Random rumours

[Redleaf]

I'm not sure I'd deal a Jake Gardiner, who was taken in the 1st round (17th overall) with .37pts/game for a forward with .58pts/game.  A forward that might not pan out.  One that hasn't even come close to Alexei Yashin-type performance.

Yakupov told Edmonton reporters, "I don't really like playing without the puck, skate all the time and do forecheck and hit somebody every shift... I don't think it's my game."

I wouldn't trade him for the Yak either, but I think I would accept the right trade for him if it came up.  The red flags are flying high on Yakupov, esp. after comments like that.

I think the Leafs have to find the right balance on defense and right now it's imbalanced.  Rielly is going to very likely be the better of the two players in time, so it's not going to be him that gets moved.

While I'm leaning in the same direction as you, I'm not entirely sure Rielly's offensive upside is greater than Gardiner's. Jake showed us last spring that he has another gear in his game that is pretty damn impressive. Dominating, in fact at times. Rielly's ceiling may be higher when considering all aspects of the game, but Gardiner may project higher with pure offense. At the moment, it's pretty hard to compare the two, as they both appear to be concentrating their efforts on learning the defensive side of the game. Should be fun to see them break out the offense, once they feel comfortable enough on the back end.

 

[bustaheims]

But you're ignoring the first part of the sentence, "I don't really like playing without the puck" which puts it all into context - he doesn't like being a player who doesn't have the puck all the time.

This is without even taking into account the language barrier where things are lost in translation.  I don't think it's a big deal at all.

I'm not sure I agree with your interpretation of his words. To me, he sounds like a one-way player who doesn't seem interested in learning or improving the other side of his game. I imagine that's a big part of the reason he's been a healthy scratch a couple times already this season.

 

[Corn Flake]

I'm not sure I'd deal a Jake Gardiner, who was taken in the 1st round (17th overall) with .37pts/game for a forward with .58pts/game.  A forward that might not pan out.  One that hasn't even come close to Alexei Yashin-type performance.

Yakupov told Edmonton reporters, "I don't really like playing without the puck, skate all the time and do forecheck and hit somebody every shift... I don't think it's my game."

I wouldn't trade him for the Yak either, but I think I would accept the right trade for him if it came up.  The red flags are flying high on Yakupov, esp. after comments like that.

I think the Leafs have to find the right balance on defense and right now it's imbalanced.  Rielly is going to very likely be the better of the two players in time, so it's not going to be him that gets moved.

While I'm leaning in the same direction as you, I'm not entirely sure Rielly's offensive upside is greater than Gardiner's. Jake showed us last spring that he has another gear in his game that is pretty damn impressive. Dominating, in fact at times. Rielly's ceiling may be higher when considering all aspects of the game, but Gardiner may project higher with pure offense. At the moment, it's pretty hard to compare the two, as they both appear to be concentrating their efforts on learning the defensive side of the game. Should be fun to see them break out the offense, once they feel comfortable enough on the back end.

For sure.  What I'm noodling is whether the two of them are needed and/or whether they can co-exist on the same defense corps.  If you can get both running full tilt, making minimal defensive mistakes and Gardiner playing like he was in the playoffs then you for sure would build around them and make it work. 

I just think this defense is in dire need of one more top 4 stay-at-home guy who can stabilize things and if you bring that guy in, there isn't room for both of these guys. (assuming Ranger becomes the #7 when Fraser returns)

 

[Redleaf]

I'm not sure I'd deal a Jake Gardiner, who was taken in the 1st round (17th overall) with .37pts/game for a forward with .58pts/game.  A forward that might not pan out.  One that hasn't even come close to Alexei Yashin-type performance.

Yakupov told Edmonton reporters, "I don't really like playing without the puck, skate all the time and do forecheck and hit somebody every shift... I don't think it's my game."

I wouldn't trade him for the Yak either, but I think I would accept the right trade for him if it came up.  The red flags are flying high on Yakupov, esp. after comments like that.

I think the Leafs have to find the right balance on defense and right now it's imbalanced.  Rielly is going to very likely be the better of the two players in time, so it's not going to be him that gets moved.

While I'm leaning in the same direction as you, I'm not entirely sure Rielly's offensive upside is greater than Gardiner's. Jake showed us last spring that he has another gear in his game that is pretty damn impressive. Dominating, in fact at times. Rielly's ceiling may be higher when considering all aspects of the game, but Gardiner may project higher with pure offense. At the moment, it's pretty hard to compare the two, as they both appear to be concentrating their efforts on learning the defensive side of the game. Should be fun to see them break out the offense, once they feel comfortable enough on the back end.

For sure.  What I'm noodling is whether the two of them are needed and/or whether they can co-exist on the same defense corps.  If you can get both running full tilt, making minimal defensive mistakes and Gardiner playing like he was in the playoffs then you for sure would build around them and make it work. 

I just think this defense is in dire need of one more top 4 stay-at-home guy who can stabilize things and if you bring that guy in, there isn't room for both of these guys. (assuming Ranger becomes the #7 when Fraser returns)

I agree that they need a stay at home guy right now for balance. Here's an interesting tidbit from Cox this morning...

"One of the players the Maple Leafs have been eying from afar over the past couple of seasons is defenceman Dmitri Kulikov of the Florida Panthers, and Kulikov might just be more available now than he was because of the wreckage of Florida's early season play. He's only 22, but already has four full seasons in the NHL. A couple of problems. He won't come cheap. He's in the last year of a contract that comes with a $2.5 million hit and will be looking for a significant pay increase this summer. And he shoots left, with the Leafs more in need of a right-handed shooting blueliner. "

 

[Corn Flake]

I agree that they need a stay at home guy right now for balance. Here's an interesting tidbit from Cox this morning...

"One of the players the Maple Leafs have been eying from afar over the past couple of seasons is defenceman Dmitri Kulikov of the Florida Panthers, and Kulikov might just be more available now than he was because of the wreckage of Florida's early season play. He's only 22, but already has four full seasons in the NHL. A couple of problems. He won't come cheap. He's in the last year of a contract that comes with a $2.5 million hit and will be looking for a significant pay increase this summer. And he shoots left, with the Leafs more in need of a right-handed shooting blueliner. "

Hmmm I like Kulikov but haven't seen much of him in a long time.  Don't remember him the last time the Leafs played FLA last year.  Question would be, if he's logging big ice in Florida is he part of the problem there vs. being a solution for the Leafs?

With the NJ Deveils making toilet this year, Volchenkov would be a guy I would try to get. You throw him on the 2nd pairing with Franson... look out.  Injuries are a big risk with him but he is tough.as.nails.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I just don't understand the concern with his game.

His scoring through his first 53 games, compared with the last 10 1st overall picks, is ahead of Rick Nash and Steven Stamkos, and a couple assists behind John Tavares and Taylor Hall.

It's so overblown the "concerns" that he's not going to live up to the hype.  He's right around where other 1st overall picks have been at this point in their careers.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I have no idea why the Leafs would be interested in Kulikov. He's a pretty similar player to Gardiner and Rielly. So the last thing that the Leafs need right now.

 

[Corn Flake]

I just don't understand the concern with his game.

His scoring through his first 53 games, compared with the last 10 1st overall picks, is ahead of Rick Nash and Steven Stamkos, and a couple assists behind John Tavares and Taylor Hall.

It's so overblown the "concerns" that he's not going to live up to the hype.  He's right around where other 1st overall picks have been at this point in their careers.

Were any of those guys a healthy scratch, like ever?

 

[Redleaf]

I have no idea why the Leafs would be interested in Kulikov. He's a pretty similar player to Gardiner and Rielly. So the last thing that the Leafs need right now.

Interesting. I don't know Kulikov at all. Curious as to why they brought in Brennan this year as well, as he's along the same mold too.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

It's funny that people leave out the first part of the Yakupov quote:

?I?m going to play my game,? he said. ?I?m not going to change but maybe play better without the puck, or forecheck more, but I love playing with the puck. I really don?t like skating all the time, and forechecking, and hitting somebody every shift. I don?t think it?s my game.?

A 20-year old, highly touted offensive prospect who was on pace to score about 30 goals in his rookie season said that he would rather play offence than defence? Say it ain't so!

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I just don't understand the concern with his game.

His scoring through his first 53 games, compared with the last 10 1st overall picks, is ahead of Rick Nash and Steven Stamkos, and a couple assists behind John Tavares and Taylor Hall.

It's so overblown the "concerns" that he's not going to live up to the hype.  He's right around where other 1st overall picks have been at this point in their careers.

Were any of those guys a healthy scratch, like ever?

Stamkos was.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I just don't understand the concern with his game.

His scoring through his first 53 games, compared with the last 10 1st overall picks, is ahead of Rick Nash and Steven Stamkos, and a couple assists behind John Tavares and Taylor Hall.

It's so overblown the "concerns" that he's not going to live up to the hype.  He's right around where other 1st overall picks have been at this point in their careers.

Were any of those guys a healthy scratch, like ever?

Stamkos was.

Kovalchuk was as well when he was with Atlanta (don't think it was even in his rookie season).  He was higher up the list I referenced.

Here's the list btw: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1815423-breaking-down-nail-yakupovs-trade-value-for-edmonton-oilers

 

[Jalili]

I have no idea why the Leafs would be interested in Kulikov. He's a pretty similar player to Gardiner and Rielly. So the last thing that the Leafs need right now.

I'm with you on that.

I can't see why we would have a need for him, unless Gardiner is being shopped and you're expecting Kulikov to replace him.

And in terms of Kulikov's hype, I don't think he's all that he was cracked up to be.

 

[Kin]

Yakupov told Edmonton reporters, "I don't really like playing without the puck, skate all the time and do forecheck and hit somebody every shift... I don't think it's my game."

So the problem is that he's basically Ilya Kovalchuk but with a refreshing degree of honesty and self-awareness?

 

[lamajama]

The fact also remains that you have to deal with a Russian
prospect differently these days. Play the ice time/AHL card
and you run the risk of the KHL.

Like it or not it's the truth.

 

[ZBBM]

The problem here is that he doesn't fit Carlyle's psych profile, as noted in the bomb pic posted awhile back.  Which is the big problem I have with fitting a team around a current coach rather than vice versa.  But I suppose this is what Nonis wants too, so probably my carping has no basis.  Still.

 

[Kin]

Like it or not it's the truth.

Well, no, it's not. The KHL is an option available to players of all nationalities and the scenario you're talking about has never really played itself out.

 

[Kin]

The problem here is that he doesn't fit Carlyle's psych profile, as noted in the bomb pic posted awhile back.  Which is the big problem I have with fitting a team around a current coach rather than vice versa.  But I suppose this is what Nonis wants too, so probably my carping has no basis.  Still.

Maybe I missed it but what is Carlyle's psych profile? What notable attributes does Teemu Selanne have that Yakupov doesn't? I mean, we all seem to accept that Randy Carlyle is alright with Phil Kessel on the team despite him not being a world class defensive player or forechecker.

 

[louisstamos]

The problem here is that he doesn't fit Carlyle's psych profile, as noted in the bomb pic posted awhile back.  Which is the big problem I have with fitting a team around a current coach rather than vice versa.  But I suppose this is what Nonis wants too, so probably my carping has no basis.  Still.

Maybe I missed it but what is Carlyle's psych profile? What notable attributes does Teemu Selanne have that Yakupov doesn't? I mean, we all seem to accept that Randy Carlyle is alright with Phil Kessel on the team despite him not being a world class defensive player or forechecker.

While it's true that Phil Kessel is no defensive stalward, it seems that he's at least "bought in" - many of us have seen a transformation in his backchecking and covering for the d-man in the last year or two.

 

[bustaheims]

Well, no, it's not. The KHL is an option available to players of all nationalities and the scenario you're talking about has never really played itself out.

It has, just with less prominent names. Kaigarodov, for instance, left for the KHL because he was unhappy with his ice time and didn't want to play in the AHL.