Things to look forward to

2013 offseason

SO MUCH CAP available.

? - ? - Kessel

JVR - Grabo - ?

Kulemin - ? - Frattin

? - McClement - Brown

UFAs

Getzlaf
Perry
McDonald
Ribeiro
Morrow
Zajac
Clowe
Ryder
Penner
Weiss
Filppula
- ILoveLamp

I just am very skeptical about our ability to draw these big names. It's not that they don't like Toronto, it's that if we don't start winning and make the playoffs and have that shift in culture, most of these guys would rather go to a winner...

I just am very skeptical about our ability to draw these big names. It's not that they don't like Toronto, it's that if we don't start winning and make the playoffs and have that shift in culture, most of these guys would rather go to a winner...
- Hockey_Reverend

Too many people have their mind set on Getzlaf and Perry and think they'll be coming to Toronto over every team..

- Sammich

http://www.snopes.com/military/lighthouse.asp


BUZZKILL!

Too many people have their mind set on Getzlaf and Perry and think they'll be coming to Toronto over every team..
- jbold

And that they'll be available...

I just am very skeptical about our ability to draw these big names. It's not that they don't like Toronto, it's that if we don't start winning and make the playoffs and have that shift in culture, most of these guys would rather go to a winner...
- Hockey_Reverend

if you look across sports it's happened before. You never know. The thing is you would have to bring in more than one big name free agent.

Too many people have their mind set on Getzlaf and Perry and think they'll be coming to Toronto over every team..
- jbold

Ya, I just don't see it happening.

If we have a good season (assuming there is a season) then that would improve our chances, but that will not happen with our current goalies!!!!

http://www.snopes.com/military/lighthouse.asp


BUZZKILL!
- Cfser

Sounds like a butthurt American...

if you look across sports it's happened before. You never know. The thing is you would have to bring in more than one big name free agent.
- celata29

I think you are right, the key is to make 1 big signing to 'break the seal' and make the team a viable option for the other UFAs...

Sounds like a butthurt American...
- AdamFrench

Hey French, what do you think of Ovi's new part in a Russian rap video.

Ya, I just don't see it happening.

If we have a good season (assuming there is a season) then that would improve our chances, but that will not happen with our current goalies!!!!
- Hockey_Reverend

I seriously cant see them shortening the season by more than a few weeks. Teams like Phoenix who JUST ponied up a bunch of cash to keep them an extra year...teams that are ALREADY struggling to keep alive as it is...it could be death to a few markets in the US.

They'll figure stuff out, Im sure....another lockout would be a disaster for the NHL in the US.

Like to see that too ...I just doubt Lupul would do that. If I'm his agent I'd ask for 6+ yrs and more cash than Grabo ....if/when BB says no thanks I'd let the season play out. One more good year heading into UFA and he'll get paid large.

Hartnell took a hometown discount and is getting paid to age 36 so I don't put too much into his annual salary.
- The Law

Then I guess it's, "LATER JOFF!!"

If Lupul likes playing in T.O. as much as he says he does, then he'll take a discount too.

Given that Lupul has had 1 GREAT SEASON and has an injury riddled history, there is no way Burke should pay him what you've stated above.

Furthermore, is Lupul really worth more than Grabo? Is he worth more than Kessel? Is he worth more than Hartnell and Pacioretty given the deals we've seen them sign this week? I'd say in all cases.

As per Cap Geek: KNOWN CLAUSES (note: if player has been traded, clauses may no longer apply): NTC (starting July 1, 2010, Lupul can list six teams he will not accept a trade to; if his team misses the playoffs, he can be traded from the end of that season to the next trade deadline without restriction)

If Lupul wants to ask for the moon, then he just might see his ass in Columbus, Phoenix or Long Island.

Short term = Higher salary per year
Long term = Lower salary per year
... He won't get both.

And that they'll be available...
- AdamFrench

Anaheim can't afford to give them retirement contracts, and why would they sign for anything less?

I seriously doubt either stays in Anaheim.

Then I guess it's, "LATER JOFF!!"
If Lupul likes playing in T.O. as much as he says he does, then he'll take a discount too.

Given that Lupul has had 1 GREAT SEASON and has an injury riddled history, there is no way Burke should pay him what you've stated above.

Furthermore, is Lupul really worth more than Grabo? Is he worth more than Kessel? Is he worth more than Hartnell and Pacioretty given the deals we've seen them sign this week? I'd say in all cases.

As per Cap Geek: KNOWN CLAUSES (note: if player has been traded, clauses may no longer apply): NTC (starting July 1, 2010, Lupul can list six teams he will not accept a trade to; if his team misses the playoffs, he can be traded from the end of that season to the next trade deadline without restriction)

If Lupul wants to ask for the moon, then he just might see his ass in Columbus, Phoenix or Long Island.

Short term = Higher salary per year
Long term = Lower salary per year
... He won't get both.
- As_I_See_It

haha, that reads as either "Later Joff" or "Later Jerk'Off"

Then I guess it's, "LATER JOFF!!"

If Lupul likes playing in T.O. as much as he says he does, then he'll take a discount too.

Given that Lupul has had 1 GREAT SEASON and has an injury riddled history, there is no way Burke should pay him what you've stated above.

Furthermore, is Lupul really worth more than Grabo? Is he worth more than Kessel? Is he worth more than Hartnell and Pacioretty given the deals we've seen them sign this week? I'd say in all cases.

As per Cap Geek: KNOWN CLAUSES (note: if player has been traded, clauses may no longer apply): NTC (starting July 1, 2010, Lupul can list six teams he will not accept a trade to; if his team misses the playoffs, he can be traded from the end of that season to the next trade deadline without restriction)

If Lupul wants to ask for the moon, then he just might see his ass in Columbus, Phoenix or Long Island.

Short term = Higher salary per year
Long term = Lower salary per year
... He won't get both.
- As_I_See_It

Lupul's career numbers are better than Grabo's, even with the injuries. So yes, he's worth more.

Kessel wasn't UFA when he signed his deal was he? Pretty sure he'll be looking for $7M+ when the time comes, so I don't really get your point here. Same for Pacioretty - he was RFA. Doesn't remotely compare.

Hartnell was, and aside form durability, their career stats are very similar, again even with the injuries.

Hey French, what do you think of Ovi's new part in a Russian rap video.
- celata29

It was on the top 10 here for awhile. Btw the actual rapper is seriously nuts. Speaking Russian that quick would give most a phlegm assault.

I seriously cant see them shortening the season by more than a few weeks. Teams like Phoenix who JUST ponied up a bunch of cash to keep them an extra year...teams that are ALREADY struggling to keep alive as it is...it could be death to a few markets in the US.

They'll figure stuff out, Im sure....another lockout would be a disaster for the NHL in the US.
- Colin Dambrauskas

a lot of the softer US markets lose most of their money in Sept-Nov when they are competing with Baseball.

Then Football starts...

Lupul's career numbers are better than Grabo's, even with the injuries. So yes, he's worth more.

Kessel wasn't UFA when he signed his deal was he? Pretty sure he'll be looking for $7M+ when the time comes, so I don't really get your point here. Same for Pacioretty - he was RFA. Doesn't remotely compare.

Hartnell was, and aside form durability, their career stats are very similar, again even with the injuries.
- Big_Lightnin

Hartnell brings a lot more grit to the table than Lupul.

Then I guess it's, "LATER JOFF!!"

If Lupul likes playing in T.O. as much as he says he does, then he'll take a discount too.

Given that Lupul has had 1 GREAT SEASON and has an injury riddled history, there is no way Burke should pay him what you've stated above.

Furthermore, is Lupul really worth more than Grabo? Is he worth more than Kessel? Is he worth more than Hartnell and Pacioretty given the deals we've seen them sign this week? I'd say in all cases.

As per Cap Geek: KNOWN CLAUSES (note: if player has been traded, clauses may no longer apply): NTC (starting July 1, 2010, Lupul can list six teams he will not accept a trade to; if his team misses the playoffs, he can be traded from the end of that season to the next trade deadline without restriction)

If Lupul wants to ask for the moon, then he just might see his ass in Columbus, Phoenix or Long Island.

Short term = Higher salary per year
Long term = Lower salary per year
... He won't get both.
- As_I_See_It

The real question would become, is Lupul a first liner on any other team. Obviously teams will see that he had good numbers playing first line minutes with someone as talented as Kessel. However, how many other teams will offer him the option of playing those top minutes, or with other highly skilled players?

I personally believe that is why Hartnell took the discount. Because where else would he be teamed up with someone of Giroux's talent level?

He was a very healthy, not good player for the Oilers.



- robin_steele264

Ya I know edmonton has that effect on players.

Hartnell brings a lot more grit to the table than Lupul.
- Atomic Wedgie

oh for sure, but that doesn't generally translate into $$. Goals do, and he took a discount to stay on a winning team in Philly.

Hartnell was fairly mediocre in Nashville. He knows he's got it good in philly.
If he went to UFA he would have gotten $6M.

By the way it is indeed Rick James
- celata29

Hartnell brings a lot more grit to the table than Lupul.
- Atomic Wedgie

Is he good in the room?
Mentor for young players?

The real question would become, is Lupul a first liner on any other team. Obviously teams will see that he had good numbers playing first line minutes with someone as talented as Kessel. However, how many other teams will offer him the option of playing those top minutes, or with other highly skilled players?

I personally believe that is why Hartnell took the discount. Because where else would he be teamed up with someone of Giroux's talent level?
- ILoveLamp

no question Lupul benefitted from playing with Kessel...

but here's the thing - Lupul's gotten 2nd line minutes/ #2PP his whole career, and been a ~25G, 50+ pt player pretty steadily, sometimes higher. (or on pace). Get's 1st line minutes/#1PP time in Toronto, and his numbers go up. Not a real shocker.

Kessel, on other hand, has always gotten 1st line minutes and #1PP time. Only change last year was Lupul. Kessel set career highs in goals and points - dramatically so on the Assists, which is entirely a result of Lupul's production.

Both benefited, no question. But pretty easy to argue Kessel benefited more, and that benefit is very valuable to the Leafs.

I think you are right, the key is to make 1 big signing to 'break the seal' and make the team a viable option for the other UFAs...
- Hockey_Reverend

or trade for an "elite" goaltender?

Lupul's career numbers are better than Grabo's, even with the injuries. So yes, he's worth more.

Kessel wasn't UFA when he signed his deal was he? Pretty sure he'll be looking for $7M+ when the time comes, so I don't really get your point here. Same for Pacioretty - he was RFA. Doesn't remotely compare.

Hartnell was, and aside form durability, their career stats are very similar, again even with the injuries.
- Big_Lightnin

$7M? Is this before the CBA expires or after with all of the question marks and unknowns surrounding the new CBA?

So Lupul is worth $2.5M more than Hartnell or Pacioretty? A decent comparison that someone made was Hemsky and he recent signed a 2 year, $5M per deal.

He can ask all he likes, but if that's the case then he can eat a bag of salty Richards and be traded for picks and he might not like where he lands.

Burke hasn't made any panic moves this summer (YET!), I highly doubt that he will start now.