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Lecavalier Bought Out

Ha.

‏@RenLavoieRDS
If Kris Letang has to be traded by Penguins, he does NOT have a preferred destination. #RDS
 
TML fan said:
Nobody is asking him to be "the guy". Just be better than Bozak.
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Exactly. The best comparison, I think, would be to Marian Hossa. Hossa's presence on the Hawks didn't detract from their main core of Keith, Kane and Toews. He was brought in to add some veteran presence/leadership while still being a significant contributor.
 
Nik the Trik said:
KoHo said:
Lecavalier's 33 and in decline. Is he really the type of player the Leafs should be going after? On the current roster he'd be the oldest player on the team.
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But that's almost the point of signing him. The team is fine for young players. Adding Lecavalier, a veteran presence with a cup ring and playoff experience, wouldn't change that the Leafs are still a very young team and would add to an area you could even argue they're deficient in.

And over the last three years he's produced at a 28 goal/66 point pace which, really, isn't much of a decline from the player he's been most of his career.
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Considering how long this team has been looking for a #1 centre I don't think we should be too choosy about age when it comes to getting one off the UFA market.  If he will sign a realistic deal then it's found talent, and a pretty high end one at that. I think he's good to go for at least 4 more years at a reasonable clip. His numbers are about as good as Sundin's were at this age, give or take.  I'd say he will last about as long as Mats did too.
 
Nik the Trik said:
But the Leafs would still have that. Adding Lecavalier wouldn't make Kessel or Phaneuf any less the main pieces of the team. Kessel would still be a better player than he is. Adding Lecavalier, even if he centers the first line, wouldn't make him the centerpiece of the team any more than Bozak centering the first line made him the centerpiece of the team.
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In that case we're back to square one with a 1st line centre who doesn't actually have the capabilities to suit the position. The Leafs should be looking for a real 1st line centre, or at least a player with a potential to be one (Stastny). If Lecavalier commands a 3 or 4 year deal and started declining in his early 30's, what's he going to be like at 36 or 37?

TML fan said:
Nobody is asking him to be "the guy". Just be better than Bozak.
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Well that's a pretty low bar to set, don't ya think? Lots of players are better than Bozak. Lars Eller is better than Bozak. Derek Roy is better than Bozak. Doesn't make them 1st line centres.

What I'm getting at here, with you and with Nik, is that the Leafs should be looking to upgrade and bring in a bona-fide #1 centre. We've been down the path of shoehorning a player that doesn't fit the position before, and I'd like to not continue that.

 
TML fan said:
Nobody is asking him to be "the guy". Just be better than Bozak.
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and before we get too bent out of shape over the contract he gets... Bozak apparently wants $5 mil or more. So Bozak at $5 or Vinny at say $6... take the latter 10x over.
 
I'd absolutely take a run at signing Lecavalier. He may not be the ideal #1 centre candidate, but the ideal candidates aren't going to become available for just money.
 
KoHo said:
Nik the Trik said:
But the Leafs would still have that. Adding Lecavalier wouldn't make Kessel or Phaneuf any less the main pieces of the team. Kessel would still be a better player than he is. Adding Lecavalier, even if he centers the first line, wouldn't make him the centerpiece of the team any more than Bozak centering the first line made him the centerpiece of the team.
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In that case we're back to square one with a 1st line centre who doesn't actually have the capabilities to suit the position. The Leafs should be looking for a real 1st line centre, or at least a player with a potential to be one (Stastny). If Lecavalier commands a 3 or 4 year deal and started declining in his early 30's, what's he going to be like at 36 or 37?

TML fan said:
Nobody is asking him to be "the guy". Just be better than Bozak.
Click to expand...
Well that's a pretty low bar to set, don't ya think? Lots of players are better than Bozak. Lars Eller is better than Bozak. Derek Roy is better than Bozak. Doesn't make them 1st line centres.

What I'm getting at here, with you and with Nik, is that the Leafs should be looking to upgrade and bring in a bona-fide #1 centre. We've been down the path of shoehorning a player that doesn't fit the position before, and I'd like to not continue that.
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Well, that's a given. You always want to upgrade at every position, if its possible. A "1st line centre" by your inflexible definition, may simply not be available. That doesn't mean you do nothing. If the Leafs don't bring Bozak back, they have to replace him.
 
KoHo said:
In that case we're back to square one with a 1st line centre who doesn't actually have the capabilities to suit the position. The Leafs should be looking for a real 1st line centre, or at least a player with a potential to be one (Stastny). If Lecavalier commands a 3 or 4 year deal and started declining in his early 30's, what's he going to be like at 36 or 37?
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The rate that he's been able to produce over the last few years is a fairly acceptable rate for a #1 center. He finished last year tied for 29th among players listed at the position despite playing in only 39 games. He's responsible defensively, wins faceoffs, he's been far more productive than Stastny has over the last 3 years...so he absolutely has the capability you're talking about. Likewise his PPG last year(.82) was basically exactly the same as his career PPG(.84) so there really isn't evidence of the decline you've now repeatedly mentioned

Considering the asset cost required to add Stastny(probably considerable) compared to Lecavalier(none) it seems pretty straightforward.
 
bustaheims said:
I'd absolutely take a run at signing Lecavalier. He may not be the ideal #1 centre candidate, but the ideal candidates aren't going to become available for just money.
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Agreed. I'd rather Nonis part with as few assets as possible. How would a free agent grab bag of Clarkson, Lecavalier, and Ference look to Leafs fans next week?  ;)
 
RedLeaf said:
Agreed. I'd rather Nonis part with as few assets as possible. How would a free agent grab bag of Clarkson, Lecavalier, and Ference look to Leafs fans next week?  ;)
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Clarkson's going to cost more money than he's worth, so, not so good for him, but the other two would be nice additions.
 
bustaheims said:
RedLeaf said:
Agreed. I'd rather Nonis part with as few assets as possible. How would a free agent grab bag of Clarkson, Lecavalier, and Ference look to Leafs fans next week?  ;)
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Clarkson's going to cost more money than he's worth, so, not so good for him, but the other two would be nice additions.
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Bickell over Clarkson.
 
I think trying to sign him is a no-brainer at this point...I just wonder how much it'll take.

Any ideas on who is in the market for a $5mil centreman?
 
Corn Flake said:
bustaheims said:
RedLeaf said:
Agreed. I'd rather Nonis part with as few assets as possible. How would a free agent grab bag of Clarkson, Lecavalier, and Ference look to Leafs fans next week?  ;)
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Clarkson's going to cost more money than he's worth, so, not so good for him, but the other two would be nice additions.
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Bickell over Clarkson.
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I like both.  :-\
 
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