Polak and Spaling traded to San Jose

[ZBBM]

I think there's a decent case to be made that Polak as a rental fetched more than Phaneuf.

Not that it's worth much but I expect Simmons would disagree. The sources for his latest column thought Polak would bring a second and a decent prospect.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

This is awesome...

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I think there's a decent case to be made that Polak as a rental fetched more than Phaneuf.

Not that it's worth much but I expect Simmons would disagree. The sources for his latest column thought Polak would bring a second and a decent prospect.

As long as they were better sources than those for his hot dog story.

 

[maplesyrup]

Patrick - That's fantastic!

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

It's early but I know some had concerns about how committed Lou would be to "the plan", it seems like he's on board. I think his experience/relationships have probably helped get some of these deal over the line.

 

[Kin]

It's early but I know some had concerns about how committed Lou would be to "the plan", it seems like he's on board. I think his experience/relationships have probably helped get some of these deal over the line.

I guess. I don't know that I look at the suite of moves made over the last little while as being substantially different than what Nonis did last year at this time. Blowing up a team and getting more or less the market value is elementary stuff.

 

[Highlander]

Thanks for that Patrick.  I think the Phaneuf trade without retaining salary was Lou's great move so far. But very good for 2 seconds for Polak.

 

[herman]

http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=870001

Some money quotes from Lou.

How much interest was there in Polak and what type of influence did he have on the team?

First of all, Roman, there's no question what his characteristics are. He's a man, he's a player's player, he competes each and every night. He's somebody that you'd go in a foxhole with at any given time. He knows what we think of him and he certainly understands what we're trying to do here with reference to the plan that is in place. I just can't say enough about him as a person and also what he's brought to that lineup.

Was there much interest in Polak?

Hopefully there's interest in every player.

[...]

What is the importance of Mark Hunter moving forward with this cache of picks?

I don't think I could overestimate the value and the knowledge and the expertise of Mark Hunter in his position in this draft -- total, total comfortability. As you said I was fortunate to have David Conte for a number of years over there [in New Jersey]. Both have tremendous similarities as far as being at the rink each and every day, seeing games and having knowledge and Mark is that. In the brief time that I have been here and, one of the first individuals that I spent time with because of how important he was, I'm impressed more and more with him and totally comfortable with him having these picks in his hands and I think Maple Leafs fans should feel comfortable also. I know our whole staff, throughout the Marlies, throughout the scouts -- as far as their respect for him -- and the coaching staff, he's straightforward, no grey area and he knows what he's doing.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

It's early but I know some had concerns about how committed Lou would be to "the plan", it seems like he's on board. I think his experience/relationships have probably helped get some of these deal over the line.

I guess. I don't know that I look at the suite of moves made over the last little while as being substantially different than what Nonis did last year at this time. Blowing up a team and getting more or less the market value is elementary stuff.

I think the deals made so far have been better than expected, but I know you probably disagree.

 

[herman]

It's early but I know some had concerns about how committed Lou would be to "the plan", it seems like he's on board. I think his experience/relationships have probably helped get some of these deal over the line.

I guess. I don't know that I look at the suite of moves made over the last little while as being substantially different than what Nonis did last year at this time. Blowing up a team and getting more or less the market value is elementary stuff.

I think the deals made so far have been better than expected, but I know you probably disagree.

Nonis would've retained salary and thrown in a 2nd

 

[Kin]

I think the deals made so far have been better than expected, but I know you probably disagree.

No, I'd definitely say that about this deal. The Phaneuf deal too. I'd even say that about the Matthias deal if I didn't flat out say a few days before it I thought he'd go for a 4th.

I just also said that about the Winnik and Franson deals last year.

 

[herman]

I was just being facetious, but Nonis did a great job at the deadline last year.

 

[Kaberle15]

Nice return.

It opens up (more) spots on the D...

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I can see where you're coming from Nik.

My comments are based mainly on the Phaneuf deal, hearing Murray talk about how it came together, it definitely seemed like it was a deal that got done in no small part thanks to Lou and Murray's previous relationship and mutual respect.

 

[Kin]

My comments are based mainly on the Phaneuf deal, hearing Murray talk about how it came together, it definitely seemed like it was a deal that got done in no small part thanks to Lou and Murray's previous relationship and mutual respect.

That very well might be the case. The thing that really impressed me about the Phaneuf deal wasn't the return the Leafs got, it's that the deal got done with the Senators.

 

[disco]

In the summer pundits were like, 'sure they're saying all the right things, but let's wait and see if they have the discipline to do a proper rebuild / Will fans rock back and forth in the fetal position and defecate' etc. Now it's like, 'yeah... they're uh... they're serious.'

Tank Commander Lou: 'Two second assists? Two draft picks!'

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Lou was totally showcasing Polak by having him take that ceremonial faceoff on Saturday.  And he won the draw so cleanly, worth an extra second rounder for sure.

 

[Kin]

In the summer pundits were like, 'sure they're saying all the right things, but let's wait and see if they have the discipline to do a proper rebuild / Will fans rock back and forth in the fetal position and defecate' etc. Now it's like, 'yeah... they're uh... they're serious.'

Having the discipline for a proper rebuild isn't really about blowing up the team, it's about the construction of what's in its place. The real test is going to come later with things like what they do when Stamkos is on the market and how long they're willing to wait around in the bottom of the draft until they find franchise cornerstones.

 

[disco]

Elliotte Friedman reporting on Hockey Central at Noon that San Jose has no 1st round pick in the 2016 draft, hence them wanting to hang on to their 2016 2nd round pick. Leafs had the flexibility to slot the 2nd round pick for Polak later, so Lou turned it into two 2nd round picks in 2017 and 2018. A win-win for everyone.

Good Point Nik. Love the pic btw. Franchise cornerstones/elite players are more and more becoming available really only at the top of the draft, barring a Stamkos situation or late-draft magic. I honestly didn't think I'd be having this much fun in year one though. Babs keeps them honest and Lou maximizes the returns.

Tank Nation: 'The Passion Draft Pick That Unites Us All...'

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Helps replace the picks they have to give up at some point for Babcock/Lou.

I'm hoping the Leafs just act like that never happened. Do you really see Bettman confronting Lou about it?

Assuming those picks aren't forgotten, I'm wondering if the Leafs can take on of their newly acquired seconds and convert it to 2 third-round picks from the same team in consecutive years? That would use up one pick, but hopefully pay all of Lou's debts in one fell swoop, without having to resort to cement shoes.