The Official 2011/2012 Armchair GM thread

[Corn Flake]

Easier said than done.  Not sure who can fill the spots for the next year or two.  Maybe guys like Frattin and Ashton sort of do?  Then We have options 2 years from now?  Mind you I don't think Ashton is ready at all.  Or maybe we take a step back from the expectations of Kulemin and put him on the 3rd line with a clearly defined role of checking-forward who can add some offense, and play against the other teams top lines?  Really, I think that's where he should be.  He was mis cast as an offensive scoring forward this year. 

I know this may take the thread in a different direction but a UFA forward who would be ideal is Chris Kelly.  Local kid, TONS of speed so he fits that style, he's fairly tough and aggressive given his size and style, a Cup winner, lots of experience, excellent defensive center who can score 15-20 and be a big cog on the PK.  I think he should be our #1 target this summer.  He's only 31, guys with his style can last for a while (ex. Pascal Dupuis, Steve Sullivan, John Madden, Kris Draper, all had - or are having- longggg careers, well into their 30's etc).

Kulemin-Kelly-? (maybe Frattin?)  has the makings of a solid 3rd line.  Ross can easily slide into the wing spot in a years time if he progresses as we hope in the A next season.

Kulemein... yes on a 3rd line and can move up a line if needed the team starts to look "deep"... but mis-cast as a scoring winger? Can't really say that's fair when he put up 30 goals last year.  This year was a freak one and the question is can he get it back. 

My only problem with Kulemin in that role is I'm hoping for more size, leadership and tenacity in that role. 

Chris Kelly or Steve Ott, depending on what level of nasty you want.  Ott will get 4 years from someone so it won't be a short term thing. Kelly might be had on a 2-year.

 

[Erndog]

Easier said than done.  Not sure who can fill the spots for the next year or two.  Maybe guys like Frattin and Ashton sort of do?  Then We have options 2 years from now?  Mind you I don't think Ashton is ready at all.  Or maybe we take a step back from the expectations of Kulemin and put him on the 3rd line with a clearly defined role of checking-forward who can add some offense, and play against the other teams top lines?  Really, I think that's where he should be.  He was mis cast as an offensive scoring forward this year. 

I know this may take the thread in a different direction but a UFA forward who would be ideal is Chris Kelly.  Local kid, TONS of speed so he fits that style, he's fairly tough and aggressive given his size and style, a Cup winner, lots of experience, excellent defensive center who can score 15-20 and be a big cog on the PK.  I think he should be our #1 target this summer.  He's only 31, guys with his style can last for a while (ex. Pascal Dupuis, Steve Sullivan, John Madden, Kris Draper, all had - or are having- longggg careers, well into their 30's etc).

Kulemin-Kelly-? (maybe Frattin?)  has the makings of a solid 3rd line.  Ross can easily slide into the wing spot in a years time if he progresses as we hope in the A next season.

Kulemein... yes on a 3rd line and can move up a line if needed the team starts to look "deep"... but mis-cast as a scoring winger? Can't really say that's fair when he put up 30 goals last year.  This year was a freak one and the question is can he get it back. 

My only problem with Kulemin in that role is I'm hoping for more size, leadership and tenacity in that role. 

Chris Kelly or Steve Ott, depending on what level of nasty you want.  Ott will get 4 years from someone so it won't be a short term thing. Kelly might be had on a 2-year.

Steve Ott's not a free agent.  He has 1 or 2 years left on his deal if I remember correctly.  I believe 2.

I honestly think Chris Kelly will get a 4 year deal from someone.  He's going to be highly sought after.  This past season even Eric Belanger got a 3 year deal... every team will probably come calling for Kelly so he will have plenty of options and as we've seen in free agency, add a year and $1M to whatever you THINK is fair and thats what will happen.

I'm predicting Kelly gets 4 years at $3 or $3.25M similar to what Vancouver signed Malhotra for.  It's a lot sure but he's one of the best 3rd line centers in the game so someone will give him that. 


Edit:  As for Kulemin, most of us always saw him as a 2nd/3rd line tweener then he exploded last year and plans changed.  That's fine, it happens.  2 years ago I remember Pierre McGuire saying he is likely a 15-18 goal guy on a checking line and thats exactly how I've always viewed him.  It's not fault of his own, he had a great year 2 years ago no doubt but I think expectations were totally overblown.  I think he will settle around the 15-20 goal mark going forward.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I would LOVE to have Matt Carle if he makes it to UFA.

 

[Corn Flake]

Steve Ott's not a free agent.  He has 1 or 2 years left on his deal if I remember correctly.  I believe 2.

I'm predicting Kelly gets 4 years at $3 or $3.25M similar to what Vancouver signed Malhotra for.  It's a lot sure but he's one of the best 3rd line centers in the game so someone will give him that. 

I'd rather look at guys who should fly more under the radar than that.  If he requires that kind of contract then we should look elsewhere. 

Other options:

Jim Slater - underrated defensive centre.
Paul Gaustad - probably gets money like Kelly but worth keeping an eye on.
Jay McClement - no frills, steady 4th line centre
Greg Campbell - somewhat overrated being on the B's but a good player.

on wing:

Adam Burish
Travis Moen
Brandon Prust
Aaron Asham
Jordin Tootoo

 

[maplesyrup]

Like I said earlier this morning, I doubt Colorado shops Duchene this summer - BUT if they do, I would most definitely trade the #5 pick for him (probably more.) We all know how difficult it is to find a #1 center and while he didn't play like one last year, I truly believe he is one. The nice thing about acquiring  Duchene is that we wouldn't have to wait for him development. - Instant #1 guy.     

 

[Erndog]

Steve Ott's not a free agent.  He has 1 or 2 years left on his deal if I remember correctly.  I believe 2.

I'm predicting Kelly gets 4 years at $3 or $3.25M similar to what Vancouver signed Malhotra for.  It's a lot sure but he's one of the best 3rd line centers in the game so someone will give him that. 

I'd rather look at guys who should fly more under the radar than that.  If he requires that kind of contract then we should look elsewhere. 

Other options:

Jim Slater - underrated defensive centre.
Paul Gaustad - probably gets money like Kelly but worth keeping an eye on.
Jay McClement - no frills, steady 4th line centre
Greg Campbell - somewhat overrated being on the B's but a good player.

on wing:

Adam Burish
Travis Moen
Brandon Prust
Aaron Asham
Jordin Tootoo

I also like several of your "other options" quite a bit.  I've always like Jay McClement.  He's a very good 4th line center but I think we have that with Steckal whether we like it or not.  Adding Jay is a little redundant in that he shouldn't be on the 3rd line really. 

Prust and Kelly are my 2 biggest UFA targets as well as Gaustad being a plan B to Kelly.

 

[Kin]

I'm predicting Kelly gets 4 years at $3 or $3.25M similar to what Vancouver signed Malhotra for.  It's a lot sure but he's one of the best 3rd line centers in the game so someone will give him that. 

Maybe it's just me but with there being so much talk about the Leafs' supposed need to get bigger in the off-season one of my chief concerns is that Burke goes out and overspends on big 3rd/4th liners sort of similar to the Armstrong deal.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Prust and Kelly are my 2 biggest UFA targets as well as Gaustad being a plan B to Kelly.

I like Prust's game also...

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I would LOVE to have Matt Carle if he makes it to UFA.

Really? I always got the sense that Pronger carried him.

 

[bustaheims]

I would LOVE to have Matt Carle if he makes it to UFA.

Really? I always got the sense that Pronger carried him.

He blocks a lot of shots and his offensive numbers are good, but . . . I just don't think he's really what the Leafs need.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I would LOVE to have Matt Carle if he makes it to UFA.

Really? I always got the sense that Pronger carried him.

He blocks a lot of shots and his offensive numbers are good, but . . . I just don't think he's really what the Leafs need.

His numbers don't really seem off at all without Pronger.

A couple articles like this convinced me: http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2012/3/2/2830998/philadelphia-flyers-matt-carle-ryan-suter-nhl-free-agency-2012

I know people would probably love to have Ryan Suter, but I really don't think there is a whole world of difference in the two.  Maybe he's not what we need, but I can't see it not being a positive addition.

 

[Tigger]

I wouldn't mind him but, IIRC, he's a right side d and the Leafs are kind of flush there.

 

[Champ Kind]

I would LOVE to have Matt Carle if he makes it to UFA.

Really? I always got the sense that Pronger carried him.

He blocks a lot of shots and his offensive numbers are good, but . . . I just don't think he's really what the Leafs need.

His numbers don't really seem off at all without Pronger.

A couple articles like this convinced me: http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2012/3/2/2830998/philadelphia-flyers-matt-carle-ryan-suter-nhl-free-agency-2012

I know people would probably love to have Ryan Suter, but I really don't think there is a whole world of difference in the two.  Maybe he's not what we need, but I can't see it not being a positive addition.

I'm with you here, P29.  I've liked Carle's game and if the Leafs move some defenders this year (Franson, Schenn) for other assets he would slot in very nicely.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I wouldn't mind him but, IIRC, he's a right side d and the Leafs are kind of flush there.

Yeah, I was sort of thinking out loud while looking over the UFA list and wanted to throw it in how I'd like to have him, hypothetically.

 

[BC Buds Fan]

If there was any truth to the Dustin Brown rumours at the deadline, I hope Burkie goes after that guy.  He's single-handedly dismantling the President's Trophy winners.

 

[Corn Flake]

If there was any truth to the Dustin Brown rumours at the deadline, I hope Burkie goes after that guy.  He's single-handedly dismantling the President's Trophy winners.

Brown isn't going anywhere now.

 

[Corn Flake]

I would make Chris Stewart a priority target right after these playoffs.  He's in and out of the lineup in the post season and has had trouble sticking in Hitch's books during the regular season too.  He has consistency issues but has great skill, upside and is an enormous frame, plays highly physical and will fight. 

Hitch seems to be getting enough of that play from the rest of his team... could see something happen with Stewart as they try to address other areas. 

 

[maplesyrup]

I would make Chris Stewart a priority target right after these playoffs.  He's in and out of the lineup in the post season and has had trouble sticking in Hitch's books during the regular season too.  He has consistency issues but has great skill, upside and is an enormous frame, plays highly physical and will fight. 

Hitch seems to be getting enough of that play from the rest of his team... could see something happen with Stewart as they try to address other areas.

There was talk here some time ago about RFA for RFA, player with huge potential for player with huge potential, player who may need a change of scenery for player who may need a change of scenery. - Stewart for Kulemin.

It's something I'd look at. 

 

[Corn Flake]

I would make Chris Stewart a priority target right after these playoffs.  He's in and out of the lineup in the post season and has had trouble sticking in Hitch's books during the regular season too.  He has consistency issues but has great skill, upside and is an enormous frame, plays highly physical and will fight. 

Hitch seems to be getting enough of that play from the rest of his team... could see something happen with Stewart as they try to address other areas.

There was talk here some time ago about RFA for RFA, player with huge potential for player with huge potential, player who may need a change of scenery for player who may need a change of scenery. - Stewart for Kulemin.

It's something I'd look at.

Something like that might work.  I'm hesitant to put proposals together anymore due to some of the pointless debates that get sparked as a result, but either a deal around Kulemin or Schenn +/- whatever is probably feasible.

 

[Corn Flake]

I want a lot more of this next year from the Leafs:

8)