Yes, thats the problem Nonis faces, Mr. Cope didn`t give a crap about this season but now he does so Nonis needs to carefully balance a playoff spot and build for next year, in a tough spot
- cdjaakkola

Can still move grabo and kuli at the draft as they are both signed on for next year same with liles. we can still make that playoff run and get a decent return and extra space to sign bozak and kadri. if we cant move Komi buy him out, grabo shouldnt be hard to move if a second or third line centre. and with Connollys contract ending the cap relief of Grabo/komi/Connolly/Liles/ Mac Nonis has lots of money to re-up the guys we need and the UFA market

Well it`s not costly but, Nonis has to weigh this with the value he can get with everyone else and what that brings the team now and tomorrow? Hate to be Nonis right now!
- cdjaakkola

Better to be Nonis, then Garth Snow or Darcy Regier. We can afford to lose a defenceman, with Gardiner ready to come back into the fold. We have a surplus of defencemen and wingers right now.

If Clarkson is reasonable, but I don't see him being reasonable, at the trade deadline. I see Clowe going relatively cheap and I like his size and toughness. He doesn't have to score many goals, just prevent them and take care of the dirty little bastards, like what dots the Habs lineup. I just like his presence in the blue paint at the other end and along the wall.
- PrinceLH

Funny thing is, all you read now and what the team looks like later is gonna be very different

Better to be Nonis, then Garth Snow or Darcy Regier. We can afford to lose a defenceman, with Gardiner ready to come back into the fold. We have a surplus of defencemen and wingers right now.
- PrinceLH

Well, Garth can`t screw up right.....Mr. Wang?

We need a big tough winger, that we throw out there, in the last minute of the game, to get the puck out of our end. Someone that can play at any time and drop the gloves, when necessary. We need to get the checking line set, so we can make a run in the playoffs. Clowe might be the difference maker, in a series against the Habs or Sens. The way the standings look right now, it's conceivable, that the Leafs and Habs may hook up in the first round. Once Boston uses up their games in hand, the Habs are destined for 4th and we sit 5th.
- PrinceLH

I love Clowe as much as anyone but he is being overrated here. He will immediately be the slowest skater on the team save maybe Orr. I like the toughness and size but his footspeed has really taken a hit and it is concerning. He is not a defensive stalwart.

Funny thing is, all you read now and what the team looks like later is gonna be very different
- cdjaakkola

We're far enough along, that we see where we have holes. Every team has them. Ours is at center and a need for toughness along the wall. Once we sit Orr and MacLaren, down the stretch and into the playoffs, we'll need some toughness and strong forchecking ability.

Better to be Nonis, then Garth Snow or Darcy Regier. We can afford to lose a defenceman, with Gardiner ready to come back into the fold. We have a surplus of defencemen and wingers right now.
- PrinceLH

Thats the beauty of the leafs, they deal for need, they don`t worry about winning or losing in a trade.

Well, Garth can`t screw up right.....Mr. Wang?
- cdjaakkola

Must be something in the water at MSG. The Rangers, Devils, Islanders and Sabres are either out of the playoffs, or barely hanging on.

Clarkson would be better. Seriously though, this team shouldnt be buying. Sell or go with what ya gots.
- systemtool

Agreed if some team is desperate to get in the playoffs and are willing to give us a 1st for Kulemin, Mac then i say do it......

Thats the beauty of the leafs, they deal for need, they don`t worry about winning or losing in a trade.
- cdjaakkola

We only trade spare parts, something that we probably won't be using down the stretch.

Agreed if some team is desperate to get in the playoffs and are willing to give us a 1st for Kulemin, Mac then i say do it......
- jribout

Thats the poker game now, I would have pulled the trigger already and not wait for the prices to rise come deadline and possibly lose out.

Fantasy Q. Need help quick.

Drop Brendan Gallagher for Jake Muzzin?

for the love of god please dont trade Frason. I was head over heels when we stole him from Nashville, then the bum wilson completely craps on him and his confidence. but with Carlyle he has been nothing short of one of our best Dmen. protect on the third pairing with fraser but he has found his game and has only been moving up. those two can be a good pairing for us over the next couple years at a reasonable price and both are proving they can step up the line-up when needed. Koska is playing beyond himself now move him while his value is up. Holzer is at best a 4/5 guy. Gunnerson needs to get the movement in his hip back but is a solid 2 way 2/3 Dman. Gardner fits nicely on the second pairing. I hope nonis is busy at the draft to move players we have out grown.

grabo
kuli/Mac (one of them)
liles
komi
koska (inflated value)
holzer (open roster spot)

Fantasy Q. Need help quick.

Drop Brendan Gallagher for Jake Muzzin?
- As_I_See_It

Fantasy? Drop Brendan Gallagher with a right cross from Fraser MacLaren, Sens style.

for the love of god please dont trade Frason. I was head over heels when we stole him from Nashville, then the bum wilson completely craps on him and his confidence. but with Carlyle he has been nothing short of one of our best Dmen. protect on the third pairing with fraser but he has found his game and has only been moving up. those two can be a good pairing for us over the next couple years at a reasonable price and both are proving they can step up the line-up when needed. Koska is playing beyond himself now move him while his value is up. Holzer is at best a 4/5 guy. Gunnerson needs to get the movement in his hip back but is a solid 2 way 2/3 Dman. Gardner fits nicely on the second pairing. I hope nonis is busy at the draft to move players we have out grown.

grabo
kuli/Mac (one of them)
liles
komi
koska (inflated value)
holzer (open roster spot)
- shill-17

with getzlaf signing a 9.25 million a year contract I see the grabo deal as a good one... going to be tough to get a defenseman for under 6 million now....

for the love of god please dont trade Frason. I was head over heels when we stole him from Nashville, then the bum wilson completely craps on him and his confidence. but with Carlyle he has been nothing short of one of our best Dmen. protect on the third pairing with fraser but he has found his game and has only been moving up. those two can be a good pairing for us over the next couple years at a reasonable price and both are proving they can step up the line-up when needed. Koska is playing beyond himself now move him while his value is up. Holzer is at best a 4/5 guy. Gunnerson needs to get the movement in his hip back but is a solid 2 way 2/3 Dman. Gardner fits nicely on the second pairing. I hope nonis is busy at the draft to move players we have out grown.

grabo
kuli/Mac (one of them)
liles
komi
koska (inflated value)
holzer (open roster spot)
- shill-17

Only one on that list I don`t see moving is KOMI, I know what yas think, has alot more value than you think sitting on the bench and noo, won`t be bought out either.

Only one on that list I don`t see moving is KOMI, I know what yas think, has alot more value than you think sitting on the bench and noo, won`t be bought out either.
- cdjaakkola

see komi having little to no value but i see him being plan b or even plan c for a team looking for depth at the deadline tor a playoff push leafs could get a 5-7th rounder. earlier rounds means more cap retained. probably bought out after playoffs or held onto and bought out by leafs. they have no reason to hold onto him

Only one on that list I don`t see moving is KOMI, I know what yas think, has alot more value than you think sitting on the bench and noo, won`t be bought out either.
- cdjaakkola

Kotska is a UFA we won't be trading him at the draft

Also really nice to see Colborne lighting it up in the AHL. His wrist is finally fully healed. Hopefully he makes the squad next season. Love the kid.

with getzlaf signing a 9.25 million a year contract I see the grabo deal as a good one... going to be tough to get a defenseman for under 6 million now....
- jribout

A Grabo deal would be great as we`re top heavy and any return of value preferably picks/prospects would be perfect. Do that a couple more times and we open the space we need and keep the pipeline full. Or we have the assets to reload when needed.

Kotska is a UFA we won't be trading him at the draft
- jribout

Do you think he could be traded beforehand??

Thank GOD we have a competent GM in Nonis and none of you guys are running things. Some of you got half the team traded and nothing suggested coming back. goal tending needs to be better but might come with more time. Defense are playing well and a good cap hit and will be better when lyles is moved and komi bought out/ moved. These guys arn't horrible but just don't fit into the leafs future as we are loaded with prospects on defense. Love the balanced attack at forward and we have good depth and although we have stars we lack a SUPER STAR. Corey perry in this aspect would help greatly provided he is willing to come to toronto. Don't know how much better clowe would make us right now. Hes slow and streaky. The leafs will make the playoffs. But the road to the cup goes through BOSTON and we might not be quite ready. We might be able to beat pittsburgh but alot would have to go right for us. Not afraid of anyone else. Exspecially Montreal, sure they are a good team with outstanding goaltending but thier size will be thier undueing in the playoffs. The leafs could be upgraded at centre with say a mike riberio as he might be a rental come trade deadline. I'm very happy with this team and if by chance they could land an impact player of perry's ilk and maybe 1 or 2 small tweaks we could be deadly.

A Grabo deal would be great as we`re top heavy and any return of value preferably picks/prospects would be perfect. Do that a couple more times and we open the space we need and keep the pipeline full. Or we have the assets to reload when needed.
- cdjaakkola

If Bozak tests the freee agent market we will be desperate for a centre

Do you think he could be traded beforehand??
- cdjaakkola

Not for much..... I would send him down after the trade deadline for Gardiner unless we resign him by then

Thank GOD we have a competent GM in Nonis and none of you guys are running things. Some of you got half the team traded and nothing suggested coming back. goal tending needs to be better but might come with more time. Defense are playing well and a good cap hit and will be better when lyles is moved and komi bought out/ moved. These guys arn't horrible but just don't fit into the leafs future as we are loaded with prospects on defense. Love the balanced attack at forward and we have good depth and although we have stars we lack a SUPER STAR. Corey perry in this aspect would help greatly provided he is willing to come to toronto. Don't know how much better clowe would make us right now. Hes slow and streaky. The leafs will make the playoffs. But the road to the cup goes through BOSTON and we might not be quite ready. We might be able to beat pittsburgh but alot would have to go right for us. Not afraid of anyone else. Exspecially Montreal, sure they are a good team with outstanding goaltending but thier size will be thier undueing in the playoffs. The leafs could be upgraded at centre with say a mike riberio as he might be a rental come trade deadline. I'm very happy with this team and if by chance they could land an impact player of perry's ilk and maybe 1 or 2 small tweaks we could be deadly.
- aziffles

agreed......