Mike Augello: How Will Things “B”egin To Fall?

what would we have to give up for a guy like bolland?

what would we have to give up for a guy like bolland?
- MetroidPrime

I don't see the Leafs doing anything major this off season...

I don't see the Leafs doing anything major this off season...
- Flyfreaky

i hope acquiring a 3rd liner isnt considered major

i hope acquiring a 3rd liner isnt considered major
- MetroidPrime

Not at all...They will add a player like Clarkson/Bickell and then some lesser parts...

what would we have to give up for a guy like bolland?
- MetroidPrime

A draft pick(probably a 2nd) and/or a prospect.

A draft pick(probably a 2nd) and/or a prospect.
- mikeinbuffalo

Hey Mike, how've you been?

Not at all...They will add a player like Clarkson/Bickell and then some lesser parts...
- Flyfreaky

The only way they do something major is if they can workout a trade for a bad contract....

....The move that might make more sense from a structural point of view is to acquire a center more capable of handling faceoffs and a checking role than Mikhail Grabovski. A potential fit for that could be Chicago’s Dave Bolland.
- mikeinbuffalo

Bolland's face off stats for 2013:

Regular season = 46.1%
Playoffs = 43.9%

By comparison:

Boyd Gordon = 57.3%

I'm comfortable going in to next season with Kadri and Grabo as our top 2 centres. Everyone wants that Thornton-esque giant centre, but I think our wingers (Kessel excluded) have the size to make up for our smaller centres.

And I reeeeeally hope that we don't overpay for Clarskon. I wouldn't mind him on the team, but we can abuse the cap space we have just to "win" in this years Free Agency period.

Side-note #2. Please trade up to get Ristolainen. The potential with Rielly and Ristolainen would be staggering.

The only way they do something major is if they can workout a trade for a bad contract....
- jribout

I like Nonis and think he's gonna be a very good level headed GM...Whatever plans he has for this summer will be productive for the team...

I'm comfortable going in to next season with Kadri and Grabo as our top 2 centres. Everyone wants that Thornton-esque giant centre, but I think our wingers (Kessel excluded) have the size to make up for our smaller centres.

And I reeeeeally hope that we don't overpay for Clarskon. I wouldn't mind him on the team, but we can abuse the cap space we have just to "win" in this years Free Agency period.

Side-note #2. Please trade up to get Ristolainen. The potential with Rielly and Ristolainen would be staggering.
- BetterCallSaul

I'd really prefer that we upgraded, but the downside is that any upgrade at centre would come at a cost. That cost of course has to be acceptable. I may get flamed for this, but we could target Kesler for trade; he's certainly first line quality, brings a good defensive game, and I'd sure as poop rather pay him $5m per year than Bozak.

I like Nonis and think he's gonna be a very good level headed GM...Whatever plans he has for this summer will be productive for the team...
- Flyfreaky

I think the Leafs will make a lot of under-the-radar moves for the duration of Nonis' tenure. He MAY try something splashy at the draft, but other than that I see him trying to build the team quietly and catching people by surprise in a few years.

I'd really prefer that we upgraded, but the downside is that any upgrade at centre would come at a cost. That cost of course has to be acceptable. I may get flamed for this, but we could target Kesler for trade; he's certainly first line quality, brings a good defensive game, and I'd sure as poop rather pay him $5m per year than Bozak.
- lumlums

I've said before that the Leafs should inquire about Kesler. Carlyle would do wonders with him and listening to Bowen would be amusing. It won't happen though, as Gillis will probably demand every player and prospect we have that's worth a damn for his FORMER 40 goal, Selke winner. Kesler won't be that player again.

I think the Leafs will make a lot of under-the-radar moves for the duration of Nonis' tenure. He MAY try something splashy at the draft, but other than that I see him trying to build the team quietly and catching people by surprise in a few years.
- BetterCallSaul

He's not about splashy, but this off season isn't about big moves...Maybe next year will be, but not this one...

I've said before that the Leafs should inquire about Kesler. Carlyle would do wonders with him and listening to Bowen would be amusing. It won't happen though, as Gillis will probably demand every player and prospect we have that's worth a damn for his FORMER 40 goal, Selke winner. Kesler won't be that player again.
- BetterCallSaul

The cost would certainly be a problem. Gillis does have his back against the wall though, they have $47k in cap space to resign 6 guys... even with buyouts they'd likely have $10m to resign 8. They need trades, and bad.

The cost would certainly be a problem. Gillis does have his back against the wall though, they have $47k in cap space to resign 6 guys... even with buyouts they'd likely have $10m to resign 8. They need trades, and bad.
- lumlums

I just don't understand how the cost would be high. I mean, I know it will be, but he's injury prone, north of 30, and like I said before he probably will not be the Selke Kesler ever again.

He's not about splashy, but this off season isn't about big moves...Maybe next year will be, but not this one...
- Flyfreaky

I agree, I don't anticipate any big moves.

I agree, I don't anticipate any big moves.
- BetterCallSaul

If and when he does make a big move, it will be well thought out and benefit the team...I don't see him getting fleeced by anyone...

If and when he does make a big move, it will be well thought out and benefit the team...I don't see him getting fleeced by anyone...
- Flyfreaky

Who's your hope at the 11th pick?

Who's your hope at the 11th pick?
- BetterCallSaul

R.Pulock...

R.Pulock...
- Flyfreaky

He can at the rough and tumble game from what I hear.

He can at the rough and tumble game from what I hear.
- BetterCallSaul

He fits the Flyers mold...

Bolland's face off stats for 2013:

Regular season = 46.1%
Playoffs = 43.9%

By comparison:

Boyd Gordon = 57.3%
- The Shrike

- AdamFrench

Guess you didn't like this pm. (frank) you then. I thought she was hot.