if LEafs make a trade, something like this would make more sense (as opposed to trade for Barrie):

Bozak + good prospect / 1st round pick

for

Mattias Ekholm
- MaximusAurelius

I'd be VERY happy with that. The only downside is that he's a lefty.

Now you're talking!
- As_I_See_It

That's a deadline type of deal for a pick in the 25-30 range - nothing to get too excited about. There are bigger trades coming on draft day. Lou has lots of chips and a specific shopping list that includes a goalie and a defenseman.

The Gull flew into a vat of hot sauce - (frank)ing animal

If Leafs make a trade.. it needs to be a 2 for 1 trade... as in..

Hunwick/Gardiner/Bozak/Lupul/Greening/Laich + Someone Management think doesn't fit the plan

Gotta make NHL space
- Delryk

Or a 5-for-1 like the Grabner deal.

I didn't like the trade at the time, but that's partially because I was too attached to 'meh' level prospects

The Gull flew into a vat of hot sauce - (frank)ing animal
- RickJames77

So why not just throw the damn thing on the BBQ?

Half the work is already done.

The Gull flew into a vat of hot sauce - (frank)ing animal
- RickJames77

no choice...


KILL THE GULL

The Gull flew into a vat of hot sauce - (frank)ing animal
- RickJames77

You missed me posting this yesterday - read some of the quotes in the story

That's a deadline type of deal for a pick in the 25-30 range - nothing to get too excited about. There are bigger trades coming on draft day. Lou has lots of chips and a specific shopping list that includes a goalie and a defenseman.
- winsix

Nah

Chances are the Preds are in the mix around deadline day, they're adding. Highly doubtful they'd trade a guy like Ekholm for picks at that point.

Acquiring Ekholm would be an off-season move.

You missed me posting this yesterday - read some of the quotes in the story
- lumlums

I had a strange feeling you did

Partially because this is not the first time this has happened and mostly because it happened in the UK so I figured Dr. (frank)Lums would be on top of that

Edit:Lucy Kells, a veterinary nurse at the hospital in Worcestershire, said: "He really surprised everyone here - we had never seen anything like it before.
"The thing that shocked us the most was the smell. He smelled amazing, he really smelled good."

You missed me posting this yesterday - read some of the quotes in the story
- lumlums

All set for tomorrow, Lumsie?

I had a strange feeling you did

Partially because this is not the first time this has happened and mostly because it happened in the UK so I figured Dr. (frank)Lums would be on top of that

Edit:Lucy Kells, a veterinary nurse at the hospital in Worcestershire, said: "He really surprised everyone here - we had never seen anything like it before.
"The thing that shocked us the most was the smell. He smelled amazing, he really smelled good."
- RickJames77

And there we go

All set for tomorrow, Lumsie?
- Atomic Wedgie

Damn right man. I'll be at my belligerent best, England Jersey ready to go. Heading to watch it on the big screen at the campus bar (plus the undergrads all (frank)ed off yesterday which is great )

Damn right man. I'll be at my belligerent best, England Jersey ready to go. Heading to watch it on the big screen at the campus bar (plus the undergrads all (frank)ed off yesterday which is great )
- lumlums

Awesome..

Have fun in a SOCCER BLOG site talking about it!

See yea when you come back to talk about HOCKEY

Damn right man. I'll be at my belligerent best, England Jersey ready to go. Heading to watch it on the big screen at the campus bar (plus the undergrads all (frank)ed off yesterday which is great )
- lumlums

I'm hoping that's not a 2016 jersey. Good Lord, they are franking awful.

I'm still rocking my white one (no name or number) from about 8 years ago, and I have a red Rooney (#9 - vintage, baby!).

Not going to spend another quid on them until they win something.

Hitting the LCBO to buy some fine English Ales before heading to my brother's house. They have an outdoor TV.

Going to be glorious.

May even buy some lager and some cider to make a snakebite. Go full-on hooligan.

Damn right man. I'll be at my belligerent best, England Jersey ready to go. Heading to watch it on the big screen at the campus bar (plus the undergrads all (frank)ed off yesterday which is great )
- lumlums

Italy.

I'm hoping that's not a 2016 jersey. Good Lord, they are franking awful.

I'm still rocking my white one (no name or number) from about 8 years ago, and I have a red Rooney (#9 - vintage, baby!).

Not going to spend another quid on them until they win something.

Hitting the LCBO to buy some fine English Ales before heading to my brother's house. They have an outdoor TV.

Going to be glorious.

May even buy some lager and some cider to make a snakebite. Go full-on hooligan.
- Atomic Wedgie

I had a fractured arm and was off work for 6 week. I went back yesterday. First day back. Fml day before euro cup

Damn right man. I'll be at my belligerent best, England Jersey ready to go. Heading to watch it on the big screen at the campus bar (plus the undergrads all (frank)ed off yesterday which is great )
- lumlums

Can't wait! I really like the team they're fielding. They have the youngest overall squad in the Euros right?

I'm hoping that's not a 2016 jersey. Good Lord, they are franking awful.

I'm still rocking my white one (no name or number) from about 8 years ago, and I have a red Rooney (#9 - vintage, baby!).

Not going to spend another quid on them until they win something.

Hitting the LCBO to buy some fine English Ales before heading to my brother's house. They have an outdoor TV.

Going to be glorious.

May even buy some lager and some cider to make a snakebite. Go full-on hooligan.
- Atomic Wedgie

I bought a 2016 Vardy. The jerseys are meh, but I was excited he made the team and figured I'd pick up my first international jersey.

Most are talking about the Leafs free agent focus being understandably placed on Stamkos; and most figure it will cost them a cap hit of between 9-11 million over 7 years. Most are also saying that we are about to draft the franchise cornerstone centre we have been craving since Mats' departure.

With the above in mind, would losing out on Stamkos actually be a bad thing when that $9-11 million could be re-allocated? I realise this is ambitious and that I am pipe-dreaming but why not shift the Stamkos focus to guys like Okposo and/or Lucic? Could you get them both for a combined $11-12 million cap hit (Lucic is asking LA for 6)?
- gamedaytix

I agree with losing out on or passing on Stamkos, & passing on any big name free agents at this stage of the Leafs rebuild. Babcock himself said it only makes sense to go after free agents when they are ready (to compete), & they are a few years away yet from being ready.
Their salary cap level isn't as healthy as people assume; they are currently at $64.2 M, subtracting Horton's salary from this would leave them at $58.9 M. If they sign a big name free agent it would leave them with little if any wiggle room.
They are better off sticking to the Shanaplan & slowly piece together the puzzle - jump at the opportunity of the upcoming expansion draft, shop for a young goalie & D man.

Things are heating up at the Toronto star!

Italy.
- systemtool

...can rot in hell, what?

I'm hoping that's not a 2016 jersey. Good Lord, they are franking awful.

I'm still rocking my white one (no name or number) from about 8 years ago, and I have a red Rooney (#9 - vintage, baby!).

Not going to spend another quid on them until they win something.

Hitting the LCBO to buy some fine English Ales before heading to my brother's house. They have an outdoor TV.

Going to be glorious.

May even buy some lager and some cider to make a snakebite. Go full-on hooligan.
- Atomic Wedgie

Nice! Haven't had a snakebite in a while, may have to get one going!

As for jerseys, I'm still rocking this beaut

Italy.
- systemtool

Things are heating up at the Toronto star!
- Fakepartofme

What's going on? I saw something about a reporter committing suicide there but haven't seen much else...

I agree with losing out on or passing on Stamkos, & passing on any big name free agents at this stage of the Leafs rebuild. Babcock himself said it only makes sense to go after free agents when they are ready (to compete), & they are a few years away yet from being ready.
Their salary cap level isn't as healthy as people assume; they are currently at $64.2 M, subtracting Horton's salary from this would leave them at $58.9 M. If they sign a big name free agent it would leave them with little if any wiggle room.
They are better off sticking to the Shanaplan & slowly piece together the puzzle - jump at the opportunity of the upcoming expansion draft, shop for a young goalie & D man.
- 1967_2015champs

The Leafs can afford to sign stamkos to $11 million and pull off the next 5 seasons under the cap.(and that is assuming no Bozak trade - which would obviously happen if Stamkos signed)

I think they offer him 7 years X $9.5 and take it or leave it. It'd be great to get him without giving up any assets, but I won't be disappointed if he doesn't come to Toronto.