i am glad for the franchise tho.. tallon is doing a nice job making them competitive.. they are by no means cup favorites but they need the playoffs to get their fanbase halfway interested again.

florida fans are fickle (i am including TB in this).. if you succeed they seem to come out but if you dont do well.. they leave ya in the lurch.
- Dozzer

I think it's just that hockey isn't their big ticket, so it's only interesting when the team's winning, ie. city pride. For example, I'll start watching and going to Raptors games again when they're in the playoffs. When they're not competitive, I could care less.

Halak, Thomas and Niemi all proved themselves as backups first.

They weren't thrown into the #1 position. Reimer is twisting in the wind right now every time he goes out there.
- leafs93

This is true. They never intended to throw him to the lions though. He got a couple spot starts due to injuries, then owned the crease for the rest of the year. He kind of forced their hand to make him the #1 coming into this year. Not keeping Giguere or bringing in another vet to ease the pressure was a huge mistake however.

I think Raycroft is a UFA this year. Former Calder winner......oh wait

I think Raycroft is a UFA this year. Former Calder winner......oh wait
- leafs93

Shoot we might as well bring Toskala back then.

Halak, Thomas and Niemi all proved themselves as backups first.

They weren't thrown into the #1 position. Reimer is twisting in the wind right now every time he goes out there.
- leafs93

I like the idea of Schneider. He's put his time in and he'll be looking for a big raise and a starting job this summer and Vancouver (unless they can move Luongo) doesn't have the opportunity he wants. I assume they'd move him to the East.

I wonder what it would take ....a young goalie and a player like Franson?

I think Raycroft is a UFA this year. Former Calder winner......oh wait
- leafs93

Could also take a flyer on Pogge again.. I her he's only struggling slightly in the AHL

This is true. They never intended to throw him to the lions though. He got a couple spot starts due to injuries, then owned the crease for the rest of the year. He kind of forced their hand to make him the #1 coming into this year. Not keeping Giguere or bringing in another vet to ease the pressure was a huge mistake however.
- 1979AD

In fairness, he actually started the year very strong, looking like he'd pick up where he left off. Unfortunately:

1) He got injured and that set him way back.

2) Just as he was returning to form, the team decided to pack it in. One theory is that the team's poor conditioning and fitness were partly responsible for the meltdown during the last third of the season. Seriously, who are our trainers? I hear nothing but terrible things about the way our guys train.

3) He wasn't protected by a verteran back-up who could give him advice and encouragement when things started to turn sour. I hear J.S. Giguere is doing pretty well this year...

Shoot we might as well bring Toskala back then.
- Leafsfan9329

Looking at UFA goalies the next few years, the Leafs need to sign a stop gap (Nabakov) or make a trade. I would even take Luongo with his stupid contract.

I like the idea of Schneider. He's put his time in and he'll be looking for a big raise and a starting job this summer and Vancouver (unless they can move Luongo) doesn't have the opportunity he wants. I assume they'd move him to the East.

I wonder what it would take ....a young goalie and a player like Franson?
- The Law

What if the next CBA includes an option for a one-time buy-out of any contracts, penalty free?

Would the Canucks buy out Loooouuuuuu?

In fairness, he actually started the year very strong, looking like he'd pick up where he left off. Unfortunately:

1) He got injured and that set him way back.

2) Just as he was returning to form, the team decided to pack it in. One theory is that the team's conditioning and fitness were partly responsible for the meltdown during the last third of the season.

3) He wasn't protected by a verteran back-up who could give him advice and encouragement when things started to turn sour. I hear J.S. Giguere is doing pretty well this year...
- Leeman4Gilmour

Wait a minute there, "just as he was returning to form the team decided to pack it in". He returned to form with back to back shutouts and then stunk up the joint completely. The team was battling but bad goaltending has led them down the road to Wilson getting fired.

Everything since the firing you can take with a grain of salt.

Looking at UFA goalies the next few years, the Leafs need to sign a stop gap (Nabakov) or make a trade. I would even take Luongo with his stupid contract.
- leafs93

There is goalies to be gotten thats for sure, Like Nittimaky from the Sharks hes in the minors now because of Niemi and Thomas Greiss. Might be able to get him for a fair price.

Its a shame the Blues traded Bishop because if they could have signed him I would imagine Elliot probably would have been moved.

Chirstobal Huet is perhaps another option only reason he isn't playing for the Hawks is because of his contract. I'm not sold on goalies like Harding he is injury prone and the Wild system helps the goaltending alot in Minnesota too bad there offense sucks.

There is goalies to be gotten thats for sure, Like Nittimaky from the Sharks hes in the minors now because of Niemi and Thomas Greiss. Might be able to get him for a fair price.

Its a shame the Blues traded Bishop because if they could have signed him I would imagine Elliot probably would have been moved.

Chirstobal Huet is perhaps another option only reason he isn't playing for the Hawks is because of his contract. I'm not sold on goalies like Harding he is injury prone and the Wild system helps the goaltending alot in Minnesota too bad there offense sucks.
- Leafsfan9329

Like free when they put him on waivers and no one claimed him.

Also... the Leafs new system is like Minny's system. Haven't you been watching? (frank)en boring.

Like free when they put him on waivers and no one claimed him.
- leafs_wingp

Was he put on waivers? I just knew he went to the minors.

Wait a minute there, "just as he was returning to form the team decided to pack it in". He returned to form with back to back shutouts and then stunk up the joint completely. The team was battling but bad goaltending has led them down the road to Wilson getting fired.

Everything since the firing you can take with a grain of salt.
- leafs93

Those two back-to-back shutouts were followed by a third win from Reimer. We've only won two games since that 3 game streak. Of those, one was with Reimer in net.

You can point to that 3 game win streak as the last bright spot this entire season. The entire team packed it in after a couple heartbreaking losses against Winnipeg and Philly in early February.

we are fine

Gus has a .920 sv% under Carlyle

Burke will focus on getting Nash..since thats what we need now that Gus is solid

There is goalies to be gotten thats for sure, Like Nittimaky from the Sharks hes in the minors now because of Niemi and Thomas Greiss. Might be able to get him for a fair price.

Its a shame the Blues traded Bishop because if they could have signed him I would imagine Elliot probably would have been moved.

Chirstobal Huet is perhaps another option only reason he isn't playing for the Hawks is because of his contract. I'm not sold on goalies like Harding he is injury prone and the Wild system helps the goaltending alot in Minnesota too bad there offense sucks.
- Leafsfan9329

But aren't you tired of putting in guys that we hope are going to be front line goalies?

Nitti, Harding, Bishop fall under that catagory. No more growing pains in net for me.

Huet would be a stop gap but no better than Giggy was. For what is available Nabakov would be best UFA pickup in my opinion but I truly think we need to go the trade route.

There is goalies to be gotten thats for sure, Like Nittimaky from the Sharks hes in the minors now because of Niemi and Thomas Greiss. Might be able to get him for a fair price.

Its a shame the Blues traded Bishop because if they could have signed him I would imagine Elliot probably would have been moved.

Chirstobal Huet is perhaps another option only reason he isn't playing for the Hawks is because of his contract. I'm not sold on goalies like Harding he is injury prone and the Wild system helps the goaltending alot in Minnesota too bad there offense sucks.
- Leafsfan9329

You're not sold on Harding, which is fair, but please don't utter the other H word! He was a disaster his last stretch in the league.

we are fine

Gus has a .920 sv% under Carlyle

Burke will focus on getting Nash..since thats what we need now that Gus is solid
- senstroll

You're kidding right? I think Monster has had a few other 5 game stretches where he was .920 plus. Problem is they were proceeded and followed by .850 stretches.

Could also take a flyer on Pogge again.. I her he's only struggling slightly in the AHL
- mfreedman

Leafs lineup next year:

Poni Stajan Kessel
Stempniak Bozak Lupul
Army Boyce Blake
Mayers Steckel Tucker

Phaneuf Kaberle
Gunnar Beauchemin
Bell Schenn

Raycroft
Toskala

HeadCoach: Quinn

But aren't you tired of putting in guys that we hope are going to be front line goalies?

Nitti, Harding, Bishop fall under that catagory. No more growing pains in net for me.

Huet would be a stop gap but no better than Giggy was. For what is available Nabakov would be best UFA pickup in my opinion but I truly think we need to go the trade route.
- leafs93

I'm not sold on Nabokov either, I mean the Islanders did blow a 4-1 lead last night with him in net. and at least the 2nd Ovechkin goal was the stinker type. I mean the Islanders are probably the league leaders the last 2 years in blowing leads especially going into the 3rd period. I would have to say blame has to be evenly distributed 50% for the 5 players and 50% to the goalies.

Leafs lineup next year:

Poni Stajan Kessel
Stempniak Bozak Lupul
Army Boyce Blake
Mayers Steckel Tucker

Phaneuf Kaberle
Gunnar Beauchemin
Bell Schenn

Raycroft
Toskala

HeadCoach: Quinn
- noename09

Might as well throw Wendel in there, he looked pretty good in an old timers game this year.

we are fine

Gus has a .920 sv% under Carlyle

Burke will focus on getting Nash..since thats what we need now that Gus is solid
- senstroll

priority list is as follows.

1) Goalie
2) Goalie
3) Centerman
4) Grinders
5) Goalie

we are fine

Gus has a .920 sv% under Carlyle

Burke will focus on getting Nash..since thats what we need now that Gus is solid
- senstroll

Sorry but we need a goaltender other than Gustavsson and Reimer. Getzlaf, Nash ect ect are the last things burke needs to work on.

I'm not sold on Nabokov either, I mean the Islanders did blow a 4-1 lead last night with him in net. and at least the 2nd Ovechkin goal was the stinker type. I mean the Islanders are probably the league leaders the last 2 years in blowing leads especially going into the 3rd period. I would have to say blame has to be evenly distributed 50% for the 5 players and 50% to the goalies.
- Leafsfan9329

I'm thinking trade route, I say if we are not in position to draft the #1 center we want then we offer our first to STL for Halak and throw in a good prospect to at least get a conversation going.

Leafs lineup next year:

Poni Stajan Kessel
Stempniak Bozak Lupul
Army Boyce Blake
Mayers Steckel Tucker

Phaneuf Kaberle
Gunnar Beauchemin
Bell Schenn

Raycroft
Toskala

HeadCoach: Quinn
- noename09

You think Boyd Devereaux would be available? That clutch hatty to vault the Buds into the 7th pick instead of the 5th alone should earn him a look going into next year.