I have a feeling Clarkson will be this years Leino. He'll be paid a lot more than he's worth.
- Captain_Quiffe

its possible... but Clarkson and Leino are different players... .I don't think anyone who wants Clarkson or possibly Clowe in Toronto would expect them to score 30+ goals, kill penalties and generally do everything... which is what they expected from Leino in Buffalo.

Well he did get a Selke nomination

Maybe it does make our 1st line better, but I still don't think Grabovski is a 1C. I think if you are to replace Bozak it's with Kadri. And until Clarkson actually signs with us, you can't make that argument. We've had 4 seasons of Grabo and Kessel and it never worked, chemistry is real, and it isn't there for those two.
- Boosinicka

never played together as a regular line 5-on-5.

I also just don't like Lupul-Kadri-Kessel.

all your eggs in 1 basket, and terrible defensively.
But I want Kadri and Lupul together.

I have a feeling Clarkson will be this years Leino. He'll be paid a lot more than he's worth.
- Captain_Quiffe

career paths say that's not any kind of possibility.

Clarkson didn't have a "good playoffs" or half a good season.

HE's been on a relatively upward trajectory since entering the league, except he was set back by a broken leg halfway through 09-10, and as a result could train that summer and wasn't prepared for 10-11 season, hence the drop off.

since the gang seems set on Kadri and a FA for the top two lines, is it a better choice to go Filipula or Weiss (please don't mentioned Ribeiro again)?

there's no way to fit Stastny under the Leafs cap unless Grabovski/Liles go the other way... and my guess is Colorado has zero interest in another 5M+ center at this point.
- BorjeFan4Ever

I don't think Filipula has as much success outside of Detroit. I'm personally one of those who would rather Bozak of Weiss. What about Briere?

Stastny, always Stastny with the Leafs I think he would be a great fit, and certaintly don't think it would take Phaneuf to get him, jesus. Would say it's Leafs best option for sure.

Ribeiro is the best option. Most consistent, most productive, and will probably be the best value when all is said and done.


This may change based on buyouts.
- Feeling Glucky?

I sure hope someone gets bought out!

its possible... but Clarkson and Leino are different players... .I don't think anyone who wants Clarkson or possibly Clowe in Toronto would expect them to score 30+ goals, kill penalties and generally do everything... which is what they expected from Leino in Buffalo.
- BorjeFan4Ever

I'm not referring to type of player.. I just think he'll get way more money than what he's worth. Think of all the teams in the East alone that could use him.

never played together as a regular line 5-on-5.

I also just don't like Lupul-Kadri-Kessel.

all your eggs in 1 basket, and terrible defensively.
But I want Kadri and Lupul together.
- Big_Lightnin

I don't think Filipula has as much success outside of Detroit. I'm personally one of those who would rather Bozak of Weiss. What about Briere?

Stastny, always Stastny with the Leafs I think he would be a great fit, and certaintly don't think it would take Phaneuf to get him, jesus. Would say it's Leafs best option for sure.
- Boosinicka

I want Kadri and 1 other guy of those mentioned next year. No point having 3 guys who are all essentially 2nd line centers. 2 is plenty. If Bozak signs for 2 yrs at $3.5M per then fine, but then they should move Grabo.

Or if they sign Weiss or trade for Stastny, still have to move Grabo. Not a good fit on 3rd line and makes too much, plus a wasted asset.

Grabo has no chemistry with ANYONE
- PinkSock

I think Grabo would do well with the Kostitsyn Bros on his Wings, now that's chemistry!

I'm not referring to type of player.. I just think he'll get way more money than what he's worth. Think of all the teams in the East alone that could use him.
- Captain_Quiffe

I'm thinking that if he's leaving NJ, it's either to come to Toronto or for an assload of money.

but I think he'd come to TO for $5M per, and I don't think that's a real overpayment.

$4-4.5M would be better, but not happening. He's UFA.

I want Kadri and 1 other guy of those mentioned next year. No point having 3 guys who are all essentially 2nd line centers. 2 is plenty. If Bozak signs for 2 yrs at $3.5M per then fine, but then they should move Grabo.

Or if they sign Weiss or trade for Stastny, still have to move Grabo. Not a good fit on 3rd line and makes too much, plus a wasted asset.
- Big_Lightnin

with the required RFA signings that Nonis has to do, Kadri, Franson, Gunnarson, etc...
there's no way to fit Stastny's ticket under the CAP Grabovski CAP goes the other way, which I doubt the Avalanche woudl ahve any interest in .

never played together as a regular line 5-on-5.

I also just don't like Lupul-Kadri-Kessel.

all your eggs in 1 basket, and terrible defensively.
But I want Kadri and Lupul together.
- Big_Lightnin

They have, not very often but they have. Either way Carlyle will do what he wants. I don't think kadri is putting all of our eggs in 1 basket, we've wanted him to be our 1C for years now and he's looking capable of it now. Kessel and Lups have been very good defensively actually, I don't think that line is as fragile as you think. Faceoffs concern me for it tho, thats about it.

I'm thinking that if he's leaving NJ, it's either to come to Toronto or for an assload of money.

but I think he'd come to TO for $5M per, and I don't think that's a real overpayment.

$4-4.5M would be better, but not happening. He's UFA.
- Big_Lightnin

4M is fair enough. Anything higher is an overpayment. If clarkson said he wants to come here, he will take a more appropriate salary that justifies his qualities

with the required RFA signings that Nonis has to do, Kadri, Franson, Gunnarson, etc...
there's no way to fit Stastny's ticket under the CAP Grabovski CAP goes the other way, which I doubt the Avalanche woudl ahve any interest in .
- BorjeFan4Ever

Its called Liles goes the other way

I want Kadri and 1 other guy of those mentioned next year. No point having 3 guys who are all essentially 2nd line centers. 2 is plenty. If Bozak signs for 2 yrs at $3.5M per then fine, but then they should move Grabo.

Or if they sign Weiss or trade for Stastny, still have to move Grabo. Not a good fit on 3rd line and makes too much, plus a wasted asset.
- Big_Lightnin

i hope he gets traded, i wonder if we can get byuf for grabo+? acquire some defender from a team that has alot of defenders that need offense

They have, not very often but they have. Either way Carlyle will do what he wants. I don't think kadri is putting all of our eggs in 1 basket, we've wanted him to be our 1C for years now and he's looking capable of it now. Kessel and Lups have been very good defensively actually, I don't think that line is as fragile as you think. Faceoffs concern me for it tho, thats about it.
- Boosinicka

If Kadri doesn't learn to win more faceoffs & be more responsible defensively, his ice time will continue to be limited by Carlyle. It's how he coaches.

I want Kadri and 1 other guy of those mentioned next year. No point having 3 guys who are all essentially 2nd line centers. 2 is plenty. If Bozak signs for 2 yrs at $3.5M per then fine, but then they should move Grabo.

Or if they sign Weiss or trade for Stastny, still have to move Grabo. Not a good fit on 3rd line and makes too much, plus a wasted asset.
- Big_Lightnin

How bout we just not resign Bozak, put Kadri as the 1C, Grabo 2C, Colborne and McClement can battle out 3C. No wasted assets.

Understand that Nonis wants depth at every position and wants players fighting for positions. It's a life saver when injuries happen, and makes all the players better. Very likely we will have 4 centermen battling for the 3 center positions until one establishes he is the 1C.

If Kadri doesn't learn to win more faceoffs & be more responsible defensively, his ice time will continue to be limited by Carlyle. It's how he coaches.
- magmoo

if he cant win faceoffs, shift him to the wing

They have, not very often but they have. Either way Carlyle will do what he wants. I don't think kadri is putting all of our eggs in 1 basket, we've wanted him to be our 1C for years now and he's looking capable of it now. Kessel and Lups have been very good defensively actually, I don't think that line is as fragile as you think. Faceoffs concern me for it tho, thats about it.
- Boosinicka

occasional shifts, not games... not for any length of time to try it as a line, just to try to get something going at a specific moment.

Putting your top 3 offensive players all on the same line is putting all your eggs in 1 basket.

but regardless, I'm happy if our top 6 next year are some combination of Kessel, Lupul JVR, Clarkson, Kadri, Grabo.

How bout we just not resign Bozak, put Kadri as the 1C, Grabo 2C, Colborne and McClement can battle out 3C. No wasted assets.

Understand that Nonis wants depth at every position and wants players fighting for positions. It's a life saver when injuries happen, and makes all the players better. Very likely we will have 4 centermen battling for the 3 center positions until one establishes he is the 1C.
- Boosinicka

pretty much what I'm saying, we're just arguing over where Kadri and Grabo play...

I'd like to see a Boyd Gordon or Paul Gaustad in the 3/4 mix as well, but Gaustad not easy to acquire - Nashville gave a 1st for him.

You did not see that movie did you?
- Woderwick

20, 30 times, tops ....

4M is fair enough. Anything higher is an overpayment. If clarkson said he wants to come here, he will take a more appropriate salary that justifies his qualities
- Mapleleafs_91

he's not going to Leave for less than Jersey is offering. And he's UFA. Tack on a million just for that.

other teams will absolutely offer him $5M+. He's not signing here for a $1M less.

he's not going to Leave for less than Jersey is offering. And he's UFA. Tack on a million just for that.

other teams will absolutely offer him $5M+. He's not signing here for a $1M less.
- Big_Lightnin

New jersey sucks, all downwards for them their team is in really bad shape. With the leafs on the rise and the other teams is not a factor. That should not be a factor for what "everyone" else is offering. You pay a justified salary, clarkson is not a superstar. If he wants to come home, you make an offer, and its a take it or leave it scenario.

4M is fair enough. Anything higher is an overpayment. If clarkson said he wants to come here, he will take a more appropriate salary that justifies his qualities
- Mapleleafs_91

also, he made $3M per the last 2 years on his current deal... where he put up 30G and 15G (25G pace) the last 2 years.

He's getting more than a $1M raise.

If Kadri doesn't learn to win more faceoffs & be more responsible defensively, his ice time will continue to be limited by Carlyle. It's how he coaches.
- magmoo

Very true. We can only hope he does learn.