Yes, because they've played so well under Carlyle.
- Fakepartofme

they should have brought up eikens, and rolled the young guys.

B-b-b-but.. if we still had wilson all year we would have had a top 3 pick, and there wouldnt be all these rumors of trading up
- peddy-93

double screwed by Wilson, but if he had of changed the system when the scoring dried up we might have seen 5 or 6 playoff games

Who do you guys think was a bigger bust as a 1st overall pick; Alexandre Daigle or Patrik Stefan?

Daigle had a better PPG over his career but his draft class was way stronger

I think it was ronny. He was pretty public about him "not being ready" despite his good own zone play. trading away a guy because you might have to pay him a little more than the minimum seems silly for ashton. Again, only because he's another 3 liner. If they traded him for someone better it's cool, but to be dumping salary on entry level guys seems a little strange. It will be interesting to see him in tampa, especially if they don't get the goaltending they're after, it will really display what he can do. But realistically, a team that usually makes the playoffs, and went to the semis 2 years ago is going to play him like 15-20 minutes per game, meanwhile the leafs who continue to suck crap can't find a spot for him. It's a lot like Franson. The guy is good enough to play top 4 minutes on a perennial playoff team but somehow wasn't good enough to crack the lineup with the leafs and wilson. This is why the Leafs are crap, because they think they know better than teams that actually are better. Hal gill can't be resigned for 2 mill but he's good enough to kill penalties for the cup champs. I know thats old news, just saying (the pk was pretty good when he was around). I'm just passed the point where i believe that the Leafs actually know more than other teams.
- aminnes

No, it's not that at all: there was no room for Aulie up with the big club, not with Franson and Komi up there along with Gardiner having a surprise season. And Aulie in the AHL full-time (and not being able to call him up in case of injuries) doesn't make a whole lot of sense. So what does Burke do? Finds another prospect, this time a big project power forward with upside that's around the same age, and isn't a waiver risk, and can stay down with the Marlies for another year to develop (like Colborne).

I think it was a smart move considering the options and I'm sure he shopped Aulie around. Who knows, he might've even tried (and probably still trying) to ship out another defenseman instead because I'm sure Burke liked Aulie, but sometimes you do the best deal available.

the market of all places would be key...because correct me if wrong, but it seems the vast majority of workers/owners/shoppers are Euro...would certainly drive sales I would say.
- noename09

oh i have already msg'd her.. wouldnt be shocked if she went to shoppers to go buy bristol board to make a display haha

No, it's not that at all: there was no room for Aulie up with the big club, not with Franson and Komi up there along with Gardiner having a surprise season. And Aulie in the AHL full-time (and not being able to call him up in case of injuries) doesn't make a whole lot of sense. So what does Burke do? Finds another prospect, this time a big project power forward with upside that's around the same age, and isn't a waiver risk, and can stay down with the Marlies for another year to develop (like Colborne).

I think it was a smart move considering the options and I'm sure he shopped Aulie around. Who knows, he might've even tried (and probably still trying) to ship out another defenseman instead because I'm sure Burke liked Aulie, but sometimes you do the best deal available.
- gravyface

I would have buried komi. put him on waivers a la jeff finger. colbourne to me has more upside.

I would have buried komi. put him on waivers a la jeff finger. colbourne to me has more upside.
- aminnes

can't bury komi, NTC.

I would have buried komi. put him on waivers a la jeff finger. colbourne to me has more upside.
- aminnes

He has a No Movement Clause; Komi can't be buried. Seriously man, I know it's fun to play "I'm smarter than the GM" but you really don't think the guy weighed his options here?

can't bury komi, NTC.
- big_dion

oh god, didn't know that. god this team makes some retarted choices. I still don't trade aulie - just my opinion on what i see, leafs will regret it.

Dont really get why everyone as a group just up and decided Tim connolly was a bad player. Yes, he never was able to be the top line centre that only idiots ever thought he could be when we signed him, but come on, this guy is one of the best shot blockers and penalty killers on the entire roster. Probably the best. Not counting Jordan Staal, Connolly could be one of the nhls best third line centres. If Steve Ott is bit more of a traditional grinder, at least Connolly is a) not a douch b) doesnt take nearly as many penalties and c) provides way more offense than Ott will. Unless cap reasons force him off the team (Komiserik and Lombardi are already gone, so they probably arent going to) then theres no need to get rid of him. Plus, he can slide up and down the lineup. Yes hes always an injury risk, but hes a way way way better player than Leaf fans tend to think. I have to ask, do those who hate on TC even watch the games?

double screwed by Wilson, but if he had of changed the system when the scoring dried up we might have seen 5 or 6 playoff games
- bobbyisno1

wilson only knows one system, if you can even call it a system

oh god, didn't know that. god this team makes some retarted choices. I still don't trade aulie - just my opinion on what i see, leafs will regret it.
- aminnes

If Burke didnt trade Aulie, and he didnt make the Leafs next season, he'd be stuck in the minors and would have to go through waivers to get called up.

Question:


If the Leafs defense going forward is this: Phaneuf Gunnerson
Gardner Schenn
Holzer Schultz
do the Leafs have the best defense group in hockey in 2 or 3 years?

If Burke didnt trade Aulie, and he didnt make the Leafs next season, he'd be stuck in the minors and would have to go through waivers to get called up.
- jbold

*pssssst* it's no use trying to explain.

Question:


If the Leafs defense going forward is this: Phaneuf Gunnerson
Gardner Schenn
Holzer Schultz
do the Leafs have the best defense group in hockey in 2 or 3 years?
- Jimmy_T

No.

Question:


If the Leafs defense going forward is this:
Phaneuf Gunnerson
Gardner Schenn
Holzer Schultz
do the Leafs have the best defense group in hockey in 2 or 3 years?
- Jimmy_T

He has a No Movement Clause; Komi can't be buried. Seriously man, I know it's fun to play "I'm smarter than the GM" but you really don't think the guy weighed his options here?
- gravyface

i'm happy your happy, but i reserve the right to question. fun to play? the fact that the leafs fans don't have enough descent to stop supporting the poop is a contributer to the problem. if we want to here how wonderful it is we can all watch leafs tv, as for the rest of us we will always be critical, its not like they don't give us the opportunity.

oh i have already msg'd her.. wouldnt be shocked if she went to shoppers to go buy bristol board to make a display haha
- Dozzer

hit the market and a few places dt....NADA

think ill just go to National Sports after work on my way home.

Dont really get why everyone as a group just up and decided Tim connolly was a bad player. Yes, he never was able to be the top line centre that only idiots ever thought he could be when we signed him, but come on, this guy is one of the best shot blockers and penalty killers on the entire roster. Probably the best. Not counting Jordan Staal, Connolly could be one of the nhls best third line centres. If Steve Ott is bit more of a traditional grinder, at least Connolly is a) not a douch b) doesnt take nearly as many penalties and c) provides way more offense than Ott will. Unless cap reasons force him off the team (Komiserik and Lombardi are already gone, so they probably arent going to) then theres no need to get rid of him. Plus, he can slide up and down the lineup. Yes hes always an injury risk, but hes a way way way better player than Leaf fans tend to think. I have to ask, do those who hate on TC even watch the games?
- Jimmy_T

whoa.. thats a tough read.. use some spacing next time

connolly: 39points for 4.5million dollars

he's not terrible.. but horribly overpaid

Was reading the first page, and everyone was like "we could live with it" "yeah not bad" "im not sure" or "oh god here he comes"

then....

"AHAHAHA YOU COULD TRADE UP TO #2 WITH FRANSON AHAHAHA"

U_G....... he's like an earthquake, you can feel him coming, they scare the poop out of you, and everyone hates them

If Burke didnt trade Aulie, and he didnt make the Leafs next season, he'd be stuck in the minors and would have to go through waivers to get called up.
- jbold

phaneuf, franson, liles, gardner, aulie, gunner. schenn can be moved because aulie is just as physical and better defensively.

i'm happy your happy, but i reserve the right to question. fun to play? the fact that the leafs fans don't have enough descent to stop supporting the poop is a contributer to the problem. if we want to here how wonderful it is we can all watch leafs tv, as for the rest of us we will always be critical, its not like they don't give us the opportunity.
- aminnes

on the same token there are other posters here who dont want to hear full blown negativity

try to find a happy medium

are the leafs cup contenders? no

are they total garbage? also no.

anyone who takes either extreme as their opinion just looks like a fool imo

phaneuf, franson, liles, gardner, aulie, gunner. schenn can be moved because aulie is just as physical and better defensively.
- aminnes

So, how big is your Aulie poster in your bedroom?

You're talking as if Aulie is still here. News flash. Your favorite player is gone. Deal with it.

He wasnt that good anyways.

If Burke didnt trade Aulie, and he didnt make the Leafs next season, he'd be stuck in the minors and would have to go through waivers to get called up.
- jbold

Shush!

phaneuf, franson, liles, gardner, aulie, gunner. schenn can be moved because aulie is just as physical and better defensively.
- aminnes

And miles behind everyone offensively.