Kyle will sign Del Zotto

We’ve been over this before, he’s smart when he agrees with me. I think there’s way more opportunity for a forward to have more impact. Anybody brought in on D will slot in at best on the third pairing and play a fairly limited role. Sure, there are guys better than Dermott but Dermott hasn’t really even bad. There’s not a problem there that needs to be fixed.

Obviously there aren’t any real problems up front that need to be fixed either. But, if they think for example, that Hall still has elite stuff, he can be a real upgrade over Gally on the second line. If not, maybe they think Foligno is a big upgrade for the third line. Or maybe they like someone else. I just think there are more chances for big improvements up front.

Finally, I don’t think we can assume anything one way or another about Fred. We’ll get a clue if they use his LTIR $ which means he can’t come back until the playoffs or until there are $5M of guys who show up on LTIR
- Canada Cup

Sophistry alert!

Your subjective opinion does not prove what Kyle's "top priority" is. When he acquires Taylor Hall (tomorrow) you can point at me and laugh. Which will probably happen regardless of what happens, but c'est la vie, n'est-ce pas?

Habs and Flames play each other five times in the next two weeks.

It could get interesting.
- Atomic Wedgie

I find it interesting that I watch the West games and I often catch myself thinking “Holy frank these guys are fast! This is a very fast pace, Leafs would have their hands full with these guys”. Then the Leafs play those teams and turns out, Leafs do just fine...more than fine. Yet some think they don’t have a chance.

Leafs are the Rodney Dangerfield of the NHL.

Sophistry alert!

Your subjective opinion does not prove what Kyle's "top priority" is. When he acquires Taylor Hall (tomorrow) you can point at me and laugh. Which will probably happen regardless of what happens, but c'est la vie, n'est-ce pas?
- mjones242

Hasn't Kyle said his top priority is a forward?

Sophistry alert!

Your subjective opinion does not prove what Kyle's "top priority" is. When he acquires Taylor Hall (tomorrow) you can point at me and laugh. Which will probably happen regardless of what happens, but c'est la vie, n'est-ce pas?
- mjones242

Lighten up Francis.

I have no idea what he’s going to do and no belief that my opinion makes something Kyle’s top priority. I was 2 years old when I learned that when I closed my eyes the people in the room didn’t actually leave.

I’m not even predicting that they trade for Hall. It was an example. It is my opinion though that a forward makes more sense.

Adam Fox has 37 pts
925k for another year
23 yr old RHD
Great value

Depth isn’t good enough

Need to upgrade
- Santo_44

Defense depth is appallingly thin. Hutch as the primary backup option isn't good enough.

There's plenty of gaps on this team. I remain unconvinced that the forward situation is necessarily the "top priority", especially now that Chucky has performed well in the Top 6.

Lighten up Francis.

I have no idea what he’s going to do and no belief that my opinion makes something Kyle’s top priority. I was 2 years old when I learned that when I closed my eyes the people in the room didn’t actually leave.

I’m not even predicting that they trade for Hall. It was an example. It is my opinion though that a forward makes more sense. Is that ok?
- Canada Cup

There it is.

Hasn't Kyle said his top priority is a forward?
- burn

Kyle has said a lot of things over the years and many of them were shockingly untrue. I know, I know... it's hard to believe a GM would lie to the media or public about what his true plans are n' stuff.

Kyle has said a lot of things over the years and many of them were shockingly untrue. I know, I know... it's hard to believe a GM would lie to the media or public about what his true plans are n' stuff.
- mjones242

I think the leaf are going to spend (cap space and asserts) the most on an impact forward. I think they get a depth dman and shore up goaltender if they feel free isn't going to come back.

Mainly because that is what is available. There isn't a dman available that truly moves the needle right now. Savard just went for a 1st, I had hope they might be in on him but not anywhere close to that price.

What dman do you think they will/should get that drastically improves the team and isn't just a depth guy.

Defense depth is appallingly thin. Hutch as the primary backup option isn't good enough.

There's plenty of gaps on this team. I remain unconvinced that the forward situation is necessarily the "top priority", especially now that Chucky has performed well in the Top 6.
- mjones242

I do appreciate some good dramatic emphasis.

I think the answer is he's looking for both. One, both, either/or ..whatever makes them better.

Right now 7/8/9 are Marincin, Rosen and Lilly/Sandin. Could use a new #7 - should be easy to find tomorrow at 2:59pm.

The forward group needs some depth too. Right now they've got 12 guys plus an unhealthy Nash and then Barabanov. And in that 12 you've got Thornton and I'm not loving the chances of him giving you 28 good playoff performances.

G'tending is what it is ...given the injuries I'd be trying to grab a capable guy as insurance.

I do appreciate some good dramatic emphasis.

I think the answer is he's looking for both. One, both, either/or ..whatever makes them better.

Right now 7/8/9 are Marincin, Rosen and Lilly/Sandin. Could use a new #7 - should be easy to find tomorrow at 2:59pm.

The forward group needs some depth too. Right now they've got 12 guys plus an unhealthy Nash and then Barabanov. And in that 12 you've got Thornton and I'm not loving the chances of him giving you 28 good playoff performances.

G'tending is what it is ...given the injuries I'd be trying to grab a capable guy as insurance.
- The Law

I think they try and grab a top 6 forward. All depends on Freddy but a 3rd stringer would be nice. Dubynk would’ve been a good pickup.

I think the leaf are going to spend (cap space and asserts) the most on an impact forward. I think they get a depth dman and shore up goaltender if they feel free isn't going to come back.

Mainly because that is what is available. There isn't a dman available that truly moves the needle right now. Savard just went for a 1st, I had hope they might be in on him but not anywhere close to that price.

What dman do you think they will/should get that drastically improves the team and isn't just a depth guy.
- burn

You think David Savard would have dramatically improved the team?

While I'd like to see the Leafs swing for the fences for Hall (+ Ullmark!) I think a modest upgrade to the D would be a great move. A guy like Oleksiak fits the bill but there are others (Manson, Ekholm, Kulikov, Goligoski) who would contribute more than Cornrow Dermott.

Dermott is a suitable #7 but any of those guys moves the needle, in my opinion, enough to make it worthwhile and pushes Marincin, Sandin, and Liljegren further down the depth chart -- which is key (this season, anyway).

Habs and Flames play each other five times in the next two weeks.

It could get interesting.
- Atomic Wedgie

If the Habs didn't go on this recent losing streak it wouldn't be interesting

Just need to ask once again:

When did it become legal to throw your broken stick at the puck carrier?
- Atomic Wedgie

last night

Grigorenko + Del Zotto
or
Goligoski (retained) + Brassard
or
Janmark + Murphy(retained)

❌

new blog everyone

I do appreciate some good dramatic emphasis.

I think the answer is he's looking for both. One, both, either/or ..whatever makes them better.

Right now 7/8/9 are Marincin, Rosen and Lilly/Sandin. Could use a new #7 - should be easy to find tomorrow at 2:59pm.

The forward group needs some depth too. Right now they've got 12 guys plus an unhealthy Nash and then Barabanov. And in that 12 you've got Thornton and I'm not loving the chances of him giving you 28 good playoff performances.

G'tending is what it is ...given the injuries I'd be trying to grab a capable guy as insurance.
- The Law

I appreciate seeing you dramatically call out my dramatic emphasis to lead off your response.

You think David Savard would have dramatically improved the team?

While I'd like to see the Leafs swing for the fences for Hall (+ Ullmark!) I think a modest upgrade to the D would be a great move. A guy like Oleksiak fits the bill but there are others (Manson, Ekholm, Kulikov, Goligoski) who would contribute more than Cornrow Dermott.

Dermott is a suitable #7 but any of those guys moves the needle, in my opinion, enough to make it worthwhile and pushes Marincin, Sandin, and Liljegren further down the depth chart -- which is key (this season, anyway).
- mjones242

I'm with you on d over a forward at this time.

Problem is not a lot of sellers right now. Ekholm is not available considering where Nashville sits.

I would aim for a guy who can play with Bogosian. Shouldn't be too hard to find him for cheap. Id also like another goalie. I wanted Dubnyk but he is in Colorado now.

Lighten up Francis.

I have no idea what he’s going to do and no belief that my opinion makes something Kyle’s top priority. I was 2 years old when I learned that when I closed my eyes the people in the room didn’t actually leave.

I’m not even predicting that they trade for Hall. It was an example. It is my opinion though that a forward makes more sense.
- Canada Cup

if you are not careful, he'll give you some lip

I think the leaf are going to spend (cap space and asserts) the most on an impact forward. I think they get a depth dman and shore up goaltender if they feel free isn't going to come back.

Mainly because that is what is available. There isn't a dman available that truly moves the needle right now. Savard just went for a 1st, I had hope they might be in on him but not anywhere close to that price.

What dman do you think they will/should get that drastically improves the team and isn't just a depth guy.
- burn

with 75% of his salary retained

You think David Savard would have dramatically improved the team?

While I'd like to see the Leafs swing for the fences for Hall (+ Ullmark!) I think a modest upgrade to the D would be a great move. A guy like Oleksiak fits the bill but there are others (Manson, Ekholm, Kulikov, Goligoski) who would contribute more than Cornrow Dermott.

Dermott is a suitable #7 but any of those guys moves the needle, in my opinion, enough to make it worthwhile and pushes Marincin, Sandin, and Liljegren further down the depth chart -- which is key (this season, anyway).
- mjones242

Umm, no which is why I said I'm glad they didn't trade a 1st for him

Agreed on the second part. But some of those guys (ekholm) cost a lot and significantly improve the team but are no longer available.

I'd like so see one of those guys added as depth for sure but I think the point is that if you are trading a first or whatever your most valuable chip is (thAt you're willing to move) it's not for any of those guys hence looking for a forward (whic there seems to be plenty available) is a good option.

with 75% of his salary retained
- dmnted

And? The leafs would have had to do the same.

And at 75% it cost them more than just a 1st

Nylander and Dermott for Josh Manson?

I do appreciate some good dramatic emphasis.

I think the answer is he's looking for both. One, both, either/or ..whatever makes them better.

Right now 7/8/9 are Marincin, Rosen and Lilly/Sandin. Could use a new #7 - should be easy to find tomorrow at 2:59pm.

The forward group needs some depth too. Right now they've got 12 guys plus an unhealthy Nash and then Barabanov. And in that 12 you've got Thornton and I'm not loving the chances of him giving you 28 good playoff performances.

G'tending is what it is ...given the injuries I'd be trying to grab a capable guy as insurance.
- The Law

28, you mean 22