Toronto Maple Leafs 2

Since we lost the other Leafs thread somehow, here's part 2 to get us going.

Just like to say my baby boy was born last week so we have another Leaf fan to add to the biggest fanbase in hockey history...woot!

So what will the Leafs do about the goaltending situation? What do you guys think of the Biggs and Reilly signings? Will Kessel top the league in goals again this season? Will we be a playoff team? How will JVR pan out? With the loss of Schenn and no trade or signing of a top NHL defenseman, who will step up and take his minutes?

Congrats on the kid. Do you really want to punish him and raise him a leafs fans? Maybe if Toronto gets that 2nd team (hopefully they name the team the Toronto Rakes just for laughs) you can give him a brighter future by cheering for that team. I really liked Tyler Biggs on draft day. I was pissed when Burke traded up to move in front of the Penguind to get him. I have heard much of him lately but I thought he had a ton of potential to be a Lucic type power forward. Is there talk of him making the team? I think he is only 19 so it would be surprising to see him make. Power forwards usually follow the defenseman way of life when it come to making the big club. They usually take until lower-mid 20's before them become effective players, but ever once it a while a player proves the theory wrong.

congrats on the new little man IMA.  being a dad is AWESOME, you're gonna love it.

that being said, starting him off as a leaf fan........come on man, you're supposed to provide a good life for your kids, not put them behind the "8 ball of life" the second they're born....lol, i kid.

as for your goalie situation, could be interesting.   I was reading on one of the leaf twitter accounts that if/when scrivens signs his new contract, he'll have to clear waivers in order to be called up/sent down.  they didn't specify why, i'm sure it's some obscure contract rule in the CBA, but either way, could make for a very interesting situation in TO

Congrats on the kid IMA, they're great to have around once they can start doing yardwork and pay for the own food.    
On the Leafs:

I smell a Burke in LA of Vancouver.    The Huet rumors talking to those teams imply they're preparing to be light a goalie.    Chicago is unlikely to be a trading partner within the conference at this point so I think Burke is going to get one of those two goalies. 

I think Luongo makes the Leafs a playoff team.    His contract will look like a bargain compared to most of Burkes last few seasons.     Maybe JVR can be in the Luongo trade. 

Burke needs to hear himself speak more, I think he's ready to make a major move.    If he doesn't get in the postseason this year, he may be at the end of his career as a NHL gm.

Congrats again IMA, thanks for getting the thread started, let's hope we'll be able to talk about a season and not a lockout.

I honestly give up on burke, he never made any moves as far as the goalie goes, the rivals will continue to improve and the leafs will stay in neuteral.

On the bright side, next year, there's something like $17M coming off the books, and one thing the leafs know how to do well, is spend to the cap.

Connolly- $4.750,000

Lupul   -  $4,250,000

Lombardi $3,500,000

Steckel -  $1,100,000

Macarthur $3,250,000

Gunnersson -$1.325M makes it $18.5M coming off the books, I say go for three elite players, between $6-$8M.

Thanks guys. My whole family says not to torture him by making him a Leafs fan, but hopefully by the time he's old enough to know what's going on we'll be relevant again, lol.

I'd love to get Luongo, but not sure I'd be willing to give JVR for him. If it can be done with draft picks and prospects I'd rather take that route. I don't want to give away the couple good pieces we have or we'll just be in the same boat. Luongo's not good enough to steal games every night. I hope you're wrong about the Scrivens thing sens, if he hits waivers someone will definitely grab him. Huet would be a disgusting move, but I'd be fine with Bernier. In a perfect world we wouldn't have to trade anyone and Reimer would come back the way he started, I guess we'll have to wait and see..

I'd take Lupul off that list skinny, hopefully he's not going anywhere. He did too well with Kessel to not extend him.

They just signed Biggs to an entry level deal...not sure if that means he'll be starting the season with them but it's definitely going in the right direction. Some compare him to Lucic, others compare him to Tucker, either way I can't wait to see him in blue and white.

If lupul keeps up where he left off last year, then he'll probably re-sign at about $6M per, then they have room for another two elite players at $6M each. True, it'll be alot smarter to just keep him than let him go and then try to find another player with the same ilk.

congrats, ima :)

and now, if i may, i'd like to quote the immortal words of waylon jennings and willie nelson.

mammas, don't let your babies grow up to be Leafs fans

Francois Allaire has resigned, he claims that there three different coaches instructing the goalies and he couldn't work through the mess, wow, and burke says that his methods were ancient. Burke's been on his side 100% up until now, how many other things is burke bs'ing about?

Brodeur went to allaire's goalie camp about twenty years ago, and walked out after two days, he did ok without him.

I brush my teeth side to side.  Up-down is overrated.


Oh....sorry, I thought this was the gibbersh thread.

Burke is awesome, he's going to have some good stuff for us when the lockout ends, that's for sure. 

That was some quality goalie coach drama.  

Bring in Eddy the Eagle!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Ima, a little late on my part but I just found this thread. Im happy for you.

As for the Leafs-

I love the JVR trade for the Leafs. Thought that was the best move of the summer.....I said that last year about Cody Franson so take it w/ a grain of salt. JVR should end up being your best forward. I suggest not overselling him the way many Leaf fans have #81. Glutton for punishment by wording it 'will Phil Kessel lead the league in goals again'. Mustve missed the first time that happened. Let's get to 40 first.

Agree w/ Bob's assesment of Luongo. Would make you legitimate playoff contender as long as you dont give up too much. Will have to wait and see if Luongo goes to Toronto and what the price would be. Would be a shame if you mortgage the farm again, then even little Ima would have to deal w/ the consequences.

Burke has met with mike, and they're probably off a bit there, its a good thing allaire left, I don't know how he could've coached luongo if he came here.

The funny thing about allaire taking his ball and going home, he gets paid handsomely and hasn't made any difference, some would argue if there is even any need for a goalie coach, I was all into showing him the door last year.

JVR has upside, if he comes through, and lupul keeps it up, if they get luongo, with rilley, this team has some playoff hope yet.

My question is what are the Leafs going to do long term about Lupul and Kessel?  The Lupul/Kessel tandem IS the Leafs offense, no doubt about it.  Lupul only has 1 more season left on his deal and Kessel has just 2 seasons left in Toronto.  Is Burke going to overpay to keep them? Because unless the CBA changes things drastically it's very likely going to take a ton of money to hold onto those guys and that's assuming they both want to stay.  If they don't sign a long term deal in advance, do you trade them and if so, for what?

As an outsider I'll say this much for sure.  I feel sorry for Leaf fans primarily because Burke is the Leafs GM.  I honestly don't believe the man has it in him to turn the Leafs into a contender.  Heck I'm not sure Burke can even lead the Leafs to the playoffs.

As for Luongo, I think it's going to take much much more then people think to acquire Luongo.  Many people assumed the Canucks had no choice but to trade him for whatever they could get, especially after Luongo said his playing days in Vancouver were likely over. What people didn't realize though and I mentioned months ago is the Canucks don't have to do anything.  Aside from a 7th dman their roster is all set.  They're still over 2.5 million under the cap and they have a couple more forwards on the roster then they need. And all of that with Luongo still on the roster with a cap hit of over 5 million dollars.  He's pretty darn good insurance if Schneider either gets hurt or doesn't turn into the great every day goalie most people think he's going to be.  I have no doubt in my mind the Canucks WANT to trade Luongo but after they forked over so much money in Luongo's front loaded deal I don't think they're in a hurry to help make another team better between the pipes.  And considering Luongo's cap hit of just over 5 million bucks is very reasonable in today's NHL I wouldn't be surprised if somebody offers the Canucks a pretty sweet package in a trade to acquire Luongo's services. If I'm the Canucks I give Schneider most of the playing time but I play Luongo enough to showcase him, right up until the trade deadline where there will be teams who likely will need a goalie.  And at that point may the bidding begin... Luongo goes to the highest bidder. 

What are the leafs gonna do long-term with lupul and kessel? That questions has so many factors involved, its impossible to answer it at the present time. Firstly, they have to see if lupul continues with his good play, then take it from there, try to get him an extension, this of course, if he wants to stay here. Kessel, its way to early to think about his future, but you could alway try and dangle him in a deal, and see if you'll get a team to overpay.

Luongo, I agree, its not as easy as it looks, the Canucks obvioulsy won't take back a bad contract, or else they would've done it by now, I'm sure burke tried to push komi's deal on gillis, but he turned him down. They aren't in a rush, and they'll make the teams come to them, unless something can be done after the lockout's over. All I've heard from luongo is that he wants to go back to florida, but nothing's materialized, obviously they're trying to stick the canucks with some dead money.

Something on the table here for luongo, from what I've heard,  bozak, gardiner and a 1st round pick, mighty steep, let's see what happens.

man, this site sucks now............but i regress

Something on the table here for luongo, from what I've heard,  bozak, gardiner and a 1st round pick, mighty steep, let's see what happens.

i can't believe that even burke is stupid enough to do that.  that being said, if he does, i guarantee you he's seeking new employment.  that would be even worse than the kessel trade.

ofcourse i meant to say "digress".........reading through this site is making me stupid.