Unofficial 2013-2014 Armchair GM Thread

[TML fan]

The Leafs could make it happen, if you want to miss the playoffs for another 4-5 years.

 

[sneakyray]

So whats the thought of the avs thinking about exploring trading their first rounder this year?

I can't even begin to comprehend what it would take from the leafs to enter this conversation.

There's pretty much no way they trade out of the top 3 without getting an equivalent player in return. There's virtually no way the Leafs can enter the conversation for anything more than kicking the tires.

pretty much what I thought too...thats why i didn't even bother to throw out some names

 

[hockeyfan1]

Interesting article predicting what ifs...Leafs lineup for upcoming season  (Bolded denotes new signings)...

Defence pairings:
Phaneuf/Gunnarson
Franson /Fraser
Gardiner/Ference
Holzer, Kostka  (Extras)

Offence pairings:
Kessel/Weiss/Richards/Van Riemsdyk
Lupul/Kadri/Frattin
Komarov/Gaustad/Orr/Maclaren
McClement/Grabovski/Kulemin
Colborne, Hamilton  (Extras)

Goaltenders
Reimer
Scrivens

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1653420-predicting-how-each-toronto-maple-leaf-line-will-look-in-2013-14/page/2

 

[Corn Flake]

bleacherreport.com?  :

 

[Corn Flake]

Sharks out after 1 round.

*Throws Thornton's name back on table*

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

From DGB

Up ? Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks

Perhaps no player in the league has suffered more from our love of postseason narrative than Thornton, the poster child for the superstar who racks up points in the regular season but just can?t get it done in the playoffs. Year after year, the Sharks would enter the playoffs as Cup contenders, only to be upset early on, thanks to yet another disappearing act by their captain.

It was a nice enough story, as long as you didn?t look too closely at the numbers. With the exception of a pair of pointless postseasons with the Bruins (one off which came when he was just 18 years old), Thornton?s playoff numbers have usually been decent. While his regular-season numbers were typically better, he?s never had less than 0.75 points per game in any postseason in San Jose. And since the 2004-05 lockout, just five players have scored more playoff points than Joe Thornton, with only Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin having done so in fewer games.

But no matter how much he scored or how hard he competed, everyone had made up their mind that Thornton was the problem. But that seems to be changing this year, even though his numbers look pretty much the same. Maybe it?s because this time it?s the Sharks who are pulling off the upsets, or maybe everyone is just getting tired of piling on, but Thornton is finally getting some long overdue credit. If he can lead the Sharks to a Game 7 win over the defending champs tonight, he may finally bury that choker label for good.

Although they could not get it done last night, largely in part due to Jonathan Quick being a glitch in the matrix, Joe Thornton is not the problem in San Jose and he isn't leaving there unless it's for a king's ransom.

 

[caver]

bleacherreport.com?  :

it's every bit as good a report as "The Weekly World News" (which has a great article this week about how to tell if your neighbours are werewolves!!).    8)

 

[L K]

I guess I hadn't really thought of Paul Gaustad though.  His shoulders might be done though and that could be a big problem in terms of relying on him for depth down the middle/reliable faceoffs.  He is good on the draw though and as a 4th line center his defensive presence and size would be a nice addition.  He's pretty much useless offensively anymore though.

Maybe a cheap option given that he is still rehabbing from shoulder surgery?  I mean if say they went with a bottom 6 of, that might be a pretty solid improvement in the lineup at a fairly reasonable cost (hopefully).  That would free up money to maybe try and add a defensive minded top 4 defenseman (Scuderi would be great IMO) and then still have money to consider what you do with Bozak.

McLemment - Grabovski - Colborne
Gaustad - Gordon - Komarov
Orr

 

[Champ Kind]

With all the CRAAAZZZZYYYY scenarios being thrown around, there's been no real mention of some pretty decent goalie options in the UFA group this year.  Niklas Backstrom and Mike Smith are both available.  The former could make an outstanding 1b and the latter might be an upgrade over Reimer.

I know where I'd lean: I'd try to pry Backstrom away from the Wild.  Not sure what it would take, whetehr he was at all interested, or what.  But, if available, Backstrom on a 2 or 3 year deal would be great.

 

[bustaheims]

With all the CRAAAZZZZYYYY scenarios being thrown around, there's been no real mention of some pretty decent goalie options in the UFA group this year.  Niklas Backstrom and Mike Smith are both available.  The former could make an outstanding 1b and the latter might be an upgrade over Reimer.

The latter had one good season protected behind a very solid defensive team in Phoenix and has been fairly injury prone throughout his career, while the former put up pretty middle of the pack numbers through his past few injury plagued seasons in Minnesota and was really pretty ordinary this past season. I'd avoid both of them, as they're both likely to get more money than I'd want to pay them for the role they'd be playing for the Leafs.

 

[Kin]

I'd avoid both of them, as they're both likely to get more money than I'd want to pay them for the role they'd be playing for the Leafs.

That's where I come down on it. I buy the argument that back-up/emergency valve goalie is a position the Leafs might want to look into improving but when you're talking about 3-4 million(or possibly more) on a multi-year deal for that kind of money I'd have to have far more serious doubts about Reimer for it to be worth it.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I'd avoid both of them, as they're both likely to get more money than I'd want to pay them for the role they'd be playing for the Leafs.

That's where I come down on it. I buy the argument that back-up/emergency valve goalie is a position the Leafs might want to look into improving but when you're talking about 3-4 million(or possibly more) on a multi-year deal for that kind of money I'd have to have far more serious doubts about Reimer for it to be worth it.

I also have my doubts how much better either would be than our current backup who posted a 2.69 gaa and .915 sv pct while notching 7 wins in 16 games with terrible goal support.

 

[hockeyfan1]

bleacherreport.com?  :

it's every bit as good a report as "The Weekly World News" (which has a great article this week about how to tell if your neighbours are werewolves!!).    8)

That's why it's so interesting.  Oh, by the way, may I ask you what happened to "Bat Boy"!?
Might make a nice fit for the Leafs.    ;D 

 

[Britishbulldog]

Sharks out after 1 round.

*Throws Thornton's name back on table*

***cough***Sharks out after 2 rounds.***/cough***

*Leaves Thornton's name on the table*

 

[Big Daddy]

If Patrick Roy really said they are young enough already and would be willing to trade the #1 we better be offering practically anything to get MacKinnon

 

[Corn Flake]

If Patrick Roy really said they are young enough already and would be willing to trade the #1 we better be offering practically anything to get MacKinnon

Yup.  Anything.  Literally.

 

[mc]

If Patrick Roy really said they are young enough already and would be willing to trade the #1 we better be offering practically anything to get MacKinnon

Yup.  Anything.  Literally.

Wonder what type of package would get Mackinnon....

 

[Corn Flake]

If Patrick Roy really said they are young enough already and would be willing to trade the #1 we better be offering practically anything to get MacKinnon

Yup.  Anything.  Literally.

Wonder what type of package would get Mackinnon....

Kadri +
Gardiner +
Rielly +++

Assume Avs would lean towards a Gardiner + deal, based on need for defense.

 

[Corn Flake]

I think Grabbo should be moved to the wing next year.  That is all.

 

[Big Daddy]

They have enough young guys is what Roy said.  I think or hope that they would be looking at something like Grabovski, Kulemin and Liles.  Salary is not an issue with them.