I don't see the season being as bad as people and the media are making it out to be....I feel like this is going to be the type of team that makes it to the playoffs like the team did when Pat Quinn took over...low expectations, a bunch of misfits out with something to prove, an actual good coach...I think people are going to be surprised at the results. If Phaneuf plays better, Lupul stays healthy, Reilly has an awesome year, and Kadri reaches his potential...the team will make the playoffs.
- ThePresident

I'm thinking 9th or 10th....but maybe 8th

Hail Babcock man...you never know

Contracts being what they are, I don't think Babcock can do much if guys like Phaneuf and Lupul mail it in. If he even thinks about sitting those guys, there goes their trade value. Ultimately, players with those no move clauses still have the power.
- vermie22

I think other GM's know their value, which isn't much because length of contact, amount and in Phaneuf, lackadaisical play.

I know most have a magic jack line, $35 bucks a year.
- LeafMan

We had Magic Jack for a couple of years - even the $35 was a waste of money.

I never, ever used it.

to me it's not about whether or not the players might have had an impact. To me, it's about the fact they gave up assets for the possibility of getting better assets..maybe..likely not.

I am fine with signing PTO guys and trying to flip them, no cost, no risk. but to give up assets in order to try this is introducing risk, and imo they will end with less when it is all said and done.
- vermie22

Its hard to comment on stuff that hasnt happened yet.

From stuff that Babs has said recently..it sounds like they are looking for a certain type of player, ones that work hard and compete hard for spots..not that those prospects didnt, I have no idea, but no free rides. That should make most leafs fans happy, I think thats what they wanted.

We are years from realizing any of the work going on now anyways.

We had Magic Jack for a couple of years - even the $35 was a waste of money.

I never, ever used it.
- Atomic Wedgie

It's just there when the battery dies or in some instances, when the kids yap for a long time on the phone.

Not unless Babcock gives them some


- AdamFrench

and that's sweat and pain

We're looking at a possible Lake Placid U.S. team type achievement here. Make sure the cameras are rolling 24/7. The DVDs will fly off the shelves!
- Phenom

Think about it....what is the difference between this team and the one that made it to the playoffs? If anything, outside of losing Phil Kessel...every other player is either an improvement, has improved, or has room for improvement, or the same. Not to mention, we have a different coach...a better one. As for Kessel, a combination of Parenteau, Boyes, and Grabner will make up for the lost offense. If Kadri turns into a ppg player, and Lupul stays healthy...the offense will be better than it was before.

It's not ironic, they didn't give away prospects for those players to have spots, it's a huge difference but you refuse to see that and then you go writing off prospects never given a chance. This is typical fans following along. Like Rask, Boyes, Steen (to some extent) etc.. The whole idea about prospects is that you develop them, one year out of junior is not enough time to just throw away but what do I know except the history of what the Leafs repeatedly have done.
- LeafMan

Don't forget:

Robbie Earl
Spencers Abbott
Carter Ashton
David Brill
Jerry D'Amigo
Nicholas Deschamps
Keith Aulie
Dale Mitchell
Alex Berry
Mikhail Stefanovich
Stefano Giliati
Philippe Paridis
Chris Didomenico
Tim Stapleton

I wish we still had them.

Its hard to comment on stuff that hasnt happened yet.

From stuff that Babs has said recently..it sounds like they are looking for a certain type of player, ones that work hard and compete hard for spots..not that those prospects didnt, I have no idea, but no free rides. That should make most leafs fans happy, I think thats what they wanted.

We are years from realizing any of the work going on now anyways.
- senstroll

So why the hell did they sign PAP...?

Contracts being what they are, I don't think Babcock can do much if guys like Phaneuf and Lupul mail it in. If he even thinks about sitting those guys, there goes their trade value. Ultimately, players with those no move clauses still have the power.
- vermie22

It's called the bress box or have them benched.

We're looking at a possible Lake Placid U.S. team type achievement here. Make sure the cameras are rolling 24/7. The DVDs will fly off the shelves!
- Phenom

already have my pre order in

Think about it....what is the difference between this team and the one that made it to the playoffs? If anything, outside of losing Phil Kessel...every other player is either an improvement, has improved, or has room for improvement, or the same. Not to mention, we have a different coach...a better one. As for Kessel, a combination of Parenteau, Boyes, and Grabner will make up for the lost offense. If Kadri turns into a ppg player, and Lupul stays healthy...the offense will be better than it was before.
- ThePresident

I don't even know where to begin with this....

Well considering...

William Nylander 5 ft 11 in 194 lb
Doug Gilmour 5 ft 10 in 175 lb

... I'd say yes.

How's things Paul?
- Not_Stee

Doing well Stee, and yourself? Settling in well to AB I trust?

Think about it....what is the difference between this team and the one that made it to the playoffs? If anything, outside of losing Phil Kessel...every other player is either an improvement, has improved, or has room for improvement, or the same. Not to mention, we have a different coach...a better one. As for Kessel, a combination of Parenteau, Boyes, and Grabner will make up for the lost offense. If Kadri turns into a ppg player, and Lupul stays healthy...the offense will be better than it was before.
- ThePresident

Our playoff team had lots of depth and speed - Grabo, Kulie, Raymond

Our defense was playing better & Reimer was actually playing quite well

I just can't see this team making the playoffs but perhaps better than last year... good for glorious 9th place.

I don't even know where to begin with this....
- markmark

Begin with the fact the season was only 48 games long.

Don't forget:

Robbie Earl
Spencers Abbott
Carter Ashton
David Brill
Jerry D'Amigo
Nicholas Deschamps
Keith Aulie
Dale Mitchell
Alex Berry
Mikhail Stefanovich
Stefano Giliati
Philippe Paridis
Chris Didomenico
Tim Stapleton

I wish we still had them.

- walshyleafsfan

Remember when UG used to flip out when we lost these guys?

Contracts being what they are, I don't think Babcock can do much if guys like Phaneuf and Lupul mail it in. If he even thinks about sitting those guys, there goes their trade value. Ultimately, players with those no move clauses still have the power.
- vermie22

True, but that's unlikely. The amount of players that can do that is small....and Phaneuf, love him or hate him, will not mail it in. Lupul will get hurt before he has a chance to. Bozak and JVR won't have Kessel's bad influence or protection to follow and I think Kadri and Gardiner will try to prove themselves to the new coach.

The "playoff team" played 48 games. Every Leafs team for the past decade has played well enough for 48 games or so. Whether it was a great start (last season) or a sudden surge once statistically eliminated from the playoffs (pre-2008), it always happens. Only difference that year is they didn't have another 48 to collapse.

Is it really the same?

The fact that those prospects were deemed to be not as good as the walk-ons that replaced them - which is what allowed them to become expendable?

Is that really a Rask for Raycroft trade?
Is that really moving Steen for Stempniak? Which 1st rounder did we ship out again?

You stick to the PTO stance like glue, but that wasn't even the reason the deal was made. Guys who nobody saw coming (except management who clearly invited them for a reason) pushed out our own draftees and that's got armchair GMs in a huff.

That's all there is to it
- TheThrill

Finn is pratically a 1st. You need to review how the draft works.

22-30 is a 2nd rounder
31-35 is a 1st rounder

Begin with the fact the season was only 48 games long.
- Pecafan Fan

I for one actually don't think that should asterisk anything. I know a lot of player played way above their heads and what not, but all teams still had the exact same opportunities and played the same amount of games.

Don't forget:

Robbie Earl
Spencers Abbott
Carter Ashton
David Brill - Broll
Jerry D'Amigo
Nicholas Deschamps
Keith Aulie
Dale Mitchell
Alex Berry
Mikhail Stefanovich
Stefano Giliati
Philippe Paridis
Chris Didomenico
Tim Stapleton

I wish we still had them.

- walshyleafsfan

Now go back and see which ones were drafted by the Leafs and which were traded. Again, development.

Except everyone is already going to have a cell phone.

We renovated our house 3 years ago - gutted it down to the studs.

I ran networking cable throughout the house.

Ran speaker wire in the living room.

Guy asked where I wanted the phone cables. I said I didn't want any, thank you.
- Atomic Wedgie

I don't have one. They are convenient but also a pain. Specially when drivers/people can't put them down. You lose 3pts and a$500 dollars fine while drive and using your cell phone. To me that should like drinking and driving. You get caught driving while using your cell phone, 90 days suspension. Get caught a 2nd time, bye bye license for a year.

So what's the over/under on points for Parenteau and Grabner? Who gets more minutes/PP time?

So why the hell did they sign PAP...?
- AdamFrench

I am more talking about the prospects... but sign PAP so prospects have to compete and work hard to replace him...kinda

I don't have one. They are convenient but also a pain. Specially when drivers/people can't put them down. You lose 3pts and a$500 dollars fine while drive and using your cell phone. To me that should like drinking and driving. You get caught driver while using your phone 90 suspension. Get caught a 2nd time, bye bye license for a year.
- zazzle

The worst part of cell phones, IMO, is that people think that you are now ALWAYS accountable to respond to them right away for some reason.