Well if the plan is to trade Reimer, I dont know why the Leafs didn't resign MacIntyre for back up.
- peddy-93

Want a more experienced backup I imagine. Would like to have seen clemmenson actually.

Hull was very one dimensional player. He was one of the best pure scorers in NHL history. Pure trigger man.
- bixll

sure, but that was his Job, pretty sick sniper

Definitely a factor.

Add the 10 game suspension to start season, and huge expectations from signing a big contract and moving into a new team. Went set up to succeed, and he certainly didn't.

Hoping with the MUCH lower expectations he will have a bit less pressure and just play hockey again.
- Big_Lightnin

Have to use him on the second PP, allow him to stay there for bit and not remove him right away, not having Raymond who Carlyle put out there all the time will help.

Hull looked terrible i agree, but can't deny his #s. Hence he's a sick player.

Jagr would be 2nd scorer of all time behind 99 if he didn't run off to Europe and miss a few seasons from lockouts. His #s are gross.
- clark_griswold

Funny thing about Hull - he was completely out of professional hockey at one point. Was playing with his buddies in a beer league. He probably shouldn't have even been given a second chance to ever play in the NHL.

Don't get me wrong - I like the guy. He's loveable. He wasn't afraid to say goofy stuff to the media. And no denying his talent for putting the puck in the net.

But as someone above said - completely one-dimensional. I don't think he ever came over his own blueline.

Who we talking MDZ or Franson?

2 years ago Franson was Completely protected ... He and Fraser only ever faced 3/4 lines and played fewest even strength minutes on the team. Often matched with Kadri against other teams 3 rd line . Kadri ate up those guys and Franson racked up points with him and on PP, but you can't pay a guy $4M per who has to be sheltered like that.
- Big_Lightnin

Exactly - Kadri, Frattin, Fraser, Franson all were spotted beautifully in 12/13. That's what depth (Grabo) down the middle allowed the Leafs to do. If Kadri's going to be your #2 ...you'd better have a nice #3 to allow you to spot him where he can excel.

Who we talking MDZ or Franson?

2 years ago Franson was Completely protected ... He and Fraser only ever faced 3/4 lines and played fewest even strength minutes on the team. Often matched with Kadri against other teams 3 rd line . Kadri ate up those guys and Franson racked up points with him and on PP, but you can't pay a guy $4M per who has to be sheltered like that.
- Big_Lightnin

Protected until the last month and playoffs, FRanson was arguably the best in the playoffs on the team and played a top 4 role playing the most in the last 2 games. I think you stick hhim on the 3rd pair and roll him out on the PP, when he did this he was fine. I don't like him at 4 at all, but at 3 i don't mind, like I said move him at the deadline, if they can't then the club was dumb again, they knew this could happen...

I don't think Kadri and Lupul were easy guys to play with either. Clarkson comes from arguably the most disciplined system in all of hockey and gets plunked onto a line with 2 very skilled but very very undisciplined players. Nobody every knew what to expect when Kadri or Lupul carried the puck into the offensive zone.
- The Law

Bang on, by the way. The Devils were / have a very structured system. Both offensive and defensive.

Funny thing about Hull - he was completely out of professional hockey at one point. Was playing with his buddies in a beer league. He probably shouldn't have even been given a second chance to ever play in the NHL.

Don't get me wrong - I like the guy. He's loveable. He wasn't afraid to say goofy stuff to the media. And no denying his talent for putting the puck in the net.

But as someone above said - completely one-dimensional. I don't think he ever came over his own blueline.
- Atomic Wedgie

Alot of the greats from the 90s were floaters

I think he signed somewhere else..
- bixll

canes

Give him the first 20 games
If he has 8 pts by then consider that he will turn things around
- MTL1

Put him on the 1st PP unit for the first 5 games, and tell Kessel to bank something off Clarkson's ass and into the net. Get him a goal early so he doesn't hear whispers.

I'm serious.

sure, but that was his Job, pretty sick sniper
- PinkSock

Agreed. He, Mike Bossy and Kurri were my 3 favorite triggers..

I think he signed somewhere else..
- bixll

I know.

I know.
- peddy-93

And I agree. They SHOULD have moved him for a D man and re-signed Mac for 2 year minimal deal..

Want a more experienced backup I imagine. Would like to have seen clemmenson actually.
- Big_Lightnin

If Brodeur/Khabibulin is their definition of experience, I wanna stay far away from that.

Put him on the 1st PP unit for the first 5 games, and tell Kessel to bank something off Clarkson's ass and into the net. Get him a goal early so he doesn't hear whispers.

I'm serious.
- Atomic Wedgie

For sure
If he doesn't score in the first 5 and at worst the first 10
Could be a long season for him

Buyout talk will start

And yet even with his time missing from the lineup, was the Leafs only secondary scoring besides Kadri. Getting rid of him for the sake of cap relief is a mistake.
- LeafMan

Would suggest moving Lupul for cap space. If there is a deal using Lupul, Reimer and some cap space for a top end player, I would do it. Bruins, Flyers and Caps all need to shed $.

Edit - Sorry, would not suggest moving him for cap space

And I agree. They SHOULD have moved him for a D man and re-signed Mac for 2 year minimal deal..
- bixll

Yup. Best case scenario he backs up Bernier for 15-20 games. Worst case scenario Bernier gets hurt and we draft high in a deep draft. Win/win.

Put him on the 1st PP unit for the first 5 games, and tell Kessel to bank something off Clarkson's ass and into the net. Get him a goal early so he doesn't hear whispers.

I'm serious.
- Atomic Wedgie

I agree totally. But leave him in front on the PP all year.. He will get his mojo back.

Yup. Best case scenario he backs up Bernier for 15-20 games. Worst case scenario Bernier gets hurt and we draft high in a deep draft. Win/win.
- peddy-93

Protected until the last month and playoffs, FRanson was arguably the best in the playoffs on the team and played a top 4 role playing the most in the last 2 games. I think you stick hhim on the 3rd pair and roll him out on the PP, when he did this he was fine. I don't like him at 4 at all, but at 3 i don't mind, like I said move him at the deadline, if they can't then the club was dumb again, they knew this could happen...
- aminnes

That's why you trade him now. Also why they tried to trade him for Gorges.
I think he gets moved. He's replaceable, and has priced himself above what he can offer this team given the young guys they have both with Leafs and in system.

Hell Robidas can replace him this year, and Percy will next year. Bigger role for Rielly and Gardiner, we won't miss his offence at all

That's why you trade him now. Also why they tried to trade him for Gorges.
I think he gets moved. He's replaceable, and has priced himself above what he can offer this team given the young guys they have both with Leafs and in system.

Hell Robidas can replace him this year, and Percy will next year. Bigger role for Rielly and Gardiner, we won't miss his offence at all
- Big_Lightnin

franson and reimer for a bucket of cottage cheese

Would suggest moving Lupul for cap space. If there is a deal using Lupul, Reimer and some cap space for a top end player, I would do it. Bruins, Flyers and Caps all need to shed $.

Edit - Sorry, would not suggest moving him for cap space
- Canada Cup

Well that's not for cap Space , that's for a better player.

Simply can't trade Lupul if they don't bring in an established 25G scorer to replace him.

franson and reimer for a bucket of cottage cheese
- Dozzer

Need to add the sour cream and green onions - then it's a go.

I agree totally. But leave him in front on the PP all year.. He will get his mojo back.
- bixll

Problem is there's no one on the 1st PP for him to replace. Obvs not Kessel or JVR, and we need a center so insert Bozak.

Put him on the 2nd unit with Kadri/Lupul. Put him in front while Kadri/Lupul work the half boards.

He was also consistently a step behind them. Both with speed and decision making. He was always out of place because he was behind the play.
- markmark

I didn't really see it that way. For me he looked like he didn't know where to be. He's not a bad skater and he was throwing his body around and playing with energy most nights. He looked like a guy with zero chemistry. "If" Bolland hadn't gotten hurt early (and then Bozak) it would have been interesting to see if he could have developed some chemistry with him. Chip the puck in and chase and forecheck. Kadri, Lupul, Bozak, Kessel, JVR ....more often then not they skate the puck into the zone and stop up looking to make a pass.

I'm not defending Clarkson - he was poop last year.