It's weird - we have no #1, yet we have too many centres.

It's the mediocrity that unites us all.
- Atomic Wedgie

You can try Kadri there but my theory is he will try to set up Kessel all the time and won't be as effective.

Agreed. I don't hate Bozak, but if he's got all these so-called defensive tools, let's see him use them.

Let's go with a real checking line. McClement-Bozak-Kulemin.

Get Kadri on the second line, buy-out Grabo, and bring in Stastny.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Good post!

JVR Statsny Kessel
McArt Kadri Lupul

Kadri on the 1st unit PP on a 5 on 3?

That's just down right insane.
- Two_For_Truth

I hate how coaches use their regular lines on the PP. Look at the pens, they make use of all their best players on the pp.

Should be JVR Kadri Kessel, Phaneuf Franson on the PP

Colborne still needs a lot of work on his skating before he can play with Kessel.

Bozak would be a very good candidate to be a strong 3rd line checking center. But he knows that's not where the money is and there aren't many teams that would spend 3.5+ million dollars on a 3rd line center unless he was the clear cut best in the world.
- Two_For_Truth

Which he clearly isn't - he has no size and no snarl.

A few years ago HH and I argued for hours because he wanted Stajan to be demoted to the AHL because he sucked. I said you play him to trade him.

I don't know why HH likes Bozak, him and Stajan are one in the same.
- HipHopisDead

I hope this is the reason for the continued existence of Holzer and Kostka in Leafs uniforms. Turn a couple AHL lifers into serviceable D-men, then package them up to some team desperate enough to give you a good player for a load of garbage.

*cough* Calgary *cough cough*

Agreed. I don't hate Bozak, but if he's got all these so-called defensive tools, let's see him use them.

Let's go with a real checking line. McClement-Bozak-Kulemin.

Get Kadri on the second line, buy-out Grabo, and bring in Stastny.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Outstanding.

Good post!

JVR Statsny Kessel
McArt Kadri Lupul
- HipHopisDead

Thank you. I find it quite easy to be Armchair GM of the Year.

I hope this is the reason for the continued existence of Holzer and Kostka in Leafs uniforms. Turn a couple AHL lifers into serviceable D-men, then package them up to some team desperate enough to give you a good player for a load of garbage.

*cough* Calgary *cough cough*
- Leeman4Gilmour

Which he clearly isn't - he has no size and no snarl.
- Atomic Wedgie

Neither did John Madden.

Outstanding.
- Two_For_Truth

The logic of people amazes me. Bro buyout liles and grabo. Clearly they have value and can be traded. The only useless bumhole no one will give up anything is komi, who you buy out immediately.

Outstanding.
- Two_For_Truth

Oh, okay. Since you object...

Trade Grabovski for Malkin and Crosby and a 2nd.

Colborne still needs a lot of work on his skating before he can play with Kessel.

Bozak would be a very good candidate to be a strong 3rd line checking center. But he knows that's not where the money is and there aren't many teams that would spend 3.5+ million dollars on a 3rd line center unless he was the clear cut best in the world.
- Two_For_Truth

I would try him in that role for a few games to shake it up a bit and see. It is not working well as it is.

Which he clearly isn't - he has no size and no snarl.
- Atomic Wedgie

rawr

The logic of people amazes me. Bro buyout liles and grabo. Clearly they have value and can be traded. The only useless bumhole no one will give up anything is komi, who you buy out immediately.
- Mapleleafs_91

Grabo's value relative to his contract is very low.

Are people seriously giving me flak for suggesting we buy him out? If it makes you pedantic whiners feel any better, I could switch "buy out Grabo" to "trade Grabo for a conditional 6th rounder."

Is everybody feeling better now?

A few years ago HH and I argued for hours because he wanted Stajan to be demoted to the AHL because he sucked. I said you play him to trade him.

I don't know why HH likes Bozak, him and Stajan are one in the same.
- HipHopisDead

HH thinks Eakins sucks
HH thinks every player should develop at the NHL level
HH has a love fest on for Bozak (family member...agent?)
HH is a hockey genius (self proclaimed)
HH can go...just go.

Oh, okay. Since you object...

Trade Grabovski for Malkin and Crosby and a 2nd.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Komisarek is a buy-out lock. Liles is a candidate. But Grabovski? No chance.

I would try him in that role for a few games to shake it up a bit and see. It is not working well as it is.
- LeafMan

If Gardiner isn't getting games, Colborne has a snowball's chance in hell.

I'm starting to think that Colborne can put up way better numbers centring the first line, I honestly think what Nonis said a little while ago about seeing what some on the farm can do with the Leafs will be Colborne getting some time on the first line, just a gut feeling come trade deadline time.

I would like to see what Bozak can do as a third line checking role.
- LeafMan

Well in my opinion he sure wouldn't do any worse than Bozak. Don't think he has the speed to keep up with Kessel and JVR, but at this stage of the game, I just want Bozak off the the first line.

Hey all.

I'm currently seeking new employment opportunities in GTA/Mississauga in a IT role. PM me if you may have any leads. Thanks, much appreciated.


Sorry for this, as it is not hockey related.

Grabo's value relative to his contract is very low.

Are people seriously giving me flak for suggesting we buy him out? If it makes you pedantic whiners feel any better, I could switch "buy out Grabo" to "trade Grabo for a conditional 6th rounder."
- Leeman4Gilmour

Because its frustrating when everyone here says buyout every single crap contract when the guy has value. Ask nashville, they have been searching for offense for the past 5 years every single trade deadline

If Gardiner isn't getting games, Colborne has a snowball's chance in hell.
- Two_For_Truth

No, I meant Bozak at 3rd line centre for a few games to see.

Because its frustrating when everyone here says buyout every single crap contract when the guy has value. Ask nashville, they have been searching for offense for the past 5 years every single trade deadline
- Mapleleafs_91

I think we've got three buy out candidates: Komi, Liles, and Grabovski.

I'm 99% sure the plan is going to be to try to move one of them for whatever you can get and buy out the other two.

Who gets bought out and who gets moved (if possible) are up in the air.

No, I meant Bozak at 3rd line centre for a few games to see.
- LeafMan

The problem with this is, carlyle does not want to break kadri into the role of big minutes and first line center, when hes leading the team with pts on the 3rd line with limited minutes

The problem with this is, carlyle does not want to break kadri into the role of big minutes and first line center, when hes leading the team with pts on the 3rd line with limited minutes
- Mapleleafs_91

Whatever line you use as the checking line is where you put him in, I don't consider Kadri the third line, the first line to me is whatever line is producing and playing the best any given night with this team.

I think we've got three buy out candidates: Komi, Liles, and Grabovski.

I'm 99% sure the plan is going to be to try to move one of them for whatever you can get and buy out the other two.

Who gets bought out and who gets moved (if possible) are up in the air.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Just because grabo is having an off season and liles has had an off season last year, does not mean they dont have value. If grabo gets traded and regains his form next year for 25+ goals, that looks good in everyones books no? If liles regains form and gets about 30-40 pts, still looks pretty good no? Komi just straight out blows, so there is no potential for him what so ever but to clean the ACC toilets