Hey let's talk about the Leafs

[Boges]

Not the opposite of the Oilers, but better. The Leafs should draft the most talented players available with their picks, like the Oil but they need a team commitment to work ethic and fitness in place from the start. Babcock, Shanny and Lou can impose that during the tear down phase, but they will need strong Gary Roberts/Messier/Toews/Pronger type leaders to enforce that in the room as they add talent. Edmonton collected talent in a leadership vacuum and may not be able to repair the culture now.

The only way to do that is through Free Agency. Is that guy Stamkos or some of the guys on the team now? JVR, Bozak or even Kadri. The team may not even have a captain this season.

[Guest]

The only way to do that is through Free Agency. Is that guy Stamkos or some of the guys on the team now? JVR, Bozak or even Kadri. The team may not even have a captain this season.

I think going after Stamkos is a no brainer, they have to try. I've heard commentators say that he wants to be that leader kind of guy...but I don't know enough about him to be sure he is that kind of guy. The Leafs certainly don't have that leader right now, but they have a little time. That guy doesn't have to be the top paid player, like Messier or Toews or even just one guy. The more character guys they have the better it will be for the young talent they bring in. Roberts in the past and Brown in LA weren't expensive but were necessary to win.

[The_Squid]

Of ccourse they should go after Stamkos! But will Stamkos even consider the Leafs?

[Guest]

He has a chance to be the captain of his hometown team and you know they are going to back a Brinks truck up to his door. I think he will consider the Leafs. In my opinion, he will either be a Leaf or stay in Tampa. I hear he enjoys the Florida lifestyle, but commentators speculate that he's upset with how he's been used on the team. Just a part time center, almost no shootout attempts, very little publicity, etc. For a Markham boy, being the captain of the first contending Leaf team in 50+ years and the associated hockey god status must be appealing.

Edited May 3, 2016 by Guest

[Boges]

For a Markham boy, being the captain of the first contending Leaf team in 50+ years and the associated hockey god status must be appealing.

The Leafs have fielding contending teams a few times in the past 50 years. Just not post lockout.

[Guest]

The Leafs have fielding contending teams a few times in the past 50 years. Just not post lockout.

They haven't made the cup finals in 50 years. I added the + because the rebuild will take at least 3 more.

[Boges]

They haven't made the cup finals in 50 years. I added the + because the rebuild will take at least 3 more.

Doesn't mean the 93-94 Burns teams or the 01-02 Quinn teams weren't contenders.

[Shady]

I'm 50/50 on whether they should go after Stamkos. It would be a huge get, but the length and size of the contract would be pretty big. But they have loads and loads of cap room, so maybe it wouldn't be an issue. They need a defenceman too. I heard they might target Yandle.

[Guest]

I'm 50/50 on whether they should go after Stamkos. It would be a huge get, but the length and size of the contract would be pretty big. But they have loads and loads of cap room, so maybe it wouldn't be an issue. They need a defenceman too. I heard they might target Yandle.

Stamkos is top 5 in the NHL. Landing a guy like that is a rare opportunity that shouldn't be missed. Stamkos is expected to sign for 12-13 million and he's worth it. Kane and Toews each make 13.8, Weber peaked at 14. Stamkos is only 25 years old and the maximum contract length the Leafs can offer is 7 years so he's still going to be in his prime through almost the entire deal.

[Boges]

Stamkos is top 5 in the NHL. Landing a guy like that is a rare opportunity that shouldn't be missed. Stamkos is expected to sign for 12-13 million and he's worth it. Kane and Toews each make 13.8, Weber peaked at 14. Stamkos is only 25 years old and the maximum contract length the Leafs can offer is 7 years so he's still going to be in his prime through almost the entire deal.

A 7 year deal is good, it's the same length as Babcock's deal.

[The_Squid]

I would be surprised if Stamkos wants to be part of a loser.

Other temas will offer the same cash with much more potential upside for actually winning a cup.

[Shady]

Stamkos is top 5 in the NHL. Landing a guy like that is a rare opportunity that shouldn't be missed. Stamkos is expected to sign for 12-13 million and he's worth it. Kane and Toews each make 13.8, Weber peaked at 14. Stamkos is only 25 years old and the maximum contract length the Leafs can offer is 7 years so he's still going to be in his prime through almost the entire deal.

Good point.

[Boges]

I would be surprised if Stamkos wants to be part of a loser.

Other temas will offer the same cash with much more potential upside for actually winning a cup.

Well he's part of a winning team right now and isn't happy.

In North American pro sports, teams aren't destined to be bad long term. Look at the Florida Panthers this past season, and they aren't a team willing to hit the salary cap.

[overthere]

I'm 50/50 on whether they should go after Stamkos. It would be a huge get, but the length and size of the contract would be pretty big. But they have loads and loads of cap room, so maybe it wouldn't be an issue. They need a defenceman too. I heard they might target Yandle.

Be afraid of athletes with blood clots.

I would be surprised if Stamkos wants to be part of a loser.

Other temas will offer the same cash with much more potential upside for actually winning a cup.

Yep. He can get the monster money from a few teams, all of whom finished higher that Toronto. And let us not forget the horrific media and fan pressure on anybody in TO. What is his motivation for enduring that?

[Guest]

And let us not forget the horrific media and fan pressure on anybody in TO. What is his motivation for enduring that?

The same media and fans also elevate players to the status of demigods on occasion.

[overthere]

The same media and fans also elevate players to the status of demigods on occasion.

Same question. Why would anybody want that- being unable to walk in pubic, unable to have any kind of private life? What would motivate that, since the money is not the answer.

[Boges]

Same question. Why would anybody want that- being unable to walk in pubic, unable to have any kind of private life? What would motivate that, since the money is not the answer.

Well Stamkos is living the dream of being anonymous where he lives right now.

I think it's foolish for any of us to act like we know what he's going to do.

[Guest]

Same question. Why would anybody want that- being unable to walk in pubic, unable to have any kind of private life? What would motivate that, since the money is not the answer.

Some people like the celebrity status, associated endorsements and attention. More than one commentator has speculated that Stamkos would like that kind of attention for a little while. Maybe he will follow the Luongo route and spend his prime in the limelight and then look for a trade back to sunny Florida to wind out the last few years of his career.

[overthere]

Well Stamkos is living the dream of being anonymous where he lives right now.

I think it's foolish for any of us to act like we know what he's going to do.

I'm not acting like I know what he is going to do.

I'm asking: what would motivate him to choose Toronto?

[Boges]

I'm not acting like I know what he is going to do.

I'm asking: what would motivate him to choose Toronto?

He's from the region, Babcock will be there for the long run, Lots of young talent on the way, if not already there, he knows they have the money.

This is clearly not the team of JF2 and Brian Burke. They have a long term plan.

[Big Guy]

Why was Phil Kessel such a "bum and disruptive" with the leafs and is now one of the major powers in the Penguin final for the Stanley Cup?

[Boges]

Why was Phil Kessel such a "bum and disruptive" with the leafs and is now one of the major powers in the Penguin final for the Stanley Cup?

Because he's on a better team.

Dude's not a leader or anything. He just plays well when he feels like it. Can't build a team around him like some guy named Brian Burke tried to do. But when the team already has Crosby, Malkin etc, he's a great piece.

[Big Guy]

So series is over, Kessel gets 22 points in playoffs:

"In return Toronto gets centre Nick Spaling, forward Kasperi Kapanen, defenceman Scott Harrington, plus first- and third-round picks from 2016. Toronto will retain $1.2 million of Kessel’s salary in each of the next seven seasons."

Ironic that the Leafs are still paying him.

So, was it a good trade for Leafs?

[Boges]

So series is over, Kessel gets 22 points in playoffs:

"In return Toronto gets centre Nick Spaling, forward Kasperi Kapanen, defenceman Scott Harrington, plus first- and third-round picks from 2016. Toronto will retain $1.2 million of Kessel’s salary in each of the next seven seasons."

Ironic that the Leafs are still paying him.

So, was it a good trade for Leafs?

Yes, the trade could have been for a bag of pucks and it would have been good. You can't build a team around Kessel. Brian Burke thought you could and he's been fired.

The Leafs have the most picks in the draft coming up, they have 2 elite prospects in Nylander and Marner and it looks like they'll be in the running for Steven Stamkos.

The Shanahan era was all about undoing the mistakes of previous administrations.

[Guest]

Do you think there is anything to the rumour that Arizona is offering two first round (7th, 20th) picks and either Domi or Strome for the chance to pick Matthews? Even though the Leafs haven't had a first overall since Wendel, I think I would take that deal. Strome is the real deal and Lou could work wonders with two more first round picks in his already well stocked trade arsenal.