Nonis using depth to go shopping....

[Erndog]

Bobby Mac was just on TSN radio and said that a lot of teams having been asking about Brendan Morrow from Dallas...

does he tickle anyone's fancy?

He is, without question, the type of player we need.

However he is getting a little older (33 now) and he's starting to break down a bit.  If we were a contender this year I'd say absolutely.  He is a perfect 2nd line player.  But we aren't. 

I see his impact as being Gary Roberts-like though.

 

[Corn Flake]

So the owner of the Columbus Blue Jackets just put out an interesting letter to his fanbase, where he basically just named Craig Patrick the new GM:

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2012/1/27/2751924/breaking-j-p-mac-sends-letter-to-season-ticket-holders

Patrick was all about many a big trade back in the day with the Pens both as a buyer and a seller. I would expect some major stuff to happen once he officially (I assume) takes over.

 

[Erndog]

So the owner of the Columbus Blue Jackets just put out an interesting letter to his fanbase, where he basically just named Craig Patrick the new GM:

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2012/1/27/2751924/breaking-j-p-mac-sends-letter-to-season-ticket-holders

Patrick was all about many a big trade back in the day with the Pens both as a buyer and a seller. I would expect some major stuff to happen once he officially (I assume) takes over.

How much truth do you put into Kypper saying just last week that "Rick Nash doesn't want to play in Toronto"?

I am not advocating trading for him or anything (as I would think the asking price would be just too damn high and really gut the team).  I'm more curious about the notion that Rick wouldn't want to play in T.O.

 

[Corn Flake]

So the owner of the Columbus Blue Jackets just put out an interesting letter to his fanbase, where he basically just named Craig Patrick the new GM:

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2012/1/27/2751924/breaking-j-p-mac-sends-letter-to-season-ticket-holders

Patrick was all about many a big trade back in the day with the Pens both as a buyer and a seller. I would expect some major stuff to happen once he officially (I assume) takes over.

How much truth do you put into Kypper saying just last week that "Rick Nash doesn't want to play in Toronto"?

I am not advocating trading for him or anything (as I would think the asking price would be just too damn high and really gut the team).  I'm more curious about the notion that Rick wouldn't want to play in T.O.

I don't put a lot of stock into it at all.

I have a really hard time understanding how any kid who grows up in the GTA playing hockey would say "nah I don't want to play in a hockey market like Toronto".

 

[Bates]

I think it would be easy to understand how any of today's NHL'ers would not want to play in Toronto or any major hockey city for that matter.  These guys may not want to be living somewhere that thay may not have the ability to live a "normal" life away from the rink.  I think it would be a much more normal life going for dinner or shopping or seeing a movie in a place like Columbus, Nashville, Phoenix, LA, Tampa, and so on??  Not to mention the huge media pressure that exists and blows every little issue so out of proportion on a daily basis.  I would assume this can really wear on a person and their family. 

 

[maplesyrup]

I think it would be easy to understand how any of today's NHL'ers would not want to play in Toronto or any major hockey city for that matter.  These guys may not want to be living somewhere that thay may not have the ability to live a "normal" life away from the rink.  I think it would be a much more normal life going for dinner or shopping or seeing a movie in a place like Columbus, Nashville, Phoenix, LA, Tampa, and so on??  Not to mention the huge media pressure that exists and blows every little issue so out of proportion on a daily basis.  I would assume this can really wear on a person and their family.

Yeah, it's different strokes for different folks... It just boils down to the individual. I imagine for some players, Toronto is a dream... For others, a nightmare.

 

[Bill_Berg]

I think it would be easy to understand how any of today's NHL'ers would not want to play in Toronto or any major hockey city for that matter.  These guys may not want to be living somewhere that thay may not have the ability to live a "normal" life away from the rink.  I think it would be a much more normal life going for dinner or shopping or seeing a movie in a place like Columbus, Nashville, Phoenix, LA, Tampa, and so on??  Not to mention the huge media pressure that exists and blows every little issue so out of proportion on a daily basis.  I would assume this can really wear on a person and their family.

Yeah, it's different strokes for different folks... It just boils down to the individual. I imagine for some players, Toronto is a dream... For others, a nightmare.

But it's hard to imagine too many professional sports figures want to shy away from the exposure. Some maybe, but it has to be a small percentage.

 

[Corn Flake]

I think it would be easy to understand how any of today's NHL'ers would not want to play in Toronto or any major hockey city for that matter.  These guys may not want to be living somewhere that thay may not have the ability to live a "normal" life away from the rink.  I think it would be a much more normal life going for dinner or shopping or seeing a movie in a place like Columbus, Nashville, Phoenix, LA, Tampa, and so on??  Not to mention the huge media pressure that exists and blows every little issue so out of proportion on a daily basis.  I would assume this can really wear on a person and their family.

Yeah, it's different strokes for different folks... It just boils down to the individual. I imagine for some players, Toronto is a dream... For others, a nightmare.

But it's hard to imagine too many professional sports figures want to shy away from the exposure. Some maybe, but it has to be a small percentage.

That's the way I see it. The competitive bones these guys have to have just to make it to the NHL let alone excel makes it hard for me to understand how they would not want the chance to play in a hockey city and win there. 

Movies? anonymity? etc? If that is what is important to them then I would question that player's willingness to win vs. just making a big fat paycheque to play hockey and live in an easy situation.

 

[Bates]

For me personally I would think early in a career most players would jump at the chance to play in a hotbed like Toronto.  I would want to be the center of attention and would just soak up the attention and atmosphere.  But as time went on in the career I would be looking for somewhere with a little more privacy for me and my family as we try to lead a more normal life away from the rink.  I would also think that the pressure of being under the microscope would begin to wear on an aging multi-millionaire.  Let's not forget that most of these guys start in their late teens "living the dream" of playing in the NHL.  I would guess by late 20's lots of players are "working" in the NHL and place a lot more emphasis on home life.  It probably doesn't help that many are treated like a commodity such as Sundin later in his career, that has to weigh on a guy??

 

[bustaheims]

So the owner of the Columbus Blue Jackets just put out an interesting letter to his fanbase, where he basically just named Craig Patrick the new GM:

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2012/1/27/2751924/breaking-j-p-mac-sends-letter-to-season-ticket-holders

Patrick was all about many a big trade back in the day with the Pens both as a buyer and a seller. I would expect some major stuff to happen once he officially (I assume) takes over.

That's not really the impression I get from that letter, but, even if he is, the same things I said about Howson would apply to Patrick. He won't move the face of the franchise so early in his tenure without it being a clear and absolute win for the Blue Jackets.

 

[Corn Flake]

So the owner of the Columbus Blue Jackets just put out an interesting letter to his fanbase, where he basically just named Craig Patrick the new GM:

http://www.jacketscannon.com/2012/1/27/2751924/breaking-j-p-mac-sends-letter-to-season-ticket-holders

Patrick was all about many a big trade back in the day with the Pens both as a buyer and a seller. I would expect some major stuff to happen once he officially (I assume) takes over.

That's not really the impression I get from that letter, but, even if he is, the same things I said about Howson would apply to Patrick. He won't move the face of the franchise so early in his tenure without it being a clear and absolute win for the Blue Jackets.

The fact that he mentions Craig Patrick being hired basically to help them figure out what the heck is wrong, and he doesn't mention Howsen or any other front office person by name was pretty telling to me about who his go-to guy is. 

Doesn't mean fire sale pending but I can't see any advisor suggesting anything other than a complete gut job, including Nash, given he has been the captain of the failed team for a long, long time.

I like Nash but I think the BJ's have a leadership problem from the top all the way to the on-ice team. Hard to exclude Nash from being a big part of that failure.  I bet a change is made in the summer there.

 

[Sudafederov]

In terms of Nash, he's mentioned before that Sundin was his favorite player.

I've noticed a lot of his comments, and the way he handles himself and his captaincy is very Sundin like.

I always wondered if Nash soured a bit on Toronto because of the way the Sundin situation was handled by the Leafs organization towards the end of Mats's career.

 

[Britishbulldog]

I think Morrow is exactly what this team needs. I'd be all for it. MacArthur and Aulie for Morrow?

Let's try that for Clowe and I am all for it. 

 

[ZBBM]

In terms of Nash, he's mentioned before that Sundin was his favorite player.

I've noticed a lot of his comments, and the way he handles himself and his captaincy is very Sundin like.

I always wondered if Nash soured a bit on Toronto because of the way the Sundin situation was handled by the Leafs organization towards the end of Mats's career.

I suppose that's possible but I find it very hard to believe that he wouldn't jump at the chance to play for the Leafs. 

(Incidentally, Stamkos is another guy that, someday, I see in a Leafs uni because it was his dream, and a heartfelt dream -- I remember quotes to that effect while he was with Sarnia.)

 

[Zee]

In terms of Nash, he's mentioned before that Sundin was his favorite player.

I've noticed a lot of his comments, and the way he handles himself and his captaincy is very Sundin like.

I always wondered if Nash soured a bit on Toronto because of the way the Sundin situation was handled by the Leafs organization towards the end of Mats's career.

I suppose that's possible but I find it very hard to believe that he wouldn't jump at the chance to play for the Leafs. 

(Incidentally, Stamkos is another guy that, someday, I see in a Leafs uni because it was his dream, and a heartfelt dream -- I remember quotes to that effect while he was with Sarnia.)

We always say that this player or that player would love to play for the Leafs, so why did he go and sign a huge extension with Columbus when he was going to be a FA?  For myself I know that if I were a hockey player I would kill to be a Leaf. I would wait out whatever contract I had to bring me to FA and then sign with the Leafs. But that's me.

 

[ZBBM]

In terms of Nash, he's mentioned before that Sundin was his favorite player.

I've noticed a lot of his comments, and the way he handles himself and his captaincy is very Sundin like.

I always wondered if Nash soured a bit on Toronto because of the way the Sundin situation was handled by the Leafs organization towards the end of Mats's career.

I suppose that's possible but I find it very hard to believe that he wouldn't jump at the chance to play for the Leafs. 

(Incidentally, Stamkos is another guy that, someday, I see in a Leafs uni because it was his dream, and a heartfelt dream -- I remember quotes to that effect while he was with Sarnia.)

We always say that this player or that player would love to play for the Leafs, so why did he go and sign a huge extension with Columbus when he was going to be a FA?  For myself I know that if I were a hockey player I would kill to be a Leaf. I would wait out whatever contract I had to bring me to FA and then sign with the Leafs. But that's me.

Because the offer was on the table?  All I'm saying is, if CBJ tells him they are blowing it up and he can go, he'd be thrilled to come here. 

My prediction that we will get him is based entirely on my own intuition. (I don't have a grotesque doppelg?nger growing out of my gut telling me what to do, as in those betting commercials.)

 

[Mack674]

In terms of Nash, he's mentioned before that Sundin was his favorite player.

I've noticed a lot of his comments, and the way he handles himself and his captaincy is very Sundin like.

I always wondered if Nash soured a bit on Toronto because of the way the Sundin situation was handled by the Leafs organization towards the end of Mats's career.

I suppose that's possible but I find it very hard to believe that he wouldn't jump at the chance to play for the Leafs. 

(Incidentally, Stamkos is another guy that, someday, I see in a Leafs uni because it was his dream, and a heartfelt dream -- I remember quotes to that effect while he was with Sarnia.)

We always say that this player or that player would love to play for the Leafs, so why did he go and sign a huge extension with Columbus when he was going to be a FA?  For myself I know that if I were a hockey player I would kill to be a Leaf. I would wait out whatever contract I had to bring me to FA and then sign with the Leafs. But that's me.

Because the offer was on the table?  All I'm saying is, if CBJ tells him they are blowing it up and he can go, he'd be thrilled to come here. 

My prediction that we will get him is based entirely on my own intuition. (I don't have a grotesque doppelg?nger growing out of my gut telling me what to do, as in those betting commercials.)

I have the same feeling about Nash. I also think (if Burke is still here in a few years)  Tavares could be here as well.

 

[Corn Flake]

In terms of Nash, he's mentioned before that Sundin was his favorite player.

I've noticed a lot of his comments, and the way he handles himself and his captaincy is very Sundin like.

I always wondered if Nash soured a bit on Toronto because of the way the Sundin situation was handled by the Leafs organization towards the end of Mats's career.

I suppose that's possible but I find it very hard to believe that he wouldn't jump at the chance to play for the Leafs. 

(Incidentally, Stamkos is another guy that, someday, I see in a Leafs uni because it was his dream, and a heartfelt dream -- I remember quotes to that effect while he was with Sarnia.)

We always say that this player or that player would love to play for the Leafs, so why did he go and sign a huge extension with Columbus when he was going to be a FA?  For myself I know that if I were a hockey player I would kill to be a Leaf. I would wait out whatever contract I had to bring me to FA and then sign with the Leafs. But that's me.

Because the offer was on the table?  All I'm saying is, if CBJ tells him they are blowing it up and he can go, he'd be thrilled to come here. 

My prediction that we will get him is based entirely on my own intuition. (I don't have a grotesque doppelg?nger growing out of my gut telling me what to do, as in those betting commercials.)

CBJ made an offer no player in their sane mind would refuse, and no agent would say he should wait, plus the future looked pretty good there at that point.

I remember when Joe Bowen was telling everyone who would listen that Nash to Toronto as a UFA was a done deal that year.  While he can be crazy at times I think Joe knew at least something was going on.  I think the 8-year deal magically appeared not long after that. 

 

[Zee]

In terms of Nash, he's mentioned before that Sundin was his favorite player.

I've noticed a lot of his comments, and the way he handles himself and his captaincy is very Sundin like.

I always wondered if Nash soured a bit on Toronto because of the way the Sundin situation was handled by the Leafs organization towards the end of Mats's career.

I suppose that's possible but I find it very hard to believe that he wouldn't jump at the chance to play for the Leafs. 

(Incidentally, Stamkos is another guy that, someday, I see in a Leafs uni because it was his dream, and a heartfelt dream -- I remember quotes to that effect while he was with Sarnia.)

We always say that this player or that player would love to play for the Leafs, so why did he go and sign a huge extension with Columbus when he was going to be a FA?  For myself I know that if I were a hockey player I would kill to be a Leaf. I would wait out whatever contract I had to bring me to FA and then sign with the Leafs. But that's me.

Because the offer was on the table?  All I'm saying is, if CBJ tells him they are blowing it up and he can go, he'd be thrilled to come here. 

My prediction that we will get him is based entirely on my own intuition. (I don't have a grotesque doppelg?nger growing out of my gut telling me what to do, as in those betting commercials.)

CBJ made an offer no player in their sane mind would refuse, and no agent would say he should wait, plus the future looked pretty good there at that point.

Sure, then it's about the money.  Don't give me this romantic view that he dreams of being a Leaf then.  If that truly was his dream he would have done everything to sign here.  He was already a multi millionaire before that contract, it's not as if he needed the extra money.  He also would know that through his contract and endorsements in Toronto he'd be more than set for life.  I'm tired of hearing how many players "dream" about playing for the Leafs and then sign in a crappy hockey market like Columbus. 

 

[Corn Flake]

CBJ made an offer no player in their sane mind would refuse, and no agent would say he should wait, plus the future looked pretty good there at that point.

Sure, then it's about the money.  Don't give me this romantic view that he dreams of being a Leaf then.  If that truly was his dream he would have done everything to sign here.  He was already a multi millionaire before that contract, it's not as if he needed the extra money.  He also would know that through his contract and endorsements in Toronto he'd be more than set for life.  I'm tired of hearing how many players "dream" about playing for the Leafs and then sign in a crappy hockey market like Columbus.
[/quote]

Well let's not get all emotional about it. Has money never changed your mind on a dream or at least postponed it?  Most of us are not the rare types who ignore money and security and risk it all to chase their dream.  Certainly not when we have agents telling us what to do.

We don't really know if its his lifelong dream come true to play for the Leafs.  Most of these guys accept that the odds of playing for the hometown team are slim to none.  That's what Tavares basically said when he was drafted.  These guys come to that realization early on.  But most usually say they would want the chance at some point in their careers, hence the reason why the Leafs would get so many older guys wanting to come here on their downhill years. 

Can't always think with your heart. For Nash to walk on a $65 mil deal at that point made zero sense. What if he had a career ending injury in the following weeks or something else happened to him?