The Official 2011/2012 Armchair GM thread

[MBC]

Anyone think Bozak and Kulemin get you some footing towards J Staal?

I think those are the guys that would form the cornerstone of the deal from Toronto's perspective.  There might be additional assets added from either side to make the deal work, but that's the guts of it IMO.

I don't really see why Pittsburgh would prefer Kulemin and Bozak over Staal.

They may not.  I don't know why the Stars preferred Goligoski over Neal.  Didn't make sense to me at the time, and even less so now.  So I don't pretend to understand every move GMs make.

My own reasoning goes like this:
Pittsburgh is weaker on the wings than they are at center.  Sullivan is UFA this season so there's an opening in the top 9.  He had a bad season offensively, but I think Kulemin can easily step in as their #2 LW.  Because of his numbers this year Kulemin is unlikely to get a raise, so he and Bozak provide the Pens with some savings (don't know if that's important to them or not).  If Staal is moved, Bozak can slide into the #3 slot which I think it's a role for which he's well-suited.  Staal's entering his last season before UFA, so if they don't move him the Pens are going to have to make a decision on how much more than 4M they're willing to commit to their #3 C.

 

[sampson]

Anyone think Bozak and Kulemin get you some footing towards J Staal?

I think those are the guys that would form the cornerstone of the deal from Toronto's perspective.  There might be additional assets added from either side to make the deal work, but that's the guts of it IMO.

I don't really see why Pittsburgh would prefer Kulemin and Bozak over Staal.

The only thing I can see is them wanting to put Kool Lemon with Malkin. They have had some chemistry in the past.

 

[Corn Flake]

Anyone think Bozak and Kulemin get you some footing towards J Staal?

I think those are the guys that would form the cornerstone of the deal from Toronto's perspective.  There might be additional assets added from either side to make the deal work, but that's the guts of it IMO.

I don't really see why Pittsburgh would prefer Kulemin and Bozak over Staal.

They may not.  I don't know why the Stars preferred Goligoski over Neal.  Didn't make sense to me at the time, and even less so now.  So I don't pretend to understand every move GMs make.

My own reasoning goes like this:
Pittsburgh is weaker on the wings than they are at center.  Sullivan is UFA this season so there's an opening in the top 9.  He had a bad season offensively, but I think Kulemin can easily step in as their #2 LW.  Because of his numbers this year Kulemin is unlikely to get a raise, so he and Bozak provide the Pens with some savings (don't know if that's important to them or not).  If Staal is moved, Bozak can slide into the #3 slot which I think it's a role for which he's well-suited.  Staal's entering his last season before UFA, so if they don't move him the Pens are going to have to make a decision on how much more than 4M they're willing to commit to their #3 C.

I would look more at including a Schenn in the deal to get it done. Pens are clearly going to have to shore up the defensive side of things and he would make some sense there as well.  Kulemin/Schenn might get it close. (god I'm still doing it).

Bozak can be dispatched elsewhere for picks or prospects.

 

[Etiam Vultus]

I know that Kuleman's name comes up a lot in trade scenarios, but I would prefer to keep him unless the deal is overwhelming for the following reasons:

1)  More size in the forwards is a high priority.  Including arguably our biggest forward in a trade may solve one weakness, but would not help with our lack of size.

2)  There is an old saying:  Buy low, sell high.  We all agree with it in theory, but tend to forget it in practice.  Note how many more fans want to trade Kuliman now when his value is low as opposed to a year ago when his value was high.

3)  Despite his abysmal offensive output, Kuleman's other numbers are still pretty good.  I think that he is ideally suited a third line winger on Stanley Cup contender.  He would get lots of ice time against the other team's top line and should be an offensive threat as well.  Sort of a poor man's Bob Gainey, if you remember the Montreal dynasty of the 70's.

 

[Corn Flake]

Much interest in anything on the Sharks? I would be surprised if they weren't significantly retooled this summer. 

Pavelski is probably a more available version of Staal, is a great playmaker and would still provide the defensive conscience the first line is missing.  Again not a true #1 but a good #2 and his strengths compliment Kessel & Lupul.  The one thing you lose is the size.  I think he is much better at centre but was pushed to the wing with Cotoure's emergence in order to keep him in the top six.  Move him back to the middle with strong wingers and I think he's most effective.

Clowe would brings the size on the wing along with the leadership... except that with the Sharks record I'm not so sure what to make of his success rate.  Still, better than where the Leafs have been.

Maybe Niemi?  Hmmmm.

Thornton, Marleau and Havlat aren't going anywhere for various reasons.

 

[maplesyrup]

Exciting intel! So, Schenn for JVR. Maybe Kulemin for Stewart. Mac for who knows? JVR/Grabo/Stewart or Kulemin. There's your bigger more skilled second line right there!

 

[Erndog]

Exciting intel! So, Schenn for JVR. Maybe Kulemin for Stewart. Mac for who knows? JVR/Grabo/Stewart or Kulemin. There's your bigger more skilled second line right there!

I still have my reservations whether this actually happens, too much can change (lingering concussion/foot issues for JVR?  better deal for either player comes along?  Some GM gets a change of heart, etc)... but it does make a LOT of sense from both perspectives. 

I'd like to sign Chris Kelly as the 3rd line center.  Local boy, tons of speed, can score 15-20 goals, lots of experience, fantastic PKer, etc.  Dude is a dynamo for a 3rd line center and can play any style of game.

Lupul-?-Kessel
JVR-Grabovski-Kadri
Mac/Kulemin-Kelly-Frattin


I'm all for that.  Not sure who centers the top line though... and what to do with Bozak (I guess in a deal for another center?)  I like Bozak too but if we did sign Kelly there would be no room for him assuming we try for a another top 6 center.


Edit:  I guess if we did go with a top 9 like that then available would be Bozak, MacArthur/Kule, Connolly, Lombardi, Armstrong, etc.  Not sure if that is realistically feasible.

 

[maplesyrup]

Lots of ways to spin it. Either way, it doesn't look good for Mac or Lombardi.

 

[Peter D.]

I'm sure this has been touched on but what about Kipprusoff?

35 years old, 2 more years at $5.8M which is reasonable.  Still a VERY good goalie (.920 SV% and 2.35 GAA this year) and a workhorse (7 straight seasons of 70+ games).

IIRC, when we signed Belfour he was 36.  I have NO doubts that Kipper will still be an excellent goalie for the remaining 2 years of his contract... and possibly still a solid one after that.

My issue is what Calgary would want as I think, rightly or wrongly, they will ask for the moon still. 

Any thoughts?

I'd be all for Kiprusoff as a stop-gap for the next few years and too brought his name up in the other thread.  As you suggest, we brought in Belfour at an older age and provided a few solid seasons, so there is no reason to believe Kiprusoff will slow down and not do so.

Obviously the cost is the issue that everyone's pointed out.  And I feel that rightly, Calgary should ask for the moon.  I believe Calgary is one of the worst franchises in terms of being set up for the future.  They desperately need either a rebuild or some sort of injection of youth in the system.  They have two chips to play to really get that process in motion -- Iginla and Kiprusoff.  I just can't see them trading Kiprusoff, who they don't need to trade as there is no fear of losing him to free agency next summary, for anything but a big return (ie. high pick plus solid prospect/youngster).  They can't gum it up if that's the route they take.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Edit:  I guess if we did go with a top 9 like that then available would be Bozak, MacArthur/Kule, Connolly, Lombardi, Armstrong, etc.  Not sure if that is realistically feasible.

If Burke is doing Schenn for JVR then he must have other moves up his sleeves. Like you say, too many bodies floating around with Kadri and Frattin needing ice-time at some point too.

 

[Corn Flake]

Exciting intel! So, Schenn for JVR. Maybe Kulemin for Stewart. Mac for who knows? JVR/Grabo/Stewart or Kulemin. There's your bigger more skilled second line right there!

Very cool intel, ErnDog... no doubt this will spread like wildfire in short order.

 

[Tigger]

I've been sitting here daydreaming about the Leafs potentially bringing in JVR, Staal and Stewart... had to give my own head a shake.

 

[maplesyrup]

Exciting intel! So, Schenn for JVR. Maybe Kulemin for Stewart. Mac for who knows? JVR/Grabo/Stewart or Kulemin. There's your bigger more skilled second line right there!

Very cool intel, ErnDog... no doubt this will spread like wildfire in short order.

Though maybe we can make a tlmfans pact keep it to ourselves? Loose lips and all...

 

[maplesyrup]

FLYERS' LEAFS' VAN RIEMSDYK POSSIBLE FOR GAME 5

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2012/04/19/philadelphia_flyers_james_van_riemsdyk_return_concussion_game_5/

8)

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Exciting intel! So, Schenn for JVR. Maybe Kulemin for Stewart. Mac for who knows? JVR/Grabo/Stewart or Kulemin. There's your bigger more skilled second line right there!

Very cool intel, ErnDog... no doubt this will spread like wildfire in short order.

Though maybe we can make a tlmfans pact keep it to ourselves? Loose lips and all...

I think we know at this point that a lot of the media are on here, some scavenging for stories/angles.

Interesting info Ernie, I trust your friend is the reliable sort.

I'd probably try and get a pick out of them too just because of JVR's injury issues.

 

[maplesyrup]

Exciting intel! So, Schenn for JVR. Maybe Kulemin for Stewart. Mac for who knows? JVR/Grabo/Stewart or Kulemin. There's your bigger more skilled second line right there!

Very cool intel, ErnDog... no doubt this will spread like wildfire in short order.

Though maybe we can make a tlmfans pact keep it to ourselves? Loose lips and all...

I think we know at this point that a lot of the media are on here, some scavenging for stories/angles.

Interesting info Ernie, I trust your friend is the reliable sort.

I'd probably try and get a pick out of them too just because of JVR's injury issues.

True enough re. keeping it quiet. Regarding the pick? I don't know, on the surface, a straight out swap seems pretty even-steven to me. 

 

[Corn Flake]

Exciting intel! So, Schenn for JVR. Maybe Kulemin for Stewart. Mac for who knows? JVR/Grabo/Stewart or Kulemin. There's your bigger more skilled second line right there!

I'd like to sign Chris Kelly as the 3rd line center.  Local boy, tons of speed, can score 15-20 goals, lots of experience, fantastic PKer, etc.  Dude is a dynamo for a 3rd line center and can play any style of game.

Lupul-?-Kessel
JVR-Grabovski-Kadri
Mac/Kulemin-Kelly-Frattin


I'm all for that.  Not sure who centers the top line though... and what to do with Bozak (I guess in a deal for another center?)  I like Bozak too but if we did sign Kelly there would be no room for him assuming we try for a another top 6 center.


Edit:  I guess if we did go with a top 9 like that then available would be Bozak, MacArthur/Kule, Connolly, Lombardi, Armstrong, etc.  Not sure if that is realistically feasible.

Don't worry too much about where they all play. I keep looking at Philli and they should have the same problem but it finds a way of working itself out.  If the skilled young players we have step in and produce then they simply turn the 2nd liners into 3rd liners.

Schenn for JVR... let's call this a done deal.

Staal or Pavelski for the centre job

Clowe or Stewart for the #2/#3 winger job. 

Kelly or Gaustad for the #3 centre job.

Ben Eager or similar for the 4th line checker/fighter/utility man job.

Goal: Kipprusoff feels like the best option here over a Luongo.  2 years is a good amount of time to let Reimer apprentice.


Use collection of assets for these trades which include:  Picks, B-level prospects, Franson, Bozak, Mac, Kulemin, Scrivens,
Colborne or Kadri (not both, and probably only if we are talking Staal), Armstrong and the other obvious parts to sell like Connolly, Lombardi, etc.

 

[Tigger]

I'd still like to see McClement brought in to cement the pk, move Steckel to wing on the 4th line.

In Staal, Kelly/Gaustad, McClement
Out Bozak, Connolly

I like the cut of your jib there Flake...

Noticed Stewart only had 7:25 toi in the game last night, don't think he's hurt... might be pry-able...

 

[maplesyrup]

Clowe or Stewart for the #2/#3 winger job. 

Man, I'd love Clowe but I say no chance in H. E. Double hockey sticks the Sharks trade him. He's just so valuable to that team.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

for what it would take for the Sharks to trade Clowe, we'd need to play him in Goal, first line Center and every pair on defence.

They'd be more inclined to trade Marleau and Thornton before him, I wholeheartedly believe that.  Even if they rebuild, Clowe will stick around because he plays his role perfectly.