Nonis using depth to go shopping....

[BlueWhiteBlood]

From LeBrun

Leafs' trade talk

The Leafs' newfound depth, especially on defense, has the club working the phones to see if there's any interest in some of their players. Defenseman Carl Gunnarsson and center Tyler Bozak are among the names that have been discussed, but as of Wednesday, we're told nothing was close with any team. The Leafs could also start the season with eight defensemen on their roster.

I know Burke has to do his best to get numbers down, but I don't really like the Bozak talk. Now maybe Bozak would fetch something of value, but, he could also turn out to be a long lasting quality player for us as well. Personally, I would rather we wait an see what we have in him. It all depends on what is offered of course, but with his solid rookie numbers, he could turn out to be one of those players that leaves here and blossoms somewhere else and I wouldn't like that. This could be the Turris/ Bozak rumour they're talking about, but I thought I would mention it, because it's coming straight from LeBrun.

Gunnarsson on the other hand may be the guy that the organization deems expendable, with the contract of Komisarek not being movable at this point and the emergence of young Gardiner. I think I'm okay with that, but obviously, my first choice to leave would be Komisarek. We could get a good pick for Carl I think, but maybe Burke is looking to package in order to land a bigger fish, we'll have to wait and see.

[Britishbulldog]

I hoping for Ryan Clowe.....still.    :)

[Sarge]

I hoping for Ryan Clowe.....still.    :)

Would be nice...

[You're right]

If he could somehow manage to move the Komi contract in the process it would be nice. If not, any moves to make the team better using surplus assets is a good thing.

[Nik]

I think the issue with Bozak isn't so much that people doubt the potential so much as it is that he's a little bit of a tweener. He's not your prototypical third line centre and he may not produce enough offensively to really be comfortably ensconced in a team's top 6.

So if Burke is looking to deal him, either for a more typical third line talent or for someone they think has a better shot at being a front line forward, I think we'd have to see any deal before we felt one way or the other about it.

[bustaheims]

I think we'd have to see any deal before we felt one way or the other about it.

That's pretty much how I feel about it. I wouldn't be rushing to move either Gunnarsson or Bozak, but, if there's a move that clearly improves the team that involves one or both of them . . . well, I would imagine my thoughts on that would be obvious.

[L K]

I'm really hesitant to see any trade of Gunnarsson/Bozak right now without knowing how Lombardi responds to physical play/a return to professional hockey after a year.  He was never a dominant player to begin with, and while he isn't being asked to be the #1 centre, he very may well be required to fill in for Tim on the "1st" line more than we want. 

I think the Leafs would also be traded away guys who probably are more valuable to the Leafs than to other teams because they aren't big name players with a league-wide reputation.  Even in Toronto I feel like Gunnarsson's ability to play two-way hockey isn't valued as much as it should be.  He's a guy who is still relatively young and has gotten better each year in North America.  We are talking about a 24 year old defenseman who has really only played North American hockey for 2 years and he's pretty solid in the defensive zone, and has offensive abilities to probably be a 30-35 point player.

Obviously if a Lebda for Franson+Lombardi deal opens up, you jump at it, but I don't think you are going to find that kind of value in the early stages of the season. 

Beyond that, I think any move that essentially just creates a roster spot for Komisarek is a bad one.  I'm not sure what games Wilson/Burke/the Toronto Star have been watching, but I'm not seeing an improved Komisarek on the ice.  He's still a liability when the puck is on his stick.  He is still making passes (when not pressured) to his defense partner (who is being pressured), and he still doesn't do a good job of getting the puck out of the zone.  He has this "leadership" in the dressing room, but how much of that is actually worth anything when you already have a very vocal guy in Phaneuf on the blue-line, and you have guys like Armstrong in the forward ranks to provide a more veteran approach to the game.  4.5M defensemen who can barely stay in a fight for the 5-7th defenseman aren't exactly guys you need to be making a roster spot for.

[moon111]

Would a Komisarek for a Rick DiPietro trade make sense?  (If Islanders are on the list of teams Mike would accept a trade to.)  Cap-wise, they're both $4.5 million.  Komi's salary is less.  DiPietro's contract is longer.  If the Leafs lost Komi, they could fill any needs easily.  If Gus is shaky, the Leafs don't have anywhere to turn.  Of course one would expect the Islanders to compensate for the contract differences.  (A 1st rounder would do nicely.  LOL)

[Nik]

Cap-wise, they're both $4.5 million.  Komi's salary is less.  DiPietro's contract is longer. 

DiPietro's contract is seven years longer.

[Sarge]

Would a Komisarek for a Rick DiPietro trade make sense?  (If Islanders are on the list of teams Mike would accept a trade to.)  Cap-wise, they're both $4.5 million.  Komi's salary is less.  DiPietro's contract is longer.  If the Leafs lost Komi, they could fill any needs easily.  If Gus is shaky, the Leafs don't have anywhere to turn.  Of course one would expect the Islanders to compensate for the contract differences.  (A 1st rounder would do nicely.  LOL)

4.5 mil for a back-up keeper or 4.5 mil for a guy who at least plays ever day? I don't know, I might be inclined to not do that... especiallly considering there are "only" 3 years left on Komi's deal.  Or, are you suggesting we simply bury DiPietro in the minors? - Something we can't do with Komisarek.

[Sarge]

Maybe something involving Rolston?... I don't know.

[Tigger]

4.5M defensemen who can barely stay in a fight for the 5-7th defenseman aren't exactly guys you need to be making a roster spot for.

Could you walk me through the answer cause I'm dying to know...

[No.92]

Would a Komisarek for a Rick DiPietro trade make sense?  (If Islanders are on the list of teams Mike would accept a trade to.)  Cap-wise, they're both $4.5 million.  Komi's salary is less.  DiPietro's contract is longer.  If the Leafs lost Komi, they could fill any needs easily.  If Gus is shaky, the Leafs don't have anywhere to turn.  Of course one would expect the Islanders to compensate for the contract differences.  (A 1st rounder would do nicely.  LOL)

Every which way I look at this, I have to say no.  Like someone else said, we don't need a $4.5mil backup that has a contract that still has 10yrs on it.  You think that Tucker's buyout was bad at $1mil still counting on the books, $4.5mil handicapping us for 10yrs is not the way to go.  And you don't want to send him down to the AHL because you want those spots to develop Rynnas, Scrivens, and eventually Owuya.  So, any which way you look at it, it doesn't make sense.  Especially for only a 1st rounder.  Now, if they packaged Tavares in there, I'd have to seriously seriously think about it, but it wouldn't make sense for the Islanders to do that.

[bustaheims]

Would a Komisarek for a Rick DiPietro trade make sense?  (If Islanders are on the list of teams Mike would accept a trade to.)  Cap-wise, they're both $4.5 million.  Komi's salary is less.  DiPietro's contract is longer.  If the Leafs lost Komi, they could fill any needs easily.  If Gus is shaky, the Leafs don't have anywhere to turn.  Of course one would expect the Islanders to compensate for the contract differences.  (A 1st rounder would do nicely.  LOL)

I'd rather give up a significant draft pick to not have to take on an even more significant cap albatross than make that deal. THat's how bad an idea I think it is.

[Corn Flake]

Sooo back to "depth to go shopping" vs. "how to dump Komisarek"...

I think its a tricky position for Burke unless he's going to move one or two players for prospects or picks.  What would a Gunarsson + Bozak package truly fetch that would be a big improvement on what the Leafs have right now?  I don't see it pulling in a forward better than any of the players in the top 6 or 7 unless its a guy who brings a truly different set of skills that is missing (like a big physical non-slug centre).

Might be best to make a move for picks if he can and bank them until they can be used on the right trade later on.  Only deal I've heard that makes sense other than this is the one for Turris.