Gillis is not going to hand Bieksa over to Nonis on a silver platter. it just doesn't work that way.
- scotch_tape

Rielly, Gunnarsson, and Frattin for Bieska and Booth.

somebody is thinking....

I'm not sure what the love-in with 6.6M Statsny is... don't see much upside there over either Grabovski or Bozak. And how much is Statsny going to be looking for when its time to resign at the end of 2014... not Bozak or Grabo money that's for sure.

Everything everyone criticizes Bozak and Grabo for Statsny has as well... not very big, and in his case declining stats.

Move Grabo, or if necssary buy him out. Move Liles, of if necessary buy him out. Komisarek is a definite goner one way or the other.

Sign Clarkson, or Clowe or Horton.
Sign Boyd Gordon or Matt Hendricks
Move Gunnarson, and perhaps him in combination with Grabo for a minute munching more robust D man.

Leave a bit of cap room in case someone attractive is bought out by other teams (no I don't mean Luongo).
- BorjeFan4Ever

Clowe or Clarkson, sure. Not really interested in Horton. He's one headshot away from earning a seat at the Lindros family table.

Rielly, Gunnarsson, and Frattin for Bieska and Booth.
- The Shrike

I think the Leafs would have to add in the 21st pick for that to be fair.

Clowe or Clarkson, sure. Not really interested in Horton. He's one headshot away from earning a seat at the Lindros family table.
- BetterCallSaul

Clarkson definitely, of those three.

Boyd Gordon would be a nice addition too, like McClement an under the radar, quality, specialist signing. If we had him and Bozak in the line up we'd have the top two penalty killing face off guys in the league from 2013-14.

I think the Leafs would have to add in the 21st pick for that to be fair.
- BetterCallSaul

You bugger Gillis, haven't they pushed you out the door yet.

somebody is thinking....

I'm not sure what the love-in with 6.6M Statsny is... don't see much upside there over either Grabovski or Bozak. And how much is Statsny going to be looking for when its time to resign at the end of 2014... not Bozak or Grabo money that's for sure.

Everything everyone criticizes Bozak and Grabo for Statsny has as well... not very big, and in his case declining stats.

Move Grabo, or if necssary buy him out. Move Liles, of if necessary buy him out. Komisarek is a definite goner one way or the other.

Sign Clarkson, or Clowe or Horton.
Sign Boyd Gordon or Matt Hendricks
Move Gunnarson, and perhaps him in combination with Grabo for a minute munching more robust D man.

Leave a bit of cap room in case someone attractive is bought out by other teams (no I don't mean Luongo).
- BorjeFan4Ever

The idea of Stastny is getting stronger down the middle. Which is why the idea of buying out Grabovski is so ridiculous. They need more guys, not to buy out the ones they have. There isn't much available this summer, so if they're going to improve, it's going to have to be by trade, and Stastny is a guy they wouldn't have to give up much for, because of salary.

Basically, what you've posted is that you'd like to get rid of a top 6 player, where they're short already, and replace him with a bunch of plugs.

The idea of Stastny is getting stronger down the middle. Which is why the idea of buying out Grabovski is so ridiculous. They need more guys, not to buy out the ones they have. There isn't much available this summer, so if they're going to improve, it's going to have to be by trade, and Stastny is a guy they wouldn't have to give up much for, because of salary.

Basically, what you've posted is that you'd like to get rid of a top 6 player, where they're short already, and replace him with a bunch of plugs.
- Dirte

Stastny isn't what we need. We need someone with size and faceoff ability. If Bozak was 3 inches taller, it wouldn't be an issue. We're not strong up the middle and it cost us a playoff round. Weiss is a viable alternative to Grabovski and resigning Bozak is also important. We need to forget about another smallish center, with a big ticket, and start building with bigger and stronger forwards.

Stastny isn't what we need. We need someone with size and faceoff ability. If Bozak was 3 inches taller, it wouldn't be an issue. We're not strong up the middle and it cost us a playoff round. Weiss is a viable alternative to Grabovski and resigning Bozak is also important. We need to forget about another smallish center, with a big ticket, and start building with bigger and stronger forwards.
- PrinceLH

Weiss sucks. Further, the idea that the Leafs need to get bigger down the middle, and getting rid of Grabs and signing Weiss instead is retarded. Have you ever seen Weiss play? He's Matt Stajan v2. A strong gust of wind blows him over. Grabovski is a much tougher player to play against.

Stastny isn't what we need. We need someone with size and faceoff ability. If Bozak was 3 inches taller, it wouldn't be an issue. We're not strong up the middle and it cost us a playoff round. Weiss is a viable alternative to Grabovski and resigning Bozak is also important. We need to forget about another smallish center, with a big ticket, and start building with bigger and stronger forwards.
- PrinceLH

I think Grabo gets another year to show what he has

I think Grabo gets another year to show what he has
- Yeti1181

hmm. and when it's learned that he has a vagina, then what?

hmm. and when it's learned that he has a vagina, then what?
- scotch_tape

Buy him out

I think Grabo gets another year to show what he has
- Yeti1181

That's definitely possible.

With another year to buy certain guys out, it's possible he gets another year to turn the ship around, yet it'd mean Bozak walks. As long as Kessel isn't soured on resigning by losing a buddy of his it's not exactly the end of the world.

I still think that Colborne and Kadri will eventually become the future, it just requires a certain degree of patience.

hmm. and when it's learned that he has a vagina, then what?
- scotch_tape

Then you could no longer be attracted to him

Then you could no longer be attracted to him
- lumlums

True story

That's definitely possible.

With another year to buy certain guys out, it's possible he gets another year to turn the ship around, yet it'd mean Bozak walks. As long as Kessel isn't soured on resigning by losing a buddy of his it's not exactly the end of the world.

I still think that Colborne and Kadri will eventually become the future, it just requires a certain degree of patience.
- AngryWhiteMale

I like bozak but chances are he's going to try for more than he's worth. If he sign for 3 mill 4. Years I'd be ecstatic

hmm. and when it's learned that he has a vagina, then what?
- scotch_tape

I think it's worth keeping him around just to watch the Habs lose their marbles every time they see him, and take (unsuccessful) runs at him.

REalistically, he's a pretty good player. Defensively responsible, can put up points, pretty damn tough, never quits. I'd be more than happy to keep him around. In fact, I think it's silly that these guys are talking about buying him out, after putting up 50 to 60 points the last few years, other than this shortened year.

I like bozak but chances are he's going to try for more than he's worth. If he sign for 3 mill 4. Years I'd be ecstatic
- Yeti1181

I'd rather give a reverse deal.

3 years @ 4m per.

We'll really only need him for 3 more years. By that time, Kadri and Colborne should be ready to assume a lot of the centreman duties.

If this deal can be struck: see about finding Grabs a new home. The trouble is that the buyout window is a couple days long, leading directly up to the draft, so it's a big crunch that this needs to be done.

We're not in a bad situation cap-wise, but there's a big difference between a good and a great cap situation, something Nonis needs to make paramount as it'll dissappear quickly

I think it's worth keeping him around just to watch the Habs lose their marbles every time they see him, and take (unsuccessful) runs at him.

REalistically, he's a pretty good player. Defensively responsible, can put up points, pretty damn tough, never quits. I'd be more than happy to keep him around. In fact, I think it's silly that these guys are talking about buying him out, after putting up 50 to 60 points the last few years, other than this shortened year.
- Dirte

5.5m per for a guy entering his 30s isn't practical.

Rielly, Gunnarsson, and Frattin for Bieska and Booth.
- The Shrike

I'd rather give a reverse deal.

3 years @ 4m per.

We'll really only need him for 3 more years. By that time, Kadri and Colborne should be ready to assume a lot of the centreman duties.

If this deal can be struck: see about finding Grabs a new home. The trouble is that the buyout window is a couple days long, leading directly up to the draft, so it's a big crunch that this needs to be done.

We're not in a bad situation cap-wise, but there's a big difference between a good and a great cap situation, something Nonis needs to make paramount as it'll dissappear quickly
- AngryWhiteMale

Fair enough I see your point but we also have next year to do buyouts. I think we have some surprise buyouts this year.

Weiss sucks. Further, the idea that the Leafs need to get bigger down the middle, and getting rid of Grabs and signing Weiss instead is retarded. Have you ever seen Weiss play? He's Matt Stajan v2. A strong gust of wind blows him over. Grabovski is a much tougher player to play against.
- Dirte

Except when he floats and goes -10 in the playoffs. And scores no goals for 20 something games leading to that point.

Except when he floats and goes -10 in the playoffs. And scores no goals for 20 something games leading to that point.
- Viktory

Again, Weiss sucks.

So, in the last 3 years, how many times has he gone without a goal for 20 games? Didn't Kessel do that a couple of years ago? Should have dumped him that year, right?

I don't get why some Leaf fans are so quick to dump on players. The guy has been good for the Leafs for 2 years, he slumps for half of a shortened season, and a bunch of fools are frothing at the mouth to get rid of him, despite there not being any decent alternatives. And again, Weiss sucks. He's not a decent alternative, he's crap compared to Grabovski.

Get rid of him, and replace him (on the second line) with Boyd (frank)ing Gordon? Good lord people, pull your head out of your ass.

Again, Weiss sucks.

So, in the last 3 years, how many times has he gone without a goal for 20 games? Didn't Kessel do that a couple of years ago? Should have dumped him that year, right?

I don't get why some Leaf fans are so quick to dump on players. The guy has been good for the Leafs for 2 years, he slumps for half of a shortened season, and a bunch of fools are frothing at the mouth to get rid of him, despite there not being any decent alternatives. And again, Weiss sucks. He's not a decent alternative, he's crap compared to Grabovski.

Get rid of him, and replace him (on the second line) with Boyd (frank)ing Gordon? Good lord people, pull your head out of your ass.
- Dirte

It's the stupidity that unites us all

All the Grabs talk aside, I really do think that there's a chance Nonis moves Dion.

I just think that Nonis won't be afraid to really clean up what parts of BB's work that he didn't approve of.

I'd like a guy like Bieksa back there, and wouldn't mind seeing something along the lines of a Dion & Grabs(maybe Ashton and a 2nd too) for Bieksa and Kesler. There may still be a lot of work for Nonis to do in order to pull this off, but I think it'd be awsome.

We could also look at a guy like Hedman or Kulikov out of the two FLA teams. I'm sure Dion's wife would like life down south.

Also, would Eriksson and Robidas for Dion be appealing?

no - of course I was just kidding.

Howard's blog are always so packed full of facts, fun and fantasy...

or something like that
- BorjeFan4Ever

I'm drunk... what did you expect?