**AS OF TIME OF WRITING**
TJ Molland: Hmmmmm, I will just start by saying there will likely be some bias in writing this, because like the majority of people who live outside Toronto, I too dislike the Maple Leafs. So in trying to be as neutral as possible I will refrain from making waffles jokes.
The city planned the parade in November and by February they were planning to parade OVER TOP of the team. So what happened? Well inconsistent goaltending, a lack of depth, and some poor defending are a nice place to start. So what do you do to fix it? A lot of things. And to make matters worse The team has no free agents coming off the books except Kulemin being a RFA. So he will likely return. Do you really want to go into the season with the same team that looked playoff bound only to wilt like an unwatered flower? But you have to start somewhere so why not try to fix the second worst defense in the league. The same squad that was ever so generous to opposing teams offenses last year, is all poised to come back and deliver more of what everyone has come to expect. Signing players looks to be almost out of the question (less than $8 mil in cap space to sign 5-7 players) so trade routes will be the option. But does anyone really want to do business with Burke? Bik you need to jump in here quick before I start to get on a real offensive tirade.
Bik Nizzar: It’s the same song and dance with this team – Play well early in the season, and just like leaves, come winter they wilt away and disappear.... until spring when they play well and remind everyone that they can be good, but by then it’s too late. There is enough talent on this team to make the playoffs, but they’ve done such a poor job putting massive funds into key positions for players who don’t deserve it. Tim Connolly and Mike Komisarek are making too much money AND have no-trade clauses. Mikhail Grabovski is making 5.5 million while Ryan Kesler, Patrice Bergeron and James Neal all make less than that. Just because the league needs 30 #1 centers – doesn’t mean you have a #1 center. And Mikhail Grabovski is not a #1 center. When you look at their payroll, you don’t really see ANY contract that jumps out to you and makes you say “wow – that’s a bargain!” They’ve propped up players on pedestals and tried to make them look better than they actually are. Matt Lombardi 3.5 million? Really?!
Nazem Kadri has shown he’s got some skill but I feel like he’s going to be undersized and over-worked as a #1 center and will be pushed out to the wing eventually. Joe Colborne is a tremendous prospect BUT the pressure of winning might make him the most attractive trade piece to acquire a goalie. This team’s first job has to be shedding salary, then figuring out goaltending, then centre.
TJ Molland: Bang on with that last line. The trouble is you usually have to package talent with the burden contracts and the Leafs can't afford that. I can see that with the players they have they COULD make the playoffs. But will they really be able to compete? Burke said he doesn't want to be a team that squeaks into the playoffs, but with the roster he has I don't know how you can see yourself as a legitimate contender. Time to focus though. Lets go with goaltending which has more holes than a bad movie (I wish I watched movies so I had a great analogy here....but I don't). Gustavsson is set to become an UFA and I don't know with his numbers and inconsistency that Toronto will really want him back. But when you look at the available free agents in the goaltending position there are not many better options. If the Leafs really want to sign a #1 goalie Tomas Vokoun is the only legitimate candidate. Scrivens has played well for the Marlies this past year so he may get a shot at the big club. Or you know....trade for Luongo...Or better yet, trade with Boston for Tuukka Rask back. You know, that guy you traded for Raycroft, who is playing for.....not the NHL... (thumbs up with huge sarcastic grin)
Bik Nizzar: I think the movie reference you were looking for was: The Leafs are a Michael Bay movie – a lotta money spent, but no real direction and it’ll be entertaining for better or for worse.
The checkered history of Burke and Gillis and the Canucks makes a Luongo trade probably unlikely but it’s also the 1 that makes the most sense. Burke has to recognize the pressure that’s on him and the team to make the playoffs, so if he can check his ego (also unlikely) and make this trade happen, it’s probably the best move for them.
You touched on the Rask trade (which to me is equal to if not worse than the Kessel trade) and it just goes to show that this team has taken shortcut after shortcut to try to build a winner and its hurting them now. Rask – Seguin – Dougie Hamilton could have been your core and that’s not even a stretch to say that could have happened. If they go ahead and make ANOTHER trade – what do you see in return for Luongo?
TJ Molland: For me it begins and ends with Jake Gardiner. He was quite the pleasant surprise for the Maple Leafs last year putting up 30 points in 75 games. I would probably ask for one of D'amigo, Colborne or Ashton as well. Maybe a little much to ask for and highly unlikely Toronto parts with Gardiner, but I don't see much else on this team the Canucks could use. Like we discussed the Leafs would probably want to dump a contract on us to ease some cap room, I just don't see any contract Vancouver would be willing to take back.
Speaking of bad contracts....wait, this whole e-mail set has been about bad contracts, but I digress....Colby Armstrong has all of a sudden jumped to the top of my bad contracts list. $3 million for a guy who had 3 points in 29 games, and played just over 9 MINUTES A GAME!! Multiply by 82, carry the one....yup $4065 per minute on the ice and a really nice pro-rated value of $352,941 per point. (Math is cool) /rant.
Before this gets to long can I just admit I don't see a fix for the longest playoff drought in the NHL? I guess you can ride out this season with the team you have and hope last years early season success repeats (without you know, the second half sucking) and you maybe contend for a playoff spot? It's a case of too many contracts still in play to really tweak the team. Wait a year until whomever you draft this year gets some experience, bring in a bunch more prospects and do a real face lift for 2013/14 when you have a lot of contracts come off the books.
Bik Nizzar: It really depends what they wanna build around. Gardiner by all accounts is that piece they wanna keep so any trade talk involving him is moot. They ARE building something (unlike the Islanders as we broke down earlier) with Gardiner, Phaneuf, Lupul, Kessel, (sorry Phil Kessel but you’re not a cornerstone – you’re an elite complimentary piece), Schenn, Kadri, Franson, Colborne, and Brad Ross (who I reckon will become a fan favourite for his toughness).
The defense didn’t help out the goaltending last year. James Reimer was ok before his injury but when your defense is comprised of J-M Liles and Mike Komisarek (both of whom aren’t at the same levels they once possessed) and Carl Gunnarson – you’re gonna have a bad time. I don’t think Franson was given enough time to develop and feature heavily on the team’s power-play so hopefully under Carlyle they’ll give him another chance. If their top 4 looks something along the lines of Gardiner-Schenn-Phaneuf-Franson, that’ll make Reimer look better, but when you’re financially committed to Komisarek and Liles, maybe getting a different goalie like Luongo makes them look better.
This all seems like it’s shaping up for more short-cuts for this team. Which if they’re going to go with the trade route they HAVE to be sure to keep draft picks. Brian Burke’s philosophy of moving picks has to stop and they need a continuous rebuild. So if we’re going with trades and since we keep bringing up Luongo for the Leafs, the Canucks now have a hole at Center with the departure of Cody Hodgson, someone like Joe Colborne could fit that role. But here’s another wrinkle... Rather than fix goaltending and commit to Reimer, what if they acquired a Center? Could they pry Thornton or Marleau out of San Jose for the right price?
TJ Molland: It's very likely. SJ could be a more willing trade partner, and may cost you a little less than Luongo. The same pieces I have mentioned before (again Gardiner probably won't be moved) will be the cost, so getting one of Thornton or Marleau is not totally out of the question. I have a feeling the Sharks will be more eager to move Marleau/Thornton than the Canucks move Luongo. If the Leafs can finally get a legit number one center you may see Kessel finally break the 40 goal mark (as hard as it is to say that) and see this team turn the corner into "Playoff Team". You make a great point in Burke not moving draft picks. This team has had a poor prospect pool for a long time and with your high end draft picks FINALLY coming to YOUR team, it would be ridiculous to try and move them for a quick fix.
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