I've always had Orr penciled in too. RC played him, not McLaren, in the playoffs so I'm not sure why we ever doubted he'd be re-signed. McLaren will be back too.
- The Law

agreed. carlyle likes a tough as steel 4th line. plain and simple

Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs should look back on the Blackhawks salary cap situation and learn from it. The Blackhawks kept and overvalued Dave Bolland and traded/undersold Andrew Ladd. The Leafs need to figure out how much they want to spend on their centers. Mikhail Grabovksi is paid like a top center at $5.5 million and Tyler Bozak could demand that much. RFA Nazem Kadri will be looking for a big raise as well. The Leafs may not be able to afford both Grabovski and Bozak, so one may have to go. Compliance buyouts may lead to Brad Richards or Vincent Lecavalier becoming free agents and better bargains.

If only Kulemin could learn to be nasty...
- Colin Dambrauskas

thats a guy i'd look into moving honestly

I've always had Orr penciled in too. RC played him, not McLaren, in the playoffs so I'm not sure why we ever doubted he'd be re-signed. McLaren will be back too.
- The Law

McLaren was big and could fight, but he wasnt really "feared" on the ice...he wasnt nasty like Orr can be. Didnt get in guys faces all that much or be a sheit disturber.

And I'd even go as far as signing Brendan Morrow for our checking line. Leadership and grit, and I'm sure neither will be too expensive at these points in their careers.
- ThePresident

He's not worth more than $1.5-2M at this point. Looks quite slow but is a very good character to have. I wish we could re-sign him for cheap.

And Malkin's not really getting more than Crosby - Crosby's contract has the back diving years.

Next 8 years - Crosby $86milly; Malkin $76milly

thats a guy i'd look into moving honestly
- Dozzer

Hes really come down in his game....really liked what he brought a few seasons ago and hes just been invisible since

Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs should look back on the Blackhawks salary cap situation and learn from it. The Blackhawks kept and overvalued Dave Bolland and traded/undersold Andrew Ladd. The Leafs need to figure out how much they want to spend on their centers. Mikhail Grabovksi is paid like a top center at $5.5 million and Tyler Bozak could demand that much. RFA Nazem Kadri will be looking for a big raise as well. The Leafs may not be able to afford both Grabovski and Bozak, so one may have to go. Compliance buyouts may lead to Brad Richards or Vincent Lecavalier becoming free agents and better bargains.
- Mapleleafs_91

Expendable,with the wingers Toronto has any body playing between Lupal and Kessel will look as good

To be honest it looked as if Boston just woke up ,not to take away from how Toronto played but boston when they are on are just that good.No shame in losing to them really
- top shelf 15

I believe that Carlyle may be one of the best coaches in the league right now.

The difference between the way we played the Bruins and the way everyone else has tried is coaching.

Carlyle was in Julien's head all series and he worked the line matching against him. Not to mention that they went at Chara all series.

Anyway....that was a simple question. We have at least 4 very good D prospects almost ready.

Why couldn't you beat the Bruins?
- Orpik44

Put up a better fight than you guys.

You can say that Malkin's "ticket" is higher than Crosby's but in hine-sight it is not.

They're reporting Malkin's 9.5 cap hit is close to even across the 8 years. Let's take a guess and say:

10, 10, 10, 10, 9, 9, 9, 9 = 76

Crosby is starting his new deal next season that he signed last year. 12 years, 104.4 million for an 8.7 cap hit. But have you seen the structure?

12, 12, 12, 10.9, 10.9, 10, 9, 9.6, 9, 3, 3, 3 = 104.4

95.4 over the first 9 years with the last 3 years being bulls-hit

SO! Knock the 9th year off Crosby's deal and his deal becomes a 8 year, 86.4 million dollar deal with a 10.8m cap hit.


With the new CBA, GMs have no choice but to take a higher caphit. Same thing happened with Perry and Getzlaf

I believe that Carlyle may be one of the best coaches in the league right now.

The difference between the way we played the Bruins and the way everyone else has tried is coaching.

Carlyle was in Julien's head all series and he worked the line matching against him. Not to mention that they went at Chara all series.
- Leeman4Gilmour

I knew it right from the day they hired him ,he was a perfect fit for a somewhat underachieving club.

agreed. carlyle likes a tough as steel 4th line. plain and simple
- Dozzer

Yessir ....plus you get to have a few guys sit in the press box every night. So there's still room for some 4th line skill guys to work into the lineup on some nights. Orr and McLaren give RC options.

Put up a better fight than you guys.
- Feeling Glucky?

What may have transpired had the Leafs knocked out the Bruins....ton ton tooooon

Hearing that if Brad Richards gets bought out, he could be had for 3m per season. I'm not a big fan of the guy, but definitely a better option then both Bozak and Grabovski based off of price alone.

Hes really come down in his game....really liked what he brought a few seasons ago and hes just been invisible since
- Colin Dambrauskas

He'd be a good winger for a star centre. strong along the boards and would get more room because the star player would draw the attention

look how he did in the KHL with malkin as his centre for example

Yessir ....plus you get to have a few guys sit in the press box every night. So there's still room for some 4th line skill guys to work into the lineup on some nights. Orr and McLaren give RC options.
- The Law

yeah.. sometimes you dont need to ice two tough guys.. depends on who you are facing

McLaren was big and could fight, but he wasnt really "feared" on the ice...he wasnt nasty like Orr can be. Didnt get in guys faces all that much or be a sheit disturber.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Not as nasty and eager but his hands might be heavier. Both are good options at the bottom of the lineup - 4th line/pressbox.

Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs should look back on the Blackhawks salary cap situation and learn from it. The Blackhawks kept and overvalued Dave Bolland and traded/undersold Andrew Ladd. The Leafs need to figure out how much they want to spend on their centers. Mikhail Grabovksi is paid like a top center at $5.5 million and Tyler Bozak could demand that much. RFA Nazem Kadri will be looking for a big raise as well. The Leafs may not be able to afford both Grabovski and Bozak, so one may have to go. Compliance buyouts may lead to Brad Richards or Vincent Lecavalier becoming free agents and better bargains.
- Mapleleafs_91

I don't think Nonis is crazy about buying out Grabo this off-season (maybe next year), but if a big name comes available, he might just do it.

It would be hard to justify keeping Grabo at 5.5 if you could get Richards or Vinny for less.

Yep ,He sells tickets and keeps the team in the playoff hunt .he aleardy makes what 5 mil per so 2 more wont matter
- top shelf 15

Leafs could replace Kessel with a jellyfish and still sell just as many tickets.

Put up a better fight than you guys.
- Feeling Glucky?

You guys have a serious problem. I came here to praise the Leafs and all I see is bitterness. The next thing I'm gonna hear is that if Boston beats Chicago so Toronto is probably the 2nd or 3rd best team in the NHL.

yeah.. sometimes you dont need to ice two tough guys.. depends on who you are facing
- Dozzer

Montreal??

To be honest it looked as if Boston just woke up ,not to take away from how Toronto played but boston when they are on are just that good.No shame in losing to them really
- top shelf 15

no doubt about it.. boston is playing better now then they did vs the leafs.
the also played better vs the pens then they did vs rangers

as playoffs go on, the level of play picks up. nature of the beast.

He'd be a good winger for a star centre. strong along the boards and would get more room because the star player would draw the attention

look how he did in the KHL with malkin as his centre for example
- Dozzer

well...to be fair....I could do quite well with Malkin as my center as well...

Leafs could replace Kessel with a jellyfish and still sell just as many tickets.
- robin_steele264

Yeah thats right but jersey sales ,and overall team preformance really hinges on him