Sports Illustrated has Edmonton #3 in the NHL power rankings.
- FinAddict

They need more D, or Khabi to stand on his head. But they're gonna be fun to watch.

I think he was joking...or he better of been.
- whipper334

Sorry, this bronchitis has wiped out my ability to detect sarcasm. My bad.
So people don't even joke about Gardiner going to Van for Lu cause I may take it seriously & decide to OD on my bronchitis meds.

They need more D, or Khabi to stand on his head. But they're gonna be fun to watch.
- SotaPopinski

The forwards have talent, but I dont see the grit.

The kids are fun to watch but even if they made the playoffs, more physical teams would wear them down in a series.

Sports Illustrated has Edmonton #3 in the NHL power rankings.
- FinAddict

the bible of the hockey gods... the NHL is usually right after womens NCAA Lawn Bowling...

They need more D, or Khabi to stand on his head. But they're gonna be fun to watch.
- SotaPopinski

That's not so bad, Leafs are about to start the season without the following:

-a proven #1 goalie
-a proven # center
-a stud shut down D man
-plus the Leafs also have to worry about losing Kessel for nothing after next season.

I think Edmonton is looking pretty darn good as compared to the Leafs.

That's not so bad, Leafs are about to start the season without the following:

-a proven #1 goalie
-a proven # center
-a stud shut down D man
-plus the Leafs also have to worry about losing Kessel for nothing after next season.

I think Edmonton is looking pretty darn good as compared to the Leafs.
- GCHonda

I like Reimer
Your C situation is horrible. Bad Burke, bad!
Phaneuf?
Once new CBA is in effect, Toronto will re-sign him... or they better for what they gave up for him.

Hows the weather out in sask?
- flyer_nutter

Hey nutter, been awhile bud! It's been up and down. One day it snows but isn't cold, another it's freeze and sunny, and another it's snowy, and cold. Typical Saskatchewan

Wbu guys?

The forwards have talent, but I dont see the grit.

The kids are fun to watch but even if they made the playoffs, more physical teams would wear them down in a series.
- flyer_nutter

Yep, that's another issue. Maybe they can just strap Hordichuk onto the back of RNH or Hall. But that's not nearly enough

I like Reimer
Your C situation is horrible. Bad Burke, bad!
Phaneuf?
Once new CBA is in effect, Toronto will re-sign him... or they better for what they gave up for him.
- SotaPopinski

Reimer was good his first year because nobody knew anything about him. Now that there's plenty of tape, everyone knows what his weaknesses are. Every goalie goes through that. It's just a matter of them adjusting their game to address their shortcomings so that they don't get victimized game after game.

Reimer was good his first year because nobody knew anything about him. Now that there's plenty of tape, everyone knows what his weaknesses are. Every goalie goes through that. It's just a matter of them adjusting their game to address their shortcomings so that they don't get victimized game after game.
- HonkFortheGoose

No doubt, but I still believe he has the potential to be an effective netminder in this league, but I also understand that Toronto needs a whole lot more than potential and effective. Unfortunately, goalie isn't the only position where they need to get a lot better

Honestly I am tired of people hating on the Kessel trade. People seem to forget the Kaberle trade. If you combine the two trades you get

TOR
Kessel
Colborne
**Boston's 2011 1st Round (Percy)
Boston's 2012 2nd Round (Liles)

BOS
Toronto's 2010 1st Round (Seguin)
Toronto's 2011 1st Round (Hamilton)
Toronto's 2010 2nd Round (Knight)
Kaberle

**(TOR traded this pick + their own 2nd round to draft 25th and take Percy)

When you look at both trades it balances out (Kessel/Seguin Liles/Kaberle Colborne&Percy/Hamilton&Knight) and some of these are better for Toronto (Liles/Kaberle) others for Boston (Colborne&Percy/Hamilton&Knight). Even still Kessel is and will continue to be a top scorer in the NHL. And you can't argue with that.

No doubt, but I still believe he has the potential to be an effective netminder in this league, but I also understand that Toronto needs a whole lot more than potential and effective. Unfortunately, goalie isn't the only position where they need to get a lot better
- SotaPopinski

Unfortunately for him they may not give him the chance to figure it out. With the right kind of grooming I'm sure he could overcome it. It's just hard when you miss a good chunk of the season with injury. He's probably already frustrated about that and then the thought that they're looking for a "better" answer. It has to rattle your confidence. I feel kinda bad for him.

Honestly I am tired of people hating on the Kessel trade. People seem to forget the Kaberle trade. If you combine the two trades you get

TOR
Kessel
Colborne
**Boston's 2011 1st Round (Percy)
Boston's 2012 2nd Round (Liles)

BOS
Toronto's 2010 1st Round (Seguin)
Toronto's 2011 1st Round (Hamilton)
Toronto's 2010 2nd Round (Knight)
Kaberle

**(TOR traded this pick + their own 2nd round to draft 25th and take Percy)

When you look at both trades it balances out (Kessel/Seguin Liles/Kaberle Colborne&Percy/Hamilton&Knight) and some of these are better for Toronto (Liles/Kaberle) others for Boston (Colborne&Percy/Hamilton&Knight). Even still Kessel is and will continue to be a top scorer in the NHL. And you can't argue with that.
- RRRoops

But Seguin is so much better with the media!

I like Reimer
Your C situation is horrible. Bad Burke, bad!
Phaneuf?
Once new CBA is in effect, Toronto will re-sign him... or they better for what they gave up for him.
- SotaPopinski

Well it has to go both ways, will Kessel wanna stay here? I tell you this, if the Leafs don't start contending & the revolving doors of GM's in TO doesn't stop, no F*CKIN way Kessel re-signs here. If things don't improve would u blame him?

Honestly I am tired of people hating on the Kessel trade. People seem to forget the Kaberle trade. If you combine the two trades you get

TOR
Kessel
Colborne
**Boston's 2011 1st Round (Percy)
Boston's 2012 2nd Round (Liles)

BOS
Toronto's 2010 1st Round (Seguin)
Toronto's 2011 1st Round (Hamilton)
Toronto's 2010 2nd Round (Knight)
Kaberle

**(TOR traded this pick + their own 2nd round to draft 25th and take Percy)

When you look at both trades it balances out (Kessel/Seguin Liles/Kaberle Colborne&Percy/Hamilton&Knight) and some of these are better for Toronto (Liles/Kaberle) others for Boston (Colborne&Percy/Hamilton&Knight). Even still Kessel is and will continue to be a top scorer in the NHL. And you can't argue with that.
- RRRoops

Kessel is the kind of player other teams look to have favorable matchups against. He is not the kind of player you fear.

There are plenty of guys that have scored at the NHL level. Personally, in a cap era where every penny is important I cut ties with Kessel unless he signs cheaply. He is not a top player in the league and fans who believe so are delusional to me. The toronto media has a habbit of feeding the fans BS. Kadri is a great example for one.

The leafs need to continue drafting good players. They have a few. Keep the youth movement and sign some FA's when available. Wasting assets for Luongo is a joke. He wont be there by the time the leafs are anywhere close to winning a cup.

Unfortunately for him they may not give him the chance to figure it out. With the right kind of grooming I'm sure he could overcome it. It's just hard when you miss a good chunk of the season with injury. He's probably already frustrated about that and then the thought that they're looking for a "better" answer. It has to rattle your confidence. I feel kinda bad for him.
- HonkFortheGoose

We'll see how he handles adversity, it just may be in another teams uni. I'd take a shot with him, though.

We'll see how he handles adversity, it just may be in another teams uni. I'd take a shot with him, though.
- SotaPopinski

What's the deal with Harding? Is he gonna be on the opening day roster?

We'll see how he handles adversity, it just may be in another teams uni. I'd take a shot with him, though.
- SotaPopinski

Reimer played damn well on a poor Toronto team.

Kept them in a lot of games they shouldnt have been in. I would gladly take a player like him on my team.

Luongo may help get the Leafs in the playoffs. Which wont last long. Is that really all the franchise wants?

If Luongo had troubled handling pressure in Vancouver what will it be like in Toronto? If Burke was hesitant to trade for the guy, it was the smartest thing he has done.

Well it has to go both ways, will Kessel wanna stay here? I tell you this, if the Leafs don't start contending & the revolving doors of GM's in TO doesn't stop, no F*CKIN way Kessel re-signs here. If things don't improve would u blame him?
- GCHonda

I would be shocked if he didn't hold out until UFA, only because I don't think he is completely comfortable in that insane hockey market that is Toronto. I just can't imagine your FO not trying their damndest to lock him up long-term

What's the deal with Harding? Is he gonna be on the opening day roster?
- HonkFortheGoose

I thought he got diagnosed with MS.

If thats the case the guy should enjoy the time he has.

What's the deal with Harding? Is he gonna be on the opening day roster?
- HonkFortheGoose

Yep. They're going to take it day by day I guess. He's good to go short-term, but who knows how he's going to feel a month from now. Scary stuff...

Reimer played damn well on a poor Toronto team.

Kept them in a lot of games they shouldnt have been in. I would gladly take a player like him on my team.

Luongo may help get the Leafs in the playoffs. Which wont last long. Is that really all the franchise wants?

If Luongo had troubled handling pressure in Vancouver what will it be like in Toronto? If Burke was hesitant to trade for the guy, it was the smartest thing he has done.
- flyer_nutter

As a fan of an NFL team that hasn't been to the playoffs in 13 years, sometimes the team just getting there is the goal. Baby steps my friend. Baby steps.

Kessel is the kind of player other teams look to have favorable matchups against. He is not the kind of player you fear.

There are plenty of guys that have scored at the NHL level. Personally, in a cap era where every penny is important I cut ties with Kessel unless he signs cheaply. He is not a top player in the league and fans who believe so are delusional to me. The toronto media has a habbit of feeding the fans BS. Kadri is a great example for one.

The leafs need to continue drafting good players. They have a few. Keep the youth movement and sign some FA's when available. Wasting assets for Luongo is a joke. He wont be there by the time the leafs are anywhere close to winning a cup.
- flyer_nutter

How can you say Kessel is not a top player in the league?? His stats speak for themselves. He is 6th in points in the entire league for 2011-2012! He is tied for 6th in goals scored! He played every game last season. Just look at the players he is up there with. And he did all this on the Leafs (5th worst team in the NHL) and he did it under all these "favourable match-ups"

Reimer played damn well on a poor Toronto team.

Kept them in a lot of games they shouldnt have been in. I would gladly take a player like him on my team.

Luongo may help get the Leafs in the playoffs. Which wont last long. Is that really all the franchise wants?

If Luongo had troubled handling pressure in Vancouver what will it be like in Toronto? If Burke was hesitant to trade for the guy, it was the smartest thing he has done.
- flyer_nutter

I really don't get what they're trying to do, if they do in fact trade for Lu. It's not like the fans are going to quit going to games.

How can you say Kessel is not a top player in the league?? His stats speak for themselves. He is 6th in points in the entire league for 2011-2012! He is tied for 6th in goals scored! He played every game last season. Just look at the players he is up there with. And he did all this on the Leafs (5th worst team in the NHL) and he did it under all these "favourable match-ups"
- RRRoops

here we go...