Unofficial 2013-2014 Armchair GM Thread
- Thread starter Champ Kind
- Start date
bustaheims
Active member
BC Leafs Fan said:
A change in the rules pertaining to trading players retained on matched offer sheets. He can't be traded for a calendar year from when Nashville agreed to match Philly's offer sheet.
Britishbulldog
Active member
Heroic Shrimp said:
I have been watching Weber since his contract negotiations started and the package Poile wanted for him was reported by Dreger as '92 Sean Couturier, '91 Brayden Schenn and a roster player which was deemed too high by NHL GMs hence no trades for Weber being made. So what is Weber really worth in the eyes of NHL GMs? After last season's performance by Couturier in shutting down Malkin in the playoffs, it looks like Poile would ask this summer for Kadri, Frattin and a roster player.
After Suter got signed by Minnesota, Radulov leaving plus losing Nashville's 2011's 1st pick, 2012's 1st Pick, in deals for Mike Fisher and Paul Gaustad (both considered top 3rd line shut down centers on their respective teams), it was being reported in various locations that Weber was frustrated by the direction of the team and was wanting out. In fact last summer the National Post reported that Weber actually flew to atleast 4 teams to discuss joining them including Philadelphia, Detroit, New York Rangers and San Jose.
Weber "repeatedly" told Holgren that he would join the Flyers if they created an offer sheet for him to sign. "In addition, Weber?s camp gave Holmgren additional leverage through their repeated assertions that Weber wants to be a Philadelphia Flyer. While neither Weber nor his agent has used the nuclear option ? promising to demand a trade immediately after the $27 million is paid prior to start of next season ? Weber is making it clear that his preference is to leave the Predators and join the Flyers"
Since in the Kessel thread it is confirmed that a contract season starts July 1st:
If July 1st is the first day of Weber's 2nd year on the contract, then the Leafs should show up with a great trade offer and save the Preds a TON of money.bustaheims said:
Britishbulldog
Active member
bustaheims said:
Rats! That's what I was thinking as well but thought I was wrong based on the Kessel thread. So Nashville would be on the hook for $28 MIL with no way that MLSE could give them cash.
Kin
New member
Britishbulldog said:
Which is why if Weber were to be traded it really wouldn't make any sense to do it until next off-season at least. That said, the cost would be ridiculous. If they wanted two young top 10 picks like Schenn and Couturier from the Flyers in addition to something else then what could the Leafs realistically offer them? Kadri, sure, but I don't want to trade him and beyond that...Rielly, I suppose could be part of that but you're really gutting the Leafs farm system to try and make up for the other half of that.
Kin
New member
princedpw said:
I don't think Nashville would, no. I think Weber is more valuable right now with 27 million of his contract paid off than he was last year and I think what they were asking for from Philly was probably worth more than that.
Would I? Yeah, probably. Weber, to my mind, is so good that to get him in his prime is worth just about whatever you'd have to give up. The way I'd approach it going forward, though, is that rather than have the defense you're talking about I'd see if you can move Phaneuf to make up for a little bit of what you lose from the team's youth when you lose Kadri + Reilly.
bustaheims
Active member
Britishbulldog said:
The problem is that, while July 1st would be the beginning of the 2nd year of his contract, he can't be traded until July 24th, because the restrictions around trading players retained by matching offer sheets. No team can help the Preds save that $13M signing bonus.
Rebel_1812
New member
that was then this is now. Who knows if this is the way weber currently feels.
hockeyfan1
New member
Possible to land any of these...Cal Clutterbuck, Keith Yandle, David Clarkson...?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1643433-3-players-the-toronto-maple-leafs-should-pursue-this-summer...?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1643433-3-players-the-toronto-maple-leafs-should-pursue-this-summer...?
Scrolled through the potential free agent market. Like I've said before, it pretty much sucks. I think we need to target three areas: third line winger, 4th line winger, 4-6 defenceman.
Nik Antropov - A name nobody has really discussed here. I was admittedly a big fan of his when he was a Leaf, so they might be a sentimental pick. Did a quick read of a Jets forum to see what they thought of his performance this season. Everybody pretty much agreed that he's lost a step since his Leafs days, but he still provided a positive contribution. Had to play many roles and seemed to fit on the 3rd line. He was also a little more physical than they were used to. I think he would look pretty good beside Grabovski and Kulemin on a 3rd line that can score if Carlyle gives them a little more freedom and opportunity.
Andrew Ference - Ignoring his elbow to Grabovski, I grew pretty appreciative of his play during our series. The Bruins have 3 veteran top-4 defencemen already under contract, plus McQuaid taking up a spot on the bottom pairing. Their injuries in the playoffs have also shown that a lot of their younger defencemen are ready for a larger opportunity, with Hamilton being the biggest name but Krug and Bartkowski have also made a big statement. I think he'll be available. He's a little old, but the defence needs a veteran presence like him, and his playoff experience could be vital.
Boyd Gordon - Unlike the other two, this name has been brought up a few times already. He would hopefully be a mini-McClement. His mere presence, along with Komarov's, should force Carlyle into playing an actual hockey player on the 4th line when we're healthy.
van Riemsdyk-Kadri-Kessel
Lupul-Colborne-Frattin
Antropov-Grabovski-Kulemin
McClement-Gordon-Komarov
McLaren
Gunnarsson-Phaneuf
Ference-Franson
Gardiner-Liles
Kostka-Holzer
Reimer
Scrivens
Now for some more explanations on the line-up. Starting with the defence, Ference is a huge upgrade over Fraser, but still allows Carlyle to keep two defencemen together whose last name starts with the letter 'F'. I can only image that's the only reason he kept Fraser-Franson together for so long. Ideally we would have a more defensive presence next to Gardiner, but I still think Liles is a legit NHL defenceman and that pairing looked alright during the season. They would be the 3rd pairing and thus face the weakest competition so that should help cover for what they're lacking defensively. Either Holzer and Kostka are the perfect spare defencemen in my opinion, but both should not be in the line-up at the same time. They could rotate in and out for Liles if need be. Perhaps at some point Holzer would steal Liles' spot away on a permanent basis. I'd re-sign Fraser but I'd have him waived and sent to the Marlies.
As for the forwards, it's basically the late playoff line-up with the next guys added in. As noted elsewhere, if we let Bozak walk and don't sign anybody to replace him, it leaves us dangerously thin down the middle if injuries strike. That's why it's no coincidence that both the forwards I brought in can play centre. Colborne becomes eligible for waivers this upcoming season so it's sink or swim time for him. And based on his play in the playoffs I think he's ready. Even if he's not, I'm not sure the AHL has anything left to teach him. If he struggles early Grabovski and McClement are capable of being bumped up a spot each, leaving Colborne on the bottom line for awhile. Faceoffs are obviously an issue, but if Kadri and Colborne want to become legitimate players they're going to have to learn that art eventually. Gordon is also terrific on the draw. One think that I liked about Wilson was when he used Steckel to take draws on the top-line and then skate off. If that becomes necessary I'd like to see Carlyle emulate that maneuver with either Gordon or McClement.
I didn't punch any numbers here, but I don't think we'd have any trouble fitting this line-up under the cap, especially with Komisarek bought out. We could probably get Antropov at fair value, as I don't think he would be in huge demand and might want to come back. An overpayment might be necessary for the other two, but I'd accept that.
edit: I originally had McClement at centre on the 4th line, but after thinking about decided I'd rather switch him with Gordon. Both are natural centres, but we know McClement can play wing as we've seen him do it on the Grabovski line. I don't know how Gordon would transition to the wing. Gordon also has better face-off stats than McClement.
Nik Antropov - A name nobody has really discussed here. I was admittedly a big fan of his when he was a Leaf, so they might be a sentimental pick. Did a quick read of a Jets forum to see what they thought of his performance this season. Everybody pretty much agreed that he's lost a step since his Leafs days, but he still provided a positive contribution. Had to play many roles and seemed to fit on the 3rd line. He was also a little more physical than they were used to. I think he would look pretty good beside Grabovski and Kulemin on a 3rd line that can score if Carlyle gives them a little more freedom and opportunity.
Andrew Ference - Ignoring his elbow to Grabovski, I grew pretty appreciative of his play during our series. The Bruins have 3 veteran top-4 defencemen already under contract, plus McQuaid taking up a spot on the bottom pairing. Their injuries in the playoffs have also shown that a lot of their younger defencemen are ready for a larger opportunity, with Hamilton being the biggest name but Krug and Bartkowski have also made a big statement. I think he'll be available. He's a little old, but the defence needs a veteran presence like him, and his playoff experience could be vital.
Boyd Gordon - Unlike the other two, this name has been brought up a few times already. He would hopefully be a mini-McClement. His mere presence, along with Komarov's, should force Carlyle into playing an actual hockey player on the 4th line when we're healthy.
van Riemsdyk-Kadri-Kessel
Lupul-Colborne-Frattin
Antropov-Grabovski-Kulemin
McClement-Gordon-Komarov
McLaren
Gunnarsson-Phaneuf
Ference-Franson
Gardiner-Liles
Kostka-Holzer
Reimer
Scrivens
Now for some more explanations on the line-up. Starting with the defence, Ference is a huge upgrade over Fraser, but still allows Carlyle to keep two defencemen together whose last name starts with the letter 'F'. I can only image that's the only reason he kept Fraser-Franson together for so long. Ideally we would have a more defensive presence next to Gardiner, but I still think Liles is a legit NHL defenceman and that pairing looked alright during the season. They would be the 3rd pairing and thus face the weakest competition so that should help cover for what they're lacking defensively. Either Holzer and Kostka are the perfect spare defencemen in my opinion, but both should not be in the line-up at the same time. They could rotate in and out for Liles if need be. Perhaps at some point Holzer would steal Liles' spot away on a permanent basis. I'd re-sign Fraser but I'd have him waived and sent to the Marlies.
As for the forwards, it's basically the late playoff line-up with the next guys added in. As noted elsewhere, if we let Bozak walk and don't sign anybody to replace him, it leaves us dangerously thin down the middle if injuries strike. That's why it's no coincidence that both the forwards I brought in can play centre. Colborne becomes eligible for waivers this upcoming season so it's sink or swim time for him. And based on his play in the playoffs I think he's ready. Even if he's not, I'm not sure the AHL has anything left to teach him. If he struggles early Grabovski and McClement are capable of being bumped up a spot each, leaving Colborne on the bottom line for awhile. Faceoffs are obviously an issue, but if Kadri and Colborne want to become legitimate players they're going to have to learn that art eventually. Gordon is also terrific on the draw. One think that I liked about Wilson was when he used Steckel to take draws on the top-line and then skate off. If that becomes necessary I'd like to see Carlyle emulate that maneuver with either Gordon or McClement.
I didn't punch any numbers here, but I don't think we'd have any trouble fitting this line-up under the cap, especially with Komisarek bought out. We could probably get Antropov at fair value, as I don't think he would be in huge demand and might want to come back. An overpayment might be necessary for the other two, but I'd accept that.
edit: I originally had McClement at centre on the 4th line, but after thinking about decided I'd rather switch him with Gordon. Both are natural centres, but we know McClement can play wing as we've seen him do it on the Grabovski line. I don't know how Gordon would transition to the wing. Gordon also has better face-off stats than McClement.
bustaheims
Active member
caveman said:
In his post-deadline presser, Nonis did say they were trying to close a deal for a depth centre, but couldn't get it done in time. He may have been talking about Gordon.
Britishbulldog
Active member
Tigger said:
Britishbulldog said:
Yup! Although I originally thought they were born in '87.
Chev-boyar-sky
New member
Haven't seen a lot of Bickell, but saw him take an incredibly stupid penalty with the goalie out and 1:40 left in the game yesterday. Effectively ended any chance the Blackhawks had of getting back in the game.
He's got the size, but the IQ? Not sure. I'm also not sure of his linemates but it looked to me as if he saw a good amount of icetime with Toews and Kane. Not too difficult to put up points with those guys.
He's got the size, but the IQ? Not sure. I'm also not sure of his linemates but it looked to me as if he saw a good amount of icetime with Toews and Kane. Not too difficult to put up points with those guys.
OldTimeHockey
Active member
You guys are getting rid of Kulemin for a player that has never outscored Kulemin?
I mean, I don't know much about the guy, but what does he bring to the table that Kulemin doesn't?
I mean, I don't know much about the guy, but what does he bring to the table that Kulemin doesn't?