Side note - so now that MacArthur is a Sen he's a top -6 winger eh?
So I havent heard this name thrown around but I need to add it:
WHY NOT JAGR?!
Hell no.
Offersheet Petro, or don't bother.
With Brennan and Gardiner you have to assume both that Liles has a suitor somewhere in the league, and that one of Gunnarson or Franson are on the way out for a more rugged, hard-nosed defenseman.
The man just works so damn hard. I say we offersheet Pietrangelo and hope he comes back to the Barrie area.
Redden would take 1.5, so would Ian White. Thats a decent, cheap bottom pair D.
Simon Gagne also should be available for under or around 1.5
I don't think its necessary to have 3 posts in a row.
Just edit your previous post with your additions in the future.
To be fair to TJ Brennan, people shouldn't be assuming he's a Puck Moving defender.
He's a nice asset to have as a 6th or 7th defender in the system, and I hope he can find his next gear that pushes him into a bigger role.
But he's simply not a big time puck mover.
He's a fluid skater and has a booming shot from the point, which is why people label him that, but his outlet passing, and puck movement in general is pretty much average.
He's also got a lot more grit and physicality to his game than many will expect.
His AHL stats are a bit inflated, as he has played some forward in the AHL in past seasons, but that just show's his ability to adjust to situations given to him.
I'd expect he'll be another player that Randy Carlyle likes and may use frequently if he performs.
He'll be an option to be a point shot on our 2nd PP unit, as well as be a gritty bottom pairing defender. He's also decent in his own zone, so I am quite curious to see how he performs in a Randy Carlyle system that helps cover up some defender's weaknesses. He could be a great depth addition that over achieves and finds himself with some fans in Toronto.
I personally love the signing, as Brennan has already defied the odds to get where he has by hard work.
Two teams have now given up on him, and he's still very young. I hope that lights a fire under him and he finds that same gear that got him drafted 31st overall.
He's got the tools and the raw talent, could he be our Grabner type of pickup?
Chuck presume Ottawa land Grabo, how do you feel we stack against them right now?
They have an impressive team for themselves right now.
But making that assumption is a big assumption.
That team really doesn't need Grabovski either.
Spezza
Turris
Smith
Zibby
Are all more than adequate to play the Center position, so they have some flexability and a lot of cap space to address any furthur issues they believe they have in their forward core.
I think they'll make some noise next year, and it is believed they are currently in the market to find themselves some depth on the back end to really make their team deep through and through.
Luckily for the Leafs, I believe they have found themselves a excellent Top 9 for a Carlyle system that can really neutralize some of the more skilled teams in this league.
Toronto will be a team that grinds you down, tires you out, and really gets under your skin with the additions of Bolland and Clarkson.
Luckily for the Leafs, I believe they have found themselves a excellent Top 9 for a Carlyle system that can really neutralize some of the more skilled teams in this league.
Toronto will be a team that grinds you down, tires you out, and really gets under your skin with the additions of Bolland and Clarkson.
i agree with that.
basically now the entire team just has to work on defensive responsibility and I think we'll make some noise
Bobby Ryan and Spezza ring so much louder to me sadly. I am uncertain how this is going to play out, feel it a huge gamble.
Anyone we deal for to fill the top 4 void at D (if we choose to address it), will (IMO) probably get some salary retained for a little extra piece. At least that's what I would do as Nonis
Definitely likely. Itll be interesting to see what Nonis does with the D corp now that the forward and goaltending situation is pretty much shored up.
For me the top four that we had playing against Boston was very nice:
Gunnar-Phaneuf
Gardiner-Franson
The only player I would really want to upgrade is Gunnar, but maybe thats something we leave until Rielly is ready to make the team? A 3rd pairing of Fraser-Liles would be solid, but Id rather see Liles shipped out at somepoint to relieve his nearly 4M$ of salary cap space, then let one of the younger guys come in and take his place (Holzer, Blacker?).