Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux...

There are a number of extraordinary players who didn't get the luxury of playing a full career.
- Two_For_Truth

Cam Neely


That's why you go with Lidstrom

If he stays healthy and on the 1st line with Kessel I think he'll be a steal at that price. Great guy though, top class hockey player.
- Unholy_Forward

Pretty well what i think. Honestly its his character that i like the most. Pretty sure every player likes him, seems humble and hard working, probably could be captain over Dion.

I really hope Dion doesn't get a raise.

I personally don't think he deserves one in the first place. 6.5 is just too much.
5-5.5 at most

Kessel will be a big question mark. Esp. if we don't make the playoffs. He'll never have made the playoffs with us, going into the last year of his deal, and may not be all that thrilled about continuing in TOR in the first place.

If we could move him for Mackinnon at the draft I'd be all over that. Sadly, I doubt he'd put Columbus as a desired destination on the list of teams he'd be willing to move to
- AngryWhiteMale

If things keep going the way they are going, with Phaneuf being captain and playing 25+ minutes a night, he's going to get a least 6 million a year. Especially if he scores more.

Kessel is going to get at least 7.5 million per year just to get him to stay. Maybe more.

So after 1 game, lups gets an extension.
The years are a little long and the cap hit a teenie bit high...but we'll see if it was a little early.

I would say the back is much more likely to be hit or re-injured than the neck though.
- Two_For_Truth

well.. until it proves to be an issue i'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt.. as you said.. his game isnt overly physical.. which should help

Nonis has decided that his core is going to be Lupul, Kessel and Phaneuf. Expect the other two to get big extensions too. Not a convincing core but that's what he's going with.
- Two_For_Truth

Or maybe Nonis decided that Lupul has talent, and since the Leafs lack talent, it made sense to extend him.

Jesus, Uggie. Leafs re-sign a top-liner, and you are whinging?

A little off topic, but I just want to throw my preliminary Sochi team out there to see what you guys think

Iginla - Crosby - Neal
Tavares - Stamkos - Nash
Giroux - Toews - Perry
E. Staal - Spezza - J. Staal
X: M. Richards, Getzlaf, Bergeron

Weber - Doughty
Seabrook - Keith
M. Staal - Pietriangelo
X: Myers, Letang

Price
Ward
- AngryWhiteMale

These can change in a year lots of young Canadians playing this year but pretty good line up I'd say Sweden will be the team to beat tho scary defence and goaltending

You can't deny he is infection-prone.
- Atomic Wedgie

Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux...

There are a number of extraordinary players who didn't get the luxury of playing a full career.
- Two_For_Truth

Didn't help that ACL surgery back in Orr's day involved medical equipment used by WWII medics and duct tape

well he has decided on lupul, no guarantees on the other two, but you're probably right
- Dozzer

Could you see them keeping Lupul for five years and getting rid of the other two?

No chance.

This is what they're going to attempt to build around.

Already can't wait for the next rebuild.

you know whats a large $ amount?

9.333million for a combined GAA of 7.00
- Dozzer

you know whats a large $ amount?

9.333million for a combined GAA of 7.00
- Dozzer

Just to rehash a prior argument- I also wasn't a fan of the play late in the game...they sat back. Same as they did with Wilson. Their ability to block out Montreal was better, but overall that strategy will hurt them.

Don't think it was Carlyle, either. I think they just sat back as they have in the past.
- Feeling Glucky?

Hey Gluckster, the game was closer than it should have been. Leafs should have put them away earlier. Leafs need to develp a killer instinct. The Leafs have to get out of the bad habit of playing with fire letting an out played opponent be within a goal of tying the game.

If things keep going the way they are going, with Phaneuf being captain and playing 25+ minutes a night, he's going to get a least 6 million a year. Especially if he scores more.

Kessel is going to get at least 7.5 million per year just to get him to stay. Maybe more.
- Two_For_Truth

No way Dion gets that much, not if he continues to play how he's been for the past season.

schenn takes a penalty while killing one

lol i dont miss that

And in 8 years you will hate the deals you gave Parise and Suter.
- Unholy_Forward

No doubt about that. Wasn't knocking on Toronto, just calling it like I see it. Good player, smart move by Tor to lock him up, but he doesn't seem to create many chances on his own so be sure to surround him with talent now that you're keeping him.

Could you see them keeping Lupul for five years and getting rid of the other two?

No chance.

This is what they're going to attempt to build around.

Already can't wait for the next rebuild.
- Two_For_Truth

depends.. i dont really got a feel for nonis yet. i imagine you are right.. but nothing set in stone yet

Or maybe Nonis decided that Lupul has talent, and since the Leafs lack talent, it made sense to extend him.

Jesus, Uggie. Leafs re-sign a top-liner, and you are whinging?
- Atomic Wedgie

I know, they better sign Bozak who is a top liner, game winner scorers are hard to replace.

Or maybe Nonis decided that Lupul has talent, and since the Leafs lack talent, it made sense to extend him.

Jesus, Uggie. Leafs re-sign a top-liner, and you are whinging?
- Atomic Wedgie

Makes more sense to trade him and continue rebuilding.

These can change in a year lots of young Canadians playing this year but pretty good line up I'd say Sweden will be the team to beat tho scary defence and goaltending
- arnpriorguy

Outside of Karlsson I don't think Sweden's defence is that scary.

Enstrom, Hedman, Ohlund, Hjalmarsson, Kronwall and OEL.

It's still good, but Sweden's strengths will be in net.

If the Sedins have a good tourney they'll do well.


I also think the Russian's are far too thin on defence to deal with a team like Canada and its offence

Cam Neely

That's why you go with Lidstrom
- AdamFrench

Detroit is screwed.

I really hope Dion doesn't get a raise.

I personally don't think he deserves one in the first place. 6.5 is just too much.
5-5.5 at most

Kessel will be a big question mark. Esp. if we don't make the playoffs. He'll never have made the playoffs with us, going into the last year of his deal, and may not be all that thrilled about continuing in TOR in the first place.

If we could move him for Mackinnon at the draft I'd be all over that. Sadly, I doubt he'd put Columbus as a desired destination on the list of teams he'd be willing to move to
- AngryWhiteMale

weather he is on Columbus list or not they will not be willing to trade a franchise center for him. Neither would anyone else drafting in the top 5 this year. Those teams are rebuilding and if it works out for them by that time Kessel will be in the 30 range.

Connor McDavid has 49 pts in 40 games as a 15 year old this year.

He'll dominate the next 3 world juniors.

Buddies of mine are considering making the trip over the Sweden for next year's christmas tourney

Could you see them keeping Lupul for five years and getting rid of the other two?

No chance.

This is what they're going to attempt to build around.

Already can't wait for the next rebuild.
- Two_For_Truth

Why wait? Cheer for the Oilers and their run of 5 cups that they are destined for with their rebuild.

Outside of Karlsson I don't think Sweden's defence is that scary.

Enstrom, Hedman, Ohlund, Hjalmarsson, Kronwall and OEL.

It's still good, but Sweden's strengths will be in net.

If the Sedins have a good tourney they'll do well.


I also think the Russian's are far too thin on defence to deal with a team like Canada and its offence
- AngryWhiteMale

errr