2015 Off Season - Trade and Draft discussion!

[Bloody Brian Burke]

What I think I like about the TOR draft approach is the emphasis on skilled players who can do things with the puck. If you get enough of the players, you dont necessarily need "size" and "truculence". Those attributes are fine if you play the dump and chase game, but hey, looks like TOR is going to try something new (for them) and play a possession game. That gets .

To be honest, the move toward those kinds of players began at last year's draft by drafting Nylander over someone like Nick Ritchie (despite Don Cherry's objections), although they kinda reverted to form in the later rounds.

It's a start - assuming 2-3 of these guys pan out, they need to be complemented with strength up the middle and projects on defence to ensure that in 3-4 years there is an identified core ready to take the team forward. Luckily for them, they should manage to be god-awful this year and likely the year after that which should give them a good shot at Matthews/Chychrun next year and (probably) Nolan Patrick the year after that.

 

[dash]

I think the Leafs are going to have to eat some serious salary in order to move Kessel. Also, I don't think Florida was on Kessel's list.

Leafs willing to retain $2M for Kessel - Article - TSN

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Leafs willing to retain $2M for Kessel - Article - TSN

More than okay with this as long as it bumps up the return, which is probably what Shanny has in mind too.

 

[dash]

More than okay with this as long as it bumps up the return, which is probably what Shanny has in mind too.

Also, that's just a drop in the bucket for the Maple Leafs, heck you guys are paying $50 million for a coach.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Also, that's just a drop in the bucket for the Maple Leafs, heck you guys are paying $50 million for a coach.

Exactly. Which is why I am kind of surprised that Bozak at the very least wasn't moved - imagine the value he has at $3 million to a team when guys like Soderberg are getting almost $5 million?

 

[pixburgher66]

This Mike Richards stuff is also complete bullshit, and players better watch closely, because a precedent may be set. Again, GMs NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE IDIOTIC CONTRACTS THEY LEVY.

 

[flyersfan4706]

Yeah, this is going to get really ugly. Depending on what Richards did to "breach" his contract this case could really take away the value of guaranteed contracts to the players. NHLPA and Fehr are about to go to battle. At least I hope so. Let's get some fireworks.

 

[BGDave]

This Mike Richards stuff is also complete bullshit, and players better watch closely, because a precedent may be set. Again, GMs NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE IDIOTIC CONTRACTS THEY LEVY.

Stop stirring up the unions.

Figures, coming from PGH.

(j/k)

 

[BGDave]

OMG.

 

[pixburgher66]

Stop stirring up the unions.

Figures, coming from PGH.

(j/k)

I'll go allllllll homestead riot on their ass!

 

[BGDave]

Is this the same team that STILL has Voynov under contract?

 

[flyersfan4706]

So what happens if the Kings re-sign Sekera right to the cap and it turns out in the fall Richards' contract isn't void?

 

[flyersfan4706]

Is this the same team that STILL has Voynov under contract?

And Stoll. Free agent this summer, but still...

 

[BGDave]

I am confused. Did Richards have access to dogs?

I will await any real details, but this does not reflect well on Lombardi. At all. He had the clear path out last year and chose not to take it. And now this.

 

[flyersfan4706]

Richards-gate? Breach-gate? King-gate?

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Well this is kind of a gray area, so the league should probably just go ahead and take a 3rd rounder, $3 million dollars and a 1st rounder that they'll later give back but only as the 30th instead of the 10th.

 

[flyersfan4706]

I'll give Lombardi credit. This is genius. Not sure how this was never looked into by anyone publicly before now.

 

[dash]

No way the Kings should be able to get away from the Richards cap hit this easily, you had your chance a year ago Dean-o and you blew it. Pretty sure the NHLPA will want to make sure their member gets paid as well.

 

[pixburgher66]

There's a clause in the agreement that if you fight this, Bettman is the arbitrator. Fucking ridiculous. What a joke. The intent is soooooo clear. Welcome to NFL contracts, where nothing's guaranteed and the years don't matter.

 

[dash]

So when do the Leafs terminate Kessel's contract?