Leafs

[kosydar 0]

McCabe and Tucker both have NTCs, and it is unlikely that either (especially Tucker) will waive them. As bad as they have been, Toronto is only five points out of the playoffs right now. A good two weeks puts them in the 6,7,8 range in the East. Assuming that they're within reasonable reach of the playoffs (which right now they are), Sundin won't be traded. JFJ's job is dependent upon making the playoffs this season. If they aren't making the playoffs, its almost certain he will be gone. He has no personal interest in making the team better in the future, and as sick as it is, I can almost see the Leafs being buyers again this year.

[RadioGaGa 162]

  kosydar said:

McCabe and Tucker both have NTCs, and it is unlikely that either (especially Tucker) will waive them. As bad as they have been, Toronto is only five points out of the playoffs right now. A good two weeks puts them in the 6,7,8 range in the East. Assuming that they're within reasonable reach of the playoffs (which right now they are), Sundin won't be traded. JFJ's job is dependent upon making the playoffs this season. If they aren't making the playoffs, its almost certain he will be gone. He has no personal interest in making the team better in the future, and as sick as it is, I can almost see the Leafs being buyers again this year.

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As long as everyone around them starts tanking too...

[kosydar 0]

True, but the Leafs are only six points out of sixth right now. Trust me, I'm not trying to be optimistic. I'd rather rebuild the team through losing, but I don't see that happening. The East is simply too weak this year.

[mrusse01 0]

  kosydar said:

True, but the Leafs are only six points out of sixth right now. Trust me, I'm not trying to be optimistic. I'd rather rebuild the team through losing, but I don't see that happening. The East is simply too weak this year.

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But we need to climb climb over 6 teams to get into 8th. No way that is happening. I get what you are saying though, MLSE can sell it to the fans and the board that we are only X points out of the playoffs so it wouldn't surprise me at all to see them go on a little run and stand pat at the deadline again.

It is lunacy if they don't resign or trade Sundin, one way or another if he somehow gets pissed and walks after this season for nothing it will be like someone dropped a nuclear bomb on the franchise.

[kosydar 0]

I truthfully don't think its that out of reach for the Leafs to eek into the playoffs. With the exception of Ottawa, I don't think any team is a really that good. Look at the teams in the 6-13 spots. The only one I truthfully think is better than the Leafs are the Rangers, and they're a team who should be up in the top 4 of the East. Buffalo and Philly are next, but neither from what I've seen have been that good. Boston, NYI, Florida, and Atlanta are all teams that are weak like the Leafs. I don't think that the Leafs are necessarily better than those four teams, but that last spot will come down to whoever gets hot at the right time. If Toronto pulls what it did two years ago, they're in the playoffs this time if only because of the mediocrity. The East has had very little consistency besides the Sens and Devils, and it should make for an exciting playoff race.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Anyone else watching the Leafs/Kings game on Leafs TV/HD? Does the ice look really pink or is something wrong with my TV?

[kosydar 0]

Its really shitty quality for me, and I'm watching it through Center Ice.

[RadioGaGa 162]

  kosydar said:

Its really shitty quality for me, and I'm watching it through Center Ice.

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The quality of the picture is fine...the ice just looks pink.

[kosydar 0]

It looks pink for me, too. I'm watching on an HDTV and the overall quality isn't looking good at all.

[mack 44]

Since everyone thinks there's going to be at least one draft pick involved in a deal for Sundin, I'm sure the pick itself will be dependent on if Sundin just pulls a Weight and comes back to TO.

[k-ody.m 0]

could this blow out be the straw that breaks the camels back? like could there be a big trade by the end of the weekend, getting blown out by the LAST place team in the NHL and no hope of winning on saturday, could they just make a move sooner rather then later?

[mack 44]

If anything, there may be a trade that comes about during the All-Star game like when Selanne was dealt to Anaheim, which would be funny if Sundin ends up going there. Teams may get desperate around the deadline but right now would be the best time for Toronto to make a move. Depending on the package they get, it's not necessarily writing off a chance at the playoffs if they deal him.

[kosydar 0]

If they're set on dealing Sundin and he approves (he's earned the right to decline a trade), they need to get a new GM to make the move. JFJ has lost all credibility, and I wouldn't be surprised if every GM is thinking how they can fleece him. Let whoever is going to take over next year (or hell make Doug Gilmour interim GM) and let them choose who they want.

[mack 44]

I would think, maybe hope, that if it was the case of the Leafs getting lowballed Sundin would use the NTC to get some leverage going the Leafs' way.

[Zamboni 6]

I see your points about other teams GM's thinking they can fleece JF....but all these GM's & coaches are thinking Sundin can make the difference this season. Everyone wants to win, wants to be the guy that made big trade to put their team over the top. Leafs should be able to get some good young talent/picks-Detroit must be thinking what is the Rangers offer....create a bidding war.

Make the move now, finish lower-better draft pick. Sundin may very well come back next season-Leafs can trade him again next year as well

[Eazy_b97 1]

JFJ's problems have come when the media forces him to acquire someone. Raycroft and Perrault are the biggest examples and even the Perrault deal wasn't bad at the time, it's just become bad since they went into the crapper. All he has to do is create a bidding war and go from there. I'm hoping they can unload Kaberle as well at this point. Get a huge return for him since he has checked out as much as anyone else. Then take it from there. I'd love it if they could land EDM's first from Anahiem, that should give them two top 5 picks.

[mrusse01 0]

  Eazy_b97 said:

JFJ's problems have come when the media forces him to acquire someone.

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I don't think that's true, even though JFJ is a brutal GM I don't think he has ever been 'forced' into acquiring someone by the media.

Looks like they called up Pogge today...I can't believe how stupid this organization is.

I think Maurice is going to get fired any day now, apparently practice was cancelled today and several players were unaware...Maurice might actually be fired right now for all we know.

[Eazy_b97 1]

They went out and stated Toronto was going to get a new starter after Belfour was bought out. He didn't have to get Raycroft, but his options were limited. He was in a bidding war with Ottawa and Detroit for him and he won. Not liking Legace and knowing Gerber would be too expensive. Last deadline we made a last second move for Perrault. The week before the media harped on our face-off abilities and cried that we needed help in the area. He was lead into both deals, could have went elsewhere, but ended up making a bad deal. I doubt Perrault would've been acquired if this was another city. Raycroft I could see though, since he did have potential, was still young and was sought after by two well respected teams.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Don't blame Maurice for this season...don't blame Raycroft...don't blame injuries, or the struggles of Blake & Tucker offensively.

Blame MSLE for NOT hiring Scotty Bowman last summer.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=227215&hubname=

Scotty in a totally autonomous role running the team. THAT would have been something to see.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Bowman wouldn't have saved this team this year. The Leafs have been on a downward spiral since their loss to Carolina in the playoffs. Thats when the team peaked and it's been on it's way down since then. When Bowman was going to take over the team was built and already set-up. It's unlikely he would've been able to save the season, and if he did, they wouldn't have been a powerhouse. May not be a bad idea to have him come in during the offseason, when he can have full control.

[RadioGaGa 162]

  Eazy_b97 said:

Bowman wouldn't have saved this team this year. The Leafs have been on a downward spiral since their loss to Carolina in the playoffs. Thats when the team peaked and it's been on it's way down since then. When Bowman was going to take over the team was built and already set-up. It's unlikely he would've been able to save the season, and if he did, they wouldn't have been a powerhouse. May not be a bad idea to have him come in during the offseason, when he can have full control.

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I'm not saying they would have ran away in the East under Scotty...but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be 14th in the East either.

[kosydar 0]

I just got home from SJ/Leafs game. It was my first Leafs game and it was a real heart breaker. Its really hard to pinpoint what is wrong with this Leafs team. They hold a 2 goal lead on a solid team going into the third, and the Sharks score three goals on the PP (none of which were Toskala's fault). I'm going to write up a game report on it tomorrow, but I have to say that seeing them play really opened my eyes up to the world of the Leafs.

[mrusse01 0]

  Eazy_b97 said:

May not be a bad idea to have him come in during the offseason, when he can have full control.

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Who's going to make the franchise altering decision on Sundin though? How can you let an outgoing GM who has been a failure by all accounts make arguably the biggest trade in the history of the franchise?

[RadioGaGa 162]

  mrusse01 said:

  Eazy_b97 said:

May not be a bad idea to have him come in during the offseason, when he can have full control.

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Who's going to make the franchise altering decision on Sundin though? How can you let an outgoing GM who has been a failure by all accounts make arguably the biggest trade in the history of the franchise?

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Even if they trade Mats...I'd still call the Toronto-Calgary swap the biggest trade in franchise history. Getting Gilmour et al turned the Leafs around and got them within 1 game of a Cup Final and 2 or 3 more deep playoff runs...Mats, although great in Blue & White, hasn't had that success.

[mrusse01 0]

  RadioGaGa said:

  mrusse01 said:

  Eazy_b97 said:

May not be a bad idea to have him come in during the offseason, when he can have full control.

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Who's going to make the franchise altering decision on Sundin though? How can you let an outgoing GM who has been a failure by all accounts make arguably the biggest trade in the history of the franchise?

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Even if they trade Mats...I'd still call the Toronto-Calgary swap the biggest trade in franchise history. Getting Gilmour et al turned the Leafs around and got them within 1 game of a Cup Final and 2 or 3 more deep playoff runs...Mats, although great in Blue & White, hasn't had that success.

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It's a debate...and I'm the biggest Doug Gilmour fan you will find, but Mats took them within 2 games of a Cup Final, had a couple other strong runs, and had some of the best regular seasons in team history.

I will say Gilmour 92-94 is the best player I've ever seen in a Leaf uniform, but I think on the whole Sundin has been the best player in franchise history. If they are unable to trade him away and turn those assets into something it will set the franchise back 2-3 years easily.