened, it looked like he might have been able to handle 1st line duties. He just hasn't been the same calibre of player since - to the point where he's been a healthy scratch on a team that is in desperate need of offensive help.

Some of it I think is the coaching situation too though.  Arneil has a doghouse you cannot get out of once you get in.  He is one example and Mike Commodore is another.

Yeah everyone kind of snickered at his agent when he freaked out about it, but there seems to be a pattern there.  I actually got a direct message from Commodore saying what Walsh said about Arneil was bang on correct.  Sure he's bitter but not normal a player would bother to say something like that.  Considering Detroit signed him and he's been fine there, tells me a bit more too.

 

[Britishbulldog]

With the rumours about Eric Staal and Bobby Ryan being traded and seeing some of the proposed packages, can't the Leafs put a package together for Ryan Getzlaf instead.  He is struggling as much as the other 2 guys and is more what the Leafs need.  Include Blake's $4 MIL contract as well to sweeten the pot for Anaheim.

Pick any 2 of Grabovski, Kulemin, *MacArthur, *Connolly for Getzlaf and Blake.  (*prefer them traded)  Maybe add a Leaf dman or forward prospect.

 

[Britishbulldog]

After this goal in the 1st of the year by Colton Orr I was hoping that he could be used like a Shawn Thornton or Ben Eager as a 5-6 goal scorer and a sherriff with NO STAGED FIGHTS!! 

Goal against Boston

Goal against Montreal

I don't know the last time Colton Orr scored more than 5 feet from the net. 

He has been trying to get his reputation as a feared fighter and hard puncher that he hasn't even handled his defensive responsibilities.  Can a 29 year old player be adjusted to play a simple tough 4th line game?

If he isn't used at all he might as well be moved.

Orr's goal tonight!!

Orr has only played 4 games this year with limited minutes and is still outscoring the phenomenal Armstrong.