One of the better discussions guys. Keep 'er rollin'. Since our roster spots are precious given the talent that's available as well as the players we may need to add, what to do with Martin. Too early to move him as far protecting the kids or is the time now? I feel his lack of foot speed hurt the 4th line against the Caps.
- Leafsmart

he looked worse because really his line mates were third liners on most teams...they were simply better than he was

Great season! Bright future for the Leafs. I'm betting we'll be seeing you in a cup final in a couple of years.
- Ihatebrianburke

thank you sir! Go Oilers!

One of the better discussions guys. Keep 'er rollin'. Since our roster spots are precious given the talent that's available as well as the players we may need to add, what to do with Martin. Too early to move him as far protecting the kids or is the time now? I feel his lack of foot speed hurt the 4th line against the Caps.
- Leafsmart

the scary conversation is the $ and the term being linked to Zaitsev...his +/- is brutal...not sure he has shown he is worth a long term commitment yet

the scary conversation is the $ and the term being linked to Zaitsev...his +/- is brutal...not sure he has shown he is worth a long term commitment yet
- bazookajo

I thought his +/- was really good, and Riellys was bad?

I thought his +/- was really good, and Riellys was bad?
- bryant

-22 this year

the scary conversation is the $ and the term being linked to Zaitsev...his +/- is brutal...not sure he has shown he is worth a long term commitment yet
- bazookajo

For sure. This is only our first look at the guy. Seems like the 7 years should be 3-4 years at most. Management probably thinks he'll bolt to Moscow if they don't treat him super nice. His short play-off wasn't all that great. Morgan and Jake were better.

-22 this year
- bazookajo

yeah I was thinking gardiners +22 for zaitsev

the scary conversation is the $ and the term being linked to Zaitsev...his +/- is brutal...not sure he has shown he is worth a long term commitment yet
- bazookajo

It’s a risk either way.

we lock him up him long-term, he might suck and we're screwed.

We don’t lock him up long-term, he has a breakout year and we can’t afford him.

I like his game and age. I say take a chance and lock him up.

Although I'm not exactly thrilled that it's time for me to switch over to watching the Raptors playoff run and the Jays current implosion. After some quiet reflection, I must say that I'm quite pleased and excited about the Leafs, the season past and the current state of things. They gave the Caps quite a scare and earned a lot of league wide respect.

The upcoming expansion draft, free agency and the draft should be really interesting for us fans. With a savvy GM like Lou at the helm I'm sure we're going to see some expert maneuvering.

I would love to have Boyle back as well as Mcelhinny (didn't check for proper spelling) . Kapanen should not be considered under any circumstances to be included in trade discussions. He's too versatile, too clutch. Bozak should stay as the kid C's aren't ready yet (obviously Matthews is the exception). Komarov although he seemed to be a little less effective than last season, likely due to a more balanced offence, should also remain. His intangibles are too numerous.

I don't see a quick fix on Defence. Shattenkirk will cost this team in the future. Wasn't all that impressed with his 1st round performance. He'll cost big bucks and long term, likely blocking the development of incoming younger talent. The trade route for defence is like Toronto real estate. Ludicrous valuation. Even with the obvious Leafs-Ducks cozy trading relationship, a deal for that much needed rearguard never materialized. The Ducks are even in a serious bind Cap wise and have an embarrassment of riches in that dept and a deal never materialized.

I'd like to see Mr Hunter finally focus on some size on the Back end at the draft. Obviously in this league these days, all players regardless of size or role must be able to skate which is what makes the position such a premium but at this point is rather have a bruiser prospect than an over ager or another little spark plug.

Exciting times. Go Oilers..... That kinda hurt

So apparently Bergevin and Julien tore a strip out of Galchenyuk and Beaulieu in their post season presser today.

Too bad Beaulieu is an RFA, would make a good bottom pair guy.

So apparently Bergevin and Julien tore a strip out of Galchenyuk and Beaulieu in their post season presser today.

Too bad Beaulieu is an RFA, would make a good bottom pair guy.
- mcleafs

Spent a lot of time in Montreal over the past two years. Habs fans love him. Consensus amongst them was that they'd rather have them some "Beau" than Rielly. This had me questioning their sanity but they were adamant.

I guess you should never feel good after losing out but most of us certainly do this year . Given the vast talent and potential future this will be one interesting summer. Who goes, Who stays? I reflect back for a moment to those years when we added expensive veterans at the trade deadline in exchange for our draft picks. And we still never contended for the cup. Except for 1993, I suppose. Really glad those days are behind us.

For sure. This is only our first look at the guy. Seems like the 7 years should be 3-4 years at most. Management probably thinks he'll bolt to Moscow if they don't treat him super nice. His short play-off wasn't all that great. Morgan and Jake were better.
- Leafsmart

His playoff games were after he had an injury, I'm actually surprised they let him play with a concussion, or a perceived concussion, to even begin with.

His +/- is horrible, but he did handle top minutes against top lines, while Gardiner did not, until the very end of the season. Not to mention limited PP time. Reilly having the same thing.

What you guys forget is that he has KHL offers in the same neighborhood for money, and is also a Russian national team player, which means there's not that many like him just laying around.

The 7 years is because he wants to settle his family down in Toronto. Saw an interview in regards to that, comparing Russia living conditions to Canada's.

You're also forgetting, not signing him, doesnt present you with another option. There's no other top 4, young defenseman, just waiting for his chance to play with the Leafs.

Leafs currently have 2 defenseman, "really". Reilly and Gardner. Nothing else.

Carrick is a small guy and an AHL plug, Marincin and Marchenko are 7th and 8th on the list respectively. Polak and Hunwick are free agents.

Not sure playing hard ball with Zaitsev will help the Leafs at all.

On top of that. 4.5 mil now is expensive. The same money in 3 years time, might end up being very cheap (look at JvR deal back at the start vs his value now)

7 years is an insurance for the team as well as the player. If it doesnt work out, a 4.5 mil contract can be swallowed in a trade to another team fairly easily, assuming the worst. Also, he can fk off to the KHL, and Toronto doesnt have to do anything.

Win-win in my opinion for both the player and the team.

Hey guys I'm starting a $100 fantasy keeper league and looking for bodies. PM me if interested

Canada likes hockey ... #WSHvsTOR G-6 reached 8.4 million Canadians and an average audience of 3.47 million viewers. -Rogers PR #Leafs

Won't see those numbers again these playoffs, that was just one game for the Leafs.
- LeafMan

The NHL is going to like a good Leaf team a lot better than a bad Leaf team

His playoff games were after he had an injury, I'm actually surprised they let him play with a concussion, or a perceived concussion, to even begin with.

His +/- is horrible, but he did handle top minutes against top lines, while Gardiner did not, until the very end of the season. Not to mention limited PP time. Reilly having the same thing.

What you guys forget is that he has KHL offers in the same neighborhood for money, and is also a Russian national team player, which means there's not that many like him just laying around.

The 7 years is because he wants to settle his family down in Toronto. Saw an interview in regards to that, comparing Russia living conditions to Canada's.

You're also forgetting, not signing him, doesnt present you with another option. There's no other top 4, young defenseman, just waiting for his chance to play with the Leafs.

Leafs currently have 2 defenseman, "really". Reilly and Gardner. Nothing else.

Carrick is a small guy and an AHL plug, Marincin and Marchenko are 7th and 8th on the list respectively. Polak and Hunwick are free agents.

Not sure playing hard ball with Zaitsev will help the Leafs at all.

On top of that. 4.5 mil now is expensive. The same money in 3 years time, might end up being very cheap (look at JvR deal back at the start vs his value now)

7 years is an insurance for the team as well as the player. If it doesnt work out, a 4.5 mil contract can be swallowed in a trade to another team fairly easily, assuming the worst. Also, he can fk off to the KHL, and Toronto doesnt have to do anything.

Win-win in my opinion for both the player and the team.
- Buggy166

Zaitsev has such a low plus minus because him and Rielly played together for a large parts of the season. Zaitsev playing the right side has lined up against every top LW in the East most notably Ovechkin and Marchand and while he did rack up some minuses along the way him and Reilly for the most part did a good job.

The lack of depth on D overall put a lot of defensive responsibility on that pair, while Gardiner was the offensive catalyst on D. Even still they struggled to find a suitable partner for him.

Carrick I think has lots of potential but still is liable to be stapled to the bench for stretches.

A 7 year deal after one season has some risk but I agree has the potential to be a real bargain.

The NHL is going to like a good Leaf team a lot better than a bad Leaf team
- Santo_44

for sure..

It was zaitsevs first year of North American hockey too. Can't forget that and he was thrown into a top line role for parts of the season. Think he did pretty well considering the rest of the plugs we have behind him. I say lock him up too csn only improve.
I'm not sold on Carrick as being in the plans either. Like to see three new D next season to be honest.
May as well draft that Foote kid we already have a theme of players with father's that played.
Kapanens a player, like to see him stick around.

I was all for a Polak re-sign but after his injury who knows what kind of Polak will return.

I think Hamonic might legitimately be available this off-season. He had a down year, doesn't mean he'll be cheap but not landing a high quality defenseman this off-season will be a fail.

It was zaitsevs first year of North American hockey too. Can't forget that and he was thrown into a top line role for parts of the season. Think he did pretty well considering the rest of the plugs we have behind him. I say lock him up too csn only improve.
I'm not sold on Carrick as being in the plans either. Like to see three new D next season to be honest.
May as well draft that Foote kid we already have a theme of players with father's that played.
Kapanens a player, like to see him stick around.
- TonkaPhaneuf

Agreed...

7yrs @ whats the rumor coin?? for Zaitsev

Agreed...

7yrs @ whats the rumor coin?? for Zaitsev
- Fruitcakenipple

I could see gards money at 5 years. Neither rielly or Gardiner got 7 year deals either. Who the eff knows

Jvr carrick and 9 firsts for rfa parayko.

Whoever the Leafs pursue/acquire on D needs to be able to play PP1 time and must have an absolute bomb from the point. That's definitely one dynamic that we're missing and would turn an already great PP into a lethal PP.

Although a few of the Leafs have great shots, there isn't a one-timer worth mentioning.

Jvr carrick and 9 firsts for rfa parayko.
- TonkaPhaneuf

^^^

See above.

Whoever the Leafs pursue/acquire on D needs to be able to play PP1 time and must have an absolute bomb from the point. That's definitely one dynamic that we're missing and would turn an already great PP into a lethal PP.

Although a few of the Leafs have great shots, there isn't a one-timer worth mentioning.
- As_I_See_It

While true, scoring help is the last thing on the shopping list come off season. Actually, 2nd last. Last would be better goal tending, as in, we're ok.