Wonder what makes Thomas a guy who isnt really highly touted, has good point totals.
- ClarksonDavid

Yeah. ..his niagara numbers are solid.

trust the Shanny plan or don't ... this is kind of the point.

I don't know if anyone can really attribute Shanahan with a significant error at this point...

let Dubas do his thing... I don't beleive the draft and develop portion will be a problem at all... however the proof for Dubas will be the instance where he makes a first deal of consequence... moving (perhaps) and existing contract/player for a specific need. Hopefully he doesn't turn out to be a guy who's "in love with his picks" and sticks with them forever...
- BorjeFan4Ever

Yeah and they seem to have a good development staff in place, hard to argue with the Marlies success and the performances the whole organization is getting out of guys.

Yeah. ..his niagara numbers are solid.
- mykokes

Saw him a couple times, noting really stands out. Good all round.

Pretty gritty.

Also, I think he was looking to improve his PP which was 31st last year. Klefbom had the most ice time on the PP and he only had 6 PP points. On a team with Conor (frank)ing McDavid. Gardiner's PP and point totals would have definitely made him consider moving 10th overall for him.

The "cost" could have been Gardiner who has 1 year left on his deal anyway. At some point, they're going to consider moving him or have to pay him more money to keep him. They also have two other guys in the system who they could risk giving the ice time to replace him and add a 3rd candidate by drafting Bouchard or Dobson.
- Unholy_Goalie

You don't know that though. For all we know we tried and they wanted Dermott or something.

Sounds like Carlson's off the table:


Pierre LeBrun
‏Verified account @PierreVLeBrun
7m7 minutes ago

Caps GM Brian MacLellan a few moments ago said there's still work to be done on the proposed John Carlson contract. Hopes to speak again with agent Rick Curran this evening. Both sides seem to feel the conversations have been productive. But still not done yet.

Saw him a couple times, noting really stands out. Good all round.

Pretty gritty.
- burn

Anyone you're hoping for with pick 2?

My thought was we were giving value for moving up to 33 not for Glendening. I didn’t look to much into this. Just speculating trades while having my morning coffee. I suppose we should get more back for Gardiner though.
- Trevrrrgavo

Yeah I think we all remember the defensive gaffs and the horrible period in game 7 (which was as much on Ander7en as anything)

The fact is a lot of Dmen make a lot of mistakes. He has a lot of value for his offensive production, and the times when he is truly playing well both ways.

Last year's playoffs he was very good as I remember.

We might undervalue him a bit

Anyone you're hoping for with pick 2?
- mykokes

Addison a rhd that is high on the board still. Might be gone by 52 though.

Maybe woo or wise are still there then

Rielly xxx
Dermott Lillybust
Sandin Zaitsev

In a few years. Number the pairs any way we want.
- walshyleafsfan

Sure would be nice to get that other top pairing guy.

I'd give up just about anything except Matthews for Seth Jones

Sadly, that comment was one of his finer moments last night.

He also seemed to think the definition of insanity was trading down, you know, cause Dubas did it that one other time that resulted in the Leafs missing a pretty good player, but then drafting another pretty good player instead, while also getting to draft another player that still might make an impact, but might not.

What a terrible mistake that was... And you know that if something doesn't work once, it never will.
- Thecakeisalie

The stupidest part of the whole thing is that if the Leafs didn't trade back last time for Dermott they would have just drafted him at 24th.

Instead they got a free Bracco and someone else. Oh no!

Addison a rhd that is high on the board still. Might be gone by 52 though.

Maybe woo or wise are still there then
- burn

I would love either one of those 2

This is what I was talking about though. It has evolved and by not admitting it you are left behind. No longer are teams overvaluing size and grit. If you suck at hockey your size is worthless. That is the evolution. Doesn't matter if regular season or playoffs it's still the same.
- burn

ahhh but that is a slightly different argument.

Size is no longer good enough, that is for sure. I think that the idea that size no longer matters because it is all about speed and skill, doesn't always hold true.

The fact is, you need both now. So sooner or later the Leafs will need to address the lack of physical presence on D.

Unless the refs start actually calling the game by the rules in the playoffs.

Sure would be nice to get that other top pairing guy.

I'd give up just about anything except Matthews for Seth Jones
- Aetherial

I agree. They just don't seem to be traded very often at all. I think with more defensively responsible forwards (no Bozak and JVR)and a slight upgrade on D (not huge) they will be in better shape.

Mussel must be pissed with the Habs taking all of these Fins

Sounds like Carlson's off the table:


Pierre LeBrun
‏Verified account @PierreVLeBrun
7m7 minutes ago

Caps GM Brian MacLellan a few moments ago said there's still work to be done on the proposed John Carlson contract. Hopes to speak again with agent Rick Curran this evening. Both sides seem to feel the conversations have been productive. But still not done yet.
- gravyface

Good news... that contract will be regrettable at some point.

Chris Johnston @reporterchris
now
Ilya Kovalchuk will sign with the #LAkings on July 1.

I agree. They just don't seem to be traded very often at all. I think with more defensively responsible forwards (no Bozak and JVR)and a slight upgrade on D (not huge) they will be in better shape.
- walshyleafsfan

and just more experience. Still lots of young players on this team

ahhh but that is a slightly different argument.

Size is no longer good enough, that is for sure. I think that the idea that size no longer matters because it is all about speed and skill, doesn't always hold true.

The fact is, you need both now. So sooner or later the Leafs will need to address the lack of physical presence on D.

Unless the refs start actually calling the game by the rules in the playoffs.
- Aetherial

But one one ever said that.

Chris Johnston @reporterchris
now
Ilya Kovalchuk will sign with the #LAkings on July 1.
- Fruitcakenipple

Better talk Max off the ledge b'y.

Better talk Max off the ledge b'y.
- gravyface

No, Don't! b'y

Better talk Max off the ledge b'y.
- gravyface

not a chance...

No, Don't! b'y
- .HOHO.

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
now
Kovalchuk deal is three years with an AAV of $6.25M. Same as Patrick Marleau.

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
now
Kovalchuk deal is three years with an AAV of $6.25M. Same as Patrick Marleau.
- Fruitcakenipple

that seems like alot....

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie
now
Kovalchuk deal is three years with an AAV of $6.25M. Same as Patrick Marleau.
- Fruitcakenipple

Kovalchuk has Decided
The white smoke has appeared...Three year deal with the LA Kings..
Source: eklundk