makes you wonder if JvR would take 6M from the Leafs....

it will be an interesting situation for Dubas to handle.
- BorjeFan4Ever

I don't even know if that long term is doable. I personally don't think he's worth it anyway.

I don't know why Tavares would stay there.
- bobbyisno1

I don't get it either... that's why I believe "management" has to be seen to be doing something... like replacing Garth (which just happened)... now they would seem logically need to show team/on ice improvements and changes.

I'm purely guessing here... but one has to think JT resigns if he feels the current roster (more or less) can make some noise if they get goaltending.... he'll either believe that or not. The rink situation is stupid currently and will remain so for another couple of years for sure. The Lamorello move was made to legitimize the organization - full stop. You don't hire a 75 guy (no offense to Lou) to be a the actuall GM and future of the organization... he has one job and one job only. Sign JT.. save the franchise.

JT will undoubtedly here exactly the above from his agent.

After Lou being officially announce as President of Hockey Ops my hopes for Tavares have taken a serious hit.

I think from my limited view point Shanny made the right call in Dubas but it will be a tough off-season to please Leafs fans. Curious to see who he brings in as 'his' people. I know Ron Francis has been mentioned as a possibility. That could be promising but I expect Pridham to get a bigger role and someone not yet considered by pundits.

If Tavares stays in NYI it's very shallow in the UFA in all positions. Trade market doesn't seem particularly promising and I don't think it makes sense to move one of the big 3 at this point. Dubas is high on Nylander and I could see him play center in Bozak's role next season, sheltered offensive minutes.

Interesting direct quote from Sparks today, "I expect to be in the NHL next year. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be. And if I’m not… I don’t know.".

Going to be an fascinating off-season, general consensus seems to be if they don't make a big splash it's a failure but maybe staying the course drafting and developing is the most sensible play for the time being.

Uncle Lou connection for one... and Islanders would seem to need to make a case for JT to stay... i.e. add... certainly goaltending... I'm guessing JvR would look good on Tavares wing.... seems like a upgrade over Bailey to me.
- BorjeFan4Ever

It's possible. I think with Lou at the helm they go for carlsson

I don't even know if that long term is doable. I personally don't think he's worth it anyway.
- Aaron_85

(frank) JVR.. I want someone who plays like Oshie

Uncle Lou connection for one... and Islanders would seem to need to make a case for JT to stay... i.e. add... certainly goaltending... I'm guessing JvR would look good on Tavares wing.... seems like a upgrade over Bailey to me.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Looking at what Tavares has said publicly the last year or so it seems like he's been looking for a reason to stay and Lou could be just enough to tilt him back to re-signing.

I don't even know if that long term is doable. I personally don't think he's worth it anyway.
- Aaron_85

CAPs going up... so 6M is reasonable.. and its probably okay for another 5 years. JvR seems like he takes care of himself... I think the only substantial time he missed was a broken foot.

The upside for the Leafs is depth.... without JvR there's essentially no scoring on the left side.

Kankne just signed for 7M... which has to be a comparable to some extent. I would think... its going to be a choice, between paying JvR something like this... or looking for other ways to offset the loss of offense

Mark hunter was a good scout and assistant GM. There is no doubt in my mind there. He has made a positive impact imo. Too bad he's gone, but not much to be done
- Archaic

Agreed, one of him or Dubas was going to move on. Shanny stuck with his original plan, nothing wrong with that.

After Lou being officially announce as President of Hockey Ops my hopes for Tavares have taken a serious hit.

I think from my limited view point Shanny made the right call in Dubas but it will be a tough off-season to please Leafs fans. Curious to see who he brings in as 'his' people. I know Ron Francis has been mentioned as a possibility. That could be promising but I expect Pridham to get a bigger role and someone not yet considered by pundits.

If Tavares stays in NYI it's very shallow in the UFA in all positions. Trade market doesn't seem particularly promising and I don't think it makes sense to move one of the big 3 at this point. Dubas is high on Nylander and I could see him play center in Bozak's role next season, sheltered offensive minutes.

Interesting direct quote from Sparks today, "I expect to be in the NHL next year. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be. And if I’m not… I don’t know.".

Going to be an fascinating off-season, general consensus seems to be if they don't make a big splash it's a failure but maybe staying the course drafting and developing is the most sensible play for the time being.
- Blazed

interesting comment on Sparks... he's earned a chance... and you'd have to believe there a few teams that would be pretty happy to take McIhenny on... cheap contract good result.... would be a good asset use by Dubas to make such a move.. maybe for a mid-round pick.

All the "hockey men" around the NHL say Hunter should have gotten the Leafs GM job because of his "resume" and all the old fossil columnists in Toronto blindly fall in line with that sentiment. Yeah, you really uncovered a gem with that unknown prospect Austin Matthews their Mark. Oh, and same with that Marner kid. Really went out on a limb with those 2. Have I made my point???
- Kayakjack

It baffles me that people, especially on this site, can say this with a straight face.

When most people, except a small few, wanted nothing to do with Marner on draft day. The vast majority wanted Hanifin. The next biggest group didn't want Marner. He was "too small" and other such nonsense.

Cracks me up every time I see someone say this.

CAPs going up... so 6M is reasonable.. and its probably okay for another 5 years. JvR seems like he takes care of himself... I think the only substantial time he missed was a broken foot.

The upside for the Leafs is depth.... without JvR there's essentially no scoring on the left side.

Kankne just signed for 7M... which has to be a comparable to some extent. I would think... its going to be a choice, between paying JvR something like this... or looking for other ways to offset the loss of offense
- BorjeFan4Ever

allowing fewer goals would go a long way.

It baffles me that people, especially on this site, can say this with a straight face.

When most people, except a small few, wanted nothing to do with Marner on draft day. The vast majority wanted Hanifin. The next biggest group didn't want Marner. He was "too small" and other such nonsense.

Cracks me up every time I see someone say this.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Gaudreau, Kane, and Johnson (TB) were tearing it up at the time.. I was all in on Mitchy, partially because i thought Hanifin would take longer to develop.

you had to go there?
1 time in band camp....
- bobbyisno1

no one talks about band camp outside of band camp...












except on hockeybuzz

allowing fewer goals would go a long way.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

agreed... but simply letting JvR walk in and of itself doesn't make much change... and it can be legitimately argued that it hurts scoring, particularly on the PP.

without taking positive defensive oriented actions - like changing Gardiner out for more of a real-two way defensively competent D-man AND adding another... simply not signing JvR achieves little - except substantially lowering scoring depth on left wing.

Not a surprise. Go throw money at Dave Taylor and/or Mike Futa.

It baffles me that people, especially on this site, can say this with a straight face.

When most people, except a small few, wanted nothing to do with Marner on draft day. The vast majority wanted Hanifin. The next biggest group didn't want Marner. He was "too small" and other such nonsense.

Cracks me up every time I see someone say this.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Good point, and even though it's early Dermott seems like a good pick.

It baffles me that people, especially on this site, can say this with a straight face.

When most people, except a small few, wanted nothing to do with Marner on draft day. The vast majority wanted Hanifin. The next biggest group didn't want Marner. He was "too small" and other such nonsense.

Cracks me up every time I see someone say this.
- GreatGigInTheSky

that's just not true

Not a surprise. Go throw money at Dave Taylor and/or Mike Futa.
- Unholy_Goalie

Or let Dubas build his management team.

that's just not true
- MikeBabcock

I wanted Marner too.

that's just not true
- MikeBabcock

There was an awful lot of Hanifan love going on and Marner looks like a stick boy chatter.

It baffles me that people, especially on this site, can say this with a straight face.

When most people, except a small few, wanted nothing to do with Marner on draft day. The vast majority wanted Hanifin. The next biggest group didn't want Marner. He was "too small" and other such nonsense.

Cracks me up every time I see someone say this.
- GreatGigInTheSky

personally - I was over the moon happy when Arizona took Strome - who really struck me as a guy who excelled in junior ... but would struggle with the transition to pro. I was on the fence between Hanafin/Marner... but quietly loved the comparisons to Gilmour.

but if you are saying people were concerned with the drafting of him... I think that was mostly the Toronto sports media fixating on him being 5.9 and 150lbs

Or let Dubas build his management team.
- Blazed

I like Dubas and I think he's going to be successful but he still is 32. There's a lot of things he hasn't done or seen yet. Give him full control as GM but surround him with people who have done a few things. He can't be completely free to do whatever he wants this early. He has to earn that. What if Dubas wanted to fire Babcock tomorrow? Is that something that would make sense? He does need some limitations.

Not a surprise. Go throw money at Dave Taylor and/or Mike Futa.
- Unholy_Goalie

imo, he's the front runner for seattle for that GM position

agreed... but simply letting JvR walk in and of itself doesn't make much change... and it can be legitimately argued that it hurts scoring, particularly on the PP.

without taking positive defensive oriented actions - like changing Gardiner out for more of a real-two way defensively competent D-man AND adding another... simply not signing JvR achieves little - except substantially lowering scoring depth on left wing.
- BorjeFan4Ever

I think Zaits will be a lot better. One of Holl, Borgman, Liljegren, Rosen will crack the roster. Rielly is still a (frank)in stud. Just gotta focus on attacking with speed like Vegas does and create turnovers. "Regrouping" and trying to skate it up the ice doesnt work well for us, get that quick long pass out of the zone to spring Nylander/Hyman/Kap whoever on breakaways.. Just kill these (frank)ers with speed.

Do what Vegas does, if they can get that down pat then they'll be good.

imo, he's the front runner for seattle for that GM position
- MikeBabcock

Who gives a poop about Seattle? They don't even have a team yet. Pay Futa double what he would make in Seattle and he'll make the right decision. Leafs can spend whatever they want in the front office.

Bring in Ken Dryden as a senior adviser too.

I like Dubas but I'd surround him with people with a lot of experience and make up for that lack of NHL experience.