 | HTR Feature Article: Leafs empty up the middle |
Small piece by small piece, Brian Burke’s Maple Leafs are getting better.
But for every Kris Versteeg and Colby Armstrong the Leafs add, what becomes more apparent is just how weak this team is at centre, the most important position on a hockey club, other than goaltender.
Who won the last three Stanley Cups?
Teams with Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, David Bolland, Sidney Crosby, Jordan Staal, Evgeni Malkin, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg at centre?
Even when Burke won he had Andy McDonald, a young Ryan Getzlaf and Sammy Pahlsson (playing WAY over his head) at centre.
Nice kid Tyler Bozak is currently the Leafs top centreman. He wouldn’t even dress for the Blackhawks. Pittsburgh would probablty try and move him to the wing.
And after Bozak, the Leafs have the wayward Mikhail Grabovski with a bad contract, the hope, Nazem Kadri, maybe Christian Hanson and maybe John Mitchell.
Not very encouraging.
The Leafs had no interest in free-agent Matthew Lombardi, whom Burke’s Team USA assistant, David Poile, happily grabbed for Nashville.
And after that, the market is relatively bare.
This and that
Two words for Ilya Kovalchuk if he signs with the Islanders: Rich loser ... One word for the Islanders if they pull another Alexei Yashin: Idiots ... Never mind Darryl Sutter losing his senses and signing Olli Jokinen. But giving him a no-trade deal? Who does he think he is, John Ferguson Jr.? ... Interesting to hear Rick Dudley’s take on the Leafs’ acquiring Versteeg from the Blackhawks. “If he goes into a situation where he’s given a lead role, he might be spectacular,” said Dudley, the former Chicago executive now running the Atlanta Thrashers .... Impressive free-agent period for GM Lou Lamoriello, who added quality backup goalie, Johan Hedberg, to give Martin Brodeur some much-needed rest, along with two defencemen of note, the underappreciated Henrik Tallinder and the very solid Anton Volchenkov ... Viktor Stalberg, still learning to play, should fit in nicely with the speedy Blackhawks, without any kind of pressure to perform ... From the team that won the Stanley Cup, seven of the 20 dressed players for Chicago are no longer Hawks. If they bury Cristobal Huet in the minors, that will make eight ... Surprised that Florida GM Dale Tallon, fully aware of Chicago’s cap problems, didn’t make an offer to restricted free-agent defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson.
http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/columnists/steve_simmons/2010/07/03/14601231.html
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| "Leafs empty up the middle" | Login/Create an Account | 73 comments |
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Re: Leafs empty up the middle (Score: 1)
by mon167 on Sunday, July 04
(User Info | Send a Message) | | you're very right...and that's not just cuz im a habs fan and dislike the leafs lol I would be happy with the moves Burke has made so far if i was a leaf's fan but definitely you need a center or two...Grabovski won't cut it! |
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Re: Leafs empty up the middle (Score: 1)
by mojo19 on Sunday, July 04
(User Info | Send a Message) | By the way, by saying that guys like Grabovski and Kadri play bigger than they are, because Grabo is feisty, and Kadri is a big hitter, etc. That's all very nice, but you still want big centres. Team Finland all play bigger than they are, but wouldn't it be better if they were actually bigger and still played big?
We could really use a big body down the middle or hope for the off chance that Christian Hanson dominates at camp, immediately comes into his own and performs like a 2nd line centre, and i don't think that will happen. I'll be happy if Hanson can just be a solid, effective 3rd line centre for us. |
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Re: Leafs empty up the middle (Score: 1)
by leafy on Sunday, July 04
(User Info | Send a Message) |
Latest word is that Kovalchuk is not going to L.A. He's also not keen on the NY Islanders it would appear.
So whom else has enough cap space to make a strong bid? Is Burke full of shit when he says he's not interested?
As an old 60's TV show said, stay tuned. Same Bat-time. Same Bat-channel.
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Re: Leafs empty up the middle (Score: 1)
by LeafsCaines (123@live.ca) on Sunday, July 04
(User Info | Send a Message) | | this has nothing to help with our centres..but this comes up often on NHL 10 haha...trade Komi for Semin...semin is going to become an UFA...its only for a year..if things dont work out ..let him walk..with komi gone, scheen can step into a topr 4 D-man role..would be nice to get rid if that contract too. |
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Re: Leafs empty up the middle (Score: 1)
by leafy on Monday, July 05
(User Info | Send a Message) |
Apparently Burke is also after a UFA defenceman. If it was me, I'd go after Andy Sutton.
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Re: Leafs empty up the middle (Score: 1)
by 93killer93 on Monday, July 05
(User Info | Send a Message) | LA
B.Schenn
Hickey
2nd 2011
4th 2011
Tor
Kaberle
Mitchell
Ana
Perry
Marchant
Mcmillan
Sexton
3rd 2011
Tor
Kulemin
Grabovski
Beauchemin
Hickey
Tor
Sexton
2nd 2011(LA)
3rd 2011(Ana)
Stefanovich
Holzer
Bos
Savard
2nd 2011
Sign
Sutton 2 years 4.2mil
Torres 3 years 6mil
Kadri-Savard(A)-Kessel
Versteeg-Bozak-Perry
Torres-B.Schenn-Armstrong
Brown-Hanson-Orr
Phaneuf(C)-Schenn(A)
Gunarsson-Komisarek(A)
Sutton-Aulie
Giguere
Gustavsson
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Re: Leafs empty up the middle (Score: 1)
by TheLeafNation91 on Monday, July 05
(User Info | Send a Message) | I can't believe everyone hates on Bozak so much. I don't think he is a first line center at all, but a capable second liner can't be out of the question. Hell, when he was called up, the complexion of the team totally changed.
And I don't adore Bozak for his gifted offensive vision...It's his intangibles that I love.
-He and Hanson really helped our Pk, which is why it was a tad better towards the end of the year. He can play defence, he can play two sides of the rink
-Yes, he's small. But besides the fact he lost tons of weight because of swine, hes like Versteeg where he plays alot bigger then his size.
-Look at some of his goals from his short time with the Leafs, he crashes the net. How many Leafs did that before him?? Poni, Hagman? Please give me a break
-He has speed with a great vision, hell, he was one of our better faceoff guys once he was called.
For all you doubters who question him...FINE!! But I guarantee once the new season begins you guys will be all praising his name. |
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Re: Leafs empty up the middle (Score: 1)
by nordiques100 on Monday, July 05
(User Info | Send a Message) | The big centre options are limited.
The team may just try and get a centre period. It may or may not come in any Kaberle trade.
Marc Savard
If i were Burke, i wouldnt give up any roster players for him. Probably a couple of non-roster prospects at most. Nothing wrong with this skill, but the concussion factor is big, as is 7 years left on his contract that would take him to age 40.
Daymond Langkow
I would only take him if it meant Jeff Finger goes the other way. Langkow is also old, expensive and has multiple years left on his contract at 4.5 per. He doesnt seem to fit in with what the Leafs are trying to do. But he is available as the Flames need cap space.
Tim Connolly
I bet the Sabres would like to package him in a deal for Kaberle, but he is exactly what the Leafs do not need. Another soft centre. Grabovski has slightly less production but significantly less $$. Connolly is tremendously skilled but he disappeared when it mattered in the playoffs.
Ryan Stoa
Not sure what kind of interest the Avs have in Kaberle, but Stoa would be a nice piece to bring back if they were interested. He is the kind of big centre that would fit in well and compliment Bozak and Kadri going forward. He seems ready. I think if the Leafs took back a contract like Liles or Preissing, they could get Stoa +. Again though, the Avs seem content to build within and avoid adding the big contract. Plus, there is no guarantee Kaberle would stay out in Colorado.
Sam Gagner
I think the only way the Oil gain interest in Kaberle is if they can drop Souray's contract. Kaberle would be what it would take to get Gagner out of Edmonton. Gagner is a very skilled, young forward. The Oil may even ask for Schenn back but i would turn that down. Gagner though is small and wouldnt be the big centre the Leafs covet. And they have Grabs. Gagner hasnt shown, other than in shootouts, that he can be an impact player and thus would he be that much of an upgrade?
Andrew Cogliano
Cogliano is another skilled, but smallish centre. He has tremendous speed, but is kind of soft and not the kind of player Burke would want on the backend of his roster. He isnt good enough to centre one of hte top 2 lines and not big or tough enough for the 3rd line. he isnt quite a good fit for Toronto even though he is a local product.
Todd White
Pretty sure the Thrashers would give White away but he again is a smallish centre.
Brad Richards
Richards carries a big contract at 7.8 mil but has just 1 year left on his deal. The Stars are probably interested in keeping their top scorer but in trade would probably ask for too much.
Mike Ribiero
On the other hand, Ribiero may be a bit cheaper to acquire. He is small though and somewhat soft but a great playmaker. The Stars are on a strict budget with ownership issues and may seek to move Ribiero's big deal. There is some familiarity between Burke and Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk so they may be able to broker something. I could see Grabovski being the package going the other way along with perhaps a prospect or two. That is far cheaper than trying to pry Richards who may cost the Leafs Schenn and/or Kaberle.
Jeff Carter
Carter would be the most ideal candidate, but the Leafs do not have what the Flyers would want. The Flyers added so much depth to their defence they do not need any blueliners and seem set in goal. But they're looking for forwards, which the Leafs are as well. Toronto only has blueliners to offer and probably would only get Carter if it meant a 3rd team getting involved. That does not seem likely.
Andy McDonald
McDonald is someone Burke is familiar with. He is a highly skilled centre and top playmaker. Injuries are a concern and he again is small. Its unsure what the Blues are trying to do. They arent looking to add big names and would probably ask Toronto to give up some good young players to pry McDonald. That isnt something i would do.
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Re: Leafs empty up the middle (Score: 1)
by DLHLeafs on Monday, July 05
(User Info | Send a Message) | It would be great if the Leafs could get in on the deal possibly going down between Philly and LA:
To Toronto - Jeff Carter (5), Brayden Schenn (EL)
To Philly - Jonathan Bernier (EL), Luca Caputi (EL)
To LA Kings - Kaberle (4.5), Simon Gagne (5.25), Keith Aulie (EL)
Philly unloads close to $10 million in cap space and lands Bernier + another mid-level prospect in Caputi. Leino and Giroux move up in Philly's lineup to replace Gagne and Carter (which they did effectively through a chunk of the playoffs).
The Leafs land a top line centre with a big cap hit they can afford, plus a prospect they were extremely keen on last year. They would ideally re-sign carter past next season - probably around the same or a slight increase.
LA gets a key forward and Dman for a combined cap hit that's not much more than they would have paid Kovalchuk. I realize that they are both UFAs after this season, but LA is in a position to make a push for the cup now and Kaberle and Gagne could be the missing pieces. If both are healthy they could combine for 120-130 points. Aulie is thrown in to partially offset the substantial hit to their prospect "cupboard".
I know it seems like Philly gets the short end of the stick in this deal, but unfortunately they have put themselves into this situation by overspending. Taking on Meszaros's contract was not the smartest move on their part, considering their cap situation. Cap space and a potential franchise goalie are the most important things they gain here. Moving Carter won't cripple the team considering their depth at centre, and is really their only option since they're not moving Richards or Giroux, and no one will take Briere or Hartnell's contracts.
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Re: Leafs empty up the middle (Score: 1)
by cam7777 on Monday, July 05
(User Info | Send a Message) | I have a great deal of faith that Burke and Nonis are taking this team in the right direction. However, I have to question how in the hell they mismanaged the cap with the enormous management team they have. Previously, the Leafs would have been allowed to spend 63.855 million dollars on the cap this year, exercising the full bonus cushion, as the roster is littered with enormous bonuses unlikely to be achieved. Now however, the Leafs, and seven other teams, have been dinged for going over the cap in 2010, and will take a 1.4 million dollar hit on their spending limit. They also cannot use the bonus cushion. So that's a 5.855 million dollar gap in cap space. This would be my first harsh criticism of the Burke regime.
That said, all is not lost. In the 2012 season, the cap will likely rise to about 61 million, with an additional 4.575 million in bonus cushion space that the Leafs will once again be able to utilyze. On top of this, Giguere's 6 million will come off the cap, and Beauchemin and Grabovski will likely be traded at the 2011 trade deadline. Finger also, will be either buried or long gone by that point. Burke will have three significant resigns to look at with Bozak, Schenn and Gunnarsson, but he will have 37 million dollars to do so, and then address the teams needs. To figure out where this team needs to go with Kaberle, and additonal signings this summer, you have to look a year into the future, and fill in the holes:
____________________ - ___________________ - Phil Kessel (5.4)
____________________ - Nazem Kadri (1.75) - Kris Versteeg (3.083)
Nikolai Kulemin (2.35) - Tyler Bozak (3.25) - Colby Armstrong (3.0)
____________________ - ___________________ - Colton Orr (1.0)
Dion Phaneuf 'C' (6.5) - Luke Schenn (3.5)
Mike Komisarek (4.5) - __________________
Carl Gunnarsson (2.5) - __________________
[ Keith Aulie (0.825) / Korbinian Holzer (0.595) ]
Jonas Gustavsson (1.35) - _____________________
Assume the above resign prices for the three key RFA's, and Burke is going to have a shade over 25 million dollars to fill in the rest of the roster in free agency, and through the returns of Kaberle, Grabovski and Beauchemin. So while things look pretty gloomy for yet another year, I think that the future is looking brighter and brighter all the time. With that much cash, Burke could bring in two or three marquee free agents. Imagine signing Thornton, Semin and maybe even getting Kaberle back in blue and white. Is that possible? Well, it is if Burke can use this year to prove this team is close to competing, and use Kaberle, Grabovski and Beauchemin to get us another solid piece or two for the core moving forward.
Also, Bozak has every bit the potential that Bolland does, maybe even SHarp, and would only be a winger in Pittsburgh because they have three of the best centers in the world. What a retarded thing to say. It also completely ignores the fact that two years ago, the same things were being said about Toews, Sharp and Bolland. "Oh Bolland was a success at the tier below, but can he translate that to the NHL?", "Is Toews could enough to be a number one center? Doubtful!", and "Sharp is more of a winger, with a career high of 32 points!". I'm not saying Kadri and Bozak are Toews and Sharp, but just that we don't know anything about what they'll become. Being negative is so easy. |
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Re: Leafs empty up the middle (Score: 1)
by Kill_Yourself on Monday, July 05
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Bozak is awesome. Lombardi would have been a great signing. Leafs should pick up savard... bozak is the same type of player, savard could teach him a lot. Just fill the wings with strong players that can shoot cause bozak and savard can pass! |
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Re: Leafs empty up the middle (Score: 1)
by mojo19 on Tuesday, July 06
(User Info | Send a Message) | I read something along the lines of what you guys were talking about earlier, with regards to Burke reportedly looking for some depth on the blueline. I think that's surprising considering even if Kaberle was traded our D would be: Phaneuf, Schenn, Komisarek, Beauchemin, Gunnarsson, Finger.
But I guess if you anticipate Finger being sent down and Kaberle being traded it would make sense to go after a defensman.
Personally I like Willie Mitchell. I know he's coming off an injury plagued season, so maybe his value is down, I wonder if it would be a possibility to see if he'd go for a 1 year deal at a reasonable rate, say $2-2.5 mil range. He could be a good pickup. |
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Re: Leafs empty up the middle (Score: 1)
by glotz_99 (gha@yahoo.co) on Wednesday, July 07
(User Info | Send a Message) | The latest I've heard is the Kings are interested in Kaberle and are offering a package that includes Wayne Simmonds and propects/draft picks.
Simmonds had 16 goals and 24 assists for 40 pts and 116 PIM last season and was an impressive +22.
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