We seem to have a little more energy on the team and we seem to have a little moe defensive prowess....on paper.

Whether that translates on ice...we'll see.
Again, like I said....a little improvement.

If you feel its a big improvement......well.....Im happy for you.
- Fakepartofme

Not having a bottom 6 that includes Smithson, McClement Orr McLaren Kuli and Raymond is awesome.

THe fact our 4th line can be trusted to play more than 3 minutes a game is awesome. The fact Kessel and JVR should actually have something left in the tank with 15 games remaining is awesome. The fact i never have to witness Gunnar play is awesome.

Overall, i feel awesome

Did Cammy sign with anyone?
I havent heard anything about him?
- Fakepartofme

NJ

Did Cammy sign with anyone?
I havent heard anything about him?
- Fakepartofme

5 for 5 years. NJD

Cammy and Clowe signings yet they are doing it right not to mention the Kovy mess.
- LeafMan

NJ is easily a playoff team if they dropped broduer last season.

they are desperate to find scoring.. which is why they have to pay to get Cammy etc..
they will make the playoffs far ahead of the leafs

you got a Polak jersey yet?

So Seguin is soft? is that what you're saying.

Perhaps you were referring to Spezza.
- zazzle

Hmm Seguin/Spezza or Bozak/Kadri? That's pretty obvious who the better pair is. McClement/Smithson of course.

Not having a bottom 6 that includes Smithson, McClement Orr McLaren Kuli and Raymond is awesome.

THe fact our 4th line can be trusted to play more than 3 minutes a game is awesome. The fact Kessel and JVR should actually have something left in the tank with 15 games remaining is awesome. The fact i never have to witness Gunnar play is awesome.

Overall, i feel awesome
- walshyleafsfan

I like McC
But our bottome 4 is much better...totally agree.

Cammy and Clowe signings yet they are doing it right not to mention the Kovy mess.
- LeafMan

On a more important note - Go France.

Cammy and Clowe signings yet they are doing it right not to mention the Kovy mess.
- LeafMan

Kovalchuk is an bumhole.

Not having a bottom 6 that includes Smithson, McClement Orr McLaren Kuli and Raymond is awesome.

THe fact our 4th line can be trusted to play more than 3 minutes a game is awesome. The fact Kessel and JVR should actually have something left in the tank with 15 games remaining is awesome. The fact i never have to witness Gunnar play is awesome.

Overall, i feel awesome
- walshyleafsfan

Gunnar wasnt played in the right position (like most of our D).
Gunnar should have been in the 3/4 spot...not 2.

Pretty much anything out of Detroit is going to be good. They know how to build teams, scout players, run systems. From a purely off-ice standpoint, they are one of the best franchises in the NHL, IMO.

Yes, the Leafs off-season moves haven't been game changers, but it does seem like Shanny brought a level of know-how with him.

We cut our entire 3rd line loose, and they now make a combined 13 mil. The guys we "replaced" them with make a combined 5.4 (Santo, Leo, Petri).

Teams like the Islanders and Panthers, teams that bottom feed, went insane with the handouts in FA, while top teams (Kings, Hawks, Bruins) made a few cheap low-risk, high-reward signings.

Personally, I'd rather follow suit with the giants of this league than the jokes. It might be a long road ahead, but I feel its a step in the right direction.
- TheThrill

I agree for the most part -- and like these signings -- but the key difference is that the contenders have a better core than we do.

It doesn't seem to matter what kind of ramshackle roster they have either. They play the Jersey way and somehow are always the better team
- TheThrill

one of the top possession teams the past 3 years.
lost Kovy and Parise ..thats going to hurt of course.

you got a Polak jersey yet?
- PinkSock

I was about to trade in my FratPackBoy'sBack jersey, but crisis averted.

No I do agree...they seem to be grittier and tougher for sure. Im really interested to see what this new Finn Pietry(sp) can do. I know when we played Vancouver, I specifically remember being annoyed with Santorelli.....which means he was doing his job....so I hope he keeps that up.
- Fakepartofme

So if Santa is a poop disturber and so is Komatose....that line should be interesting

On a more important note - Go France.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Yes.

And Netherlands,whenever they play.

And Raonic!

I agree for the most part -- and like these signings -- but the key difference is that the contenders have a better core than we do.
- gravyface

Oh I completely agree, but cores are generally drafted. Ours was largely traded for.

That's why I was saying to the other fella, the only long-term solution for the Leafs is to draft well and re-tool to stay somewhat competitive. Stuff like the Clarkson signing is the poop that has got to stop.

Gunnar wasnt played in the right position (like most of our D).
Gunnar should have been in the 3/4 spot...not 2.
- Fakepartofme

He also had surgery to repair his hip...assuming that it did, he should be more mobile and be able to pivot better than he did last season...but I guess St. Louis will be the ones to find out.

leafs should try to move franson to detroit for a forward prospect.

they have plenty.

So if Santa is a poop disturber and so is Komatose....that line should be interesting
- Colin Dambrauskas

If Santorelli played a whole season his numbers come out to better or same as Raymond, so that in theory covers his production. There is the replacement.

leafs should try to move franson to detroit for a forward prospect.

they have plenty.
- big_dion

Nyquist it is

leafs should try to move franson to detroit for a forward prospect.

they have plenty.
- big_dion

Not sure he goes in division

leafs should move franson for anything.
- big_dion

*fixed

Oh I completely agree, but cores are generally drafted. Ours was largely traded for.

That's why I was saying to the other fella, the only long-term solution for the Leafs is to draft well and re-tool to stay somewhat competitive. Stuff like the Clarkson signing is the poop that has got to stop.
- TheThrill

i agree, if you are going to spend big bucks on a player like that in the off season or make a big trade ... do it when we are a sure shot to be in the playoffs and were adding for a playoff run, there is no point adding big guys with big bucks unless we actually think we have a shot at the cup.

So if Santa is a poop disturber and so is Komatose....that line should be interesting
- Colin Dambrauskas

I was talking with another guy about that. You throw Kontiola with those guys and you have a pest line that "should" be able to put up a couple points.

Then if you have a bit of a greener 4th line of something like Frattin-Holland-Bodie but play them ~10 mins a night, they should be able to chip in and play with some energy.

The hinge pin of that whole strategy is: Will Randy play a 4th line that much? (read: properly)

If Santorelli played a whole season his numbers come out to better or same as Raymond, so that in theory covers his production. There is the replacement.
- LeafMan

santorelli should get around 35-45 points id imagine.