The Official 2011/2012 Armchair GM thread

[maplesyrup]

I have a lot of respect for Rutherford... Which is why I know he isn't dealing Staal anytime soon. Besides, there simply isn't enough of the type of assets in the Leafs organization he's be looking for I don't think. Really, my feeling is that we'd be giving up so much for Staal that we'd be left with a worse team in the end. 

 

[Erndog]

I have a lot of respect for Rutherford... Which is why I know he isn't dealing Staal anytime soon. Besides, there simply isn't enough of the type of assets in the Leafs organization he's be looking for I don't think. Really, my feeling is that we'd be giving up so much for Staal that we'd be left with a worse team in the end.

Stajan, Hagman, Mayers, White?

I know.  I'm dreaming. 

 

[bustaheims]

I'm dreaming here- but I keep coming up with these "3-for-1" or "4-for-2" scenerios in my head for Staal.  He would be such an ideal pickup.

He'd be an ideal pick up IF acquiring him didn't likely require pretty much gutting the team.

 

[Kin]

Again, like I said, I don't really see a reason for them to move him, but I see Carolina as being a bottom feeder in the East.  They have 0 wingers (well, Ruutu and Jokinen are 2nd liners at best and Tuomo is a pending UFA), a very shoddy patch work defence, virtually no prospects/youth coming up, nothing really exciting going on in that organization other than Skinner, Staal and Ward.

I'm not much of a prospects expert but are they really that barren? They've certainly drafted a ton in recent years. 10 picks in the top 3 rounds over the last three years.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Again, like I said, I don't really see a reason for them to move him, but I see Carolina as being a bottom feeder in the East.  They have 0 wingers (well, Ruutu and Jokinen are 2nd liners at best and Tuomo is a pending UFA), a very shoddy patch work defence, virtually no prospects/youth coming up, nothing really exciting going on in that organization other than Skinner, Staal and Ward.

I don't really think that's a fair assessment. They have three terrific young offensive defencemen in their system in McBain, Murphy, and Faulk. McBain is already in the NHL and the other two don't seem too far off. Plus the Hurricanes can be patient with them considering they already have Kaberle and Pitkanen on the team.

On forward they have Staal-Jokinen-Sutter locked up down the middle for the next 3 years at least. While they lack depth on the wing they have a potential 30+ goal guy in Skinner to build around there. They've also got a couple of prospects in Zac Dalpe and Zach Boychuk who appear to be coming along nicely. 

And then of course there's goaltending where they have one of the best in the game signed for the next 5 years.

They certainly don't have a perfect team, but I'd say their holes are easier to fill then ours. And they've got a fair bit of cap space to use too if need be (although I'm uncertain of their financial state).

 

[Highlander]

Don't forget Tlusty? Ouch I almost did.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Don't forget Tlusty? Ouch I almost did.

I didn't forget him.

 

[Highlander]

Hi Carlton,
You mean he is playing in the NHL for Carolina?
Did not know that.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Hi Carlton,
You mean he is playing in the NHL for Carolina?
Did not know that.

He played 57 games for them last year in a 3rd/4th line role. And he made the team again this year, but I wouldn't expect much else out of him.

 

[cw]

Again, like I said, I don't really see a reason for them to move him, but I see Carolina as being a bottom feeder in the East.  They have 0 wingers (well, Ruutu and Jokinen are 2nd liners at best and Tuomo is a pending UFA), a very shoddy patch work defence, virtually no prospects/youth coming up, nothing really exciting going on in that organization other than Skinner, Staal and Ward.

I don't really think that's a fair assessment. They have three terrific young offensive defencemen in their system in McBain, Murphy, and Faulk. McBain is already in the NHL and the other two don't seem too far off. Plus the Hurricanes can be patient with them considering they already have Kaberle and Pitkanen on the team.

I'd add Gleason who I don't mind of late. the tough part for them is breaking in the decent kids on D that they have.

On forward they have Staal-Jokinen-Sutter locked up down the middle for the next 3 years at least. While they lack depth on the wing they have a potential 30+ goal guy in Skinner to build around there. They've also got a couple of prospects in Zac Dalpe and Zach Boychuk who appear to be coming along nicely. 

And then of course there's goaltending where they have one of the best in the game signed for the next 5 years.

They certainly don't have a perfect team, but I'd say their holes are easier to fill then ours. And they've got a fair bit of cap space to use too if need be (although I'm uncertain of their financial state).

I too think their centers are decent (wanted Jokinen for the Leafs - and I'd still take him over Connolly) and don't mind their goaltending (I'm not blown away with Ward but he's obviously good enough to win a Cup).

Their weakness at wing is the easiest to add via development or picking guys up via trade. I think Poni will do well for them. Looks like they'll struggle some out the gate with their young D which may be all the advantage the Leafs need to stay ahead of them but I don't expect them to finish in the basement - kinda 9-11th seems more likely.

 

[maplesyrup]

Hmm, you know, there probably isn't another goalie in the league I'd take over Ward for my team. He's only 27, has a cup, and his SV% has improved every year he's been in the leauge. Look it up, I know it's crazy!

Edit...  Oh, and I forgot the Conn Smythe!

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I'd add Gleason who I don't mind of late. the tough part for them is breaking in the decent kids on D that they have.

Definitely. I only didn't mention him because he's an UFA this summer. But I'd imagine they will re-sign him, he's a big part of their team both on and off the ice.

 

[Kin]

Hmm, you know, there probably isn't another goalie in the league I'd take over Ward for my team. He's only 27, has a cup, and his SV% has improved every year he's been in the leauge. Look it up, I know it's crazy!

Minor point but that's not actually true. His SV% declined from 08-09 to 09-10

 

[cw]

Hmm, you know, there probably isn't another goalie in the league I'd take over Ward for my team. He's only 27, has a cup, and his SV% has improved every year he's been in the leauge. Look it up, I know it's crazy!

Edit...  Oh, and I forgot the Conn Smythe!

I know and those are fair observations. My concerns come from watching him. I have some issues over the years with his consistency and letting in some that seemed fairly stoppable or soft. All goalies do that but he seems to do it whenever I watch him. That's what has rattled my confidence in him a little. When he's on though, he's tough to beat. You could do much worse and not tons better.

 

[cw]

Hi Carlton,
You mean he is playing in the NHL for Carolina?
Did not know that.

He played 57 games for them last year in a 3rd/4th line role. And he made the team again this year, but I wouldn't expect much else out of him.

Didn't look like he'd had a gestalt when I watched him. I was a little surprised he made the club.

 

[maplesyrup]

Hmm, you know, there probably isn't another goalie in the league I'd take over Ward for my team. He's only 27, has a cup, and his SV% has improved every year he's been in the leauge. Look it up, I know it's crazy!

Minor point but that's not actually true. His SV% declined from 08-09 to 09-10

I'm showing .916 in both years actually.

 

[Kin]

I'm showing .916 in both years actually.

Well, leaving aside the fact that that alone means his SV% didn't increase in that year his SV% was .9158 in 08-09 and .9155 in 09-10.

 

[maplesyrup]

I'm showing .916 in both years actually.

Well, leaving aside the fact that that alone means his SV% didn't increase in that year his SV% was .9158 in 08-09 and .9155 in 09-10.

Oh come on.  : Apart from that he's done nothing but improve. As far as I'm concerned, he might be the best goalie in the league. 

 

[bustaheims]

Oh come on.  : Apart from that he's done nothing but improve. As far as I'm concerned, he might be the best goalie in the league.

Given the choice between Ward and Lundqvist, I take Lundqvist 11 times out of 10.

 

[maplesyrup]

Oh come on.  : Apart from that he's done nothing but improve. As far as I'm concerned, he might be the best goalie in the league.

Given the choice between Ward and Lundqvist, I take Lundqvist 11 times out of 10.

Well, I said might... and of note if you consider Lundqvist and Rinne the two best, Ward is younger and more decorated.