Colton Orr two year extension?

[Kin]

And the many, many board members who are better coaches than Randy Carlyle raise their fists in anger.

Although in fairness the first line on all of their resumes reads "Did not coach a team to the most epic game 7 collapse in the history of sports".

 

[Bonsixx]

And the many, many board members who are better coaches than Randy Carlyle raise their fists in anger.

Although in fairness the first line on all of their resumes reads "Did not coach a team to the most epic game 7 collapse in the history of sports".

I maintain that had Carlyle not bowed to the wishes of the masses, and instead put Orr next to Chara in front of the net in those dying moments, where Orr could continually punch Chara in the face, we'd all currently be sipping lemonade in Happy Town.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

And the many, many board members who are better coaches than Randy Carlyle raise their fists in anger.

Although in fairness the first line on all of their resumes reads "Did not coach a team to the most epic game 7 collapse in the history of sports".

I maintain that had Carlyle not bowed to the wishes of the masses, and instead put Orr next to Chara in front of the net in those dying moments, where Orr could continually punch Chara in the face, we'd all currently be sipping lemonade in Happy Town.

See, I would've had him do it to Rask. There's no way the Bruins wouldn't have responded, taking all momentum and enough talented players off the ice to quell the comeback.

 

[ZBBM]

too
much
coin
for
too
long

But I agree with BritBull, he has a place in the regular season so long as it's not staged fighting.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

He doesn't intimidate anyone.  He only fights other plugs who can only fight.  He's too slow to keep up with 99% of the players in the league.  Has no hands, has no offensive contribution, has no discernible defensive contribution.

But he works hard.  Lock him up!

 

[AtomicMapleLeaf]

Let's not be so quick to roll our eyes here.

The problem isn't having Orr on the team, the problem is how he's used. If he ends up on the 4th line where he belongs playing less than 10 minutes a night I can't complain. IMO we do need at least 1 enforcer after all.

I don't know. I'd rather have a 4th line that can play 10 minutes a night. I think you get more benefit from a energy line that can forecheck well and cycle the puck, thereby wearing down the opposition's defense, than you do from a guy that punches other tough guys.

Maybe Orr can stick to his 5 minutes, and someone useful can double shift with the (hopefully) more competent other fourth liners.

Agreed.  But who?  I think Nonis is dealing with the hand he is dealt with.  It's very easy for us to coach and GM this team.  I'd rather have a sports car, but I have to drive a truck.  Building a quality 4th line that plays 10 minutes a night is about as hard as building quality 1st, 2nd, and 3rd lines.  I'm guessing RC would like a better player than Orr.  But who?

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Let's not be so quick to roll our eyes here.

The problem isn't having Orr on the team, the problem is how he's used. If he ends up on the 4th line where he belongs playing less than 10 minutes a night I can't complain. IMO we do need at least 1 enforcer after all.

I don't know. I'd rather have a 4th line that can play 10 minutes a night. I think you get more benefit from a energy line that can forecheck well and cycle the puck, thereby wearing down the opposition's defense, than you do from a guy that punches other tough guys.

Maybe Orr can stick to his 5 minutes, and someone useful can double shift with the (hopefully) more competent other fourth liners.

Agreed.  But who?  I think Nonis is dealing with the hand he is dealt with.  It's very easy for us to coach and GM this team.  I'd rather have a sports car, but I have to drive a truck.  Building a quality 4th line that plays 10 minutes a night is about as hard as building quality 1st, 2nd, and 3rd lines.  I'm guessing RC would like a better player than Orr.  But who?

Ryan Hamilton.  Jerry D'Amigo.  Joe Colborne.  Mike Zigomanis.  Carter Ashton.  To name just the in-house options.

 

[mr grieves]

Let's not be so quick to roll our eyes here.

The problem isn't having Orr on the team, the problem is how he's used. If he ends up on the 4th line where he belongs playing less than 10 minutes a night I can't complain. IMO we do need at least 1 enforcer after all.

I don't know. I'd rather have a 4th line that can play 10 minutes a night. I think you get more benefit from a energy line that can forecheck well and cycle the puck, thereby wearing down the opposition's defense, than you do from a guy that punches other tough guys.

Maybe Orr can stick to his 5 minutes, and someone useful can double shift with the (hopefully) more competent other fourth liners.

Agreed.  But who?  I think Nonis is dealing with the hand he is dealt with.  It's very easy for us to coach and GM this team.  I'd rather have a sports car, but I have to drive a truck.  Building a quality 4th line that plays 10 minutes a night is about as hard as building quality 1st, 2nd, and 3rd lines.  I'm guessing RC would like a better player than Orr.  But who?

Ryan Hamilton.  Jerry D'Amigo.  Joe Colborne.  Mike Zigomanis.  Carter Ashton.  To name just the in-house options.

Yeah, them or whatever replacement parts your scouts identify as useful. It's not as if the Burke/Nonis regime has had terrible luck finding hard-working depth players.

 

[Kin]

Building a quality 4th line that plays 10 minutes a night is about as hard as building quality 1st, 2nd, and 3rd lines.

Not really. I mean, McClement is just about the perfect 4th liner and the Leafs signed him last year for a very reasonable price. Good 4th line guys are available every year.

 

[caver]

Have a look at Boston's 4th line. It's the best in the league. Thornton can fight but he's not the best. It's the combination of energy, talent and toughness that sets it apart. 

 

[bustaheims]

He doesn't intimidate anyone.  He only fights other plugs who can only fight.  He's too slow to keep up with 99% of the players in the league. Has no hands, has no offensive contribution, has no discernible defensive contribution.

But he works hard.  Lock him up!

I think that's probably the biggest issue with his game. If he was a better skater, he'd be able to get in on the forecheck and actually make use of the physical aspect of his game in a positive way without hanging his linemates out to dry. He still wouldn't contribute much on offence or be particularly effective defensively, but, he might no longer be a liability and that would make him a perfectly acceptable 4th liner.

 

[caver]

Orr did change himself to survive as an NHL player last summer. Maybe he improves again this year. It was mentioned somewhere that his $925 salary matches the exemption if a player is sent down to the farm. Doesn't seem like much of a risk.

 

[Andy007]

At least this means we can use his toughness and intimidating presence for a grand total of zero fights and 4mins per game if we make it to the playoffs again next year.

 

[Redleaf]

At least this means we can use his toughness and intimidating presence for a grand total of zero fights and 4mins per game if we make it to the playoffs again next year.

I think this signing is more about him helping the team 'make' the playoffs, not what he can do if we get there again.

 

[Champ Kind]

He doesn't intimidate anyone.  He only fights other plugs who can only fight.  He's too slow to keep up with 99% of the players in the league.  Has no hands, has no offensive contribution, has no discernible defensive contribution.

But he works hard.  Lock him up!

I wouldn't so much call him slow as I would say 'not quick'.  There is a difference.  He can move pretty well as he gets in on the forecheck.  What Orr lacks is directional movement and being able to move quickly in short spaces.

I also think you should ask Rene Bourque whether Colton Orr is intimidating or not. 

*EDIT: Busta, I see we disagree on his speed on the forecheck.  I maintain that he's actually pretty good in a straight line.  Maybe Barbara Underhill can work on cross-overs with him this summer.

 

[Corn Flake]

At least this means we can use his toughness and intimidating presence for a grand total of zero fights and 4mins per game if we make it to the playoffs again next year.

a) His presence had a big impact on that series. not sure how that goes unnoticed by some who seem to be worried about how he skated.  One of the biggest Leafs critics, Glenn Healy, mention more than once from his position between the benches how things "quiet down out there when Orr is on the ice".  he had a mission of going out and hitting Chara as hard as he could, which he managed to accomplish several times despite the low ice time and risk of 4th line on the ice vs. better competition.

b) You don't want or need him to fight in the playoffs.  Not the point or the need.  Boston is a very very physical team and without Orr's size and presence I think they would have taken a lot more liberties with our better players. 

 

[bustaheims]

*EDIT: Busta, I see we disagree on his speed on the forecheck.  I maintain that he's actually pretty good in a straight line.  Maybe Barbara Underhill can work on cross-overs with him this summer.

The problem is that most of the time, being good in a straight line is pretty useless. Players on the other team are usually in motion. If you can't adapt to the movements of your opponents, then you're not a good enough enough skater, no matter how well you skate in a straight line.

 

[Champ Kind]

*EDIT: Busta, I see we disagree on his speed on the forecheck.  I maintain that he's actually pretty good in a straight line.  Maybe Barbara Underhill can work on cross-overs with him this summer.

The problem is that most of the time, being good in a straight line is pretty useless. Players on the other team are usually in motion. If you can't adapt to the movements of your opponents, then you're not a good enough enough skater, no matter how well you skate in a straight line.

I agree with what you say here.  I was simply disputing the notion that he's slow by indicating that he lacks quickness and agility, not necessarily speed.

Orr isn't a real bodychecking terror, although like Corn mentioned he did rattle Chara's bones in particular on one occassion.  Domi and Tucker hard on the forecheck was a nightmare for defenders.  Komorov definitely brought some of that ferocity, which now appears lacking. 

I wonder if Komorov's absence is an opportunity for someone like Brad Ross, The "Brolldozer", or maybe even Tyler Biggs. 

 

[L K]

I guess that has and always will be my issue with Orr.  Sure he fights, but 95% of his fights were staged.  I care more about a guy going toe to toe with Milan Lucic after he drills Kessel or runs Reimer and that was rarel happening.  In fact I recall more than once that Orr was goaded into a useless goon fight when the Leafs were up on the scoreboard and it changed momentum.  Most of his fights were salt in the fame or late.  He really wasn't making a huge difference on the ice.  And quite frankly if his presence was so important why were the Leafs able to hang with a physical Boston team with Orr parked on the bench.  His intimidation factor is severely overrated.

 

[Corn Flake]

I wonder if Komorov's absence is an opportunity for someone like Brad Ross, The "Brolldozer", or maybe even Tyler Biggs.

Devane, Broll, Biggs might all get a shot.  Ross I don't believe has matured physically enough yet to handle the NHL unless he really fills out in the off season. But he's the heir apparent for that role.. too bad Komarov didn't stick 2 more years to bridge that gap.  Oh well.

That said, I think they will look outside the org.  It's a pretty key role.