While I agree D is key for any team there is something to having at least one forward who can score 25 or more goals in a season.
I can definately see Burke using the D men he has as trading blocks come trade deadline time but Toronto is in deep when it comes to the salary cap (approximately 3 mill left). The problem is all the D he is signing are on multi year contracts and with the salary cap going down after this year (some experts say as much as 8-10 million) the leafs won't have the money to sign any forwards next off season.
I can't believe the leafs are going to go two seasons without even having someone you can honestly call a captain of the team. They need to find that part of the puzzle and start building around that....and Schenn is not the person for that position...as Burke has suggested he will be in a couple years. Schenn is nothing more then another Adam Foote...which isn't a bad thing.
smuncky
GUSTAVSSON MAKES DECISION, SIGNS WITH MAPLE LEAFS
Swedish free agent goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has decided to call Toronto home.
Gustavsson, who is nicknamed "The Monster," has signed a one-year deal with the Leafs worth $810,000, including a signing bonus of $90,000, to back up current starter Vesa Toskala.
"Jonas is considered by many to be the best goaltender not playing in the NHL today," said Maple Leafs' general manager Brian Burke. "He has a unique combination of size and agility and we're excited to add a player with his potential to our roster."
The 24-year-old Gustavsson visited several NHL clubs before choosing the Maple Leafs; Colorado, San Jose and Dallas being the others interested in signing him.
"I want to thank Brian Burke and his staff for giving me the opportunity to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs," said Gustavsson. "It is truly an honor and privilege and I feel very fortunate to wear the Blue and White sweater. Toronto is a great city, with tremendous fan support, and I am very excited about the future."
Labeled the best goaltender outside of the NHL last season, the 6'3", 181 lb backstop was the top goalie in the Swedish Elite League last season while playing for Farjestad. He posted a 1.96 goals against average and a save percentage of .932 in the regular season, and led the team to the league championship this spring.
:D
urban_legend
quote:
Originally posted by smuncky
GUSTAVSSON MAKES DECISION, SIGNS WITH MAPLE LEAFS
Swedish free agent goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has decided to call Toronto home.
Gustavsson, who is nicknamed "The Monster," has signed a one-year deal with the Leafs worth $810,000, including a signing bonus of $90,000, to back up current starter Vesa Toskala.
"Jonas is considered by many to be the best goaltender not playing in the NHL today," said Maple Leafs' general manager Brian Burke. "He has a unique combination of size and agility and we're excited to add a player with his potential to our roster."
The 24-year-old Gustavsson visited several NHL clubs before choosing the Maple Leafs; Colorado, San Jose and Dallas being the others interested in signing him.
"I want to thank Brian Burke and his staff for giving me the opportunity to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs," said Gustavsson. "It is truly an honor and privilege and I feel very fortunate to wear the Blue and White sweater. Toronto is a great city, with tremendous fan support, and I am very excited about the future."
Labeled the best goaltender outside of the NHL last season, the 6'3", 181 lb backstop was the top goalie in the Swedish Elite League last season while playing for Farjestad. He posted a 1.96 goals against average and a save percentage of .932 in the regular season, and led the team to the league championship this spring.
:D
Wonder why just one year?
Spam
quote:
Originally posted by urban_legend
Wonder why just one year?
In case he's another Raycroft, we need to be able to get rid of him.
Spam
quote:
Originally posted by ChemEnhanced
While I agree D is key for any team there is something to having at least one forward who can score 25 or more goals in a season.
I can definately see Burke using the D men he has as trading blocks come trade deadline time but Toronto is in deep when it comes to the salary cap (approximately 3 mill left). The problem is all the D he is signing are on multi year contracts and with the salary cap going down after this year (some experts say as much as 8-10 million) the leafs won't have the money to sign any forwards next off season.
I can't believe the leafs are going to go two seasons without even having someone you can honestly call a captain of the team. They need to find that part of the puzzle and start building around that....and Schenn is not the person for that position...as Burke has suggested he will be in a couple years. Schenn is nothing more then another Adam Foote...which isn't a bad thing.
I completely agree about the salary cap issue man. The biggest PROBLEM with these D signings is that they've all been 4mil/year deals. He has to dump one or 2 of those, along with Van Ryn, Finger, etc.
I'm guessing by the trade deadline this year we'll be watching him dump the excess D for marginal forwards and draft picks. And I'm ok with that. I'm giving him 3 years to supply us with a team worth cheering for, then I'll start calling for his head.
In the end, it CAN'T get any worse than the Furgy Jr. put us through. I don't see Burke trading away all our promising young talent for washed-up vets the way Furgy ruined our team.
smuncky
just watched sportcentre where he said that there will most likely be a trade coming up in the form of a couple of d-men for a forward or something like that.
ChemEnhanced
Burke said today there is serious talks about a trade of a D man and its not kaberle. Van Ryn abd White are probably the two most tradable defencemen they have. White is a small contract with a big upside...most likely he would be traded in a package deal with someone like Stajan. With 10 D on the roster right now you will probably see at least two go and one will most likely be Kaberle but that won't happen until closer to the trade deadline.
I like the goalie pick up and I think you will see a more even split of goalie duty and if the kid works out then Toskala will be on the market come trade deadline.
smuncky
MAPLE LEAFS INK WALLIN TO ONE-YEAR DEAL
Forward Rickard Wallin has apparently Jonas Gustavsson to the Toronto.
The Toronto Maple Leafs confirmed reports on Friday by signing the veteran Swede to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were not released.
"We're pleased to get Rickard signed to a contract," said Maple Leafs' general manager Brian Burke in a statement. "He's a strong two-way centreman that will provide a solid presence in our dressing room."
Last season, Wallin was the captain with league champion Farjestads where he recorded 18 goals and 27 assists in 55 games.
Wallin last played in the NHL from 2002-04 where he scored six goals and recorded 4 assists in 19 total games.
He was originally selected by the Phoenix Coyotesin the sixth round, 160th overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft
and for a little fun now.
ChemEnhanced
Yeah....another defensive forward.....I see the leafs loosing a lot of one goal games this year. How about signing at least one offensive player.
Spam
quote:
Originally posted by ChemEnhanced
Yeah....another defensive forward.....I see the leafs loosing a lot of one goal games this year. How about signing at least one offensive player.
Like who.
What solid, offensive forwards are out there and available?
As I understand the availability, the Leafs can only acquire a worthwhile offensive forward through a trade.
I think focusing on defense while high quality D is available has been the perfect move. For the last 5 years or so the Lafs have been soft on D, and the most important key to finding your offensive touch is to start getting out of your defensive zone more often. With the upgraded D on the Leafs this year, we should see guys like Grabo and Blake getting more chances up front.
Personally, I think that between Grabovski (who SHOULD be better now with a full season under his belt), Blake (who should score at least 25-30 goals again), and the regular annual surprises, we should be able to put the puck in the net just fine until a good, solid trade presents itself.
ChemEnhanced
The leafs still need legit first and second line centres plus at least one strong offensive winger. I wouldn't expect the same from Grabovski, this year, as he just signed a new contract. Its common for a drop off in performance after a new contract is signed. Blake will get you the 25-30 goals and Garbo maybe 20.
Defence is important but I think Burke is going to the extreme and its going to be very boring hockey....at least they were exciting to watch last year.
