Kessel is still quite young. And just because he's doing good work with Bozak there doesn't mean that he won't do better with more skill. Bozak has been okay at best in that role, however there's no doubt that Kessel could put up more points even with a guy like Filpulla.
- iTOLDu

Sorry man I will disagree. IMO a bigger point producer would take some of those Kessel points away.

And to be completely honest I am totally shocked that Phil Kessel is a top 10 producing NHLer. It would be really interesting to see what he could get on the open market bc you'd think a top 10 would get you a poopload.

Sorry man I will disagree. IMO a bigger point producer would take some of those Kessel points away.

And to be completely honest I am totally shocked that Phil Kessel is a top 10 producing NHLer. It would be really interesting to see what he could get on the open market bc you'd think a top 10 would get you a poopload.
- honesthockey

Either way, if nonis has the same situation on his hands next summer with kessel and or phaneuf that he's in now with bozak, things are being done wrong. Playoff run or not, This franchise has built up to much to allow two of its most valuable assets to go the way of parise. Reasonable extensions in signed well ahead of next deadline, or shopped for packages.. In my opinion. No excuses.

The loss of Komarov is insurmountable. I can't see how the Leafs will succeed after the loss of a 3rd/4th line forward.


We should probably just give up on next season.

McDavid here we come.


Or maybe they'll put the 1.4 M he's making in Russia now(tax free, so more like 2+ M) to one of the 150 odd forwards better than him.

The loss of Komarov is insurmountable. I can't see how the Leafs will succeed after the loss of a 3rd/4th line forward.


We should probably just give up on next season.

McDavid here we come.


Or maybe they'll put the 1.4 M he's making in Russia now(tax free, so more like 2+ M) to one of the 150 odd forwards better than him.
- Feeling Glucky?

The loss of Komarov is insurmountable. I can't see how the Leafs will succeed after the loss of a 3rd/4th line forward.


We should probably just give up on next season.

McDavid here we come.


Or maybe they'll put the 1.4 M he's making in Russia now(tax free, so more like 2+ M) to one of the 150 odd forwards better than him.
- Feeling Glucky?

There definitely isn't 150 NHL forwards who play the third/fourth line crash bang type of hockey better than komorov.

His type of player isn't hard to find. Finding players who do it better than him might be. All depends how much weight one puts on that need I guess.

I've decided to re-sign Bozak, buy out Grabbo & Komo, trade Liles for a 7th oick. Kadri will be our 2nd line center. Now the Leafs have some more cap room for July 1st to sign some big wingers & a good veteran d-man to help take the load of Dion. Aswell, trade Scrivens & sign a veteran backup. An 82 game season is a HELL of alot longer than 48. Reimer will need an experienced back-up. OK DONE, Leafs are good to go for 2013-2014.
- GCHonda

Good job, GC. Don't forget the Leafs have Drew MacIntyre too. He did well this year and might be able to back up Reimer. Find out what Grabbo's medical status is before you buy him out though.

This is bang on.

The situation in Toronto has grossly elevated his value to the open market. His agent obviously has him primed to the idea that said situation is going to land him his career contract. Ideally, he'd take his 3 year 3 mil a season contract, and embrace playing third line center in Toronto, where he obviously has a good fit. If the real #1 center isn't found, or injury hit.. He still has the opportunity to break in top 6 minutes in Toronto, and prove he's more than a stop gap. He takes his 5 mil a season deal on the open market, and he'll be ville leino in a year. Well off money wise, but about to be unemployed.

To flip grabovski away now for nothing after a 48 game season is foolish.
- joel878

Well put. Can you handle Bozak's contract negotiation? Good deal if you can get him at 3 milly. I have a feeling he'll want more. If he gets more than 3.5 or 4 mil I think he's overpaid. Just my opinion.

The loss of Komarov is insurmountable. I can't see how the Leafs will succeed after the loss of a 3rd/4th line forward.


We should probably just give up on next season.

McDavid here we come.


Or maybe they'll put the 1.4 M he's making in Russia now(tax free, so more like 2+ M) to one of the 150 odd forwards better than him.
- Feeling Glucky?

Why so cynical young man? The glass is only half empty.

Well put. Can you handle Bozak's contract negotiation? Good deal if you can get him at 3 milly. I have a feeling he'll want more. If he gets more than 3.5 or 4 mil I think he's overpaid. Just my opinion.
- TML60

the pressure for a higher contract number no doubt is based on Grabo getting 5.5

I like Grabo, mainly because he gives you whatever he has almost all the time.

but he his overpaid by at least 1M (in my opinion) - if he were making 4.0 - 4.5 - then Bozak would likely ask for roughly the same money.

frankly its an insult to Bozak to offer him anything less than 4.0 - because of the Grabovski contract... and that's why, after much debate, if you want to hang on to Bozak (and I think the Leafs should because he's way more valuable to the Leafs than Grabovski), he should be offer 4.0 - 4.5 for a minimum of 3 and likely 4 years.
and then move Grabovski out (don't throw him away) dealing him to a team like the Devils or Nashville - who need offense - and will see roster turn over this season.

but don't turn around and sign guys like Ribero or Roy. they are "tweeners" with attitude.. and while they may be better in some singular aspect of the game, they aren't better for the Leafs than Bozak.

Sorry man I will disagree. IMO a bigger point producer would take some of those Kessel points away.

And to be completely honest I am totally shocked that Phil Kessel is a top 10 producing NHLer. It would be really interesting to see what he could get on the open market bc you'd think a top 10 would get you a poopload.
- honesthockey

While I'm not shocked about Kessel's output, I am COMPLETELY in agreement with a different center impacting Kessel's point output. Bozak compliments him well because largely he does the dirty non-glamorous stuff.

And yes Komarov will be missed.