I see, the sky is falling people, lol. Gotcha ya.
- LeafMan

Well I assume it would be frowned upon if I listed names. So yes, the sky is falling people.

when will the rupert twins become our hanson brothers?

when will the rupert twins become our hanson brothers?
- Feeling Glucky?

when they up their game

my buddy is a wings fan.

he said leafs will be better next year, harder to score on.

said if we were to add 1 more top 4 d, someone to play with dion....a lock for a playoff spot.

take that as you will, but hes never been positive about my leafs. ever.
- big_dion

Do you remember when the Kings were a bubble team, one of the youngest in the NHL? Were hovering just under the 8th place spot and then their GM made the necessary moves to get them over the hump? Ended up winning the Cup as a result....an 8th place team. Impact players like Richards and Carter were acquired to make the team better.....the Leafs have done none of that, and it kind of feels like they never will. We could be a serious contender if we acquired a 1st line center, which was available in both trade or UFA, and a top pairing Dman....which is available and trade and was available in UFA.....but again, we sign or acquire players like Kontiola, Komarov, and Polak, etc....players that really do not make a difference and we could have just filled out our bottom pairing or bottom 6 with young guys from our farm....or players much cheaper such as McClement, Downie, etc.

People assuming that the Kontiola signing won't amount to much. Even if it doesn't then you move on, but give the guy a chance to fail. Same can be said for Polak, Robidas, and Santorelli. It seems like most people are conceding a poor season even though there will be a pretty significant roster overhaul, not to mention the natural progression of our younger players.

Some people seem pretty upset that we missed out on Stastny, his contract would have screwed us when Kadri and Bernier are both set to make 5mil each. I think Nonis an co. have done well so far, not pigeonholing us with any new contacts. I don't expect everyone to agree, this site would be no fun if they did. Yet the sky seems to be falling for a lot of Leaf fans even though the season is 3 months away.
- BetterCallSaul

The Kontiola signing is an interesting one. Guy spent 600k to get out of the KHL, so this season, when all's said and done, he's making league min. He's an offense-first guy, and he's going to be driven to prove himself in the NHL.

I doubt he'll be back next year, either way, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him climb up to the 2nd line. Everybody seems to think he's gonna be our 4th line C, but from reading up on him, I doubt that's the intention.

Do you remember when the Kings were a bubble team, one of the youngest in the NHL? Were hovering just under the 8th place spot and then their GM made the necessary moves to get them over the hump? Ended up winning the Cup as a result....an 8th place team. Impact players like Richards and Carter were acquired to make the team better.....the Leafs have done none of that, and it kind of feels like they never will. We could be a serious contender if we acquired a 1st line center, which was available in both trade or UFA, and a top pairing Dman....which is available and trade and was available in UFA.....but again, we sign or acquire players like Kontiola, Komarov, and Polak, etc....players that really do not make a difference and we could have just filled out our bottom pairing or bottom 6 with young guys from our farm....or players much cheaper such as McClement, Downie, etc.
- ThePresident

how many times have you typed this in a dif way over the last 24 hours, be honest.

Do you remember when the Kings were a bubble team, one of the youngest in the NHL? Were hovering just under the 8th place spot and then their GM made the necessary moves to get them over the hump? Ended up winning the Cup as a result....an 8th place team. Impact players like Richards and Carter were acquired to make the team better.....the Leafs have done none of that, and it kind of feels like they never will. We could be a serious contender if we acquired a 1st line center, which was available in both trade or UFA, and a top pairing Dman....which is available and trade and was available in UFA.....but again, we sign or acquire players like Kontiola, Komarov, and Polak, etc....players that really do not make a difference and we could have just filled out our bottom pairing or bottom 6 with young guys from our farm....or players much cheaper such as McClement, Downie, etc.
- ThePresident

Everyone is available in trade...but you need assets to move.

And UFA? Who are these #1 C's and top pair D's you speak of?

People assuming that the Kontiola signing won't amount to much. Even if it doesn't then you move on, but give the guy a chance to fail. Same can be said for Polak, Robidas, and Santorelli. It seems like most people are conceding a poor season even though there will be a pretty significant roster overhaul, not to mention the natural progression of our younger players.

Some people seem pretty upset that we missed out on Stastny, his contract would have screwed us when Kadri and Bernier are both set to make 5mil each. I think Nonis an co. have done well so far, not pigeonholing us with any new contacts. I don't expect everyone to agree, this site would be no fun if they did. Yet the sky seems to be falling for a lot of Leaf fans even though the season is 3 months away.
- BetterCallSaul

We acquired or signed a bunch of 3rd and 4th liners along with bottom pairing Dmen, something we really have an abundance of....we really did not need to focus on that area....and quite frankly is pretty easy to patch up toward the end of free agency or later on....should be last on our shopping list.

Perhaps you have forgotten that Komarov is back.

He's so awesome my shorts are sticky.
- Atomic Wedgie

EUROTUCKER!!!!!!

SMACKTALK IN 17 LANGWIDGES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you remember when the Kings were a bubble team, one of the youngest in the NHL? Were hovering just under the 8th place spot and then their GM made the necessary moves to get them over the hump? Ended up winning the Cup as a result....an 8th place team. Impact players like Richards and Carter were acquired to make the team better.....the Leafs have done none of that, and it kind of feels like they never will. We could be a serious contender if we acquired a 1st line center, which was available in both trade or UFA, and a top pairing Dman....which is available and trade and was available in UFA.....but again, we sign or acquire players like Kontiola, Komarov, and Polak, etc....players that really do not make a difference and we could have just filled out our bottom pairing or bottom 6 with young guys from our farm....or players much cheaper such as McClement, Downie, etc.
- ThePresident

Who was available ?

how many times have you typed this in a dif way over the last 24 hours, be honest.
- big_dion

Probably twice, and nobody sees it.

Do you remember when the Kings were a bubble team, one of the youngest in the NHL? Were hovering just under the 8th place spot and then their GM made the necessary moves to get them over the hump? Ended up winning the Cup as a result....an 8th place team. Impact players like Richards and Carter were acquired to make the team better.....the Leafs have done none of that, and it kind of feels like they never will. We could be a serious contender if we acquired a 1st line center, which was available in both trade or UFA, and a top pairing Dman....which is available and trade and was available in UFA.....but again, we sign or acquire players like Kontiola, Komarov, and Polak, etc....players that really do not make a difference and we could have just filled out our bottom pairing or bottom 6 with young guys from our farm....or players much cheaper such as McClement, Downie, etc.
- ThePresident

Much cheaper? minimal difference of dollars between the signings of Kontiola and Santorelli , they are going for a higher level of player than those two, worth the gamble than stay the status quo.

We acquired or signed a bunch of 3rd and 4th liners along with bottom pairing Dmen, something we really have an abundance of....we really did not need to focus on that area....and quite frankly is pretty easy to patch up toward the end of free agency or later on....should be last on our shopping list.
- ThePresident

kessel
kadri
jvr
bozak
lupul

we have 5/6

clarkson SHOULD have been good enough to play on 2nd line for 5.5, maybe not.
but we cant trade him now with that contract..

our forwards are fine, its our bottom 6 and D that needed repair.

Do you remember when the Kings were a bubble team, one of the youngest in the NHL? Were hovering just under the 8th place spot and then their GM made the necessary moves to get them over the hump? Ended up winning the Cup as a result....an 8th place team. Impact players like Richards and Carter were acquired to make the team better.....the Leafs have done none of that, and it kind of feels like they never will. We could be a serious contender if we acquired a 1st line center, which was available in both trade or UFA, and a top pairing Dman....which is available and trade and was available in UFA.....but again, we sign or acquire players like Kontiola, Komarov, and Polak, etc....players that really do not make a difference and we could have just filled out our bottom pairing or bottom 6 with young guys from our farm....or players much cheaper such as McClement, Downie, etc.
- ThePresident

You're neglecting the fact that the Kings were playing well below their expected standard for that season. They may have been the 8th place team, but they were significantly better than they showed. The Carter acquisition at the deadline was a great move, but that wasn't the reason the went from 8 to Cup champs. The reason they're so successful is their
core is better than most.

Bernier = Stee 24/7

Reimer = No Stee

The Kontiola signing is an interesting one. Guy spent 600k to get out of the KHL, so this season, when all's said and done, he's making league min. He's an offense-first guy, and he's going to be driven to prove himself in the NHL.

I doubt he'll be back next year, either way, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him climb up to the 2nd line. Everybody seems to think he's gonna be our 4th line C, but from reading up on him, I doubt that's the intention.
- Feeling Glucky?

I'm sure he got "help".

You're neglecting the fact that the Kings were playing well below their expected standard for that season. They may have been the 8th place team, but they were significantly better than they showed. The Carter acquisition at the deadline was a great move, but that wasn't the reason the went from 8 to Cup champs. The reason they're so successful is their
core is better than most.
- BetterCallSaul

they have a ton of depth, richards was playing 3/4th line in the playoffs.

enough said.

Do you remember when the Kings were a bubble team, one of the youngest in the NHL? Were hovering just under the 8th place spot and then their GM made the necessary moves to get them over the hump? Ended up winning the Cup as a result....an 8th place team. Impact players like Richards and Carter were acquired to make the team better.....the Leafs have done none of that, and it kind of feels like they never will. We could be a serious contender if we acquired a 1st line center, which was available in both trade or UFA, and a top pairing Dman....which is available and trade and was available in UFA.....but again, we sign or acquire players like Kontiola, Komarov, and Polak, etc....players that really do not make a difference and we could have just filled out our bottom pairing or bottom 6 with young guys from our farm....or players much cheaper such as McClement, Downie, etc.
- ThePresident

How do you know those guys won't make a difference?

Hell, we've seen Komarov make a difference, and he's the only one more expensive than the guys you mentioned.

And you were ranting the other day about Santorelli, who we signed for only 1.5, and who's a very solid 2-way center.

Leafs aren't in the same position as the Kings were. We don't have the depth to make those kinds of moves, and all these 1 year signings are stop-gaps/competition generators for the youngsters. Can't complain about that.

Much cheaper? minimal difference of dollars between the signings of Kontiola and Santorelli , they are going for a higher level of player than those two, worth the gamble than stay the status quo.
- LeafMan

The status quo is Frattin, Komarov, and Kontiola.

You're neglecting the fact that the Kings were playing well below their expected standard for that season. They may have been the 8th place team, but they were significantly better than they showed. The Carter acquisition at the deadline was a great move, but that wasn't the reason the went from 8 to Cup champs. The reason they're so successful is their
core is better than most.
- BetterCallSaul

and that Quick stole many of the games that year.

They've moved poop in and out on the D corps, but at the end of the day, it's still poop.

So unless Robidas can mesh well with Dion, I fail to see how we have taken a great leap forward.

Oh well. I'll still be there on opening night.
- Atomic Wedgie

It's more than just the defenceman who have to play defence, forwards have to chip in as well, maybe even playing a mythical "4th line" to help eat up some minutes and chip in some offence.
There is so much that went wrong last season it helped highlight some key issues with this team, and the cap crunch certainly didn't help. I am hopeful they learned some lessons, and can get this ship back on track. I believe they're a good team who can make the playoffs, and I'm looking forward to see these new guys play and see what they bring to the table.
p.s Komorov is just awesome, over paid? yes. but awesome none the less

We acquired or signed a bunch of 3rd and 4th liners along with bottom pairing Dmen, something we really have an abundance of....we really did not need to focus on that area....and quite frankly is pretty easy to patch up toward the end of free agency or later on....should be last on our shopping list.
- ThePresident

You're not seeing the whole picture. You can't throw money at a player in 2014 when you have more important players to sign on the horizon.

The status quo is Frattin, Komarov, and Kontiola.
- ThePresident

we got frattin a guy the organization liked for a 4th liner at best.

komarov another spark plug everyone likes, including the players. Nonis was actually texted after the signing by a number of leaf players giving him props for signing komarov, the boys were pumped.

sorry man, that says a lot...

Told Leafman that that my morning bowel movements could play better guitar than Rik Emmett.
- Not_Stee

that'll do it

that'll do it
- jimi james

LOL

wtf !