Nonis using depth to go shopping....

[Erndog]

ESPN.COM:  The Bolts and Habs are believed in search of blueline help, with Custance citing ?an NHL source? claiming the two teams had contacted the Toronto Maple Leafs about a deal involving one of the Leafs blueliners.
link: http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/2011/10/25/nhl-rumors-tuesday-october-25-2011/

While I don't like anything that the Habs have to offer, there are some interesting pieces in the Bolts that may be of use.  Malone?

But I'm inclined to keep what we have now.  At the beginning of the season, I was willing to part with Gunnarsson, but he's played well and rarely makes mistakes and has played well with Phaneuf.  At this point, the only one I'd trade is Komisarek, but I still like his aggressiveness.  I haven't seen enough of Franson to give up on him.  I still think he's going to be a very good NHL defenseman.  Unfortunately, if you give up Komisarek, you lose some toughness in the backend.

I think it would be a god-send if we could dump Komisarek on the Habs or bolts right now for nothing.  If Komi is replaced by his $1.5 million equivalent (eg: Aulie), it would free up $3 million the next two years that we can use to resign Grabbo and Kulemin in the offseason.

Aulie is actually 800K so even better.

Anyways, I don't think Komi is going anywhere quite yet.  Still too much term left on that contract but who knows.

I think if Komi didn't have that disaster of a game the other night vs. Boston he would be tradeable right now.  He needs to put 4-5 more together to show he can get back to his former self and I think they can move him.  He has shown signs, but could still go either way.

His contract is high, but the league is now in the old NBA land of make believe when it comes to contracts... its not so much about trading for a player performance strictly tied to $$ value, its about managing your cap (floor or ceiling) space and moving bodies in and out.

I knew sooner or later the allure of an 'expiring contract' was going to be worth something (ex.  David Booth to Vancouver for 2 expiring contracts).

Problem is... Komi isn't an expiring contract quite yet.  I think we are still stuck with him this season come hell or high water, but perhaps in the summer there could be someone willing to take him on (2 years left at $4.5M cap hit with actual money at $3.5M).  I fear we may be stuck with this for a while though  ???

 

[Corn Flake]

I knew sooner or later the allure of an 'expiring contract' was going to be worth something (ex.  David Booth to Vancouver for 2 expiring contracts).

Problem is... Komi isn't an expiring contract quite yet.  I think we are still stuck with him this season come hell or high water, but perhaps in the summer there could be someone willing to take him on (2 years left at $4.5M cap hit with actual money at $3.5M).  I fear we may be stuck with this for a while though  ???

Not so much the expiring contract situation.... I would compare it more to the Lupul and Lombardi deals, only in reverse.  Neither were expiring contracts but teams take on money to get something good in return. 

Both Lupul and Lombardi had "issues" and most thought they would be worth nothing... most saw them as complete salary dumps but they were in need of some good luck in the health dept and also the change of scenery (mostly renewed faith in them by new team) didn't hurt either. 

Teams getting desperate for defensive help could be all over this, especially if they can send a not-so-great contract of their own back at the Leafs. 

 

[jonlleafs]

I knew sooner or later the allure of an 'expiring contract' was going to be worth something (ex.  David Booth to Vancouver for 2 expiring contracts).

Problem is... Komi isn't an expiring contract quite yet.  I think we are still stuck with him this season come hell or high water, but perhaps in the summer there could be someone willing to take him on (2 years left at $4.5M cap hit with actual money at $3.5M).  I fear we may be stuck with this for a while though  ???

Not so much the expiring contract situation.... I would compare it more to the Lupul and Lombardi deals, only in reverse.  Neither were expiring contracts but teams take on money to get something good in return. 

Both Lupul and Lombardi had "issues" and most thought they would be worth nothing... most saw them as complete salary dumps but they were in need of some good luck in the health dept and also the change of scenery (mostly renewed faith in them by new team) didn't hurt either. 

Teams getting desperate for defensive help could be all over this, especially if they can send a not-so-great contract of their own back at the Leafs.

Or if we could do a Beauchemin deal again where we just pull the rug from under another GM?  Get another blue-chip like Gardiner?  Seems like Burke has been very good at these deals and I can't see why he couldn't do that with another team.

 

[cw]

ESPN.COM:  The Bolts and Habs are believed in search of blueline help, with Custance citing ?an NHL source? claiming the two teams had contacted the Toronto Maple Leafs about a deal involving one of the Leafs blueliners.
link: http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/2011/10/25/nhl-rumors-tuesday-october-25-2011/

While I don't like anything that the Habs have to offer, there are some interesting pieces in the Bolts that may be of use.  Malone?

But I'm inclined to keep what we have now.  At the beginning of the season, I was willing to part with Gunnarsson, but he's played well and rarely makes mistakes and has played well with Phaneuf.  At this point, the only one I'd trade is Komisarek, but I still like his aggressiveness.  I haven't seen enough of Franson to give up on him. I still think he's going to be a very good NHL defenseman.  Unfortunately, if you give up Komisarek, you lose some toughness in the backend.

From Pierre Lebrun:
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/11930/daily-debate-are-jacques-martins-days-numbered-in-montreal
LeBrun: I heard from sources on other teams Monday that Gauthier was phoning around looking for help on defense. The thing is, he's not alone. Tampa and the New York Rangers are among the other teams also looking for blue-line help. It just so happens that Cody Franson is available in Toronto, although I'm not sure whether any of those three teams has interest in him.

Lebrun clarifies here:
https://twitter.com/#%21/Real_ESPNLeBrun/statuses/128911034529480704

b1rky birky
@Real_ESPNLeBrun you wrote today that Cody Franson is available. Does that mean being shopped or the Leafs are simply listening?
2 hours ago
in reply to @b1rky ↑

@Real_ESPNLeBrun
Pierre LeBrun
@b1rky Leafs listening
2 hours ago via TweetDeck

Wouldn't surprise me though his market value is on the low side right now.

 

[Mack674]

Depth forward or low pick at best... id rather keep him and see if he how he pans out a while longer yet.. but i dont get paid to make these decesions.

 

[Britishbulldog]

How about a guy like Lars Eller from the Habs?  Young, has some potential?  Provides some size up front.

Who does he step in and replace?

That's the question I have as well with the names bantered about getting.  Who could Burke get that would be better than the current top 7 of Kessel, Connolly, Lupul, Kulemin, Grabovski, Armstrong and either MacArthur or Lombardi?

It would have to be a power forward like Malone, Clowe, Morrow.  The Leafs have speed and skill that only franchise forwards would be better than (and ofcourse I suspect that none of them are available).

I really want to see what Connolly can do for being a 1st line center stop gap.

 

[dappleganger]

How about a guy like Lars Eller from the Habs?  Young, has some potential?  Provides some size up front.

Who does he step in and replace?

That's the question I have as well with the names bantered about getting.  Who could Burke get that would be better than the current top 7 of Kessel, Connolly, Lupul, Kulemin, Grabovski, Armstrong and either MacArthur or Lombardi?

I think Lecavalier will always be a target because I believe Tampa wouldn't mind out of that contract. Spezza is in a similar boat but less so. 

 

[Tigger]

Just had read through a few pages at Spector's site, it's become the snopes of hockey urban rumors, nice to see.

 

[princedpw]

How about a guy like Lars Eller from the Habs?  Young, has some potential?  Provides some size up front.

Who does he step in and replace?

That's the question I have as well with the names bantered about getting.  Who could Burke get that would be better than the current top 7 of Kessel, Connolly, Lupul, Kulemin, Grabovski, Armstrong and either MacArthur or Lombardi?

I think Lecavalier will always be a target because I believe Tampa wouldn't mind out of that contract. Spezza is in a similar boat but less so.

Yes, Tampa would like out of Lecavalier's contract.  The typical question is:  who would like into it?

 

[Zee]

Everyone and their brother now has "Leafs and Habs trade rumors" on the internet today.  Following the Eklund mold of needing more hits during slower times.

 

[Erndog]

I would think Franson would be highly sought after.  He's only 23 years old, incredibly cheap, 6'5, 215lbs, a right handed shot who plays the right side, can really bomb it (so a PP presence) and got 30 points last year.  I would think every team in the NHL would be interested in a guy like that.

Question is... what would they be willing to give up to acquire it? 

Any chance you think we could add something (i.e. D'Amigo?  Ross?  Olden?) and try and get Turris?  Obviously if his contract demands are still wacky I wouldn't go there, but if he'd sign reasonably with us (he might just want out of PHX) then I think it's worth a gamble... especially for a guy we aren't playing. 

 

[maplesyrup]

I would think Franson would be highly sought after.  He's only 23 years old, incredibly cheap, 6'5, 215lbs, a right handed shot who plays the right side, can really bomb it (so a PP presence) and got 30 points last year.  I would think every team in the NHL would be interested in a guy like that.

Question is... what would they be willing to give up to acquire it? 

Any chance you think we could add something (i.e. D'Amigo?  Ross?  Olden?) and try and get Turris?  Obviously if his contract demands are still wacky I wouldn't go there, but if he'd sign reasonably with us (he might just want out of PHX) then I think it's worth a gamble... especially for a guy we aren't playing.

Just curious... Why do you mention Turris and where do you see him fitting on this team? Bozak + Franson maybe might clean thing up a bit for Turris but I'm not sold on the idea.

 

[Erndog]

I would think Franson would be highly sought after.  He's only 23 years old, incredibly cheap, 6'5, 215lbs, a right handed shot who plays the right side, can really bomb it (so a PP presence) and got 30 points last year.  I would think every team in the NHL would be interested in a guy like that.

Question is... what would they be willing to give up to acquire it? 

Any chance you think we could add something (i.e. D'Amigo?  Ross?  Olden?) and try and get Turris?  Obviously if his contract demands are still wacky I wouldn't go there, but if he'd sign reasonably with us (he might just want out of PHX) then I think it's worth a gamble... especially for a guy we aren't playing.

Just curious... Why do you mention Turris and where do you see him fitting on this team? Bozak + Franson maybe might clean thing up a bit for Turris but I'm not sold on the idea.

Just taking a gamble on him.  He could develop into a pretty darn good 2-way center.  Remember, he's only 21-22 years old.  Grabovski didn't develop into an everyday player until 24.

I think if we're only dealing a guy who isn't playing for us and a B level type prospect it's worth the risk.  Could pay off huge in the long run.  If not, well, not like Turris will bomb completely and what we give up probably won't come back to bite us in the @ss too much.

 

[maplesyrup]

Just taking a gamble on him.  He could develop into a pretty darn good 2-way center.  Remember, he's only 21-22 years old.  Grabovski didn't develop into an everyday player until 24.

I think if we're only dealing a guy who isn't playing for us and a B level type prospect it's worth the risk.  Could pay off huge in the long run.  If not, well, not like Turris will bomb completely and what we give up probably won't come back to bite us in the @ss too much.

I don't necessarily disagree but I'd think you'ld have to make Bozak part of that deal, no? We're already pretty crowded down the middle.

 

[Erndog]

Just taking a gamble on him.  He could develop into a pretty darn good 2-way center.  Remember, he's only 21-22 years old.  Grabovski didn't develop into an everyday player until 24.

I think if we're only dealing a guy who isn't playing for us and a B level type prospect it's worth the risk.  Could pay off huge in the long run.  If not, well, not like Turris will bomb completely and what we give up probably won't come back to bite us in the @ss too much.

I don't necessarily disagree but I'd think you'ld have to make Bozak part of that deal, no? We're already pretty crowded down the middle.

Probably.  I don't know, it's just a thought though. 

I'd probably still try and save our assets for that true #1 center (or impact player at least) but we could be waiting a long, long time.

 

[maplesyrup]

Just taking a gamble on him.  He could develop into a pretty darn good 2-way center.  Remember, he's only 21-22 years old.  Grabovski didn't develop into an everyday player until 24.

I think if we're only dealing a guy who isn't playing for us and a B level type prospect it's worth the risk.  Could pay off huge in the long run.  If not, well, not like Turris will bomb completely and what we give up probably won't come back to bite us in the @ss too much.

I don't necessarily disagree but I'd think you'ld have to make Bozak part of that deal, no? We're already pretty crowded down the middle.

Probably.  I don't know, it's just a thought though. 

I'd probably still try and save our assets for that true #1 center (or impact player at least) but we could be waiting a long, long time.

Yeah, I'd hate to burn assets now when bigger fish might be available later on.

 

[Kin]

I would think Franson would be highly sought after.  He's only 23 years old, incredibly cheap, 6'5, 215lbs, a right handed shot who plays the right side, can really bomb it (so a PP presence) and got 30 points last year.  I would think every team in the NHL would be interested in a guy like that.

I personally doubt that anyone who isn't playing would be a highly sought commodity. I think getting into the line-up and playing well while there, at the very least being the PP presence you're talking about, is a bare minimum for teams to get excited about acquiring someon.

 

[Erndog]

I would think Franson would be highly sought after.  He's only 23 years old, incredibly cheap, 6'5, 215lbs, a right handed shot who plays the right side, can really bomb it (so a PP presence) and got 30 points last year.  I would think every team in the NHL would be interested in a guy like that.

I personally doubt that anyone who isn't playing would be a highly sought commodity. I think getting into the line-up and playing well while there, at the very least being the PP presence you're talking about, is a bare minimum for teams to get excited about acquiring someon.

Can the very same not be said for Turris?  Especially given the fact he hasn't impressed while he's played anyways.

I'm just throwing something out there.  And I personally don't think Franson having not played much in the first 3 weeks of the season really kills his value (I don't think it's helped obviously).

 

[Kin]

Can the very same not be said for Turris?  Especially given the fact he hasn't impressed while he's played anyways.

Well, something similar can be said for Turris anyway. Not exactly the same, as Franson can't get in the line-up and Turris is voluntarily staying away, but Turris has probably hurt his value the last few weeks.

I'm just throwing something out there.  And I personally don't think Franson having not played much in the first 3 weeks of the season really kills his value (I don't think it's helped obviously).

Kills? No. Reduces significantly? I think so. Him having gone from a guy who we were talking about how the Leafs "stole" him from Nashville to a guy most of us would shrug our shoulders about dealing is pretty revealing.

 

[cw]

Kills? No. Reduces significantly? I think so. Him having gone from a guy who we were talking about how the Leafs "stole" him from Nashville to a guy most of us would shrug our shoulders about dealing is pretty revealing.

Among the GMs, I don't think his value was nearly as high as what the media tried to spin. But he's fallen some in value since July.