Random rumours

[Redleaf]

Berger...

Source tells me there's a "very big chance" Wayne Gretzky will become a top executive in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. #Leafs

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Berger...

Source tells me there's a "very big chance" Wayne Gretzky will become a top executive in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. #Leafs

I saw the prediction for a big shakeup at MLSE (top execs). 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/major-housecleaning-looms-as-leiweke-overhauls-mlse/article13384375/

Are Gretzky and Leiweke close?  Does this mean clearing out vintage Leaf photos from the ACC and replacing them with vintage Gretzky/Oilers photos?? 

 

[Corn Flake]

I bet Tom Anselmi is gone.

edit: other than Anselmi, there is Ian Clarke and Bob Hunter as the next level down.  i don't know anything about either guy but they aren't directly involved with the teams.  Anselmi has presided over the colossal mess that is TFC, and was a part of the Burke firing mess, among other questionable changes.

 

[Bonsixx]

Berger...

Source tells me there's a "very big chance" Wayne Gretzky will become a top executive in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. #Leafs

I saw the prediction for a big shakeup at MLSE (top execs). 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/major-housecleaning-looms-as-leiweke-overhauls-mlse/article13384375/

Are Gretzky and Leiweke close?  Does this mean clearing out vintage Leaf photos from the ACC and replacing them with vintage Gretzky/Oilers photos?? 

Everything will be replaced with photos of Gretzky highsticking Gilmour.

 

[lamajama]

Berger...

Source tells me there's a "very big chance" Wayne Gretzky will become a top executive in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. #Leafs

I saw the prediction for a big shakeup at MLSE (top execs). 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/major-housecleaning-looms-as-leiweke-overhauls-mlse/article13384375/

Are Gretzky and Leiweke close?  Does this mean clearing out vintage Leaf photos from the ACC and replacing them with vintage Gretzky/Oilers photos?? 

Everything will be replaced with photos of Gretzky highsticking Gilmour.

I think this comment crosses the line....  

 

[bustaheims]

DarrenDreger: Franson trade speculation will heat up. Leafs would like to keep him, but $$ is too much. Prospect and draft pick fair return?

 

[Tigger]

I suppose it depends on the prospect and draft pick?

 

[Nik]

I'd graciously take Seth Jones and a first.

 

[bustaheims]

I suppose it depends on the prospect and draft pick?

His value is pretty inflated thanks to his offensive numbers from this past season, so the return should be pretty decent. That being said, his defensive play is was still questionable and, while he did seem more physical, I feel like he left himself out of position more often because of it. If Ranger can get anywhere near the form he had with the Lightning, he replaces most of Franson's offence while being a little more responsible defensively. And, with the rumblings being that Franson is asking for $4M+ . . .

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

He outscored Clarkson. I'd way rather keep Franson than trade him. Nonis keeping salary in trade and signing guys like McLaren may be biting us if this happens.

He had 2 game 7 goals darn it.

 

[Zee]

I'd rather not give Franson $4M+ after only a half season of good play. A season ago he wasn't even a regular and now suddenly he wants huge cash? If they can make a good trade for him I have no issues letting him go given that Ranger is now signed.

 

[bustaheims]

He outscored Clarkson. I'd way rather keep Franson than trade him. Nonis keeping salary in trade and signing guys like McLaren may be biting us if this happens.

He had 2 game 7 goals darn it.

Holding on to $500K in salary and filling out the roster with a couple guys near the league minimum (regardless of who they are, they'd be there any way) are not the reasons Franson may need to be traded. Nonis has made mistakes, but, those aren't really among them. The biggest issue is that he significantly overpaid Clarkson. And, also, Fletcher's ridiculous buyout of Tucker and Burke's unnecessary buyout of Armstrong are playing parts here.

 

[Corn Flake]

I'd rather not give Franson $4M+ after only a half season of good play. A season ago he wasn't even a regular and now suddenly he wants huge cash? If they can make a good trade for him I have no issues letting him go given that Ranger is now signed.

This.

Yes Franson is a great PP point man but beyond that his defensive game is pretty 'meh' and he had trouble getting a full time spot in the lineup because of it.

$4 mil is ridiculous based on his very short track record of decent play.

 

[Nik]

I'm not really convinced that any of it, the buyouts or Clarkson's deal or the cap crunch in general is what we're talking about. If the Leafs really want to fit Franson in I think they'll be able to. The issue, as CF sort of alludes to, is whether or not you want to sign Franson to a multi-year deal on the basis of the 55 games we just saw at the price he's likely to be asking.

I'm guessing that this isn't the first time Nonis has spoken to Franson's agent and what we're hearing about now is Franson not wanting to come down to wear Nonis thinks he fits. If that's the case the Leafs could have all the cap space in the world and it wouldn't matter.

 

[Frank E]

Who floated the $4 mil number?

 

[Nik]

Who floated the $4 mil number?

I think it's just an assumption based on the market.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Who floated the $4 mil number?

I think it's just an assumption based on the market.

If that's the number Dreger is quoting then it might have some merit given his ties to Nonis/Nonis trying to use the media in negotiations.

I'm not crazy about Franson's foot speed, but I'd love if they could get him signed to a similar deal to Liles or force him down the Subban route, take a lower term one year deal and go out next year and prove the shortened season wasn't a fluke and he gets PAID the following season.

 

[princedpw]

I'm not really convinced that any of it, the buyouts or Clarkson's deal or the cap crunch in general is what we're talking about. If the Leafs really want to fit Franson in I think they'll be able to. The issue, as CF sort of alludes to, is whether or not you want to sign Franson to a multi-year deal on the basis of the 55 games we just saw at the price he's likely to be asking.

I'm guessing that this isn't the first time Nonis has spoken to Franson's agent and what we're hearing about now is Franson not wanting to come down to wear Nonis thinks he fits. If that's the case the Leafs could have all the cap space in the world and it wouldn't matter.

Of course, we dont know what is in Nonis brain and I wont try to speculate because he has done a bunch of things that I vehemently disagree with.  But ignoring that, it could be the case that literally, the buyouts and cap space do make the difference *this year* between keeping all the guys you want going forward at prices you think are reasonable going forward.  Everyone predicts the cap will rise dramatically soon.  eg, franson tight this year but sensible in the following years.

 

[Tigger]

I suppose it depends on the prospect and draft pick?

His value is pretty inflated thanks to his offensive numbers from this past season, so the return should be pretty decent. That being said, his defensive play is was still questionable and, while he did seem more physical, I feel like he left himself out of position more often because of it. If Ranger can get anywhere near the form he had with the Lightning, he replaces most of Franson's offence while being a little more responsible defensively. And, with the rumblings being that Franson is asking for $4M+ . . .

The thing I like about Franson is his even strength offense over the years but I agree he has work to do in a lot of other aspects of his game on a consistent basis. If there's something juicy on the table for him ( in whatever context deal ) then you really have to consider it, if it's just a cap crunch issue then I think you have to find a way to make it work ( if you believe in him ) and get to the cap increase next year. If it's 4 mil, yeah I'm a bit hesitant, but then it also depends on term and your belief in him as a player, which I obviously don't have completely. Good player, still has lots to prove and 4m is a lot.

 

[Nik]

Of course, we dont know what is in Nonis brain and I wont try to speculate because he has done a bunch of things that I vehemently disagree with.  But ignoring that, it could be the case that literally, the buyouts and cap space do make the difference *this year* between keeping all the guys you want going forward at prices you think are reasonable going forward.  Everyone predicts the cap will rise dramatically soon.  eg, franson tight this year but sensible in the following years.

But I think regardless of what some people might want to attribute to whatever it is or isn't in Nonis' brain we still have to acknowledge that where they are is by design as opposed to an accident. If Nonis put himself in a position where he's unable to sign Franson at what he wants I don't think that can be said to have snuck up on him. In signing guys like Orr and Ranger and to some extent Clarkson I think Nonis would have had to have budgeted what he'd be willing/able to pay Franson this year. While you're right, if the Leafs didn't have the buyouts on their books it'd be easier to do it I still think you have to say that if Nonis can't pay Franson what he wants this year then it's a pretty good sign that keeping Franson was pretty low on the list of priorities.