Continued from last blog......Raging cajuns is a new reality tv show, Louisiana shri. P fisherman,...... U will love blimpy

This team isn't dying for leadership or mentors. It's dying to be rebuilt properly. Unfortunately, Lupul is approaching the wrong side of 30. If this was a Conference Finals type of team, it's a different story. Unfortunately, they're a 26th out of 30 type of team.
- Two_For_Truth

Being in 26th place had nothing to do with Lupul. Correction, it did have something to do with Lupul because if he wasn't injured at the end they may have competed for that final playoff spot. When a team struggles you cut loose the weak and useless not the best all around player from last season. Good luck building a team with everyone under the age of 25...Upgrade the goaltending, continue to build the defense with help on the way and acquire some top tier talent upfront. And in the meantime continue drafting in the first round and developing players properly in the minors. That's how it should be done and I see it going in that direction.

Beautiful and yet so contradictory.
- Two_For_Truth

Yet so seductive.

Being in 26th place had nothing to do with Lupul. Correction, it did have something to do with Lupul because if he wasn't injured at the end they may have competed for that final playoff spot. When a team struggles you cut loose the weak and useless not the best all around player from last season. Good luck building a team with everyone under the age of 25...Upgrade the goaltending, continue to build the defense with help on the way and acquire some top tier talent upfront. And in the meantime continue drafting in the first round and developing players properly in the minors. That's how it should be done and I see it going in that direction.
- PootieTang

With or without Lupul the Leafs miss the playoffs last year.

When a team struggles as badly as the Leafs do, you figure out that the future matters a lot more than a guy who had a career year.

The best way to continue drafting and developing players is by getting more draft picks and more prospects. How do you do that you ask? You trade guys like Lupul who are at peak value.

With or without Lupul the Leafs miss the playoffs last year.

When a team struggles as badly as the Leafs do, you figure out that the future matters a lot more than a guy who had a career year.
- Two_For_Truth

Ah but in that oh so glorious future, the team is going to need wingers that score a ppg and have a 100 plus hits. Only 13 guys had PPG seasons last year, and two of them played for the leafs.

With or without Lupul the Leafs miss the playoffs last year.

When a team struggles as badly as the Leafs do, you figure out that the future matters a lot more than a guy who had a career year.

The best way to continue drafting and developing players is by getting more draft picks and more prospects. How do you do that you ask? You trade guys like Lupul who are at peak value.
- Two_For_Truth

Oh, you forgot one part in your rant, the best way is to keep your 1st round picks, especially in big drafts such as the one that will happen in 2013.

If we were politicians, you'd be the NDP and I would be the Liberal Party. PS. do you not work tomorrow? (frank), i gots to go to bed soon, its almost 2!

Lupul was a salary dump by Anaheim, the price of taking on that dump was Gardiner. Worked out well for Burke!
- LeftCoaster

The Lombardi dump has Def hurt much more..... Glad that's about over

Ah but in that oh so glorious future, the team is going to need wingers that score a ppg and have a 100 plus hits. Only 13 guys had PPG seasons last year, and two of them played for the leafs.
- mykokes

Will those wingers be in their 30s? Overpaid to stay? Injured often? Not as good as their career year suggests they are?

Helluva future that is.

I'll go with the future that includes a boat load of picks and prospects in exchange for the soon to be 30 year old, pending UFA who had a career year.

Oh, you forgot one part in your rant, the best way is to keep your 1st round picks, especially in big drafts such as the one that will happen in 2013.

If we were politicians, you'd be the NDP and I would be the Liberal Party. PS. do you not work tomorrow? (frank), i gots to go to bed soon, its almost 2!
- mykokes

That should just be a given.

With or without Lupul the Leafs miss the playoffs last year.

When a team struggles as badly as the Leafs do, you figure out that the future matters a lot more than a guy who had a career year.

The best way to continue drafting and developing players is by getting more draft picks and more prospects. How do you do that you ask? You trade guys like Lupul who are at peak value.
- Two_For_Truth

I am not totally against trading Lupul if the deal makes sense and brings in a better player. Most likely Lupul would have to be used in a package deal. But to trade him for picks and prospects would just be pointless. (unless it was a top 5 pick - not likely) Toronto is littered with depth prospects. What they need is top tier prospects, which won't be acquired with Lupul. (Yeah we got lucky with Beauchemin)

The Lombardi dump has Def hurt much more..... Glad that's about over
- MindFr3eak

Lombardi is/was the new Lebda .....

Will those wingers be in their 30s? Overpaid to stay? Injured often? Not as good as their career year suggests they are?

Helluva future that is.
- Two_For_Truth

Wingers in their 30s don't win Stanley Cups...ok, I will write that down. Sorry for the sarcasm....I don't disagree with you totally, I'm just selective of when and what they move. Last year I was down with moving McArthur after his big off season. Again though, if we have a season, and this team is sucking but Lupul is performing, I'm down with moving him for a 2013 1st and a prospect. If this team is in a playoff spot, then and he's performing, I'll extend him.

The Lombardi dump has Def hurt much more..... Glad that's about over
- MindFr3eak

Lupul, Lombardi, Connelly, MacArthur, Steckel & Bozak will all be UFA's in July of 2013. They'll all walk away for nothing (due to the lockout) and Burke can start over again.

Have a good night guys, and UG, thanks for the good hockey talk. Its been awhile since I've participated in one about the Leafs.

Lupul, Lombardi, Connelly, MacArthur, Steckel & Bozak will all be UFA's in July of 2013. They'll all walk away for nothing (due to the lockout) and Burke can start over again.
- LeftCoaster

I really don't want Burke here after 2013. I would've fired him last season.

Lupul being Kessel's friend and staying a long time isn't what I'm talking about. If Lupul is here for a long time, somebody made a big mistake. The point here is to trade Lupul while he's at the top of his game to get pieces that aren't 29 years old and half way to retirement.
- Two_For_Truth

Half way to retirement? He's gonna play until he's 60?

Half way to retirement? He's gonna play until he's 60?
- Skalapy

Yeah because he started playing professional hockey at the age of 1...

Yeah because he started playing professional hockey at the age of 1...
- PootieTang

What a bunch of bs. I wonder how many concussions Johnny Bower got playing with no helmet and mask against the likes of JFJ senior.

Who cares about this crap anyway. I play real hockey so I don't have to live vicariously through these rumours like you losers.

The players want to push for a second cancelled season in 8 years because they think the owners/league will cave before that ever happens. The ones not choosing to play elsewhere also don't mind the time off. Its like free vacation/rest for the body.


I'm willing to bet 70% of players don't give a (frank) right now.

What a bunch of bs. I wonder how many concussions Johnny Bower got playing with no helmet and mask against the likes of JFJ senior.

Who cares about this crap anyway. I play real hockey so I don't have to live vicariously through these rumours like you losers.

- Skalapy

things kids say!!!

Lupul, Lombardi, Connelly, MacArthur, Steckel & Bozak will all be UFA's in July of 2013. They'll all walk away for nothing (due to the lockout) and Burke can start over again.
- LeftCoaster

Hope he gives nonis the reigns this time

What a bunch of bs. I wonder how many concussions Johnny Bower got playing with no helmet and mask against the likes of JFJ senior.

Who cares about this crap anyway. I play real hockey so I don't have to live vicariously through these rumours like you losers.

- Skalapy

Red Bull gives you wings

Neither likely want to play in Toronto. One similarity.
- Two_For_Truth

I could see Getzlaf signing if Burke's willing to pay top dollar, Perry seems less likely. Getzlaf just seems like the type that will go to the highest bidder while Perry would probably want a combination of a winning organization/money. Just from what their attitudes seem like. However Getzalf is a pretty layed back guy and definitely floats around the ice at times, so I'm not sure a hardcore hockey market is what he would want.

Burke will definitely go all out and the ANA cup connection is definitely a big factor, I wouldn't rule it out completely.

Lupul being Kessel's friend and staying a long time isn't what I'm talking about. If Lupul is here for a long time, somebody made a big mistake. The point here is to trade Lupul while he's at the top of his game to get pieces that aren't 29 years old and half way to retirement.
- Two_For_Truth

Aka giving up on him like every other team has? We find a guy who worked his ass off for us since dawning the Jersey, and has consistently been a go to guy.. Ya let's chuck him. Who needs core players anyways. Or vets which the team has needed from the get go.

And the not as good as his career year suggest is pretty weak too, he got the minutes.. He put up the points. He played 2ND-3rd line minutes most of his career. Around all star time the talk was of how Lupul had more impact than Kessel, I would say that means something.. Professionals usually have an understanding of what they are talking about.

Lupul and Kessel have become very good friends, don't worry, he's not going anywhere. And at 29 years old, and finally healthy and getting a top line role, Lupul has other reasons to be happy in T.O. There are many things wrong with the Leafs, but he's not one of them. I mean if Kessel gets moved, then trade Lupul too, but as long as Kessel is here, no need to move Lupes.
- mykokes

Yeah, except I believe there is something truth to him and Carlyle not working all that well together.

Losing him for nothing would be a disaster.