Steve Stamkos?

[Kin]

Well, the four teams in the Finals, for starters. Blues and Sharks both got far with tandems cobbled together of trades, reclamation projects, and not-stars they developed. The Lightning got someone who shook loose from Ottawa, went deep with him last year, and signed him to a big contract, which they're now trying to move. Pens just won the Cup with their younger, cheaper option and are now trying to move Fleury. -- I mean, seems there's been a pattern of teams going deep or winning with cheaper options, overpaying them, and regretting it as they're passed by teams getting value of cheaper, younger options. 

Thing is, if you look at any of the goalies on those teams that actually got developed by the teams they're on you'll see that four years is the absolute minimum it takes from the draft to when they're able to significantly contribute. Allen and Fleury are the only goalies drafted by the teams who made the conference finals who've played 30+ games in a season. In Fleury's case it wasn't until five years post draft where he played 40+ games with a better than league average save percentage and in Allen's case it was seven years post draft.

So if drafting and developing a goalie figures to play a part in any future Leafs success either you have to make a compelling case that that guy is already in the system or realistically that's not going to be happening until the next decade.

 

[Redleaf]

I think he'll sign with whoever offers him the most money. I think he should sign with whoever offers him the most money. I don't want that to be the Leafs.

Disagree.

 

[Kin]

I think he'll sign with whoever offers him the most money. I think he should sign with whoever offers him the most money. I don't want that to be the Leafs.

Disagree.

I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who gets to weigh in on what it is I think.

 

[Redleaf]

I think he'll sign with whoever offers him the most money. I think he should sign with whoever offers him the most money. I don't want that to be the Leafs.

Disagree.

I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who gets to weigh in on what it is I think.

I didn't say you were wrong. Nor did I demand you provide facts to support your opinion. Therein lies the difference. I don't see how that is so difficult to comprehend.

 

[Kin]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnTmBjk-M0c[/youtube]

 

[Tigger]

FORWARDS

J. Van Riemsdyk ($ 4,250,000) --- N. Kadri ($ 4,500,000) --- W. Nylander ($ 894,166)
L. Komarov ($ 2,950,000) --- A. Matthews ($ 925,000) --- Z. Hyman ($ 900,000)
M. Michalek ($ 4,000,000) --- T. Bozak ($ 4,200,000) --- C. Brown ($ 686,667)
N. Soshnikov ($ 736,666) --- B. Laich ($ 4,500,000) --- M. Marner ($ 894,166)

DEFENCE

M. Rielly ($ 5,000,000) --- M. Marincin ($ 1,500,000)
J. Gardiner ($ 4,050,000) --- N. Zaitsev ($ 925,000)
M. Hunwick ($ 1,200,000) --- C. Carrick ($ 1,000,000)

GOAL

J. Bernier ($ 4,150,000) --- G. 2 ($ 1,200,000)

Extras

R. Valiev ($ 778,333) --- C. Greening ($ 2,650,000) --- J. Lupul ($ 5,250,000)

---------------------------------------------------

Robidas IR, Horton IR, LTIR not engaged
2017 NHL Cap Limit: $ 72,800,000 ( conservative )
23 Player Roster Cap Used: $ 65,439,998
Hit from Buyout(s): + $ 683,333
2016 Bonus Overages: + $ 0 ( maybe a little problematic .5? )
Cap Retained in Trades : + $ 1,200,000
Cap Space Available : $ 5,476,669

 

[TBLeafer]

The latest from the mouth of Lou:

"Jonathan played very well at the end of the year," responded Lamoriello, when asked about upgrading his goaltending. "But I think we have to look at everything, if we can get better: whether it's goaltending, whether it's defense, whether it's forwards. We did end up 30th in the league. There's nothing that we cannot or should not be looking at, no matter what it is, to get better. Wherever we can get better, we have to do that, but not outside the framework of what we're going to do. It's an overused word, but the 'plan.' We're not going to rush anything, but whatever can be done, will be done."

http://www.tsn.ca/maple-leafs-open-for-business-ahead-of-draft-1.511332

Yep.  The 'plan'  is still as clear as mud.

 

[bustaheims]

The latest from the mouth of Lou:

"Jonathan played very well at the end of the year," responded Lamoriello, when asked about upgrading his goaltending. "But I think we have to look at everything, if we can get better: whether it's goaltending, whether it's defense, whether it's forwards. We did end up 30th in the league. There's nothing that we cannot or should not be looking at, no matter what it is, to get better. Wherever we can get better, we have to do that, but not outside the framework of what we're going to do. It's an overused word, but the 'plan.' We're not going to rush anything, but whatever can be done, will be done."

http://www.tsn.ca/maple-leafs-open-for-business-ahead-of-draft-1.511332

Yep.  The 'plan'  is still as clear as mud.

I thought this was the most interesting part of the article:

And that's perhaps the most telling thing Lamoriello said in our interview Monday morning, that despite all the excitement that's building for this revamping roster, Leafs management is saying it's not going to jump a step in its long-term goal of building a team that contends for years.

AKA - Patience, young grasshopper.

 

[TBLeafer]

The latest from the mouth of Lou:

"Jonathan played very well at the end of the year," responded Lamoriello, when asked about upgrading his goaltending. "But I think we have to look at everything, if we can get better: whether it's goaltending, whether it's defense, whether it's forwards. We did end up 30th in the league. There's nothing that we cannot or should not be looking at, no matter what it is, to get better. Wherever we can get better, we have to do that, but not outside the framework of what we're going to do. It's an overused word, but the 'plan.' We're not going to rush anything, but whatever can be done, will be done."

http://www.tsn.ca/maple-leafs-open-for-business-ahead-of-draft-1.511332

Yep.  The 'plan'  is still as clear as mud.

I thought this was the most interesting part of the article:

And that's perhaps the most telling thing Lamoriello said in our interview Monday morning, that despite all the excitement that's building for this revamping roster, Leafs management is saying it's not going to jump a step in its long-term goal of building a team that contends for years.

AKA - Patience, young grasshopper.

You mean the writer's interpretation, that is in line with your views, vs. words that were said in the actual quote?

Based on what was said in the quote, it could just as easily go the other way.

Based on what was said in the quote, Lou is prepared for both options.  Either way, he is looking to improve this team NOW, so there goes your vision of them tanking for another top five pick next season.

 

[TBLeafer]

After NBA finals last night:

[tweet]744721780129038337[/tweet]

 

[Bullfrog]

Is this the quote you're referring to:?

"But if opportunities come about, you certainly have to be open to them."

Because that's about as open-ended and wishy-washy as you can get. If anything, this suggests they're not looking for opportunities. He clearly states "if they come about."

 

[Frank E]

Is this the quote you're referring to:?

"But if opportunities come about, you certainly have to be open to them."

Because that's about as open-ended and wishy-washy as you can get. If anything, this suggests they're not looking for opportunities. He clearly states "if they come about."

Honestly.  Everything that comes out of Leafs management is wishy washy...they really say absolutely nothing.

Anyone trying to dissect those quotes into anything definitive is crazy.

Lou:  "Maybe, maybe not.  Next question?"

 

[Kin]

Either way, he is looking to improve this team NOW, so there goes your vision of them tanking for another top five pick next season.

Except he didn't say that. Like Bullfrog/Frank said he didn't say anything specific whatsoever.

 

[TBLeafer]

Either way, he is looking to improve this team NOW, so there goes your vision of them tanking for another top five pick next season.

Except he didn't say that. Like Bullfrog/Frank said he didn't say anything specific whatsoever.

But doesn't that speak precisely to my original "clear as mud" interpretation when I posted that article?

 

[Kin]

But doesn't that speak precisely to my original "clear as mud" interpretation when I posted that article?

Sure. I think you can make some reasonable assumptions based on what they've done at the last two trade deadlines and last off-season but yes, fundamentally, we don't know what their plan is. That said even if you think busta is wrong in his interpretation it doesn't make the opposite position any righter.

 

[TBLeafer]

But doesn't that speak precisely to my original "clear as mud" interpretation when I posted that article?

Sure. I think you can make some reasonable assumptions based on what they've done at the last two trade deadlines and last off-season but yes, fundamentally, we don't know what their plan is. That said even if you think busta is wrong in his interpretation it doesn't make the opposite position any righter.

Of course not.  We must always just remember that this is just a fun debate between fans as the best way we think that Shanny should pursue the same eventual, common end goal. 

 

[herman]

The master at using a lot of words to say nothing in particular.

 

[leafsjunkie]

Lou spoke on Tim & Sid, if you listen around the 5 minute mark, I'd say it's telling. I don't see them having interest in Stamkos.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/lou-lamoriello-laying-foundation-acquiring-andersen/

 

[Redleaf]

Lou spoke on Tim & Sid, if you listen around the 5 minute mark, I'd say it's telling. I don't see them having interest in Stamkos.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/lou-lamoriello-laying-foundation-acquiring-andersen/

He says there are no plans to expedite the building process. I'm sure they'll have some well scripted statement that explains why picking up Stamkos isn't doing that. I'd start by saying Andersen is older than Stamkos and we just signed him to a 5 year deal.

 

[McGarnagle]

He says there are no plans to expedite the building process. I'm sure they'll have some well scripted statement that explains why picking up Stamkos isn't doing that. I'd start by saying Andersen is older than Stamkos and we just signed him to a 5 year deal.

In a position where we have virtually no prospects/depth/talent. We have stockpiled a number of forwards in these categories, however.