- UsernameUnknown

Stats can be a female dog!

It's not just about points. That line has been a minus year after year. It can be better and the easiest way to improve it is at centre.
- The Law

Well that's been proven over and over again it isn't.

Say hallo to Bozak...
- Flyfreaky

im going to (frank) you where you sh!t

It's not just about points. That line has been a minus year after year. It can be better and the easiest way to improve it is at centre.
- The Law

Very true, but I don't think any of the big names out there are that much better defensively, either.

It's too bad Bozak wants a massive term deal because I'd be happier giving him a little more money as a stop-gap.

So Crosby Malkin range?
- honesthockey

Probably just below Getzlaf. Has scored similar points over the last 4 (3.5) seasons. Shouldn't be understated that for the last 3 seasons he hasn't missed a game... infact, I think that he has not missed one since his shoulder surgery when he signed...

Well that's been proven over and over again it isn't.
- honesthockey

Well there's only 3 options to improving that line. You'd prefer to trade Kessel or JVR/Lupul?

This.

Everyone seems so fixated at upgrading the top 6 of the Leafs, when in fact, they're just fine the way they are. It's adding grit to the bottom six, and shoring up the D that needs to happen to take this team to the next level.
- Pen15

Golly gee wiz!

Thank you!!!!

Pretty much. Would it be nice to upgrade Bozak? Sure. But you'd get a way better bang for your buck at D and a top six winger.

I am assuming, of course, that Bozak would be the cheapest of all available options at center.

Save the money to grab Clarkson, so that we could push Kulemin to the third line where he could excel. You'd see a better return on investment going that route, I believe.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Yup!!

Kessel, JVR, Lupul, Clarkson as your top 6 wingers is as solid as any team in the league.

Let's face it, Kulemin isn't a 30 goal scorer...but he's one hell of a force defensively and along the boards. Having him on a line with Bolland will make our 3rd line one of the most effective in the league at shutting down other team's first line.

Very true, but I don't think any of the big names out there are that much better defensively, either.

It's too bad Bozak wants a massive term deal because I'd be happier giving him a little more money as a stop-gap.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Bolland scored 14 points and was a -7 playing with Kane and Sharpe.

Yup!!

Kessel, JVR, Lupul, Clarkson as your top 6 wingers is as solid as any team in the league.

Let's face it, Kulemin isn't a 30 goal scorer...but he's one hell of a force defensively and along the boards. Having him on a line with Bolland will make our 3rd line one of the most effective in the league at shutting down other team's first line.
- Pen15

Not to mention Jay McClement.

Yup!!

Kessel, JVR, Lupul, Clarkson as your top 6 wingers is as solid as any team in the league.

Let's face it, Kulemin isn't a 30 goal scorer...but he's one hell of a force defensively and along the boards. Having him on a line with Bolland will make our 3rd line one of the most effective in the league at shutting down other team's first line.
- Pen15

Add McClemment to that 3rd line and holy (frank) the other teams will be pissed off.

Really bold. I like Kessel. He does what he's paid to do. But IMO he has exceeded any expectation in finishing where he does in NHL scoring.
- honesthockey

ya my opinion means nothing... i just think he's a very good passer and just needs the guys to pass to .... he also like to carry the puck and set up his own shots so having a playmaking C just let kessel pass the puck

im going to (frank) you where you sh!t
- The_Vark

He only wants 8 years at 5.5m per...

He only wants 8 years at 5.5m per...
- Flyfreaky

I can fill in for4 years at 4m per.... sound good???

Well there's only 3 options to improving that line. You'd prefer to trade Kessel or JVR/Lupul?
- The Law

I think the point was that the top line really has nowhere to go. We'd shift to another focus, like shoring up the D or adding size to the wing.

ya my opinion means nothing... i just think he's a very good passer and just needs the guys to pass to .... he also like to carry the puck and set up his own shots so having a playmaking C just let kessel pass the puck
- The_Vark

Respect your opinion totally. Kessel's game has come a long way.

Very true, but I don't think any of the big names out there are that much better defensively, either.

It's too bad Bozak wants a massive term deal because I'd be happier giving him a little more money as a stop-gap.
- Leeman4Gilmour

And if the argument is sign Bozie b/c he's cheap and it lets them spend on other positions (god do they need a dman) then I totally get that. Wouldn't love it but I get it.

But the raw argument that they can't really get better (other than with a big dollar franchise guy) so spend on Bozie - i can't get behind that.

Add McClemment to that 3rd line and holy (frank) the other teams will be pissed off.
- honesthockey

would be the shut down line carlyle loves and needs in his style of coaching

Really bold. I like Kessel. He does what he's paid to do. But IMO he has exceeded any expectation in finishing where he does in NHL scoring.
- honesthockey

How many goals did Kessel and JVR/Lupul have during the season? How many assists did Bozak have? That will give you a good answer to how effective Bozak was on Kessel's line.
Kessel will get his points in spite of playing with a true 3C in Bozak. With a proper 1C, Kessel could very well be a 50 goal / 100pt player - on pace to 90 pts as a 25yr old with a guy like Bozak is just proof of that. Bozak does not make Kessel better, Kessel makes Bozak better!

yeah, that's fair.

i personally think a top line center and defense are much more needed than any further bottom six adjustments, but i personally don't care what order they come in, as long as the pieces line up.

i'm not the type crying for a playoff spot, i'm the type happy with progression as long as it's part of building a championship team. signing bozak is a mistake in my opinion. he's certainly not the front line center of any championship squad, and with bolland in place.. i don't think he fits into any part of it.

that's before i consider the brutal cap implications its bound to have.
- joel878

I think Bozi for another 1-2yrs centering Kessel isn't that bad. Assuming we agree that Kadri is the future 1C, Bozi can fill the role for another season or two, and then either slot back down to the 3rd line, or become great trade bait (let's face it, as much as we poop on him in Toronto, he's very marketable as a 2, 3C).

It also keeps our options open for the future of our 3C. Bolland's contract is up next year, and he'll probably demand a hefty raise. In the case he does, having Bozi helps take pressure off Nonis to pay up.

He only wants 8 years at 5.5m per...
- Flyfreaky

a year for every inch of greasy shrigley hair

I think the point was that the top line really has nowhere to go. We'd shift to another focus, like shoring up the D or adding size to the wing.
- Leeman4Gilmour

That's what I've been saying. The top line has been fine and one of the top in the NHL. Need fixes and depth elsewhere.

I can fill in for4 years at 4m per.... sound good???
- lumlums

a year for every inch of greasy shrigley hair
- The_Vark

Vinny would have been awesome in Toronto...

Isn't she dead?
- Flyfreaky

Well funny u should say that. She did turn 27 today. We'll see if she is jinxed like Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Amy Whinehouse & who knows how many others, who all died at age 27. poop Hendrix died too at 27!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!