He brought in far more than that. Beauchemin, Komisarek, Armstrong were all said to have that "grit" and "sandpaper". Mayers too, but he couldnt play all that well. Did it work at all? Not at all.

They do need to get meaner and tougher though, no denying that, but guys like Orr and Rosehill are not the answer. As you mentioned.

Its a fine line, guys like the ones you mentioned are really hard to find.
- systemtool

For sure, but the only one in that list who could contribute was Beauchemin. The age of having guys who are more grit than skill are over. Teams now roll with three scoring lines and one shutdown line.

Out of him and the other mid-20something goalies that all king of came in the league at the same time (Dubnyk, Rask, Schneider, Varlamov, Price, Halak, Pavalec, Mason) he's really only markedly better than Mason.
- DTF69

I wouldnt even say mason, mason actually played really good in his beginning years but then fell apart but now he is probably better than mason

if im TO i just start off with reimer, find out what u really have.
if he falters it could really push them to trade for lou
- wingz4life

I would prefer waiting until the summer and seeing what goalies are available, if Reimer or Scrivens dont pan out.

Orr is so good he went on waivers last year.
- DTF69

And cleared.

Don't want guys running your stars?

Start running their stars.

Punching their goon in the face doesn't deter anyone.

When Kaberle got his brain scrambled, they should have run Brodeur.

Hard.

For sure, but the only one in that list who could contribute was Beauchemin. The age of having guys who are more grit than skill are over. Teams now roll with three scoring lines and one shutdown line.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Komisarek and Armstrong were good players who contributed, before they got here. To be fair.

Yeah, we'll need them, for when we sign him, after you buy him out at the end of the season.
- PrinceLH

Seriously-- Gillis can say its not a big deal but he has to trade Lou now rather than later. Yeah he's a good goalie, but he's getting old quick. Who knows when he'll start to fade. And that cap hit is a big hit. I'm a big lou fan but Gillis needs to trade him. If he doesn't play well, his value drops, and then what you gonna do?

What are the most likely line combinations for Saturday night ?

Remember what the Bruins did to the Nucks? Whether it was a huge hit or after the whistle horseplay, trucelence and grit tore the Nucks apart.
Your bottom six is as valuable as your top six in the playoffs.
But 'goons' or 'fighters' who can't play a two way game or be a defensive specialist are essentially worthless.
Good for entertainment but that's about it.
- Unholy_Forward

no, it was a sham to see the sedins get pushed around time n time. after seeing euros like datsyuk and z push back . the sedins allowed themselves to get pushed around by the bruins, how do you let a guy punch yourself in the face 3-4 times and do nothing. this and tim thomas was amazing.

Remember what the Bruins did to the Nucks? Whether it was a huge hit or after the whistle horseplay, trucelence and grit tore the Nucks apart.
Your bottom six is as valuable as your top six in the playoffs.
But 'goons' or 'fighters' who can't play a two way game or be a defensive specialist are essentially worthless.
Good for entertainment but that's about it.
- Unholy_Forward

If anyone in the line up cannot play 8-10 minutes of decent hockey then he's useless. Doesn't matter how hard he punches. If no one wants to punch him back what good is he?

Teams used to dress a goon vs Minny with Boogard for a while but then it was like they clued in that if they dress a regular player instead you turned the Wild from having a four lines to 3. The only team that couldn't figure that out was Edmonton.

I wouldnt even say mason, mason actually played really good in his beginning years but then fell apart but now he is probably better than mason
- Mapleleafs_91

mason lost his mojo after detroit demolished him and the jackets in 4 games

And cleared.

Don't want guys running your stars?

Start running their stars.

Punching their goon in the face doesn't deter anyone.

When Kaberle got his brain scrambled, they should have run Brodeur.

Hard.
- Atomic Wedgie

I agree. I cant believe people still think a guy like Lucic or any physical player wont still run a Kessel if given the chance just because Orr is on the team.

no, it was a sham to see the sedins get pushed around time n time. after seeing euros like datsyuk and z push back . the sedins allowed themselves to get pushed around by the bruins, how do you let a guy punch yourself in the face 3-4 times and do nothing. this and tim thomas was amazing.
- wingz4life

Once we find a way to solve Vezina/Conn Smythe goaltending the cup is ours!

And cleared.

Don't want guys running your stars?

Start running their stars.

Punching their goon in the face doesn't deter anyone.

When Kaberle got his brain scrambled, they should have run Brodeur.

Hard.
- Atomic Wedgie

So what you're saying is we need Matt Cooke?

I would prefer waiting until the summer and seeing what goalies are available, if Reimer or Scrivens dont pan out.
- systemtool

Whos to get in the summer? Howard and Mike Smith will be resigned surely. Backstrom and Theodore is a possibility.

mason lost his mojo after detroit demolished him and the jackets in 4 games
- wingz4life

hahah poor guy, you ripped him a new bumhole

time to get Luongo ---- Reimer - Kadri - Komi & 3rd

hahah poor guy, you ripped him a new bumhole
- Mapleleafs_91

who knows, maybe he needs a change of scenery and to get off the worst team in hockey.

mason lost his mojo after detroit demolished him and the jackets in 4 games
- wingz4life

He went on a hot streak for a bit last year. Like 7 wins in 10 games once he realized he could wear gear that fit properly.

He has talent but he just doesn't read plays well. Its like he loses sight of the puck on quick passing. Needs lasic or something.

time to get Luongo ---- Reimer - Kadri - Komi & 3rd
- leaf-sask

sounds good

Its not a matter of affording the contract. Its the impact that contract has on the salary cap. For at least the next 7 years. What if Reimer or Scrivens are pretty good goalies? Then what? I think wingz was right. You dont add a soon to be 34 year old to help you compete in 2-3 to a team that has an average age in the mid 20's.
- systemtool

No, youre right...but the Leafs can afford to buy him out or what have you, if need be. I personally think hes got 5 years left in him, where 3 would be legit starting numbers.

If he could provide the Leafs with 5 years of hockey, dosnt seem like a brutal idea to me. Its been years since they've iced a quality tender and I dont see it in Reimer or Scrivens...hopefully Im wrong.

The team needs to start making the playoffs and challenging the rest of the league or else they will never be able to bring in any big names. Although you can wish for tanking and drafting as much as you want, we all know with the new owners, this is not going to happen.

who knows, maybe he needs a change of scenery and to get off the worst team in hockey.
- wingz4life

A full time goalie coach instead of a long distance correspondent who shows up like once a month might help too.

Whos to get in the summer? Howard and Mike Smith will be resigned surely. Backstrom and Theodore is a possibility.
- Mapleleafs_91

No clue. Maybe they get lucky with a buyout? Backstrom wouldnt be a bad option for a year or two.

no, it was a sham to see the sedins get pushed around time n time. after seeing euros like datsyuk and z push back . the sedins allowed themselves to get pushed around by the bruins, how do you let a guy punch yourself in the face 3-4 times and do nothing. this and tim thomas was amazing.
- wingz4life

Sedins are way to soft for hockey.
If they were around 25-30 years ago they would never have amounted to the players that we see today.
Marchand got at least 6 punches in.
Either way, it was hilarious!

No, youre right...but the Leafs can afford to buy him out or what have you, if need be. I personally think hes got 5 years left in him, where 3 would be legit starting numbers.

If he could provide the Leafs with 5 years of hockey, dosnt seem like a brutal idea to me. Its been years since they've iced a quality tender and I dont see it in Reimer or Scrivens...hopefully Im wrong.

The team needs to start making the playoffs and challenging the rest of the league or else they will never be able to bring in any big names. Although you can wish for tanking and drafting as much as you want, we all know with the new owners, this is not going to happen.
- Colin Dambrauskas

teams can only use the amnesty buyout this and next summer, you cant save them for future offseasons can you..

Seriously-- Gillis can say its not a big deal but he has to trade Lou now rather than later. Yeah he's a good goalie, but he's getting old quick. Who knows when he'll start to fade. And that cap hit is a big hit. I'm a big lou fan but Gillis needs to trade him. If he doesn't play well, his value drops, and then what you gonna do?

What are the most likely line combinations for Saturday night ?
- AlfieisKing

See i dont like when people say that.

Tim Thomas was older 37-39 years old and he still owns.

Same goes with kipper older than luu, and brodeur, even nabby doesnt do that bad at his age.

Dude 2-3 years really? more than that. You have kipper still kicking and he does amazing still. Luongo is similar down the lines. Maybe 4-5 years. But i look around 4 years
- Mapleleafs_91

You'd be surprised what a well run team can do in 2-3 years.