The Official 2011/2012 Armchair GM thread

[Bender]

Anyone have interest in picking up Jagr (73GP 19G 35A 54P +5) for a year if he'd be interested?  Give us some size, puck possession, and leadership...
Maybe as a last option/stop gap solution for a year...

With the roster is as it is right now, he's not really a fit in terms of what the team really needs, but, depending on other moves that may happen, he's worth potentially considering.

Not all that interested as he's about as short term solution as you can get. I don't see a real benefit to having him outside of squeaking into the first round.

 

[bustaheims]

Not all that interested as he's about as short term solution as you can get. I don't see a real benefit to having him outside of squeaking into the first round.

Well, I suppose that depends on his attitude. He's a veteran who has seen just about everything the game has to offer, so, if he's willing to take on a mentorship type role, he'd be a great asset for a team filled with younger guys up front.

But, even if he's only a short-term, squeak into the first round type acquisition, at least he's the type that doesn't have an asset cost as well. He's not a fit right now, but, if MacArthur or someone like that is moved out in another deal, he could be a good placeholder type pick up for the year.

And, just to be clear, I'm not at all suggesting the Leafs should move someone out to fit Jagr in - just that, if other guys are moved out to fill other needs (goalie, 1st line centre, etc), Jagr could be a viable short-term replacement for them and allows the team to take a little more time to develop Kadri/D'Amigo/Ashton/whoever without feeling pressured to throw 'em in.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

He was apparently very good in a leadership role in Philly, all the players talked about how he was one of the hardest workers on the team.  Not that I think he would want to come to the Leafs, but if he did I think he would be a positive for the younger players to look at how he conducts himself.

 

[AvroArrow]

Anyone have interest in picking up Jagr (73GP 19G 35A 54P +5) for a year if he'd be interested?  Give us some size, puck possession, and leadership...
Maybe as a last option/stop gap solution for a year...

With the roster is as it is right now, he's not really a fit in terms of what the team really needs, but, depending on other moves that may happen, he's worth potentially considering.

Yeah, if we somehow cleaned house on some bad contracts and were able to slide Kulemin down to the 3rd line he could make for an interesting match with Grabovski and Mac or Kadri.

With that said, I can't see him being too interested in signing here unless we outbid every other team.

Yeah, my thought was to put Kulemin on the 3rd line (replacing Armstrong), and Jagr on the second.

There's not really a whole lot of good options out there to boost our top six, so I was just thinking aloud about him as a possibility.

 

[mustacheman]

The Leafs would have to over pay by a large margin to get Jagr to come to a team that has a very little chance at going deep in the post season. Plus there would have to be a stipulation in his contract to pay him a couple of million extra NOT to do that Benny Hillesque salute thing he does. It's not very truculent....

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Yeah, my thought was to put Kulemin on the 3rd line (replacing Armstrong), and Jagr on the second.

There's not really a whole lot of good options out there to boost our top six, so I was just thinking aloud about him as a possibility.

Something like:

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
Kadri-Grabovski-Jagr
Kulemin-Kelly-Armstrong
Crabb-Steckel-Brown

Wouldn't be too shabby. Still lots of options on the farm when injuries strike (Colborne, Frattin, Ashton). Making MacArthur, Connolly, and Lombardi disappear is obviously going to be a challenge though.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Something like:

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
Kadri-Grabovski-Jagr
Kulemin-Kelly-Armstrong
Crabb-Steckel-Brown

Wouldn't be too shabby. Still lots of options on the farm when injuries strike (Colborne, Frattin, Ashton). Making MacArthur, Connolly, and Lombardi disappear is obviously going to be a challenge though.

Not my fantasy line up but what I expect for next year:

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR ROSTER
Likely Leaf Lineup 2012/13
FORWARDS

Joffrey Lupul ($4.250m)    / Tyler Bozak ($1.500m) /    Phil Kessel ($5.400m)
Clarke MacArthur ($3.250m)    / Mikhail Grabovski ($5.500m) /    Nikolai Kulemin ($2.500m)
Matthew Lombardi ($3.500m)    / Tim Connolly ($4.750m) /    Colby Armstrong ($3.000m)
Joey Crabb ($0.750m)    / David Steckel ($1.100m) /    Mike Brown ($0.737m)
Jay Rosehill ($0.600m)    /    Colton Orr ($1.000m)​

DEFENSEMEN

Carl Gunnarsson ($1.325m) / Dion Phaneuf ($6.500m)
Jake Gardiner ($1.117m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
John-Michael Liles ($3.875m) / Cody Franson ($1.325m)
Mike Komisarek ($4.500m)​

GOALTENDERS

James Reimer ($1.800m)
Ben Scrivens ($1.100m)​

BUYOUTS
Darcy Tucker ($1.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,978,333; BONUSES: $212,500
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $321,667

 

[maplesyrup]

I expect the cap to go up a few million bucks. No way Burke doesn't spend what he can so I wouldn't expect status quo.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Cap increase or not, if Burke spends the entire summer sitting on his hands I'm gonna be pretty upset. That's the exact same line-up that got us the 5th overall pick. I think one more result like that and Burke's gonna have a not-so-pleasant conversation with the new bosses.

 

[maplesyrup]

Yes, that too.

 

[bustaheims]

Cap increase or not, if Burke spends the entire summer sitting on his hands I'm gonna be pretty upset. That's the exact same line-up that got us the 5th overall pick. I think one more result like that and Burke's gonna have a not-so-pleasant conversation with the new bosses.

Yup. I don't expect Burke to move mountains or anything this summer, but, there will definitely be changes that are more significant than having a different backup goalie.

 

[Tigger]

Not that it's a big deal but I don't have much hope for Orr coming back. I think Crabb will get a raise somewhere too, no way he makes the same money as last year ( yes, even guaranteed ) after being unrestricted.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Not that it's a big deal but I don't have much hope for Orr coming back. I think Crabb will get a raise somewhere too, no way he makes the same money as last year ( yes, even guaranteed ) after being unrestricted.

The method of my madness with Orr is as someone here noted: he could really fit into the Carlyle style team.  His issue is still that he only throws rights. 

Even this fight last week, if he changed hands a couple of times he would have pounded Desbiens.  http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/111544

He would be like Parros though stats-wise and role.  Orr is one of the hardest punchers in the league, reminds me of Baumgartner and Kocur in that way.  If he doesn't come back next year then it really doesn't matter to me.  I would prefer a more well rounded player that wasn't as good a fighter.  I just want to get my hopes up with Burke.

 

[Tigger]

I wish Orr the best and it was nice to see him get some action on the Marlies playoff run but he's hardly played since he was demoted and I think his skating issues are going to hold him back.

I'd prefer a more well rounded player too and I don't care if they're a 'heavyweight' at all.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Cap increase or not, if Burke spends the entire summer sitting on his hands I'm gonna be pretty upset. That's the exact same line-up that got us the 5th overall pick. I think one more result like that and Burke's gonna have a not-so-pleasant conversation with the new bosses.

Yup. I don't expect Burke to move mountains or anything this summer, but, there will definitely be changes that are more significant than having a different backup goalie.

I think what Burke wants (and the rest of us hopes for) is a big, 1st line center, a tough 2nd line winger and a better goalie.  You folks know who I want, and no it's not Dave Scatchard anymore...and Darryl, Andreychuk has retired.

Can Burke pull it off??  Yes.  Will he?  I don't try to know what he is thinking anymore.

If he does pull those 3 needed pieces off then I can't see how he could sign Suter or Parise.

 

[princedpw]

Cap increase or not, if Burke spends the entire summer sitting on his hands I'm gonna be pretty upset. That's the exact same line-up that got us the 5th overall pick. I think one more result like that and Burke's gonna have a not-so-pleasant conversation with the new bosses.

Yup. I don't expect Burke to move mountains or anything this summer, but, there will definitely be changes that are more significant than having a different backup goalie.

I think what Burke wants (and the rest of us hopes for) is a big, 1st line center, a tough 2nd line winger and a better goalie.  You folks know who I want, and no it's not Dave Scatchard anymore...and Darryl, Andreychuk has retired.

Can Burke pull it off??  Yes.  Will he?  I don't try to know what he is thinking anymore.

I dont follow.  Why would Burke not do what he wants and can do?

I think Burke wont get a first line center because no team will give him one.  Teams that have the elusive first line center dont typically give them up except possible at the trade deadline when they know they cant be resigned.

 

[Brian Glennie]

Not my fantasy line up but what I expect for next year:

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR ROSTER
Likely Leaf Lineup 2012/13
FORWARDS

Joffrey Lupul ($4.250m)    / Tyler Bozak ($1.500m) /    Phil Kessel ($5.400m)
Clarke MacArthur ($3.250m)    / Mikhail Grabovski ($5.500m) /    Nikolai Kulemin ($2.500m)
Matthew Lombardi ($3.500m)    / Tim Connolly ($4.750m) /    Colby Armstrong ($3.000m)
Joey Crabb ($0.750m)    / David Steckel ($1.100m) /    Mike Brown ($0.737m)
Jay Rosehill ($0.600m)    /    Colton Orr ($1.000m)​

DEFENSEMEN

Carl Gunnarsson ($1.325m) / Dion Phaneuf ($6.500m)
Jake Gardiner ($1.117m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
John-Michael Liles ($3.875m) / Cody Franson ($1.325m)
Mike Komisarek ($4.500m)​

GOALTENDERS

James Reimer ($1.800m)
Ben Scrivens ($1.100m)​

BUYOUTS
Darcy Tucker ($1.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,978,333; BONUSES: $212,500
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $321,667

He'll be the GM next year but I can't shake the feeling that Burke is already finished in Toronto.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Cap increase or not, if Burke spends the entire summer sitting on his hands I'm gonna be pretty upset. That's the exact same line-up that got us the 5th overall pick. I think one more result like that and Burke's gonna have a not-so-pleasant conversation with the new bosses.

Yup. I don't expect Burke to move mountains or anything this summer, but, there will definitely be changes that are more significant than having a different backup goalie.

I think what Burke wants (and the rest of us hopes for) is a big, 1st line center, a tough 2nd line winger and a better goalie.  You folks know who I want, and no it's not Dave Scatchard anymore...and Darryl, Andreychuk has retired.

Can Burke pull it off??  Yes.  Will he?  I don't try to know what he is thinking anymore.

I dont follow.  Why would Burke not do what he wants and can do?

I think Burke wont get a first line center because no team will give him one.  Teams that have the elusive first line center dont typically give them up except possible at the trade deadline when they know they cant be resigned.

I think Burke will hold out for some Utopian ideal (Nik3...is that redundant) and not close the deals that are possible but steep. 

 

[Britishbulldog]

Not my fantasy line up but what I expect for next year:

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR ROSTER
Likely Leaf Lineup 2012/13
FORWARDS

Joffrey Lupul ($4.250m)    / Tyler Bozak ($1.500m) /    Phil Kessel ($5.400m)
Clarke MacArthur ($3.250m)    / Mikhail Grabovski ($5.500m) /    Nikolai Kulemin ($2.500m)
Matthew Lombardi ($3.500m)    / Tim Connolly ($4.750m) /    Colby Armstrong ($3.000m)
Joey Crabb ($0.750m)    / David Steckel ($1.100m) /    Mike Brown ($0.737m)
Jay Rosehill ($0.600m)    /    Colton Orr ($1.000m)​

DEFENSEMEN

Carl Gunnarsson ($1.325m) / Dion Phaneuf ($6.500m)
Jake Gardiner ($1.117m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
John-Michael Liles ($3.875m) / Cody Franson ($1.325m)
Mike Komisarek ($4.500m)​

GOALTENDERS

James Reimer ($1.800m)
Ben Scrivens ($1.100m)​

BUYOUTS
Darcy Tucker ($1.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,978,333; BONUSES: $212,500
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $321,667

He'll be the GM next year but I can't shake the feeling that Burke is already finished in Toronto.

I wish Burke the best but this lineup is only $321,667 below the cap at 5th worst in the league.  The expensive contracts are bad and will be almost impossible to move to upgrade the team.

Surprise us Burkie, surprise us!

 

[Kin]

I dont follow.  Why would Burke not do what he wants and can do?

Because those things all have prices and the thing about Burke so far is that while he seems to be as competent as anyone in terms of identifying what the team's needs are what's held him up in a lot of deals is that he's been unable or unwilling to pay the price to make those deals.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. A lot of the prices being paid of late for talent upgrades have been high to the point where that reluctance is probably a smart thing but, as the analogy that got resurrected the other day said, there's only so long you can wait for the price of food to drop before you starve.