Toronto Maple Leafs

[Mr. Guru]

I wasn't mentioning as per a particular trade.

Just thought it might be interesting as per the Malkin/Kulimen close friendship link.

Id be pretty sure they have talked about it between themselves.

I heard that the Pens offered a "pretty significant" deal in the summer for Kulemin that Burke turned down.

And apparently Malkin asked Pittsburgh management to pursue Kulemin.

So yes, I definitely think they have talked about it.

[garethbush]

I heard that the Pens offered a "pretty significant" deal in the summer for Kulemin that Burke turned down.

And apparently Malkin asked Pittsburgh management to pursue Kulemin.

So yes, I definitely think they have talked about it.

What's your source? I wouldn't be surprised. I met the Russian team at the WHC twice in Stockholm the past 2 weeks and Malkin and Kulemin were always walking together.

[ovi42]

pens have way too many dmen like schenn (i.e defenseive dmen with little offensive upside)...and why would they need kulemin when malkin already has amazing chemistry with neal? dupuis is probably equally as effective as kulemin on crosby's wing, so i see that as a dead end. leafs dont have what the pens want for staal...

what do the Pens want for Staal? I'm just curious, i have no idea.

[loco man]

Can anyone tell me where Connolly fits in next year?

If the Leafs don't sign a #1 center, is the ANY chance he usurps Bozak or is he locked into a third line role from now on?

He is sitting on the wire and I am debating about dropping Leino for him IF he can stick in the top six.

Appreciate any takes on this puzzling dude

[KoHolga]

Can anyone tell me where Connolly fits in next year?

If the Leafs don't sign a #1 center, is the ANY chance he usurps Bozak or is he locked into a third line role from now on?

He is sitting on the wire and I am debating about dropping Leino for him IF he can stick in the top six.

Appreciate any takes on this puzzling dude

I dont think there is any chance he is on the first line next year... They will either bring someone in or try kadri or Big Joe there one of the two IMO

[loco man]

I dont think there is any chance he is on the first line next year... They will either bring someone in or try kadri or Big Joe there one of the two IMO

So with Grabo as the #2, Timmy C is relegated to third line, 2nd PP?

[Mr. Guru]

Knowing Carlyle's system.

Lupul - _______ - Kessel - Scoring line #1 (20 minutes a game)
Kulemin - Grabovski - _______ - Shutdown line (18 minutes a game)
Kadri - _______ - Frattin - Scoring line #2 (15 minutes a game)
_______ - Steckel - Brown - Enery line (8-10 minutes a game)

If the Leafs finally land a number 1 center, I think Bozak is a perfect #3 center. Which means Connolly is traded or demoted; either way, he's off the team somehow. If they don't get a true centerman, Connolly might be the teams 1st line center or 3rd line center. He didn't click at all last year, but maybe he does this upcoming year, unlikely, but maybe.

With the above lines, it would obviously mean some roster moves are likely. That said, MacArthur will probably start on the 2nd line with his usual linemates.

Carlyle played MacArthur a lot once he became coach. As in, MacArthur played less than 17 minutes only once in the 16 games he played under Carlyle, and he played over 19 minutes eight times.

That leaves both center positions on the teams scoring lines.

Connolly, Lombardi, and Armstrong are my guesses to not be on the team next year.

[Nights]

Knowing Carlyle's system.

Lupul - _______ - Kessel - Scoring line #1 (20 minutes a game)
Kulemin - Grabovski - _______ - Shutdown line (18 minutes a game)
Kadri - _______ - Frattin - Scoring line #2 (15 minutes a game)
_______ - Steckel - Brown - Enery line (8-10 minutes a game)

If the Leafs finally land a number 1 center, I think Bozak is a perfect #3 center. Which means Connolly is traded or demoted; either way, he's off the team somehow. If they don't get a true centerman, Connolly might be the teams 1st line center or 3rd line center. He didn't click at all last year, but maybe he does this upcoming year, unlikely, but maybe.

With the above lines, it would obviously mean some roster moves are likely. That said, MacArthur will probably start on the 2nd line with his usual linemates.



That leaves both center positions on the teams scoring lines.

Connolly, Lombardi, and Armstrong are my guesses to not be on the team next year.

Were you inspired by the post on the subject on MLHS a few days back?

But yeah, either Connoly works on the 3rd line being a 2nd PP/PK guy, or he's out, or somehow makes it to the top line.

[sparrowtrini]

Damien Cox is tweeting that the Leafs wouldn't move Schenn for the 1st pick. LOL
Now... either Cox is full of S___ (probably), or Burke's stubborness has reached a new level. What is going on with the overrating of this player? It's getting ridiculous.

I would trade Schenn AND the #5 for the #1. In a heartbeat.

Ofcourse burke would. Hes just saying that in some strange hopes that it would increase his value.

[TK12555]

Okay, let's get this thread back on track, shall we?

Quick Notes for all of you living under a cluster of rocks this weekend:

- Leafs drafted offensive-defenseman Morgan Rielly 5th overall. Played for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. He had 18 points in 18 games before tearing his ACL. He is arguably the smoothest skater in the draft and purest offensive-defenseman. Has some issues in his own zone but nothing that cannot be fixed.

- 2nd round the Leafs grabbed Matt Finn. He's A two-way blueliner from the Guelph Storm who was predicted to be a mid-first rounder. Very good value considering we got him 35th overall.

- Luongo isn't a Leaf yet. Yet.

- Now, most importantly. Leafs traded Schenn for JVR (James Van Riemsdyk). This deal was speculated for what feels like an eternity, but it never came to fruition. Finally, after the draft Homer and Burkie got talking and came to an agreement. JVR is 23, Schenn is 22.

It's a great deal for both sides. Schenn has the potential to be a very good positional defenseman. He was one of my favourite guys on the team and had a great attitude. I hope that he has a great career, he's completely deserving of it. #2 will head to the city of brotherly love and play with younger bro Brayden.

As for JVR, I'm very happy. He's a big winger who can use his size along the wall to his advantage. He has open-ice speed and good vision. Put him in front of the net or at the point on the powerplay? He can do both. I'm hoping that he can pan out to what people saw in him during the '07 draft. He'll likely start the year on Grabovski's wing, with Macarthur/Kulemin on the other side.



- As for what happens now? Who knows. Paul Hendrick strongly hinted that a deal is on its way. Schultz is meeting with the Leafs early this week, and he's a definite possibility to join the blue and white. Stay tuned.

[sparrowtrini]

Brophy on Leafs: Movement looming




http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2012/...ments_looming/

[wendelclark17]

Listened to burke last night on the Bob McCowan show on the fan and although he was typically guarded and tight lipped about some things these were the main points.

- he made a play for Brodeur (couldnt say exactly that as would be tampering but made it clear he tried to get him
- apparently no interest in Bernier (booo) as he was asked if another unproven goalie with a great pedigree is the answer and he said no he is not interested in more unproven goalies
- He said the prices being asked for UFAs are ridiculous and that he and his fellow GMs make mroe mistakes on July 1st (ish) UFAs than the rest of the year combined.
- He said he is not done yet and hopes to address both the needs nio net and at centre and he is actively working on that.
- He also said that a number of teams that made UFA/RFA signings are no looking to shed salary of other players and he has received a number of calls from GMs in that position.
- re-iterated his dislike of long-term contracts that are front-loaded with mickey mouse years at the end. Seemed pretty adamant about it, and therefore makes any Luongo deal much less likely.
- He likes McClement as the third line centre
- He wants to add more size and toughness as thats what carlyle wants.

thats about all I can remember right now, if I can find a clip of the radio broadcast ill post it.

[TK12555]

Listened to burke last night on the Bob McCowan show on the fan and although he was typically guarded and tight lipped about some things these were the main points.

- he made a play for Brodeur (couldnt say exactly that as would be tampering but made it clear he tried to get him
- apparently no interest in Bernier (booo) as he was asked if another unproven goalie with a great pedigree is the answer and he said no he is not interested in more unproven goalies
- He said the prices being asked for UFAs are ridiculous and that he and his fellow GMs make mroe mistakes on July 1st (ish) UFAs than the rest of the year combined.
- He said he is not done yet and hopes to address both the needs nio net and at centre and he is actively working on that.
- He also said that a number of teams that made UFA/RFA signings are no looking to shed salary of other players and he has received a number of calls from GMs in that position.
- re-iterated his dislike of long-term contracts that are front-loaded with mickey mouse years at the end. Seemed pretty adamant about it, and therefore makes any Luongo deal much less likely.
- He likes McClement as the third line centre
- He wants to add more size and toughness as thats what carlyle wants.

thats about all I can remember right now, if I can find a clip of the radio broadcast ill post it.

Wendel sums it up great. Here's a link if you wanna listen to good ol' burkie:

http://pmd.fan590.com/podcasts/pts/P...07-03-5-pm.mp3

Burke's on for 12 minutes at one point during this segment.

[sparrowtrini]

Just an update:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...rticle4394875/

James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke’s top 3 priorities: “(a) getting bigger (b) adding a veteran goaltender and (c) adding another top two centre.” Not easy holes to fill even with $12 million in cap space. This Leafs team needs more top end talent, and to keep the puck out of their net. Mirtle thinks their top 3 priorities should be: “1. A top four (and preferably top two) defenceman. 2. Another NHL calibre goaltender. 3. A top six forward (preferably a centre) who has the ability to play against other team’s top lines.”

[thepiper]

here is some interesting news via Toronto Sun Bernier and Frattin?


http://www.fantasysp.com/player/nhl/...deal-involving