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.
- Unholy_Goalie

I don't totally disagree and there's nothing wrong with a veteran presence but I think it's time to let Dubas decide who that is. He's paid his dues don't neuter him let him pick his team.

Shanny is still the top dog and is the one providing gravitas to the franchise.

I don't totally disagree and there's nothing wrong with a veteran presence but I think it's time to let Dubas decide who that is. He's paid his dues don't neuter him let him pick his team.

Shanny is still the top dog and is the one providing gravitas to the franchise.
- Blazed

And let's hope he decides those guys are Taylor and Futa types who have drafted their way to Stanley Cups and give him the budget to overpay those guys to leave their jobs to come to Toronto.

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

is Futa an amateur scout guy? or more a junior GM guy?

Never actually take what Iggy says seriously. Guy's a strap-on at the best of times. Just nod politely and smile.
- walshyleafsfan

is Futa an amateur scout guy? or more a junior GM guy?
- BorjeFan4Ever

Head of scouting for the LA Kings in the years leading up to their Cup runs. Made some huge draft selections split between Dave Taylor who made some great picks before he made Futa the head of amateur scouting of the Kings.

that's just not true
- MikeBabcock

It absolutely is. It almost made me join the site back then. haha

Very few wanted Marner. The most vocal was Max. One of the very few things he's gotten right.

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.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I think Zaitsev gets a bad rap. They play him to be an effective minute muncher 5v5. He actually plays much harder than people on here give him credit for. Before his injury he was averaging around 23 minutes a night and was plus 10 or so.

He won't be seeing PP time in the future so being dependable at evens is all they need to get from Zaitsev.

3-1 Hamilton.

Great shot by Robert Thomas.

3-1 Hamilton.

Great shot by Robert Thomas.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I think Zaitsev gets a bad rap. They play him to be an effective minute muncher 5v5. He actually plays much harder than people on here give him credit for. Before his injury he was averaging around 23 minutes a night and was plus 10 or so.

He won't be seeing PP time in the future so being dependable at evens is all they need to get from Zaitsev.
- Blazed

Rielly Dermott
Gardiner Holl
Zaits Ozhiganov (Leafs still signing this guy?)
Borgman Liljegren

jusr pair em up by country and roll 4 pairings.

Rielly Dermott
Gardiner Holl
Zaits Ozhignov (Leafs still signing this guy?)
Borgman Liljegren

jusr pair em up by country and roll 4 pairings.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Dermott plays his first full season on the top pairing on his off side and Hainsey retires? Zaitsev on the left side? 3 rookies on the right side? Looks like a disaster waiting to happen.

Dermott plays his first full season on the top pairing on his off side and Hainsey retires? Zaitsev on the left side? 3 rookies on the right side? Looks like a disaster waiting to happen.
- Unholy_Goalie

(frank) it

I think jvr gets a similar deal
- PatC80

JVR plays like a flower, he's older, slower, not as good 5 on 5, not good defensively. A team out there might make that huge mistake but there are some solid reasons why Kane might get 7 million a year and why JVR would end up with less even though he scored more goals.

(frank) it
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I don't get them signing Ozhiganov. I don't see what this guy can do that Marchenko couldn't. Or even Marincin. There are a lot of Europeans out there they could be going after but I just don't see the allure with Ozhiganov.

Dermott plays his first full season on the top pairing on his off side and Hainsey retires? Zaitsev on the left side? 3 rookies on the right side? Looks like a disaster waiting to happen.
- Unholy_Goalie

Have to agree.

Rielly - ???
Gardiner - Zaitsev
Dermott - Hainsey

Dermott gets a solid partner in Hainsey, in a more suitable role at 37 taking Polak's spot.

Gardiner and Zaitsev were an effective pair. Zaitsev hopefully stays healthy.

Get Rielly someone strong at 5v5. Doubtful they'll see much PP time either way so a strong even strength righty.

I don't get them signing Ozhiganov. I don't see what this guy can do that Marchenko couldn't. Or even Marincin. There are a lot of Europeans out there they could be going after but I just don't see the allure with Ozhiganov.
- Unholy_Goalie

There's no risk though so why not. I can't see him cracking the roster or surpassing Borgman or Rosen even.

Nothing wrong with Marlies depth that may turn out better than we think.

I don't get them signing Ozhiganov. I don't see what this guy can do that Marchenko couldn't. Or even Marincin. There are a lot of Europeans out there they could be going after but I just don't see the allure with Ozhiganov.
- Unholy_Goalie

Life is fragile shoot the dice. Zaits was a good find and I'm sure there's those who lurk in the dark corners of the internet, who couldn't wait to tell us how much of a disaster he would have been, and or, still currently is. Perhaps. Who knows.

There's no risk though so why not. I can't see him cracking the roster or surpassing Borgman or Rosen even.

Nothing wrong with Marlies depth that may turn out better than we think.
- Blazed

The risk is giving him a chance that another player could be better off having. I doubt he signed to play with the Marlies, if he doesn't play with the Leafs, I'd say he's probably gone.

The risk is giving him a chance that another player could be better off having. I doubt he signed to play with the Marlies, if he doesn't play with the Leafs, I'd say he's probably gone.
- Unholy_Goalie

1 year at 925K isn't affecting anything. He'll come to camp and compete for a bottom pair role against the other young guys. If he wins a job good for him. If he doesn't and doesn't want to play on the Marlies no problem.

this is the end guys..
superstar Kane off the UFA market.
what's the point in adding Tavares now if we don't get the top hot dog?

UG - what team are you switching over to? SJ? or staying with Boston / LA?

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

NY Islanders certainly have the money - If JT were to stay there it would only be about the money. NYI - league worst in attendence, rich owner, big-time losing franchise at this point - plus adding $20 million of JT and JVR - and having Thomas Greiss in net is not ideal. Lou has some work to do. If you look at JT's current deal - he could have got more last contract - alot more! He was making $5.5 million while Steve Stamkos was raking $7.5 million.

JVR plays like a flower, he's older, slower, not as good 5 on 5, not good defensively. A team out there might make that huge mistake but there are some solid reasons why Kane might get 7 million a year and why JVR would end up with less even though he scored more goals.
- Unholy_Goalie

Kane is a piece of sh!t - on and off the ice. This season was the first time his team made the playoffs - and only because he was traded to a playoff team. Number 4 pick made the playoffs once in 9 seasons, maximum points in 9 seasons 57! $7 million a year for 7 years. I'm thinking those coke binges will catch up sometime during this bad contract.

NY Islanders certainly have the money - If JT were to stay there it would only be about the money. NYI - league worst in attendence, rich owner, big-time losing franchise at this point - plus adding $20 million of JT and JVR - and having Thomas Greiss in net is not ideal. Lou has some work to do. If you look at JT's current deal - he could have got more last contract - alot more! He was making $5.5 million while Steve Stamkos was raking $7.5 million.
- winsix

NYI works out a deal with Wsh on Grubauer, and they look quite a bit better in net.

Barzal
Tavares
Lee
Leddy
Grubauer

that's a very decent core.
don't think that JVR will sign with NYI, because Lee > JVR and Ladd is 2nd line LW - NYI is much more in need of good RW (Eberle is quite bad imo).

Sitting in ER with wife at 4am...... she has gallstones

NYI works out a deal with Wsh on Grubauer, and they look quite a bit better in net.

Barzal
Tavares
Lee
Leddy
Grubauer

that's a very decent core.
don't think that JVR will sign with NYI, because Lee > JVR and Ladd is 2nd line LW - NYI is much more in need of good RW (Eberle is quite bad imo).
- MaximusAurelius

I would think, especially if Washington wins a cup, and being a cap team, they may well sign Grubauer to a $3-4 million deal and then move Holtby. Much like the Pens did when they went with Murray over the more expensive Fleury.