Colborne isn't useless. Less than what was expected, certainly, but not useless.

They shouldn't have to pay for something that will become free. The good relationship isn't that important. He's pretty much squeezed Anaheim for everything that he needed at this point.
- Unholy_Goalie

Not just about Ana ... about how the other teams view his dealings .. need to look at the big picture not just the Leafs-ANA picture

Colborne isn't useless. Less than what was expected, certainly, but not useless.

They shouldn't have to pay for something that will become free. The good relationship isn't that important. He's pretty much squeezed Anaheim for everything that he needed at this point.
- Unholy_Goalie

You couldn't be more wrong.

If Burke cherry picks Schultz, there will be 28 other GMs who will have an opinion about it.

Relationships is what gets respect.

Sure it is an option... but I don't think it is a preferred option in most cases, or we would see more top-level Russians, in their prime, playing there.
- GoneFullRetard

Top level Russians, more often than not, get their way in the NHL. But when they don't, that's the first place they can and will go. It happened with Zherdev, Filatov, Radulov; if things aren't sitting pretty, they go.

Just think of the crap the Leafs put Kadri through. If they tried that with Grigorenko (even if he needs it) there's a big risk he takes off. Then you have to accommodate the player at the threat that he can leave at any time.

It's just an unnecessary risk. The Leafs need something that's going to work. They don't need another question mark.

Colborne isn't useless. Less than what was expected, certainly, but not useless.

They shouldn't have to pay for something that will become free. The good relationship isn't that important. He's pretty much squeezed Anaheim for everything that he needed at this point.
- Unholy_Goalie

Disagree. I think a lot of stuff goes on between GMs. You want as many good relationships as possible in that game.

It's nice that Grigorenko made the sacrifice to go play in the QMJHL but to act as if the KHL is out of the equation for the duration of his career is untrue. If things get rough, it's a way out. And it's happened many, many, many times before.
- Unholy_Goalie

Ok so Kadri doesn't make the team this year and feels he deserves it and demands a trade or he won't play...is that any different than threatening to go to the KHL? Both are scumbag moves. If he languishes in the AHL for the next three years is he considered a great person for not "running away?" Or is that the NA KHL? Not good enough so get paid in pro hockey and ride around in your bus.

Disagree. I think a lot of stuff goes on between GMs. You want as many good relationships as possible in that game.
- GoneFullRetard

x2

A good GM doesn't burn bridges .. you are so correct
- LeafsfaninBC

you say that, but since the Oilers signed Penner with an offer sheet, they've still been able to complete 22 trades. Doesn't seem like it's effected business at all there.

Same goes for the SJ Sharks. They tried on offer sheet on Hjalmarsson and have completed 12 trades since then.

Top level Russians, more often than not, get their way in the NHL. But when they don't, that's the first place they can and will go. It happened with Zherdev, Filatov, Radulov; if things aren't sitting pretty, they go.

Just think of the crap the Leafs put Kadri through. If they tried that with Grigorenko (even if he needs it) there's a big risk he takes off. Then you have to accommodate the player at the threat that he can leave at any time.

It's just an unnecessary risk. The Leafs need something that's going to work. They don't need another question mark.
- Unholy_Goalie

So lets go after a 36 year old gaolie eh...

Top level Russians, more often than not, get their way in the NHL. But when they don't, that's the first place they can and will go. It happened with Zherdev, Filatov, Radulov; if things aren't sitting pretty, they go.

Just think of the crap the Leafs put Kadri through. If they tried that with Grigorenko (even if he needs it) there's a big risk he takes off. Then you have to accommodate the player at the threat that he can leave at any time.

It's just an unnecessary risk. The Leafs need something that's going to work. They don't need another question mark.
- Unholy_Goalie

If Grigorenko is available to the Leafs at 5, I think it's a bigger risk passing it up.

You couldn't be more wrong.

If Burke cherry picks Schultz, there will be 28 other GMs who will have an opinion about it.

Relationships is what gets respect.
- IRON.MAIDEN

we are talking the same talk ... give you props my friend ...

The average pay is 150,000, only real stars make the real money aka Radulov. If you're a mediocre player who lived in Russia your whole life and never left why would you go to Denver to play in the ECHL hoping one day to make a grand total of 800,000? 90% of the Russian stars are in the NHL the others are either young and developing or have failed, much like so many failures run around the AHL or bugger off to Switzerland/Sweden/Finland/Germany and other places that pay well for a piss poor pro.
- AdamFrench

bang on.

you say that, but since the Oilers signed Penner with an offer sheet, they've still been able to complete 22 trades. Doesn't seem like it's effected business at all there.

Same goes for the SJ Sharks. They tried on offer sheet on Hjalmarsson and have completed 12 trades since then.
- ILoveLamp

Only Burke views an offer sheet as a disgrace.

Big difference

Ok so Kadri doesn't make the team this year and feels he deserves it and demands a trade or he won't play...is that any different than threatening to go to the KHL? Both are scumbag moves. If he languishes in the AHL for the next three years is he considered a great person for not "running away?" Or is that the NA KHL? Not good enough so get paid in pro hockey and ride around in your bus.
- AdamFrench

Kadri played in the OHL for an extra year and in the AHL for another two. You think Grigorenko would spend the first three years of his "professional" career doing that? Especially if the team felt he needed it and he didn't? Filatov sure as hell didn't. He couldn't take 20 games in the AHL before he started getting "home sick".

you say that, but since the Oilers signed Penner with an offer sheet, they've still been able to complete 22 trades. Doesn't seem like it's effected business at all there.

Same goes for the SJ Sharks. They tried on offer sheet on Hjalmarsson and have completed 12 trades since then.
- ILoveLamp

but could they have gotten more for what was traded .. not talking bout offersheets either .. just flat out stealing a guy .... it is a little different IMO

Disagree. I think a lot of stuff goes on between GMs. You want as many good relationships as possible in that game.
- GoneFullRetard

Well Holzer and Colborne just doesn't make sense. If they're going to give something up, it better be something else.

Ok so Kadri doesn't make the team this year and feels he deserves it and demands a trade or he won't play...is that any different than threatening to go to the KHL? Both are scumbag moves. If he languishes in the AHL for the next three years is he considered a great person for not "running away?" Or is that the NA KHL? Not good enough so get paid in pro hockey and ride around in your bus.
- AdamFrench

or pull a lindros, there is always that path too.

You couldn't be more wrong.

If Burke cherry picks Schultz, there will be 28 other GMs who will have an opinion about it.

Relationships is what gets respect.
- IRON.MAIDEN

It is entirely possible that Schultz wants to come to Toronto for the city, to play with his best friend, and because of Brian Burke.

It is equally possible that every GM knows this already.

I don't think Burke would look too much like a "bad guy" if there is no trade, but I think that the GM fraternity is a close knit group and Burke ups his rep. in that community if he tries to work something out with Anaheim.

... but again, we are all just guessing. Schultz may end up elsewhere, or Burke might decide to just get him for nothing when he can.

You couldn't be more wrong.

If Burke cherry picks Schultz, there will be 28 other GMs who will have an opinion about it.

Relationships is what gets respect.
- IRON.MAIDEN

I have to disagree. When Chiarelli signed Wheeler, was anyone up in arms? What about when Burke traded a ton of players to get Versteeg and Sweatt from Chicago, only to have Sweatt walk away and sign with Vancouver (who just happened to sign his brother 3 months earlier)

This kind of stuff happens a lot. It's only news because it's the Leafs

we are talking the same talk ... give you props my friend ...
- LeafsfaninBC

It's a common everyday lesson.

Respect gets you everywhere.

Some just don't grasp that.

So, props to you too!

That is BS. Filatov wanted nothing to do with the KHL either. He spoke fluent English. He loved North America. He was dying to play here. He did everything in his power to play and stay in the NHL.

Until he didn't get his way.

Now where is he?
- Unholy_Goalie

Yeah, where is he. I remember two years ago when you were yapping your face off about tryin to trade for filatov.

Where is he?

If Grigorenko is available to the Leafs at 5, I think it's a bigger risk passing it up.
- Barx

i want Galchenyuk or Grigorenko.

Yeah, where is he. I remember two years ago when you were yapping your face off about tryin to trade for filatov.

Where is he?
- joel878

lol, i wouldnt expect an answer.

I have to disagree. When Chiarelli signed Wheeler, was anyone up in arms? What about when Burke traded a ton of players to get Versteeg and Sweatt from Chicago, only to have Sweatt walk away and sign with Vancouver (who just happened to sign his brother 3 months earlier)

This kind of stuff happens a lot. It's only news because it's the Leafs
- ILoveLamp

You are entitled to disagree.

But it doesn't mean you are correct. Burke ruffles many feathers with how he presents himself. Preying on ANA picks without comp would make things worse.

That is my opinion.

i want Galchenyuk or Grigorenko.
- big_dion

Galchenyuk or Faksa

You are entitled to disagree.

But it doesn't mean you are correct. Burke ruffles many feathers with how he presents himself. Preying on ANA picks without comp would make things worse.

That is my opinion.
- IRON.MAIDEN

of course.

everyone (GM's) will raise and eyebrow if we land Schultz for nothing.