If we came out of free agency signing Doan I would be quite pleased.
- Cfser

I'd be stoked on this if JVR works as a center.

This is assuming that JVR sticks at center, and assumes that Kadri's not ready for the jump, and assumes that Frattin is not healthy for a while, and assumes that Colborne's not ready for the jump, and assumes that we can unload one or two of Connolly and Lombardi at some point for picks, and assumes that Komarov's not going to make it...
- gravyface

1. Colborne will be in the AHL this season, I think that's a given ATM
2. Kadri, Frattin and Komarov wouldn't be in our top 6, so mute point
3. Lombardi should be sent to the AHL, while I believe we will deal Connolly to a team below cap floor
4. JVR may not stick, but put Bozak there and move Kulemin down to 3rd line

Hey incredibly new and useless commenter.
- gravyface

I know I seem a bit negative, but I have seen players like Schenn, they take a long time and big investment, but in the long run they are worth it. JVR is a nice checking line player, but wont materialize.

Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran)
12-07-09 11:19 AM
WashCaps take over ECHL deal with Reading Royals. Leafs had it last year.

Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran)
12-07-09 11:19 AM
WashCaps take over ECHL deal with Reading Royals. Leafs had it last year.
- burn

Meh

I'd be stoked on this if JVR works as a center.
- nomdreas

JVR is never going to be a center. He is tough and gritty with good instincts, but he is not a good playmaker, we are better off with Tim Con playing next to kessel

JVR is never going to be a center. He is tough and gritty with good instincts, but he is not a good playmaker, we are better off with Tim Con playing next to kessel
- JohnTucker7

JVR may not work out, but Connolly won't be close to Phil and Lupul

JVR was never a 2nd liner in philli. He was a 3rd liner who missed too many games because of injury. He was also playing with much better linemates in philli. D-men take longer to develop in the NHL Leafs fans will remember the day Burke traded Shenn away.
- JohnTucker7

I stand corrected: hey incredibly new, useless, and inaccurate commenter troll: JVR has played with Giroux, Carter, Mike Richards; last year, because of injury, he played on the 3rd line with Simmonds, Schenn, and Briere.

Guess what? Briere, Schenn, Giroux, Carter, Mike Richards, and possibly Simmonds aren't third liners; Philly has and is stacked in their top 9, so line-pairings don't really mean anything for a young developing player (Schenn, JVR), nor does it mean anything for a aging guy (Briere), because neither of those players would be considering a "3rd liner".

JVR is never going to be a center. He is tough and gritty with good instincts, but he is not a good playmaker, we are better off with Tim Con playing next to kessel
- JohnTucker7

Wow, you're really terrible at this aren't you? He is not tough and gritty. He's a big body who protects the puck, has a good shot; he's a scoring winger.

JVR may not work out, but Connolly won't be close to Phil and Lupul
- cor99

Thats fine, but JVR has never had more than 20 helpers in a season. Is passing is the worst part of his game, often putting the puck behind his linemates or in their skates. That was one of the biggest knocks on him in philly. Not to mention his conditioning. Is that the kind of player we want centering Kessel?

I stand corrected: hey incredibly new, useless, and inaccurate commenter troll: JVR has played with Giroux, Carter, Mike Richards; last year, because of injury, he played on the 3rd line with Simmonds, Schenn, and Briere.

Guess what? Briere, Schenn, Giroux, Carter, Mike Richards, and possibly Simmonds aren't third liners; Philly has and is stacked in their top 9, so line-pairings don't really mean anything for a young developing player (Schenn, JVR), nor does it mean anything for a aging guy (Briere), because neither of those players would be considering a "3rd liner".
- gravyface

He said Luke Schenn will be the next Chara.... Schenn has 0 offensive ability and is 6'2, while Chara is like 6'9 and has the hardest shot ever....

JVR is never going to be a center. He is tough and gritty with good instincts, but he is not a good playmaker, we are better off with Tim Con playing next to kessel
- JohnTucker7

You never know, I'm not optimistic about it but I'm hoping. There have been bigger surprises in the NHL.

Wow, you're really terrible at this aren't you? He is not tough and gritty. He's a big body who protects the puck, has a good shot; he's a scoring winger.
- gravyface

Have you ever actually watched him play? He is not a scorer. He gets into the dirty areas and is strong on the puck in the corners.

Thats fine, but JVR has never had more than 20 helpers in a season. Is passing is the worst part of his game, often putting the puck behind his linemates or in their skates. That was one of the biggest knocks on him in philly. Not to mention his conditioning. Is that the kind of player we want centering Kessel?
- JohnTucker7

His conditioning was never an issue... he's a hard worker that got a concussion

You never know, I'm not optimistic about it but I'm hoping. There have been bigger surprises in the NHL.
- nomdreas

I here ya, but that's my issue with Burke. We have to cross are fingers and hope to catch lightening in a bottle. I would rather have someone with an actual plan, that doesn't react to the fans crying that shenn needs to go.

His conditioning was never an issue... he's a hard worker that got a concussion
- cor99

He broke his foot. And conditioning was an issue. He started last year at 225, and they put him on a conditioning plan to lost 10 pounds.

Have you ever actually watched him play? He is not a scorer. He gets into the dirty areas and is strong on the puck in the corners.
- JohnTucker7

That is pretty much what he said..... but I wouldn't list JVR as "Tough and Gritty" he's a scoring power forward

I here ya, but that's my issue with Burke. We have to cross are fingers and hope to catch lightening in a bottle. I would rather have someone with an actual plan, that doesn't react to the fans crying that shenn needs to go.
- JohnTucker7

He didn't trade Schenn because the fans wanted him too....

His conditioning was never an issue... he's a hard worker that got a concussion
- cor99

Where do you people come from....CONCUSSION? He had surgury on his broken foot, thats why he missed so much time. And any hockey player will tell you, adding 20 pounds will put a lot more stress on your feet.

I here ya, but that's my issue with Burke. We have to cross are fingers and hope to catch lightening in a bottle. I would rather have someone with an actual plan, that doesn't react to the fans crying that shenn needs to go.
- JohnTucker7

The clouds parted and the sun shined bright when Schenn was traded

He broke his foot. And conditioning was an issue. He started last year at 225, and they put him on a conditioning plan to lost 10 pounds.
- JohnTucker7

Where do you see that he got put on a conditioning plan?

If he did, it's because he broke his foot and was unable to train... which is a common thing. Thus not an issue at all

Where do you people come from....CONCUSSION? He had surgury on his broken foot, thats why he missed so much time. And any hockey player will tell you, adding 20 pounds will put a lot more stress on your feet.
- JohnTucker7

He has never had more than 40 points in a year. That is not a scorer.

I here ya, but that's my issue with Burke. We have to cross are fingers and hope to catch lightening in a bottle. I would rather have someone with an actual plan, that doesn't react to the fans crying that shenn needs to go.
- JohnTucker7

I agree completely, last year when we signed Connolly most of us were hoping it would all work out and he's have a comeback year. I feel the same way about JVR. He's a solid player but we are hoping he will have a career year and I just don't see that happening. We take average deals that Burke makes and hope they are the answer.

He has never had more than 40 points in a year. That is not a scorer.
- JohnTucker7

He had 20 goals playing on one of the best 3rd lines in Hockey. A year that he started 67 percent of the time in the offensive zone.

Where do you people come from....CONCUSSION? He had surgury on his broken foot, thats why he missed so much time. And any hockey player will tell you, adding 20 pounds will put a lot more stress on your feet.
- JohnTucker7

He had a concussion last season

http://www.usatoday.com/s...dyk-concussion/52559666/1

Burke said that the only reason the Schenn for JVR deal wasn't done at the deadline was because JVR got a concussion