I still think they're trying to do a trade for ROR. It's ridiculous that ROR at 23 is already getting big money, when he should be on a bridge contract for half of that. He's overpaid at 6 million. He'll want a raise on his next contract. Thanks Calgary!
- PrinceLH

he'll have well over 400 games played after this season... he's on a 2 year bridge NOW.

even if his cap was $3.5M now, he still wouldn't be extending for less than $6.5M.
fun to female dog but really didn't change a thing, other than making everyone aware of what the price would be.

its a game where 30 goals are scored. If we assume an average of 1 assist per goal thats 60 points to go around and Kessel could not get 1 of those.
- twiztedmike

Only Phil Kessel could get crap for an exhibition game.

Only Phil Kessel could get crap for an exhibition game.
- RogerRoeper

and not getting enough assists on the oppositions goals

sooo...

NJD, ARI, PHI, NSH, NJD, EMD...


Given the way they dominated Ottawa the last 2 periods and seemed to actually give a poop, Anybody else a bit worried Leafs could go 5-1 the next 2 weeks and (frank) up all this progress towards proper change?

sooo...

NJD, ARI, PHI, NSH, NJD, EMD...


Given the way they dominated Ottawa the last 2 periods and seemed to actually give a poop, Anybody else a bit worried Leafs could go 5-1 the next 2 weeks and (frank) up all this progress towards proper change?
- Badge

They are better than those teams, talent-wise (Except Nashville) and many players are due to breakout, so yes, they could start winning.

I don't think they'll finish higher than 5th worst. The bottom 4 are pretty set. But they do need the Devils to pass them.

It goes to show that the rest of this merry band are just cashing checks these days, and not making any. They'll wait a little while, then decide that it's time to make a new impression for next year. I want many of them gone, asap. I don't want them to screw up our draft position, because this is our most important draft in a generation. We have to come up with a star centre, or we'll just sink lower into Edmonton territory.
- PrinceLH

I wish, at least edmonton is in a position of strength with lots of cap space and players people want... The Leafs never seem to be willing to go the long haul...

I wish, at least edmonton is in a position of strength with lots of cap space and players people want... The Leafs never seem to be willing to go the long haul...
- aminnes

The Oilers are a complete mess. And it's not like they can give up and trade Hall, RNH, ETC.

sooo...

NJD, ARI, PHI, NSH, NJD, EMD...


Given the way they dominated Ottawa the last 2 periods and seemed to actually give a poop, Anybody else a bit worried Leafs could go 5-1 the next 2 weeks and (frank) up all this progress towards proper change?
- Badge

I'm getting Deja Vu from 06-07 when they were 22-21-6 before the all star break and finished 1 point from 8th.

The Oilers are a complete mess. And it's not like they can give up and trade Hall, RNH, ETC.
- RogerRoeper

?.. Ya they can, or their first, or not and draft another player thats good, they have a lot of problems but with cap space and movable contracts, along with hot young prospects, they are ahead of the Leafs, despite what the standings mights tell you...

?.. Ya they can, or their first, or not and draft another player thats good, they have a lot of problems but with cap space and movable contracts, along with hot young prospects, they are ahead of the Leafs, despite what the standings mights tell you...
- aminnes

Problem is the pieces we need are all tough to come by. Top line Center, 2 top pair D and a starting goalie? Where we gonna get those?

Problem is the pieces we need are all tough to come by. Top line Center, 2 top pair D and a starting goalie? Where we gonna get those?
- Jeropotato

All in time with development, but of they wanted to speed up the process, they could.... As for a goalie, the have the cap space and pieces to make a major mope if they wanted to...

All in time with development, but of they wanted to speed up the process, they could.... As for a goalie, the have the cap space and pieces to make a major mope if they wanted to...
- aminnes

Oh I think the Oilers have enough that could trade some futures to become a mediocre playoff team like we were 10-15 years ago.... We absolutely have to get better soon, and the only way to do that is to add key veteran pieces.
2015 1st
Pens 2015 1st
2016 1st
Jeff Petry
Nail Yakupov
Justin Schultz
Martin Marincin

Not sure what this gets us but if their are player out there being shopped that we need this should get most of it done.

It's always nice to see teams sign players to long term deals and then start discussing moving those players in the first year or so. Well managed cap.
- Isles_since_6

from the fan of a team still paying a guy thats been out of the league 8 years (yashin), and owing another 4 on the guy that was signed to the longest contract in league history (dipietro)

Oh I think the Oilers have enough that could trade some futures to become a mediocre playoff team like we were 10-15 years ago.... We absolutely have to get better soon, and the only way to do that is to add key veteran pieces.
2015 1st
Pens 2015 1st
2016 1st
Jeff Petry
Nail Yakupov
Justin Schultz
Martin Marincin

Not sure what this gets us but if their are player out there being shopped that we need this should get most of it done.
- Jeropotato

take Mcdavid/Eichel. move RNH for a top pairing D-man and they could have the best 1-2 punch down the middle in a couple years with Draisatl in the mix

its a game where 30 goals are scored. If we assume an average of 1 assist per goal thats 60 points to go around and Kessel could not get 1 of those.
- twiztedmike

pretty dumb to suggest he could play a hand in the opponents 17 goals,
Kopitar was held scoreless as well...what a bum!

pretty dumb to suggest he could play a hand in the opponents 17 goals,
Kopitar was held scoreless as well...what a bum!
- GardinerExpress

Kopitar is a bum sometimes actually.

And so is Kessel.

Let me guess, the Leafs corsi is good now so everything is OK? Kessel is so great we shouldn't trade him but if we do it should be for 1st overall in this year's draft?

Kopitar is a bum sometimes actually.

And so is Kessel.

Let me guess, the Leafs corsi is good now so everything is OK? Kessel is so great we shouldn't trade him but if we do it should be for 1st overall in this year's draft?
- twiztedmike

Nothing has been okay since before the 05 lockout.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Leafs

Nothing has been okay since before the 05 lockout.
- Viktory

trade Bozak, we have enough 3rd line centres. Clear some cap space by clearing out the deadwood. Improving our draft position is all that's left

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Leafs
- AdamFrench

I've heard that song before, greatest hits album!

trade Bozak, we have enough 3rd line centres. Clear some cap space by clearing out the deadwood. Improving our draft position is all that's left
- shmenge

Only way to truly win is to simply draft the best regardless of where you draft from. Obviously there are no brain choices, but Detroit has a roster that's essentially all drafted outside the first round. Can't be a coincidence they have been so good for so long.

Only way to truly win is to simply draft the best regardless of where you draft from. Obviously there are no brain choices, but Detroit has a roster that's essentially all drafted outside the first round. Can't be a coincidence they have been so good for so long.
- Viktory

it's because the leafs draft guys based on the fact that they think they are guaranteed to play in the nhl in a certain spot. look at 09 when they drafted devane, thinking he is a guaranteed 4th liner. look who was drafted right after him, reilly smith. drafted gauthier cause they think he is a lock for #3C, people drafted after him, burakovsky, shinkaruk, theodore. moved up in 2011 to draft biggs, thinking he is guaranteed to be a 2nd liner power forward, missed out on gibson and saad. they go for what they view as a lock, not guys who have skill and character who will want to exceed their expectations.

it's because the leafs draft guys based on the fact that they think they are guaranteed to play in the nhl in a certain spot. look at 09 when they drafted devane, thinking he is a guaranteed 4th liner. look who was drafted right after him, reilly smith. drafted gauthier cause they think he is a lock for #3C, people drafted after him, burakovsky, shinkaruk, theodore. moved up in 2011 to draft biggs, thinking he is guaranteed to be a 2nd liner power forward, missed out on gibson and saad. they go for what they view as a lock, not guys who have skill and character who will want to exceed their expectations.
- matt1337

I do think Detroit has had a lot of luck.

Yeah, that's mostly Burke and drafting guys who are NHL sized now.

Go with skill and upside, let the rest come together naturally.

Keep Kessel and Dion though That's the vibe im getting around here for the past couple days.
- Lee Denault

That is idiotic.

That is idiotic.
- fifty__missions

Their cap hits will prevent them from being moved until the off-season, which gives us a chance to play out our remaining games with Horachek and the 5-5-5 system and see if they can continue to play a defensively-responsible game and win hockey games.

Tank Nation would be great, but I don't think it's going to happen.

If this team doesn't show that it can make improvements that are sustainable then my guess is they'll move Phaneuf/Kessel along with anyone else that's in their prime or older.