Hard to say.. Brown is poop now..

They might be wise to start a rebuild, but i think Chi isnt thinking along those lines yet
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I agree about Chicago thinking. But, cap issues are going to become more extreme. If Chicago starts out slow, the problems will increase dramatically. The difficulty comes in the distribution of contracts. As soon as you begin to unload contracts in support of a rebuild...just about everyone becomes available.

I agree about Chicago thinking. But, cap issues are going to become more extreme. If Chicago starts out slow, the problems will increase dramatically. The difficulty comes in the distribution of contracts. As soon as you begin to unload contracts in support of a rebuild...just about everyone becomes available.
- spatso

here's a tough one, at least I think so: You have to move one of Toews or Kane. Which one would you?

here's a tough one, at least I think so: You have to move one of Toews or Kane. Which one would you?
- RickJames77

Easy...Kane because Garth would sell the farm to land him...

here's a tough one, at least I think so: You have to move one of Toews or Kane. Which one would you?
- RickJames77

Kane...

They'd probably get more for him... and they have the breadman now..

I was thinking Kane too. He's such a dynamic player though, that I think it makes it a little difficult. For most center/winger specualtion, I tend to air on the side of the Center, but just felt this "case" was interesting.

Comparing Bonk to Matthews is laughable. Matthews set the single season record for the us ntdp league - he was 16-17 years old during the season - as were Phil Kessel and Patrick Kane. Matthews projects as better, there are no centres from the US that compare - unless you talk about Modano - who played junior in Canada. Incredibly, Ottawa made picks worse than Bonk. Can you say Wade Redden or Alexandre Daigle? Learn your facts.



- winsix

fixed

I was thinking Kane too. He's such a dynamic player though, that I think it makes it a little difficult. For most center/winger specualtion, I tend to air on the side of the Center, but just felt this "case" was interesting.
- RickJames77

Not proposing it as a deal. But, if you are the Hawks today would you rather have Kane at $10m or Marner on an entry level contract. I think every cap challenged team is about to hit this wall. Teams will pay McDavid $10m coming off his entry level contract. Nobody is going to fool around with RFA deals with high end players. They will do 8 years for the elite players on the first post entry level deal.

It only follows that current top players (e.g. Kane) can only make sense in a deal where top end entry level talent comes back on the deal. At the same time, the only teams that can afford Kane would be teams like Buffalo, Winnipeg, Florida and Edmonton that have deep talent pools as well as enough payroll flexibility to absorb a huge contract and make a run for the Cup.

here's a tough one, at least I think so: You have to move one of Toews or Kane. Which one would you?
- RickJames77

would be my pick.

He's pretty much bozak. Check the stats.
- systemtool

Kyler Turzak?

Interesting to see a thread of bilateral trolling evolve into multiple legitimate hockey discussions among fans of several teams. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it before.

I'm scared...

Interesting to see a thread of bilateral trolling evolve into multiple legitimate hockey discussions among fans of several teams. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it before.

I'm scared...
- BlueBallz

I actually think it happens every year around the draft where interests often transcend individual team considerations. Over the last few years the discussion has been primarily on the Buffalo, Florida and Edmonton threads. This is the first time the discussion has come to the Leaf thread. It is a benefit of hitting bottom.

Not proposing it as a deal. But, if you are the Hawks today would you rather have Kane at $10m or Marner on an entry level contract. I think every cap challenged team is about to hit this wall. Teams will pay McDavid $10m coming off his entry level contract. Nobody is going to fool around with RFA deals with high end players. They will do 8 years for the elite players on the first post entry level deal.

It only follows that current top players (e.g. Kane) can only make sense in a deal where top end entry level talent comes back on the deal. At the same time, the only teams that can afford Kane would be teams like Buffalo, Winnipeg, Florida and Edmonton that have deep talent pools as well as enough payroll flexibility to absorb a huge contract and make a run for the Cup.
- spatso

Teams would be much better off - scooping talent giving offer sheets to RFA's. Kucherov - next year say at $7.2 million for five years will cost a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick - it's better than shipping a boatload of talent for a $10 million contract for a player who is a diminishing asset.

I actually think it happens every year around the draft where interests often transcend individual team considerations. Over the last few years the discussion has been primarily on the Buffalo, Florida and Edmonton threads. This is the first time the discussion has come to the Leaf thread. It is a benefit of hitting bottom.
- spatso

Is THAT what Giroux was going for....?

Kane...

They'd probably get more for him... and they have the breadman now..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

$10m+ for 8 years make sense for an elite player starting around age 22. But can a team pay $10m for 8 years to a 27 year old player?

My belief is if you already have the pieces that allow you to make a Cup run it makes sense. But, teams not ready to make a serious run should avoid huge long term deals.

Teams would be much better off - scooping talent giving offer sheets to RFA's. Kucherov - next year say at $7.2 million for five years will cost a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick - it's better than shipping a boatload of talent for a $10 million contract for a player who is a diminishing asset.
- winsix

That makes a lot of sense. But, I think teams will match on the younger players. I believe that Tampa is not going to go to the wall to try and sign Stamkos. If he does not like their number, the Bolts will let him walk.

That makes a lot of sense. But, I think teams will match on the younger players. I believe that Tampa is not going to go to the wall to try and sign Stamkos. If he does not like their number, the Bolts will let him walk.
- spatso

Tampa will run out of money to match with, Victor Hedman is UFA next year and will be looking at a max contract - Ditto for Bishop, Johnson and Palat are also RFA next year. Even if they lose Bishop that's a lot of coin for 4 players.

$10m+ for 8 years make sense for an elite player starting around age 22. But can a team pay $10m for 8 years to a 27 year old player?

My belief is if you already have the pieces that allow you to make a Cup run it makes sense. But, teams not ready to make a serious run should avoid huge long term deals.
- spatso

Like the Leafs with Stamkos...

If they sign that (frank)er they must be confident they can win.

Like the Leafs with Stamkos...

If they sign that (frank)er they must be confident they can win.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I really like Stamkos as well, as long as there are no issues with recovery from his blood clot, he is captain material for the Leafs. Work ethic, talent, good citizen and classy ..... unlike Kane. Can't argue Kane's talent - but those other intangibles - YUK.

I don't think it had anything to do with that at all. Ceci over the first half of the tournament played the #1 in most situations. When Ellis joined the team he took on the #1 and everyone's minutes were adjusted accordingly. It was a great experience and growth for Ceci and he will be more than adequate playing with Phaneuf next year.
- spatso

Meh. Rielly was named one of the top 3 players and the top Dman for Canada. Not sure who made that call but I'm pretty sure coach's pick the top 3 players for each team. Media picks the other awards but I could be wrong. Rielly had a good tournament and led the team in ice time I believe by all accounts but I never watched a ton of Canada. Watched Finland and USA more which is kinda sad... was just interested in Mathews and Laine more so..

I really like Stamkos as well, as long as there are no issues with recovery from his blood clot, he is captain material for the Leafs. Work ethic, talent, good citizen and classy ..... unlike Kane. Can't argue Kane's talent - but those other intangibles - YUK.
- winsix

Kane honestly might be the best guy for getting the guys pumped up and ready to go before games, how do any of us know? We have no idea what kind of leader Stamkos is.. I hate that people want to sign him and just throw him the Captaincy.

Kane honestly might be the best guy for getting the guys pumped up and ready to go before games, how do any of us know? We have no idea what kind of leader Stamkos is.. I hate that people want to sign him and just throw him the Captaincy.
- ClarksonDavid

You have a point but it cannot be argued that Kane has had two run ins with the police. He was accused of one crime and the charges were dropped - he beat up a cab driver and there was no denying it. Stamkos has never been in the news for this type of punk ass stuff has he? So in the area of the type of people wanted in the Leaf organization the point is hard to argue. Read the Hockey Writers article on Stamkos training with Gary Roberts - it is pretty detailed and Roberts who has trained with lots of NHL stars - has high praise for Stamkos. Leaders lead by example - Stamkos seems to fit that bill. He is also a gym rat - much the same as another leaf - Morgan Reilly.

You have a point but it cannot be argued that Kane has had two run ins with the police. He was accused of one crime and the charges were dropped - he beat up a cab driver and there was no denying it. Stamkos has never been in the news for this type of punk ass stuff has he? So in the area of the type of people wanted in the Leaf organization the point is hard to argue. Read the Hockey Writers article on Stamkos training with Gary Roberts - it is pretty detailed and Roberts who has trained with lots of NHL stars - has high praise for Stamkos. Leaders lead by example - Stamkos seems to fit that bill. He is also a gym rat - much the same as another leaf - Morgan Reilly.
- winsix

And Willie!! And soon to be Leaf Matthews..

Jesus Christ. What a thread. All I got from this is Matthews = Yakupov. Phaneuf is a good player and apparently, not taking their actual age into account, the Sens have a young team.

Jesus Christ. What a thread. All I got from this is Matthews = Yakupov. Phaneuf is a good player and apparently, not taking their actual age into account, the Sens have a young team.
- walshyleafsfan

laine is a bust because he'll never score 60 goals

Anderson 35
Hammond 28

Karlsson 25
Phaneuf 31
Methot 30
Ceci 22
Wideman 26
Wiercoch 25

Turris 26
MacArthur 31
Ryan 29
Stone 24
Hoffman 26
Zibanejad 23
Smith 28
Neil 36
Lazar 21
Pageau 23
Chiasson 25
Dzingel 24

Young as (frank).