Peca signs with Leafs

[JGraz15 53]

On a side note, what happened to Peca's face...he has a huge scar on it and I noticed he started wearing a visor at some point last year

[kosydar 0]

Tucker and Peca have both publically stated that everything is cool between them. JFJ and Maurice certainly would not sign Peca if they even thought there was a possibility to create drama in the lockerroom.

I've always wanted Tucker to be on the second line with O'Neill and Wellwood. He is definitely one of the top six forwards on the team. However, he isn't anything amazing at even strength. Kilger actually led the team in even strength goals if you can believe that. Tucker-Peca-Kilger would definitely be a good line, but that would mean Tucker's time would be significantly cut, and someone like Antropov's would be increased.

[willc7786 0]

Yeah, and how many times do we hear the truth in those public statements?

Neil Smith and Mike Milbury "publicly stated" everything between them as good, and look at todays news, Smith is suddenly out in a month with no explanation (at this time)

[kosydar 0]

Fair enough. But I really can't imagine any team would bring in a guy like that, given the history, if things were at least ok. Do I think everything is great between them and they're now friends? No. Do I think that they can work together? Hopefully. Tucker is the 4th captain of the Leafs, hes been with the team for six or seven years, and from all reports, is liked by the team. No offense to Peca, but he isn't a good enough player to bring on to your team if there is a decent chance that it'll cause the team to divide.

[fastmiele 59]

If the Leafs were set on getting a defensive center, why not McCauley? He signed for LA for 3 years, $6 mil. No reason he wouldn't have done that here. Hes a better player than Peca.

I like McCauley and I am fine with 2 million, but I don't think it is in the best interest for the organization to lock him for 3 years (6 million total).

Wasn't there something wrong with his leg and that's why he didn't play for a large portion of the year.

[willc7786 0]

No i agree, Tucker definitely wins out that one by far. If there's a Peca trade this season, it'll definitely be because problems started. If no trade, then good for them for putting the past behind them.

I personally never forget a guy who gives me a really dirty hit, and Tuckers put Peca on the shelf for 6 months. I think they've both moved on since, but I wouldn't be surprised to see those feelings (at least pecas) start to come up when/if things get heated for other reasons.

[trucks 0]

No player is good enough to come to a team knowing hell divide a room. It just makes two seperate teams and no team can win in that situation.

[kosydar 0]

At least it'd be another good fight between them.

(2nd to last)

[fastmiele 59]

If I remember correctly McCauley left TO on good terms. I'm pretty sure Quinn was still GM when that disgusting trade went down, so there is completely different management in place. He's from Ontario, plus he was breaking out the season when he got traded (hence why SJ wanted him). He had a great playoff run in '02 and was well liked by the TO fanbase. I've heard he is good friends with McCabe and Tucker. I'm not saying that had the Leafs offered him a contract he'd have automatically signed, but due to the reasons listed above I think that TO would most likely be near the top of his list.

From the interview I saw last year, he said indirectly that the organization did not use him properly and was held back. I was a bit surprised at his attitude because that was a while ago and figured those bad feelings would of subsided and not take little jabs at his formal club (although fair). I mean what's the point, why rehash bad feelings on national hockey television, just move on.

Given that, I knew with almost certainity he wasn't coming back after the interview.

[fastmiele 59]

McCauley sucks. He isn't physical enough to be an energy guy and isn't talented enough to crack the top 6. He's a poor mans second line center. Stajan does everything Alyn does, but is younger and cheaper. McCauley had a good year, or a break-out team which was in the perfect situation. I like him as a person from all I've read and seen, but he isn't the player he was supposed to be.

I agree with you, McCauley wanted to be a top 6, but in my opinion wasn't physical enough to make it in there. At that time, there were too many other centers ahead of him.

Sundin, Perrault and Korolev were all playing pretty well.

The only disagreement I have is that I think McCauley is a better defensive forward than Stajan at this point of time (more experience/smarter)

[trucks 0]

Well if the Leafs didn't deal him and Boyes and a first rounder to get Nolan theyd be in a lot better position right now. Theyd have another centre without having to sign Peca and Boyes is a solid winger now. Plus they could have used the draft pick to get a young solid d-man. Boy now that I look back at that trade how stupid were the Leafs. Hopefully the Leafs stop dealing young prospects and developing talent for old useless rentals at the deadline.

[kosydar 0]

That ended when Quinn quit being GM. I'm still shocked JFJ traded Klee for Slugobov. Rask for Raycroft had to happen.

[McCabe24 0]

Tucker and Peca have both publically stated that everything is cool between them. JFJ and Maurice certainly would not sign Peca if they even thought there was a possibility to create drama in the lockerroom.

I've always wanted Tucker to be on the second line with O'Neill and Wellwood. He is definitely one of the top six forwards on the team. However, he isn't anything amazing at even strength. Kilger actually led the team in even strength goals if you can believe that. Tucker-Peca-Kilger would definitely be a good line, but that would mean Tucker's time would be significantly cut, and someone like Antropov's would be increased.

The Leafs have never been about true 1, 2, 3, and 4 lines by talent and subsequent role. Obviously, that was because Quinn wanted everyone playing 15 minutes every game but with the types of players they have and the role they are best suited to playing, mainly the three kids who aren't going to blow anyone away in the top six but won't grow in a defensive role, it makes some sense to add someone who plays around 20 minutes on a nightly basis (Peca averaged 19:05 during the playoffs despite numerous accumulated injuries, ahead of Stoll who had the more offensive linemates) and brings a skillset different from that of everyone else on the team. Yes, he fell into JFJ's lap with wanting to play in Toronto but that is a total positive when someone actually cares for what the crest means besides a paycheck.

[trucks 0]

That ended when Quinn quit being GM. I'm still shocked JFJ traded Klee for Slugobov. Rask for Raycroft had to happen.

I honestly wish they traded Pogge instead of Rask. I guess they wanted to keep the Canadian kid but with the way the Finns have been developing goalies I wouldn't want to trade their best young goalie. Hopefully they made the right move as they had 2 and 1 was spendable, I just think Rask will end up being better then Pogge and I pray Pogges not a bust but at least they also now have Raycroft whos young and proven he can play at an NHL level, just needs to bounce back with a solid year.

[fastmiele 59]

That ended when Quinn quit being GM. I'm still shocked JFJ traded Klee for Slugobov. Rask for Raycroft had to happen.

do you like the Klee for Suglabov trade ?

I think its good for the Leafs, Klee wasn't playing well and we weren't going to resign him anways.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Boston wanted Rask because of the Finnish connection with Toivonen

Tucker is actually friends with a few of Peca's relatives. I thought that was weird.

Tucker is depended upon for scoring, but it was primarily on the PP in a very specific role. He played some time on the first line, but I wouldn't expect it again. Having the 3 I listed as a checking line can be very dangerous as all hit, skate and can score.

[fastmiele 59]

Well if the Leafs didn't deal him and Boyes and a first rounder to get Nolan theyd be in a lot better position right now. Theyd have another centre without having to sign Peca and Boyes is a solid winger now. Plus they could have used the draft pick to get a young solid d-man. Boy now that I look back at that trade how stupid were the Leafs. Hopefully the Leafs stop dealing young prospects and developing talent for old useless rentals at the deadline.

at the time it seemed like the right thing to do. Picking up a 1st line winger could of potentially pushed the Leafs to the next level/round.

Like I always say "Damned if you, Damned if you don't" !

[kosydar 0]

That ended when Quinn quit being GM.  I'm still shocked JFJ traded Klee for Slugobov.  Rask for Raycroft had to happen.

do you like the Klee for Suglabov trade ?

I think its good for the Leafs, Klee wasn't playing well and we weren't going to resign him anways.

I love the trade. I don't expect Slugobov to make an instant impact. Hell I'm not even sure if he'll ever consistantly crack a NHL line up. The best part of the trade is that it was obvious we weren't going to make the playoffs, so we were sellers. I can't remember TO selling for a long time. Slugobov was one of NJ's top four or five prospects, too, which makes it even better. And like you said, Klee wasn't coming back.

[McCabe24 0]

Which is what the Leafs should try at the start of camp and continue with until it hurts the team. Sure, it is a total rip-off of the Torres-Peca-Pisani line that not only played against the opponent's best line but was able to outscore the Stoll line in the process but it is stupid to not try and emulate the Oilers with the players on the roster.

Obviously, such will never be done by a true checking line over the course of a season but you can still effectively play all aspects of the game for just under 20 minutes every night. Plus, it isn't like Kilger and Tucker have to equal their career years from last season either, just play efficiently and chip in offensively when the opportunity presents itself. Having a defensive minded center may also help by taking the pressure off and shifting the focus to their overall play.

[fastmiele 59]

if we were sellers we should of traded Allision, McCabe and Aki Berg. I heard that some teams were calling asking what we wanted for him. I am pretty sure the Leafs knew Aki Berg wasn't coming back so we might as get a draft pick.

[kosydar 0]

True, but at the same time trading Klee in theory gives Berg more ice time. Maybe their thoughts were to play Berg more now that the season was shot and see what he can do. By putting him on the 2nd line with a little bit better of a partner and giving him more responsibility, maybe he'll shine. We know that didn't happen, but I can see that as being a reason to not trade him.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I think they just wanted to toe the line. They pretty well upgraded the team and the prospect bank with the Richardson/Suggy move. They ran the table at the end and finished 2 points out. Had Carolina not choked against Tampa, Toronto would've played them in the first round.

[fastmiele 59]

True, but at the same time trading Klee in theory gives Berg more ice time. Maybe their thoughts were to play Berg more now that the season was shot and see what he can do. By putting him on the 2nd line with a little bit better of a partner and giving him more responsibility, maybe he'll shine. We know that didn't happen, but I can see that as being a reason to not trade him.

I personally thought he did do better on the 2nd line with Luke Richardson. I didn't see them make many errors and were pretty effective at neutralizing the opposition so maybe your plan/theory did work outl.

[willc7786 0]

This just in...all bad feelings between Tucker and Peca are put aside as Peca takes Tucker out to a 5-star restaurant as a way of saying thanks for injuring him and getting him shipped out of the hellhole (aka Long Island)

(obviously kidding but couldn't resist)

[Chadd 916]

Well if the Leafs didn't deal him and Boyes and a first rounder to get Nolan theyd be in a lot better position right now. Theyd have another centre without having to sign Peca and Boyes is a solid winger now. Plus they could have used the draft pick to get a young solid d-man. Boy now that I look back at that trade how stupid were the Leafs. Hopefully the Leafs stop dealing young prospects and developing talent for old useless rentals at the deadline.

at the time it seemed like the right thing to do. Picking up a 1st line winger could of potentially pushed the Leafs to the next level/round.

Like I always say "Damned if you, Damned if you don't" !

Ok, I'm going to have to disagree with that. I thought it was a terrible trade and I wasn't the only one to say so at the time.