I agree! When I was typing the depth chart I was practically smiling lol

Carlyle plays a top 6 heavy, bottom 6 defense system. That 3rd line will be gritty and annoying to play against. May not light the lamp but we have plenty of guys up top that can take care of that
- t_leafs21

You know... I thought of that too in regards to Clarkson. If he wants 5+ million I say let him walk and grab someone a little cheaper like Latendresse, MacArthur or even Raymond. Let one of those three and Kulemin battle it our between 2nd and third line... All proven that they can finish, just have either health or consistency issues

cap is expected to go up to 70 mil+ so we will have more then enough cap room to sign them
- matt1337

That's a good point! Let's hope that it actually happens!

Clarkson would really fit well into our top 6. I'm excited for McClement-Bolland-Kulemin as a shut down line. That line is almost to defensively responsible
- MapleLeafsFTW

Clarkson is a good fit my only concern is he is a career minus on a defensively sound team.. although I know Carlyle would fix that.. and Clarkson would play over his head in Toronto.

We will see how much he really wants to play here by the salary and offer he takes.. he could be the next Clark.. which would make us all happy.

As for your shut down line.. I only ever see those guys playing together on the PK... even then I think they will play on separate lines...

You know... I thought of that too in regards to Clarkson. If he wants 5+ million I say let him walk and grab someone a little cheaper like Latendresse, MacArthur or even Raymond. Let one of those three and Kulemin battle it our between 2nd and third line... All proven that they can finish, just have either health or consistency issues
- steve362

eww no thanks, maybe raymond, as he gives that 2nd line some speed, kadri could send him on breaks with his vision.

i agree, if colborne isn't playing 3rd line, no point having him on the leafs roster. whats the point of letting him play 6-10 minutes a game (more realistic number)?
- matt1337

Colborne at this point is our 4th line center by default, which I don't mind, but I'd rather him have to earn it. Gordon is a perfect fit on paper, but I doubt will be the only team expressing interest.

eww no thanks, maybe raymond, as he gives that 2nd line some speed, kadri could send him on breaks with his vision.
- matt1337

Too soft, Too streaky.

You know... I thought of that too in regards to Clarkson. If he wants 5+ million I say let him walk and grab someone a little cheaper like Latendresse, MacArthur or even Raymond. Let one of those three and Kulemin battle it our between 2nd and third line... All proven that they can finish, just have either health or consistency issues
- steve362

What??? MaCac is as soft as they come.. the door couldn't hit him harder on the way out.. he should never be an option...

Gunnarsson had 1g, 15 points. So like 2,3 goals and low 30's in points over a full season. I still think he takes advantage of his playing time and I still look at him as more of a depth d-man pushed into a higher role. I think we'll go to arbitration or trade him before he give him near 3
- t_leafs21

If we land a UFA to play with Phaneuf (Ferrence, Scuderi, etc.), then Gunnarson plunges down to where he probably should be, at that's 5/6 and yes, at that price, another short-term, prove-your-worth bridge deal makes sense, but if he's logging a ton of minutes for a 3rd straight year playing with Phaneuf? He deserves a raise and I think it'll be close to 3M average per year.

That's a good point! Let's hope that it actually happens!
- steve362

with the revenue sharing it should. especially if we do land lecav, i bet leaf ticket prices will raise a small % which translates to big $$$ to the league lol

Pretty sure Clarkson is our priority. He adds needed sandpaper and would fit perfectly on the 2nd line with Lupul and kadri/Grabovski

Yeah, we may have to go to the farm. That's what a lot of cap-strapped teams will be forced to do. Maybe Carter Ashton? Maybe McKegg or Ross?

I'm also intrigued with what the plan with Petter Granberg is. He just won a gold medal in the worlds as a top 4 d-man with Sweden. I think he could be a darkhorse for a job next season. And then of course, there's Morgan Rielly. He's gonna come into camp in peak shape after the world junior camp and rookie tournament
- t_leafs21

Ashton would need to have a helluva camp to make it, but it is getting to the point where he needs to start making some noise.

Mckegg and Ross only just began their AHL careers. They're still a year or two away.

Reilly isn't going to be ready for at least another two years as I think he's back in junior again next year, then he has at least one full year in the AHL.

I could see Blacker making a push to make the team. Granberg will need a year in the AHL to adapt to the North American game, but still, it's encouraging that we're having guys in later rounds step up and develop

Colborne at this point is our 4th line center by default, which I don't mind, but I'd rather him have to earn it. Gordon is a perfect fit on paper, but I doubt will be the only team expressing interest.
- MapleLeafsFTW

it's a waste having colborne as our 4th line center though. how is he expected to develop in that role playing with mclaren and orr?

Clarkson is a good fit my only concern is he is a career minus on a defensively sound team.. although I know Carlyle would fix that.. and Clarkson would play over his head in Toronto.

We will see how much he really wants to play here by the salary and offer he takes.. he could be the next Clark.. which would make us all happy.

As for your shut down line.. I only ever see those guys playing together on the PK... even then I think they will play on separate lines...
- DoctorNHL

Bolland and McClement will almost definitely be on our 3rd line. Kulemin depends on whether we can sign Clarkson, or another top 6 forward. For me, Clarkson is a huge improvement over MacArthur, and like you said we have Carlyle to help him through his weak points of the game.

Too soft, Too streaky.
- MapleLeafsFTW

yea i know, but he really wasn't playing with the best players there in vancouver. i think he will have more scoring chances here. and i would only want him over latendresse or macA

Rielly will be back in junior. He isn't ready... 3 points in 14 games at the pro level last season.

Send him back to junior, let him dominate there, play in the WJC and hopefully get moved to a playoff contender to get some post season seasoning
- Dozzer

Agreed he has to fill into a adults body still.. Percy though who has been a winner at all levels.. keeps sneaking in... very smart player..

You know... I thought of that too in regards to Clarkson. If he wants 5+ million I say let him walk and grab someone a little cheaper like Latendresse, MacArthur or even Raymond. Let one of those three and Kulemin battle it our between 2nd and third line... All proven that they can finish, just have either health or consistency issues
- steve362

Latendresse was crap for Ottawa.

Raymond is overrated

If we land a UFA to play with Phaneuf (Ferrence, Scuderi, etc.), then Gunnarson plunges down to where he probably should be, at that's 5/6 and yes, at that price, another short-term, prove-your-worth bridge deal makes sense, but if he's logging a ton of minutes for a 3rd straight year playing with Phaneuf? He deserves a raise and I think it'll be close to 3M average per year.
- gravyface

i think he would be 2nd pairing playing with gardiner. giving gardiner someone safer to play with, instead of having to play with franson he also isn't good defensively

it's a waste having colborne as our 4th line center though. how is he expected to develop in that role playing with mclaren and orr?
- matt1337

What role do you have him pencilled in for? If he outplays Grabvoski he gets the second line role. I like Colborne but I'm beginning to think he won't reach his offensive potential, I'm not ready to give up on him but I think he could be a very good 3rd line center, I don't think he'll be ready this year though.

yea i know, but he really wasn't playing with the best players there in vancouver. i think he will have more scoring chances here. and i would only want him over latendresse or macA
- matt1337

Raymond is a bit faster than MacA, still there's a lot of guys who I'd attempt to sign before him.

Bolland and McClement will almost definitely be on our 3rd line. Kulemin depends on whether we can sign Clarkson, or another top 6 forward. For me, Clarkson is a huge improvement over MacArthur, and like you said we have Carlyle to help him through his weak points of the game.
- MapleLeafsFTW

Sorry my friend but McClement is a great face off winning center.. him and Bolland will not be mixed.. if anything the Leafs will try to get Bolland into the top two lines.. because of his scoring prowess in Jr's.

Now if the Leafs get another top center... than maybe Bolland slides back.. but right now he will be in the 1 or 2 slot until he fails. This is Nonis thinking not mine.. although I believe he is worth the shot... he is highly competitive.

i agree, if colborne isn't playing 3rd line, no point having him on the leafs roster. whats the point of letting him play 6-10 minutes a game (more realistic number)?
- matt1337

Yeah, I think he has to prove, like Kadri, that he's too good to play down there; that hasn't been the case. When that happens, the Leafs will make room or he'll get moved.

What role do you have him pencilled in for? If he outplays Grabvoski he gets the second line role. I like Colborne but I'm beginning to think he won't reach his offensive potential, I'm not ready to give up on him but I think he could be a very good 3rd line center, I don't think he'll be ready this year though.
- MapleLeafsFTW

There's no reason to believe Colborne isn't ready for NHL play, and can't handle playing at both ends of the ice.

It's just that we've had so many mediocre, crap centremen over the last few years that we have a difficult time having faith that guys like him will develop.

I don't have much of a reason to believe that Colborne can't be as effective as Grabs in a checking role. If we can't take a leap of faith on Colborne then I guess we may as well just throw Gauthier under the bus

Ashton would need to have a helluva camp to make it, but it is getting to the point where he needs to start making some noise.

Mckegg and Ross only just began their AHL careers. They're still a year or two away.

Rielly isn't going to be ready for at least another two years as I think he's back in junior again next year, then he has at least one full year in the AHL.

I could see Blacker making a push to make the team. Granberg will need a year in the AHL to adapt to the North American game, but still, it's encouraging that we're having guys in later rounds step up and develop
- AngryWhiteMale

I agree with this. Ashton hasn't really shown much to earn a spot on the roster. McKegg and Ross will get top 6 minutes for the marlies next year and hopefully will make the best of it. I really like both of those guys and hope they can make the leafs one day (Ross has a better chance then McKegg).

Rielly should be back in juniors, go to WJC and dominate, and at least half a season with the marlies before he comes to the leafs. He might get a 9 game tryout to start the season, but I still think he returns to the juniors.

Blacker could push to replace Fraser if he doesn't return, and play on the bottom pairing with Franson. I think he could do fine in that role. Give him safe minutes and let him develop.

it's a waste having colborne as our 4th line center though. how is he expected to develop in that role playing with mclaren and orr?
- matt1337

Sink or swim.. unfortunately Colbourne sank... he will never be there... never used his size and skills.. more of a head issue than anything... sad but true..

Bozak signs by Thursday so Phil can keep on keepin on and then Nonis can concentrate on getting Clarkson into the fold.

What role do you have him pencilled in for? If he outplays Grabvoski he gets the second line role. I like Colborne but I'm beginning to think he won't reach his offensive potential, I'm not ready to give up on him but I think he could be a very good 3rd line center, I don't think he'll be ready this year though.
- MapleLeafsFTW

I think he should start in the marlies unless he outplays grabo in the camp. give him 1st line for the marlies, paired with hamilton and biggs. i would want colborne to play 3rd line, given safe minutes like kadri was, but with bolland coming, that opportunity has been taken away.