Unofficial 2012/2013 Armchair GM

[Kin]

Speculation around the Ducks ability to retain Getzlaf and Perry hasn't been favourable either.

I think a lot of that has been financially based though. If there's a significant reduction in the cap and, more importantly, a serious restriction placed on what other teams can offer them then I don't know that there's much of a reason to think Getzlaf is any more likely to leave than any other FA.

 

[Corn Flake]

I have a hard time recalling anyone they lost to free agency that they didn't at least partially choose to let go, but, by that same token, the last prominent player they let become a UFA was Paul Kariya - and that was almost a decade ago, and he only became a free agent because they didn't give him a qualifying offer.

It's not just free agency, I was thinking about talent retention in all different facets. The Pronger trade never really made sense other than they weren't going to be able to sign him long-term and they knew it.  That was their biggest loss by far.

So Pronger, Gardiner, selling Lupul at rock bottom, letting Beauch walk, miscalculating on Schultz, trading Wisniewski for a 3rd round pick would be the bigger ones of the last 2.5 years.  All rather significant assets they did not retain.  Also, generally replacing those guys with some pretty questionable players and obtaining guys like Hagman to make up for it. 

Also this goes with the fact they have had some sort of difficulty keeping Bobby Ryan happy.  If they lost him, Getzlaf and Perry in the next year there isn't much left.

 

[bustaheims]

It's not just free agency, I was thinking about talent retention in all different facets. The Pronger trade never really made sense other than they weren't going to be able to sign him long-term and they knew it.  That was their biggest loss by far.

So Pronger, Gardiner, selling Lupul at rock bottom, letting Beauch walk, miscalculating on Schultz, trading Wisniewski for a 3rd round pick would be the bigger ones of the last 2.5 years.  All rather significant assets they did not retain.  Also, generally replacing those guys with some pretty questionable players and obtaining guys like Hagman to make up for it. 

Also this goes with the fact they have had some sort of difficulty keeping Bobby Ryan happy.  If they lost him, Getzlaf and Perry in the next year there isn't much left.

The Ducks got a pretty good haul for Pronger, and the deal always struck me as a recognition that they needed to get younger and cheaper in order to get back to being a contending team. It hasn't worked out for them yet, but, when it's all said and done, the return from that deal (and the subsequent trade with Columbus for one of the picks involved in that deal) will likely form a large part of their core in a couple years.

As for the rest, outside of Beauchemin, there's a common thread there - they've all been trades. Other than Beauchemin and Schultz (who, outside of the hype, has yet to really show he belongs in the category of being "of note"), the Ducks haven't let anyone of note just walk away (unless they've retired). They've received something in return in every situation. These are guys they've decided were not part of their future, not guys that decided there future wasn't in Anaheim - none of them were given the opportunity to get to that point. And, sure, the return hasn't always been great, but, it's been more than nothing.

If Getzlaf and/or Perry aren't signed to extensions by the deadline and the Ducks are in a playoff hunt, they'll be moved for a fairly significant return, and, then, maybe they'll hit the UFA market - but, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they both decide they want to stick around. Bobby Ryan, on the other hand . . . that's a situation where there's likely to be some kind of movement once the whole CBA mess is resolved.

 

[Kin]

Other than Beauchemin and Schultz (who, outside of the hype, has yet to really show he belongs in the category of being "of note"), the Ducks haven't let anyone of note just walk away (unless they've retired).

And even in Beauchemin's case...I mean, it wasn't a great contract the Leafs signed.

 

[Champ Kind]

It's not just free agency, I was thinking about talent retention in all different facets. The Pronger trade never really made sense other than they weren't going to be able to sign him long-term and they knew it.  That was their biggest loss by far.

So Pronger, Gardiner, selling Lupul at rock bottom, letting Beauch walk, miscalculating on Schultz, trading Wisniewski for a 3rd round pick would be the bigger ones of the last 2.5 years.  All rather significant assets they did not retain.  Also, generally replacing those guys with some pretty questionable players and obtaining guys like Hagman to make up for it. 

Also this goes with the fact they have had some sort of difficulty keeping Bobby Ryan happy.  If they lost him, Getzlaf and Perry in the next year there isn't much left.

The Ducks got a pretty good haul for Pronger, and the deal always struck me as a recognition that they needed to get younger and cheaper in order to get back to being a contending team. It hasn't worked out for them yet, but, when it's all said and done, the return from that deal (and the subsequent trade with Columbus for one of the picks involved in that deal) will likely form a large part of their core in a couple years.

As for the rest, outside of Beauchemin, there's a common thread there - they've all been trades. Other than Beauchemin and Schultz (who, outside of the hype, has yet to really show he belongs in the category of being "of note"), the Ducks haven't let anyone of note just walk away (unless they've retired). They've received something in return in every situation. These are guys they've decided were not part of their future, not guys that decided there future wasn't in Anaheim - none of them were given the opportunity to get to that point. And, sure, the return hasn't always been great, but, it's been more than nothing.

If Getzlaf and/or Perry aren't signed to extensions by the deadline and the Ducks are in a playoff hunt, they'll be moved for a fairly significant return, and, then, maybe they'll hit the UFA market - but, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they both decide they want to stick around. Bobby Ryan, on the other hand . . . that's a situation where there's likely to be some kind of movement once the whole CBA mess is resolved.

I'd also add the Visnovsky trade to that list.  Acquired for Ryan Whitney, they turned around and got a 2'nd round pick for him.  Granted, his 11/12 season wasn't great but he had a monster season the year before (18 goals, 50 assists). 

 

[Corn Flake]

I'd also add the Visnovsky trade to that list.  Acquired for Ryan Whitney, they turned around and got a 2'nd round pick for him.  Granted, his 11/12 season wasn't great but he had a monster season the year before (18 goals, 50 assists).

But why did they make that trade in the first place? Whitney had a lot of upside and if not for injuries was a pretty darned good player.  Visnovsky was more expensive, older and then ran out of gas pretty quick.

I understand the Ducks got some return in these trades but they for the most part took big steps downward with each deal. 

In general the point was that the talent drain there has been quite substantial over the past 3 years. I wasn't intending to be specific about UFA.. "retain" was intended to be fairly general statement.

 

[Tigger]

If they lose even one of Getzlaf or Perry that drain will take on a large sucking sound...

 

[Britishbulldog]

Using the 58 mil cap I tried to see how it would go without Komi and Connolly...

FORWARDS
Joffrey Lupul ($4.250m) / Tyler Bozak ($1.500m) / Phil Kessel ($5.400m)
James Van Riemsdyk ($4.250m) / Mikhail Grabovski ($5.500m) / Nikolai Kulemin ($2.800m)
Clarke MacArthur ($3.250m) / Joe Colborne ($1.100m) / Matt Frattin ($0.925m)
David Steckel ($1.100m) / Jay McClement ($1.500m) / Mike Brown ($0.737m)
Leo Komarov ($1.200m) / Matthew Lombardi ($3.500m) / Nazem Kadri ($1.720m)
DEFENSEMEN
Carl Gunnarsson ($1.325m) / Dion Phaneuf ($6.500m)
Jake Gardiner ($1.117m) / Cody Franson ($1.500m)
John-Michael Liles ($3.875m) / Korbinian Holzer ($0.575m)
Mark Fraser ($0.600m) /
GOALTENDERS
James Reimer ($1.800m)
Ben Scrivens ($0.900m)
BUYOUTS
Darcy Tucker ($1.000m) / Colby Armstrong ($1.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $58,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $58,923,333; BONUSES: $1,875,000
CAP SPACE (24-man roster):- $923,333

That minus number would be mitigated by one contract among the forwards and the bonus cushion ( presuming that's in effect ), bringing the Leafs under that cap.

Not bad, of course a trade or two could really make that lineup more palatable.

Like yourself, I can't see the Leafs breaking up the 1st line and the chemistry between Lupul and Kessel especially,
    also the 2nd line didn't gel last season but so I again I agree with you and see JVR there. Hopefully JVR with Grabovski and Kulemin is an improvement on MacArthur on that line.

    That leaves the 12 signed players for the final 6 spots at forward being Connolly $4.75 MIL, Lombardi $3.5 MIL, MacArthur $3.25 MIL, Kadri $1.72 MIL, McClement $1.5, Komarov $1.2 MIL, Steckel $1.1 MIL, Colborne $1.1MIL, Ashton $1.04 MIL, Orr $1.0 MIL, Frattin $0.9 MIL and Brown $0.74 (whom the Leafs brass LOVE)  I hope the 3 in blue make it leaving 3 spots for the remaining 9 players.

The Leafs can trade any of the remaining 9 forwards but I would think that McClement is obviously staying.  I wish the other players could be traded for draft picks and 2 tough players who can still play.

I feel that Burke thinks that he has assembled his core forwards, Kessel, Lupul, JVR and Grabovski since he pursued the first 3 and signed the 4th to a HUGE contract for a small 2nd line center. Are those 4 forwards complete enough in talent, leadership and strength to lead the Leafs?  I am not convinced they are but we really can't add another $4 + MIL forward without sacrificing defensemen salaries and goalie.  Rule of thumb for teams that develop great goaltending seems to be is that you need around $7 MIL for the starting goalie and back up.  $20 MIL seems to cover a typical defense with a stud and 3 solid dmen filling the 1st and 2nd pairings (ranging from $3.5 - $5.5 MIL).

Going through the whole league only 1 team has more than 5 players signed with cap hits over $5 MIL.....Chicago

(and the terrible mismanagement of their contracts still cost them Versteeg, Byfuglien, Ladd, Heut, Niemi, depth dmen Sopel and Barker, tough depth players Eager, Burrish, Fraser, Hawks GM admits it is "simply a salary cap move" and arguably even Campbell)

......most have 4 or less, Dallas has not 1 contract over $5 MIL.

That is why I realistically feel that the Leafs won't get any other players that us fans dream about like Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan, (for me E Kane), etc.  Burke hasn't left the room cap-wise especially if the ceiling goes to $60 MIL with no player salary rollback.

The roster is the roster.  Can you sense my sorrow as a dreamer??  Did I mention I hate the makeup of the current defense as well? 

Top 5 pick again?

 

[Champ Kind]

Going through the whole league only 1 team has more than 5 players signed with cap hits over $5 MIL.....Chicago


......most have 4 or less, Dallas has not 1 contract over $5 MIL.

Very good post, Bulldog.  I always like reading your analysis of the lineup.

I think, though, that identifying the teams with >5 $5M / year cap hits is less relevant than looking at, say, teams allocating 50% (or so) of their salary cap to a limtied group of players.  What I mean here is this:

Is it really detrimental for a team to have 5 contracts at $5M per season, when other teams may have 3 or 4 or 5 that eat up a significant portion of the cap?  Tampa Bay (Lecavalier, St. Louis, Stamkos, Ohlund, Malone), Pittsburgh (Crosby, Malkin, Martin, Fleury) and Vancouver (Sedins, Kessler, Luongo) come quickly to mind.

In my opinion, it`s not necessarily the top 5 contracts that will make or break a team.  It`s finding real, significant value on the lesser deals that separate the successful teams from the poor performers.  Usually, these bottom half players are young.  If this perspective holds true, then (provided decent goaltending) the Leafs should be a better team.

Also, see the deal Jiri Lehtonen just signed with the Stars.

 

[Bender]

Using the 58 mil cap I tried to see how it would go without Komi and Connolly...

FORWARDS
Joffrey Lupul ($4.250m) / Tyler Bozak ($1.500m) / Phil Kessel ($5.400m)
James Van Riemsdyk ($4.250m) / Mikhail Grabovski ($5.500m) / Nikolai Kulemin ($2.800m)
Clarke MacArthur ($3.250m) / Joe Colborne ($1.100m) / Matt Frattin ($0.925m)
David Steckel ($1.100m) / Jay McClement ($1.500m) / Mike Brown ($0.737m)
Leo Komarov ($1.200m) / Matthew Lombardi ($3.500m) / Nazem Kadri ($1.720m)
DEFENSEMEN
Carl Gunnarsson ($1.325m) / Dion Phaneuf ($6.500m)
Jake Gardiner ($1.117m) / Cody Franson ($1.500m)
John-Michael Liles ($3.875m) / Korbinian Holzer ($0.575m)
Mark Fraser ($0.600m) /
GOALTENDERS
James Reimer ($1.800m)
Ben Scrivens ($0.900m)
BUYOUTS
Darcy Tucker ($1.000m) / Colby Armstrong ($1.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $58,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $58,923,333; BONUSES: $1,875,000
CAP SPACE (24-man roster):- $923,333

That minus number would be mitigated by one contract among the forwards and the bonus cushion ( presuming that's in effect ), bringing the Leafs under that cap.

Not bad, of course a trade or two could really make that lineup more palatable.

Like yourself, I can't see the Leafs breaking up the 1st line and the chemistry between Lupul and Kessel especially,
    also the 2nd line didn't gel last season but so I again I agree with you and see JVR there. Hopefully JVR with Grabovski and Kulemin is an improvement on MacArthur on that line.

    That leaves the 12 signed players for the final 6 spots at forward being Connolly $4.75 MIL, Lombardi $3.5 MIL, MacArthur $3.25 MIL, Kadri $1.72 MIL, McClement $1.5, Komarov $1.2 MIL, Steckel $1.1 MIL, Colborne $1.1MIL, Ashton $1.04 MIL, Orr $1.0 MIL, Frattin $0.9 MIL and Brown $0.74 (whom the Leafs brass LOVE)  I hope the 3 in blue make it leaving 3 spots for the remaining 9 players.

The Leafs can trade any of the remaining 9 forwards but I would think that McClement is obviously staying.  I wish the other players could be traded for draft picks and 2 tough players who can still play.

I feel that Burke thinks that he has assembled his core forwards, Kessel, Lupul, JVR and Grabovski since he pursued the first 3 and signed the 4th to a HUGE contract for a small 2nd line center. Are those 4 forwards complete enough in talent, leadership and strength to lead the Leafs?  I am not convinced they are but we really can't add another $4 + MIL forward without sacrificing defensemen salaries and goalie.  Rule of thumb for teams that develop great goaltending seems to be is that you need around $7 MIL for the starting goalie and back up.  $20 MIL seems to cover a typical defense with a stud and 3 solid dmen filling the 1st and 2nd pairings (ranging from $3.5 - $5.5 MIL).

Going through the whole league only 1 team has more than 5 players signed with cap hits over $5 MIL.....Chicago

(and the terrible mismanagement of their contracts still cost them Versteeg, Byfuglien, Ladd, Heut, Niemi, depth dmen Sopel and Barker, tough depth players Eager, Burrish, Fraser, Hawks GM admits it is "simply a salary cap move" and arguably even Campbell)

......most have 4 or less, Dallas has not 1 contract over $5 MIL.

That is why I realistically feel that the Leafs won't get any other players that us fans dream about like Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan, (for me E Kane), etc.  Burke hasn't left the room cap-wise especially if the ceiling goes to $60 MIL with no player salary rollback.

The roster is the roster.  Can you sense my sorrow as a dreamer??  Did I mention I hate the makeup of the current defense as well? 

Top 5 pick again?

I think you're crazy to think Grabbo isn't worth the money. The guy plays far bigger than his size, he's responsible, talented and can score. I'm not sure what else you want in a second line centre. It's not like he's getting beat by the competition, I would argue he's our most complete forward.

 

[Corn Flake]

I think you're crazy to think Grabbo isn't worth the money. The guy plays far bigger than his size, he's responsible, talented and can score. I'm not sure what else you want in a second line centre. It's not like he's getting beat by the competition, I would argue he's our most complete forward.

I can't wait to see what Grabbo does in the magical event this team finally makes the playoffs.  I think he's one of those players who steps up into a whole new level when the game pressure ratchets up.

One of these days........ 

 

[Britishbulldog]

I feel that Burke thinks that he has assembled his core forwards, Kessel, Lupul, JVR and Grabovski since he pursued the first 3 and signed the 4th to a HUGE contract for a small 2nd line center. Are those 4 forwards complete enough in talent, leadership and strength to lead the Leafs?  I am not convinced they are but we really can't add another $4 + MIL forward without sacrificing defensemen salaries and goalie.  Rule of thumb for teams that develop great goaltending seems to be is that you need around $7 MIL for the starting goalie and back up.  $20 MIL seems to cover a typical defense with a stud and 3 solid dmen filling the 1st and 2nd pairings (ranging from $3.5 - $5.5 MIL).

That is why I realistically feel that the Leafs won't get any other players that us fans dream about like Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan, (for me E Kane), etc.  Burke hasn't left the room cap-wise especially if the ceiling goes to $60 MIL with no player salary rollback.

The roster is the roster.  Can you sense my sorrow as a dreamer??  Did I mention I hate the makeup of the current defense as well? 

Top 5 pick again?

I think you're crazy to think Grabbo isn't worth the money. The guy plays far bigger than his size, he's responsible, talented and can score. I'm not sure what else you want in a second line centre. It's not like he's getting beat by the competition, I would argue he's our most complete forward.

I guess with Grabbo I looked at the pending lock out and the possible lower cap figured that it is reckless to pay a #2 center that much money when there are holes in the roster.

Looking at the team now I still think that there are things that should change especially if there is a $61.6 MIL cap and all contracts $1 MIL or more count towards the cap.

They only way teams will achieve this is basically what Champ Kind stated which is blending veteran contracts with good rookie ones.  The rest of the roster spots will be filled by low cost players.

Like I said above Grabbo got re-signed to a lucrative contract by Burke plus Kessel, Lupul and JVR were pursued by Burke so they seem to be the 4 cornerstones that Burke believes will lead the Leafs to the Stanley Cup.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Was Lupul not just seen as a throw in so the Ducks could rid themselves of cash and the Leafs took a chance that he'd return to form? If anything, I'd think he's a surprising bonus(if he continues to produce).

 

[Deebo]

Was Lupul not just seen as a throw in so the Ducks could rid themselves of cash and the Leafs took a chance that he'd return to form? If anything, I'd think he's a surprising bonus(if he continues to produce).

That's how fans/media seem to view it, but not how Burke described it after the deal went down.

 

[Corn Flake]

Was Lupul not just seen as a throw in so the Ducks could rid themselves of cash and the Leafs took a chance that he'd return to form? If anything, I'd think he's a surprising bonus(if he continues to produce).

Yes except for those with crystal balls.  Even Burke was apologizing for his contract at the time, saying things like "not his fault he got the contract he did" but did say he liked him a lot as a player. 

 

[Britishbulldog]

Was Lupul not just seen as a throw in so the Ducks could rid themselves of cash and the Leafs took a chance that he'd return to form? If anything, I'd think he's a surprising bonus(if he continues to produce).

Yes except for those with crystal balls.  Even Burke was apologizing for his contract at the time, saying things like "not his fault he got the contract he did" but did say he liked him a lot as a player.

That's the way that I remember it as well.  Lupul was disappointed in being included in the Pronger trade to Anaheim but it was reported that Lupul was a key piece requested in the package so Burke reluctantly traded him.

His ability wasn't question I don't think.  I believe his ability to recover enough to reach his original potential was more the thing everyone wondered. 

I was watching some high lights of Lupul and Kessel together last season and was quite surprised at their chemistry together as well as Lupul's fiestiness.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Was Lupul not just seen as a throw in so the Ducks could rid themselves of cash and the Leafs took a chance that he'd return to form? If anything, I'd think he's a surprising bonus(if he continues to produce).

That's how fans/media seem to view it, but not how Burke described it after the deal went down.

Well he's not going to come out and say "We got that Lupul guy as well. He use to be okay but now he was just a throw in. If he get's better, great. If not, screw him"

 

[Britishbulldog]

Oh no...the league is suing and the union might be dissolving and in the midst of it I am dreaming about the Leafs lineup again....

Looking at Boston, Philadelphia, LA, NYR, St. Louis, etc and what was done to their rosters this summer I feel the Leafs roster couldn't compete in toughness at the forward or defense position. 

So Burke is committed to Grabbo, Kessel, Lupul and JVR as the Leafs top paid forwards.  Besides them I feel the Leafs need to keep Kulemin, Frattin, Colborne and Komarov.  I figure the Leaf brass love Brown and McClement so that leaves only 2 forward roster spots open which I would use to upgrade toughness.

On defence, I would like to see Phaneuf stay as the top pairing guy for another 10 years if his body can take it.  I would like to see a top young RH defensive dman brought in to replace what the Leafs thought they had in Schenn.

Komisarek is here another year and then Reilly is going to probably make the Leafs who plays a completely different style but I hope Komisarek isn't re-signed under any circumstances including blackmail. This year I see Gardiner on the 2nd pairing.

Fraser is a big, tough dependable 6th dman and I would like to see him paired with Franson who has a bit of offensive upside on the 3rd pairing.

I don't see how Kadri fits in the Leafs top 6...or bottom 6 for that matter even though he is playing so well. 

Even though he is reported as being captain material, I also don't see where JM Liles fits as he isn't as good offensively as Gardiner, Reilly or Phaneuf and not imposing defensively either. Burke signed Liles to a long term deal though.  I think both are great trade bait.

So here is what I think needs to happen:

- Add 2 tough players (ofcourse I still like Stewart on 2nd line and Eager on 4th),
- Add 1 top defensive RH dman prospect (dreaming for Gudbranson for Kadri, top dman prospect (Blacker or Holzer), veteran dman (JM Liles), veteran forward (Steckel or Bozak) and a 2nd pick),

dump (hopefully) - Connolly and Lombardi for anything and use the assets received to get Eager.

Trade bait - Kadri, MacArthur, JM Liles, Steckel, Bozak, Gunnarson as well as 1 or 2 other prospects/picks and maybe a goalie prospect if a veteran goalie is pursued (Scrivens??)


- ****MAYBE $3.5 - $5.5 MIL veteran goalie (only if there is no patience to develop one from within over the next 3 seasons like LA did which is what I would personally prefer).

In the pressbox:
- Orr (as I suspect with the new CBA his salary will be counting against the cap no matter where he plays and he can take Brown's place for the 25 - 30 games Brown is injured),
- Lombardi (if he isn't moved) and a
- dman.

SALARY CAP: $70,200,000; CAP PAYROLL: $58,490,833; BONUSES: $3,325,000
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $15,034,167

This year Lombardi's hit of $3.5 MIL will be gone and then next year Komisarek's $4.5 MIL hit, Orr's $1 MIL plus Darcy and Colby's buyouts for $2 MIL, will all be gone lowering the payroll $11 MIL dropping the Leafs payroll down to around $44 MIL well below the expected $61 MIL cap.

A tough, fast, young team for many years.

 

[Bender]

Oh no...the league is suing and the union might be dissolving and in the midst of it I am dreaming about the Leafs lineup again....

Looking at Boston, Philadelphia, LA, NYR, St. Louis, etc and what was done to their rosters this summer I feel the Leafs roster couldn't compete in toughness at the forward or defense position. 

So Burke is committed to Grabbo, Kessel, Lupul and JVR as the Leafs top paid forwards.  Besides them I feel the Leafs need to keep Kulemin, Frattin, Colborne and Komarov.  I figure the Leaf brass love Brown and McClement so that leaves only 2 forward roster spots open which I would use to upgrade toughness.

On defence, I would like to see Phaneuf stay as the top pairing guy for another 10 years if his body can take it.  I would like to see a top young RH defensive dman brought in to replace what the Leafs thought they had in Schenn.

Komisarek is here another year and then Reilly is going to probably make the Leafs who plays a completely different style but I hope Komisarek isn't re-signed under any circumstances including blackmail. This year I see Gardiner on the 2nd pairing.

Fraser is a big, tough dependable 6th dman and I would like to see him paired with Franson who has a bit of offensive upside on the 3rd pairing.

I don't see how Kadri fits in the Leafs top 6...or bottom 6 for that matter even though he is playing so well. 

Even though he is reported as being captain material, I also don't see where JM Liles fits as he isn't as good offensively as Gardiner, Reilly or Phaneuf and not imposing defensively either. Burke signed Liles to a long term deal though.  I think both are great trade bait.

So here is what I think needs to happen:

- Add 2 tough players (ofcourse I still like Stewart on 2nd line and Eager on 4th),
- Add 1 top defensive RH dman prospect (dreaming for Gudbranson for Kadri, top dman prospect (Blacker or Holzer), veteran dman (JM Liles), veteran forward (Steckel or Bozak) and a 2nd pick),

dump (hopefully) - Connolly and Lombardi for anything and use the assets received to get Eager.

Trade bait - Kadri, MacArthur, JM Liles, Steckel, Bozak, Gunnarson as well as 1 or 2 other prospects/picks and maybe a goalie prospect if a veteran goalie is pursued (Scrivens??)


- ****MAYBE $3.5 - $5.5 MIL veteran goalie (only if there is no patience to develop one from within over the next 3 seasons like LA did which is what I would personally prefer).

In the pressbox:
- Orr (as I suspect with the new CBA his salary will be counting against the cap no matter where he plays and he can take Brown's place for the 25 - 30 games Brown is injured),
- Lombardi (if he isn't moved) and a
- dman.

SALARY CAP: $70,200,000; CAP PAYROLL: $58,490,833; BONUSES: $3,325,000
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $15,034,167

This year Lombardi's hit of $3.5 MIL will be gone and then next year Komisarek's $4.5 MIL hit, Orr's $1 MIL plus Darcy and Colby's buyouts for $2 MIL, will all be gone lowering the payroll $11 MIL dropping the Leafs payroll down to around $44 MIL well below the expected $61 MIL cap.

A tough, fast, young team for many years.

AFAIK Connolly's contract is over this season. At this rate dumping him is irrelevant.

 

[louisstamos]

I'm glad in the midst of a lockout, I'm not the only one thinking about 2013 UFAs.

Two names really interest me, if there's a CBA before the summer...Ryan Getzlaf and Robyn Regehr (Perry too, but I think he'll probably re-sign in Anaheim, who will commit dollars to him and not Getz).  Getzlaf because we've needed a #1 centre since Sundin left.  Regehr is a bit of a risky one - he's 32, which isn't too old by any stretch - but possible issues with Phaneuf aside, he will be looking to maximize the length of his contract, which would but the Leafs in a bit of a weird situation with some very good d-men coming down the pike in Reilly, Percy, Fraser & Holzer, perhaps maybe 2 of whom could make the team next year. (further complicated by JM Liles still having another 3 years after "this year.")  I think with only one year left, perhaps this summer would be the time to buyout Komisarek?

I also think we would need another big, gritty, penalty killing winger for the 3rd line.  Clarkson, Higgins & LaRose are all UFAs in 2013 that pique my interest.  The other option is to put Kulemin on the 3rd line, and find a scoring winger to play on the 2nd.

Resign Lupul.  Try and resign Steckel, unless you want to give Colborne a shot on the 4th line in a Brian Boyle type role.  Let Connoly, Bozak & Lombardi walk.  And although a tough choice, I'd probably let MacArthur walk as well...I think one of Kadri or Frattin can work their way to his spot in the line up.

So much of this depends on the cap and the CBA, but I would like to see a 2013-14 roster that looks like this:

Lupul - Getzlaf - Kessel
Kulemin - Grabovski - vanReimsdyk
Clarkson - McClement - Frattin
Brown - Steckel/Colborne - Komarov

Regehr - Phaneuf
Liles - Gardiner
Gunnarson - Holzer
Ranger

Reimer
other goalie (Jimmy Howard and Mike Smith will be UFAs as well...hmm...)