All quiet on the Leaf front. But why?

[Redleaf]

I was listening to Burke on the FAN590
audio link
Needing improvement in so many positions (goal, defensive dman, physical forwards & top 6 center), I think it's fair to expect they'll get some help when the music stops to start the season. I am left concerned whether Burke will be able to do enough.

Burke threw out a bone that didn't seem to get picked up on, which was when he said (paraphrased) that teams that have spent a lot of money in the last few days are the ones who are now looking to move some out. 

Wouldn't take long to look at the teams who have spent the most and who they might have for sale that would meet the needs of the Leafs.  (I might do it later, can't right now)

Plus layer on to that what happens after Parise and Suter sign.  A lot of teams who lose out might go hog wild immediately afterward.  Will change a lot of things right there.

Colorado and the Islanders spent some cash.  Anahiem added a little bit. So did Dallas.

New Jersey as well. Assumption would be no matter what they are a cap floor team with their ownership money problems.

Things could still change dramatically once Parise and Suter land.  Nash, Ryan, and a bunch of others could suddenly change hands.

With all the trade talk coming from Burke, and Nash apparently being off the list, I'm wondering if Burke has been in any discussions over Ryan. His age, size and versatility make him a pretty desirable target. Does having coach Carlyle really impact the chances of him coming to Toronto? I wonder.

 

[rdowdall]

I was listening to Burke on the FAN590
audio link
Needing improvement in so many positions (goal, defensive dman, physical forwards & top 6 center), I think it's fair to expect they'll get some help when the music stops to start the season. I am left concerned whether Burke will be able to do enough.

Burke threw out a bone that didn't seem to get picked up on, which was when he said (paraphrased) that teams that have spent a lot of money in the last few days are the ones who are now looking to move some out. 

Wouldn't take long to look at the teams who have spent the most and who they might have for sale that would meet the needs of the Leafs.  (I might do it later, can't right now)

Plus layer on to that what happens after Parise and Suter sign.  A lot of teams who lose out might go hog wild immediately afterward.  Will change a lot of things right there.

Colorado and the Islanders spent some cash.  Anahiem added a little bit. So did Dallas.

New Jersey as well. Assumption would be no matter what they are a cap floor team with their ownership money problems.

Things could still change dramatically once Parise and Suter land.  Nash, Ryan, and a bunch of others could suddenly change hands.

With all the trade talk coming from Burke, and Nash apparently being off the list, I'm wondering if Burke has been in any discussions over Ryan. His age, size and versatility make him a pretty desirable target. Does having coach Carlyle really impact the chances of him coming to Toronto? I wonder.

I imagine the team he is talking with most is Colorado.  There were rumblings that Paul Statsny was available again, and that sort of deal would make sense from their standpoint as they have a bit of a logjam at that position what with O'Reilly and Duchene. 

I think Ryan is probably a reach, because of the coach.  We'll have to wait and see what he does.

 

[Redleaf]

I was listening to Burke on the FAN590
audio link
Needing improvement in so many positions (goal, defensive dman, physical forwards & top 6 center), I think it's fair to expect they'll get some help when the music stops to start the season. I am left concerned whether Burke will be able to do enough.

Burke threw out a bone that didn't seem to get picked up on, which was when he said (paraphrased) that teams that have spent a lot of money in the last few days are the ones who are now looking to move some out. 

Wouldn't take long to look at the teams who have spent the most and who they might have for sale that would meet the needs of the Leafs.  (I might do it later, can't right now)

Plus layer on to that what happens after Parise and Suter sign.  A lot of teams who lose out might go hog wild immediately afterward.  Will change a lot of things right there.

Colorado and the Islanders spent some cash.  Anahiem added a little bit. So did Dallas.

New Jersey as well. Assumption would be no matter what they are a cap floor team with their ownership money problems.

Things could still change dramatically once Parise and Suter land.  Nash, Ryan, and a bunch of others could suddenly change hands.

With all the trade talk coming from Burke, and Nash apparently being off the list, I'm wondering if Burke has been in any discussions over Ryan. His age, size and versatility make him a pretty desirable target. Does having coach Carlyle really impact the chances of him coming to Toronto? I wonder.

I imagine the team he is talking with most is Colorado.  There were rumblings that Paul Statsny was available again, and that sort of deal would make sense from their standpoint as they have a bit of a logjam at that position what with O'Reilly and Duchene. 

I think Ryan is probably a reach, because of the coach.  We'll have to wait and see what he does.

While he would certainly be a good pick-up, he really doesn't add any size up front.

 

[Peter D.]

I'm not going to lie -- even though the term and money may be crazy, I'm sad knowing that teams like the friggin' Wild have no problem going all out to make their team better with stars, while the Leafs, the league's most profitable team, adhere to some self-imposed restrictions and come up with guys like Connolly and McClement. 

 

[Corn Flake]

I imagine the team he is talking with most is Colorado.  There were rumblings that Paul Statsny was available again, and that sort of deal would make sense from their standpoint as they have a bit of a logjam at that position what with O'Reilly and Duchene. 

I think Ryan is probably a reach, because of the coach.  We'll have to wait and see what he does.

While he would certainly be a good pick-up, he really doesn't add any size up front.

Colorado does kind of fit Burke's hint about teams who just spent money.  They did just sign Erik Johnson, David Jones, PA Prenteau and extended Duchene all at around $ 4 mil  each, and they still have to sign O'Reilley who will get around that amount too. 

Stastny doesn't add size but I would think he could regain 1st line centre status with the right fit.  Should be able to toss salary back their way too.

It's also been tossed about that the Sharks could move someone and could also be in on the Nash sweeps.  They have been pretty quiet and after their season, really can't be just sitting still.

 

[rdowdall]

I was listening to Burke on the FAN590
audio link
Needing improvement in so many positions (goal, defensive dman, physical forwards & top 6 center), I think it's fair to expect they'll get some help when the music stops to start the season. I am left concerned whether Burke will be able to do enough.

Burke threw out a bone that didn't seem to get picked up on, which was when he said (paraphrased) that teams that have spent a lot of money in the last few days are the ones who are now looking to move some out. 

Wouldn't take long to look at the teams who have spent the most and who they might have for sale that would meet the needs of the Leafs.  (I might do it later, can't right now)

Plus layer on to that what happens after Parise and Suter sign.  A lot of teams who lose out might go hog wild immediately afterward.  Will change a lot of things right there.

Colorado and the Islanders spent some cash.  Anahiem added a little bit. So did Dallas.

New Jersey as well. Assumption would be no matter what they are a cap floor team with their ownership money problems.

Things could still change dramatically once Parise and Suter land.  Nash, Ryan, and a bunch of others could suddenly change hands.

With all the trade talk coming from Burke, and Nash apparently being off the list, I'm wondering if Burke has been in any discussions over Ryan. His age, size and versatility make him a pretty desirable target. Does having coach Carlyle really impact the chances of him coming to Toronto? I wonder.

I imagine the team he is talking with most is Colorado.  There were rumblings that Paul Statsny was available again, and that sort of deal would make sense from their standpoint as they have a bit of a logjam at that position what with O'Reilly and Duchene. 

I think Ryan is probably a reach, because of the coach.  We'll have to wait and see what he does.

While he would certainly be a good pick-up, he really doesn't add any size up front.

No he doesn't, but he could have multiple deals in the works there.  The size thing may be able to be filled internally.  The first couple of lines don't have to get that much bigger.  JVR, Kulemin, and Lupul are probably big enough for the top six.

 

[rdowdall]

I imagine the team he is talking with most is Colorado.  There were rumblings that Paul Statsny was available again, and that sort of deal would make sense from their standpoint as they have a bit of a logjam at that position what with O'Reilly and Duchene. 

I think Ryan is probably a reach, because of the coach.  We'll have to wait and see what he does.

While he would certainly be a good pick-up, he really doesn't add any size up front.

Colorado does kind of fit Burke's hint about teams who just spent money.  They did just sign Erik Johnson, David Jones, PA Prenteau and extended Duchene all at around $ 4 mil  each, and they still have to sign O'Reilley who will get around that amount too. 

Stastny doesn't add size but I would think he could regain 1st line centre status with the right fit.  Should be able to toss salary back their way too.

It's also been tossed about that the Sharks could move someone and could also be in on the Nash sweeps.  They have been pretty quiet and after their season, really can't be just sitting still.

Yeah, the sharks may be inclined to move Joe Paveleski and maybe Clowe, although they may need those guys to do the Nash deal.  To be honest there isn't much on the Sharks that I would really be excited about.  I would love Couture, but that ain't happenin'

 

[bustaheims]

Colorado does kind of fit Burke's hint about teams who just spent money.  They did just sign Erik Johnson, David Jones, PA Prenteau and extended Duchene all at around $ 4 mil  each, and they still have to sign O'Reilley who will get around that amount too. 

Stastny doesn't add size but I would think he could regain 1st line centre status with the right fit.  Should be able to toss salary back their way too.

His contract combined with his production over the last 2 seasons make him a tough sell, and, well, the Avs aren't even at the floor yet. They're certainly not in a position where they'll be making cap/salary dumps.

 

[Joe S.]

I'm not going to lie -- even though the term and money may be crazy, I'm sad knowing that teams like the friggin' Wild have no problem going all out to make their team better with stars, while the Leafs, the league's most profitable team, adhere to some self-imposed restrictions and come up with guys like Connolly and McClement. 

They're both from the that neck of the woods... I'm guessing that was a gigantic factor in their decision to go to the wild.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

I'm not going to lie -- even though the term and money may be crazy, I'm sad knowing that teams like the friggin' Wild have no problem going all out to make their team better with stars, while the Leafs, the league's most profitable team, adhere to some self-imposed restrictions and come up with guys like Connolly and McClement. 

They're both from the that neck of the woods... I'm guessing that was a gigantic factor in their decision to go to the wild.

So Kessel to the Wild in 2014?  :-\

 

[dintymoore]

Joe Thornton & Rick Nash... deadly combo

 

[Corn Flake]

Colorado does kind of fit Burke's hint about teams who just spent money.  They did just sign Erik Johnson, David Jones, PA Prenteau and extended Duchene all at around $ 4 mil  each, and they still have to sign O'Reilley who will get around that amount too. 

Stastny doesn't add size but I would think he could regain 1st line centre status with the right fit.  Should be able to toss salary back their way too.

His contract combined with his production over the last 2 seasons make him a tough sell, and, well, the Avs aren't even at the floor yet. They're certainly not in a position where they'll be making cap/salary dumps.

He is a tough sell and they can't go into mass salary dumping, but if they took on a cheaper deal on a shorter term maybe it works.  ie: Connolly ++ for Stastny.

 

[dintymoore]

Yeah, the sharks may be inclined to move Joe Paveleski

Well, Burke does seem to like to load up on Americans. With that, Pavelski might be a guy he's looking at

 

[bustaheims]

He is a tough sell and they can't go into mass salary dumping, but if they took on a cheaper deal on a shorter term maybe it works.  ie: Connolly ++ for Stastny.

I'm not sure I go for that, because I'd rather have the cap space available for the summer of 2013. A deal centred around Komisarek, sure, but, that's highly unlikely. Adding real value assets in the hopes of Stastny rebounding while taking up a significant chunk of cap space has bad news written all over it.

 

[Frank E]

He is a tough sell and they can't go into mass salary dumping, but if they took on a cheaper deal on a shorter term maybe it works.  ie: Connolly ++ for Stastny.

I'm not sure I go for that, because I'd rather have the cap space available for the summer of 2013. A deal centred around Komisarek, sure, but, that's highly unlikely. Adding real value assets in the hopes of Stastny rebounding while taking up a significant chunk of cap space has bad news written all over it.

I'm still trying to figure out if Burke is planning on making the dance next year. 

 

[bustaheims]

I'm still trying to figure out if Burke is planning on making the dance next year.

I'm sure he is, but, I don't think he's going to make significant moves that are solely targeted at making the playoffs. I also don't think he's going to take on a major cap gamble that extends past this season either.

 

[Kin]

I'm still trying to figure out if Burke is planning on making the dance next year.

I still think that the team as is will be what we see in camp, more or less.

 

[Strangelove]

I'm still trying to figure out if Burke is planning on making the dance next year.

I'm sure he is, but, I don't think he's going to make significant moves that are solely targeted at making the playoffs. I also don't think he's going to take on a major cap gamble that extends past this season either.

What role does the word 'solely' play in what you're saying here?  I'm curious as to what you think Burke will do, beyond the obvious move for a goaltender.

To me it seems pretty clear that missing the playoffs again would be nothing short of a disasterous outcome for upper management.  Fan good-will is at a pretty serious low and I can't see how they'd be willing to let it get any worse.

 

[Frank E]

I'm still trying to figure out if Burke is planning on making the dance next year.

I'm sure he is, but, I don't think he's going to make significant moves that are solely targeted at making the playoffs. I also don't think he's going to take on a major cap gamble that extends past this season either.

Perhaps he's awaiting the CBA fallout, and resulting cap implications.  I can see teams avoiding any trade talk until the agreement is made.  I probably would, the landscape may change somewhat...especially with younger player contracts.

We should also consider that since there is new ownership, is it possible that the Burke's mandate may have changed?

 

[Corn Flake]

He is a tough sell and they can't go into mass salary dumping, but if they took on a cheaper deal on a shorter term maybe it works.  ie: Connolly ++ for Stastny.

I'm not sure I go for that, because I'd rather have the cap space available for the summer of 2013. A deal centred around Komisarek, sure, but, that's highly unlikely. Adding real value assets in the hopes of Stastny rebounding while taking up a significant chunk of cap space has bad news written all over it.

Now what ever would we use cap space in the summer for??

It's a risk, but Stastny could get back to 75 point range. Connolly will not come remotely close to that and is effectively homeless on this team.  For the right price I would do it, also given the number of contracts Burke has coming off the books in a year.