He was paid the ridiculous amount because he knew he had MLSEL over a barrel - he was the only centre on the team worth more than $2 million a year.
- Atomic Wedgie

and the only notable centre in that years free agent crop

wow
- Dozzer

Yes, excuse me for not clarifying....
I meant getting the puck out of the Leafs zone...obviously not defensively (too much to expect from a rookie dman in the NHL)

It's a valid argument, I'd still like to see Grabo have someone to play with who can pot the puck. Come to think about that's probably why they have Frattin there.
- MapleLeafsFTW

And that's the other thing, Fratts is still tentative after coming back. See, I like RC and his mentality right now. He's not thinking about making the playoffs, he's a champion in this league, he's thinking about the cup. He knows full well if Frattin and Grabovski can get er going they will be deadly. I'm not saying they will win the cup but I have to say, if that line gets going they will be very hard to play against.

and the only notable centre in that years free agent crop
- Dozzer

still tough to justify.

http://video.ca.msn.com/w...68433%257c%257c%257c%257c

Oh my...racist cop!

Based on how patient we were with Nazem I would be very surprised if the like Of Reilly, Finn & Percy(all very solid prospects, mind you) didn't join the team for another 3 years or so.

Reilly will get one more year of WJC & WHL before playing at least one full season in the AHL. Same goes for the other two.

In the meantime we'll need Gardiner's ability from the back end if our offense if to have any balance. We simply can't not have a guy who can make a perfect first pass, or skate the puck into the zone on the PP all by himself.

If you think we can wait another three years without a guy like Gardiner back there, then I suggest you pack a lunch, or put a pot of coffee on.
- AngryWhiteMale

If you think Reilly is at least 2 more seasons from playing in a Leaf jersey I think you are VERY wrong!

Based on how patient we were with Nazem I would be very surprised if the like Of Reilly, Finn & Percy(all very solid prospects, mind you) didn't join the team for another 3 years or so.

Reilly will get one more year of WJC & WHL before playing at least one full season in the AHL. Same goes for the other two.

In the meantime we'll need Gardiner's ability from the back end if our offense if to have any balance. We simply can't not have a guy who can make a perfect first pass, or skate the puck into the zone on the PP all by himself.

If you think we can wait another three years without a guy like Gardiner back there, then I suggest you pack a lunch, or put a pot of coffee on.
- AngryWhiteMale

I think they are finally doing right, we are patient with them but if they earn their spot it won't necessarily take as long as Naz. I think Percy has to play AHL next year so he'll probably get his first real look along with Rielly. Blacker might be getting one real soon too.

Craig Custance ‏@CraigCustance 2m

Sharks GM Doug Wilson on the coming transition in San Jose: "We knew this window would be getting here."




Sounds like Wilson is getting ready to make more trades

Gardiner was our best dman last year - defensively?

Oh my...
- Atomic Wedgie

Well, he does state that it's a blind man's scouting report.

Grabovski also got that money because 2 weeks prior Edmonton gave Hemsky 5 per.

Grabs had one effective game, and scored on a play he almost screwed up. His goal vs. BUF was 90% Gardiner slapping the puck onto his stick for an easy tip. Bozak had goals vs OTT & WPG by being in the right spot.

Unless Grabs utilizes his speed like he did vs. BOS he won't be very effective
- AngryWhiteMale

pretty much

If you think Reilly is at least 2 more seasons from playing in a Leaf jersey I think you are VERY wrong!
- Cooshie

He looks close based on what we've seen, to me the big differences are size, and learning to play both ends of the rink. That's what it was with Kadri. Rielly has the size but needs to learn to play better defensively which is often the problem with OFD's

Grabovski also got that money because 2 weeks prior Edmonton gave Hemsky 5 per.
- aminnes

Ruutu got a fat paycheck too

Anyone here see the movie The Raid:Redemption?

(frank)in' insane.

Ruutu got a fat paycheck too
- MapleLeafsFTW

It's funny, I like the Oilers but it was funny listing to all the whining about how the desparity in salary was the reason E-town sucked, then as soon as the cap comes in Lowe starts dishing out the retarted contracts and lifted the market - and they still do it.

I don't see him as a good fit especially considering what we might have to give up.

It would be fun having him against the Bruins though.
- MapleLeafsFTW

Is there an asking price floating around out there for Thorton? Marleau?Boyle?

Is there an asking price floating around out there for Thorton? Marleau?Boyle?
- Jimmy_wiener

Boyle would be an okay guy to go after.

And that's the other thing, Fratts is still tentative after coming back. See, I like RC and his mentality right now. He's not thinking about making the playoffs, he's a champion in this league, he's thinking about the cup. He knows full well if Frattin and Grabovski can get er going they will be deadly. I'm not saying they will win the cup but I have to say, if that line gets going they will be very hard to play against.
- aminnes

I think they are closer than a lot of people think, could even be a dark horse. My hopes are we make it and play Montreal, who you gotta believe we'd crush. If we get Boston or Pitty we are in deep trouble though.

Yes, excuse me for not clarifying....
I meant getting the puck out of the Leafs zone...obviously not defensively (too much to expect from a rookie dman in the NHL)
- Cooshie

lol ok.. that makes a lot more sense

I think they are finally doing right, we are patient with them but if they earn their spot it won't necessarily take as long as Naz. I think Percy has to play AHL next year so he'll probably get his first real look along with Rielly. Blacker might be getting one real soon too.
- MapleLeafsFTW

Don't foget Blacker almost made the team out of the draft. He was the last cut. They kept him down in order to make sure this was done right. If Jesse makes things work in TOR, then it'll be a credit to that rare patience of T.O. management.

While the coaching staff talks about how impressed they were with Reilly, the fact is that this guy still has a lot to learn. It doesn't mean he can't make the team earlier than expected, it's just that we have enough guys in the system that we can afford to be patient. He will benefit from another WJC, as well as an AHL playoff run(I have big hopes, I think he'll love a challenge).

I agree that Percy is ready to make the step up in the AHL. He has so many good tools including hockey sense. I don't think the learning curve from C-AHL is that steep. He'll be a steadying influence back there.

I think they are closer than a lot of people think, could even be a dark horse. My hopes are we make it and play Montreal, who you gotta believe we'd crush. If we get Boston or Pitty we are in deep trouble though.
- MapleLeafsFTW

Slide into 6th as they are doing and play Peg or Carolina, at that rate who knows.

He looks close based on what we've seen, to me the big differences are size, and learning to play both ends of the rink. That's what it was with Kadri. Rielly has the size but needs to learn to play better defensively which is often the problem with OFD's
- MapleLeafsFTW

The point I was originally making was that we have more need for a true number 1 center then we do for a puck moving dman considering what we have coming up.
Gardiner would be a good part of a package to PHilly for someone like Couturier but some on here think we are going for a cup in the next year!

still tough to justify.
- stormey

not getting into another grabo argument

i'll leave it at this.. in 2 or 3 years you guys are going to be very happy with a strong two way centre ONLY making 5million or so

I think they are closer than a lot of people think, could even be a dark horse. My hopes are we make it and play Montreal, who you gotta believe we'd crush. If we get Boston or Pitty we are in deep trouble though.
- MapleLeafsFTW

I would be happy to make the playoffs, Beat the smurfs, Draft Domi, Cut dead weight in the summer and dont bring any more in (Conolllolly, Armstrong) and let these kids keep getting better.

Well, he does state that it's a blind man's scouting report.
- Feeling Glucky?

Read the rest of the blog for clarification.