The Official LEAFS NATION Hockey thread

[Doc Holliday]

Morgan Rielly played a great game last night against my Rangers

Also watched Santorelli as he's supposed to be coming to the Big Apple ( we will see )

Morgan Rielly had another strong game against the habs last night. He may become an all-star as early as next season. Jake Gardiner also played very well & showed flashes of brilliance. I also liked Stephane Robidas' play & if he continues to play like he did recently, he actually may become good trade value for the Leafs for any team look for a good veteran defenceman with leadership qualities.

I wasn't aware that the Rangers were interested in Mike Santorelli. He'd be a good pick-up for any playoffs contender. He's a hard-working, two-way defender & teams never have enough of these players. He also currently has a very good cap number, which is a bonus since many contending teams currently don't have much cap space to play with.

I see that the Rangers are also one of the teams without much cap space. But it wouldn't be this difficult for them to make room for a player with Santorelli's cap hit.

But Toronto will be looking for at least a 2nd-rounder for Santorelli. Or a good prospect. They would have liked to re-sign Santorelli, but he'll be asking for considerably more money as a UFA considering the quality season he's having.

 

[Doc Holliday]

THIS JUST IN:

The Leafs have traded Cody Franson & Mike Santorelli to the Nashville Predators for Ollii Jokinen, prospect Brendan Leipsic & a 2015 first-round pick.

The way i see it, it's a good trade for both teams.

Both Franson & Santorelli could possibly become UFAs after this season. Same thing for Jokinen. Leipsic was a high-scoring forward for the Portland Winter Hawks of the WHL in his last couple of seasons at the major junior level.

The Leafs not only gain the much-sought after 1st-round draft pick they've been after all along, but also gain some cap space with the trade. So basically, the end-result is that they added a 1st-rounder and cap space. That 1st-rounder may be used to trade up at next June's entry draft. They'll likely have a top 6 pick with their own pick, but may attempt to use that 1st-rounder they just got from the Preds and trade it in a package in order to get a second top 10 pick.

Well, that's what i'd try to do if i were the GM.

 

[Doc Holliday]

My sources tell me that Detroit was also in the mix for Cody Franson, but refused to send their 1st-round pick to Toronto. So the Leafs accepted Nashville's offer, which is basically Franson for a 1st-round pick and Santorelli for Leipsic. They had to accept taking back Jokinen for $$ purposes. I've heard that they're now looking for suitors for Jokinen.

As for Leipsic, i've been told that he's in the Kenny Linesman mold. A small-stature player that has a bit of 'rat' in him. A Brendan Gallagher/Todd Marchand type. He spent his first year as a pro playing in the AHL after having high-scoring numbers in the WHL over his past 2 seasons there.

So it was a pretty good trade for two players on expiring contracts, plus they will likely trade Jokinen for a lower draft pick within the next 2 weeks.

I've also heard word that the Leafs are serious about possibly re-signing Mike Santorelli during the off-season.

Next player likely to be moved by the Leafs: Daniel Winnik.

Other potential candidates: David Booth, Tyler Bozak, Stephane Robidas, James Van Riemsdyk, Nazem Kadri.

Possible but doubtful: Dion Phaneuf & Phil Kessel. If they are to be moved, it will likely happen later during the off-season when teams have a better idea of what their cap-space situation will be. Teams are also allowed a 10% increase in cap room during the off-season.

 

[Doc Holliday]

A source tells me that the Leafs' asking price for Daniel Winnik is either a 2nd & 3rd-round pick or a 2nd-round pick & a prospect.

My the way, condolences to Steve Montador's family. He passed away at age 35.

 

[november]

Good trade for both teams let the rebuild continue.

 

[smuler]

David Poile proves his genius again

Nashville is going to be a Stanley Cup favorite now IMHO

Best Regards

Smuler

 

[Doc Holliday]

Nashville is going to be a Stanley Cup favorite now IMHO

Possibly. But the Western Conference has so many Cup favorites, among them St-Louis, Chicago & Anaheim. Plus the fact that we always see a first-round upset during the playoffs. And considering how strong that conference is, the top teams will likely be facing very good teams in the first rounds.

Getting out of the first round may prove to be a struggle for all of the top teams.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Word around Mtl is that the habs are interested to adding Joffrey Lupul to their lineup for size and skill.

To be honest, i'd probably give him away for a couple of pucks and a jockstrap right now just to get rid of his contract. He's got leadership skills and he's a very good player....but he's always injured!

p.s. Marc Bergevin was in Toronto yesterday scouting the Marlies game.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Maybe Shany can fleece Bergy for a 2nd round pick for Lupul. I healthy Lupul might actually make the Canadians a contender, key word is MIGHT

 

[Doc Holliday]

Maybe Shany can fleece Bergy for a 2nd round pick for Lupul. I healthy Lupul might actually make the Canadians a contender, key word is MIGHT

It's possible, depending on what kind of interest from other teams in regards to Lupul. But Bergevin isn't stupid. He's made a lot of brilliant moves over the past two seasons and no doubt his assistant Rick Dudley has his hand in many decisions.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Dudley is the brains behind those moves.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Dudley is the brains behind those moves.

Also quite a bit of luck was involved in some of the deals, such as the Vanek deal last season. The Isles had overpriced Vanek and there were no takers. About five minutes before the trade deadline was to pass, the habs made a last-ditch attempt at getting him and the Isles had really no choice but to accept their offer or get stuck with him and get nothing in return.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Word around Toronto today was that the Kings are now interested in defenceman Roman Polak.

I really like Polak. He never takes a night off & he's tough as nails!

I'd either take a very good prospect or a high 2nd-rounder for Polak. If all they're being offered are a third-rounder or a marginal prospect, then forget it.

 

[Doc Holliday]

More on the Franson trade......

He's a 4-5-6 defenceman on most teams around the league. Very good shot, he's got size, but he's not a good skater & has a tendency to make boneheaded giveaways at times. He's on an expiring contract. But a big problem with him is that he has a bad hip. Giving him a long-term contract would be quite a risk.

The fact Toronto managed to get a team to send them a first-rounder for him was brilliant!

Last season, Vanek & Gaborik were traded for less!

 

[lgna69xxx]

Agree and agree on your last 2 posts DH. Polak i would love to see stick around to help mentor the young guns (especially Petter Granberg who is a physical stay at home d-man like Polak) next season (i believe he has one year left under contract) but if somehow they can get a 1st round pick in june's draft for him, then let him go. They are saying this draft is the deepest since 2003.

I would not be surprised if Robidas got some interest around the league before the trade deadline because of his experience. He could be a great 5/6 on a contending team looking for experience in the playoffs. Winnick will fetch a decent pick/prospect as will Bozak if traded. Does Reimer get moved? I love that kid on the Marlies, Bibeau from Victoriaville even tho he is likely 1-2 more seasons away from contending for the back up or even starter depending on injuries. Bernier/Bibeau in 2 years, the French Connection.

 

[Doc Holliday]

The problem with Robidas is his contract. He hasn't peformed as expected, but maybe a change of scenery is all it would take to get him playing better again. But the team may not mind if he stays since he's like another coach out there on the ice for their young defencemen. Something we've never heard about Dion Phaneuf, by the way.

Speaking of Phaneuf, his ideal destination would be LA, where his wife could be closer to her work.

I'm not sure Reimer gets moved, but the fact Bernier is still getting most of the starts is somewhat surprising and makes me think Reimer is staying. Why not showcase him in order to get some interest?

Winnik remains the most likely player to be moved. Along with Jokinen, there's no way the Leafs hold on to them.

 

[panthere]

Seems like Mtl is looking to get Roman Polak!!!!

 

[Doc Holliday]

I just spoke with my Toronto contact & asked him what the most recent rumors in regards to the Leafs were. He told me that:

-Roman Polak is getting interest from at least two teams, one of them being the habs.

-Another player that the habs have asked about is Joffrey Lupul. My source has also heard that the Red Wings have shown interest in him.

-The LA Kings are still interested in Dion Phaneuf, but could also be one of the teams looking at Polak.

-Daniel Winnik has received interest from several teams. He's currently the most-likely player to be dealt.

-As far as my source knows, the interest in Phil Kessel is minimal. It's not a contract issue, but mostly because his value is currently too high. If he is indeed moved, it will likely occur during the off-season.

-Several teams have inquired about Tyler Bozak. There is a good chance he'll be moved by next week's trade deadline.

-Stephane Robidas was one player being shopped around by the Leafs, but he suffered an injury during yesterday's game against Winnipeg. It wouldn't surprise me to find out he may have suffered a broken arm.

-Nazem Kadri has attracted considerable interest, including from the Mtl Canadiens. He's RFA at the end of this season & it isn't scaring teams one bit. The Leafs are likely to hold onto him, unless they get blown away by an offer.

 

[november]

Thanks Doc for your scoops. Must be interesting times in Leafs nation, who will go and who will stay. Heard Don Cherry say in coach's corner the Leafs are going to be good in three years, hope he's right. Looking forward to the trade deadline. Imagine the Leafs helping the Habs win the Stanley Cup. I'm Loving this! Who do you guys think the Leafs have that can help the Habs?

 

[Doc Holliday]

Thanks Doc for your scoops. Must be interesting times in Leafs nation, who will go and who will stay. Heard Don Cherry say in coach's corner the Leafs are going to be good in three years, hope he's right. Looking forward to the trade deadline. Imagine the Leafs helping the Habs win the Stanley Cup. I'm Loving this! Who do you guys think the Leafs have that can help the Habs?

Grapes is likely correct. During this terrible slump, the Leafs have lost a lot of one-goal games. What this means to me is that they are not that far from being a good team. Don't forget that this team has been under orders to tank this season and has shown it will get rid of people (e.g. Randy Carlyle, Cody Franson, Mike Santorelli, etc) who won't cooperate.

As for the Leafs helping the habs to win a Cup, that's a stretch. Whatever then send to the habs will command a good return. I also do not believe that the habs are close to contending for a cup. They are the worse scoring team in hockey and have the worse defence. This season has been all about Carey Price, who's been nothing short of fantastic all season long. It's basically a case of a below-average team with one of the best goalies on the planet. Anything the Leafs are willing to ship to the habs will be an improvement for that goalie-dominated team.