Thanks! See my pics on FB? Some BEAUTIES
- Colin Dambrauskas

I will go look now, I have not been on FB today.

edit: Awesome pictures Colin!

Leafs fans need to get over this.

It was a qualifying offer. It doesn't indicate (at all) what the Leafs feel the guy is worth. It was simply paperwork to ensure that he didn't become a UFA.

It's a smart thing to do. No point in offering a guy a new contract until you at least see how his skull has healed.

He is now a RFA. There is absolutely no urgency to getting the guy's name on a new contract. It is much better for the Leafs to wait and see how all the other contracts shake out.

I'm sure Fraser and his agent know this.
- Atomic Wedgie

Why you need to explain this AGAIN is silly

After reading an article about Nonis' thoughts on Grabovski, sounds like we're sticking with him....
- ThePresident

Then who goes if someone like Lecavalier is brought in?

After reading an article about Nonis' thoughts on Grabovski, sounds like we're sticking with him....
- ThePresident

link?

Why isn't it?
- Woderwick

Because we still have to sign all of our RFA, including Bernier. We may be able to upgrade our 2nd line RW, but when you have the opportunity to upgrade our 1st line center position, that quite frankly has sucked since Sundin left, you do it, not acquire another 3rd liner at 3.4 million when we have McClement, Colborne, and Grabovski finding his way on the 3rd line.

Maybe why we have not heard anything about Komi buyout yet.
the cap situation is tight.

even if you buy out Liles and Komisarek thats only 8 mill in cap space.

That will not get you a Vinny/Clarkson combo...and they will still need Defence.

So my bet is no vinny, maybe clarkson and a D or 2 upgrade. Grabbo gets a chance to be #1

Leafs fans need to get over this.

It was a qualifying offer. It doesn't indicate (at all) what the Leafs feel the guy is worth. It was simply paperwork to ensure that he didn't become a UFA.

It's a smart thing to do. No point in offering a guy a new contract until you at least see how his skull has healed.

He is now a RFA. There is absolutely no urgency to getting the guy's name on a new contract. It is much better for the Leafs to wait and see how all the other contracts shake out.

I'm sure Fraser and his agent know this.
- Atomic Wedgie

so the report the other day - thought it was Jonas Seigel(sp?) commented that he(Fraser) had turned the offer down... does that simply mean it goes to arbitration... but the Leafs retain his rights in the interim?

Maybe not buying out Komi and/or Liles because Nonis is still hoping to make a trade sending a dman out of town and doesn't want to leave our blue line completely depleted?

Dreger thinks Clarkson could get 6.5 M a year , 7 years.
Forget that.
- MCharisma91

absurd.

I heard Jeff Finger was available

Because we still have to sign all of our RFA, including Bernier. We may be able to upgrade our 2nd line RW, but when you have the opportunity to upgrade our 1st line center position, that quite frankly has sucked since Sundin left, you do it, not acquire another 3rd liner at 3.4 million when we have McClement, Colborne, and Grabovski finding his way on the 3rd line.
- ThePresident

Jokes on you RC plans on using Bolland in a more offensive role hahahahaha

Is that after RD comes off later today?
- bixll

good question

Then who goes if someone like Lecavalier is brought in?
- Cooshie

And that's why I'm saying, I think Nonis has come to the realization that it is no longer realistic to bring in somebody like Lecavalier once he acquired Bolland and he still has to sign our RFA's.

Thats the point, Grabovski isn't moving, we have limited cap space after signing our RFA, Bolland just limited us from going after a top 6 player. Not that he's a bad player, but it wasn't exactly a need of ours, and its an expensive one at 3.4 million.
- ThePresident

Nonis has been steadfast in saying that he would consider any and all opportunities to improve the club - why, assuming there is another C upgrade in the market and available to Toronto, wouldn't he be willing to shed Grabovski's contract to make room? I'm not trying to be difficult, but there is this assumption out there that "someone better" is just dying to suit up for the Leafs at C and the Bolland trade cancels that now. It's a move to address a need exploited in the Bruins series - I like Bozak, but at $5+ and unable to shut down other teams in his own zone, give me Bolland any day. If you could shed Grabo, re-sign Bozak for a more reasonable deal ($3.8-$4.2 with a little term) and spend the extra $ on a couple of upgrade wingers I'd be much happier heading into the season that way.

I failed to mention that Bolland would have cleared the puck and THEN taken over in net.
- Colin Dambrauskas

....and scored into the empty net from his own crease after banking the puck off of Chara?

Why you need to explain this AGAIN is silly
- poohcrumbs

it is isn't silly - I was silly - I didn't know how this worked - now I do.

please feel free to explain ad nauseum

link?
- poohcrumbs

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...allenge-for-his-ice-time/

Up until this past season, Grabo was one of the Leafs best players (the previous two seasons).
He simply will not be bought out this year.
It was just as foolish to think Brad Richards was going to be bought out.

- Fakepartofme

If Nonis can manage to sign Horton or Clarkson. Having a 2nd line of:
JVR/Lupul - Grabo - Horton/Clarkson

would be pretty damn good.

Kadri played the 1C spot for what were arguably the Leafs two biggest games in the past decade, and he handled himself quite well. I am betting that is where he starts the season.

Because we still have to sign all of our RFA, including Bernier. We may be able to upgrade our 2nd line RW, but when you have the opportunity to upgrade our 1st line center position, that quite frankly has sucked since Sundin left, you do it, not acquire another 3rd liner at 3.4 million when we have McClement, Colborne, and Grabovski finding his way on the 3rd line.
- ThePresident

JVR _______ Kessel

Lupul Kadri Grabo

Kulemin Bolland Colborne

______ Mcclement Orr/Mclaren

This past season, I think Luke was slightly better, but Coburn was injured and seems to have more upside. Tell me how Luke played or progressed in his seasons in TO?
- danham92

I think you'd have to sweeten the pot a little for Toronto. We were pretty happy with JVR's season. Still a lot of room for improvement, but overall, we were happy.

My point was that Schenn seems to be a better value than Coburn - younger, higher on depth chart, etc. (you may beg to differ). So you aren't going to get JVR back for less value.

As for your question, Schenn really, really stagnated in Toronto. Horribly. He couldn't be trusted by the end of it with important minutes - he was that bad.

When he was traded, everyone here said "I hope a change of scenery gets his career back on track." Looks like that was the case, and most here are happy to see that.

it is isn't silly - I was silly - I didn't know how this worked - now I do.

please feel free to explain ad nauseum
- BorjeFan4Ever

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=NHL+...e+agency+how+does+it+work

Nonis has been steadfast in saying that he would consider any and all opportunities to improve the club - why, assuming there is another C upgrade in the market and available to Toronto, wouldn't he be willing to shed Grabovski's contract to make room? I'm not trying to be difficult, but there is this assumption out there that "someone better" is just dying to suit up for the Leafs at C and the Bolland trade cancels that now. It's a move to address a need exploited in the Bruins series - I like Bozak, but at $5+ and unable to shut down other teams in his own zone, give me Bolland any day. If you could shed Grabo, re-sign Bozak for a more reasonable deal ($3.8-$4.2 with a little term) and spend the extra $ on a couple of upgrade wingers I'd be much happier heading into the season that way.
- Deeps27

I'm all for the Leafs not resigning Bozak, and buying out Grabovski, but I just don't see it happening at this point. Hope so.

Hall Skills!!

Please bring him back! Then pair him with Fraser and watch them chase pucks into corners.

And that's why I'm saying, I think Nonis has come to the realization that it is no longer realistic to bring in somebody like Lecavalier once he acquired Bolland and he still has to sign our RFA's.
- ThePresident

The Bolland acquisition changes little from a CAP perspective. MacArthur out - Bolland it CAP wise.

Nonis has two get out of jail free cards right now... and its a timing game whether to play those cards perhaps now, when there appears to be a bit of glut of FAs because of compliance buyouts and a reducing CAP.

The gamble is whether the CAP goes back up substantially next year - which is likely simply because of a full season and all the outdoor games pumping up hockey related revenue. If that happens, then there will be fewer compliance buyouts and FA salaries will not be under the same pressure.

I think this is the year to take the gamble.

Get set, get ready and....

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 3m

According to the league, free agents can start speaking to other teams beginning at 12:01 am ET tonight (Tuesday night/Wed morning).