Downtown Connor Brown Re-signed 3 x $2.1

[Coco-puffs]

I'll add a little more to that and say that playing someone smart/dependable defensively like Brown on a line with Matthews isn't a problem by itself. But if it's Matthews and Brown AND Hyman again, there's a problem.

Well, see, I figure that we probably won't see that. Because the way I see it the top 2 lines, at least without any trades will be:

Marleau-Matthews-Nylander
JVR-Bozak-Marner

So then you'll have a third line of, I guess:

Komarov-Kadri-X

So, I mean, X can be Brown but I think on that third line you want to balance offense and defense and Komarov and Kadri are already solid defensive players. Brown isn't a bad choice but if you can add some offensive punch there and not lose much defensively then I think that's the smarter play than giving Kadri lesser offensive wingers.

Of course, this all kind of calls back how insane it is that this team hasn't really done anything with JVR and Bozak yet.

I agree with that be a bad decision (having Brown with Komarov-Kadri) as you probably want more offense there... I'd say a more balanced lineup would be:

Marleau - Matthews - Brown
JvR - Bozak - Marner
Komarov - Kadri - Nylander

And finally- yes, it is insane they haven't done anything with those two.  Or at least 2 of JvR, Bozak, and Komarov.  So it looks more like the bad decisions are sitting on management right now than on the coach.

 

[Coco-puffs]

I'll add a little more to that and say that playing someone smart/dependable defensively like Brown on a line with Matthews isn't a problem by itself. But if it's Matthews and Brown AND Hyman again, there's a problem.

Well, see, I figure that we probably won't see that. Because the way I see it the top 2 lines, at least without any trades will be:

Marleau-Matthews-Nylander
JVR-Bozak-Marner

So then you'll have a third line of, I guess:

Komarov-Kadri-X

So, I mean, X can be Brown but I think on that third line you want to balance offense and defense and Komarov and Kadri are already solid defensive players. Brown isn't a bad choice but if you can add some offensive punch there and not lose much defensively then I think that's the smarter play than giving Kadri lesser offensive wingers.

Of course, this all kind of calls back how insane it is that this team hasn't really done anything with JVR and Bozak yet.

Obviously if you are using that 3rd line as a shut down group you probably prefer a guy like Hyman or Brown on it but I wouldn't mind seeing them use either Kapanen or Leivo with Kadri for a stretch.

Kapanen, yes.  I think he's developed enough of a 2-way game to at least give him a chance to help that line.  Leivo, I'm less sure about.  I think Leivo is best suited for the sheltered scoring line and not a shutdown line.  If we can trade JvR sometime soon, then with Bozak and Marner he fits better.

 

[Bullfrog]

I'm surprised there haven't been more rumours about JvR. Over the last four seasons, he's 28th in total goals and 23rd in goals/game.

 

[Kin]

I'm surprised there haven't been more rumours about JvR. Over the last four seasons, he's 28th in total goals and 23rd in goals/game.

The lack of rumours about JVR is probably because the Leafs aren't looking to move him for whatever reason, not because he's not a good player.

 

[Coco-puffs]

I'm surprised there haven't been more rumours about JvR. Over the last four seasons, he's 28th in total goals and 23rd in goals/game.

The lack of rumours about JVR is probably because the Leafs aren't looking to move him for whatever reason, not because he's not a good player.

Well, JvR was the centerpiece in the proposed trade for Hamonic that didn't happen.  I don't think the Leafs aren't looking to move him- I think they just want a really good return for him (aka Top 4 dman) and nobody is paying the price for a guy who will demand a huge pay raise in 10 months when he hits UFA.

 

[Kin]

Well, JvR was the centerpiece in the proposed trade for Hamonic that didn't happen.  I don't think the Leafs aren't looking to move him- I think they just want a really good return for him (aka Top 4 dman) and nobody is paying the price for a guy who will demand a huge pay raise in 10 months when he hits UFA.

WHich is fine enough to some extent but the clock is ticking. Unless you're going to sign him to an extension, which makes almost no sense long term, they'll lose him for nothing. And the shorter that 10 months gets, he loses value.

Nobody is going to call up the Leafs and beg them to take a top 4 defenseman off their hands so not actively shopping JVR is more or less the same as not looking to deal him. It's that lack of activity that is the reason why we're not hearing rumours.

 

[Coco-puffs]

Well, JvR was the centerpiece in the proposed trade for Hamonic that didn't happen.  I don't think the Leafs aren't looking to move him- I think they just want a really good return for him (aka Top 4 dman) and nobody is paying the price for a guy who will demand a huge pay raise in 10 months when he hits UFA.

WHich is fine enough to some extent but the clock is ticking. Unless you're going to sign him to an extension, which makes almost no sense long term, they'll lose him for nothing. And the shorter that 10 months gets, he loses value.

Nobody is going to call up the Leafs and beg them to take a top 4 defenseman off their hands so not actively shopping JVR is more or less the same as not looking to deal him. It's that lack of activity that is the reason why we're not hearing rumours.

I'm sure we aren't hearing any rumours because thats how Lou operates.  I'm sure they are trying to clear the logjam up front and the UFA's are the three players they are trying to move more than others.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

But there is another point that maybe seems to be at the root of your question. You, and others, seem to look at Brown's numbers and focus on the fact that last year was, technically, his rookie season. Whereas I, and I think some others, look at his numbers and focus on the fact that it was his draft +5 year. He'll be almost 24 when next season starts. That is an age that's pretty close to where a lot of guys have their peak offensive years even if they become more complete players later on.

So has he peaked or not?

 

[disco]

In three years if he continues to play well Connor's up for a big raise on his first UFA contract, if not from us, then from someone. He'll make back the $1-million or so more he may be worth now on the first year of his next contract. Good deal for both sides. I've been impressed with how management has found a solution in these smaller matters, confident they'll be super-shrewd on the larger cap issues coming ahead.

 

[Coco-puffs]

In three years if he continues to play well Connor's up for a big raise on his first UFA contract, if not from us, then from someone. He'll make back the $1-million or so more he may be worth now on the first year of his next contract. Good deal for both sides. I've been impressed with how management has found a solution in these smaller matters, confident they'll be super-shrewd on the larger cap issues coming ahead.

When his new contract ends, he'll have one more year as an RFA.

 

[Kin]

I'm sure we aren't hearing any rumours because thats how Lou operates.  I'm sure they are trying to clear the logjam up front and the UFA's are the three players they are trying to move more than others.

If there are active trade discussions going on Lou doesn't get to control the flow of information. We heard, for instance, about JVR being involved in Hamonic talks.

 

[Kin]

So has he peaked or not?

Depends on what you mean by "peaked".

 

[rdowdall]

Won't someone think of poor Nikita Soshnikov?

 

[Bullfrog]

Won't someone think of poor Nikita Soshnikov?

Scrambled brains.

 

[bustaheims]

Won't someone think of poor Nikita Soshnikov?

I'm not aware of poor Nikita Soshnikov. I am, however, somewhat familiar with financially stable Nikita Soshnikov.

 

[rdowdall]

Won't someone think of poor Nikita Soshnikov?

I'm not aware of poor Nikita Soshnikov. I am, however, somewhat familiar with financially stable Nikita Soshnikov.

Won't someone please think of rich when compared to the general masses but poor when compared to the rest of his peer group Nikita Soshnikov?

 

[freer]

Players don't peek at 23 - 24, Steve Y continued to get until he was 30. Bozak had his best season last year at 30. Kapanen score a total of 1 in 17 games in the regular season.
Why is he a better choice over Brown IMO he has not proven he better is any shape or form

 

[L K]

Players don't peek at 23 - 24, Steve Y continued to get until he was 30. Bozak had his best season last year at 30. Kapanen score a total of 1 in 17 games in the regular season.
Why is he a better choice over Brown IMO he has not proven he better is any shape or form

Connor Brown 23 years old - 36 points in 82 NHL games
Connor Brown 22 years old - 29 points in 36 AHL games
Connor Brown 21 years old - 61 points in 76 AHL games

Kasperi Kapanen 20 years old - 43 points in 43 AHL games, World Juniors golden goal

 

[KadriFan]

Players don't peek at 23 - 24, Steve Y continued to get until he was 30. Bozak had his best season last year at 30. Kapanen score a total of 1 in 17 games in the regular season.
Why is he a better choice over Brown IMO he has not proven he better is any shape or form

So very true....

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://www.arcticicehockey.com/2010/1/21/1261318/nhl-points-per-game-peak-age
http://www.tsn.ca/pinning-down-a-player-s-prime-performance-years-1.388514
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/3/13/5500522/nhl-scoring-stats-rates-age-analysis

All conclude that a players peak offensive performance generally comes around when they're 25.