Unofficial 2012/2013 Armchair GM

[Champ Kind]

A third line of Kulemin Colborne Frattin wouldn't hurt my feelings ( presuming Colborne's ready and his wrist was the main culprit in his drop in production in the second half of his season last year ) but it would really magnify the spotlight on Connolly and Bozak, something would have to give at that point.

Something else, should JVR bump back down to 2LW, that'd put MacArthur in some kind of jeopardy as well.

I don`t see the JVR at C experiment lasting very long, just based on how these things usually pan out, which would put Bozak back on the top line and Mac or Kadri in jeopardy of being pushed down or out.  Short term, it`s  a pain but with injuries and such it likely won`t be an issue.

As for Connolly, more than likely I see him as a victim of the new CBA based on how things are shaping up.  We were talking about options to dispose of excess cap hit in the other thread and I think he`s 2nd in line to get the boot after Komi.

I disagree with you here, Corn.  Playing between two elite scoring wingers, Lupul and Kessel, is a pretty sweet gig and JVR should be able to exceed Bozak's production there.  With his larger frame and slightly more robust play, I think playing him there is going to work.  The question marks will be his faceoff ability and defensive awareness, but these shouldn't be monumental challenges. 

I also think that, if Kadri can begin to play the way most assume he can, MacArthur should be trade fodder.

 

[Tigger]

It is a sweet gig but there's really nothing to suggest JVR will succeed in the 1C spot. I don't mind trying it out and if it succeeds, well, that'll be great.

 

[Corn Flake]

It is a sweet gig but there's really nothing to suggest JVR will succeed in the 1C spot. I don't mind trying it out and if it succeeds, well, that'll be great.

Didn't Sundin start on the wing and move to centre at some point early on in his career? 

 

[Corn Flake]

A third line of Kulemin Colborne Frattin wouldn't hurt my feelings ( presuming Colborne's ready and his wrist was the main culprit in his drop in production in the second half of his season last year ) but it would really magnify the spotlight on Connolly and Bozak, something would have to give at that point.

Something else, should JVR bump back down to 2LW, that'd put MacArthur in some kind of jeopardy as well.

I don`t see the JVR at C experiment lasting very long, just based on how these things usually pan out, which would put Bozak back on the top line and Mac or Kadri in jeopardy of being pushed down or out.  Short term, it`s  a pain but with injuries and such it likely won`t be an issue.

As for Connolly, more than likely I see him as a victim of the new CBA based on how things are shaping up.  We were talking about options to dispose of excess cap hit in the other thread and I think he`s 2nd in line to get the boot after Komi.

I disagree with you here, Corn.  Playing between two elite scoring wingers, Lupul and Kessel, is a pretty sweet gig and JVR should be able to exceed Bozak's production there.  With his larger frame and slightly more robust play, I think playing him there is going to work.  The question marks will be his faceoff ability and defensive awareness, but these shouldn't be monumental challenges. 

I also think that, if Kadri can begin to play the way most assume he can, MacArthur should be trade fodder.

That's fair.. I just think these experiments tend to not work out but hey, I hope it does as it fills a big void.  It's asking a lot of the kid though.

 

[Tigger]

It is a sweet gig but there's really nothing to suggest JVR will succeed in the 1C spot. I don't mind trying it out and if it succeeds, well, that'll be great.

Didn't Sundin start on the wing and move to centre at some point early on in his career?

When he came to the Leafs I think, yeah.

 

[Champ Kind]

That's fair.. I just think these experiments tend to not work out but hey, I hope it does as it fills a big void.  It's asking a lot of the kid though.

I'm hopeful, too.  And I suppose I'm looking at it with rose-coloured glasses.  But as I look at this situation I think that this might actually be a situation where JVR is being set up to succeed.  I mean, being paired with two of the top scoring wingers in the league, plus the PP time that will go with that, is a pretty good place to be. 

And wouldn't it be amazing if lightning struck twice, eh?

 

[Corn Flake]

ANd wouldn't it be amazing if lightening struck twice, eh?

Sure would, and this team could use a strike of good luck like that. And I'm always the glass 3/4 full guy.

I think part of me just has concern that Burke and co. are satisfied with this plan as the one that will work and they aren't out there trying to find a legit #1 centre.  If this doesn't work, then how well will this team do with Bozak yet again as the top guy? 

 

[Champ Kind]

ANd wouldn't it be amazing if lightening struck twice, eh?

Sure would, and this team could use a strike of good luck like that. And I'm always the glass 3/4 full guy.

I think part of me just has concern that Burke and co. are satisfied with this plan as the one that will work and they aren't out there trying to find a legit #1 centre.  If this doesn't work, then how well will this team do with Bozak yet again as the top guy?

No argument here.  Though I don't think Burke would be satisfied.  Optimistic, sure.  But if he bailed on a chance to get, say, Getzlaf, because he wanted to see if JVR could do the job then, well, I'll be the first one to be calling for his termination.

 

[Corn Flake]

ANd wouldn't it be amazing if lightening struck twice, eh?

Sure would, and this team could use a strike of good luck like that. And I'm always the glass 3/4 full guy.

I think part of me just has concern that Burke and co. are satisfied with this plan as the one that will work and they aren't out there trying to find a legit #1 centre.  If this doesn't work, then how well will this team do with Bozak yet again as the top guy?

No argument here.  Though I don't think Burke would be satisfied.  Optimistic, sure.  But if he bailed on a chance to get, say, Getzlaf, because he wanted to see if JVR could do the job then, well, I'll be the first one to be calling for his termination.

Re: Getzlaf... I think he's got his fingers crossed both he and Perry hit the UFA market, just in time for the Leafs payroll to drop by $22 mil.  Hopefully with new term limit restrictions in this CBA we won't have to worry about him balking because of 11-year deals.  It doesn't seem like the Ducks are doing well in regards to retaining talent, so chances of them both reaching UFA might be a touch better than the odds were of players in the past. 

 

[Champ Kind]

ANd wouldn't it be amazing if lightening struck twice, eh?

Sure would, and this team could use a strike of good luck like that. And I'm always the glass 3/4 full guy.

I think part of me just has concern that Burke and co. are satisfied with this plan as the one that will work and they aren't out there trying to find a legit #1 centre.  If this doesn't work, then how well will this team do with Bozak yet again as the top guy?

No argument here.  Though I don't think Burke would be satisfied.  Optimistic, sure.  But if he bailed on a chance to get, say, Getzlaf, because he wanted to see if JVR could do the job then, well, I'll be the first one to be calling for his termination.

Re: Getzlaf... I think he's got his fingers crossed both he and Perry hit the UFA market, just in time for the Leafs payroll to drop by $22 mil.  Hopefully with new term limit restrictions in this CBA we won't have to worry about him balking because of 11-year deals.  It doesn't seem like the Ducks are doing well in regards to retaining talent, so chances of them both reaching UFA might be a touch better than the odds were of players in the past.

God I hope so.  Though this Anaheim- to-Toronto talent drain thing would be getting somewhat out of hand.

 

[louisstamos]

ANd wouldn't it be amazing if lightening struck twice, eh?

Sure would, and this team could use a strike of good luck like that. And I'm always the glass 3/4 full guy.

I think part of me just has concern that Burke and co. are satisfied with this plan as the one that will work and they aren't out there trying to find a legit #1 centre.  If this doesn't work, then how well will this team do with Bozak yet again as the top guy?

No argument here.  Though I don't think Burke would be satisfied.  Optimistic, sure.  But if he bailed on a chance to get, say, Getzlaf, because he wanted to see if JVR could do the job then, well, I'll be the first one to be calling for his termination.

Re: Getzlaf... I think he's got his fingers crossed both he and Perry hit the UFA market, just in time for the Leafs payroll to drop by $22 mil.  Hopefully with new term limit restrictions in this CBA we won't have to worry about him balking because of 11-year deals.  It doesn't seem like the Ducks are doing well in regards to retaining talent, so chances of them both reaching UFA might be a touch better than the odds were of players in the past.

I think the Ducks will probably be able to keep one of them, but not both.  My guess would be Perry stays...he is the recent Hart Trophy winner after all.

 

[Corn Flake]

ANd wouldn't it be amazing if lightening struck twice, eh?

Sure would, and this team could use a strike of good luck like that. And I'm always the glass 3/4 full guy.

I think part of me just has concern that Burke and co. are satisfied with this plan as the one that will work and they aren't out there trying to find a legit #1 centre.  If this doesn't work, then how well will this team do with Bozak yet again as the top guy?

No argument here.  Though I don't think Burke would be satisfied.  Optimistic, sure.  But if he bailed on a chance to get, say, Getzlaf, because he wanted to see if JVR could do the job then, well, I'll be the first one to be calling for his termination.

Re: Getzlaf... I think he's got his fingers crossed both he and Perry hit the UFA market, just in time for the Leafs payroll to drop by $22 mil.  Hopefully with new term limit restrictions in this CBA we won't have to worry about him balking because of 11-year deals.  It doesn't seem like the Ducks are doing well in regards to retaining talent, so chances of them both reaching UFA might be a touch better than the odds were of players in the past.

I think the Ducks will probably be able to keep one of them, but not both.  My guess would be Perry stays...he is the recent Hart Trophy winner after all.

With the luck the Ducks have had in keeping players happy and signing, I'm not so sure.  Perry would be the first choice for them for sure, but it may not happen.  Not to say he's a lock to come to Toronto or anything but ... well, fingers will be crossed for a year.

 

[Kin]

Is the idea that Anaheim isn't doing a good job retaining talent limited to Schultz or am I forgetting someone?

 

[louisstamos]

Is the idea that Anaheim isn't doing a good job retaining talent limited to Schultz or am I forgetting someone?

If anything...Teemu Selanne keeps coming back!

 

[Kin]

If anything...Teemu Selanne keeps coming back!

Teemu's so married to Anaheim that he takes tickets for the It's a Small World ride in the off-season.

 

[bustaheims]

Is the idea that Anaheim isn't doing a good job retaining talent limited to Schultz or am I forgetting someone?

I have a hard time recalling anyone they lost to free agency that they didn't at least partially choose to let go, but, by that same token, the last prominent player they let become a UFA was Paul Kariya - and that was almost a decade ago, and he only became a free agent because they didn't give him a qualifying offer.

 

[Kin]

I have a hard time recalling anyone they lost to free agency that they didn't at least partially choose to let go, but, by that same token, the last prominent player they let become a UFA was Paul Kariya - and that was almost a decade ago, and he only became a free agent because they didn't give him a qualifying offer.

I mean...they've made some crummy trades but that seems like another issue entirely.

 

[Tigger]

Is the idea that Anaheim isn't doing a good job retaining talent limited to Schultz or am I forgetting someone?

I have a hard time recalling anyone they lost to free agency that they didn't at least partially choose to let go, but, by that same token, the last prominent player they let become a UFA was Paul Kariya - and that was almost a decade ago, and he only became a free agent because they didn't give him a qualifying offer.

I think it's more of a rankling odour that's recently come out of Anaheim, what with the Bobby Ryan grumbling and Schultz fiasco. The Ducks lost some talent to the Leafs in a trade that looks pretty one sided now so that's probably propping up opinion but really has nothing to do with it.

Edit to add: I suppose Beauchemin coming over as a free agent muddies the water a bit too.

Speculation around the Ducks ability to retain Getzlaf and Perry hasn't been favourable either.

 

[Champ Kind]

Is the idea that Anaheim isn't doing a good job retaining talent limited to Schultz or am I forgetting someone?

Well, let's look at the Anaheim to Tornto thing since Burke's arrival:

- Mike Brown for a 5'th round pick
- Sign Francois Beauchemin as UFA
- Trade Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake for JS Giguere
- Trade Beachemiun for Jake Gardiner and Jeoffrey Lupul

I'm sorry if I referenced it as retaining talent when in fact I should have been more specific in saying the flow of talent between Anaheim and Toronto has, quite clearly I think, been in Tornto's favour.  If one of or both Getzlaf or Perry were to head this way it would be overkill.

 

[Kin]

Well, let's look at the Anaheim to Tornto thing since Burke's arrival:

- Mike Brown for a 5'th round pick
- Sign Francois Beauchemin as UFA
- Trade Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake for JS Giguere
- Trade Beauchemin for Jake Gardiner and Joffrey Lupul

Hey! So we're their Boston.

I'm sorry if I referenced it as retaining talent when in fact I should have been more specific in saying the flow of talent between Anaheim and Toronto has, quite clearly I think, been in Tornto's favour.  If one of or both Getzlaf or Perry were to head this way it would be overkill.

No need to apologize(it was Corn who said they have problems retaining players but even if not there's no need). I was just wondering if there was something I was forgetting because between Selanne and Niedermayer I don't think of Anaheim as being a team that's had trouble with signing players.