Waived: Colton Orr

[Newbury]

I have to agree with the sentiment that Orr's usefulness has passed; that being said, his bouts with Carkner will be forever in my memory.  I can't be the only one that went nuts when he did this.

Never noticed before, but the smile on Kessel's face on the bench is awesome.

I always liked Orr and even thought for a pure enforcer he wasn't a complete liability on the ice.

 

[MetalRaven]

Burke waiving his enforcer... to me is about as telltale a sign that the days of the enforcer are coming to an end if there ever was one.

Yup, considering how Burke trumpeted the move of signing him because the Leafs were getting "pushed around" too much.

I think Orr's health has more to do with it (in general) but yeah, the fact that Burke didn't go out and sign one to make up for it is telling.  I still think you need guys who can drop the gloves in the bottom 6, but they need to be guys who can chip in 7-10 goals too.

I would have assumed if health was the issue he would be on LTIR where they could have stashed him and the cap hit long ago. 

I think its just a sign of the times and good to see Burke recognize it (again). I can't think of more than a handful of teams the Leafs have played this year where having a guy of his skillset was needed.  Basically, only Boston comes to mind. 

Rosehill can suffice as a punching bag when needed, which will be fairly infrequent.  There are others on the team who will scrap - as we saw last night - but trouble is when its your d-men you don't want them off for 5 mins, especially a Phaneuf type.  Will help to have Brown back in that area too.

Anyway, I think this team needs to be more physical up front but not in a fighting way.

With regards to health it may be that with concussions being a hot topic putting out an enforcer that may have been recently concussed might not be a good thing image-wise or for Orrs health...so not necessarily a concern that hes is hurt now but that he may get hurt again ; easier this time and possibly a worse injury.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Can't wait for Cherry's rant how Orr was waived while guys like Grabibovsky are on this team.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I'm fairly certain the NHL did away with that '400 games' number in regards to NHL pensions with the new CBA. A couple of blurbs that I've read on the topic:

NHL players can start withdrawing their pension benefits at the age of 45. Players are not fully vested, however, until the age of 45. NHL pensions require that a player be active for at least 160 games to qualify for the maximum pension benefit. Players with less than 160 games of service receive the maximum benefit under Canadian law, and players with 160 games or more of service receive the maximum pension under U.S. law, which is $45,000 annually.

1. An improved pension plan. In 2003-04, under the old CBA, the NHL contributed a maximum of $15,250 (Cdn.) to each player's plan on an annual basis. That amount was increased to $42,000 (U.S.), in the first year of the new CBA and the maximum amount was $45,000 (U.S.), for the 2006-07 season.

The new CBA also has the same information regarding the 160 games requirement, but says nothing about 400 games (which was mentioned in the prior CBA, as Deebo posted). It also goes on to explain that any player who is "credited" with 82 games during a playing season (includes games dressed and games missed due to trade/waiver claim/injury) receives his full contribution for that season (I'm assuming the $45k figure). If a player is credited with less than 82 games then he receives an amount proportional to the number of games he was credited with playing.

I'm certainly no expert on the matter, but that's what I've gathered from a quick search.

 

[ZBBM]

I think Orr's health has more to do with it (in general) but yeah, the fact that Burke didn't go out and sign one to make up for it is telling.  I still think you need guys who can drop the gloves in the bottom 6, but they need to be guys who can chip in 7-10 goals too.

Or at least 7-10 minutes

Kind of puts you in mind of Tie Domi, does it not?  Whether you liked Tie and his baggage or not, he seems the prototype of the future NHL tough guy: can fight well against any weight class but also chips in.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Domi averaged 6 goals and 14 pts a year in his career, that's in the lower end of the ballpark of what teams are looking for from their 4th liners these days.  I'd suggest you want/need a minimum 20 points off of your bottom liners to be a complete team.

 

[ZBBM]

Domi averaged 6 goals and 14 pts a year in his career, that's in the lower end of the ballpark of what teams are looking for from their 4th liners these days.  I'd suggest you want/need a minimum 20 points off of your bottom liners to be a complete team.

I would take 6/14 from a guy who can go with anybody in any weight class, if need be.

 

[Corn Flake]

Lucic is probably the prototypical modern era player who can fight. He can go with basically anyone and produces.  He also does a great job of intimidating that not only does he bring the physical presence, he's going to be out there every 3rd or 4th shift, making his presence known all game long vs. a 5 min / night enforcer you know is on the bench for the 3rd period.

That said, I think by 32 he will be done.  Players of his structure and style of game have almost always faded fast at that age.

 

[bustaheims]

I would take 6/14 from a guy who can go with anybody in any weight class, if need be.

As would I. In fact, I'd be more than happy with a 4th line that averages 15 points per position.

 

[maplesyrup]

Lucic is probably the prototypical modern era player who can fight. He can go with basically anyone and produces.  He also does a great job of intimidating that not only does he bring the physical presence, he's going to be out there every 3rd or 4th shift, making his presence known all game long vs. a 5 min / night enforcer you know is on the bench for the 3rd period.

That said, I think by 32 he will be done.  Players of his structure and style of game have almost always faded fast at that age.

Yeah, Iginla being a very rare exception. He (and Flames fans) have certainly been blessed by his longevity. 

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

That said, I think by 32 he will be done.  Players of his structure and style of game have almost always faded fast at that age.

Owen Nolan comes to mind.

 

[Jalili]

Lucic is probably the prototypical modern era player who can fight. He can go with basically anyone and produces.  He also does a great job of intimidating that not only does he bring the physical presence, he's going to be out there every 3rd or 4th shift, making his presence known all game long vs. a 5 min / night enforcer you know is on the bench for the 3rd period.

That said, I think by 32 he will be done.  Players of his structure and style of game have almost always faded fast at that age.

Zach Kassian is another example, albeit not established yet.  Was also pretty high on TO's radar back in his draft year.

 

[Madferret]

 

[maplesyrup]

Is that Biff from the Back to the Future movies?

 

[bustaheims]

We did say go with any weight class, not shies away from heavyweights.

 

[Sudafederov]

We did say go with any weight class, not shies away from heavyweights.

Can't use the word "class" and have a picture of Neil in the same post even if the word is being used to convey a different meaning...it's just wrong 

 

[Kin]

Domi averaged 6 goals and 14 pts a year in his career, that's in the lower end of the ballpark of what teams are looking for from their 4th liners these days.  I'd suggest you want/need a minimum 20 points off of your bottom liners to be a complete team.

Not to be overly me-y but Domi's numbers on a per 82 basis actually are 8 goals and 20 points. I only mention that because it seems tough to figure out his averages otherwise. He played in a total of 16 seasons but some of those seasons he played 40 or 28 or 2 games.

 

[Bonsixx]

And so ends the journey of the guy with the coolest name in Leafs history...

 

[Corn Flake]

Lucic is probably the prototypical modern era player who can fight. He can go with basically anyone and produces.  He also does a great job of intimidating that not only does he bring the physical presence, he's going to be out there every 3rd or 4th shift, making his presence known all game long vs. a 5 min / night enforcer you know is on the bench for the 3rd period.

That said, I think by 32 he will be done.  Players of his structure and style of game have almost always faded fast at that age.

Zach Kassian is another example, albeit not established yet.  Was also pretty high on TO's radar back in his draft year.

I think of him more like a Steve Downie or a (since he's being marketed here) Chris Neil.  A bit of a nutjob who may or may not be able to tone his game down enough to survive long term.

 

[Corn Flake]

Lucic is probably the prototypical modern era player who can fight. He can go with basically anyone and produces.  He also does a great job of intimidating that not only does he bring the physical presence, he's going to be out there every 3rd or 4th shift, making his presence known all game long vs. a 5 min / night enforcer you know is on the bench for the 3rd period.

That said, I think by 32 he will be done.  Players of his structure and style of game have almost always faded fast at that age.

Yeah, Iginla being a very rare exception. He (and Flames fans) have certainly been blessed by his longevity.

Yeah he has been relatively consistent in his stats but he has lost an edge in the ability to dominate like he used to. But certainly not washed up by any means.