Unofficial 2012/2013 Armchair GM

[Corn Flake]

I think that for the leafs right now, signing 3rd, 4th line forwards at inflated UFA prices (UFA prices are always inflated relative to contracts given to non-UFAs) is just a waste of money. We have enough mediocre players.  In fact, we just bought one out.

It's why I would rather take a $8 mil cap hit on Parise for a decade than spend $8 mil worth of cap hit on 2-3 "meh" players.  Sign a Parise then fill the bottom two lines with $1 mil pluggers.  Worked for the Rangers.

 

[Redleaf]

I think that for the leafs right now, signing 3rd, 4th line forwards at inflated UFA prices (UFA prices are always inflated relative to contracts given to non-UFAs) is just a waste of money. We have enough mediocre players.  In fact, we just bought one out.

It's why I would rather take a $8 mil cap hit on Parise for a decade than spend $8 mil worth of cap hit on 2-3 "meh" players.  Sign a Parise then fill the bottom two lines with $1 mil pluggers.  Worked for the Rangers.

I'm with you on this, but Burke has already dismissed the possibility of signing big UFA names. Maybe he changes his mind? Hopefully. Parise would look pretty damn good in the Leafs lineup for the next 10 yrs.

 

[princedpw]

In an alternate universe, it would be interesting to obtain Nik Antropov and try him on the first line.  Big body.  Good passer.  Good defensively.  Good on the boards.  Just slow, but he can always headman the puck to Kessel/Lupul and catch up to them in the Ozone a few minutes later.

 

[TML fan]

I didn't like Antropov but I admit I was wrong about him. I'd love to have him back at centre.

 

[Tigger]

FORWARDS
Joffrey Lupul ($4.250m) / Tyler Bozak ($1.500m) / Phil Kessel ($5.400m)
James Van Riemsdyk ($4.250m) / Mikhail Grabovski ($5.500m) / Nikolai Kulemin ($2.500m)
Clarke MacArthur ($3.250m) / Tim Connolly ($4.750m) / Matt Frattin ($0.850m)
Matthew Lombardi ($3.500m) / Jay McClement ($1.500m) / David Steckel ($1.100m)
Mike Brown ($0.737m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Carl Gunnarsson ($1.325m) / Dion Phaneuf ($6.500m)
John-Michael Liles ($3.875m) / Jake Gardiner ($1.117m)
Mark Fraser ($0.650m) / Cody Franson ($1.200m)
Mike Komisarek ($4.500m) / Korbinian Holzer ($0.700m)
GOALTENDERS
James Reimer ($1.800m)
Jonathan Bernier ($1.250m)
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: $70,200,000; CAP PAYROLL: $64,003,333; BONUSES: $212,500
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $6,196,667

A catch all, if you will...

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I still think things are going to change. I'll bet that Burke is going to still trade. The cap seems about right though Tigger..

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Anybody else notice that Dimitri Vorobiev has shown up on our depth chart again? Has anybody heard anything about Burke bringing him over like Komarov?

Toronto Depth Chart

Just seems strange that he was gone from the list for a while and all of a sudden, during free agency, he shows up again. Could be nothing and probably is, but it was just a thought I had after seeing his name again on our depth chart.

 

[Tigger]

I like McClement too, but with Steckel assumed to be the 4th line centre, not the 3rd, then I think he is redundant.

That depends on whether Steckel's audition on the third line was a hit with Carlyle or not.

True, but also depends on the Connolly and Bozak situations, not to mention Colborne, Kadri etc... will be a lot of players auditioning for the 3rd line gig.

A revisit...

?(McClement) might push Steck down,? Burke said. ?But I think that?s where Steck probably belongs in terms of minutes, playing in the four hole, but on the first penalty-killing unit. So both those guys will probably end up with third-line minutes."

Apparently Jay will get a look there too but either way, this was the idea.

 

[Hampreacher]

I can see Burkes point on not getting taken in the Free Agent frenzy or not wanting Long term contracts but Parise and or Suter are eceptions. Leafs need an impact player. Parise if not both could be that type of player, one that one should make exceptions for.

 

[moon111]

I can see Burkes point on not getting taken in the Free Agent frenzy or not wanting Long term contracts but Parise and or Suter are eceptions. Leafs need an impact player. Parise if not both could be that type of player, one that one should make exceptions for.

Parise and Suter are turning down 10 year deals at over $80 million.  Might be the type of players they need, but not the contract.  People harp about what Komisarek gets paid.  Who's to say this would turn out any better?

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I think more and more, players are not only about money when they become an FA, but they really want to be in the right place for them. I suppose that is natural, but players use to be happy just getting a strong contract, now they want everything on their list to be in order.

 

[Redleaf]

I think more and more, players are not only about money when they become an FA, but they really want to be in the right place for them. I suppose that is natural, but players use to be happy just getting a strong contract, now they want everything on their list to be in order.

That's not necessarily a bad things for the Leafs. Once they start icing a better team and get a bit of success, I'm guessing more and more FA from the Ontario area will be willing to come home. As long as they realize with Burke in charge, it won't be a country club environment. They'll be here to win, not retire.

 

[Rebel_1812]

Anybody else notice that Dimitri Vorobiev has shown up on our depth chart again? Has anybody heard anything about Burke bringing him over like Komarov?

Toronto Depth Chart

Just seems strange that he was gone from the list for a while and all of a sudden, during free agency, he shows up again. Could be nothing and probably is, but it was just a thought I had after seeing his name again on our depth chart.

Since his draft was so long ago its not like we have his rights.  He would be a UFA if he came over.  Personally I don't think he will. 

 

[Hampreacher]

If they are impact players with some years ahead of them.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Since his draft was so long ago its not like we have his rights.  He would be a UFA if he came over.  Personally I don't think he will. 

Wait a second, don't teams hold rights indefinitely now for players in Europe?

 

[Corn Flake]

I think more and more, players are not only about money when they become an FA, but they really want to be in the right place for them. I suppose that is natural, but players use to be happy just getting a strong contract, now they want everything on their list to be in order.

I agree. At some point the amount of money being thrown around just becomes a number so bloody large, it really would start to blur in their minds.  They are winning the lottery here, so if it's the $80 or $85 mil jackpot, can it really make much difference?  The cash value of the contract almost takes a back seat to other factors.

I would think these guys are mostly trying to figure out what the teams will look like in 5 years and what their roles will be. 

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I would think these guys are mostly trying to figure out what the teams will look like in 5 years and what their roles will be. 

I don't know why the Leafs aren't more appealing, maybe it really is the fishbowl that is Toronto. I can see that this team is going to be getting a whole lot better, surely the players can, especially with their help.

 

[Corn Flake]

I would think these guys are mostly trying to figure out what the teams will look like in 5 years and what their roles will be. 

I don't know why the Leafs aren't more appealing, maybe it really is the fishbowl that is Toronto. I can see that this team is going to be getting a whole lot better, surely the players can, especially with their help.

Pretty sure in the Leafs case it is money and term. Maybe the team looks somewhat promising and both players have Burke/Team USA connections, but Burke doesn't seem willing to go past the 5-6 year contracts and if these guys are getting 13 year offers then Toronto is out of the picture before we even start.

 

[Corn Flake]

Part of me wonders if Burke stayed away from Suter because Weber is the guy he is going to go after next summer.  Without a doubt he is enamored with him, so no doubt he would take a run. 

 

[Andy007]

I don't know why the Leafs aren't more appealing, maybe it really is the fishbowl that is Toronto. I can see that this team is going to be getting a whole lot better, surely the players can, especially with their help.

If teams are offering 10, 12 and 13 yr contracts while Toronto's max offer is 5 or 6 years, no matter how much a player wants to play in Toronto, they almost have to accept one of the longer contracts (if not for themselves then at least to satisfy the PA).