Has Bozak ever been able to score 65 points? 60? 55? 50?
- Two_For_Truth

I'm with you: if Bozak manages 47 points, in his prime, when Kessel and Lupul are having career years, how high can his ceiling really be?

So is Kadri actually training with Roberts? If so that sounds like the perfect guy to train the kid to me. I hope he has a huge year.

nope...

or were you lobbing a soft one over the plate there?
- Big_Lightnin

You're saying Colorado would say no, right?

I'm with you: if Bozak manages 47 points, in his prime, when Kessel and Lupul are having career years, how high can his ceiling really be?
- gravyface

The Leafs are littered with 2nd and 3rd line centers but among them, Connolly is the only one who has shown he can play at a point per game pace at some point in his career. That's why they signed him and the hope that he can be that type of player will be what probably keeps him around until his contract expires.

I'm with you: if Bozak manages 47 points, in his prime, when Kessel and Lupul are having career years, how high can his ceiling really be?
- gravyface

About that. Bozak would be a great third line centre and a decent option at number 2. Sadly they have a better number 2, and no number one.

So is Kadri actually training with Roberts? If so that sounds like the perfect guy to train the kid to me. I hope he has a huge year.
- Zezel

Definitely shows commitment: Roberts won't take you on unless you're dedicated (and who's going to piss off Scary Gary? ).

Good read; makes me want to root for Kadri more now:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...s_nhl_james_vanriemdsdyk/

About that. Bozak would be a great third line centre and a decent option at number 2. Sadly they have a better number 2, and no number one.
- AdamFrench

Depends on what kind of a 3rd line you want, but yeah, somewhere in there.

I'd rather see Kulemin McClement Frattin personally.

The Leafs are littered with 2nd and 3rd line centers but among them, Connolly is the only one who has shown he can play at a point per game pace at some point in his career. That's why they signed him and the hope that he can be that type of player will be what probably keeps him around until his contract expires.
- Two_For_Truth

He's in a steady point decline though. Kind of hard to ignore that. But it will be a contract year, who knows, but he certainly didn't wow anybody going into his UFA season; it was only because after Richards, there was nothing better.

He's in a steady point decline though. Kind of hard to ignore that. But it will be a contract year, who knows, but he certainly didn't wow anybody going into his UFA season; it was only because after Richards, there was nothing better.
- gravyface

I'm not trying to defend Connolly, I'm just looking at it from the Leafs point of view. Connolly has a career average of .61 points per game. If he's healthy and plays to his average, he matches Bozak's career high. The Leafs are holding out hope, just like every team that had Connolly before, that he can realize his 1st line talents.

their off the books either way. Carlyle's not going to showcase them at expense of icing the best team... both contracts are off the books anyway end of season. the 2 6th round picks and bad contracts you'd take back wouldn't be worth having them on the ice instead of Frattin or Kadri
- Big_Lightnin

I guarantee that Burke would rather trade them and for that to happen they need to be playing.

Connolly and Lombardi are exactly the type of depth guys that teams trade for at the deadline.

I guarantee that Burke would rather trade them and for that to happen they need to be playing.

Connolly and Lombardi are exactly the type of depth guys that teams trade for at the deadline.
- As_I_See_It

And what do they get you in return? Next to nothing.

Lombardi is certainly unworthy of hanging on to just to try and find a buyer at the deadline. The roster spot and ice time for Kadri and Frattin is much more valuable than some 5th round pick.

Definitely shows commitment: Roberts won't take you on unless you're dedicated (and who's going to piss off Scary Gary? ).

Good read; makes me want to root for Kadri more now:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...s_nhl_james_vanriemdsdyk/
- gravyface

Yeah he's a really hardcore, detailed trainer and nutritionist, but then he's also this amazing NHL vet and champ and a former Leaf, not a bad mentor

(frank)ing Roberts and Sundin better be suting up together for the Alumni game, that would be bad-ass

And what do they get you in return? Next to nothing.

Lombardi is certainly unworthy of hanging on to just to try and find a buyer at the deadline. The roster spot and ice time for Kadri and Frattin is much more valuable than some 5th round pick.
- Two_For_Truth

Fair enough, but if the rumors are true that MacAthur could have landed the Leafs a 1st rounder at the deadline last season, then I'm pretty sure that Connolly and Lombardi's returns will be better than 5th rounders.

Anyone who thinks that these guys are going to be buried or pressbox jockeys all season is dreaming.

leafs should poach a goalie from the khl and tel Gillis to go (frank) himself.

leafs should poach a goalie from the khl and tel Gillis to go (frank) himself.
- hunglikeapuck

Robert Esche went 29-7-5

Fair enough, but if the rumors are true that MacAthur could have landed the Leafs a 1st rounder at the deadline last season, then I'm pretty sure that Connolly and Lombardi's returns will be better than 5th rounders.

Anyone who thinks that these guys are going to be buried or pressbox jockeys all season is dreaming.
- As_I_See_It

MacArthur was at least a 20 goal scorer. When was the last time either Connolly or Lombardi did that? You could argue Connolly could create some value for himself but Lombardi is nearly worthless. Lombardi has a good chance to end up with the Marlies this year.

MacArthur was at least a 20 goal scorer. When was the last time either Connolly or Lombardi did that? You could argue Connolly could create some value for himself but Lombardi is nearly worthless. Lombardi has a good chance to end up with the Marlies this year.
- Two_For_Truth

Lombardi is "uninsurable" as well. Not sure what it means exactly, but it's not good for his trade value I know that.

I think Lombardi will be in the Marlies for a year, while Connolly will end up in Columbus

MacArthur was at least a 20 goal scorer. When was the last time either Connolly or Lombardi did that? You could argue Connolly could create some value for himself but Lombardi is nearly worthless. Lombardi has a good chance to end up with the Marlies this year.
- Two_For_Truth

Those guys were signed so as not to rush the young guys.

Lombardi is "uninsurable" as well. Not sure what it means exactly, but it's not good for his trade value I know that.

I think Lombardi will be in the Marlies for a year, while Connolly will end up in Columbus
- cor99

False. He wasn't insured.... it doesn't mean he's not insurable. You cannot insure something after the fact.

You're saying Colorado would say no, right?
- Two_For_Truth

probably, but I don;t like it from a Leafs stand point either, considering chemistry with Lupul is largely responsible for Kessel going PPG. When Lupul went down, Kessel's production dropped of dramatically.

Ideally they find a way to add a center AND keep Lupul and Kessel together.

Those guys were signed so as not to rush the young guys.
- burn

Lombardi was acquired as a salary dump to get Franson. And the young guys are ready to get a shot. Keeping Lombardi with the Leafs is just a waste of space.

MacArthur was at least a 20 goal scorer. When was the last time either Connolly or Lombardi did that? You could argue Connolly could create some value for himself but Lombardi is nearly worthless. Lombardi has a good chance to end up with the Marlies this year.
- Two_For_Truth

Frattin replaces Mac though, and if not Frattin, JVR certainly does. Lombardi and Connolly are afterthoughts, MacArthur actually has trade value, he's the one they should be trying to trade for upgrades.

any deal involving Connolly or Lombardi will involve something coming back we won't like

False. He wasn't insured.... it doesn't mean he's not insurable. You cannot insure something after the fact.
- burn

Lombardi's contract is in fact uninsured. It's part of the reason why the Leafs ended up with him and why Nashville couldn't keep him.

Lombardi was acquired as a salary dump to get Franson. And the young guys are ready to get a shot. Keeping Lombardi with the Leafs is just a waste of space.
- Two_For_Truth

Agreed