Hey at least we filled in a need that has been absent for us since sundin
- Mapleleafs_91

I still think the best possible option is going after Stewart/Ryan/Nash, pairing them with Grabovski and making that line the top line

Grabovski is quite possibly the most valuable player to the Leafs in terms of what he can do.

-He's a consistent scoring threat
-110% Heart and Soul
-Isn't easily knocked off the puck
-Capable of high end defensive play
-Creativity

What Grabovski lacks is a sizeable winger. Yes, Kuliman played that role and was successful at it one year but Kuli is nowhere near as talented as people make him out to be (Although trying him at Center, his marquee in World Jr, couldn't hurt). Kuli is a defense forward who should be trying to get dirty goals and rebounds. High end third liner, low end second liner with unpredictable offensive output.

Now, slot JVR/Grabo/Stewart\Nash\Ryan that's a damn good first line that has a responsible defensive game with grabo influencing the direction of play and its efficiency. From what I've seen of JVR, he's everything Kuli is apparently capable of and more, and CAN use his size effectively. He might not be overly physical but he can dish a hit or two when appropriate.

Between Ryan and Stewart I'd take Ryan all day long. Simply the more consistent player and probably has a better projection than Stewart.

But if I could get nash at the right price to play with grabo... I'd take him over both Ryan and Sterwart.

I've seen Nash play a fair bit, and what makes Nash the best fit is that grabo is his perfect center.

Grabo likes to Cycle, and in games where the Mac in the USSR line was thriving was when Mac was setting the initial pass to grabs/Kuli, and they would find room to make plays in the dirty areas and would battle for pucks. When they succeeded, they'd score or force a Face-Off in the Offensive zone by putting the puc on net.

Insert Nash and JVR. JVR makes plays and finishes them. He has a high offensive game and knows where to be on the ice, when to pass, and when to shoot. He isn't a puck hog, but he can easily CYCLE because of his size and vision. What Nash does best? Either carrying into the zone and going for the net, or getting into the Dirty areas and CYCLING the puck. What creates the best offensive output? Being able to CYCLE.

A line of Grabo/JVR/Nash is entirely capable of doing this with efficiency. And Nash is a 40 Goal Scorer without pairing him in a line that fits his play. On a line with grabo and JVR; all playing to each other strengths? 90 points isn't that hard to imagine, even in defensive systems where battling for pucks, cycling and being responsible fore/back checkers.

And then all of a sudden... Lups/Bozak/Kessel becomes a far more dangerous line 1B without being paried against Top Shutdown pairings. And with 3rd/4th lines with grit, defensive minded games with SOME scoring touch, having a softer, maybe not as physically minded defense suddenly looks more solid. No more need of Phaneuf playing 30 minutes a night. No more watching Gardiner getting caught too often carrying the puck without sizeable forwards not being able to get open. Gunnerson probably isn't seeing 2 on 1 and 3 on 1 opposition coming down the ice because his D Partner wasn't caught down ice with no support in a pure offensive system.

JVR/Grabo/Nash
Lupul/Bozak/Kessel

^ Top 6, lines 1 A/B

Bottom Six

MacCarther or Kuli or other/McClement/Frattin (Whichever wing makes more sense for either play)
Ross or Kamarov/Steckel/Brown

Defense and Goaltending probably needs slight adjustments but not much

2014 1st, Blacker, Kardi, Connolly, and another roster salary

Nash and another salary we could bury in the minors or adjust into the roster. Perhaps give them MacCarther/Kuli in for something, idk.

I still think the best possible option is going after Stewart/Ryan/Nash, pairing them with Grabovski and making that line the top line

Grabovski is quite possibly the most valuable player to the Leafs in terms of what he can do.

-He's a consistent scoring threat
-110% Heart and Soul
-Isn't easily knocked off the puck
-Capable of high end defensive play
-Creativity

What Grabovski lacks is a sizeable winger. Yes, Kuliman played that role and was successful at it one year but Kuli is nowhere near as talented as people make him out to be (Although trying him at Center, his marquee in World Jr, couldn't hurt). Kuli is a defense forward who should be trying to get dirty goals and rebounds. High end third liner, low end second liner with unpredictable offensive output.

Now, slot JVR/Grabo/Stewart\Nash\Ryan that's a damn good first line that has a responsible defensive game with grabo influencing the direction of play and its efficiency. From what I've seen of JVR, he's everything Kuli is apparently capable of and more, and CAN use his size effectively. He might not be overly physical but he can dish a hit or two when appropriate.

Between Ryan and Stewart I'd take Ryan all day long. Simply the more consistent player and probably has a better projection than Stewart.

But if I could get nash at the right price to play with grabo... I'd take him over both Ryan and Sterwart.

I've seen Nash play a fair bit, and what makes Nash the best fit is that grabo is his perfect center.

Grabo likes to Cycle, and in games where the Mac in the USSR line was thriving was when Mac was setting the initial pass to grabs/Kuli, and they would find room to make plays in the dirty areas and would battle for pucks. When they succeeded, they'd score or force a Face-Off in the Offensive zone by putting the puc on net.

Insert Nash and JVR. JVR makes plays and finishes them. He has a high offensive game and knows where to be on the ice, when to pass, and when to shoot. He isn't a puck hog, but he can easily CYCLE because of his size and vision. What Nash does best? Either carrying into the zone and going for the net, or getting into the Dirty areas and CYCLING the puck. What creates the best offensive output? Being able to CYCLE.

A line of Grabo/JVR/Nash is entirely capable of doing this with efficiency. And Nash is a 40 Goal Scorer without pairing him in a line that fits his play. On a line with grabo and JVR; all playing to each other strengths? 90 points isn't that hard to imagine, even in defensive systems where battling for pucks, cycling and being responsible fore/back checkers.

And then all of a sudden... Lups/Bozak/Kessel becomes a far more dangerous line 1B without being paried against Top Shutdown pairings. And with 3rd/4th lines with grit, defensive minded games with SOME scoring touch, having a softer, maybe not as physically minded defense suddenly looks more solid. No more need of Phaneuf playing 30 minutes a night. No more watching Gardiner getting caught too often carrying the puck without sizeable forwards not being able to get open. Gunnerson probably isn't seeing 2 on 1 and 3 on 1 opposition coming down the ice because his D Partner wasn't caught down ice with no support in a pure offensive system.

JVR/Grabo/Nash
Lupul/Bozak/Kessel

^ Top 6, lines 1 A/B

Bottom Six

MacCarther or Kuli or other/McClement/Frattin (Whichever wing makes more sense for either play)
Ross or Kamarov/Steckel/Brown

Defense and Goaltending probably needs slight adjustments but not much

2014 1st, Blacker, Kardi, Connolly, and another roster salary

Nash and another salary we could bury in the minors or adjust into the roster. Perhaps give them MacCarther/Kuli in for something, idk.
- Viktory

Nice read!! If it wasn't for Nash's cap hit and Howson's asking price this would be something I would definetly consider, the fact is though that they would want Kessel, Grabo or Jvr going back and one of Gardiner/Rielly....

I'm not sure if I'm ready to give up anything substantial for another winger I would rather toss money at Parise before trading valuable assets for an overpaid player, Great read though.

I'm saying I wouldn't bend over backwards for the guy. If he's already whining like a baby, I can't really see his play changing much either.

Be a man, grow a set and make the coaches put you on the ice via strong play.

It's not a conspiracy theory as to why the coaches didn't like his game last year. Jesus
- Sheppy99

What??? How's he whining like a baby?? People talked about this nonsense at the beginning of last year too. Are people making this up?? I haven't seen any of it, nor did I last year when people were saying it was happening. Just nonsense.

And make the coaches put you on the ice??? (frank) sakes he did just that and the tard behind the bench didn't put him in.

where do you see us finishing? I see no higher than 13th
- kovalchukTML

They were pretty much 5th in the conference foe almost 3/4 of the year....

Weird... people only seem to remember the last quarter of the season.... when we got hit with the injury bug.... up until then we were what? 6th, and 2 points out of 4th and 4 from the division?

We aren't as bad as people think we are.... and i get a good chuckle when guys like prince run in and declare that the world is ending and the sky is falling.
- cor99

Word.

Trades:

1) Kessel for Evander Kane+

2) Phaneuf, Gunner for Strome, 1st Rounder 2013

3) Lupul, 2nd Rounder 2013, bozak, Kulemin+ for 1st Rounder 2013, Johansen

4) Grabo, Macarthur for Ryan ellis, 1st Rounder 2013


Thus:

Kadri Johansen E.Kane

Mckegg Strome JVR

Frattin Colborne B.Ross

Brown Steckel Ashton


Gardiner Ellis

Rielly Finn

Blacker Percy


*** then with our first rounder, and islanders and columbus guarantee we have a chance at mackinnon

Reimer
Scrivens
- Mapleleafs_91

We have virtually the same team we sucked with last year. NO #1C NO Starting goalie and we're still as soft as microwaved butter, we haven't done anything to address these needsand unless we do we're stuck in the same place that we've been in for the last 8 years
- kovalchukTML

Ignore the fist 3/4 of the year?

The more I hear of Kormorov the more intrigued I am. And Biggs is betting big!!! 218 now!!


http://www.thestar.com/sp...aple-leafs-prospects-camp

The more I hear of Kormorov the more intrigued I am. And Biggs is betting big!!! 218 now!!


http://www.thestar.com/sp...aple-leafs-prospects-camp
- burn

Why are they saying Biggs is a centre? I know it's the new cool thing to label every player in the world a C, but come on...he was a RW all year in the NCAA and the year before...

Why are they saying Biggs is a centre? I know it's the new cool thing to label every player in the world a C, but come on...he was a RW all year in the NCAA and the year before...
- AdamFrench

Why are they saying Biggs is a centre? I know it's the new cool thing to label every player in the world a C, but come on...he was a RW all year in the NCAA and the year before...
- AdamFrench

#1 Center.

Why are they saying Biggs is a centre? I know it's the new cool thing to label every player in the world a C, but come on...he was a RW all year in the NCAA and the year before...
- AdamFrench

You'll shut up and you'll like it French.

Don't make me...

You'll shut up and you'll like it French.

Don't make me...
- GoneFullRetard

I wonder if they think Morgan Rielly is a centre....

I wonder if they think Morgan Rielly is a centre....
- AdamFrench

They thought Kaberle was...

I wonder if they think Morgan Rielly is a centre....
- AdamFrench

What if they are?

They are.

They thought Kaberle was...
- burn

They are bringing him back for truculence, to keep up with Montreal and Buffalo.

I wonder if they think Morgan Rielly is a centre....
- AdamFrench

He's not????

They are bringing him back for truculence, to keep up with Montreal and Buffalo.
- GoneFullRetard

Not gonna lie, I'm happy the habs finally added a little toughness to the bottom 6.

They are bringing him back for truculence, to keep up with Montreal and Buffalo.
- GoneFullRetard

It's funny eh..... they were both so small, and have add a couple of guys that will help in that dept, but scare nobody really and suddenly they are both big scary teams.

Advanced stats.
- burn

http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php

Not gonna lie, I'm happy the habs finally added a little toughness to the bottom 6.
- Pecafan Fan

Armstrong's going to good for a laugh. He was quite the jokester over here; lightened up the room. Toughness? Ummm... did I mention he's a funny guy?

The more I hear of Kormorov the more intrigued I am. And Biggs is betting big!!! 218 now!!


http://www.thestar.com/sp...aple-leafs-prospects-camp
- burn

Biggs looks monstrous, wow. That one clip of him skating down the wing and taking a slapshot during camp... goosebumps.

Armstrong's going to good for a laugh. He was quite the jokester over here; lightened up the room. Toughness? Ummm... did I mention he's a funny guy?
- gravyface

Having Ryan White, Travis Moen and Brandon Prust makes for a pretty unpleasant 4th line.

I couldn't care less for Armstrong. Always hated that guy and I don't plan on changing my mind anytime soon.

Having Ryan White, Travis Moen and Brandon Prust makes for a pretty unpleasant 4th line.

I couldn't care less for Armstrong. Always hated that guy and I don't plan on changing my mind anytime soon.
- Pecafan Fan

What do you think of Prust's contract?

http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php
- gravyface

I think looking at those for McClement, they are low because he's a shutdown guy. He's not getting as much offense and isn't expected to so his stats are lower.