Dreger : Leafs actively looking for another top forward.

[bustaheims]

That is what I like to think. Except I would go further and suggest that Burke's previous ties to the Ducks might also mean he is a good trading partner in a year when the Ducks realize they better go get something for Getzlaf whil ethey can. Let's have him in blue and white by next December eh?

I don't see the Ducks trading him unless they're absolutely blown away by an offer, which probably isn't the smart move for the Leafs. Anaheim will hold on for as long as they can trying to get one or both of Perry and Getzlaf signed to long-term deals. If they do trade them, it probably won't be until last week or so of June.

 

[bustaheims]

You know what that sounds like to me? Standing outside on a sunny day holding a 9-iron over my head with 28 other guys holding slightly shorter 9-irons over their heads hoping to get hit my lightning. 

Hey, an edge is an edge. Don't over think it.

 

[L K]

Rene Bourque?  No thanks.

It was fine for Burke to take on Lombardi and Lupul in their respective deals.  Of course, unlike Bourque, they are on shorter deals.  A line has to be drawn as to how many of these deals need to be made.  It's the same reason I was hoping Burke wouldn't really go after Malone.

As suggested, the priority is a #1 centre.  Going after these quasi-top sixers isn't going to cut it anymore.  I'd rather see Kadri get those minutes than a guy like Bourque whose cap hit could be put to better use. 

Best to package a d-man for an impact player than to one-off it.

In general, any upgrade is a good move, but I'm not sure what the Leafs accomplish by replacing MacArthur or Lupul with similar risk players.  Whoever they replace him with would need to be better than 14G 15A in 39 games (0.745 PPG).  His pace puts him firmly in the top 90 in NHL scoring...a very unofficial way of saying he produces top line offensively.  Similarly with 68 points in 90 games, MacArthur is putting up .755 PPG as a Leaf. 

MacArthur and Lupul are flawed players.  They aren't upper echelon top 6 forwards and you can certainly find better players, but I have a hard time seeing what the Leafs can offer to substantially improve on their play.  To me, you try and find a long-term option for #1 C, or you hold on and use the trade depth to go shopping at the deadline.

 

[Kin]

and, if Getzlaf hits the market, you can be sure Burke will all over that, and, perhaps his previous relationship will help gives the Leafs the edge.

Honestly, I don't know about that. I think a lot of us thought Richards was the ideal free agent for this team and Burke didn't really make a competitive offer for him. I'd like to think there'd be a difference with Getzlaf but at this point I have no idea.

 

[bustaheims]

Honestly, I don't know about that. I think a lot of us thought Richards was the ideal free agent for this team and Burke didn't really make a competitive offer for him. I'd like to think there'd be a difference with Getzlaf but at this point I have no idea.

While Richards may have been the ideal UFA for the Leafs, I think Getzlaf is more along the lines of what Burke is really looking for - he's big, physical and 5 years younger than Richards (meaning he'll be 3 years younger if/when he hits free agency than Richards was). Also, I would imagine (or at least, I hope) the Leafs will be much closer to being a true contender by the summer of 2013, so Burke may be more willing to really throw down some cash for the guy that might put them over the top.

 

[Tigger]

The perfect storm would be to trade for Parise and sign Getzlaf, though the cap would probably be an issue and I'm not sure what/how the Leafs would make the trade. Staal and Weber in the mix that year could have an interesting affect on the landscape too.

 

[Kin]

While Richards may have been the ideal UFA for the Leafs, I think Getzlaf is more along the lines of what Burke is really looking for - he's big, physical and 5 years younger than Richards (meaning he'll be 3 years younger if/when he hits free agency than Richards was). Also, I would imagine (or at least, I hope) the Leafs will be much closer to being a true contender by the summer of 2013, so Burke may be more willing to really throw down some cash for the guy that might put them over the top.

Don't get me wrong, I get the thought process behind it. I'm just not of the mindset to say that if anyone comes out looking for the 10 year, 120 million dollar deal or whatever that Burke would definitely be a player.

 

[jonlleafs]

The perfect storm would be to trade for Parise and sign Getzlaf, though the cap would probably be an issue and I'm not sure what/how the Leafs would make the trade. Staal and Weber in the mix that year could have an interesting affect on the landscape too.

Why don't we shoot for the moon and trade/sign Rick Nash and Malkin as well? 

I'm just giving you a ribbing, but I would be ok with one of either Parise or Getzlaf. 

 

[Tigger]

The perfect storm would be to trade for Parise and sign Getzlaf, though the cap would probably be an issue and I'm not sure what/how the Leafs would make the trade. Staal and Weber in the mix that year could have an interesting affect on the landscape too.

Why don't we shoot for the moon and trade/sign Rick Nash and Malkin as well? 

I'm just giving you a ribbing, but I would be ok with one of either Parise or Getzlaf.

Oh I'm aware of the likelihood, perfect storms are kind of rare after all, I'd be ok with one of them too.

 

[bustaheims]

Don't get me wrong, I get the thought process behind it. I'm just not of the mindset to say that if anyone comes out looking for the 10 year, 120 million dollar deal or whatever that Burke would definitely be a player.

No, but I could see him breaking his 5 year contract limit for Getzlaf. Besides, with the new CBA, that 10 year, $120M deal might not be out there - I'm sure there's going to be some sort of term limit put on them or cap hit recalculation or something.

 

[Britishbulldog]

The perfect storm would be to trade for Parise and sign Getzlaf, though the cap would probably be an issue and I'm not sure what/how the Leafs would make the trade. Staal and Weber in the mix that year could have an interesting affect on the landscape too.

Why don't we shoot for the moon and trade/sign Rick Nash and Malkin as well? 

I'm just giving you a ribbing, but I would be ok with one of either Parise or Getzlaf.

Actually, Tiggers got a point.

Who do the Leafs want.  I don't think that there is a franchise forward available so Ovie and Crosby, etc are off limits.  Who top forwards would make a difference on the Leafs top 6 considering the Cap limit?

 

[jonlleafs]

The perfect storm would be to trade for Parise and sign Getzlaf, though the cap would probably be an issue and I'm not sure what/how the Leafs would make the trade. Staal and Weber in the mix that year could have an interesting affect on the landscape too.

Why don't we shoot for the moon and trade/sign Rick Nash and Malkin as well? 

I'm just giving you a ribbing, but I would be ok with one of either Parise or Getzlaf.

Actually, Tiggers got a point.

Who do the Leafs want.  I don't think that there is a franchise forward available so Ovie and Crosby, etc are off limits.  Who top forwards would make a difference on the Leafs top 6 considering the Cap limit?

With the turmoil going on in Columbus, I'd think they'd want to rid themselves of salary if they don't see an improvement soon.  I'd think that they would sour on Nash possibly thinking he's not the answer after all these years and may want to deal him.  Can we afford him?  Possibly, but it would be very costly.

 

[Tigger]

Mulling over the roster versus cap space that year, Leafs look like this right now...hit/term/status

Kessel 5.4 1yr ufa
Brown  737k 1yr ufa

Phaneuf  6.5 1yr ufa
Schenn 3.6 3yrs ufa
Gardiner 1,117 1yr rfa
Blacker 870k 1yr rfa

Reimer 1.8 1yr rfa

Last year of Tucker 1m....

I removed Komi in hopes that last year would be attractive somehow and I added Blacker as I think he's a sure fire nhl'r. Out of the rest I considered adding D'Amigo but they're arguable as of now.

21.024 cap hit, 7 players signed 5 of which are likely considered 'core' ( two of those 1yr ufa ) though my guess is that Blacker could be one of those by then too.

Working up a speculative roster backwards from that point might be interesting, lots of guesses but somewhat decipherable.

 

[Rebel_1812]

I can't help but ask myself... "Self, if you were Anaheim, why on God's green earth would I consider letting Getzlaf or Perry go?"

Because in 2013 they cannot afford to keep both? Getzlaf and Perry along with Ryan would tie up perhaps $18 million+ in salary on three forwards.

People said that about Pittsburgh with Crosby, Malkin, Fleury, Kuniz, Staal, Letang, Neal and etc.  Speaking of which Pittsburg might be a better target Neal is playing like a power forward right now.

 

[Champ Kind]

The perfect storm would be to trade for Parise and sign Getzlaf, though the cap would probably be an issue and I'm not sure what/how the Leafs would make the trade. Staal and Weber in the mix that year could have an interesting affect on the landscape too.

Why don't we shoot for the moon and trade/sign Rick Nash and Malkin as well? 

I'm just giving you a ribbing, but I would be ok with one of either Parise or Getzlaf.

Actually, Tiggers got a point.

Who do the Leafs want.  I don't think that there is a franchise forward available so Ovie and Crosby, etc are off limits.  Who top forwards would make a difference on the Leafs top 6 considering the Cap limit?

I think that Paul Stastny is still a viable target for the Leafs, perhaps even more so no that Landeskog is starting to show that he is likely the real deal.  Maybe not this year, but if Landeskog shows he's ready, you can't expect the Avs to keep Stastny as a third line centre.

 

[Jalili]

The perfect storm would be to trade for Parise and sign Getzlaf, though the cap would probably be an issue and I'm not sure what/how the Leafs would make the trade. Staal and Weber in the mix that year could have an interesting affect on the landscape too.

Why don't we shoot for the moon and trade/sign Rick Nash and Malkin as well? 

I'm just giving you a ribbing, but I would be ok with one of either Parise or Getzlaf.

Actually, Tiggers got a point.

Who do the Leafs want.  I don't think that there is a franchise forward available so Ovie and Crosby, etc are off limits.  Who top forwards would make a difference on the Leafs top 6 considering the Cap limit?

I think that Paul Stastny is still a viable target for the Leafs, perhaps even more so no that Landeskog is starting to show that he is likely the real deal.  Maybe not this year, but if Landeskog shows he's ready, you can't expect the Avs to keep Stastny as a third line centre.

Landeskog is a winger

 

[Corn Flake]

The perfect storm would be to trade for Parise and sign Getzlaf, though the cap would probably be an issue and I'm not sure what/how the Leafs would make the trade. Staal and Weber in the mix that year could have an interesting affect on the landscape too.

Why don't we shoot for the moon and trade/sign Rick Nash and Malkin as well? 

I'm just giving you a ribbing, but I would be ok with one of either Parise or Getzlaf.

Actually, Tiggers got a point.

Who do the Leafs want.  I don't think that there is a franchise forward available so Ovie and Crosby, etc are off limits.  Who top forwards would make a difference on the Leafs top 6 considering the Cap limit?

I think that Paul Stastny is still a viable target for the Leafs, perhaps even more so no that Landeskog is starting to show that he is likely the real deal.  Maybe not this year, but if Landeskog shows he's ready, you can't expect the Avs to keep Stastny as a third line centre.

Not in the short term though.  Dushene has not been playing well so far this season and when everyone assumed he was going to be handed the keys to the 1st line centre job, it hasn't worked out that way.  Stastny has been really really good.

Agree on Landeskog and longer term that will be the plan but given how hot a start they have had I don't see them moving Stastny until at least things cool off. 

Remember that the Avs are only a shade above the cap floor right now, so to trade Stastny they have to take salary back...at which point is it even practical at all to move him? 

 

[rdowdall]

The perfect storm would be to trade for Parise and sign Getzlaf, though the cap would probably be an issue and I'm not sure what/how the Leafs would make the trade. Staal and Weber in the mix that year could have an interesting affect on the landscape too.

Why don't we shoot for the moon and trade/sign Rick Nash and Malkin as well? 

I'm just giving you a ribbing, but I would be ok with one of either Parise or Getzlaf.

Actually, Tiggers got a point.

Who do the Leafs want.  I don't think that there is a franchise forward available so Ovie and Crosby, etc are off limits.  Who top forwards would make a difference on the Leafs top 6 considering the Cap limit?

I think that Paul Stastny is still a viable target for the Leafs, perhaps even more so no that Landeskog is starting to show that he is likely the real deal.  Maybe not this year, but if Landeskog shows he's ready, you can't expect the Avs to keep Stastny as a third line centre.

Not in the short term though.  Dushene has not been playing well so far this season and when everyone assumed he was going to be handed the keys to the 1st line centre job, it hasn't worked out that way.  Stastny has been really really good.

Agree on Landeskog and longer term that will be the plan but given how hot a start they have had I don't see them moving Stastny until at least things cool off. 

Remember that the Avs are only a shade above the cap floor right now, so to trade Stastny they have to take salary back...at which point is it even practical at all to move him?

Their defence is comprised of big, slowish defencemen.  Komisarek will fit right in.

 

[Madferret]

Getzlaf, Parise, Weber, & Staal - do I have that right?

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

Getzlaf, Parise, Weber, & Staal - do I have that right?

You forgot Stamkos, Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, Nash, Carter, Kopitar, Doughty.

We're gonna be stacked! STACKED!