Not that the Leafs are hurting for money, but seems like it could be a bit expensive to be tying up $9.5M in goaltenders. Halak still has two years on his contract, too. But it would definitely provide stability between the two of them splitting time.
- eichiefs9

you take lupul and we might have a deal

I dont think the expectations are low..

I think thats the storyline the sadistic leafs fans are accustomed to and its a disease.

The goal is the playoffs. We aren't tanking for picks anymore. Backups always come out of the blue so i dont see any reason to trade for one.
- Tanooki

The bolded was my point exactly.

And while I like the Leafs top 9 enough to believe they could produce well this year, The Leafs also have, imo, a bottom 5 in the league defensive unit and won't make the playoffs.

But hey, everything is possible I guess.

I hate you.
- Scabeh

sorry i cant help myself

Why would the Isles trade Halak though?

Who's their 2nd goaltender nowadays?
- Scabeh

Three goaltender system isn't going to work. Plus they need cap space if they're going to add another forward.

JF Berube will be the backup, Greiss the starter.

you take lupul and we might have a deal
- jimi james

Well that would defeat the entire purpose of trading him for cap room.

The bolded was my point exactly.

And while I like the Leafs top 9 enough to believe they could produce well this year, The Leafs also have, imo, a bottom 5 in the league defensive unit and won't make the playoffs.

But hey, everything is possible I guess.
- Scabeh

your opinion is fine and just...

But no one knows how Zaitsev and Carrick are going to perform.. I really believe that although its not near the top of the league, the Leafs D is better than people are giving it credit for. So many soft goals last year, and now they have more confidence in their goalie which should translate into confident defenders.

- eichiefs9FOR SALE:

Previously-loved goaltender. Still runs great, despite a few minor dings. High mileage, but still gets you where you need to be.

I don't want to give this baby up, but I have two more and I need to free up some money to buy other toys.

Motivated seller. Asking for 4th round pick OBO. I have attached a picture below.

_{Product's looks may vary if dressed in only blue and white.}

I did not think Berube had that much mileage on him.

a team looking to win now, obviously..

Building a team isn't any different from building any other business.. You need to be proactive instead of reactive. Weed out the problems before they become problems. I think the Subban trade and Radulov signing were very reactive and wont pan out well..
- Tanooki

jvr is not a problem... he's an asset on a good contract

you cant just oilers it up and ice a bunch of kids... not only is it stupid to do so but thankfully loulams and babcock aren't known for rushing kids

i still wouldnt be surprised to see marner returned to london this year

leafs lineups posted are funny... no basis in reality... its gonna likely look more like

jvr kadri komarov
michalek matthews nylander
lupul bozak marner (if he makes the team)
greening laich martin

The bolded was my point exactly.

And while I like the Leafs top 9 enough to believe they could produce well this year, The Leafs also have, imo, a bottom 5 in the league defensive unit and won't make the playoffs.

But hey, everything is possible I guess.
- Scabeh

That is true but one contract for another might be what the Leafs are looking for.

jvr is not a problem... he's an asset on a good contract

you cant just oilers it up and ice a bunch of kids... not only is it stupid to do so but thankfully loulams and babcock aren't known for rushing kids

i still wouldnt be surprised to see marner returned to london this year

leafs lineups posted are funny... no basis in reality... its gonna likely look more like

jvr kadri komarov
michalek matthews nylander
lupul bozak marner (if he makes the team)
greening laich martin
- Dozzer

That would be very bad.
Better to have Nylander play in AHL over Marner in OHL.

jvr is not a problem... he's an asset on a good contract

you cant just oilers it up and ice a bunch of kids... not only is it stupid to do so but thankfully loulams and babcock aren't known for rushing kids

i still wouldnt be surprised to see marner returned to london this year

leafs lineups posted are funny... no basis in reality... its gonna likely look more like

jvr kadri komarov
michalek matthews nylander
lupul bozak marner (if he makes the team)
greening laich martin
- Dozzer

I know JVR isnt a problem.. hes the least of our problems..

I can't see Marner going back.. He has nothing to gain (this has been debated too much already, move on shall we?). I agree with your lineup, but injuries will happen and when guys like Brown come up and blow away Michalek/Greening it'll be hard to send them back down. They don't want to rush anyone, but also they dont want to waste these players youths. The best player will get the spots

I did not think Berube had that much mileage on him.
- zazzle

You can have Berube, but he comes fully loaded with the standard "Grabovski Package"

jvr is not a problem... he's an asset on a good contract

you cant just oilers it up and ice a bunch of kids... not only is it stupid to do so but thankfully loulams and babcock aren't known for rushing kids

i still wouldnt be surprised to see marner returned to london this year

leafs lineups posted are funny... no basis in reality... its gonna likely look more like

jvr kadri komarov
michalek matthews nylander
lupul bozak marner (if he makes the team)
greening laich martin
- Dozzer

May not be there as contract issue with the bonus clause. So goes the rumor.

That would be very bad.
Better to have Nylander play in AHL over Marner in OHL.
- MaximusAurelius

i agree.

Marner>Nylander anyways.

May not be there as contract issue with the bonus clause. So goes the rumor.
- zazzle

And he got dummied by Marners team blue

That would be very bad.
Better to have Nylander play in AHL over Marner in OHL.
- MaximusAurelius

How so?
Nothing really to prove in OHL but if he's not ready for the NHL then where does he play?

jvr is not a problem... he's an asset on a good contract

you cant just oilers it up and ice a bunch of kids... not only is it stupid to do so but thankfully loulams and babcock aren't known for rushing kids

i still wouldnt be surprised to see marner returned to london this year

leafs lineups posted are funny... no basis in reality... its gonna likely look more like

jvr kadri komarov
michalek matthews nylander
lupul bozak marner (if he makes the team)
greening laich martin
- Dozzer

Yeah the reality of the situation is that Loops, Michalek and Greening are here and will need to play.

Sure, they may get moved before the season starts, but anyone who posts a lineup without them right now is operating under assumption.

What you posted looks pretty accurate. As the season progresses and you move out Michalek, Greening, Laich, etc (expiring contracts for picks - like every deadline), then you may see guys like Soshnikov, Brown, Hyman and Rychel getting callups.

I think Marner will make the team. But I actually don't mind insulating him with Bozak and Loops on the 3rd line.

When you think about it, Lupul and Bozak played 1st line with Kessel for like a season and a half before JVR came in. To have those guys playing against 3rd pairs and weaker opposition with a dynamo like Marner on their wing could be just what the doctor ordered.

Then, pump n dump!

May not be there as contract issue with the bonus clause. So goes the rumor.
- zazzle

Pffft.


Ekblad signed his ELC in the September of his draft year. MacKinnon mid July. This is just the media with (frank) all else to do being the dumb mittenstringers that they are...

That would be very bad.
Better to have Nylander play in AHL over Marner in OHL.
- MaximusAurelius

you dont bring up a guy because he has outgrown his current league... you only bring him up if he is ready for the league you want to bring him up to

patience... thats what a rebuild is... no rushing things... quite the opposite actually

May not be there as contract issue with the bonus clause. So goes the rumor.
- zazzle

yeah... i think thats just the media being stupid as per usual

you dont bring up a guy because he has outgrown his current league... you only bring him up if he is ready for the league you want to bring him up to

patience... thats what a rebuild is... no rushing things... quite the opposite actually
- Dozzer

Marner should be and is ready for NHL.
Taking things too slow is not good either.
And Leafs have been rebuilding long enough; can't compare a Arizona or NYI rebuild with a Leafs or Montreal rebuild.
Leafs have to make the playoffs 2017-2018 for sure. If they don't, Shanahan, Lou, Babcock and friends have miserably failed.

you dont bring up a guy because he has outgrown his current league... you only bring him up if he is ready for the league you want to bring him up to

patience... thats what a rebuild is... no rushing things... quite the opposite actually
- Dozzer

They arent rushing a guy if he captains his team to win the memorial cup and is named CHL player of the year.

He is ready... There is nothing to suggest otherwise.. Even his size isnt an issue.

Yeah the reality of the situation is that Loops, Michalek and Greening are here and will need to play.

Sure, they may get moved before the season starts, but anyone who posts a lineup without them right now is operating under assumption.

What you posted looks pretty accurate. As the season progresses and you move out Michalek, Greening, Laich, etc (expiring contracts for picks - like every deadline), then you may see guys like Soshnikov, Brown, Hyman and Rychel getting callups.

I think Marner will make the team. But I actually don't mind insulating him with Bozak and Loops on the 3rd line.

When you think about it, Lupul and Bozak played 1st line with Kessel for like a season and a half before JVR came in. To have those guys playing against 3rd pairs and weaker opposition with a dynamo like Marner on their wing could be just what the doctor ordered.

Then, pump n dump!
- WingmanWillie

yup... put the guys you want to move at the deadline in positions where its easiest for them to succeed. (see phaneuf)

the kids will get their time towards the end of the season like you said.

They arent rushing a guy if he captains his team to win the memorial cup and is named CHL player of the year.

He is ready... There is nothing to suggest otherwise.. Even his size isnt an issue.
- Tanooki

i am thankful loulams and co. do not share your view.

marner hasnt proven sweet Richard all against professionals.

Marner should be and is ready for NHL.
Taking things too slow is not good either.
And Leafs have been rebuilding long enough; can't compare a Arizona or NYI rebuild with a Leafs or Montreal rebuild.
Leafs have to make the playoffs 2017-2018 for sure. If they don't, Shanahan, Lou, Babcock and friends have miserably failed.
- MaximusAurelius

I dont know it would be a catastrophic failure, the NHL is a very competitive league.