Dreger : Leafs actively looking for another top forward.

[Corn Flake]

Fair, but that would likely put them below the cap.  And like I said, they are likely going to have to add ~$2M or so anyways once the Rangers purge Avery.

If it's true (and I really don't think it is - it just doesn't feel right), they'd actually have to add ~350K to meet the cap floor.

A little more explanation...

It's only $300k, relatively little in NHL salary standards, but it's a bit of a tricky situation with the Stars. The Stars are already at the 50-contract limit, so signing a player just to get above the floor won't exactly work -- unless the team lets a player go

It certainly doesn't appear to be a big issue though.  I imagine they will make the simple solution of putting Glennie on the IR and calling someone up.

So signing Craig Ludwig to a $1 mil deal like Modano is out?

 

[hockeyfan1]

Rene Bourque, anyone?

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/42655-Trade-Talk-Rene-Bourque-a-popular-target.html

The ?Bourque to Toronto? rumor has the Flames shipping him east for ?some defense in return.?

If Jay Feaster were to trade Bourque, the Flames GM will likely want another scoring winger in return - one who isn't as streaky offensively.

Several weeks ago it was reported the Leafs were in the market for a top-six forward, preferably an ?impact? player.

Bourque is a top-six forward, but hardly falls into the ?impact? category. That's not to say the Leafs don?t have interest, but they'd likely prefer someone who is a more consistent scorer.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Also....

In the wake of Toronto goalie James Reimer's injury (which is being describe as concussion-like symptoms, but not a concussion), more than a few Leafs fans are doubtful backup Jonas Gustavsson has what it takes to fill in for Riemer, especially for a lengthy period.

Islanders netminder Evgeni Nabokov had years of experience as a starting goalie with the San Jose Sharks and played for Leafs coach Ron Wilson when he was behind the Sharks bench from 2002-2008.

Seems a natural fit, but the Islanders aren't in any hurry to move Nabokov, given their concerns over the health of Rick DiPietro.

Until Isles GM Garth Snow feels confident DiPietro won't get sidelined again or feels prospect Kevin Poulin is ready to be called up if DiPietro suffers yet another injury, he'll probably hang onto Nabokov.

Source:  THN

 

[louisstamos]

I like Bourque a lot, but it would have to be a "soft" deal for me to get on board with it.  Something to the effect of Franson & either Lombardi or MacArthur, and even then it seems like a bit of an overpayment...

(although if we just acquired Franson & Lombardi, and traded them both away in the same deal again, that would just be really, really, really weird...)

 

[Erndog]

I like Bourque a lot, but it would have to be a "soft" deal for me to get on board with it.  Something to the effect of Franson & either Lombardi or MacArthur, and even then it seems like a bit of an overpayment...

(although if we just acquired Franson & Lombardi, and traded them both away in the same deal again, that would just be really, really, really weird...)

I wouldn't trade MacArthur straight up for Bourque.

Bourques about 3-4 years older, signed for 3 years longer and has the reputation for being a pretty inconsistent scorer.  Mac, to me anyways, is a better all around player and has obviously shown great chemisty with Kulemin and Grabs so I wouldn't mess with that.  Especially for a sideways move like Bourque.

If we dealt Franson and something marginal for Bourque, I'd consider it.  I think the first 2 lines appear to be set, however the 3rd line does appear to be in need of an upgrade.  Not sure I want to commit $3.3M for all those years to Bourque to play on the 3rd line however.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I like Bourque a lot, but it would have to be a "soft" deal for me to get on board with it.  Something to the effect of Franson & either Lombardi or MacArthur, and even then it seems like a bit of an overpayment...

(although if we just acquired Franson & Lombardi, and traded them both away in the same deal again, that would just be really, really, really weird...)

I wouldn't trade MacArthur straight up for Bourque.

Bourques about 3-4 years older, signed for 3 years longer and has the reputation for being a pretty inconsistent scorer.  Mac, to me anyways, is a better all around player and has obviously shown great chemisty with Kulemin and Grabs so I wouldn't mess with that.  Especially for a sideways move like Bourque.

If we dealt Franson and something marginal for Bourque, I'd consider it.  I think the first 2 lines appear to be set, however the 3rd line does appear to be in need of an upgrade.  Not sure I want to commit $3.3M for all those years to Bourque to play on the 3rd line however.

Yeah, I wouldn't make a deal until we find a deal for a number one center. The rest just works IMO. We have wingers we can bring into the fold if that deal ends up costing us one of our top 6 guys. Wingers are easier to find than a number one center and that should be the priority in any deal now.

We're finally at the point where this team can compete and screwing with that chemistry just to change out a winger, especially one that may not be as good or an improvement, is just not solid business. I like Bourque, but not for us right now.

 

[cw]

I like Bourque a lot, but it would have to be a "soft" deal for me to get on board with it.  Something to the effect of Franson & either Lombardi or MacArthur, and even then it seems like a bit of an overpayment...

(although if we just acquired Franson & Lombardi, and traded them both away in the same deal again, that would just be really, really, really weird...)

I wouldn't trade MacArthur straight up for Bourque.

Bourques about 3-4 years older, signed for 3 years longer and has the reputation for being a pretty inconsistent scorer.  Mac, to me anyways, is a better all around player and has obviously shown great chemisty with Kulemin and Grabs so I wouldn't mess with that.  Especially for a sideways move like Bourque.

If we dealt Franson and something marginal for Bourque, I'd consider it.  I think the first 2 lines appear to be set, however the 3rd line does appear to be in need of an upgrade.  Not sure I want to commit $3.3M for all those years to Bourque to play on the 3rd line however.

I'm not anxious for Bourque either.

As for the third line, in my opinion, we've already got the key guy for that line: Colby Armstrong. We just need him back from the IR. I haven't seen when that will be.

 

[Erndog]

I like Bourque a lot, but it would have to be a "soft" deal for me to get on board with it.  Something to the effect of Franson & either Lombardi or MacArthur, and even then it seems like a bit of an overpayment...

(although if we just acquired Franson & Lombardi, and traded them both away in the same deal again, that would just be really, really, really weird...)

I wouldn't trade MacArthur straight up for Bourque.

Bourques about 3-4 years older, signed for 3 years longer and has the reputation for being a pretty inconsistent scorer.  Mac, to me anyways, is a better all around player and has obviously shown great chemisty with Kulemin and Grabs so I wouldn't mess with that.  Especially for a sideways move like Bourque.

If we dealt Franson and something marginal for Bourque, I'd consider it.  I think the first 2 lines appear to be set, however the 3rd line does appear to be in need of an upgrade.  Not sure I want to commit $3.3M for all those years to Bourque to play on the 3rd line however.

Yeah, I wouldn't make a deal until we find a deal for a number one center. The rest just works IMO. We have wingers we can bring into the fold if that deal ends up costing us one of our top 6 guys. Wingers are easier to find than a number one center and that should be the priority in any deal now.

We're finally at the point where this team can compete and screwing with that chemistry just to change out a winger, especially one that may not be as good or an improvement, is just not solid business. I like Bourque, but not for us right now.

I'm with you.  I think a #1 center is going to be the priority until we get one.  I think most would agree that Connolly is just keeping that spot warm for now.

I'd like to tinker with the 3rd line a bit though.  I think Frattin needs to go down, perhaps Kadri up?  A healthy Army would be great for that line.  Hopefully Lombardi keeps improving.  Either way, the 3rd line has options at least and thats something that is a lot easier 'fixing' if we can't get production out of it.  I also think Dupuis probably shouldn't have a regular spot but I can't quibble too much over a 4th line winger.

 

[Peter D.]

Rene Bourque?  No thanks.

It was fine for Burke to take on Lombardi and Lupul in their respective deals.  Of course, unlike Bourque, they are on shorter deals.  A line has to be drawn as to how many of these deals need to be made.  It's the same reason I was hoping Burke wouldn't really go after Malone.

As suggested, the priority is a #1 centre.  Going after these quasi-top sixers isn't going to cut it anymore.  I'd rather see Kadri get those minutes than a guy like Bourque whose cap hit could be put to better use. 

Best to package a d-man for an impact player than to one-off it.

 

[Fanatic]

The Leafs just need to keep tinkering, developing their youth and improving year over year until July 1, 2013 when they will be free of Connolly and Lupul ($9 mil in annual salary) and can bring in Getzlaf or Perry - my preference would be Getzlaf.

Or at least that is how it all works out in my Leafs dreams.

 

[maplesyrup]

I can't help but ask myself... "Self, if you were Anaheim, why on God's green earth would I consider letting Getzlaf or Perry go?"

 

[Deebo]

I can't help but ask myself... "Self, if you were Anaheim, why on God's green earth would I consider letting Getzlaf or Perry go?"

Not that Getzlaf or Perry will want to leave, but it's not exclusively the choice of the Ducks when it's unrestricted free agency.

 

[Fanatic]

I can't help but ask myself... "Self, if you were Anaheim, why on God's green earth would I consider letting Getzlaf or Perry go?"

Because in 2013 they cannot afford to keep both? Getzlaf and Perry along with Ryan would tie up perhaps $18 million+ in salary on three forwards.

 

[Corn Flake]

I think the only move I would make right now is to trade Franson before his value starts to erode, if it hasn't already.

As for the rest of the team ... short of that magical 1st line centre becoming available or some can't refuse trade offer ... I would leave it be for now and see how things settle out by about game 20. 

 

[Kin]

I can't help but ask myself... "Self, if you were Anaheim, why on God's green earth would I consider letting Getzlaf or Perry go?"

From what we've seen in recent years, top players leave their teams via free agency either because they have somewhere specific they want to play(Niedermayer), they really want to shoot the moon money wise(Kovalchuk) or some sort of mix of the two(Richards).

 

[maplesyrup]

I can't help but ask myself... "Self, if you were Anaheim, why on God's green earth would I consider letting Getzlaf or Perry go?"

Not that Getzlaf or Perry will want to leave, but it's not exclusively the choice of the Ducks when it's unrestricted free agency.

True. Anything could happen (I know) but in the unlikely event they decide to leave, there's also the competition the Leafs would have in securing them... I don't know, it just seems all very, VERY unlikely to me.

 

[maplesyrup]

I can't help but ask myself... "Self, if you were Anaheim, why on God's green earth would I consider letting Getzlaf or Perry go?"

Because in 2013 they cannot afford to keep both? Getzlaf and Perry along with Ryan would tie up perhaps $18 million+ in salary on three forwards.

So we know for certain Anaheim can't afford both? I think that's premature given we don't know what A) The CBA will allow for and B) Their contract demands. Like I alluded to, I'm not holding my breath for either of these guys.

 

[bustaheims]

So we know for certain Anaheim can't afford both? I think that's premature given we don't know what A) The CBA will allow for and B) Their contract demands. Like I alluded to, I'm not holding my breath for either of these guys.

Not for sure, no, but, they have been a budget team rather than a cap team for a few years now - so, we know they're not exactly flush with cash. On top of that, it looks like they could very well be heading down a serious rebuilding path after this season, so, Perry and/or Getzlaf may not want to stick around for that. Like you said, the new CBA adds to the uncertainty, as does their current contract structure - either they'll have paid for a handful of UFA contracts to flesh out their roster going forward or, like I suggested, they'll be going with a lot of kids. They could conceivably be in a position where they could only afford one of the two. While I wouldn't put money on both of them reaching free agency or either of them signing here, it definitely is something that is well within the realm of possibilities . . . and, if Getzlaf hits the market, you can be sure Burke will all over that, and, perhaps his previous relationship will help gives the Leafs the edge.

 

[Fanatic]

So we know for certain Anaheim can't afford both? I think that's premature given we don't know what A) The CBA will allow for and B) Their contract demands. Like I alluded to, I'm not holding my breath for either of these guys.

Not for sure, no, but, they have been a budget team rather than a cap team for a few years now - so, we know they're not exactly flush with cash. On top of that, it looks like they could very well be heading down a serious rebuilding path after this season, so, Perry and/or Getzlaf may not want to stick around for that. Like you said, the new CBA adds to the uncertainty, as does their current contract structure - either they'll have paid for a handful of UFA contracts to flesh out their roster going forward or, like I suggested, they'll be going with a lot of kids. They could conceivably be in a position where they could only afford one of the two. While I wouldn't put money on both of them reaching free agency or either of them signing here, it definitely is something that is well within the realm of possibilities . . . and, if Getzlaf hits the market, you can be sure Burke will all over that, and, perhaps his previous relationship will help gives the Leafs the edge.

That is what I like to think. Except I would go further and suggest that Burke's previous ties to the Ducks might also mean he is a good trading partner in a year when the Ducks realize they better go get something for Getzlaf whil ethey can. Let's have him in blue and white by next December eh?

 

[maplesyrup]

and, if Getzlaf hits the market, you can be sure Burke will all over that, and, perhaps his previous relationship will help gives the Leafs the edge.

You know what that sounds like to me? Standing outside on a sunny day holding a 9-iron over my head with 28 other guys holding slightly shorter 9-irons over their heads hoping to get hit my lightning.