The Official 2011/2012 Armchair GM thread

[Madferret]

Have the Pens given any indication that they want to move Staal or is this just speculation?

There was something about Shero acknowledging that changes need to be made or something along those lines, but, that's about it.

Interesting. That was Staal's best year statistically and he was one of the few Pens to show-up for the playoffs. If Shero meant changes as in MAF is no longer playing 60 games a season then getting Vokoun addresses that.

The 2+2 that some of us are putting together with the Pens making changes is the  defense needs help as much as the goaltending did.  The Flyers were manhandling them down low and although Fleury was a disaster with zero confidence, their d-men should take much of the blame too. 

So the assumption is that they will probably sacrifice up front to address the defense, and Staal being on the verge of UFA, rumored to be looking for a more prominent role, is the obvious name to keep coming up.

Don't they have more than a couple of highly rated d prospects?

 

[Redleaf]

I really hope the Leafs are in on Schultz.

"Justin Schultz will not be an Anaheim Duck, He's informed us that he wishes to explore talks with the 29 other clubs, and that's his right under the current CBA." - Bob Murray

The plot thickens!!!

Man is Murray gonna be pissed if the Leafs pick up Schultz to play along side their other future star defenseman Jake Gardiner. **Fingers crossed**

 

[Zee]

I really hope the Leafs are in on Schultz.

"Justin Schultz will not be an Anaheim Duck, He's informed us that he wishes to explore talks with the 29 other clubs, and that's his right under the current CBA." - Bob Murray

The plot thickens!!!

Man is Murray gonna be pissed if the Leafs pick up Schultz to play along side their other future star defenseman Jake Gardiner. **Fingers crossed**

That would be cool.

 

[seahawk]

Have the Pens given any indication that they want to move Staal or is this just speculation?

So far it's speculation, abut why would the Pens give an indication?

I meant that as in media / rumor chatter

The way it was presented on the Hot Stove was that once Crosby gets his new contract, there will be too much of a cap crunch for the Pens to keep everybody. Staal was mentioned as the most likely one to be oved.

 

[maplesyrup]

Corey Pronman ‏@coreypronman

Another interesting note from @FriedgeHNIC in that Oilers have previously expressed interest for Luke Schenn.

Could start getting fun 'round here.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Have the Pens given any indication that they want to move Staal or is this just speculation?

So far it's speculation, abut why would the Pens give an indication?

I meant that as in media / rumor chatter

The way it was presented on the Hot Stove was that once Crosby gets his new contract, there will be too much of a cap crunch for the Pens to keep everybody. Staal was mentioned as the most likely one to be oved.

Another interesting point from Hot Stove was the idea that trading would ramp up quickly prior to July 1.  I'm wondering if we'll see a bunch of trades, already negotiated, immediately following a cup win. 

 

[Corn Flake]

Corey Pronman ‏@coreypronman

Another interesting note from @FriedgeHNIC in that Oilers have previously expressed interest for Luke Schenn.

Could start getting fun 'round here.

twitter just exploded.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Re: Staal being available

From Friedman's 30 Thoughts, talking about the Pens re-signing Crosby:

3. The assistant GM quoted above said this kind of extension for Crosby and what it means for Malkin would absolutely result in a new address for Jordan Staal, although not necessarily this season. "You can't have $22 million invested in one position, especially if the cap gets tighter."

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/opinion/2012/06/keeping-crosby-is-risky-business-for-penguins.html

 

[L K]

Corey Pronman ‏@coreypronman

Another interesting note from @FriedgeHNIC in that Oilers have previously expressed interest for Luke Schenn.

Could start getting fun 'round here.

twitter just exploded.

So did Burke.  I'm really starting to wonder whether he can handle Toronto.  He flips out over little things way too much for a guy who talks about players not being able to handle the city.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

?Typical of Hockey Night,? said Burke. ?I have never discussed this trade or any trade involving Luke Schenn to Edmonton.?

?Some editorial control at Hockey Night would be nice for a change,? he said.

Was he on TV saying this so you could hear his tone (i.e. was he animated)?  Otherwise I don't see how he is particularly riled up.  He's dismissing the rumours in his usual gruff way, as he's been doing forever.

 

[Etiam Vultus]

?Typical of Hockey Night,? said Burke. ?I have never discussed this trade or any trade involving Luke Schenn to Edmonton.?

?Some editorial control at Hockey Night would be nice for a change,? he said.

Was he on TV saying this so you could hear his tone (i.e. was he animated)?  Otherwise I don't see how he is particularly riled up.  He's dismissing the rumours in his usual gruff way, as he's been doing forever.

One of the things that Burke vowed to change when he came to Toronto was the constant leaking of trade discusions to the media.  (I personally believe that this is one of the many reasons why some members of the media do not like Burke.)

The Phaneuf and Giguere trades caught everyone by surprise, as none of the discussions had been leaked. 

 

[hockeyfan1]

Re: Jordan Staal and why the Leafs should get him...

Though he has one year left on his contract, the superb center may be available sooner than later thanks to the crushing reality of the salary cap and the pivot?s own natural desire to be the best he can be. And if this holds true, the Toronto Maple Leafs should throw the kitchen sink at Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero.

Why?

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Staal naturally fits the bill here, but becomes more intriguing thanks to his particular skill set. Staal is a two-way force who excels on the penalty kill, one of the bigger voids in Toronto right now. The Maple Leafs? PK finished 28th overall this past season, while Staal posted three shorthanded goals (one off the league lead) to squire the Pens to the third-best kill percentage.

Despite playing just 62 games in 2011-12, the big Thunder Bay, Ont., native also hit a career high with 50 points...keep in mind Staal was largely buried behind Evgeni Malkin and, in the past, Sidney Crosby..Staal?s running mates were grinders Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy. Now imagine what he?d do feeding passes to Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul.

Mikhail Grabovski has the second line locked down in Toronto and Clarke MacArthur is his wingman, along with restricted free agent Nikolai Kulemin, who had a down year, but has shown in the past what he?s capable of contributing.

Kessel and Lupul were two of the few point-per-game players in the NHL this past season and Staal?s big body and attention to defense would make the duo even more dangerous to contend with.

The Maple Leafs give Staal the chance to be the man, something he can only get in Pittsburgh when Crosby and Malkin are on the shelf..since he has a Stanley Cup ring already, the chance to play for a rebuilding team rather than one right on the cusp of a title is a little more alluring. Imagine the legacy of being the centerpiece in a Toronto championship.

Penguins want to keep Staal, but with his contract coming up at the same time as Crosby?s, decisions will have to be made...while the salary cap might be higher next season (who knows what a new CBA will decree), Pittsburgh will be in tough to balance its lineup. James Neal?s well-deserved $5 million cap hit kicks in next season and Malkin takes up $8.7 million of his own. Staal is entitled to at least the same as Neal.. While the Penguins aren?t rebuilding, they do need to look at the near future and do what?s best for the long term before it?s too late.

And Toronto would do well to be at the front door when that time comes.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/47649-If-Jordan-Staal-is-available-Maple-Leafs-must-pounce.html

 

[dappleganger]

Bozak, Schenn, Kadri for Staal and a 2nd.

two birds with one stone. It gets rid of the Leaf players most often mentioned in trade suggestions in one fell swoop.

 

[Corn Flake]

Bozak, Schenn, Kadri for Staal and a 2nd.

two birds with one stone. It gets rid of the Leaf players most often mentioned in trade suggestions in one fell swoop.

but THEN who will we talk about?

 

[maplesyrup]

Bozak, Schenn, Kadri for Staal and a 2nd.

two birds with one stone. It gets rid of the Leaf players most often mentioned in trade suggestions in one fell swoop.

but THEN who will we talk about?

Kulemin

* mindlessly follows Corn Flake into the woods *

 

[Etiam Vultus]

Bozak, Schenn, Kadri for Staal and a 2nd.

two birds with one stone. It gets rid of the Leaf players most often mentioned in trade suggestions in one fell swoop.

but THEN who will we talk about?

More time to complain about Komarisek.

 

[Corn Flake]

* mindlessly follows Corn Flake into the woods *

Plz bring smores.

 

[Erndog]

So listened to the Team 1200 today, the guys and Pierre were discussing how it appears the Blue Jackets have the #2 in play (willing to move down).

So, what would it take to go from 5 to 2? 

THEN, call Edmonton, flip #2 for #1 - they select Murray (like they should) and we select Yakupov.

I'm dreaming a little here but what do you think?  The 2 to 1 would probably be an easier deal to make than the 5 to 2 I think.

 

[maplesyrup]

So listened to the Team 1200 today, the guys and Pierre were discussing how it appears the Blue Jackets have the #2 in play (willing to move down).

So, what would it take to go from 5 to 2? 

THEN, call Edmonton, flip #2 for #1 - they select Murray (like they should) and we select Yakupov.

I'm dreaming a little here but what do you think?  The 2 to 1 would probably be an easier deal to make than the 5 to 2 I think.

I've been thinking about that scenario a while now.... I hate to bring up his name again but Kadri + 5? 

 

[Redleaf]

Bozak, Schenn, Kadri for Staal and a 2nd.

two birds with one stone. It gets rid of the Leaf players most often mentioned in trade suggestions in one fell swoop.

but THEN who will we talk about?

Kulemin

* mindlessly follows Corn Flake into the woods *

I'm thinking Kulemin might have to be included in the package used to get Staal. Malkin and Kulemin are friends and former line mates and showed some good chemistry together in Russia. He could be a reason for PIT to do a deal with the Leafs.