I just flat out disagree with your first paragraph, and I agree with your second. Lets move on....
- kindlyrick

Sticking with the numbers from the second paragraph, the team below looks infinitely better and leaves us with $4.3M in cap space. It figures in everything a mentioned and a trade with CHI for Shaw's RFA rights. Shaw currently makes $2M, so a $1M raise isn't unreasonable. Tlusty would be a good 13th forward to have hanging around if need be.

Sticking with the numbers from the second paragraph, the team below looks infinitely better and leaves us with $4.3M in cap space. It figures in everything a mentioned and a trade with CHI for Shaw's RFA rights. Shaw currently makes $2M, so a $1M raise isn't unreasonable. Tlusty would be a good 13th forward to have hanging around if need be.

- eichiefs9

You spend way to much time thinking about this.

You spend way to much time thinking about this.
- JimmyP

I enjoy it I'm a numbers guy and I'm sitting at my desk eating lunch. I can only read so much speculation about this EgyptAir flight.

I enjoy it I'm a numbers guy and I'm sitting at my desk eating lunch. I can only read so much speculation about this EgyptAir flight.
- eichiefs9

Probably also the work of feminists.

All I'm saying is adding Stamkos, regardless of where he plays, means the dire-need for Tavares to have a good winger diminishes. It either a) solves it or b) adds such depth that it makes it a near non-issue.

For the record, if we managed to trade Bailey and Halak for picks with no salary retained...that adds $7.8M in cap space. If Grabovski retires or is placed on LTIR that's another $5M in free space. We'll already have just over $5M in free space already. All the sudden we're looking at $17.8M in open cap space. You could add Stamkos and then some.
- eichiefs9

All this Stamkos talk makes me think that have a chance to sign him small but there none the less. He doesn't need to play with jt because teams can only shut down one line so the other will get an ideal match up to exploit. The pens roll 3 scoring lines and no one seems to have an answer for them so far. Jt stammer Neilson and cc down the middle is deep and we have the prospects to fill in around them in the next year or two. Go for it now while you have the space and worry about the cap later. I'd take being screwed in 5 years for a cup before that.

I enjoy it I'm a numbers guy and I'm sitting at my desk eating lunch. I can only read so much speculation about this EgyptAir flight.
- eichiefs9

Go nuts, I'm not raining on your parade. Personally I think its such a long shot that I don't give it any thought. It would be nice.

All I'm saying is adding Stamkos, regardless of where he plays, means the dire-need for Tavares to have a good winger diminishes. It either a) solves it or b) adds such depth that it makes it a near non-issue.

For the record, if we managed to trade Bailey and Halak for picks with no salary retained...that adds $7.8M in cap space. If Grabovski retires or is placed on LTIR that's another $5M in free space. We'll already have just over $5M in free space already. All the sudden we're looking at $17.8M in open cap space. You could add Stamkos and then some.
- eichiefs9

That's a lot of "if's".

[quote=eichiefs9]Sticking with the numbers from the second paragraph, the team below looks infinitely better and leaves us with $4.3M in cap space. It figures in everything a mentioned and a trade with CHI for Shaw's RFA rights. Shaw currently makes $2M, so a $1M raise isn't unreasonable. Tlusty would be a good 13th forward to have hanging around if need be.

a
From the two games I saw live, in preseason, I would say Barzal could bet out Prince for a spot on the roster, now a year older & stronger & coming off a dominating season. Prince's only clear advantage might be speed—and that's not to say Barzal is slow. He was very impressive in the games I saw.

That's a lot of "if's".
- jmo16

Very nice if's though. Might take longer to move Halak now with the surgery. Have to hope Bailey could be moved soon for a pick.

Very nice if's though. Might take longer to move Halak now with the surgery. Have to hope Bailey could be moved soon for a pick.
- ses111

Those are straight off the "Wish List" of everyone on the board.

6 years. Hired in '06 and they won in '12.

Much different situation though. He was able to draft a superstar defenseman and already had Jonathan Quick and Anze Kopitar in the pipeline when he took over.

Leafs have none of those three things. They'll get one, the center, in Auston Matthews this year at the draft. They have neither a cornerstone defenseman (or a prospect who projects as one) or a top-flight goaltender.

Lombardi made some shrewd trades/signings, but outside of having to pick between Doughty/Bogosian in the '08 draft...he mostly added supporting pieces of spare parts.

Leafs started with the cupboard being utterly bare. When Lombardi started, some of the core pieces were already drafted and picking Drew Doughty 2nd overall isn't exactly an award-winning move.
- eichiefs9

I dont think the Kings were in as great of shape as you say. The fact is the cup team was built and won. Sure they had Quick and Kopitar, but cup teams are a lot more than that. I also believe that the leafs have the money to buy any UFAs they want. With Kadri, JVR, and this years first overall, they have the starting point that I would say is similar to the Kings when Lombardi took over. Prospects are a funny thing too. You never know who will pan out and who wont. The leafs for years didnt have a single player from Ontario......NOT ONE. They've brought in an assistant coach now who's heavily dialed into the O so im sure he'll be bringing in some under the radar talent. Bottom line here.......we can discuss who's team is where on paper, but i will stand by my original point, which is i will bet anyone on here, the leafs are a cup contender in 5 years (you changed the time frame).

Very nice if's though. Might take longer to move Halak now with the surgery. Have to hope Bailey could be moved soon for a pick.
- ses111

Who would want Bailey? Seriously, who? The only way I see him moved is as part of a larger deal.

That's a lot of "if's".
- jmo16

Well the entire conversation has been about signing Stamkos, so "if" is kinda of the theme of the day.

Halak is as good as gone. I'd be completely shocked at this point if he were back in an Islander jersey next season.

Bailey is a long-shot, but it's also not out of the question.

Grabovski may not physically be able to play, so I don't think it's all that outlandish to think that he may either retire or be placed on LTIR.

Sticking with the numbers from the second paragraph, the team below looks infinitely better and leaves us with $4.3M in cap space. It figures in everything a mentioned and a trade with CHI for Shaw's RFA rights. Shaw currently makes $2M, so a $1M raise isn't unreasonable. Tlusty would be a good 13th forward to have hanging around if need be.


- eichiefs9

Not for nothing, and i appreciate your work, but you basically have 3 highly sought out UFA's coming to the islanders? Perhaps you are forgetting about a team up North who have shed as much salary as possible, and are chomping the bit to build a winning team. All three of those UFAs you have slotted on the isles, will probably end up in Toronto.

I dont think the Kings were in as great of shape as you say. The fact is the cup team was built and won. Sure they had Quick and Kopitar, but cup teams are a lot more than that. I also believe that the leafs have the money to buy any UFAs they want. With Kadri, JVR, and this years first overall, they have the starting point that I would say is similar to the Kings when Lombardi took over. Prospects are a funny thing too. You never know who will pan out and who wont. The leafs for years didnt have a single player from Ontario......NOT ONE. They've brought in an assistant coach now who's heavily dialed into the O so im sure he'll be bringing in some under the radar talent. Bottom line here.......we can discuss who's team is where on paper, but i will stand by my original point, which is i will bet anyone on here, the leafs are a cup contender in 5 years (you changed the time frame).
- kindlyrick

What does being from Ontario have to do with anything?

Who would want Bailey? Seriously, who? The only way I see him moved is as part of a larger deal.
- JimmyP

Got to be one team willing to take a chance on him. Especially for a pick and it would not be a top pick.. I thought the Yotes were one team mentioned? Some coach has to think he can get more out of Bailey than Cappy has gotten.

Not for nothing, and i appreciate your work, but you basically have 3 highly sought out UFA's coming to the islanders? Perhaps you are forgetting about a team up North who have shed as much salary as possible, and are chomping the bit to build a winning team. All three of those UFAs you have slotted on the isles, will probably end up in Toronto.
- kindlyrick

Who are the 3 unrestricted free agents? Stamkos, Brouwer (who I wouldn't consider "highly sought after") and ______ ?

Those are straight off the "Wish List" of everyone on the board.
- jmo16

A LOT OF IF's........i mean i would love to see that lineup, but do we really think that the islanders are gonna come out of July 1st with three top UFAs?????? With the leafs lurking.......and the cash to spend, I think its a safe bet that they are gonna be snagging as many UFAs as they can.

Very nice if's though. Might take longer to move Halak now with the surgery. Have to hope Bailey could be moved soon for a pick.
- ses111

I would say Josh being dealt is a litmus test for Garth this off season. Guy is the biggest pedestrian on the roster. Minus a few shining moments in the playoffs, he was invisible most of the year. The team would have to deal him for a loss but I think they can match his mediocre production with Quine, Prince, MDC or Barzal. Keeping him on the roster proves Garth isn't man enough to admit a mistake(s) & cannot put emotions/ego aside in order to really do "what's best for the TEAM." I already know he will fail at this as his buddy remains the coach and signing Frans is the first big priority of the off-season.

Who are the 3 unrestricted free agents? Stamkos, Brouwer (who I wouldn't consider "highly sought after") and ______ ?
- eichiefs9

Shaw (who i now see is an RFA), but a player most teams would love to have......same with Brouwer. May I remind you that Troy Brouwer (who was traded for Oshie) has been scoring some big goals these playoffs.......and im not sure if you actually watched him in Washington but he did some damage over there as well. Both are guys that are winners......both play N American, and have skill. Just because I guy isnt gonna get 10 million doesnt mean he's not highly sought after.

I would say Josh being dealt is a litmus test for Garth this off season. Guy is the biggest pedestrian on the roster. Minus a few shining moments in the playoffs, he was invisible most of the year. The team would have to deal him for a loss but I think they can match his mediocre production with Quine, Prince, MDC or Barzal. Keeping him on the roster proves Garth isn't man enough to admit a mistake(s) & cannot put emotions/ego aside in order to really do "what's best for the TEAM." I already know he will fail at this as his buddy remains the coach and signing Frans is the first big priority of the off-season.
- jmo16

Yes. Two things need to happen. First, the Isles need to be willing to dump him. I don't see that happening. Second, another team has to be willing to take a chance on him. I guess that's more likely but I'm not sure why anyone would want him at his salary. I think we're stuck with him.

Shaw (who i now see is an RFA), but a player most teams would love to have......same with Brouwer. May I remind you that Troy Brouwer (who was traded for Oshie) has been scoring some big goals these playoffs.......and im not sure if you actually watched him in Washington but he did some damage over there as well. Both are guys that are winners......both play N American, and have skill. Just because I guy isnt gonna get 10 million doesnt mean he's not highly sought after.
- kindlyrick

Brian Bickell scored some really big playoff goals too one year. Brouwer is a consistent 20g, 40pt player. He's depth. Nice depth, but not a highly sought after free agent. I didn't say "because he's not making $10M he's not highly sought after". He's a supporting role player. There are plenty of guys, Okposo included, who will be in much higher demand.

And yes, people would love Shaw I'm sure, but he's restricted as you saw. So we would be trading for him and would own him. Garth has a history of doing business with Bowman and they're in cap hell again. It's not out of the question to flip a guy like Quine and a mid-round pick for Shaw's rights.

I would say Josh being dealt is a litmus test for Garth this off season. Guy is the biggest pedestrian on the roster. Minus a few shining moments in the playoffs, he was invisible most of the year. The team would have to deal him for a loss but I think they can match his mediocre production with Quine, Prince, MDC or Barzal. Keeping him on the roster proves Garth isn't man enough to admit a mistake(s) & cannot put emotions/ego aside in order to really do "what's best for the TEAM." I already know he will fail at this as his buddy remains the coach and signing Frans is the first big priority of the off-season.
- jmo16

I think it's very important to be able to move on from Bailey. Even if it's for a forth round pick. Garth hopefully knows he needs to change the mix on this team. Bailey no longer should have a spot on this team. Quine, Prince, or Barzal can more than make up for Bailey. I'm not crazy about Frans coming back, but he makes more sense than keeping Bailey. Garth is getting another chance and under new owners. It's on him if he cannot get the job done. No more excuses.

What does being from Ontario have to do with anything?
- eichiefs9

Perhaps you didnt know but some of the best players in the NHL are from the Ontario Hockey League. For an Ontario team to not have a single player from Ontario is a bad business model. To address it the leafs have brought in a guy who is heavily dialed into that league and I think thats going to help their drafting.

Perhaps you didnt know but some of the best players in the NHL are from the Ontario Hockey League. For an Ontario team to not have a single player from Ontario is a bad business model. To address it the leafs have brought in a guy who is heavily dialed into that league and I think thats going to help their drafting.
- kindlyrick

I got nothing. That's pure nonsense.