But you aren't picking between Carter and Grabovski. You're picking between Grabovski, plus a likely combination of a 1st, Kadri/Gardiner/Colborne and probably a player currently on your roster for Carter and his decade long deal.
- Lohaus

The way I look at it is Grabovski can be flipped for a late 1st and a prospect, and you can take that late first and a prospect plus schenn or kadri or colborne and get carter.. At least thats how I'm looking at it

I know, but it's a good starter. Would be better to just forget the first and Schenn and try to make a deal just for Bishop, 2nd rounder and a conditional 3rd if he re-signs? They have Jake Allen already in the wings and Halak/Elliot signed for a few more years, he's likely gone anyways.
- AdamFrench

How are you any better off with Bishop....... career AHL goalie, has not proven one iota in the NHL.

Meh, i'd rather keep what we have if the alternative is Bishop

All depends on the price.
As per usual, Burke's FA signing of Connolly was a horrible move.
- Fakepartofme

For sure, but if he came to you and said 4 @ 5 mill, would you let him go to hold strong at 4 @ 4.5? That is where I wouldn't based on all things considered. Some players? Sure, but I'd do it anyways for Grabovski. I think that extra 500 k is worth the player in this case and sacrificie it elsewhere on the roster (like unloading Connolly). Just my opinion.

I know I've discussed it with some of the Leaf fans on here, but I'm completely in the camp of sign Grabovski now. The more I think about it the more I just feel like he is too important a piece to let go for a 2nd and a prospect. I think this guy is the exact answer to your second line, he's worked hard to become the player he is and he wants to be there. I don't see why arguing over 500k in a cap world and in the grand schem of things warrants this. Some guys, sure, play hard ball, but to me, he just needs to be signed. He'll get more on the open market, I'd guarantee it. The FA market, as per usual, isn't that strong. Last year the Leafs over paid to get Connolly to play center, so reflect on the loss of Grabo and the addition of Connolly. When you already have the asset that you want, pay to keep it. Sacrifice elsewhere to make it happen.
- Lohaus

He is the hardest worker on the team and is Leadership material. This guy is great and I would love for him to stay on the team. What we need is to get rid of Lombardi's, Connolly's, Komi's, etc.. Terrible Terrible prices.

I'd love for our Centers to be Carter #1, Grabo #2, Bozak #3... Ahh to dream

Why not pick up Roloson for next to nothing. The guy is known for carrying teams this time of year. Roloson and a pick for Gus. When Rollie gets hot he can be unbeatable.
- yttrohs

i belive roloson's record at the ACC is also very good.. anyone know where a person can look up a goalie's stats by arena?

At the time, it was only a little bit bad, because itis just two years and he really was the best center left out there after Richards signed. (I am glad they did not sign Richards to that contract).

Now, it seems worse. I never expected Connolly to be a legitimate 1st line center, but I also did not expect him to be basically a 4th line player... and a lot of time he doesn't even deserve to be on an NHL roster.
- GoneFullRetard

and yet most Leaf fans booed me out of the room for suggestion it was a horrible signing. I stated that when it was announced

Because Roloson has been horrible..We gots the crappy goaltending thing covered..
- Fruitcakenipple

tampa has poope defense tho....

oh wait..

k nevermind

How are you any better off with Bishop....... career AHL goalie, has not proven one iota in the NHL.

Meh, i'd rather keep what we have if the alternative is Bishop
- faceto27

Well if anybody still thinks Scrivens can be a starter, they best bow before the mighty Bishop.

tampa has poope defense tho....

oh wait..

k nevermind
- Dozzer

and yet most Leaf fans booed me out of the room for suggestion it was a horrible signing. I stated that when it was announced
- acresd

no comments board is complete without a good ol' "i told ya so" post lol

and yet most Leaf fans booed me out of the room for suggestion it was a horrible signing. I stated that when it was announced
- acresd

The thing would Connolly is that Bozak beat him out for his job. You can look at any scrub that plays on a 1st line and they average 50-60 points a year. I'm sure Connolly would be in the range of 40-50 pts if he played with lupul and kessel all year. I mean hell even stajan put up 50+ on the first line.. Or Antropov..

For sure, but if he came to you and said 4 @ 5 mill, would you let him go to hold strong at 4 @ 4.5? That is where I wouldn't based on all things considered. Some players? Sure, but I'd do it anyways for Grabovski. I think that extra 500 k is worth the player in this case and sacrificie it elsewhere on the roster (like unloading Connolly). Just my opinion.
- Lohaus

I think Gabs got 5 Mi for 4 years. Burke would be stupid not take make that deal.

no comments board is complete without a good ol' "i told ya so" post lol
- Dozzer

toldaso..

would anyone else here rather package assets we wanted to use for a number one center and get a number one goalie instead!?

Kessel Bozak Lupul

Miller* Reimer

OR

Kessel Carter Lupul

Gus Reimer


*just an example.
- noename09

- JVince117

Totally missed that one eh...

I'm hoping Ottawa signs him this summer if he hits UFA on July 1st. That's also assuming we don't draft a goalie (hoping for Subban)
- riceroni

If Habs don't draft Subban if he's avail at the time, they deserve the future consequences...same for the leafs, sens

He is the hardest worker on the team and is Leadership material. This guy is great and I would love for him to stay on the team. What we need is to get rid of Lombardi's, Connolly's, Komi's, etc.. Terrible Terrible prices.

I'd love for our Centers to be Carter #1, Grabo #2, Bozak #3... Ahh to dream
- wolfos412

See, this is how I see it too. I wouldn't let the poorly acquired/signed contracts I had added in the past effect my decision to maintain the player that I should maintain. If you did manage to keep Grabovsi and add Carter (or a similar center) and moved Bozak down, your entire forward lines would be set. If you lost Grabovski, and added Carter, i'd also suggest finding another center like Grabovski anywhere, either through trade or via FA, esepcially one who clicks with the current second line wingers to the same degree, would be difficult. No real right or wrong answer to it, just discussing.

The thing would Connolly is that Bozak beat him out for his job. You can look at any scrub that plays on a 1st line and they average 50-60 points a year. I'm sure Connolly would be in the range of 40-50 pts if he played with lupul and kessel all year. I mean hell even stajan put up 50+ on the first line.. Or Antropov..
- grim1911

I would have to disagree with you there. They had Connolly on the first line, and he did not do much to warrent him to remain on the first line. Hence the reason why Bozak is back on the first line.

He is the hardest worker on the team and is Leadership material. This guy is great and I would love for him to stay on the team. What we need is to get rid of Lombardi's, Connolly's, Komi's, etc.. Terrible Terrible prices.

I'd love for our Centers to be Carter #1, Grabo #2, Bozak #3... Ahh to dream
- wolfos412

Komi + pick for Nabby

Grabo + Schenn + High Prospect/Pick + Lombardi for Carter + Mason

Mason assigned to Marlies.




Happy?

I would have to disagree with you there. They had Connolly on the first line, and he did not do much to warrent him to remain on the first line. Hence the reason why Bozak is back on the first line.
- acresd

All I'm saying is that it doesn't matter whos playing on the first line.. If they stay there all year they will average around 50 points.

Komi + pick for Nabby

Grabo + Schenn + High Prospect/Pick + Lombardi for Carter




Happy?
- noename09

Wow, a realistic offer.
To me, this would get Carter on the Leafs, but did it make your team better?

I think Burke handcuffed himself to sign Connolly. He stated he was in the market for a #1 centerman, and when he did not land Richards (which most of use knew he wouldn;t), he went after Connolly. Everyone knew it was not that good of a signing, but Burke needed to save face.
- acresd

Connolly is a 2 yr stop gap till Colborne is ready...I would assume that was the thinking....justified or not

Komi + pick for Nabby

Grabo + Schenn + High Prospect/Pick + Lombardi for Carter


Happy?
- noename09

the only thing that makes the bolded not work is the lack of salary coming back the other way

this is the NYI remember

I should also mention AGAIN... that lombardi is not insurable!

no way in blue hell a team like columbus takes on that risk

Wow, a realistic offer.
To me, this would get Carter on the Leafs, but did it make your team better?
- Lohaus

If we bring in Nabby AND Carter...yes. Carter alone? Not really.

Komi + pick for Nabby

Grabo + Schenn + High Prospect/Pick + Lombardi for Carter




Happy?
- noename09

No because you just got rid of Grabo!! Plus why the (frank) would CBJ want to take a 28 year old player who wants 5.5 million when there shedding salary? It's the same amount Carter gets and Carter is the supposed better player?