I see hockey as a form of entertainment such as a concert or a movie. I happen to like one of the characters better than the others. Would I love to see them win an Oscar(Cup)? Of course I would but I can still enjoy the production just fine without the award. Life is a little more imp to me than hockey so I treat it as a break from reality and the Leafs have entertained me just fine.
Goaltending conundrum
- Thread starter Redleaf
- Start date
Bates said:
Yes, ultimately hockey is just entertainment. It certainly isn't religion, as some claim it to be. If nothing else, it's a good way to get through the long, cold Canadian winters.
But I think many of us are starting to forget how much fun it is when the Leafs are in the playoffs. And to imagine a Leafs team that might actually win the Cup? A far off dream right now, but huge in terms of entertainment. Beyond that? I don't know, but it would be fun to find out.
Zee
Active member
skrackle said:
Gaping holes amount to a starting goalie and a #1 center you can lean on for heavy minutes. If Carlyle can get the team to play a cohesive system, the defense should be fine. I've seen lesser teams play good team defense by sticking to a system, if they can do it why can't the Leafs?
L K
Active member
Zee said:
They could certainly find a #1 goaltender (but it is likely going to have to be a trade as the guys on the UFA track are either very unproven - Harding; or really old/injury risks - Biron/Vokoun). The problem is, say they acquire Luongo, how can the system afford to acquire a top flight goaltender AND acquire a #1 center. Maybe they can grab Parise, but is he actually a true #1 center at this point...at least the kind the Leafs need. He's a top notch player, but he's pretty darn small.
GhostofPotvin29
New member
L K said:
I don't know that you need a truly elite #1 C if you have great goaltending and play a good system. Look at the Rangers, Predators and Coyotes.
GhostofPotvin29
New member
Damian said:
I don't think he played in the elite category this season that's why I included them. His stats for the season just don't look all that impressive, either the basic or the advanced ones.
Zee said:
The starting goalie? That could be done. No.1 center? I'm not so sure about that. Teams don't often trade those types unless there's a major problem. I don't see this hole being filled soon. Then there's the lack of size and toughness up front.
I'm sure Burke is going to attempt to address as many of these areas as possible this summer. His honeymoon is definitely over in Toronto and his job may depend on the results. However, the UFA market is kind of bare and the Leafs don't have a lot of cap space.
I don't know what Burke has planned, so I'm not pre-judging him on what he is or isn't going to do. Maybe he can pull off some magic. There should be some signs of internal improvement under Carlyle, and with some of the youth in the system making the Leafs. I just think that next off-season, the Leafs will be better positioned in making moves, and the CBA picture should be clear by then.
Burke may not have the luxury of patience, though.
Etiam Vultus
New member
It is going to be an interesting summer.
This thread has already identified multiple options for goalies available via trade, (or possibly available via trade), UFA and RFA. Burke must do something about Leaf goaltending.
Although it is not receiving as much talk, there could also be multiple options of centres available, primarily via trade. Will Pittsburgh keep their big three. Can they afford to. Will San Jose decide it is time to rebuild and look to move Thornton or Marleau. Could Lecavalier be moved. I realize that NTC and NMC clauses are a factor; they inhibit trades but do not prevent them. Burke said in one one his interviews that he thought a number one centre was a higher priority than goaltending and that he intended to address the needs via trades.
Toss in the unknowns about the new CBA and this should be interesting.
This thread has already identified multiple options for goalies available via trade, (or possibly available via trade), UFA and RFA. Burke must do something about Leaf goaltending.
Although it is not receiving as much talk, there could also be multiple options of centres available, primarily via trade. Will Pittsburgh keep their big three. Can they afford to. Will San Jose decide it is time to rebuild and look to move Thornton or Marleau. Could Lecavalier be moved. I realize that NTC and NMC clauses are a factor; they inhibit trades but do not prevent them. Burke said in one one his interviews that he thought a number one centre was a higher priority than goaltending and that he intended to address the needs via trades.
Toss in the unknowns about the new CBA and this should be interesting.
Zee
Active member
Potvin29 said:
I agree, that's why I don't think the Leafs have as many "gaping holes" as we might think. A true #1 workhorse goalie and a better defensive system goes a long way. It would be nice to have that real #1C as well, but I understand we may not have the assets to acquire both a goalie AND a center, so I'd rather we focus on the goalie to start. I believe that a great goalie + a great defensive system puts us into the playoffs.
Corn Flake
New member
Corn Flake said:
maplesyrup
New member
Hasek. 
bustaheims
Active member
Tigger said:
I doubt it. In fact, if the Devils win the Cup, I kind of expect him to retire. (Brodeur, obviously - Parise's stay in New Jersey may be tied closely to their financial issues.)
BlueWhiteBlood
New member
bustaheims said:
I have the same feeling, I was actually having that conversation with somebody today. I can't see him starting over in another city, after what he has accomplished in New Jersey.
bustaheims
Active member
BlueWhiteBlood said:
Oh, there's no way he leaves the Devils. It's New Jersey or retirement for him.
BlueWhiteBlood
New member
bustaheims said:
And it would be fitting that he retired with the cup one more time. (I am rooting for LA though)