Doing your best UG impression, I see. Because you're wrong.
- GreatGigInTheSky

So glad Andersen didn't finish the game

Those 16 shots he didn't have to face will make him much less tired

So what's your argument here? Because JVR scores more goals than these guys he's a Marner-tier player instead of your typical good UFA that is a complimentary piece but not a star?
- daeth

I think JVR is a complimentary player. But he's a very good complimentary player. He's the upper tier of complementary players. If you need a complimentary player, he's near the top of the list. He's complimentary money.

I think JVR is a complimentary player. But he's a very good complimentary player. He's the upper tier of complementary players. If you need a complimentary player, he's near the top of the list. He's complimentary money.
- Thecakeisalie

Exactly, you pay for what you get.

All depends on Tavares for me, or what else is out there.

Next year Doughty and Karlsson might be available.

Cap flexibilityyyyyyyyyyyyy
- daeth

The chances of us signing or obtaining any one of JVR, Doughty, Karlsson or Tavares under any circumstance are slim to none.

I think JVR is a complimentary player. But he's a very good complimentary player. He's the upper tier of complementary players. If you need a complimentary player, he's near the top of the list. He's complimentary money.
- Thecakeisalie

This is a complimentary comment.

I think JVR is a complimentary player. But he's a very good complimentary player. He's the upper tier of complementary players. If you need a complimentary player, he's near the top of the list. He's complimentary money.
- Thecakeisalie

It'll suck losing him (assuming they do) but I still think long-term it's probably the correct call.

This is a complimentary comment.
- LeafGuy89

Bigly. The best complimentary comment in the history of hockeybuzz.

The chances of us signing or obtaining any one of JVR, Doughty, Karlsson or Tavares under any circumstance are slim to none.
- UsernameUnknown

but everyone signs here

Bigly. The best complimentary comment in the history of hockeybuzz.
- Thecakeisalie

you f'ers

It'll suck losing him (assuming they do) but I still think long-term it's probably the correct call.
- daeth

I'm honestly not sure what the correct decision is. I'm confident management has a plan and they'll make the right call. It's nice trusting management to do the right thing.

you f'ers
- daeth

- Thecakeisalie

one damn typo we get pages of this poop

I'm honestly not sure what the correct decision is. I'm confident management has a plan and they'll make the right call. It's nice trusting management to do the right thing.
- Thecakeisalie

as long as they let bozak walk im good

I'm honestly not sure what the correct decision is. I'm confident management has a plan and they'll make the right call. It's nice trusting management to do the right thing.
- Thecakeisalie

I don't know what the correct call is either and I'm glad I'm not the one who has to make it.

What I do know is Lou is a tough negotiator. He will offer what he feels is fair and let them walk if they want something stupid.

I also know, because it's been mentioned many times this season, JVR has been talking to his friend like Cam Atkinson on what it's like going to free agency and negotiating with his team. He's doing his research. Likely going to test the waters is my guess.

I don't know what the correct call is either and I'm glad I'm not the one who has to make it.

What I do know is Lou is a tough negotiator. He will offer what he feels is fair and let them walk if they want something stupid.

I also know, because it's been mentioned many times this season, JVR has been talking to his friend like Cam Atkinson on what it's like going to free agency and negotiating with his team. He's doing his research. Likely going to test the waters is my guess.
- Aaron_85

I'm sure, Lou probably has told him they can't negotiate until they know what's going on with Tavares...or with not knowing what will be available come draft time.

as long as they let bozak walk im good
- daeth

Probably, if they don't get Tavares I'm sure Babs will push hard for Thornton. and sounds like Lou might not be the GM by then...a senior advisor...so the beard can stay

Probably, if they don't get Tavares I'm sure Babs will push hard for Thornton. and sounds like Lou might not be the GM by then...a senior advisor...so the beard can stay
- Santo_44

Clearly this is the main reason for Lou to take a back seat in management. He can still have a big role, but since he won't technically be in charge, beards will be accepted. This will no doubt have a yuuuge impact on us signing more FA vets.
"You mean I can keep my beard?! Sold! Wait, what salary are they offering, ah who cares, I can keep the beard!!!"

Probably, if they don't get Tavares I'm sure Babs will push hard for Thornton. and sounds like Lou might not be the GM by then...a senior advisor...so the beard can stay
- Santo_44

i wanted thornton last summer and not much has changed this year. if everything else fails then him coming here for a year or two could be great. he's still a possession beast, something the leafs badly need. matthews, kadri, 90 year old thornton down the middle, holy (frank).

as long as they let bozak walk im good
- daeth

I'd only want to keep Bozak if he signed for 3m or less, and that won't happen.

I'd only want to keep Bozak if he signed for 3m or less, and that won't happen.
- Thecakeisalie

what's the going rate for a 3rd line center these days?

i just have a ton of irrational hate for him

what's the going rate for a 3rd line center these days?

i just have a ton of irrational hate for him
- daeth

I dunno, ask Bergevin

what's the going rate for a 3rd line center these days?

i just have a ton of irrational hate for him
- daeth

I don't really think of it with the 3rd line center label.

If it was a really good centerman, like Jumbo Joe still is, then I don't mind paying them more. But if you want to keep someone like Bozak, it should only be because he's cheap and you can spend more money elsewhere. He's just not that good except in special teams/shootouts, etc.

He's good enough though, and centers are in demand enough, that he'll probably get some ridiculous deal in the 5-6 mil range in free agency.

I'd rather pay a fair bit for someone much better, or pay less for someone worse and spend the extra money in other areas than wasting a huge chunk of change on someone as mediocre as Bozak.

I'm not buying James van riemsdyk's cunning goal scoring act for a second. HARRD pass if he asks for anything more than 2 million on a 2 year deal.
- TheMussel

Did you not read the 69 written on his hockey stick? He either wants 6.9 million a year or he is horny af.

Could swing either way.....

Good thing kari let-one-in was playing tonight

I don't really think of it with the 3rd line center label.

If it was a really good centerman, like Jumbo Joe still is, then I don't mind paying them more. But if you want to keep someone like Bozak, it should only be because he's cheap and you can spend more money elsewhere. He's just not that good except in special teams/shootouts, etc.

He's good enough though, and centers are in demand enough, that he'll probably get some ridiculous deal in the 5-6 mil range in free agency.

I'd rather pay a fair bit for someone much better, or pay less for someone worse and spend the extra money in other areas than wasting a huge chunk of change on someone as mediocre as Bozak.
- Thecakeisalie

If Bozak wasn't so poop defensively, he'd be a 3rd line center. His scoring ability isn't impressive and he's on the wrong side of 30. But speaking of being on the wrong side of 30, Thornton is 39 in July. And he's missed almost half the season this year. And he's costing the Sharks 8 million dollars. That's the complete opposite of what the Leafs need right now. It was stupid enough to sign Marleau and blow the money required to keep JVR, more money spent on a grey beard is just a waste of cap space.

Tavares, probably a huge long shot, would be worth going after if he tests the market because it allows the Leafs a tremendous amount of flexibility. It allows you to make Kadri the 3rd line center (perfect depth situation) and it allows you to trade Nylander to get a legit #1 D.

But, chances are Tavares is staying in Long Island which means the Leafs need to move either Nylander or Marner to C and find two-top six wingers to replace JVR and Nylander or Marner's spot on the RW.

So basically:

Plan A: Tavares, trade Nylander+ for #1 D (a young one) - Not happening.
Plan B: Move Nylander or Marner to C. Find two top-six wingers - More likely.
Plan C: Sign a defensive 3rd line C to a 1 year deal (Vermette?) - Very likely.
Plan D: Re-sign Bozak for 3 million or less because he's familiar - Hope not.

Plan Z: Old players for too much money.