The Official LEAFS NATION Hockey thread

[november]

I have to jump in to this debate. First thing, good on the leafs for thinking outside the box for the ass. GM job. Can't be worse than what they had. Secondly will phaneuf play seven more years ? And lastly iggy subban will have a contract by early august . He is going to arbitration . Short term it will be good for the Canadians, long term they might lose him.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Oh thats right, thanks brother for the reminder.... a little busy lately planning a tiny party and not paying as close attention to the offseason as usual, Merci Beaucoup Amigo :thumb:

And lastly iggy subban will have a contract by early august . He is going to arbitration.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Will phaneuf play seven more years ? And lastly iggy subban will have a contract by early august . He is going to arbitration . Short term it will be good for the Canadians, long term they might lose him.

I can't see why not. He just turned 29. If Markov can still play at 36 with his history of injuries, then Phaneuf can. As for Subban possibly heading to arbitration, can't he still hold out if he's not happy with the arbitrator's decision and demand a better contract or a trade from the habs?

 

[anon_vlad]

Leafs fire Pouliln & Loiselle; hire 'Billy Beane' of hockey

Various statistical measures, reported after about 30 games last season, which included not only the obvious +/- ratings for each player and the team shot differential, but also, for example, the distance of the player was to the goal when the shot was released, forecasted that the Leafs early season success would not be sustained. If indeed the Leafs are going to be guided by a "Billy Beane", they will have to make wholesale personnel changes. It would be a shame to undo the excellent work of Burke and his acolyte, Nonis who have laid the foundation for a very entertaining team for years to come.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Great post vladdy! But you fail to realise that the Leafs have made a ton of changes in the last few months.

IN: Shanahan, Dubas (and likely one more front office person to come before the start of the season) Spott, Horachek, Polak, Robidas, Frattin, Nylander*, Kontiola, Santorelli, Booth and likely youngblood Petter Granberg in on D or Percy or another of the plethora of good solid young Dmen in the system that should be ready this season.

OUT: Loiselle, Poulin, Cronin, Farrish, Gordon, Bolland, D'Amigo, Kulemin, Raymond, Gunnarsson, Ranger, McClement and Gleason.

*Nylander will likely get a cup of coffee with the Leafs and possibly play up to 10 games to start the season before being sent down or to Sweden for the season. He is considered a cant miss prospect, a blue chipper if you will but likely needs time to learn the pro game and get bigger for a season or two, but who knows if he impresses enough in camp.

If i missed anyone please add them, but those are not only big personnel changes, but also Huge CULTURE change and that is exactly what Shanahan and Nonis set out to do and they have done it and the Puck does not drop until October, still lots of time for more change. Thanks for the post vlad my man, it was a pleasure :thumb:

 

[Doc Holliday]

I just checked the list of RFA's for the Leafs. Jake Gardiner & James Reimer are still unsigned. I do know that Reimer chose to go to arbitration (which many experts say was a huge mistake on his part). But did Gardiner also chose arbitration? They need to sign this kid a.s.a.p!!!!

 

[lgna69xxx]

Relax, it is July 23 lol.

I say trade Reimer anywhere for a 3rd rounder (ok 4th then) or package him with another player or 2 or pick and get a decent return and then sign someone like Tomas Vokoun to back up and mentor Bernier. (or another vet goalie to fill the need)

But did Gardiner also chose arbitration? They need to sign this kid a.s.a.p!!!!

 

[Doc Holliday]

Leafs sign James Reimer to two-year deal

James Reimer is back with the Maple Leafs.

For now.

The Leafs avoided going to arbitration with Reimer by coming to terms with the young goalie on a two-year deal, the team announced Friday. The pact reportedly is worth an average of $2.3-million US per season.

After serving primarily as a backup to Jonathan Bernier last season, Reimer requested a trade in June, one the Leafs have been unable to meet thus far.

Reimer has a a 3.29 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 36 games for Toronto last season. In four seasons with the Leafs, he has gone 65-48-15 with a 2.85 goals-against average and .914 save percentage.

During the latter stages of the 2013-14 season, Reimer became a scapegoat in some circles for the Leafs’ post-Olympic collapse. And while he admittedly wasn’t at his best down the stretch, the same could be said for many of his teammates on the Leafs roster.

Leafs sign Reimer to two-year deal

 

[november]

Good for the Leafs, Reimer is a good goalie. It's an asset to the team. He can be a good back up or trade bait when the time comes.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Good for the Leafs, Reimer is a good goalie. It's an asset to the team. He can be a good back up or trade bait when the time comes.

He still hasn't budged on his trade demand, so i'm guessing both parties figured it will make it easier to trade him now that he's signed for two years.

Reimer believes he's a #1 goalie and wants to play as many games as a #1 goalie does. He's quite aware that this won't happen in Toronto unless Bernier gets hurt long-term. That's why he asked to be traded. This is also the reason why Martin Brodeur decided to leave New Jersey.

The problem is that there aren't many teams in the league who believe they could be the #1 goalie on their team.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Done Deal! http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=458259

What a great contract for the term for this exceptionally talented young dman. This is a contract much like JVR's that could be a steal of deal very soon. Gardiner, who will likely be paired with Dion on the top D line, is only 24 and one of the best skaters in the league and has a world of skill and not fully reached his peak yet.

Great Signing and a Great Summer so far for Nonis/Shanahan and Co.

PS. Love the Winnik signing yesterday as well. :thumb:

But did Gardiner also chose arbitration? They need to sign this kid a.s.a.p!!!!

 

[lgna69xxx]

Great article

http://mapleleafshotstove.com/2014/07/29/brendan-shanahan-addresses-depth-not-core-of-maple-leafs/

 

[november]

If P.K. Subban ever became a leaf I will join you guys. I will say this about the Leafs they take care of their guys, not like some teams!

 

[Doc Holliday]

If P.K. Subban ever became a leaf I will join you guys. I will say this about the Leafs they take care of their guys, not like some teams!

Considering he's now the 3rd highest player in the NHL behind Ovechkin & Malkin......no thank you! The habs can keep the king of giveaways!

 

[november]

I am happy he resigned. If he was an unrestricted free agent I believe the Leafs would have been all over him. Home town boy who lead his team in points . Do not forget he is only 25, defencemen take more time to develop. The price was a little high but this is Montreal , they have to pay more.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I am happy he resigned. If he was an unrestricted free agent I believe the Leafs would have been all over him. Home town boy who lead his team in points . Do not forget he is only 25, defencemen take more time to develop. The price was a little high but this is Montreal , they have to pay more.

I agree & i believe most teams would have shown interest. However, very few teams would have or could agree to pay him what he wound up getting.

I'm not even sure the Leafs could have signed him had he been UFA today. They're currently capped out & already have big contracts to pay in Kessel, Phaneuf & Clarkson.

Look, it's not that i wouldn't want PK with the Leafs. I would. But not at anything over $8 million. I would only agree to pay that amount to a bonafide superstar....a scorer like Crosby or Stamkos. Not to a loud young defenceman who can't play a lick of defence & is only useful when his team is on the powerplay.

But good for him & i'm overjoyed that it's the habs who have to pay his salary!

 

[smuler]

Not to a loud young defenceman who can't play a lick of defence & is only useful when his team is on the powerplay

:nono:

Best Regards

Smuler

 

[SloCumHeat]

. . .

IN: Shanahan, Dubas (and likely one more front office person to come before the start of the season) Spott, Horachek, Polak, Robidas, Frattin, Nylander*, Kontiola, Santorelli, Booth and likely youngblood Petter Granberg in on D or Percy or another of the plethora of good solid young Dmen in the system that should be ready this season.

If i missed anyone please add them, . . .

IN: Leo Komarov

 

[lgna69xxx]

Thanks SCH,

Yea I missed him when i wrote that. He is a huge addition and beloved by the fans. I hope he gets some powerplay time this season. Very skilled guy and tough as nails, perfect to pester the opponents goalie on the PP.

IN: Leo Komarov

 

[SloCumHeat]

Great article

http://mapleleafshotstove.com/2014/07/29/brendan-shanahan-addresses-depth-not-core-of-maple-leafs/

Yes, great article - specifically how poor the Leafs 3rd and 4th lines performed (bottom six forwards).

Some other things about the Leafs bottom six last year:
* 3rd/4th line did a decent job in 2012/2013 and help PK (penalty kill, not Subban) into top 5 - then were almost last
* too many from farm system were called up to fill in for poor 3rd/4th line performance

From farm system - Bodie, Smith, D'Amigo, Leivo, Broll, Devane, Granberg, Abbott
From mid-season trade: Holland, Smithson

Comparing the bottom six (3rd/4th line):
* 2013/2014 - Raymond, Kulemin, Clarkson, Bolland, McClement, Orr, McLaren, Ashton
* 2012/2013 - Macarthur, Grabovski, Kulemin, Komarov, Frattin, McClement, Orr, McLaren, Brown

For next year: Clarkson, Holland, (Brodie/Ashton), plus Komarov, Frattin, Booth, Santorelli, Winnik,