John Tavares a Leaf in 2018?

[cabber24]

I hate that this thread exist. Are we really going to grow this thread to 1000 pages? Have we not learned from the Stamkos thread? I mean really, 2 years in advance of Tavares POTENTIALLY becoming a UFA? Guess what, Nash never became a UFA and neither did Stamkos. Sure NYI are s#@t a show today but that doesn't mean they will be 2 years from now.

[Nik]

I hate that this thread exist. Are we really going to grow this thread to 1000 pages? Have we not learned from the Stamkos thread? I mean really, 2 years in advance of Tavares POTENTIALLY becoming a UFA? Guess what, Nash never became a UFA and neither did Stamkos. Sure NYI are s#@t show today but that doesn't mean they will be 2 years from now.

While I understand what you're saying, threads are only what we make them. The Stamkos thread was pretty quiet for a year until the possibility of him became a sooner rather than later thing.

Even then, I'd like to think Stamkos re-signing taught a few lessons about the way we talk about pending UFA's in the future.

[cabber24]

I hate that this thread exist. Are we really going to grow this thread to 1000 pages? Have we not learned from the Stamkos thread? I mean really, 2 years in advance of Tavares POTENTIALLY becoming a UFA? Guess what, Nash never became a UFA and neither did Stamkos. Sure NYI are s#@t show today but that doesn't mean they will be 2 years from now.

While I understand what you're saying, threads are only what we make them. The Stamkos thread was pretty quiet for a year until the possibility of him became a sooner rather than later thing.

Even then, I'd like to think Stamkos re-signing taught a few lessons about the way we talk about pending UFA's in the future.

All NYI have to do is convince Tavares long enough, to write his name on a contract, that staying is a good idea and then they have him for another 8 years. They have a tonne a time to open that 10 second window.

Guys of Tavares caliber do not become UFAs.

[Nik]

All NYI have to do is convince Tavares long enough, to write his name on a contract, that staying is a good idea and then they have him for another 8 years. They have a tonne a time to open that 10 second window.

Guys of Tavares caliber do not become UFAs.

For the most part I'm inclined to agree. I think that NHL GMs aren't going to let guys like that walk if there's a chance they don't.

That said, it's probably unrealistic to expect the "PLayer X grew up in the GTA and liked the Maple Leafs as a child, therefore he's determined to be a Leaf!" crew to retire completely.

[sneakyray]

All NYI have to do is convince Tavares long enough, to write his name on a contract, that staying is a good idea and then they have him for another 8 years. They have a tonne a time to open that 10 second window.

Guys of Tavares caliber do not become UFAs.

For the most part I'm inclined to agree. I think that NHL GMs aren't going to let guys like that walk if there's a chance they don't.

That said, it's probably unrealistic to expect the "PLayer X grew up in the GTA and liked the Maple Leafs as a child, therefore he's determined to be a Leaf!" crew to retire completely.

I don't know...clarkson did.  But bolland walked.

maybe it has more to do with money!!! lol

[No.92]

Firstly, I wouldn't want to go through the same crap we did with Stamkos.  It was a let down we didn't get him.  Also, we don't need another center at that point I don't think plus he will be something like 27/28?  I think that's too old for me to take a risk on a big contract with him at that time.

[Tigger]

I'm looking forward to the 'Vic Hedman?' thread.

[herman]

As a relatively new member to these boards, I enjoyed the Stamkos thread discussion immensely and getting to know people and how they process the game of being fans of the game. Pretty sure I didn't give full value to my place of employment during the course of that discussion.

[Nik]

I really just hope that now that the Stamkos thread is over, some posters will remember that if they don't like a thread they don't have to participate in it or even read it. Unless you're being held at gunpoint, in which case try to respond with a clever acrostic.

[herman]

I really just hope that now that the Stamkos thread is over, some posters will remember that if they don't like a thread they don't have to participate in it or even read it. Unless you're being held at gunpoint, in which case try to respond with a clever acrostic.

Home is where the heart is, and Stamkos' heart was in Tampa all along.
Elated though we may be at the prospect of a premiere player coming home, fueled by
Lawton's convictions, Stamkos never promised anyone anything about where he would sign.
Players have the right to choose where they work as much as the rest of us do.

[bustaheims]

I'm looking forward to the 'Vic Hedman?' thread.

Honestly, if he does make it to UFA and the Leafs miss out on Liljegren, he'd be the guy I'd throw all the money at. I don't think there'd be as much debate about signing him. A 26/27 y/o #1 defenceman for a team whose biggest hole will likely be on the top defensive pairing . . . that's a pretty easy sell for me.

[Nik]

Home is where the heart is, and Stamkos' heart was in Tampa all along.
Elated though we may be at the prospect of a premiere player coming home, fueled by
Lawton's convictions, Stamkos never promised anyone anything about where he would sign.
Players have the right to choose where they work as much as the rest of us do.

Now that we're past the Stamkos situation we should
Only think about drafting and developing.

[herman]

Home is where the heart is, and Stamkos' heart was in Tampa all along.
Elated though we may be at the prospect of a premiere player coming home, fueled by
Lawton's convictions, Stamkos never promised anyone anything about where he would sign.
Players have the right to choose where they work as much as the rest of us do.

Now that we're past the Stamkos situation we should
Only think about drafting and developing.

Presently, I definitely agree that our focus should be on the internal development of our prospects.
Enhancing the growth that has already taken place can only net positive
Results, be it from true growth, or winnowing out the ones who have unfortunately
Fallen down the depth chart.
Ideally, I'd like to see our youth get the chance to fail and succeed in the big show.
Defense is still an issue that might be, but won't likely be, solved internally knowing who is in the pipeline.
Yegor Korshkov's pick would've been better spent spinning the roulette on more defense options.

[Tigger]

I'm looking forward to the 'Vic Hedman?' thread.

Honestly, if he does make it to UFA and the Leafs miss out on Liljegren, he'd be the guy I'd throw all the money at. I don't think there'd be as much debate about signing him. A 26/27 y/o #1 defenceman for a team whose biggest hole will likely be on the top defensive pairing . . . that's a pretty easy sell for me.

Me too, and that's as far as I'm going with it, see what happens a year from now. Though that also leads me to be more and more convinced that the Leafs need to at least steer towards a top 5 pick next year, just for the value if anything, and really work the trade angle for a good d prospect, between now and next draft. I'm much more inclined to believe the Leafs will find something suitable in trades overall to satisfy the need for a, preferably young, top 2 pairing dman than banking on the ufa market or next years draft individually.

[Britishbulldog]

Now that we're past the Stamkos situation we should only think about drafting and developing.

I agree 100%!!