I think Del Zotto is a very underrated player. He went through a lot of growing pains but has really balanced out his game and has been very consistent.
- Rinosaur

Del Zotto is guaranteed to be one of the Leafs' targets this summer.

Upgrade to existing D core - CHECK
Can be had via free agency - CHECK
Can be had for a reasonable contract - CHECK
26 years old and fits the Leafs' timeline - CHECK
From just North of Toronto and grew up a Leafs fan - BONUS CHECK

Just think of all the clicks Ek got from this poop.


Lol at the wouldn't trade Kapanen straight up comments.
- ezekial

Point one out

I haven't seen one person who said that

Del Zotto is guaranteed to be one of the Leafs' targets this summer.

Upgrade to existing D core - CHECK
Can be had via free agency - CHECK
Can be had for a reasonable contract - CHECK
26 years old and fits the Leafs' timeline - CHECK
From just North of Toronto and grew up a Leafs fan - BONUS CHECK
- As_I_See_It

Could be a little pricey.

But definitely worth it. He's moulded into a more defensive guy over the years. Perfect fit on the 3rd pairing.

It's not year one, but it's been about 2 years since they finally gave up completely. Brought in new management, gave Phaneuf really cushy ice time, to fool someone else into taking him. Traded Kessel for futures. Sent out a bunch of players in the TDL before that summer, so maybe 2 1/2 years.

year 1 is BS, but people chirping 10 year rebuild are pretty stupid.
- prock

2 1/2 is BS! Shanahan was hired in April of 2014. He sat and watched for an entire season before the current coaching management group was hired. Mike Babcock was hired in May of 2015. He missed the playoffs once with the Leafs. The 2014-15 team missed the playoffs badly, but were trying to make it - unlike the Sabres who traded every goalie with a save percentage above .700 to make sure they got McDavid.

Point one out

I haven't seen one person who said that
- Santo_44

One

Not much..... Vlasic is not worth a nylander or kapenen.
- BALUCHA

Could be a little pricey.

But definitely worth it. He's moulded into a more defensive guy over the years. Perfect fit on the 3rd pairing.
- Santo_44

He'll probably be a $3.5/$4M man depending on how the market shakes out. You never know which player will get overpaid and how that ripple-effect will change the market.

I actually think he's a solid #4/2nd pairing guy to balance out a more offensive-minded guy.

One
- ezekial

make it two

He isn't worth Nylander or Kapanen

He'll probably be a $3.5/$4M man depending on how the market shakes out. You never know which player will get overpaid and how that ripple-effect will change the market.

I actually think he's a solid #4/2nd pairing guy to balance out a more offensive-minded guy.
- Rinosaur

Are you actually from Vegas? Will you be a Knights fan?

Are you actually from Vegas? Will you be a Knights fan?
- twiztedmike

No. I'm a transplant. I lived most of my life in NJ and NY. Moved out here eight years ago. Nothing will ever change the Pens being my #1 team, but the Knights will definitely be my #2. It would be great if hockey thrived here.

make it two

He isn't worth Nylander or Kapanen
- twiztedmike

/list

No. I'm a transplant. I lived most of my life in NJ and NY. Moved out here eight years ago. Nothing will ever change the Pens being my #1 team, but the Knights will definitely be my #2. It would be great if hockey thrived here.
- Rinosaur

Are there actually a lot of hockey fans there? Do you see the team surviving in that market?

Welp. I guess this means we're not getting Vlasic.

Are there actually a lot of hockey fans there? Do you see the team surviving in that market?
- twiztedmike

Hockey has been becoming more popular since more people from the Northeast and Midwest have been moving out here. Lots of people from NY, NJ, MA, Chicago, Detroit, etc... moving out here. There's even a local hockey bar.

I think financially they will survive simply because the Casinos will be pumping money into tickets and boxes to use as comps, but as far as supported by fans? It's hard to tell.

I think McPhee can't completely approach his team like your average expansion team that will look to compete in five+ years. In this town I really think he's going to have bring this team on the brink of the playoffs pretty fast to have a good shot of it lasting.

make it two

He isn't worth Nylander or Kapanen
- twiztedmike

Sick bro, you're a great hockey mind.

Sick bro, you're a great hockey mind.
- ezekial

The greatest

Hockey has been becoming more popular since more people from the Northeast and Midwest have been moving out here. Lots of people from NY, NJ, MA, Chicago, Detroit, etc... moving out here. There's even a local hockey bar.

I think financially they will survive simply because the Casinos will be pumping money into tickets and boxes to use as comps, but as far as supported by fans? It's hard to tell.

I think McPhee can't completely approach his team like your average expansion team that will look to compete in five+ years. In this town I really think he's going to have bring this team on the brink of the playoffs pretty fast to have a good shot of it lasting.
- Rinosaur

What type of industries are hiring in Vegas that has all the people moving there?

Del Zotto is guaranteed to be one of the Leafs' targets this summer.

Upgrade to existing D core - CHECK
Can be had via free agency - CHECK
Can be had for a reasonable contract - CHECK
26 years old and fits the Leafs' timeline - CHECK
From just North of Toronto and grew up a Leafs fan - BONUS CHECK
- As_I_See_It

Sucks at playing defense -- CHECK

make it two

He isn't worth Nylander or Kapanen
- twiztedmike

No kidding: here are the free to a good home d-men that will be available prior to the expansion:

Ducks : Josh Manson
Boston: Adam McQuaid and Kevan Miller
Chicago: Ville Pokka
Colorado: Nikita Zadorov
Columbus: David Savard
Florida : Mark Psysk
Kings: Alec Martinez
Wild: Matthew Dumba
Islanders: Calvin de Haan
Ottawa: Mark Methot
SJ : Paul Martin

And a few more. Most of these d-men will be available for a song.

What type of industries are hiring in Vegas that has all the people moving there?
- twiztedmike

Hospitality. One of the few places in the country where you can make $100K+ being a server/bartender or $70K parking cars.

Of course with all the growth comes the basic service jobs: Lawyers, Accountants, Bankers, Real Estate Agents, etc... Also the medical industry grows with the population.

The cost of living out here is pretty low, so you can make salaries like you would in LA or NY, but for half the price.

Hospitality. One of the few places in the country where you can make $100K+ being a server/bartender or $70K parking cars.

Of course with all the growth comes the basic service jobs: Lawyers, Accountants, Bankers, Real Estate Agents, etc... Also the medical industry grows with the population.

The cost of living out here is pretty low, so you can make salaries like you would in LA or NY, but for half the price.
- Rinosaur

All of this makes sense! The only thing that might suck for hockey in Vegas is that the NFL decided to swoop in at the same time as the NHL. NFL will always be a bigger draw.

All of this makes sense! The only thing that might suck for hockey in Vegas is that the NFL decided to swoop in at the same time as the NHL. NFL will always be a bigger draw.
- twiztedmike

I'm actually more concerned about a football team surviving out here. The only reason Vegas hasn't had a sports team sooner is the population hasn't been big enough to support one, despite people thinking it was because of gambling.

There's a big difference from filling a 17,000 arena vs. 70,000 person arena. We're close to LA, San Diego and Phoenix, so I'm sure that will help, but seems a lot harder than the hockey.

Leafs brass have re-affirmed their desire to stick to their plan. That statement would negate the rumor of trading one of our best young players, despite how good the return could be.

Leafs brass have re-affirmed their desire to stick to their plan. That statement would negate the rumor of trading one of our best young players, despite how good the return could be.
- Atarileaf

Which is smart and how they should proceed. They can be a true contender next year by a few tweaks to the defense.

I'm actually more concerned about a football team surviving out here. The only reason Vegas hasn't had a sports team sooner is the population hasn't been big enough to support one, despite people thinking it was because of gambling.

There's a big difference from filling a 17,000 arena vs. 70,000 person arena. We're close to LA, San Diego and Phoenix, so I'm sure that will help, but seems a lot harder than the hockey.
- Rinosaur

I think the NFL team will do great. A good number of comps wil make up half of the paid attendance and lots of football fans will be happy to head down for a weekend in Vegas. They will have no trouble filling the stadium IMO.

It's going to be interesting for sure. A lot of my friends out here are hockey fans, so at least we'll have something to talk about. 2 Red Wings fans, a Ranger fan and a Caps fan lol. We'll at least have the same team to root for.