Tell that to Grabner
- kindlyrick

Team speed. 1 doesn't make a team.
If you don't agree that team speed is the defining element in todays nHL then we will agree to disagree.

Well yeah, if his wingers next year are Lee and Strome he may not be so happy with that. But the offseason hasn't really even officially started yet, so I would like to see where we are in mid-July before deciding how I feel about things.

Replacing one friend, in Okposo, with another, in Stamkos, would probably go a long way.

Obviously that's a major long shot, but the more time goes by the more I start to believe that signing Stamkos may be a bit more realistic than a lot of people think. There are a lot of moving parts that need to fall into place, but if they do...I would rank us as one of the better contenders for his services. /ducks
- eichiefs9

For sure but when I see in Staples piece today that he says barzal might be the best forward they get this summer it brings me back to summers past

I want to believe that as well but I'm conditioned to believe it won't happen

Of course not my point was JT thinks these guys are really good players and not just good friends and they all walk and he gets stuck playing with crap on his wings. You can't tell me that wouldn't get to you if you were JT? Jt doesn't think Okposo sucks like most of us do so I think that it does play a small part down the road if they don't bring in somebody ASAP to replace them.
- Vukota

One thing I caught looking through the replies to Staple's article, besides your stupid comment ( ) was Staple responding to someone saying that the Islanders were really interested in JVR.

How would you feel about moving, say, Strome and 19th overall for JVR and a 2nd or third rounder?

JVR has as NTC that kicks in when next season's contract starts on July 1st, so if TOR wants to move him..now is the time. He's insanely affordable at $4.25M for the next two seasons.

It's amazing Martin, Nielsen & Okposo only took up 6.55 million in cap space last year. That's a lot of production for the cost. It's a shame Snow didn't capatalize more on some of these really good contracts that are now up
- Vukota

Yes and to keep all 3 it will probably cost 15 plus per. Crazy, Cap doing it's job.

Well yeah, if his wingers next year are Lee and Strome he may not be so happy with that. But the offseason hasn't really even officially started yet, so I would like to see where we are in mid-July before deciding how I feel about things.

Replacing one friend, in Okposo, with another, in Stamkos, would probably go a long way.

Obviously that's a major long shot, but the more time goes by the more I start to believe that signing Stamkos may be a bit more realistic than a lot of people think. There are a lot of moving parts that need to fall into place, but if they do...I would rank us as one of the better contenders for his services. /ducks
- eichiefs9

For sake of discussion why do you feel the lightening or leafs arent tops in the running.

One thing I caught looking through the replies to Staple's article, besides your stupid comment ( ) was Staple responding to someone saying that the Islanders were really interested in JVR.

How would you feel about moving, say, Strome and 19th overall for JVR and a 2nd or third rounder?

JVR has as NTC that kicks in when next season's contract starts on July 1st, so if TOR wants to move him..now is the time. He's insanely affordable at $4.25M for the next two seasons.
- eichiefs9

In a heartbeat!

One thing I caught looking through the replies to Staple's article, besides your stupid comment ( ) was Staple responding to someone saying that the Islanders were really interested in JVR.

How would you feel about moving, say, Strome and 19th overall for JVR and a 2nd or third rounder?

JVR has as NTC that kicks in when next season's contract starts on July 1st, so if TOR wants to move him..now is the time. He's insanely affordable at $4.25M for the next two seasons.
- eichiefs9

DEAL!!!

One thing I caught looking through the replies to Staple's article, besides your stupid comment ( ) was Staple responding to someone saying that the Islanders were really interested in JVR.

How would you feel about moving, say, Strome and 19th overall for JVR and a 2nd or third rounder?

JVR has as NTC that kicks in when next season's contract starts on July 1st, so if TOR wants to move him..now is the time. He's insanely affordable at $4.25M for the next two seasons.
- eichiefs9

He hates the Isles, plus I already put in an offer.

One thing I caught looking through the replies to Staple's article, besides your stupid comment ( ) was Staple responding to someone saying that the Islanders were really interested in JVR.

How would you feel about moving, say, Strome and 19th overall for JVR and a 2nd or third rounder?

JVR has as NTC that kicks in when next season's contract starts on July 1st, so if TOR wants to move him..now is the time. He's insanely affordable at $4.25M for the next two seasons.
- eichiefs9

Doesn't JVR get hurt a lot? I would probably do it but I would hate getting rid of Strome so early. He put up over 50 points as a rookie and is only 22. I understand the bad year but we've seen it before with getting rid of kids too early. I also understand you have to give to get and if that was the best of the options I would probably say yes

He hates the Isles, plus I already put in an offer.
- mdw7413

Your dog walking up right on two legs yet?

For sake of discussion why do you feel the lightening or leafs arent tops in the running.
- kindlyrick

Why I don't believe the Lightning are:

- They are projected to have zero dollars in cap space under the current cap ceiling, at season end. I believe early predictions suggest the cap may go up about $2M..but that's a nominal increase.

- They have two important RFA's to sign in Kucherov and Killlorn this year

- The following offseason Hedman is a UFA due for a mega-raise and Drouin, Johnson, and Palat are all going to need new contracts as RFA's


Why I don't believe the Leafs are:

- They're a long way away from being Cup contenders, despite being one of only a handful of teams that can expedite the process because they have unlimited funds

- They have very little impact defensemen outside of Morgan Rielly. Nikita Zaitsev was a great Russian UFA signing for them, but he hasn't played a single game in NA yet.

- They have no goaltending or promising goaltender prospects

Now the Leafs can most certainly afford to pay Stamkos what he wants, but let's not forget the following:

- Taxes in Canada are far higher than those in NY. If he signs for $10M in TOR he nets less than he does signing for $10M in NY.

- The Islanders are way closer to competing for a Cup than the Leafs are. If Stamkos wants to use his remaining prime years to try and vie for a Cup...the Islanders are a much more attractive choice.

- I don't put much stock in this one but: he'd be playing with his good buddy Tavares. He may buy into coming to a team and giving them an elite one-two punch, the likes of which are only seen on very few other teams in the league. (CHI, PIT, ANA, DAL are the only ones that come to mind).

I would love to see JVR AND Loui Eriksson. I think grabbing two guys like them instead of going after Stamkos is more realistic. What do you think each player would be paid?

Doesn't JVR get hurt a lot? I would probably do it but I would hate getting rid of Strome so early. He put up over 50 points as a rookie and is only 22. I understand the bad year but we've seen it before with getting rid of kids too early. I also understand you have to give to get and if that was the best of the options I would probably say yes
- Vukota

He missed a lot of time this season and the 11/12 season with Philly.

Otherwise, since his NHL career started in 2009-10 season he's missed no significant time. Since the lockout season he's played 48 games (the entire lockout season), 80 games, 82 games and then 40 games this season because of injury.

I would love to see JVR AND Loui Eriksson. I think grabbing two guys like them instead of going after Stamkos is more realistic. What do you think each player would be paid?
- LItransplant44

Well JVR would be paid $4.25M because he is under contract for two more years.

Loui is probably looking at $6M or $6M+ over 5-6 years.

Why I don't believe the Lightning are:

- They are projected to have zero dollars in cap space under the current cap ceiling, at season end. I believe early predictions suggest the cap may go up about $2M..but that's a nominal increase.

- They have two important RFA's to sign in Kucherov and Killlorn this year

- The following offseason Hedman is a UFA due for a mega-raise and Drouin, Johnson, and Palat are all going to need new contracts as RFA's


Why I don't believe the Leafs are:

- They're a long way away from being Cup contenders, despite being one of only a handful of teams that can expedite the process because they have unlimited funds

- They have very little impact defensemen outside of Morgan Rielly. Nikita Zaitsev was a great Russian UFA signing for them, but he hasn't played a single game in NA yet.

- They have no goaltending or promising goaltender prospects

Now the Leafs can most certainly afford to pay Stamkos what he wants, but let's not forget the following:

- Taxes in Canada are far higher than those in NY. If he signs for $10M in TOR he nets less than he does signing for $10M in NY.

- The Islanders are way closer to competing for a Cup than the Leafs are. If Stamkos wants to use his remaining prime years to try and vie for a Cup...the Islanders are a much more attractive choice.

- I don't put much stock in this one but: he'd be playing with his good buddy Tavares. He may buy into coming to a team and giving them an elite one-two punch, the likes of which are only seen on very few other teams in the league. (CHI, PIT, ANA, DAL are the only ones that come to mind).
- eichiefs9

NY Rags, Nash and Kreider ?

Your dog walking up right on two legs yet?
- Vukota

Freaking nightmare when he gets going. Its like the air he breathes is laced with meth.

NY Rags, Nash and Kreider ?
- nyisles7

How could I forget those two studs

NY Rags, Nash and Kreider ?
- nyisles7

One plays the regular season but disappears in the playoffs, the other takes the regular season off, but plays in the playoffs. Go figure

He missed a lot of time this season and the 11/12 season with Philly.

Otherwise, since his NHL career started in 2009-10 season he's missed no significant time. Since the lockout season he's played 48 games (the entire lockout season), 80 games, 82 games and then 40 games this season because of injury.
- eichiefs9

I guess I would do it but I know Strome would come back to bite us eventually

One plays the regular season but disappears in the playoffs, the other takes the regular season off, but plays in the playoffs. Go figure
- mdw7413

How could I forget those two studs
- eichiefs9

I guess I would do it but I know Strome would come back to bite us eventually
- Vukota

Maybe, maybe not. Strome could end up as a guy like Braden Schenn. Good player, but not exactly a banner player. A really nice complimentary piece.

Or he could break-out and have it bite us in the ass.

Snow could also offer something like Ho-Sang and the 19th overall for JVR alone

Your dog walking up right on two legs yet?
- Vukota

Wait.... are we talking about my puppy or my GF?

Wait.... are we talking about my puppy or my GF?
- mdw7413

6 in one hand half a dozen in the other

Wait.... are we talking about my puppy or my GF?
- mdw7413

One is covered in hair and eats their food out of a bowl on the floor.

The other is a boxer.