He of 10 goals? I know he's great and a great upgrade. I just don't think any of the anaheim guys want to play for carlisle.

But who does he play with? You think him and kessel mesh? I think stastny is the best guy to get. although leafs were 10th in scoring. 29th in goals against. What do we need to work on?
- Shteven

Systems.

I'm just curious what could be done that would make people happy? Luongo? They will complain he has a terrible contract? Staal..... we would have had to give up kulemin 5th overall and schenn (at the very least), for a guy that doesnt' want to be here. The key is he only wanted to sign with car.

nash.... price too high to obtain.
Ryan doesn't get along with carlisle.
- Shteven

Nash: Price too high
Luongo: If the price is right, then we get 5-6 good years(guaranteed playoff hockey) and a cap hit of just over 2
Ryan & Getz: cost too much

And I for one don't think Getz is traded. The Ducks have NOBODY to put in the no. 1, or even no. 2 centre slot to replace him.

With Ryan being the most obvious trade chip, perhaps they'd go looking for a centre with him then turn their attention to Getz

I am happy that Burke did nothing except draft players. Everyone is saying that Burke will not build a team the right way. Now he kept his picks and drafted players, and did not trade them away for aging veterans. Now let these kids develop, and let;s keep the youth coming. Our chances will get better if we keep this up.

Call me crazy, but i read a theory a long time ago that the problem with schenn last year was we had a quick team, and he's not quick. Too many gaps had him over committing to be aggressive.
- Shteven

I actually think that theory carries a fair amount of weight. He needs to work on his foot speed, and I think that the chiefs let him know that in his exit interviews

So far seasons 1 & 3 were good enough to druel over. We've seen how good Schenn can and should be.

seasons 2 & 4 were bad. Sophomore slump on one hand and the expectations of a new contract on the other. I think his fitness will need to be worked on, and yes, a chance to get comfortable with Carlyle's system means he should stay unless we get blown away with an offer

Plus having to deal with both Schenn's on the same team in the east would be suicide, even if they're not in the same division as the Leafs
- AngryWhiteMale

Tat's why we should make a play for Brayden. I agree on your Luke assessment though.....the next two years (if he's still here) will show more or less what his career will look like. I think there's a lot of upside there, going by seasons 1 and 3 of course.

Systems.
- Leafland

Agreed. So the draft won't help ....

Why???? Aside from Seguin, who himself has not amounted to Kessel just yet, what have the other two done??? This deal cannot be judged until years from now.....and by then it won't even matter.
- Phenom

I hate to say it, but there's not a GM in the league who would trade Seguin straight up for Kessel right now. That leaves the CHL's best defenseman and a promising F prospect as bonuses.

How can you Burke apologists remember quotes like - "I don't need a 5 year plan", "I build my teams from net out," "I value truculence, pugnacity, belligerance...", and "I'm going to eradicate Blue and White Disease" - look at this team 4.5 years later and still have any faith in his plan whatsoever?

Mac's listed as an inch shorter than Simmonds, but 15 lbs heavier.
- AngryWhiteMale

It can be tough dealing with mac in the corners, but even tougher dealing with simmonds in the dark alley leading to the dressing room.

I actually think that theory carries a fair amount of weight. He needs to work on his foot speed, and I think that the chiefs let him know that in his exit interviews
- AngryWhiteMale

Also a system what will play to his strength. If he's weak in foot speed don't have him out there with kessel and lupul. He's not that guy. Systems and how he was used weren't up to par.

Still a third liner. I dont like giving up on schenn until you have 1 season of playing him in a defensive environment.
- Shteven

I think Schenn will have a break out season with the new coach in town.

I actually think that theory carries a fair amount of weight. He needs to work on his foot speed, and I think that the chiefs let him know that in his exit interviews
- AngryWhiteMale

Also a system what will play to his strength. If he's weak in foot speed don't have him out there with kessel and lupul. He's not that guy. Systems and how he was used weren't up to par.

I think Schenn will have a break out season with the new coach in town.
- acresd

I dont want him to break out. I want him to stay back and protect

I am happy that Burke did nothing except draft players. Everyone is saying that Burke will not build a team the right way. Now he kept his picks and drafted players, and did not trade them away for aging veterans. Now let these kids develop, and let;s keep the youth coming. Our chances will get better if we keep this up.
- acresd

If the right way is solid goaltending, truculence, pugnacity, and belligerance like he said, then you can still count me as one who says he will not build a team the right way. If trying to lead the league in soft offensive defensemen who shy away from physical contact is building a team the right way; we're right on track.

Also a system what will play to his strength. If he's weak in foot speed don't have him out there with kessel and lupul. He's not that guy. Systems and how he was used weren't up to par.
- Shteven

Backchecking helps.

If the right way is solid goaltending, truculence, pugnacity, and belligerance like he said, then you can still count me as one who says he will not build a team the right way. If trying to lead the league in soft offensive defensemen who shy away from physical contact is building a team the right way; we're right on track.
- 1979AD

Who at 5 would bring Truculence and Pugnacity? Hes already drafted or acquired those players, now we wait for them to get the chance to play.

Backchecking helps.
- Leafland

I hope carlisle says that in training camp

Who at 5 would bring Truculence and Pugnacity? Hes already drafted or acquired those players, now we wait for them to get the chance to play.
- Leafland

bigger question is who said rielly is soft? He isn't a big hitting defensemen, but he isn't pushed off the puck

If the right way is solid goaltending, truculence, pugnacity, and belligerance like he said, then you can still count me as one who says he will not build a team the right way. If trying to lead the league in soft offensive defensemen who shy away from physical contact is building a team the right way; we're right on track.
- 1979AD

I agree that I have questioned some of his drafts. But he is listening to his scouts right now. Burke is in a Dammed if you do, and dammed if you don;t situation in Toronto. But let;s see what the team looks like in 2-3 years. I know he has had 4.5. But look what he got from JFJ. that alone would take 4 years to just start to do something. JFJ, and the teachers pension has ruined the leafs for 5 years after JFJ was fired.

It can be tough dealing with mac in the corners, but even tougher dealing with simmonds in the dark alley leading to the dressing room.
- prock

It's not his fault he's naturally camouflaged

If the right way is solid goaltending, truculence, pugnacity, and belligerance like he said, then you can still count me as one who says he will not build a team the right way. If trying to lead the league in soft offensive defensemen who shy away from physical contact is building a team the right way; we're right on track.
- 1979AD

You think the russians would be truculent or have pugnacity?

Tat's why we should make a play for Brayden. I agree on your Luke assessment though.....the next two years (if he's still here) will show more or less what his career will look like. I think there's a lot of upside there, going by seasons 1 and 3 of course.
- Phenom

Luke's still only just turning 23.

We forget that.

And it'd take an offer that would have to blow PHI out of the wwater in order to get Brayden

Luke's still only just turning 23.

We forget that.

And it'd take an offer that would have to blow PHI out of the wwater in order to get Brayden
- AngryWhiteMale

Well Philly want defencemen. Why not send them a few, like Holzer, and Franson +

I dont want him to break out. I want him to stay back and protect
- Shteven

I want him to do this.

I want him to do this.


- Leafland

Do not expect that too often

Who at 5 would bring Truculence and Pugnacity? Hes already drafted or acquired those players, now we wait for them to get the chance to play.
- Leafland

Who's talking specifically about this draft? He's had nearly 5 years to build a team from scratch and it's seriously lacking in grit and toughness. Just ask Gionta.

Since you brought the draft up. If a soft offensive D-man is the best player available at 5 (which we have in spades), there are options to trade down and acquire another asset and maybe a 6'3 PF C like Faksa. Hell, I'd be happier if he traded down to take a flyer on Grigorenko.