You clearly can't follow this too well. Never mind.

You're totally right. Having several key players about to retire is a sparkling great thing for an NHL team. Carry on.
- prock

Several list them Who cares about them, its the kids that really making this team go,EK is on almost half the team,s goal,s JC has played on average of 24+ mins a game Our third line center is on pace for 20 goals,our 22year old 2nd line center has scored at almost a ppg pace since arriving and we are 7 and 1 since the trade.We have some great kids coming to add to this overall mix plus the continued improvent of the one,s already here.

And your telling me that ottawa has several key players ready to retire and we have no hope

several key players
that's one of your best!!!!!

Only Alfredsson is about to retire. That's ONE player. Not several key players.

toronto has twelve key players who will become UFAs either this summer or next, now that's a problem you should be worried about, as there is no way toronto will retain all of them.
- Doppleganger

Kuba, Alfredsson, Gonchar.

There is a big difference between retiring and hitting UFA status.

Also, I believe you just referred to David Steckel, Joey Crabb, Darryl Boyce, as key players? Clearly you don't believe that, do you?

Several list them Who cares about them, its the kids that really making this team go,EK is on almost half the team,s goal,s JC has played on average of 24+ mins a game Our third line center is on pace for 20 goals,our 22year old 2nd line center has scored at almost a ppg pace since arriving and we are 7 and 1 since the trade.We have some great kids coming to add to this overall mix plus the continued improvent of the one,s already here.

And your telling me that ottawa has several key players ready to retire and we have no hope
- top shelf 15

Yup you're right.... Having several key players about to retire is GREAT for your team.

Yup you're right.... Having several key players about to retire is GREAT for your team.
- prock

Who are the seven name them

Kuba, Alfredsson, Gonchar.

There is a big difference between retiring and hitting UFA status.

Also, I believe you just referred to David Steckel, Joey Crabb, Darryl Boyce, as key players? Clearly you don't believe that, do you?
- prock

Gonchar was signed to be the PP QB / puck moving D Man role and when he leaves Ottawa his spot will be taken by Karlsson, who he have mentored for the few years they will have played together.

Kuba will be traded (probably) at the deadline, and will be replaced by one the D men in the pipeline in Binghamton.

These two will easy to replace. I expect Alfredsson will retire after this season, but he does have one more year on his contract. He will be missed and hard to replace for more than his offensive production, but Ottawa has enough prospects in the pipeline who will hopefully replace his offensive out put. Silverburg and Zibanejad will most likley make the team next season, and Mark Stone perhaps in a another year.

But what the heck is toronto going to do when they can't sign all those (12) players who will become UFAs within the next 18 month????????

Yup you're right.... Having several key players about to retire is GREAT for your team.
- prock

several key players [] [] [] [] [] []
that's one of your best!!!!!

Only Alfredsson is about to retire. That's ONE player. Not several key players.

toronto has twelve key players who will become UFAs either this summer or next, now that's a problem you should be worried about, as there is no way toronto will retain all of them.

Gonchar was signed to be the PP QB / puck moving D Man role and when he leaves Ottawa his spot will be taken by Karlsson, who he have mentored for the few years they will have played together.

Kuba will be traded (probably) at the deadline, and will be replaced by one the D men in the pipeline in Binghamton.

These two will easy to replace. I expect Alfredsson will retire after this season, but he does have one more year on his contract. He will be missed and hard to replace for more than his offensive production, but Ottawa has enough prospects in the pipeline who will hopefully replace his offensive out put. Silverburg and Zibanejad will most likley make the team next season, and Mark Stone perhaps in a another year.

But what the heck is toronto going to do when they can't sign all those (12) players who will become UFAs within the next 18 month????????
- Doppleganger

I can see ottawa making a move for an elite level Parise or Ryan type winger to help ease his departure

several key players
- Doppleganger[] [] [] [] [] []
that's one of your best!!!!!

Only Alfredsson is about to retire. That's ONE player. Not several key players.

toronto has twelve key players who will become UFAs either this summer or next, now that's a problem you should be worried about, as there is no way toronto will retain all of them.

And still have money to sign any and every key FA out there You dont say

several key players
- Doppleganger[] [] [] [] [] []
that's one of your best!!!!!

Only Alfredsson is about to retire. That's ONE player. Not several key players.

toronto has twelve key players who will become UFAs either this summer or next, now that's a problem you should be worried about, as there is no way toronto will retain all of them.

In all fairness, only Lupul, Liles and Macarthur are players the Leafs will absolutely need to re-sign. Grabovski I could add to that list, but only if he's still around after the trade deadline. For Gustavsson, Bozak, Armstrong, Lombardi, Connolly, and Steckel, it will depend on how they finish out their contracts. Boyce and Crabb are easily replaceable if they want more than their share of cash.

In all fairness, only Lupul, Liles and Macarthur are players the Leafs will absolutely need to re-sign. Grabovski I could add to that list, but only if he's still around after the trade deadline. For Gustavsson, Bozak, Armstrong, Lombardi, Connolly, and Steckel, it will depend on how they finish out their contracts. Boyce and Crabb are easily replaceable if they want more than their share of cash.
- p_zub

After seeing the highlights of last night (TH2N), and listening to the talking heads, it looks like "the monster" is the de facto starter. Looked good in the highlights.

After seeing the highlights of last night (TH2N), and listening to the talking heads, it looks like "the monster" is the de facto starter. Looked good in the highlights.
- Doppleganger

Considering our goaltending situation, we don't really have much of a choice other than to continue going with the hot hand. Reimer will likely get a start this Friday or Saturday (likely Friday) and get a chance to get more play in to further his recovery. But you're right, right now, it's Gustavsson's turn with the baton.

Considering our goaltending situation, we don't really have much of a choice other than to continue going with the hot hand. Reimer will likely get a start this Friday or Saturday (likely Friday) and get a chance to get more play in to further his recovery. But you're right, right now, it's Gustavsson's turn with the baton.
- p_zub

He's an impending UFA this summer, do the leafs try to sign him before July 1st, or do they trade him at the deadline, or keep him for the remainder of the season and perhaps watch his stock rise down the stretch and in the playoffs?

He's an impending UFA this summer, do the leafs try to sign him before July 1st, or do they trade him at the deadline, or keep him for the remainder of the season and perhaps watch his stock rise down the stretch and in the playoffs?
- Doppleganger

He'll have little value as a trading piece. Their best option if he keeps this up is to re-sign like they did last time, and if he walks due to wanting more money, the new team will assume his risky play. We do have a lot of young goalies in the system, but there is a good chance one or more of them may get included in trade packages later. Gustavsson has the tools to be good...he just needs to improve his mindset, something maybe time can address, as was the case with goalies like Backstrom, Rinne, Elliot, Thomas, etc.

So they measure up poorly against the division which includes Toronto, but not the province which includes Toronto?

So they measure up poorly against the division which includes Toronto, but not the province which includes Toronto?
- sniper12

My original predictions (for the Division) was that Boston was going to be head a shoulders above all teams within the division, then I thought the "second tier teams" would be the Sabres and the Habs, I thought the leafs would be better than last season and that they would be the only team within the Division that the Senators would have a shot at keeping close to.

Hope that clears up the confusion for you.

My original predictions (for the Division) was that Boston was going to be head a shoulders above all teams within the division, then I thought the "second tier teams" would be the Sabres and the Habs, I thought the leafs would be better than last season and that they would be the only team within the Division that the Senators would have a shot at keeping close to.

Hope that clears up the confusion for you.
- Doppleganger

Incredibly, it's the two Ontario teams holding on to playoff spots past midpoint.

Wouldn't it be fun to have a Sens/Leafs first round matchup again?

Well, fun for Leaf fans anyway.

Incredibly, it's the two Ontario teams holding on to playoff spots past midpoint.

Wouldn't it be fun to have a Sens/Leafs first round matchup again?

Well, fun for Leaf fans anyway.
- prock

I've started to let myself think that perhaps the Senators can hold onto a playoff spot, and that the leafs may also do the same. And honestly the thought of a playoff match-up has crossed my mind too.

In order for them to meet in the first round they would have to finish 4th and 5th in the Conference, as I don't think either team is going to catch Boston.


Fun for leaf fans to finally have a playoff game, for first time since spring of 2004.
There are two teams currently sitting outside the playoffs that I think) could make their way into the picture. Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Once the Penguins get some of tier injured players back I can see them improving, and Buffalo too. Buffalo was at his same exact point total one year ago to day, and then went on to win 25 of their remaining game to qualify for the post season.

My original predictions (for the Division) was that Boston was going to be head a shoulders above all teams within the division, then I thought the "second tier teams" would be the Sabres and the Habs, I thought the leafs would be better than last season and that they would be the only team within the Division that the Senators would have a shot at keeping close to.

Hope that clears up the confusion for you.
- Doppleganger

you could never clear the confusion i get from the things you say

I've started to let myself think that perhaps the Senators can hold onto a playoff spot, and that the leafs may also do the same. And honestly the thought of a playoff match-up has crossed my mind too.

In order for them to meet in the first round they would have to finish 4th and 5th in the Conference, as I don't think either team is going to catch Boston.


Fun for leaf fans to finally have a playoff game, for first time since spring of 2004.
There are two teams currently sitting outside the playoffs that I think) could make their way into the picture. Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Once the Penguins get some of tier injured players back I can see them improving, and Buffalo too. Buffalo was at his same exact point total one year ago to day, and then went on to win 25 of their remaining game to qualify for the post season.
- Doppleganger

At least 8 playoff games, in fact.

At least 8 playoff games, in fact.
- prock

That's less than two rounds.


I know that this is not accurate, but the leafs sit in 7th (points) and would face the Bruins. Do you think they could beat the Bruins in a seven game series??

Who do you think the leafs would match up the best with, in a potential first round series?

That's less than two rounds.


I know that this is not accurate, but the leafs sit in 7th (points) and would face the Bruins. Do you think they could beat the Bruins in a seven game series??

Who do you think the leafs would match up the best with, in a potential first round series?
- Doppleganger

That's not necessarily less than 2 rounds.......

No, I don't think the Leafs stand a hope in hell in a 7 game series against the Bruins. If I had to choose, I'd see either Winnipeg or Florida win their division and play them. If not the Sens.

That's not necessarily less than 2 rounds.......

No, I don't think the Leafs stand a hope in hell in a 7 game series against the Bruins. If I had to choose, I'd see either Winnipeg or Florida win their division and play them. If not the Sens.
- prock

Yes ,i would love some payback

Yes ,i would love some payback
- top shelf 15

I don't think Dops followed my comment about facing the Sens in the first round, and seeing at least 8 Leaf playoff games for the first time in a while.

I don't think Dops followed my comment about facing the Sens in the first round, and seeing at least 8 Leaf playoff games for the first time in a while.
- prock

I caught that ,to me whoever gets the gaoltending will win that series,it would be nice to maybe out goaltend the leafs for once in the playoff,s

Future intelligent species that populate this world after our destruction will study this thread to try and explain what went wrong with the human experiment.