Unofficial 2013-2014 Armchair GM Thread

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Clarkson apologists:

?Clarkson isn?t here to put up points. He helps the team win?.

Leafs:

14-6-1 (113pt pace) without.
16-15-5 (84pt pace) with.

They've been a lot better when injuries to Clarkson amongst others have forced Randolph to ice a good team, when he gets to have his own way, we don't ice a 4th line and the team suffers.

Take a step back and think about whether it makes any sense at all to directly correlate those records to David Clarkson's presence in the lineup or not.

A: It doesn't.

Well of course it's not an absolute, but it definitely has at least some correlation.

The most striking part of it all is that it's only when certain players have been injured has Randolph fielded our best team.

For the record, I think Clarkson is part of that team.

 

[Corn Flake]

The most striking part of it all is that it's only when certain players have been injured has Randolph fielded our best team.

For the record, I think Clarkson is part of that team.

So McLaren being the #1 guy on probably everyone's list of players who shouldn't be playing (he's on mine), it was posted somewhere earlier today that he's really only been a legit injured player for (something like) 8 games or so and the rest of the time a healthy scratch.  This may be only his 2nd game in a row since he last played Jan 15. He only played twice in January.  He's played 5 games total since Dec 14.

Sooo, while you get to see him once in a while, until he's a regular again I'm not going to lose my cookies over the fact he gets to play once in a while.  If you aren't happy about him being on the roster at all then blame Nonis for that because it's his decision whether he stays or goes.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

The most striking part of it all is that it's only when certain players have been injured has Randolph fielded our best team.

For the record, I think Clarkson is part of that team.

So McLaren being the #1 guy on probably everyone's list of players who shouldn't be playing (he's on mine), it was posted somewhere earlier today that he's really only been a legit injured player for (something like) 8 games or so and the rest of the time a healthy scratch.  This may be only his 2nd game in a row since he last played Jan 15. He only played twice in January.  He's played 5 games total since Dec 14.

Sooo, while you get to see him once in a while, until he's a regular again I'm not going to lose my cookies over the fact he gets to play once in a while.  If you aren't happy about him being on the roster at all then blame Nonis for that because it's his decision whether he stays or goes.

I consider Orr/McLaren one giant blob of player that I don't want playing.  So whether it's McLaren or Orr, one of them is almost always playing, and therefore McLOrr is top of my list.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

The fact that McLaren has been a frequent healthy scratch makes it even more confusing as to why he hasn't just been waived yet. Guys like Bodie, Ashton, D'Amigo have all played more than he has when they are up here. Heck, even Broll and Devane have averaged more ice-time in their short stints up here. With that information you could argue that McLaren is like 20th on the teams forward depth chart. There's 0 reasons this guy should be earning a NHL pay cheque.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

The fact that McLaren has been a frequent healthy scratch makes it even more confusing as to why he hasn't just been waived yet. Guys like Bodie, Ashton, D'Amigo have all played more than he has when they are up here. Heck, even Broll and Devane have averaged more ice-time in their short stints up here. With that information you could argue that McLaren is like 20th on the teams forward depth chart. There's 0 reasons this guy should be earning a NHL pay cheque.

Press box intimidation?

 

[Britishbulldog]

So it is 2 years later and Chris Stewart's name is in the trade runours again because of NYR's Callahan.  I am starting to drink the Blue Cool Aid again trying to cope....

It's official, the Bulldog has lost it.

Too much cool aid huh? 

 

[Corn Flake]

$8 says Fraser McLaren is moved before the Leafs are back from the Olympics.

ok $9.

 

[Champ Kind]

Too much cool aid huh? 

Nah, it's not the Cool Aid, it's what's in the Cool Aid.

Love ya, Bulldog 

 

[Champ Kind]

$8 says Fraser McLaren is moved before the Leafs are back from the Olympics.

ok $9.

I'll take you up on that.  Better yet, I'll throw a Baconater combo on top of it.  I think (shockingly) that Orr gets moved before him (what can I say, I'm feeling frisky).

 

[bustaheims]

$8 says Fraser McLaren is moved before the Leafs are back from the Olympics.

ok $9.

I'll take you up on that.  Better yet, I'll throw a Baconater combo on top of it.  I think (shockingly) that Orr gets moved before him (what can I say, I'm feeling frisky).

I'm willing to buy that one of them won't on the Leafs' roster anymore (though, I see that as unlikely), but I don't see either of them being moved elsewhere. Neither of them provide much of anything and both have another season on their contracts.

 

[Champ Kind]

$8 says Fraser McLaren is moved before the Leafs are back from the Olympics.

ok $9.

I'll take you up on that.  Better yet, I'll throw a Baconater combo on top of it.  I think (shockingly) that Orr gets moved before him (what can I say, I'm feeling frisky).

I'm willing to buy that one of them won't on the Leafs' roster anymore (though, I see that as unlikely), but I don't see either of them being moved elsewhere. Neither of them provide much of anything and both have another season on their contracts.

Oh, agreed.  I meant moved to the minor leagues.  My reasoning for thinking Orr is the one to go, while counterintuitive given the way the coach has used him, is that his horrific performance can't be overlooked forever.

 

[moon111]

I can see where all this get rid of Orr stuff comes from.  But I honestly don't put too much more stock in the 15 other players who've laced them up that have less then 10 points.  For most part it's all a bunch of blah that doesn't excite me much more then Orr... who hasn't lost his job to guys like Troy Bodie who lost all his fights this year.

 

[Britishbulldog]

$8 says Fraser McLaren is moved before the Leafs are back from the Olympics.

ok $9.

I'll take you up on that.  Better yet, I'll throw a Baconater combo on top of it.  I think (shockingly) that Orr gets moved before him (what can I say, I'm feeling frisky).

I'm willing to buy that one of them won't on the Leafs' roster anymore (though, I see that as unlikely), but I don't see either of them being moved elsewhere. Neither of them provide much of anything and both have another season on their contracts.

Oh, agreed.  I meant moved to the minor leagues.  My reasoning for thinking Orr is the one to go, while counterintuitive given the way the coach has used him, is that his horrific performance can't be overlooked forever.

Living through the 'smurf years' as a Leaf fan is still haunting me decades later.  I guess that is why I am a fan off Orr and Mark Fraser.  This year though....ouch. 

I stood in the shadows quietly as Mark packed his bags and left for Edmonton.  I didn't even post in the thread since he was so disappointing this season.

Colton Orr is looking so slow and lost out there its almost a shame.  It reminds me of the teenager on American Idol who has none of his family or friends tell them they CAN'T SING so they are informed by Simon on national television to life altering humiliation. 

Please, for the sake of all that is good and decent in this world, someone who knows Orr needs to tell him how bad he is playing before he watches the game tapes years from now and becomes an extreme introvert from the embarrassment never leaving his house ever again.

Corn Flake, I actually think McLaren has more to add skill-wise as a 4th line fighter.  Bodie my have more hockey sense but isn't an enforcer.

 

[Britishbulldog]

I can see where all this get rid of Orr stuff comes from.  But I honestly don't put too much more stock in the 15 other players who've laced them up that have less then 10 points.  For most part it's all a bunch of blah that doesn't excite me much more then Orr... who hasn't lost his job to guys like Troy Bodie who lost all his fights this year.

Actually Bodie has lost most of his fights in his NHL career.  Bodie is big and game but hasn't shown decent fighting skills.

 

[bustaheims]

Actually Bodie has lost most of his fights in his NHL career.  Bodie is big and game but hasn't shown decent fighting skills.

All of which is absolutely irrelevant when it comes to actually winning hockey games. Of the three players being discussed here, he has shown the most actual hockey skills this season.

 

[moon111]

I can see where all this get rid of Orr stuff comes from.  But I honestly don't put too much more stock in the 15 other players who've laced them up that have less then 10 points.  For most part it's all a bunch of blah that doesn't excite me much more then Orr... who hasn't lost his job to guys like Troy Bodie who lost all his fights this year.

Actually Bodie has lost most of his fights in his NHL career.  Bodie is big and game but hasn't shown decent fighting skills.

Like I say, Bodie, Orr, Ashton, etc.... blah, blah, blah.  Their saving grace is they don't get big minutes.  Maybe to reduce fighting and expense, the League should cut roster sizes by three.

 

[Britishbulldog]

So while watching the remaining Leaf games I came to the decision that it is time for the 'shake-up'.

Staying CAP compliant this season:

I went out as the Armchair GM and made a blockbuster trade with Vancouver:
Bolland, Gunnarsson, Franson and Biggs for Kesler and Bieska. 
***(I tried Gardiner instead of Gunnarsson but it wouldn't fit under the this season's cap)

I then made a blockbuster with Winnipeg:
Kadri, Clarkson, Raymond and 2014 4th pick for E. Kane and Byfuglien.
***(I traded the 4th pick simply because the Leafs also traded the 2014 4th pick for O'Byrne and then for Bolland as well. 3rd time's a charm)

Those 2 trades left $225,000 of cap space.

JVR / Bozak / Kessel
Lupul / Kesler / Kulemin
Byfuglien* / Holland / Kane
Ashton / McClement / Bodie
(McLaren/Orr)

Rielly / Phaneuf
Gardiner / Bieska
Gleason / Ranger

Bernier / Reimer

*Byfuglien could play RD and have Leivo, D'Amigo, Smith, etc play LW.

Once this Leafs roster finished the Stanley Cup finals (I can't quite tell if they won or lost though) but before the draft I am going to send Reimer to Florida for Gudbranson.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I then made a blockbuster with Winnipeg:
Kadri, Clarkson, Raymond and 2014 4th pick for E. Kane and Byfuglien.

I'm not sure Winnipeg makes that deal for Kane alone. Raymond's a UFA that probably won't re-sign, and the 4th is whatever. So it's Kadri and one of (if not the) worst contracts in the league for Kane and Buff.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

I then made a blockbuster with Winnipeg:
Kadri, Clarkson, Raymond and 2014 4th pick for E. Kane and Byfuglien.

I'm not sure Winnipeg makes that deal for Kane alone. Raymond's a UFA that probably won't re-sign, and the 4th is whatever. So it's Kadri and one of (if not the) worst contracts in the league for Kane and Buff.

Lupul, Kadri and Gardiner for Kane and Buf.

Anyone think that could get done?

I'd do it.

 

[bustaheims]

Lupul, Kadri and Gardiner for Kane and Buf.

Anyone think that could get done?

I'd do it.

From a value perspective, it's not terrible, but, from a team building perspective, it doesn't really make sense for the Leafs. There just isn't the depth down to middle to be able to afford to move both Kadri without a top 6 centre coming back. Honestly, I don't think either team makes that trade.