Frig Vinny...frigging guy is a lazy mofo..doesn't break a sweat for 40 outta 80 games.

Go after Clarkson and get the taser out for the centers we have now...practice every day taking faceoffs all summer...and when they lose a draw..you (frank)ing put the taser to their balls!!!!
- Garnie

The new CBA prohibits ball-tasering in the off-season.

Learn the game before you post.

The new CBA prohibits ball-tasering in the off-season.

Learn the game before you post.
- Atomic Wedgie

ahh poop

I think this puts the heat on Bozak. I think he can see the Leafs are preparing to move forward without him.
- TML60

He's as good as gone. Pricing himself over $3M is a joke.

I skimmed the 'nucks thread - the elephant in the room is the fact that Luongo still has a ticking time bomb of a contract.

But Leaf fans shouldn't be too smug; why the hell did we trade for a third line center?

We already have too many of those.

I guess we have officially given up on Colborne.
- Atomic Wedgie

Are you seriously comparing the Schneider/Luongo tragic comedy to the Bolland deal?

When's free agent market open ?[/img]

If he was asking for 3 mill, Bolland wouldn't have been even discussed. It's gonna be more. Too bad, because I liked the guy. But he's not worth more
- weirdoh

I'd do 4. Small overpayment, but it's good to let a team grow together.

I'd do 4. Small overpayment, but it's good to let a team grow together.
- Feeling Glucky?

Bozak's asking price is around 5M last I heard, which is crazy, because he's not a #1 center (even though he plays one on TV).

At the end of the day, all of our centers are better in their current role than Bozak, save for the draw, and not really by a large margin.

I wouldn't be surprised if Chicago picked him up to play behind Toews, but Bozak would have to come to terms with reality that he's not a long-term #1C solution on any team; stop-gap, maybe, but not long-term.

He's as good as gone. Pricing himself over $3M is a joke.
- daeth

He's worth more then 3, just not more then 4. His choice now.

Bozak's asking price is around 5M last I heard, which is crazy, because he's not a #1 center (even though he plays one on TV).

At the end of the day, all of our centers are better in their current role than Bozak, save for the draw, and not really by a large margin.

I wouldn't be surprised if Chicago picked him up to play behind Toews, but Bozak would have to come to terms with reality that he's not a long-term #1C solution on any team; stop-gap, maybe, but not long-term.
- gravyface

So free agency starts today but they can't officially sign until Friday, right? But I assume we'll still get news when they have agreed in principal to a deal.

So what's everyone thinking right now?

I think Nonis did a decent job yesterday, and over the last few weeks.

Bolland and Bernier added to the roster.

Gauthier is another big centre that with time will work out.

So bye bye Bozak. Too bad that I couldn't say the same for Grabs, as I really don't think it'll work out for him here, but I guess one more year to prove his worth before buying him out is ok.

Does anyone here think Colborne will be on the team next year? Is there room at centre for him?

So free agency starts today but they can't officially sign until Friday, right? But I assume we'll still get news when they have agreed in principal to a deal.
- deerow84

Potentially... I'm not so sure how it works. I'm sure there will be a dozen reports linking Vinny to a dozen teams however...

Kadri
Grabs
Bolland
Colborne

Is that how it'll look down the middle next year?

I have a feeling that McClement will play on the wing

So what's everyone thinking right now?

I think Nonis did a decent job yesterday, and over the last few weeks.

Bolland and Bernier added to the roster.

Gauthier is another big centre that with time will work out.

So bye bye Bozak. Too bad that I couldn't say the same for Grabs, as I really don't think it'll work out for him here, but I guess one more year to prove his worth before buying him out is ok.

Does anyone here think Colborne will be on the team next year? Is there room at centre for him?
- AngryWhiteMale[/quote]

no

Boats 'n Hoes, Boats 'n Hoes...gotta have me my Boats 'h Hoes!

that said... Adding Bolland has nothing to do with Bozak.
Bolland is a 3rd line Center, by the looks of it does a decent job. Has lots of experience on a winning team, had a great 2010 playoffs, and scored the cup winning goal this year. I looked up some advanced stats and those do not look very good. But I am not sure what that means just yet.

I am 50/50 on the Bolland trade, I think it was a fair amount to give up, being that Chi is in dump mode.. but it sounds like Nonis was bidding against WPG.

If we do not get a #1 this off season it looks like we go with Grabbo, Kadri, Bolland, Mclemment .. and thats OK

Boats 'n Hoes, Boats 'n Hoes...gotta have me my Boats 'h Hoes!

that said... Adding Bolland has nothing to do with Bozak.
Bolland is a 3rd line Center, by the looks of it does a decent job. Has lots of experience on a winning team, had a great 2010 playoffs, and scored the cup winning goal this year. I looked up some advanced stats and those do not look very good. But I am not sure what that means just yet.

I am 50/50 on the Bolland trade, I think it was a fair amount to give up, being that Chi is in dump mode.. but it sounds like Nonis was bidding against WPG.

If we do not get a #1 this off season it looks like we go with Grabbo, Kadri, Bolland, Mclemment .. and thats OK
- senstroll

We still need a center - Grabo and Kessel do not mesh and Kadri is not going to do as #1. IMO

We still need a center - Grabo and Kessel do not mesh and Kadri is not going to do as #1. IMO
- Garnie

I dont even know what "Grabo and Kessel do not mesh" means.

I agree we still need a #1, but there are no other options...

I dont even know what "Grabo and Kessel do not mesh" means.

I agree we still need a #1, but there are no other options...
- senstroll

Not sure how you "don't know what it means?" When they play together the play is scattered and they don't play well together. Obviously it's my opinion but I don't think it was real hard to figure that out.

Who plays the wing on the 3rd line?
- TML60

Mclement... He can help Bolland with Faceoffs. Gives us two centers in the defensive zone...

We still need a center - Grabo and Kessel do not mesh and Kadri is not going to do as #1. IMO
- Garnie

Grabovski and Kessel have played maybe a half dozen games together for a length of time longer than a powerplay, yet they don't mesh well.

Kessel has played with Bozak for like 4 years, I don't think we can write off that tandem just yet.

Grabo and Kessel not meshing well is one of the many things to be said and believed during Wilson's tenure as coach.

We still need a center - Grabo and Kessel do not mesh and Kadri is not going to do as #1. IMO
- Garnie

Oh here we go, Grabovski and Kessel don't "mesh". I'm not compiling it again, but over the last 3 or 4 years these guys have played like nearly zero minutes together.

"But doesn't that tell you something?"

Only that Grabovski has played shutdown minutes basically since his second year, as we've never had a real shutdown center capable of playing alot of minutes, save for McClement, but he's more of a #4/PK guy.

Grabovski needs to have a bounce-back year and I'd like to see him in an offensive role for once.

Now if we land Vinny, he's likely gone, but I'm ok with Grabovski or Kadri centering the top line.

Not sure how you "don't know what it means?" When they play together the play is scattered and they don't play well together. Obviously it's my opinion but I don't think it was real hard to figure that out.
- Garnie

The CBA also prohibits ball-tasering Hockeybuzz posters in the offseason.

Oh here we go, Grabovski and Kessel don't "mesh". I'm not compiling it again, but over the last 3 or 4 years these guys have played like nearly zero minutes together.

"But doesn't that tell you something?"

Only that Grabovski has played shutdown minutes basically since his second year, as we've never had a real shutdown center capable of playing alot of minutes, save for McClement, but he's more of a #4/PK guy.

Grabovski needs to have a bounce-back year and I'd like to see him in an offensive role for once.

Now if we land Vinny, he's likely gone, but I'm ok with Grabovski or Kadri centering the top line.
- gravyface

Grabbo at #1 until Christmas, and then we see if Kadri is ready or not.

The CBA also prohibits ball-tasering Hockeybuzz posters in the offseason.
- Atomic Wedgie

sorry - I wasn't trying to offend...I've only seen Kessel and Grabo together a few times. It looked totally unorganized and messy - not saying they couldn't do it...but there styles didn't look compatible. but who knows...if it's the only option they try it and tinker after the season starts I guess.

I like the Gauthier pick. He may not have natural finishing skills, but he creates a lot of chances with his net drive and his ability to cause turnovers. The Bolland trade was good too. With Bolland & McClement centering the 3rd & 4th lines, the team defense will improve drastically.

Not sold on the 1-2 top 6 punch with Kadri & Grabovski but with the 4 centers they can now ease Colborne in via the wing