I've already said my goodbyes to Spezza.
- Garnie

I think he can still hockey, and while the Leafs owe him no favours, Babcock is doing the right thing to point out bluntly, that he has to earn his ice time. We'll see, but he isn't an essential piece at this point.

Ditto, there would be takers for Suter and Staal, Koivu and Parise are candidates for Marleau type trades. That's still not enough to clean up that lineup. Goaltending is poop and the team is really old and slow with a lousy prospect pool.
- winsix

Guerin; We need to get younger, faster and better...

Also, Guerin; Let's sign 32 yr old, Mats Zuccarello for $6M a year for the next 5 years..

I can't believe Babcock is disrespecting Spezza so much.

Something something NHL vet...

...something something all he's done for the Senators and Stars...

...blah blah blah leader in the room...

I mean, is it really Spezza's fault he can't hockey anymore?
- Atomic Wedgie

Yes, should have trained with Gary Roberts

I think he can still hockey, and while the Leafs owe him no favours, Babcock is doing the right thing to point out bluntly, that he has to earn his ice time. We'll see, but he isn't an essential piece at this point.
- winsix

I've liked Shore/Timashov/Goat so far....Shore only in moments I guess.

And to be honest ...the best result might be that Dermott and Ceci become the 3rd pairing when Dubas adds an experienced top 4 partner* for Rielly.



*probably named Hainsey.
- The Law

This would be awesome, James Tanner would quit everything hockey if Dubas did.

I've liked Shore/Timashov/Goat so far....Shore only in moments I guess.
- Garnie

It's the 12th forward, so it's probably not as important, but would you take Shore over Spezza? I'd take Spezza over Shore because I think he is ultimately still a better play driver, even if he's slower. I don't know . . . Shore still offers value because he can check and I've seen him play along the wall which precious few Leafs are willing to do.

It's the 12th forward, so it's probably not as important, but would you take Shore over Spezza? I'd take Spezza over Shore because I think he is ultimately still a better play driver, even if he's slower. I don't know . . . Shore still offers value because he can check and I've seen him play along the wall which precious few Leafs are willing to do.
- Monkeypunk

For shore.

It's the 12th forward, so it's probably not as important, but would you take Shore over Spezza? I'd take Spezza over Shore because I think he is ultimately still a better play driver, even if he's slower. I don't know . . . Shore still offers value because he can check and I've seen him play along the wall which precious few Leafs are willing to do.
- Monkeypunk

Shore is younger, but that's about all he has going for him, over Spezza. Shore doesn't hit very much, but he is decent along the boards.

new blog

It's the 12th forward, so it's probably not as important, but would you take Shore over Spezza? I'd take Spezza over Shore because I think he is ultimately still a better play driver, even if he's slower. I don't know . . . Shore still offers value because he can check and I've seen him play along the wall which precious few Leafs are willing to do.
- Monkeypunk

I really haven't watched enough of them this year to give an honest opinion.

I'm sure they both have good/bad qualities and either would be fine for the 4th.

For shore.
- bixll

I think that Ceci is the guy, like it or lump it.

They are paying him $4.5 million a year, which shouldn't matter, but we all know it does.

Unless Dermott knocks our socks off, Babcock is going to stubbornly ride with Ceci.

And let's be perfectly clear here: Dubas brought in Ceci. This isn't a sitch where Babcock is stubbornly defying Dubas - they are on the same page with Ceci.
- Atomic Wedgie

I think they have some leeway with Ceci, because he was brought in for the purpose of freeing up space from Zaitsev.

- Garnie

Just found out I lost a deal... Crappy..

Just found out I lost a deal... Crappy..
- bixll

damn, on to the next one!!!!!

damn, on to the next one!!!!!
- Garnie

Ya...

Don't be fooled.

Holtby has looked horrible since the season started while young Samsonov is looking sharp.

If anything, you're facing their best goaltender right now.
- Scabeh

Yup.

I have Holtby in two leagues.

Bill Guerin has to find a way to move Staal, Koivu, Suter, Parise and Zuccarello..

I still don't understand that signing
- PatC80

then they signed Spurgeon at 7.5M

Moore will probably move to the 4th line, which sucks because he's been playing really well with Kerfoot and now Tavares.

My guess;

Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Moore-Gauthier-Shore/Spezza

I think Timashov is pushed out of the lineup
- PatC80

I'm fine with that, rotate the LW for a different look and/or based on merit. All those guys bring similar things so I don't see any reason why one can't work over the other.

I can't believe Babcock is disrespecting Spezza so much.

Something something NHL vet...

...something something all he's done for the Senators and Stars...

...blah blah blah leader in the room...

I mean, is it really Spezza's fault he can't hockey anymore?
- Atomic Wedgie

that's cold - you cold calculating bast__d.

but also accurate

that's cold - you cold calculating bast__d.

but also accurate
- BorjeFan4Ever

Meanwhile, if he were getting played it would be "he never plays the young guys, just relies on vets".

He led the NCAA in BBQs thrown off a frat house roof while drunk.
- Atomic Wedgie

Now this is impressive.. I suspect most of the leafs couldn't lift a bbq.. let alone toss one