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The Official 2011/2012 Armchair GM thread

I've been thinking about dustin penner.  Would he be an ok way to add some size to the forward lines?  I was just thinking that a signing like that would let you avoid trading for a nash or a jvr and lets you focus on getting that #1 centre and #1 goalie you need.

thoughts?
 
sneakyray said:
I've been thinking about dustin penner.  Would he be an ok way to add some size to the forward lines?  I was just thinking that a signing like that would let you avoid trading for a nash or a jvr and lets you focus on getting that #1 centre and #1 goalie you need.

thoughts?

I mean, if the financial risk is negligible the risk is negligible but Penner was largely a disappointment under his current contract. Some good play at the end of it doesn't change that and really should make teams extra wary.
 
sneakyray said:
I've been thinking about dustin penner.  Would he be an ok way to add some size to the forward lines?  I was just thinking that a signing like that would let you avoid trading for a nash or a jvr and lets you focus on getting that #1 centre and #1 goalie you need.

thoughts?

What Penner provides is bigness rather than size in the applied sense. While he's been more physical in the playoffs, he hasn't shown a consistent willingness to use his size in such a way during the regular season, and that's really what the Leafs need - especially since we're talking about a guy who saw his offensive production practically disappear this past season.
 
bustaheims said:
sneakyray said:
I've been thinking about dustin penner.  Would he be an ok way to add some size to the forward lines?  I was just thinking that a signing like that would let you avoid trading for a nash or a jvr and lets you focus on getting that #1 centre and #1 goalie you need.

thoughts?

What Penner provides is bigness rather than size in the applied sense. While he's been more physical in the playoffs, he hasn't shown a consistent willingness to use his size in such a way during the regular season, and that's really what the Leafs need - especially since we're talking about a guy who saw his offensive production practically disappear this past season.

I think I'd be willing to give the guy a bit of a pass on last season what with his weird injury and going through a divorce.  That personal stuff messes with you, ya know?  But if his unwillingness to use his size is a career long thing than yeah, I guess I see why you wouldn't want him.  Just looking at his career numbers though their not that bad. I guess my point is whether or not it would be a better use of 3-4million than armstrong, or lombardi.  I don't think I would do it for much more than that.

plus, possibility of a monumental collapse notwithstanding, the guy is about to be a multiple stanley cup winner.
 
bustaheims said:
sneakyray said:
I've been thinking about dustin penner.  Would he be an ok way to add some size to the forward lines?  I was just thinking that a signing like that would let you avoid trading for a nash or a jvr and lets you focus on getting that #1 centre and #1 goalie you need.

thoughts?

What Penner provides is bigness rather than size in the applied sense. While he's been more physical in the playoffs, he hasn't shown a consistent willingness to use his size in such a way during the regular season, and that's really what the Leafs need - especially since we're talking about a guy who saw his offensive production practically disappear this past season.

I largely agree in terms of his physical play. He has historically thrived some on the PP as a big body that will go to the net. Leafs could use that if he'd deliver it. His ice time and PP time got cut in LA this season and he was injured for a number of games. So some of the drop in production is due to less ice time but with how much LA's PP struggled, if he'd been any good, he could have earned more PP time fairly easily.

Even since 2006 - after the rules changes were made, I think skating has gradually continued to increase as a requirement for success. Although I've seen flashes of decent skating from him in these playoffs, Penner is not very consistent in that area and never has been in my opinion.

I have my doubts that LA will try very hard to re-sign him which probably says something too though I expect someone will give him a try.
 
sneakyray said:
plus, possibility of a monumental collapse notwithstanding, the guy is about to be a multiple stanley cup winner.

Sure, but I doubt anyone will ever seriously say he was a key component of any of those teams winning the Cup. A lot of guys have multiple Cup rings on their resume, and a lot of those guys are decidedly ordinary, easily replaceable players.
 
Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie

They are not done yet, but Chris Kelly and Gregory Campbell are closing in on new multi-year deals with BOS. Both are UFA on July 1.

Strike a couple off the wishlist. I wasn't particularly interested in either as they both would have come over-priced, but I know some were.
 
Corn Flake said:
BlueWhiteBlood said:
Here's my wish list for October's starting line-up. I realize this most likely won't happen, but it is theoretically possible that it could if all the stars align.

Top Line-> Zack Parise-Jordan Staal-Phil Kessel
Shutdown Line-> Nikolai Kulemin-Mikhail Grabovski-Joffrey Lupul
Scoring Line-> Nazem Kadri-Tyler Bozak-Matt Frattin
Energy Line-> Leo Komarov-Dave Steckel-Mike Brown

1st Pairing: Carl Gunnarsson Dion Phaneuf
2nd Pairing: JM Liles Cody Franson
3rd Pairing: Jake Gardner Justin Schultz (legit possibility)
Spare: Korbinian Holzer

Luongo (could be had for the right deal)
Reimer
Scrivens

Certainly adding Parise, Staal, and Luongo is a substantial boost of top end talent to the lineup.  Is your approach that the 2nd line is effectively the 3rd line (checking) but based on ice time sits as the #2?  I'm not so sure if that works but I guess it could. That 3rd line will probably get a size upgrade up the middle.  At least I hope it does.

With so many older Leaf players with one  more year on their contracts and with watching the Marlies playoff run I am thinking more than ever that the young players should be kept one more year in the AHL.

Like BWB suggests, I would go after J Staal, Parise and Luongo. 

While MacArthur's value is at the highest and C Stewart's value is probably at the lowest I think it is a good time to make the move. I also think this is a good trade for both teams.

This would leave Colborne, Kadri, Ashton and Frattin on the Marlies to be called up when injuries happen.  I have really liked Frattin's game in the AHL playoffs though.  He is a harder hitter than Armstrong and 2-3 times the goal scorer.

I believe the movable signed contracts on the Leafs are Bozak and Gunnarsson and will most likely have to be traded.  Un-signed rfas that could be moved are probably Kulemin*, Frattin*, Mueller, Franson*, Holzer*, Fraser* and Scrivens*. (* want to keep)  Unloading contracts for Luongo would be Komisarek leaving the Leafs looking something like this next year (Rosehill and Lashoff as placeholders):

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Zach Parise ($7.000m) / Jordan Staal ($4.000m) / Phil Kessel ($5.400m)
Joffrey Lupul ($4.250m) / Mikhail Grabovski ($5.500m) / Nikolai Kulemin ($2.500m)
Matthew Lombardi ($3.500m) / Tim Connolly ($4.750m) / Chris Stewart ($3.500m)
Leo Komarov ($1.200m) / David Steckel ($1.100m) / Mike Brown ($0.737m)
Jay Rosehill ($0.600m) /
DEFENSEMEN
John-Michael Liles ($3.875m) / Dion Phaneuf ($6.500m)
Jake Gardiner ($1.117m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Mark Fraser ($0.605m) / Cody Franson ($1.325m)
Matt Lashoff ($0.600m) /
GOALTENDERS
James Reimer ($1.800m)
Roberto Luongo ($5.333m)
BUYOUTS
Darcy Tucker ($1.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $70,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $69,791,667; BONUSES: $562,500
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $508,333

At next years trade deadline evaluate: Connolly, Lupul, and Lombardi at a combined $12.5 MIL cap hit.
 
Realistically, if Parise doesn't re-sign with the Devils ( which seems almost certain to me ) his cap hit will likely be higher than 7 I think.

Getting Staal won't be cheap.

Matt Frattin will be, in all probability, a full time Leaf next year or NHL'r if traded.

Fraser and Holzer give the Leafs some bottom pairing options, Lashoff I'm not so sure about as he's ufa and probably looking for a bit better guaranteed money.

I really hope the Leafs are in on Schultz.

I also think there are opportunities given the Jones contract, that some teams might be willing to take a one year player like Lombardi or Connolly instead of blowing their brains out on an ufa.

Also, even if the cap doesn't go back down, that's pretty tight bulldog, might need some cushion.
 
Tigger said:
Realistically, if Parise doesn't re-sign with the Devils ( which seems almost certain to me ) his cap hit will likely be higher than 7 I think. I am thinking that although he appears better than Kessel, Parise is not worth Crosby.  I would hope the most Parise would get would be $7.5 MIL

Getting Staal won't be cheap.  I figure it will start with Gunnarsson and possibly Bozak who is a good size at 6'1", almost scored 20 goals in only his second full season if not for getting injured and he had a 52.7 FO % as the Leafs center on the top line usually playing against the leagues top centers.  Pitts also might actually want Armstrong to play along with Crosby again.  I think trading Kulemin after his horrendous points total last season would be trading him at his lowest value ever. Pitts might insist on a young prospect.  I would expect Kadri or Colborne but would prefer to trade Ashton.

Matt Frattin will be, in all probability, a full time Leaf next year or NHL'r if traded. Agreed.  As I mentioned, I too like what I saw from him in the playoffs.

Fraser and Holzer give the Leafs some bottom pairing options, Lashoff I'm not so sure about as he's ufa and probably looking for a bit better guaranteed money.
I mentioned that Lashoff and Rosehill were just place holders (basically for similar priced players).  I really like Fraser's toughness, hockey sense and skill set for a 6th dman.  Having Phaneuf, Schenn and Fraser in each pairing gives a physical toughness that the Leafs need I feel.  I am not as impressed with Holzer compared to Franson.

I really hope the Leafs are in on Schultz. Me too.  I just wasn't sure how realistic it is yet

I also think there are opportunities given the Jones contract, that some teams might be willing to take a one year player like Lombardi or Connolly instead of blowing their brains out on an ufa.  I am hoping still that NYI takes Connolly to get to the floor and if it was for Martin coming back to T.O. then I would be ecstatic.  I am also hoping that Lombardi can display his old form this year after having a full summer to prepare. 

Also, even if the cap doesn't go back down, that's pretty tight bulldog, might need some cushion. Right on Tig.  You are correct.  Figuring that I planned to dump Komisarek and Armstrong, I wasn't sure how realistic it was to look to dump Connolly (to NYI) or Lombardi (in the Luongo trade) as well. I am just looking at the massive contracts that could come of the books at the end of the next year and be replaced by rookie contracts.  I expect that it would allow the payroll to go back around $60 MIL.
 
Tigger said:
I really hope the Leafs are in on Schultz.

"Justin Schultz will not be an Anaheim Duck, He's informed us that he wishes to explore talks with the 29 other clubs, and that's his right under the current CBA." - Bob Murray

The plot thickens!!! 
 
Madferret said:
Have the Pens given any indication that they want to move Staal or is this just speculation?

There was something about Shero acknowledging that changes need to be made or something along those lines, but, that's about it.
 
bustaheims said:
Madferret said:
Have the Pens given any indication that they want to move Staal or is this just speculation?

There was something about Shero acknowledging that changes need to be made or something along those lines, but, that's about it.

Interesting. That was Staal's best year statistically and he was one of the few Pens to show-up for the playoffs. If Shero meant changes as in MAF is no longer playing 60 games a season then getting Vokoun addresses that.
 
Madferret said:
bustaheims said:
Madferret said:
Have the Pens given any indication that they want to move Staal or is this just speculation?

There was something about Shero acknowledging that changes need to be made or something along those lines, but, that's about it.

Interesting. That was Staal's best year statistically and he was one of the few Pens to show-up for the playoffs. If Shero meant changes as in MAF is no longer playing 60 games a season then getting Vokoun addresses that.

The 2+2 that some of us are putting together with the Pens making changes is the  defense needs help as much as the goaltending did.  The Flyers were manhandling them down low and although Fleury was a disaster with zero confidence, their d-men should take much of the blame too. 

So the assumption is that they will probably sacrifice up front to address the defense, and Staal being on the verge of UFA, rumored to be looking for a more prominent role, is the obvious name to keep coming up.
 
Corn Flake said:
So the assumption is that they will probably sacrifice up front to address the defense, and Staal being on the verge of UFA, rumored to be looking for a more prominent role, is the obvious name to keep coming up.

Although Staal is their best defensive forward so it really only makes sense if the idea is they trade him for an upgrade defensively. Most trade ideas presented here have been for a collection of lesser talents and mainly forwards.
 
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