The Maple Leafs GM has to wait until January before he can hold talks on a contract extension for rookie goalie Jonas “The Monster” Gustavsson, but he might want to get the framework in place, because if Burke is going to live by the sword, he had better be prepared to die by it, too.
You see, it was Burke who threatened the Bruins with a Group II offer sheet before making a deal for winger Phil Kessel in September.
The Leafs could easily be sitting in the same position if they don’t get the 25-year-old Swede signed. Gustavsson, who is making $810,000 (all terms US) on a one-year deal this season, has emerged as the club’s No. 1 goalie ahead of Vesa Toskala.
There would be more than an NHL GM or two who wouldn’t mind put the screws to Burke by signing The Monster to an offer sheet worth $5 million a season.
Gustavsson was the most sought-after free-agent goalie on the market before he signed with the Leafs last summer. Every team in the league scouted him. Most made a pitch for him. The Stars thought Gustavsson was going to sign there to push Marty Turco for the job.
“Don’t think for a second there wouldn’t be a lineup of teams again offering up big money if he gets to restricted free agency,” said a league executive.
Around the boards
The heat has been turned up in St. Louis. Owner Dave Checketts told reporters Friday he’s disappointed with the way the Blues are playing. “I’m frustrated like everybody else,” Checketts said. “And I think it’s frankly time to declare the wait over. I think our fans have been patient, I think we’ve been patient. This is a team that the time has come ... it’s time to win. The waiting is over. We don’t need to be patient anymore.” Coach Andy Murray was given a vote of confidence, but the comments were a little strange. Don’t forget Peter Laviolette and Craig MacTavish are both looking for work ... An NHL GM on trying to make a trade at last week’s meetings in Toronto: “We all talk and we all try, but every deal is about money. That’s all we talk about. All we want to move is players who are making big money. Deals are very difficult for us to make right now.” ... The Predators are trying to deal RW Ryan Jones to anybody willing to listen. He is making $975,000 and playing in the minors.
Let the Goaltending controversey begin...........again! Gustavsson has been absolutely BRUTAL the last 2 games. Lit up by an offenseivly challenged wild team, and 3G on 5 shots last night, while Toskala stood on his head in Chicago Friday night.
Re: Rumors from the Toronto Sun (Score: 1) by albertateams on Sunday, November 15 @ 09:54:02 MST (User Info | Send a Message)
$5 million is way to much even if Gustavson has a good year. Maybe 2-3 million for 3 years, but I don't think gm's will be lineing up to offer Gustavson 5 million and give up those picks.
Re: Rumors from the Toronto Sun (Score: 1) by mojo19 on Monday, November 16 @ 07:08:36 MST (User Info | Send a Message)
Just looking ahead for the Leafs:
Ian White is expendable. He's playing really well, he's a good player, but I would deal him at some point this season, he'll be alright on a team that could use some depth at D. Make some room for Gunnarsson, I have a good feeling about this guy. Besides, White is RFA in the summer and will want around ??? Let's say $1.5 to $2 million, which is fair, but I would still move on.
I'm liking the Gun. Also Stalberg/Hanson makes some of the forwards expendable, let's go with a bit of an injection of youth and save some cap $ for hopefully a really good UFA or two. This could mean letting my boy Lee Stempniak go.
I wouldn't mind seeing a line up that looks something like this next year:
That might be a bit much with 4 rookies, so maybe you re-sign Stempniak or Stajan, or bring in another UFA, and leave just 3 spots open for Stalberg, Hanson, Bozak, and Kadri to fight over. Also you carry 13-14 forwards so they could all still make the team and rotate in and out, and still add a UFA or keep one of the aforementioned players.
Re: Rumors from the Toronto Sun (Score: 1) by mon167 on Monday, November 16 @ 09:43:15 MST (User Info | Send a Message)
leafs fans (and other fans) are often on Price...and no i don't think Gustavsson is a terrible goalie but..
therefore for those reasons i have to do this:
latest stats on the big monster...3 goals on 5 shots for an amazing .400 save percentage. a time on ice of 9:54...juuust missed playing 10 minutes before getting pulled.
lol haha sorry i just had to
Re: Rumors from the Toronto Sun (Score: 1) by mojo19 on Monday, November 16 @ 13:07:54 MST (User Info | Send a Message)
HTR TRIVIA
Here is a list of players, what is the connection? First person to get it wins.
Pavel Datsyuk, Mike Richards, Drew Doughty, Nik Antropov, Patrick Sharp, Mike Cammalleri, Brendan Morrison, Wojtek Wolski, Matt Moulson.
