I can't be the only one who finds his numbers, age, and injury history eerily similar to Tim Connolly's, can I?
- Leeman4Gilmour

Yes, but younger, more consistent, not quite as brittle.

So under the new CBA, teams can't bury contracts in the minors or buy them out after these two amnesty periods, right? How long until during the course of this 8 year CBA before teams are truly (frank)ed with some players they have to pay and play who suck? Is there any escape?

So in all honesty what would be an A+ for you guys tomorrow?

IMO, Sign Clarkson to less than 5Mill/3 years, Sign Bozak to less than 4 mill for 5 years, Sign Scuderi/Ference for 3 mill for 2 years. Highly likely that none of this happens.
- steve362

All of this.

I would consider 4 years for Clarkson if that were a sticking point. Bozak at 4 is fair. Scuderi is unlikely, but I'd also accept Hainsey.

So in all honesty what would be an A+ for you guys tomorrow?

IMO, Sign Clarkson to less than 5Mill/3 years, Sign Bozak to less than 4 mill for 5 years, Sign Scuderi for 3 mill for 2 years. Highly likely that none of this happens.
- steve362

Yeah. Clarkson and Ference or Scuderi. Bozak needs to accept that he's a 3rd line centre (a great one in my opinion) and should accept a contract that pays him accordingly.

So in all honesty what would be an A+ for you guys tomorrow?

IMO, Sign Clarkson to less than 5Mill/3 years, Sign Bozak to less than 4 mill for 5 years, Sign Scuderi/Ference for 3 mill for 2 years. Highly likely that none of this happens.
- steve362

No deal. I'd rather have Weiss.
But realistically, best case scenario is probably Stastny.
But yeah, Clarkson 5 or under, and either of the D.

Perfect how much does a brain cost?
- senstroll

apparently you need to kill the wicked witch of the west but the rube red slippers will do.

the great Oz has spoken .....

Yes, but younger, more consistent, not quite as brittle.
- gravyface

I believe Connolly was almost exactly the same age when he signed with us as Weiss is now, but yeah, he's a little less brittle.

Clarkson and a vet Dman would be okay with me

Yeah. Clarkson and Ference or Scuderi. Bozak needs to accept that he's a 3rd line centre (a great one in my opinion) and should accept a contract that pays him accordingly.
- BetterCallSaul

If people liked accepting their own abilities , Paris Hilton wouldn't have an album.

Yeah. Clarkson and Ference or Scuderi. Bozak needs to accept that he's a 3rd line centre (a great one in my opinion) and should accept a contract that pays him accordingly.
- BetterCallSaul

Well I wouldn't be opposed of playing a third line of Kulemin - Bozak - Bolland

So under the new CBA, teams can't bury contracts in the minors or buy them out after these two amnesty periods, right? How long until during the course of this 8 year CBA before teams are truly (frank)ed with some players they have to pay and play who suck? Is there any escape?
- Zezel

I have to believe that this will be the CBA where teams learn finances and players learn that they don't hold all the negotiating power.

When you have guys asking for 8 years at 5 Million, and then seeing better players signing shorter term under perceived market value, you have to ask yourself;

"How can players justify what they ask for?"

Eventually, I feel it'll become less of a concern outside of a few higher tier players or younger guys on the brink of elite status.

If people liked accepting their own abilities , Paris Hilton wouldn't have an album.
- FistofTheBelak

Or a pulse.

Clarkson and a vet Dman would be okay with me
- Zezel

The more I think about it the more I just want them to play Kadri on the first line. Both he and Kessel have upped their defensive game. A good summer in the gym and I think he might be ready to take the next step. Gotta be better on the draw but you can fix that!

I think Hainsey is probably the best choice for Toronto. He already plays on a Canadian team, so the whole cross border issue thing is likely not that big of a factor. Which is where I feel Scudari, Ferrence and Murray might not bite at without serious financial gain.

What if the Leafs are thinking:

JVR Kadri Kessel
Lupul Bolland Clarkson/Clowe
Carter/D'Amigo Colborne Kulemin
McLaren McClement Orr

Is that an improvement? A playoff team again? A step back?
- gravyface

to soon

wait till September rolls a round or tomorrow by 12:10 we should know.

I think Hainsey is probably the best choice for Toronto. He already plays on a Canadian team, so the whole cross border issue thing is likely not that big of a factor. Which is where I feel Scudari, Ferrence and Murray might not bite at without serious financial gain.
- Viktory

Assets: Has excellent mobility, size and reach. Can play on either side of the ice. Displays some offensive ability. Is capable of logging a ton of minutes, if required.
Flaws: Is far too soft for his big frame. Can go through rough stretches in all elements of the game over the course of the season. Is also somewhat brittle and inconsistent.
Career Potential: Inconsistent all-round defenseman

Mike Komisarek anyone?

The more I think about it the more I just want them to play Kadri on the first line. Both he and Kessel have upped their defensive game. A good summer in the gym and I think he might be ready to take the next step. Gotta be better on the draw but you can fix that!
- steve362

Well that's what I was wondering: are we going with Kadri, Bolland, Colborne, McClement up the middle and adding an RD to play with Phaneuf (Ferrence, Scuderi) and a big ticket RW for the second line? Do we add a Boyd Gordon to give us some bottom 6 depth?

Okay, so now that we have everyone's dream scenarios out there, what would we all consider to be a disaster of a free agency day?

Yeah. Clarkson and Ference or Scuderi. Bozak needs to accept that he's a 3rd line centre (a great one in my opinion) and should accept a contract that pays him accordingly.
- BetterCallSaul

with philly signing lecav, giroux #1, lecav #2, schenn #3, does tha make couterier expendable? i wonder what the cost would be

Assets: Has excellent mobility, size and reach. Can play on either side of the ice. Displays some offensive ability. Is capable of logging a ton of minutes, if required.
Flaws: Is far too soft for his big frame. Can go through rough stretches in all elements of the game over the course of the season. Is also somewhat brittle and inconsistent.
Career Potential: Inconsistent all-round defenseman

Mike Komisarek anyone?
- steve362

Not at all, actually.

Assets: Has excellent mobility, size and reach. Can play on either side of the ice. Displays some offensive ability. Is capable of logging a ton of minutes, if required.
Flaws: Is far too soft for his big frame. Can go through rough stretches in all elements of the game over the course of the season. Is also somewhat brittle and inconsistent.
Career Potential: Inconsistent all-round defenseman

Mike Komisarek anyone?
- steve362

"EXCELLENT MOBILITY... Displays some offensive ability."

Assets: Keeps the game simple on most nights and has exemplary team skills. Blocks shots and is most effective in penalty-killing situations. Can shut forwards down.
Flaws: Doesn't own ideal puck-moving skills for the blueline position and has limited talent, overall. Struggles when handling the puck, especially when he plays on the right side.
Career Potential: Savvy veteran defensive defenseman.

Any guesses on who this is? This is who we need!

Okay, so now that we have everyone's dream scenarios out there, what would we all consider to be a disaster of a free agency day?
- Leeman4Gilmour

paying clarkson 6 mill
paying weiss more then 5
paying bozak more then 4

Free agents almost always get a million or so more than they are worth , its the price to get who you want. So 5.5 for Clarkson wont bother me as much as 5.5 for Grabo because of the work in the defensive zone. Plus, Clarkson may flourish under system.

Troll all you want, I'm still walking these goats over this bridge.

Anybody know where I can find the Grabvoski interview, apparently he ripped on Carlyle?