Confirmed with Link: Lockout VI - Game On! Rejoice! Players to vote Saturday.

[dougieg93]

The CBA looks poised for Burke to pull a deal for Luongo, leaving Vancouver with the liability at the end of his contract and considering the higher cap over the next few years, it could leave Florida out of the market.

 

[TMLeafer]

About time! Hockey's back!

 

[MapleLeafGardens*]

I think some of you need a reality check. This is essentially the same team we had last season that pulled off the greatest collapse in Leafs history. JVR for Schenn ain't gonna do jack to improve the team.

Our failed blowhard buffoon GM since he's been here still hasn't landed us a #1 goalie or a #1 centre and hired a coach that is not a good fit for a scrub laden team loaded with over rated and overpaid 3rd and 4th line players.

We will not make the playoffs every game in a 48 game schedule will be pressure packed and when the pressure is on the Leafs always fail. When the pressure is off that's when our heroes play loosey gossey hockey and win a few. In a shortened season Burke's team won't get it done and make the post season which will hopefully lead to his firing.

 

[zeke]

http://www.capgeek.com/

Leafs can pick 6 million in cap hit, and can afford financially to do so, without moving out any salary.

However, the next season have to fit in a raise for Lupul, while losing Lombardi and Connolly with a $64 cap.

Komi only makes 3.5 salary, with his 4.5 cap hit so might be of some interest to another team.

Now if players are sent away in the Luongo deal, some cap will be exchanged there.

Kesler is, apparently, going to be out for some length of time. Could Connolly be part of the Luongo deal, as he'll be off the books end of season, but could be the short term replacement for Kesler. I expect the Canucks to get a couple prospects in the deal, but value really depends on who is on hook for retirement years.

lombardi could also easily be waived to give us a bunch more capspace if we want.

 

[Kyle Doobas*]

I think some of you need a reality check. This is essentially the same team we had last season that pulled off the greatest collapse in Leafs history.

It's also the same team that was in a playoff spot for the majority of the season.... except better as a couple of guys are further along in their development and ready to play in the NHL, plus JVR.

 

[zeke]

I think some of you need a reality check. This is essentially the same team we had last season that pulled off the greatest collapse in Leafs history. JVR for Schenn ain't gonna do jack to improve the team.

Our failed blowhard buffoon GM since he's been here still hasn't landed us a #1 goalie or a #1 centre and hired a coach that is not a good fit for a scrub laden team loaded with over rated and overpaid 3rd and 4th line players.

We will not make the playoffs every game in a 48 game schedule will be pressure packed and when the pressure is on the Leafs always fail. When the pressure is off that's when our heroes play loosey gossey hockey and win a few. In a shortened season Burke's team won't get it done and make the post season which will hopefully lead to his firing.

think of it this way - we needed our starting goalie to be injured all year, and our team have the greatest collapse in team history, for the team to miss the playoffs by 6 wins.

 

[ForzaItalia]

I think some of you need a reality check. This is essentially the same team we had last season that pulled off the greatest collapse in Leafs history. JVR for Schenn ain't gonna do jack to improve the team.

Our failed blowhard buffoon GM since he's been here still hasn't landed us a #1 goalie or a #1 centre and hired a coach that is not a good fit for a scrub laden team loaded with over rated and overpaid 3rd and 4th line players.

We will not make the playoffs every game in a 48 game schedule will be pressure packed and when the pressure is on the Leafs always fail. When the pressure is off that's when our heroes play loosey gossey hockey and win a few. In a shortened season Burke's team won't get it done and make the post season which will hopefully lead to his firing.

If anything, it gives Burke a reprieve.

 

[ACC1224]

I think some of you need a reality check. This is essentially the same team we had last season that pulled off the greatest collapse in Leafs history. JVR for Schenn ain't gonna do jack to improve the team.

Our failed blowhard buffoon GM since he's been here still hasn't landed us a #1 goalie or a #1 centre and hired a coach that is not a good fit for a scrub laden team loaded with over rated and overpaid 3rd and 4th line players.

We will not make the playoffs every game in a 48 game schedule will be pressure packed and when the pressure is on the Leafs always fail. When the pressure is off that's when our heroes play loosey gossey hockey and win a few. In a shortened season Burke's team won't get it done and make the post season which will hopefully lead to his firing.

Were you one of the deep thinkers who gauranteed the season would be lost?

 

[p.l.f.]

armstrong was waived and bought out
is there a maximum number of players per season a team is allowed to do this?
i can think of at least 3 more leafs for this

 

[zeke]

I remember Sens fans last year were all planning on enjoying a tank season for a top pick, thinking they had no chance to be any good. I argued with them that their team was pretty good, and that the change to Anderson in net could easily get them into playoff contention.

In general, most fans don't seem to realize how small the difference in talent there is between the good teams and the bad teams in today's NHL. A big change in net or in coaching can make a drastic difference in the standings.

 

[ULF_55]

The CBA looks poised for Burke to pull a deal for Luongo, leaving Vancouver with the liability at the end of his contract and considering the higher cap over the next few years, it could leave Florida out of the market.

If Canucks are on the hook for Luongo's retirement cap hit his value returns to where it would be if he had a reasonable term contract.

Kind of pay me now (with assets) or pay me later (cap hit).

I would not be surprised if some people here are peeved with what the Luongo deal costs in assets.

 

[p.l.f.]

from the canucks board:

Great breakdown of a potential deal by TSN.
- Duthie cites TOR's need is immediate.
- Johnson, and LeBrun earlier, says the Canucks can wait a bit.
- Mckenzie mentions Weiss is unlikely to re-sign?
- Bozak + Prospect (sticking point) + pick alluded to as framework.
- EDM showed definite interest prior to Lockout.
- Pang thinks FLA will likely increase offer, McKenzie adds that players Luongo is currently practicing with thinks he's all world.
- Mckenzie also thinks that shortened season might increase interest from FLA in effort to do some damage in playoffs.
- Also, NO official deal in place right now between VAN and TOR.

 

[ULF_55]

lombardi could also easily be waived to give us a bunch more capspace if we want.

I kind of like that they are changing the rules.

There was talk that you wouldn't be able to remove cap hit by waiving players. So I'm not sure Lombardi can be waived off the cap. If someone picked him off waivers yes, but if demoted to AHL his cap hit would still count.

However, there was also talk that you could include cap space in a trade, so for example, say the Colorado traded Stastny to the Leafs for say Kadri, and a 1st., they could trade cap space along with Stastny. Again, we'll have to wait for the details on how this is going to work.

 

[Mess]

armstrong was waived and bought out
is there a maximum number of players per season a team is allowed to do this?
i can think of at least 3 more leafs for this

Buyout windows are only available during certain periods in an NHL season..

1st one at the end of June (approx 10 to 12 days in length) just before July 1st UFA season, and the 2nd at the completion of Arbitration hearings late August, early September also only a few days in length..

To qualify for the 2nd buyout window a team must have had at least 2 players file for salary arbitration hearings to resolve their contracts, otherwise its not available to teams. There was a limited number of buyouts permitted per CBA under the old CBA.

Since the salary cap for this shortened season remains at $70 mil (prorated) and both previous buyout windows for the 2012-13 season have closed, buyouts are not available until after this year is completed and begin in June 2013..

 

[The Magic Man]

I think some of you need a reality check. This is essentially the same team we had last season that pulled off the greatest collapse in Leafs history. JVR for Schenn ain't gonna do jack to improve the team.

Our failed blowhard buffoon GM since he's been here still hasn't landed us a #1 goalie or a #1 centre and hired a coach that is not a good fit for a scrub laden team loaded with over rated and overpaid 3rd and 4th line players.

We will not make the playoffs every game in a 48 game schedule will be pressure packed and when the pressure is on the Leafs always fail. When the pressure is off that's when our heroes play loosey gossey hockey and win a few. In a shortened season Burke's team won't get it done and make the post season which will hopefully lead to his firing.

This...

It's also the same team that was in a playoff spot for the majority of the season.... except better as a couple of guys are further along in their development and ready to play in the NHL, plus JVR.

If this same team (+ a few positive tweeks) is in the same spot at game 40 as it was last year, it will all but guarantee a playoff. Besides, in that situation where we started to tank, they were looking at another 40 games in the schedule. Instead this year they will be looking at ~10 games. Gotta think they'd be riding quite a high.

But don't let that stop you pessimistic few from finding reasons to complain and rain on everyone's parade on what should be a positive day.

 

[zeke]

It's a similar team to last year, but not the same team.

VanRiemsdyk > Lombari
McClement > Dupuis/Armstrong
Komarov =? Crabb
Ranger > Schenn
Healthy Reimer > Concussed Reimer

 

[JSn0w93]

Can't explain how thrilled I am to have hockey back. On the other hand barring a significant move or two I can't see the Leafs having much success in this shortened season.

 

[shakes]

Everyone knew the Kings were an underachieving team yet still had all the pieces to win a Cup.

Leafs wouldn't be considered anywhere near that if they finished 8th this season.

Apples and oranges.

Didn't Burke also say he didn't want to sneak into 8th just to get bounced?

No it isn't apples and oranges. 8th is 8th. It's only apples and oranges if it suits your argument.
I believe he changed his tune after an 8th place team won.

How about Calgary a few years ago. Didn't they get in as a low seed? Or were they "underachieving" as well?

 

[shakes]

No, the target is to win Lord Stanley, not to build a team to squeak into playoff contention.

So, what seed were the Kings?

 

[Mess]

No it isn't apples and oranges. 8th is 8th. It's only apples and oranges if it suits your argument.
I believe he changed his tune after an 8th place team won.

How about Calgary a few years ago. Didn't they get in as a low seed? Or were they "underachieving" as well?

While its true that if you make the playoffs then you have a chance at winning the Cup..

However statistically based on historical results prior to last season, if you take all the years from last shortened season in 1995 until present day, it shows that NO team that finished in 5th, 6th, 7th nor 8th in their conference went on to win the Stanley Cup prior to LA's win.

As the saying goes "there is an exception to every rule" and the Kings proved to be the exception (not the norm) based on those previous actual results.

 

[TMLegend]

While its true that if you make the playoffs then you have a chance at winning the Cup..

However statistically based on historical results prior to last season, if you take all the years from last shortened season in 1995 until present day, it shows that NO team that finished in 5th, 6th, 7th nor 8th in their conference went on to win the Stanley Cup prior to LA's win.

As the saying goes "there is an exception to every rule" and the Kings proved to be the exception (not the norm) based on those previous actual results.

The Kings weren't a true 8th seed though, They had argubly the most complete team in the league.. They just underachieved massively.

 

[CG14]

No it isn't apples and oranges. 8th is 8th. It's only apples and oranges if it suits your argument.
I believe he changed his tune after an 8th place team won.

How about Calgary a few years ago. Didn't they get in as a low seed? Or were they "underachieving" as well?

If you are saying that the LA kings roster last year was the same or even comparable to the Leafs roster then you are nuts. The fact is LA was a favorite coming into the year, underacheived. It truly is an apples/oranges debate

 

[uncleherman77]

Finally get to post here. Gonna miss the lockout threads though

 

[CG14]

So, what seed were the Kings?

This is the stupidest argument i've heard in a long while, and theres aplenty on the Leaf board

 

[colchar]

I think some of you need a reality check. This is essentially the same team we had last season that pulled off the greatest collapse in Leafs history. JVR for Schenn ain't gonna do jack to improve the team.

Our failed blowhard buffoon GM since he's been here still hasn't landed us a #1 goalie or a #1 centre and hired a coach that is not a good fit for a scrub laden team loaded with over rated and overpaid 3rd and 4th line players.

We will not make the playoffs every game in a 48 game schedule will be pressure packed and when the pressure is on the Leafs always fail. When the pressure is off that's when our heroes play loosey gossey hockey and win a few. In a shortened season Burke's team won't get it done and make the post season which will hopefully lead to his firing.

Nice crystal ball you've got there, can you give me this week's lottery numbers too?