http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/free_agency/2012/07/01/spector_leafs_burke_free_agency_day1/

Jesus H, Spector's an idiot: Schultz chose Edmonton because they have poopty depth on defense and he knew he could be Aki Berg bad and still break the top 4.
- gravyface

he chose edmonton because they are brimming with young talent and he wants to grow with a group he believes has all the tools to win a cup. he also was blown away by the coaches pitch to him.
toronto had no chance to compete with that.

Sounds like Leo Komarov is already being a pest at development camp, lol.

We have a lot of centres now: Bozak, Grabovski, Conolly, McClement, Steckel, Lombardi (or was he playing the wing?). Not to mention prospects, most notably Colborne.

Given only Grabs would be a real "top 6" guy, Bozak is really a 3rd line guy, Connolly and Lombardi are garbage and Steckel and McClement won't exactly be among the league leaders in ice time...but that's still a large quantity of centremen. Precursor to a trade perhaps? I think we're not too bad at the wings (Kessel, Lupul, Mac, JVR, Kadri, maybe Kuli, Brown, Frattin and prospects) and if we can re-sign Franson we shouldn't be too bad at defense if some prospects can step up (i.e. Holzer, Blacker, etc.)...but we definitely need upgrades in net and at centre. We may not get Luongo (I'm on record as saying I don't care either way) but we can probably get at least some kind of veteran keeper somewhere...I just can't see how we're going to get a legit #1 centre or even just an upgrade on what we have via trade.

Great. Like he did with Kessel and over pay in assets. Fine then so be it. Just get it (frank)ing done.
- Gunslinger

Did pretty good with Phaneuf, Toskala, Blake, Lebda, and Beauchemin though.

He uses his alt account now....Juice
- Symba007

Least U_Gs moody attitude was always a constant.

I kid Juice.

Sounds like Leo Komarov is already being a pest at development camp, lol.
- LeafMan

Kid is hungry.

I love it.

he chose edmonton because they are brimming with young talent and he wants to grow with a group he believes has all the tools to win a cup. he also was blown away by the coaches pitch to him.
toronto had no chance to compete with that.
- Barx

Vancouver has all the tools to win a cup too. I'm just saying ice-time was likely the number #1 reason why he chose Edmonton and it's not like he's an aging UFA who's looking for his last shot at a cup either. He wants maximum ice-time, maximum opportunity to cash out as a UFA in two years.

Let's put it this way: Oilers will still likely be on the outside looking in in two years, and when he's up for a big-time pay upgrade, do you think he's going to chose EDM again? Perhaps, but it's just as likely at that point he'll be a proven top 4 D, and can go and take ice-time wherever he wants (i.e. Suter).

If Burke is not making a pitch for Parise he is not doing his job.
The Leafs are far too low on talent to balk at top notch talent.
I'm not saying Parise is a perfect fit, but stating he has no interest in the available UFA's is ridiculous.
McClement? Seriously?

he chose edmonton because they are brimming with young talent and he wants to grow with a group he believes has all the tools to win a cup. he also was blown away by the coaches pitch to him.
toronto had no chance to compete with that.
- Barx

I'm sure being wooed by the Godfather of the game had an effect as well.

Did pretty good with Phaneuf, Toskala, Blake, Lebda, and Beauchemin though.
- gravyface

Problem is this team needs elite players and not making every effort to land them without surrendering assets is absurd.

If Burke is not making a pitch for Parise he is not doing his job.
The Leafs are far too low on talent to balk at top notch talent.
I'm not saying Parise is a perfect fit, but stating he has no interest in the available UFA's is ridiculous.
McClement? Seriously?
- Barx

Who says he has not already talked to him?

Could of been made to clear Parise wanted nothing to do with the Leafs well before UFA day...

Sounds like Leo Komarov is already being a pest at development camp, lol.
- LeafMan

Paul Hendrick ‏@HennyTweets
Tyler biggs is tossing bodies in his way. Biggs looks bigger and skating is much improved. He'll help oshawa next fall biggs-time.#tmltalk
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Hockey Insider ‏@TMLhockeymedia
Leafs working on 2 significant trades. Should be an interesting couple of days to see what transpires
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7m Paul Hendrick ‏@HennyTweets
Terrific one on one battle in front of the net as 19 year old stuart percy holds his own against leo komarov.#tmltalk
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Did pretty good with Phaneuf, Toskala, Blake, Lebda, and Beauchemin though.
- gravyface

Yes, he was able to unload some useless players....but he also acquired some too.

If Burke is not making a pitch for Parise he is not doing his job.
The Leafs are far too low on talent to balk at top notch talent.
I'm not saying Parise is a perfect fit, but stating he has no interest in the available UFA's is ridiculous.
McClement? Seriously?
- Barx

Parise is signing with Pittsburgh or NJ. McClement is a really good 3rd line center, you just haven't heard about him because he plays out west. Ask Colorado or STL fans about him, they loved him.

If Burke is not making a pitch for Parise he is not doing his job.
The Leafs are far too low on talent to balk at top notch talent.
I'm not saying Parise is a perfect fit, but stating he has no interest in the available UFA's is ridiculous.
McClement? Seriously?
- Barx

Burke doesn't want to overpay on July1st...he prefers to make trades.

If Burke is not making a pitch for Parise he is not doing his job.
The Leafs are far too low on talent to balk at top notch talent.
I'm not saying Parise is a perfect fit, but stating he has no interest in the available UFA's is ridiculous.
McClement? Seriously?
- Barx

Agreed. Burke needs to stop pissing in my face and telling me its raining

Burke doesn't want to overpay on July1st...he prefers to make trades.
- Symba007

- Barx

That's the kool-aid he is serving.

Parise is signing with Pittsburgh or NJ. McClement is a really good 3rd line center, you just haven't heard about him because he plays out west. Ask Colorado or STL fans about him, they loved him.
- JVR2112

I watch hockey, I know who McClement is....yet another 3rd, 4th liner to toss in the pile.

Parise is signing with Pittsburgh or NJ. McClement is a really good 3rd line center, you just haven't heard about him because he plays out west. Ask Colorado or STL fans about him, they loved him.
- JVR2112

Good bottom 6 guy for sure.

Was an alternate captain with the Avs

Yes, he was able to unload some useless players....but he also acquired some too.
- Fakepartofme

He moved dead weight for upgrades. But let's be honest, they additions were not superstars.

Although Gardneir may become a great talent.

Pha9 isn't anything special. Franson is meh, Loops and Gards are good, and what is left from moving Toskola and Blake?

Burke doesn't want to overpay on July1st...he prefers to make trades.
- Symba007

That's all well and good. Then make them already.

Paul Hendrick ‏@HennyTweets
Tyler biggs is tossing bodies in his way. Biggs looks bigger and skating is much improved. He'll help oshawa next fall biggs-time.#tmltalk
Expand
Reply Retweet Favorite

Hockey Insider ‏@TMLhockeymedia
Leafs working on 2 significant trades. Should be an interesting couple of days to see what transpires
Expand
Reply Retweet Favorite
7m Paul Hendrick ‏@HennyTweets
Terrific one on one battle in front of the net as 19 year old stuart percy holds his own against leo komarov.#tmltalk
Expand
Reply Retweet Favorite
- burn

Sounds really good, along with some elite talent, that is sorely missing in the lineup and with prospects.

Who says he has not already talked to him?

Could of been made to clear Parise wanted nothing to do with the Leafs well before UFA day...
- IRON.MAIDEN

Burke says.

Burke says.
- Barx

Yea, and Burke always tells the truth....