Exactly. Clarkson at $5.25m? Problem. Overpaid by at least $2.5-3m. That's the type of contract that's a problem.

And this doesn't even consider guys like JvR, Santorelli, Winnik,Holland who are paid peanuts relative to their actual market value...
- lumlums

Find it so funny that we needed a winger for sundin for a decade... Now we need a center for Phil....

(frank) me
- Lee Denault

I said this the other day. Holy (frank)...how hard can this be?

With Shanahan taken over just prior to the draft did not give him time to evaluate their actual talent.

I think there will be changes /trades of player(s) during the off season
- zazzle

I would of bet you my bank account last summer that changes would be made.... So would of a lot of people..

Im getting restless seeing the same faces of failure.

I said this the other day. Holy (frank)...how hard can this be?
- Woderwick

So frustrating

That's the point. We need to bottom out. But i guess you just are happy with staying the course? Full blown dynamite is the only answer. Sucks, because it will be a good 5 years before respectability, but better than being stuck in purgatory. It was not a tepid answer at all.
- clark_griswold

Hopefully we can 1 day be as good as Edmonton

As I didn't move to Canada until 2005 I have a question for you. Back then, where the press as anti-Leafs as they are now?
- walshyleafsfan

It depends on the era.

In the Ballard years, Toronto press had to watch what they said - because Ballard would ban you from the Gardens. So the strongest criticism was from guys outside of the city. There was a guy from Hamilton named Richard Beddoes who really enjoyed ripping the Leafs - but even he walked a fine line, as Ballard also owned the Tiger-Cats.

In the early 90s, when the Leafs were making the semis, the press were the biggest cheerleaders. There was absolutely no negative press whatsoever.

The blogosphere has really changed things, though. It's all about hits these days - even for the print reporters.

And sadly for the Leafs, negative generates more hits than positive.

Having said that, I'm 100% certain that if the Leafs were playing well, and won a round or two in the playoffs, it would be back to full love-in mode.

As an aside, I found it quite hilarious that people were saying that the ACC was rocking during the Team Canada finals, and if only that crowd was allowed to go to Leafs games.

News bulletin: it was the exact same corporate crowd.

Toronto hockey fans are a pretty sophisticated bunch - we don't cheer loudly for crap games when the Leafs are terrible.

Ask anyone who has been to a playoff game at the ACC - the building is plenty loud enough.

I said this the other day. Holy (frank)...how hard can this be?
- Woderwick

sadly...hard.

30 other teams all with the same needs.

well...29, not everyone was gift wrapped crosby/malkin!

it was announced yesterday.
- burn

ya i know but I could not find it posted anywhere.

like the leafs called up carrick and that was posted on the leafs web site.

so all the ex players, ex coaches, etc. are making this up? or have you never heard their opinions?
- clark_griswold

Im asking you who you;re talking about. Because I've seen more people saying opposite what you're saying.

Who has connections to kessel that are saying these things?
- burn

Feshuck

what questions did i ask them? i'm just telling you my experiences. Have played with all but kesler whom i met in a bar.
- clark_griswold

how many times did you meet Kessler? if it's once. it was in a bar where drinks were flowing and you could surmise that he's a douch from that?

Cool list.

Can you now do the list of Canucks goalies in the past 5 years who have been in the top 3 in the league?

Thanks
- Atomic Wedgie

there isn't enough room on these webpages.

It depends on the era.

In the Ballard years, Toronto press had to watch what they said - because Ballard would ban you from the Gardens. So the strongest criticism was from guys outside of the city. There was a guy from Hamilton named Richard Beddoes who really enjoyed ripping the Leafs - but even he walked a fine line, as Ballard also owned the Tiger-Cats.

In the early 90s, when the Leafs were making the semis, the press were the biggest cheerleaders. There was absolutely no negative press whatsoever.

The blogosphere has really changed things, though. It's all about hits these days - even for the print reporters.

And sadly for the Leafs, negative generates more hits than positive.

Having said that, I'm 100% certain that if the Leafs were playing well, and won a round or two in the playoffs, it would be back to full love-in mode.

As an aside, I found it quite hilarious that people were saying that the ACC was rocking during the Team Canada finals, and if only that crowd was allowed to go to Leafs games.

News bulletin: it was the exact same corporate crowd.

Toronto hockey fans are a pretty sophisticated bunch - we don't cheer loudly for crap games when the Leafs are terrible.

Ask anyone who has been to a playoff game at the ACC - the building is plenty loud enough.
- Atomic Wedgie

Did corporate season ticket holders have access to the junior tournament tickets? Otherwise, it seemed like a radically different crowd.

for kane the different between he and kessel is very small

but kane has a fully built team behind him.
- Lucas Neilson

Im aware

They are the same player basically. Kessel needs help... But the help he needs is usually drafted... And i dobt see help in the cupboards.

how many times did you meet Kessler? if it's once. it was in a bar where drinks were flowing and you could surmise that he's a douch from that?
- the_eye

There's been quite a few reports of Kesler's douchebaggery in Vancouver - I wouldn't doubt it.

That's the point. We need to bottom out. But i guess you just are happy with staying the course? Full blown dynamite is the only answer. Sucks, because it will be a good 5 years before respectability, but better than being stuck in purgatory. It was not a tepid answer at all.
- clark_griswold

I'm afraid you are changing your argument.

If you want to blow up the Leafs and tank, I'm on board. Let's do it. Connor McDavid, here we come.

But your argument is to trade Kessel because he makes too much, and his cap hit is indirectly hurting the team.

Which is false.

And once again, I beg you to let this sink in:

If the Leafs had an extra $7 million in cap space, it wouldn't make a difference. There are no UFA #1 centres.

Quit saying that Kessel's contract is a problem. It isn't. Not at all.

We resigned him - it cost us absolutely nothing in opportunity costs.

Yesterday I asked you what you would do with an extra $7 million dollars in cap space if you were GM - your tepid answer was that you would buy out a few players, which adds absolutely nothing to the Leafs' roster.

Quit saying that Kessel's contract is a problem. It isn't.

Period.
- Atomic Wedgie

But having no cap space does hurt their chances of making a trade for a center that could help them. Any decent, veteran center who is available will have a hefty contract and may only be available as a salary dump... so we need to have room.

Burke made at least 2 good trades because he had the cap space to work with.

It depends on the era.

In the Ballard years, Toronto press had to watch what they said - because Ballard would ban you from the Gardens. So the strongest criticism was from guys outside of the city. There was a guy from Hamilton named Richard Beddoes who really enjoyed ripping the Leafs - but even he walked a fine line, as Ballard also owned the Tiger-Cats.

In the early 90s, when the Leafs were making the semis, the press were the biggest cheerleaders. There was absolutely no negative press whatsoever.

The blogosphere has really changed things, though. It's all about hits these days - even for the print reporters.

And sadly for the Leafs, negative generates more hits than positive.

Having said that, I'm 100% certain that if the Leafs were playing well, and won a round or two in the playoffs, it would be back to full love-in mode.

As an aside, I found it quite hilarious that people were saying that the ACC was rocking during the Team Canada finals, and if only that crowd was allowed to go to Leafs games.

News bulletin: it was the exact same corporate crowd.

Toronto hockey fans are a pretty sophisticated bunch - we don't cheer loudly for crap games when the Leafs are terrible.

Ask anyone who has been to a playoff game at the ACC - the building is plenty loud enough.
- Atomic Wedgie

Surprisingly that's the exact sentiment I got when I was there earlier this year. My dad and I got tickets to the Vancouver game a few weeks ago and it seemed the crowd was into it. They watch the game and don't need to go nuts for nothing! They expect something from the team for their cheers.

Daren Millard retweeted
Michael Russo ‏@Russostrib 9m9 minutes ago
#mnwild continuing practice without Yeo. Assistant GM Brent Flahr and director of hockey admin Shep Harder left stands when Yeo left ice
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Daren Millard retweeted
Michael Russo ‏@Russostrib 13m13 minutes ago
Yeo just stormed off the ice after slamming his stick against the glass #mnwild.

As I didn't move to Canada until 2005 I have a question for you. Back then, where the press as anti-Leafs as they are now?
- walshyleafsfan

Depends on the player and if the team is good, if a guy gives his all and plays well like some of the guys ion the 90's and early 2000's they are treated like royalty...

ya i know but I could not find it posted anywhere.

like the leafs called up carrick and that was posted on the leafs web site.
- zazzle

i have the NHL app and i got a instant message on my phone

Feshuck
- Aaron_85

I'll take hack "journalists" for $500 Alex.

Oh its the daily double?

Who are Feshuk and Simmons?

for kane the different between he and kessel is very small

but kane has a fully built team behind him.
- Lucas Neilson

Said this yesterday on the Hab thread.

If Kess was playing with Toews, Hosssa, Sharp and Keith...I wonder if he would be a coach killer.

I dont care if he blocks a shot. Id rather him not get hurt. I believe patrick kane has similar blocked shot numbers.
Back checking would be nice... Not doing fly by's would be nice
- Lee Denault

I'm not saying I expect Carbonneau like defensive heroics out of him, but if he started doing 3 out of 6 of those things, he'd take a lot less heat here in Toronto and around the league.

Hell, I've even add "drive the net" as a 7th option.