That didn't answer my question of which winger will sit. Lombardi wasn't one of them. The problem is that in a cap system, you cannot spend your money on depth. Your money needs to go to your core of great players, then the rest of the positions are guys battling for spots. The Leafs on the other hand had guys like Komi, Armstrong, Lombardi in the press box last year. Right now, when people make Leaf lines, Komi,Lombardi, and Connolly are sitting. Thats 12.75 mil in the press box. Smart way to spend? No. I think the depth is getting stupid.
- dionschenn

? Pretty sure that's exactly what the Leafs are doing. Lupul and Kessel have the top spots locked up. They are bargains right now and Burke has the ability to spend money on depth. Now when it comes time to lock those guys up, then yeah, that's where the money goes.

Lombardi is playing a lot sooner than anyone expected for one. and The whole point was to get Franson so that point is moot. Lombardi can be a fine hockey player when healthy. When Armstrong was healthy he was affective, after injury, not so much. You can't really chastize Burke to keep paying his contract after injury, it happens. We all know what Komi is. Doesn't matter if these guys are earning big bucks, if they are not playing well, they will be sat for someone else.

Connolly was a 1C in Buffalo, we needed a 1C, he has the talent, just no drive. Burke tried, and he had the cap space to do so. It didn't work out but having Connolly doesn't destroy us. He will still be a better player than Kadri next season.

Lupul - JVR/Connolly/Bozak - Kessel
JVR/Kulemin - Grabovski/Bozak/Connolly - MacArthur/Kadri
Kulemin/Ashton - McClement - Frattin/Lombardi
Brown-Steckel-Koramov

Pretty well each position has a guy in waiting to take it. I think that's pretty healthy for a team to get competitive.

Oh yeah, Kadri the shootout specialist. In 30 years from now, people will be looking back on Kadri being picked, a pioneer to the game, drafted and put in the lineup merely incase the game went to a shootout. Burke the genius.
- Leafland

See we've got ourselves a U_G torch bearer on our hands.

MEEEOOOOWWWWWWWWW
- Timeforsoup

Stop that

Yeah but but but... I'm demanding lol
- Dozzer

I might be in the Globe And Mail Saturday.

See we've got ourselves a U_G torch bearer on our hands.
- gravyface

Do you know how many times you've said that when someone says something about the leafs you don't agree with... give it a break man.

On a side note, I don't know about you guys, but I really can't imagine BB going hard after Ryan if he knows Getzlaf is a possiblity.

Hell even if he has reason to believe he'd get Stats for less than Ryan(which he almost definitely can) then he would stay away from Bobby.

Plus we are already full on the wing. Unless of course they know for a fact that JVR would end up playing centre in TOR, a presumption that I question, as I still think that while he will be tried there, and could be a fit, it still would end up with him on the wing

Also read a rumour that BB was in on Marleau. I immediately became nautious. If you are trying to cure the Blue and White disease you don't use Marleau, he's a career loser

I might be in the Globe And Mail Saturday.
- Tee-Dot

No poop?! For what?

Do you know how many times you've said that when someone says something about the leafs you don't agree with... give it a break man.
- Leafland

There's a lot of debate on here, but nobody likes a downer. Your choice.

No poop?! For what?
- Dozzer

Photoshoot for Hogtown Smoke.

? Pretty sure that's exactly what the Leafs are doing. Lupul and Kessel have the top spots locked up. They are bargains right now and Burke has the ability to spend money on depth. Now when it comes time to lock those guys up, then yeah, that's where the money goes.

Lombardi is playing a lot sooner than anyone expected for one. and The whole point was to get Franson so that point is moot. Lombardi can be a fine hockey player when healthy. When Armstrong was healthy he was affective, after injury, not so much. You can't really chastize Burke to keep paying his contract after injury, it happens. We all know what Komi is. Doesn't matter if these guys are earning big bucks, if they are not playing well, they will be sat for someone else.

Connolly was a 1C in Buffalo, we needed a 1C, he has the talent, just no drive. Burke tried, and he had the cap space to do so. It didn't work out but having Connolly doesn't destroy us. He will still be a better player than Kadri next season.

Lupul - JVR/Connolly/Bozak - Kessel
JVR/Kulemin - Grabovski/Bozak/Connolly - MacArthur/Kadri
Kulemin/Ashton - McClement - Frattin/Lombardi
Brown-Steckel-Koramov

Pretty well each position has a guy in waiting to take it. I think that's pretty healthy for a team to get competitive.
- Boosinicka

I've still got my money on another trade happening. I'd say Lu to TOR over FLA is 40/60 but you never know.

Either way he probably has someone else in his sights, so there's really no use drawing up mock lines as one of Mac or Kuli is involved in any forward deal. My money's on Mac because he's worth 20-25 goals a year and would thus have the most value

I'm still of the thinking that it's now or never for Kadri to make this team. Nobody's questioning his skill. It's just that, with this team, you really should have figured out how to at least stick around while RW was here.

What makes us think his task is any easier under RC?
- AngryWhiteMale

Maybe he actually learns to be more defensive when there's actually a defensive system in place? Which is why I think it is great he is being taught by Eakins. Unfortunately Eakins and Wilson's system were polar opposites, Carlyle and Eakins are very similar so I think the transition will be much easier.

On a side note, I don't know about you guys, but I really can't imagine BB going hard after Ryan if he knows Getzlaf is a possiblity.

Hell even if he has reason to believe he'd get Stats for less than Ryan(which he almost definitely can) then he would stay away from Bobby.

Plus we are already full on the wing. Unless of course they know for a fact that JVR would end up playing centre in TOR, a presumption that I question, as I still think that while he will be tried there, and could be a fit, it still would end up with him on the wing

Also read a rumour that BB was in on Marleau. I immediately became nautious. If you are trying to cure the Blue and White disease you don't use Marleau, he's a career loser
- AngryWhiteMale

I think Carlyle is thinking about utilizing jvr's size in front of the net while Kessel and lupul buzz around.. Might not work as a even strength line but I like the idea at least for the PP

? Pretty sure that's exactly what the Leafs are doing. Lupul and Kessel have the top spots locked up. They are bargains right now and Burke has the ability to spend money on depth. Now when it comes time to lock those guys up, then yeah, that's where the money goes.

Lombardi is playing a lot sooner than anyone expected for one. and The whole point was to get Franson so that point is moot. Lombardi can be a fine hockey player when healthy. When Armstrong was healthy he was affective, after injury, not so much. You can't really chastize Burke to keep paying his contract after injury, it happens. We all know what Komi is. Doesn't matter if these guys are earning big bucks, if they are not playing well, they will be sat for someone else.

Connolly was a 1C in Buffalo, we needed a 1C, he has the talent, just no drive. Burke tried, and he had the cap space to do so. It didn't work out but having Connolly doesn't destroy us. He will still be a better player than Kadri next season.

Lupul - JVR/Connolly/Bozak - Kessel
JVR/Kulemin - Grabovski/Bozak/Connolly - MacArthur/Kadri
Kulemin/Ashton - McClement - Frattin/Lombardi
Brown-Steckel-Koramov

Pretty well each position has a guy in waiting to take it. I think that's pretty healthy for a team to get competitive.
- Boosinicka

I don't really disagree with what you're saying. And I do think depth is a good thing, but I just think its getting excessive. I do disagree with the first part though. Yes, Kessel and Lupul are locked up, but every team does that. I'm saying that the Leafs are spending too much money on depth. When guys like Komi, Lombadri, Armstrong, and soon to be Connolly sit, that is an issue. A good team pays their great players well (think Pittsburgh), and the rest of the guys battle for spots. No other teams have overpaid vets in the press box like the Leafs do. If a forward gets hurt, I don't want to see a Connolly or a Lombardi come in. I want to see a young hungry AHL player come in(like Colborne).

Photoshoot for Hogtown Smoke.
- Tee-Dot

Well make sure you let me know if you end up gracing the pages

There's a lot of debate on here, but nobody likes a downer. Your choice.
- gravyface

True enough. Theres just nothing really to be happy about. The only positive latly is Burke not being an idiot on July 1st, although im pretty sure he was trying to be one, and nobody would take him up on his offers.

I think Carlyle is thinking about utilizing jvr's size in front of the net while Kessel and lupul buzz around.. Might not work as a even strength line but I like the idea at least for the PP
- Dozzer

Can't see him sticking at even strength though, not yet anyways. Just way too much responsibility heaped on him. Need him to flourish as a 2nd line center first, then let's talk about center. But maybe he asked: who knows? Maybe guy got tired of playing behind Giroux, Carter, Richards, then Hartnell and Jagr and will welcome the pressure and responsibility.

Well make sure you let me know if you end up gracing the pages
- Dozzer

True enough. Theres just nothing really to be happy about. The only positive latly is Burke not being an idiot on July 1st, although im pretty sure he was trying to be one, and nobody would take him up on his offers.
- Leafland

As long as we're not trading 1st round picks, it's win/win: we stay young, keep drafting high, life's good man. If playoffs come, great, if not, draft party.

I've still got my money on another trade happening. I'd say Lu to TOR over FLA is 40/60 but you never know.

Either way he probably has someone else in his sights, so there's really no use drawing up mock lines as one of Mac or Kuli is involved in any forward deal. My money's on Mac because he's worth 20-25 goals a year and would thus have the most value
- AngryWhiteMale

Oh I agree as well, he has pieces to work with. I just did that up to show positionally who's after it. Each spot has competition and depth now. We still lack some superstar talent, but look how crowded Philly and NYR are. They are developing some very good players. I think eventually Burke will do the same and certainly don't want him fired. Been waiting far too long for GM to finally have the patients to do things right and develop our players.

I think Carlyle is thinking about utilizing jvr's size in front of the net while Kessel and lupul buzz around.. Might not work as a even strength line but I like the idea at least for the PP
- Dozzer

I don't think size was essential for the Kessel line to be effective. Both he and Loops were top 10 in the league in points for the first 2/3 of the season.

I'm not convniced that what they'd gain in size and net presence wouldn't be lost in chemistry with Bozak, or having a complimentary centre. If anything I think Stats would be awsome between those two. Excellent hockey sense, and decent hands.

If we were to move Grabs+++ for Getz, then I would think a big line with JVR and getz would be the way to go.

Sorry for getting into stupid hypotheticals, it's just that I don't think size is really needed on the Kessel line, except in cases where we play Boston, but aside from that, the line's in decent shape with those two

Screws are removed easily and most of the sood can be saved and used in another project. If nailed together, you are (frank)ed..scrap wood.. too much time and effort to remove the nails. Specially after 5 years.
- bixll

its not that hard... run a circ saw across all boards inbetween each joist and then hit the cuts lines with a hammer... board segments should pop off pretty easy... thats how i do it anyway

Can't see him sticking at even strength though, not yet anyways. Just way too much responsibility heaped on him. Need him to flourish as a 2nd line center first, then let's talk about center. But maybe he asked: who knows? Maybe guy got tired of playing behind Giroux, Carter, Richards, then Hartnell and Jagr and will welcome the pressure and responsibility.
- gravyface

Yeah, the switch to wing when he turned pro makes me wonder if organizational depth had something to do with it

Be interesting to see either way

Stop that
- Leafland

Kadri is 21 years old. Relax.
- dionschenn

Lol same age as Schultz but he is already a bust...

I don't think size was essential for the Kessel line to be effective. Both he and Loops were top 10 in the league in points for the first 2/3 of the season.

I'm not convniced that what they'd gain in size and net presence wouldn't be lost in chemistry with Bozak, or having a complimentary centre. If anything I think Stats would be awsome between those two. Excellent hockey sense, and decent hands.

If we were to move Grabs+++ for Getz, then I would think a big line with JVR and getz would be the way to go.

Sorry for getting into stupid hypotheticals, it's just that I don't think size is really needed on the Kessel line, except in cases where we play Boston, but aside from that, the line's in decent shape with those two
- AngryWhiteMale

I don't necessarily disagree with you.. Cause you're right.. If the chemistry isn't there bozak likely ends up between them again this season.. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to upgrade.. Bozak is decent but I gotta believe there is a better piece for that line than him out there