Bozak will absolutely be traded, likely closer to the deadline. The Leafs could have 6-7 rookies up front and Carrick on the point, but they won't start the season with more than these 5(listed in order of best to less best) Matthews, Marner, Brown, Nylander, Leivo(stupid waivers so he gets a spot). Once Bozak and another vet plug gets moved out then Hyman and Soshnikov or whoever is performing in the AHL will move up.

The good thing about our rookies though is that they aren't all 18-19.

If we could get a proven first pair D who is 23-25 for JVR then sure, do it. DO IT NOW! I get the feeling that option isn't out there. I mean Taylor Hall was only worth a Larsson so by that standard JVR could return us less than Larsson. Pass. I'll keep our only 1st line forward if that is going to be the return.

The GMs in this league are smart. They know hockey. I know you think they are all useless because you have something against hockey players, scouts, coaches and managers but they know what they are doing. Nobody is trading Courtnall's for Kordic's these days.

BTW Stranger Things was great. I liked the plot but it's a kids show. That's fine though. Like every Star Wars movie that isn't IV. And the Clone Wars cartoon that I'm into season 5 of. Great stories. Kids shows. Still entertaining.

Minus: When non-athletes (ahem...writers) complain about the Olympic sports they don't understand.

Minus: posting music, pictures, and/or videos because the content is lacking

Minus: emotional, short-sited opinions on NHL expansion. (I could only imagine if you were old enough to land a pro bono writing gig such as this back in the day when the "Disneyland Mighty Ducks" were first introduced). That seemed to work out fairly well I think.

Plus: filling the empty space on a hockey writing site during the summer

Plus: making the other bloggers on the site look good comparatively

Las Vegas Battle

Minus: When non-athletes (ahem...writers) complain about the Olympic sports they don't understand.

Minus: posting music, pictures, and/or videos because the content is lacking

Minus: emotional, short-sited opinions on NHL expansion. (I could only imagine if you were old enough to land a pro bono writing gig such as this back in the day when the "Disneyland Mighty Ducks" were first introduced). That seemed to work out fairly well I think.

Plus: filling the empty space on a hockey writing site during the summer

Plus: making the other bloggers on the site look good comparatively
- JLO961

1000% in Agreement, perfect,

Not only complaining about sports they don't understand, but probably have as much athletic ability as a sloth..

1000% in Agreement, perfect,

Not only complaining about sports they don't understand, but probably have as much athletic ability as a sloth..
- sliprock65

His disdain for hockey players, coaches and GM's is absurd. He truly believes they are all morons because they are hockey players or former hockey players. It is very clear that he has never played a game of hockey is his life.

But I agree with his opinion on most Olympic sports. Nobody cares about 95% of these sports for 47 months and then all of a sudden it's a big deal. My solution is simple, I won't complain about how boring synchronized bobsledding is, I just don't watch.

BUT, I would probably watch synchronized bobsledding so that was a bad example. Synchronized speedwalking. Pass.

James Tanner: PLUS/MINUS: Trashing Vegas + Roy & the Habs, JVR and Vermette
The NHL is better at recycling than my hippie neighbor.
- James_Tanner

You just don't like swimming because USA is dominating it.

His disdain for hockey players, coaches and GM's is absurd. He truly believes they are all morons because they are hockey players or former hockey players. It is very clear that he has never played a game of hockey is his life.

But I agree with his opinion on most Olympic sports. Nobody cares about 95% of these sports for 47 months and then all of a sudden it's a big deal. My solution is simple, I won't complain about how boring synchronized bobsledding is, I just don't watch.

BUT, I would probably watch synchronized bobsledding so that was a bad example. Synchronized speedwalking. Pass.
- Njuice

I don't think he has disdain for them. I think he has disdain for the notion that if you've played in the nhl, or happen to be in the boys club of people in the game, you're knowledge on how to coach or build a team is somehow infallible. Or worse, given far more credence than someone who doesn't belong to the aforementioned groups despite the fact that they might actually be the better candidate

What we know for sure is that many guys put in those positions based solely on that criteria have been brutally unqualified and ended up doing a terrible job. And in some cases, so badly that joe hockey fan couldn't have possibly harmed the roster any worse

I certainly don't always agree with some of tanners bombastic opinions, but arguing that change can be good or the 'way things have always been done' isn't always the best way, is a reasonable line of thinking in almost every walk of life

Seeing sports you don't ussually see during the Olympics is cool I guess

The Las Vegas Benders

Olympics is the ultimate prize for any athlete that dont make $10M+ a year. Once every forth year they get to compete infront of the whole world. Its what sports and competition is about. Ridicilous to say its bullpoop.

Just finished watching Stranger Things marathon since its been a slow weekend. Good series, but not even in the same ballpark as Breaking Bad.

Stranger Things was really good but I thought the finale was so so. That said I don't think it was supposed to be a big finale because they're clearly going for a long run. One complaint with the first season: not enough to Matthew Modine.

Olympics is the ultimate prize for any athlete that dont make $10M+ a year. Once every forth year they get to compete infront of the whole world. Its what sports and competition is about. Ridicilous to say its bullpoop.

Just finished watching Stranger Things marathon since its been a slow weekend. Good series, but not even in the same ballpark as Breaking Bad.
- Cloud

Yep. And whatever you think of swimming, if Penny Oleksiak didn't make you proud to be a Canadian this week, you're a lousy Canadian.

Yep. And whatever you think of swimming, if Penny Oleksiak didn't make you proud to be a Canadian this week, you're a lousy Canadian.
- DoubleDown

Go Habs Go

Olympics is the ultimate prize for any athlete that dont make $10M+ a year. Once every forth year they get to compete infront of the whole world. Its what sports and competition is about. Ridicilous to say its bullpoop.

Just finished watching Stranger Things marathon since its been a slow weekend. Good series, but not even in the same ballpark as Breaking Bad.
- Cloud

For some of the athletes. Like the US men BB team, the the hockey teams in the Winter Olympics, skiing etc, not Michael Phelps etc that does not

Bozak will absolutely be traded, likely closer to the deadline. The Leafs could have 6-7 rookies up front and Carrick on the point, but they won't start the season with more than these 5(listed in order of best to less best) Matthews, Marner, Brown, Nylander, Leivo(stupid waivers so he gets a spot). Once Bozak and another vet plug gets moved out then Hyman and Soshnikov or whoever is performing in the AHL will move up.

The good thing about our rookies though is that they aren't all 18-19.

If we could get a proven first pair D who is 23-25 for JVR then sure, do it. DO IT NOW! I get the feeling that option isn't out there. I mean Taylor Hall was only worth a Larsson so by that standard JVR could return us less than Larsson. Pass. I'll keep our only 1st line forward if that is going to be the return.

The GMs in this league are smart. They know hockey. I know you think they are all useless because you have something against hockey players, scouts, coaches and managers but they know what they are doing. Nobody is trading Courtnall's for Kordic's these days.

BTW Stranger Things was great. I liked the plot but it's a kids show. That's fine though. Like every Star Wars movie that isn't IV. And the Clone Wars cartoon that I'm into season 5 of. Great stories. Kids shows. Still entertaining.
- Njuice

Completely disagree about Stranger Things being a kids show. There are some heavy concepts in there.

Swimming?

You mean that thing you instinctively do to avoid drowning?

"yeah but this Phelps guy is really fast"

oh

Completely disagree about Stranger Things being a kids show. There are some heavy concepts in there.
- Mordecai

Have yet to watch it, but co-works at both my jobs love it. So assuming it has to be compelling.

Have yet to watch it, but co-works at both my jobs love it. So assuming it has to be compelling.
- tomburton99

It's another one of those shows that people either love or hate. I haven't seen a whole lot of middle ground. Top 5 for me hands down.

You need vets to show the young guys the ropes. Sure you could get a couple of plug vets instead of a guy like JVR, but there is a benefit to having a quality get on the team. That said they will trade JVR for a quality D within the next year. I think a deal is already in place for Fowler should Vesey sign with Leafs.

I don't think he has disdain for them. I think he has disdain for the notion that if you've played in the nhl, or happen to be in the boys club of people in the game, you're knowledge on how to coach or build a team is somehow infallible. Or worse, given far more credence than someone who doesn't belong to the aforementioned groups despite the fact that they might actually be the better candidate

What we know for sure is that many guys put in those positions based solely on that criteria have been brutally unqualified and ended up doing a terrible job. And in some cases, so badly that joe hockey fan couldn't have possibly harmed the roster any worse

I certainly don't always agree with some of tanners bombastic opinions, but arguing that change can be good or the 'way things have always been done' isn't always the best way, is a reasonable line of thinking in almost every walk of life
- HB77

They don't just hand jobs to every former player. These guys are selected because of their superior knowledge of the game and the almost always work their up in organizations or junior leagues. Just because someone is a hockey player that doesn't mean he can't also be a great coach or manager. Patrick Roy is probably not a great coach, but he did work his way up by coaching for something like 6-8 years in the QMJHL.

Shanahan is a pretty smart executive. He worked many jobs in and around the NHL before becoming president of the Leafs.

These guys aren't just random goons that played in the NHL. They tend to be the smartest of the former players and they have way more knowledge about hockey than anyone who focuses solely on stats. Because they know about all the tiny little details and abilities that players and teams need to generate those stats.

The moronic former hockey players who run the show aren't ignoring advanced stats, but its far more important to know WHY a certain player has a certain stat. What does the player actually do. Do they give 100% effort every shift? Good at board battles. Good/smart positioning. Good vision. Great anticipation. Good passer. Selective passer. Solid stick checks. Explosive speed/acceleration, motivational teammate, etc. These are the types of things that generate results.

People who have been around the game their whole lives have a significant advantage because they have way more knowledge of the game. That doesn't mean it's not possible for some management consultant who has never played the sport to be a good GM, it just means he has way more to learn about the sport and it's easier to train somebody who already knows the sport about the management side of things than it is to train a business executive about the sport side of things.

Ideally you want someone with management skills(or who can develop them) and hockey knowledge(who will continue to develop it).

You need vets to show the young guys the ropes. Sure you could get a couple of plug vets instead of a guy like JVR, but there is a benefit to having a quality get on the team. That said they will trade JVR for a quality D within the next year. I think a deal is already in place for Fowler should Vesey sign with Leafs.
- Bullot

The idea of trading JVR because you signed Vesey is terrible terrible asset management. God this kid is getting over hyped so hard right now it's sad.

The idea of trading JVR because you signed Vesey is terrible terrible asset management. God this kid is getting over hyped so hard right now it's sad.
- ClarksonDavid

Get ur logic and thought out opinion outta here.

Vesey is over hyped.

The Leafs need some decent vets. Sounds old school but you need a decent vet to show a rook the way. I will get roasted for saying this but if Edmonton had decent leadership to show the young guys how to,.... they wouldn't be such a gong show.

Hey James,

Thanks for the interesting read as always. My friend and I just started a podcast channel focused on the Buffalo Sabres. We're brand new to it, so it could certainly use some improvement. If you're bored and have the time, check out the following link to take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/c.../UCCP261uouIsF6WlhhaHyJ3A

We currently have posted two podcast sessions (adding to the ridiculous number of podcasts out there!)

You need vets to show the young guys the ropes. Sure you could get a couple of plug vets instead of a guy like JVR, but there is a benefit to having a quality get on the team. That said they will trade JVR for a quality D within the next year. I think a deal is already in place for Fowler should Vesey sign with Leafs.
- Bullot

Exactly, they need skilled vets, not just some guys who have experience. Edmonton tried that with Ference and we all know how that turned out. They don't just need them to show the young guys the ropes of being a pro, they also need them to play consistently at a high level to make up for the ups and downs of the young guys' first few years, helping to shelter their development.

Hey James long time reader first time posting! Don't always agree but always entertaining for sure!I'm bored so what about Nylander +for lindholmThoughts?and James keep up the good work it's fun reading,and then the guys responses!lol
- MR.Hunter

Hey thanks. I like Nylander too much to trade him, though he alone wouldn't get you Lindholm. I think the Leafs have something incredible in Marner, Nylander and Matthews so I wouldn't mess with that no matter what.