It's a tough spot to be in. The Leafs appear to be on the verge of competing for in the playoffs again, but are clearly short that extra "Ommf!".

Having a real impact first pairing defense man for Phaneuf is critical. This should be at the top of the list of needs. This is where we need to either offer-sheet or trade.

Clarkson would be a great upgrade to our current roster. If Horton was available, it would be doubly amazing. As for as upgrading the center position I believe we have options here that should be sufficient if we fill up other areas in the lineup.

Goaltending is the biggest question mark. Do you stay with the Riemer/Scrivens tandem? Hire help from a Veteran? Or do you trade for a proven starter?
- A_Tree

I think Clarkson would do a lot more good for us then Horton.
I would love to see either in a Leaf uniform, Clowe as well, but more-so Clarkson for me. Inquiring about Miller and Smith/Backstrom could also be an interesting idea. Reimer needs a good back-up for when his fire burns out.
Bogosian, (Douglas) Murray, Scuderi and Yandle could be viable options for defense.

Bozak had a torn oblique. Remember how effective Steckel was on the draw once injured.

Bozak may not be a great answer but hes better than no answer, which is exactly what Kadri-Grabo-Colborne would be.

Worst group of centers in the NHL.
- Blazed

This is the somewhat depressing truth Leafs fans need to hear.

We need Bozak more than we'd like to admit. Whatever it is, he just seems to fit for some reason.

Grabovski might have played... ummm... "well" in the playoffs (if that's what you call 2 points in 7 games with a minus-10), but he doesn't seem to have a clear spot on this team even if he picks up his game. And if he doesn't, his salary makes him a complete disaster.

I don't think you necessarily NEED that big-time, elite centerman to compete. But if not, then you do need a) depth at center, and b) excellent wingers, at least 2 with size.

Kadri-Grabo-Colborne is not going to cut it. Keep Bozak, and take Grabo's money to upgrade a winger and defenseman. Colborne isn't a checking center and neither is Grabo. Boyd Gordon is.

I prefer bozak. but without him we definitely need a Gordon....

Gordon, Kulemin or Komarov, Mclement line would be a sick shutdown line... with two centers in case one gets kicked out....

I like Kadri with Kessel and Lups because Carlyle likes to matchup anyway so he could have them against a non scoring threat line

If were stuck with Grabo he could play between JVR and hopefully a FA like Clarkson, this would be a good 2nd line matchup line..... lots of grit

Its time to give Colborne a shot so one of Grabo or Bozak has to go...

I prefer bozak. but without him we definitely need a Gordon....

Gordon, Kulemin or Komarov, Mclement line would be a sick shutdown line... with two centers in case one gets kicked out....

I like Kadri with Kessel and Lups because Carlyle likes to matchup anyway so he could have them against a non scoring threat line

If were stuck with Grabo he could play between JVR and hopefully a FA like Clarkson, this would be a good 2nd line matchup line..... lots of grit

Its time to give Colborne a shot so one of Grabo or Bozak has to go...
- jribout

That would mean a top 6/bottom 6 line-up, one that Carlyle's always been a fan of and probably the difference between a 4-1 shutdown win vs. a 5-4 collapse.

I'd keep Bozak; our top line is really in no need of help scoring, no matter who's on the wing (Lupul, JVR, Kessel). This would free the top 2 lines to score and leave the bottom lines to matchup/shutdown the opposition's scoring lines.

Having said that, I think Grabovski's still a better center than Colborne.

Where I'm seeing a gap is on the wing: if MacArthur's gone, who's rounding out our top 6 wingers? Kulemin and Frattin? I like both of those guys on the 3rd line, especially Kulemin; he's a horse out there on defense.

Mike Augello: Buyout Banter(Part I: Northeast and Atlantic Divisions)
- mikeinbuffalo

oh man my daughter is not diggin' my hard rock/metal tunes

ok my sing alone suckz but will only get worst as my drinking progresses.

just one of those loud metal / hard rock n roll no it NO QUARTER >>>

"No Quarter"


Close the door, put out the light.
You know they won't be home tonight.
The snow falls hard and don't you know?
The winds of Thor are blowing cold.
They're wearing steel that's bright and true
They carry news that must get through.

They choose the path where no-one goes.

They hold no quarter.

Walking side by side with death, The devil mocks their every step
The snow drives back the foot that's slow, The dogs of doom are howling more
They carry news that must get through, To build a dream for me and you

They choose the path where no-one goes.

They hold no quarter. They ask no quarter.
The pain, the pain without quarter.
They ask no quarter.
The dogs of doom are howling more!

That would mean a top 6/bottom 6 line-up, one that Carlyle's always been a fan of and probably the difference between a 4-1 shutdown win vs. a 5-4 collapse.

I'd keep Bozak; our top line is really in no need of help scoring, no matter who's on the wing (Lupul, JVR, Kessel). This would free the top 2 lines to score and leave the bottom lines to matchup/shutdown the opposition's scoring lines.

Having said that, I think Grabovski's still a better center than Colborne.

Where I'm seeing a gap is on the wing: if MacArthur's gone, who's rounding out our top 6 wingers? Kulemin and Frattin? I like both of those guys on the 3rd line, especially Kulemin; he's a horse out there on defense.
- gravyface

if philli buys out briere should the leafs try to sign him?

Gardiner for Crosby straight up.

Wouldn't it be smarter to buy out Grabbo & Liles since they have longer deals? Komo has 1 year remaining. Suck it up, stick him with the Marlies next season. Unless of course one of the 29 other GM's is willing to take Liles for a 7th pick than of course it would be Komo that would be bought out. But regardless, first one to be bought out MUST be Grabbo.

Gardiner for Crosby straight up.
- honesthockey

So your saying Pitts believes Gardiner is the next Bobby Orr?

"Cowboy"


Cowboy...Cowboy

Well I'm packing up my game and I'm a head out west
Where real women come equipped with scripts and fake breasts
Find a nest in the hills chill like Flynt
Buy an old drop top find a spot to pimp
And I'm a Kid Rock it up and down your block
With a bottle of scotch and watch lots of crotch
Buy a yacht with a flag sayin' chilling the most
Then rock that female dog up and down the coast
Give a toast to the sun, drink with the stars
Get thrown in the mix and tossed out of bars
Then to Tijuana... I wanna roam
Find Motown and tell them fools to come back home
Start an escort service, for all the right reasons
And set up shop at the top of four seasons
Kid Rock and I'm the real McCoy
And I'm headin' out west sucker...because I wanna be a

Cowboy baby
With the top let back and the sunshine shining
Cowboy baby
West coast chilling with the Boone's Wine
I wanna be a Cowboy baby
Riding at night cause I sleep all day
Cowboy baby
I can smell a pig from a mile away

I bet you'll hear my whistle blowing when my train rolls in
It goes (whistle) like dust in the wind
Stoned pimp, stoned freak, stoned out of my mind
I once was lost, but now I'm just blind
Palm trees and weeds, scabbed knees and rice
Get a map to the stars, find Heidi Fleiss
And if the price is right I'm gonna make my bid boy
And let Cali-for-ny-aye know why they call me

Cowboy baby
With the top let back and the sunshine shining
Cowboy baby
West coast chilling with the Boone's Wine
I wanna be a Cowboy baby
Riding at night cause I sleep all day
Cowboy baby
I can smell a pig from a mile away

Yeah...Kid Rock...you can call me Tex
Rollin sunset woman with a bottle of Becks
Seen a slimy in a vette, rolled down my glass
And said, Yeah this Richard fits right in your ass
No kidding, gun slinging, spurs hitting the floor
Call me Hoss, I'm the Boss, with the sauce in the horse
No remorse for the sheriff, in his eye I ain't right
I'm gonna paint his town red, and paint his wife white HUH
Cause chaos, rock like Amadeus
Find West Coast wussy for my Detroit players
Mack like mayors, ball like Lakers
They told us to leave, but bet they can't make us
Why they wanna pick on me...lock me up and snort away my key
I ain't no G, I'm just a regular failure
I ain't straight outta Compton I'm straight out the trailer
Cuss like a sailor...drink like a Mick
My only words of wisdom are just, Radio Edit
I'm flicking my Bic up and down that coast and
Keep on trucking until it falls in the ocean

Cowboy
With the top let back and the sunshine shining
Cowboy
Spend all my time at Hollywood and Vine
Cowboy
Riding at night cause I sleep all day
Cowboy
I can smell a pig from a mile away
Cowboy
With the top let back and the sunshine shining
Cowboy
With the top let back and the sunshine shining
Cowboy
Hollywood and Vine

Gardiner and Bozak's rights for Crosby and Malkin straight up.
- honesthockey

Fixed

So your saying Pitts believes Gardiner is the next Bobby Orr?
- GCHonda

Bobby Orr couldn't carry his cup.

if philli buys out briere should the leafs try to sign him?
- dmnted

Why, to center the 4th line with Orr & Fraser? Cause that's the only players on the Leafs Briere might be able to keep up with.

Gardiner for MALKIN straight up.
- honesthockey

Bobby Orr couldn't carry his cup.
- honesthockey

Yes you are right, Bobby Orr carried the Stanley Cup twice.

I wish the Leafs could land Bogosian in a trade. Such a beaut.
- Unholy_Forward

Right or left shooting d?
Edit nevermind googled it. Could be perfect partner for dion

Wouldn't it be smarter to buy out Grabbo & Liles since they have longer deals? Komo has 1 year remaining. Suck it up, stick him with the Marlies next season. Unless of course one of the 29 other GM's is willing to take Liles for a 7th pick than of course it would be Komo that would be bought out. But regardless, first one to be bought out MUST be Grabbo.
- GCHonda

Why grabbo he's had a bad half a year playing a defensive position where he's more offensive player. He was playing in the wrong place that's not him that's on Randy

Why grabbo he's had a bad half a year playing a defensive position where he's more offensive player. He was playing in the wrong place that's not him that's on Randy
- Yeti1181

dmented... stoned, drunk, or both?

dmented... stoned, drunk, or both?
- Tee-Dot

None sleepy

dmented... stoned, drunk, or both?
- Tee-Dot

If we do not want Bozak back then may as well save the buyouts.......

Why grabbo he's had a bad half a year playing a defensive position where he's more offensive player. He was playing in the wrong place that's not him that's on Randy
- Yeti1181

Your still not fed up with his yearly erratic, inconsistent play? Geez I got fed up with him the year Burke re-signed him. Burke should have not only NOT have re-signed him, he should have been dealt at that years deadline. Not like the Leafs were gonna make the playoffs. What the fuk Burkie? What the fuk?

If we do not want Bozak back then may as well save the buyouts.......
- jribout

Agreed and bozak is going to want more money that the leafs are willing to pay most likely

Your still not fed up with his yearly erratic, inconsistent play? Geez I got fed up with him the year Burke re-signed him. Burke should have not only NOT have re-signed him, he should have been dealt at that years deadline. Not like the Leafs were gonna make the playoffs. What the fuk Burkie? What the fuk?
- GCHonda

He also a hard worker and spark plug for this team his numbers aren't great but I'd give him at least another full year before we buy him out

He also a hard worker and spark plug for this team his numbers aren't great but I'd give him at least another full year before we buy him out
- Yeti1181

He's not a rookie, what u see is what u get.