Unofficial 2012/2013 Armchair GM

[maplesyrup]

I do like both players.

 

[#1PilarFan]

You're assuming all birds are equal.  If you're holding a chicken in your hand, I'll take my chances and go after the eagles in the bush...with the hopes of snagging at least one of them.

Guys like Legwand, Clowe, Weiss, et al, hardly qualify as eagles, and there's no guarantee the rest are available - especially considering a team like Anaheim's cap commitments.

Tanking is certainly not the option. Building a solid team that can compete immediately while integrating younger players into the system is. I haven't seen anyone suggest we "sell the farm" for short-term solutions. But Burke has put himself into a situation where he has to be either creative or start looking for a new job.

 

[armche123]

Maybe... But with Connolly, Army, and Lombardi, I'd just like to see the cap dollars used  elsewhere. - This "best bottom six (well highest paid) ever" thing isn't really working out.

I think Burke is going to trade a few guys from the forward ranks. We may not get anything of note back, but the cap savings will be good for other things, like promotion for a few guys.

+1

 

[Kessel Run]

What about Brandon Prust?  Sather was saying on the weekend doesn't look good for re-signing him.

I like Prust but aren't we rather flush in the bottom six department?

Rosehill is UFA so I was thinking might be an upgrade over Rosehill.

Maybe... But with Connolly, Army, and Lombardi, I'd just like to see the cap dollars used  elsewhere. - This "best bottom six (well highest paid) ever" thing isn't really working out.

It's quite obvious one of those three have got to go. Not only for the cap dollars but because they don't fit on the team anymore. However, I would love it if Armstrong could actually stay healthy this year and contribute "something" meaningful.

 

[maplesyrup]

I'm a fan or Army's. It killing me to see what's happened to him since he got here.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Have the Leafs released anything indicating who they have and have not qualified?

EDIT: I've seen Kulemin, Frattin and Scrivens mentioned as receiving QO offer, but not Holzer.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Have the Leafs released anything indicating who they have and have not qualified?

EDIT: I've seen Kulemin, Frattin and Scrivens mentioned as receiving QO offer, but not Holzer.

It sounds like the Sun may have just been taking an educated guess there. James Mirtle said today that the Leafs haven't commented on any qualifying offers yet. I wouldn't get too worried about it though.

 

[bustaheims]

Of the Leafs' RFAs, the only ones that are likely at risk of not receiving a QO are Fraser, Gysbers and Greenop. I'd say it's a fairly safe bet everyone else has received one.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Of the Leafs' RFAs, the only ones that are likely at risk of not receiving a QO are Fraser, Gysbers and Greenop. I'd say it's a fairly safe bet everyone else has received one.

The Marlies only have one defenceman signed right now (Blacker), so I'd be a little surprised if Fraser and Gysbers weren't brought back for at least another season.

 

[bustaheims]

The Marlies only have one defenceman signed right now (Blacker), so I'd be a little surprised if Fraser and Gysbers weren't brought back for at least another season.

Maybe, and Gysbers might get qualified, but, I doubt Fraser gets an NHL deal from the team.

 

[SchenNeuf]

You're assuming all birds are equal.  If you're holding a chicken in your hand, I'll take my chances and go after the eagles in the bush...with the hopes of snagging at least one of them.

Guys like Legwand, Clowe, Weiss, et al, hardly qualify as eagles, and there's no guarantee the rest are available - especially considering a team like Anaheim's cap commitments.

Tanking is certainly not the option. Building a solid team that can compete immediately while integrating younger players into the system is. I haven't seen anyone suggest we "sell the farm" for short-term solutions. But Burke has put himself into a situation where he has to be either creative or start looking for a new job.

The main point I was making is that the solution to the Leafs' problems (a legit #1 centre) is not available through free agency this year and signing Parise or trading for Nash (which would cost the farm) is not a solution.  I would say goaltending is the next most important issue and selling the farm to get Luongo isn't worth it in my opinion either.

Being patient and targetting next year's free agent class, which presents a number of decent options at a time when the Leafs will have significant cap room, while maximizing the value received for current assets, is what I believe it will take to make sure this team has long term success. 

I'm not suggesting they tank for the sake of a high pick.  That's just the ancillary benefit of toughing it out one more year before targetting key UFAs who are simply not available this year.

You also touched on another key point I made.  In theory, a GM should do what's in the best long term interests of the team; not implement a quick fix to save his job.  In reality, not many GMs would do that and I don't expect Burke to; but this is the armchair GM thread and I'm not worried about what Burke will do - I'm commenting about what I would as a GM.

 

[bustaheims]

There are some rumblings that Holzer may not have received a QO, which I find dubious at best. Hopefully, this will be cleared up soon.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

There are some rumblings that Holzer may not have received a QO, which I find dubious at best. Hopefully, this will be cleared up soon.

Rumblings from where? I've only read random twitter users freaking out about it, but they all seem to be going off that article in the Sun.

 

[bustaheims]

Rumblings from where? I've only read random twitter users freaking out about it, but they all seem to be going off that article in the Sun.

That's what I'm trying to figure out, and, I'm having a lot of trouble tracking down a source - hence, my contention of it being dubious.

 

[Etiam Vultus]

Rumblings from where? I've only read random twitter users freaking out about it, but they all seem to be going off that article in the Sun.

That's what I'm trying to figure out, and, I'm having a lot of trouble tracking down a source - hence, my contention of it being dubious.

Burke was aske about QO's in yesterdays presser.  He said something to the affect that everyone who needed to be qualified had been qualified.  However, the question was asked more in the context of the Leafs, so he may not have intended to include all of the players on the Marlies roster.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

After talking him up, hearing other sources say he is almost NHL ready, I can't see the Leafs making a huge oversight like not qualifying Holzer. They usually put something out on the Leafs site for the qualified players all at once, don't they?

If they didn't qualify him, I'll be pretty pissed, but I don't see that scenario playing out.

 

[nutman]

Yeah, gotta do something about Lombardi though... Ott and Army 1.0 vs Army 2.0 could be a real pain in the book pair of book-ends.

Lombardi just started to get warmed up from his injury, I would like to see what he could do when healthy. so I'm not sure Burke is going to anything with him just yet.

 

[Champ Kind]

You're assuming all birds are equal.  If you're holding a chicken in your hand, I'll take my chances and go after the eagles in the bush...with the hopes of snagging at least one of them.

Guys like Legwand, Clowe, Weiss, et al, hardly qualify as eagles, and there's no guarantee the rest are available - especially considering a team like Anaheim's cap commitments.

Tanking is certainly not the option. Building a solid team that can compete immediately while integrating younger players into the system is. I haven't seen anyone suggest we "sell the farm" for short-term solutions. But Burke has put himself into a situation where he has to be either creative or start looking for a new job.

The main point I was making is that the solution to the Leafs' problems (a legit #1 centre) is not available through free agency this year and signing Parise or trading for Nash (which would cost the farm) is not a solution.  I would say goaltending is the next most important issue and selling the farm to get Luongo isn't worth it in my opinion either.

Being patient and targetting next year's free agent class, which presents a number of decent options at a time when the Leafs will have significant cap room, while maximizing the value received for current assets, is what I believe it will take to make sure this team has long term success. 

I'm not suggesting they tank for the sake of a high pick.  That's just the ancillary benefit of toughing it out one more year before targetting key UFAs who are simply not available this year.

You also touched on another key point I made.  In theory, a GM should do what's in the best long term interests of the team; not implement a quick fix to save his job.  In reality, not many GMs would do that and I don't expect Burke to; but this is the armchair GM thread and I'm not worried about what Burke will do - I'm commenting about what I would as a GM.

Two things I'm not sure I agree with.  First, Parise is a franchise player, one who is rarely available without significant acquisition cost.  Not many of these guys come available.  Looking back, wouldn't it have changed the course of the franchise if the Leafs had signed Chara instead of Kubina and Gill?

Second, hinging your bets on next year's free agent class is a recipe for failure.  Teams are locking down key assets or moving them along if it appears they won't sign. 

I'm biased toward Parise and think he's the real-deal.

 

[Tigger]

Yeah, but Parise isn't very likely to sign in Toronto. If it happened I'd be pretty happy, but I just don't see it.

On another note, I'm interested to see if Deschamps can make the jump next year, he really turned his season around after the trade and had a fine playoff performance.

 

[SchenNeuf]

You're assuming all birds are equal.  If you're holding a chicken in your hand, I'll take my chances and go after the eagles in the bush...with the hopes of snagging at least one of them.

Guys like Legwand, Clowe, Weiss, et al, hardly qualify as eagles, and there's no guarantee the rest are available - especially considering a team like Anaheim's cap commitments.

Tanking is certainly not the option. Building a solid team that can compete immediately while integrating younger players into the system is. I haven't seen anyone suggest we "sell the farm" for short-term solutions. But Burke has put himself into a situation where he has to be either creative or start looking for a new job.

The main point I was making is that the solution to the Leafs' problems (a legit #1 centre) is not available through free agency this year and signing Parise or trading for Nash (which would cost the farm) is not a solution.  I would say goaltending is the next most important issue and selling the farm to get Luongo isn't worth it in my opinion either.

Being patient and targetting next year's free agent class, which presents a number of decent options at a time when the Leafs will have significant cap room, while maximizing the value received for current assets, is what I believe it will take to make sure this team has long term success. 

I'm not suggesting they tank for the sake of a high pick.  That's just the ancillary benefit of toughing it out one more year before targetting key UFAs who are simply not available this year.

You also touched on another key point I made.  In theory, a GM should do what's in the best long term interests of the team; not implement a quick fix to save his job.  In reality, not many GMs would do that and I don't expect Burke to; but this is the armchair GM thread and I'm not worried about what Burke will do - I'm commenting about what I would as a GM.

Two things I'm not sure I agree with.  First, Parise is a franchise player, one who is rarely available without significant acquisition cost.  Not many of these guys come available.  Looking back, wouldn't it have changed the course of the franchise if the Leafs had signed Chara instead of Kubina and Gill?

Second, hinging your bets on next year's free agent class is a recipe for failure.  Teams are locking down key assets or moving them along if it appears they won't sign. 

I'm biased toward Parise and think he's the real-deal.

I don't discount Parise's talent, but my only issue with Parise is that he's not a centre.  If we have a blueprint in place, it should be followed. 

As for next year's crop, I acknowledged that many of those players will be snapped up, but it seems that there are enough decent centres potentially in play where at least some of them will go to market.  I really think Getzlaf and Perry will hit the open market. 

Also, it's important to realize that next year there are a lot of contracts coming off the Leafs' books so they'll be better able to target high profile UFAs.  I don't think we have the cap room to get Parise right now without moving some high priced players.  Unfortunately I don't see many takers and I also don't see Burke shipping guys to the Marlies.