I posted this yesterday elsewhere on the 'net, figured I could re-post it here. I think a lot of it chronicles what others have suggested here that I by-and-large agreed with:
1) Fire Carlyle. Fire him hard. Into the sun. I'd say wait until locker clean out day, but I'm not sure I would make it that far. The advantage of doing it in the off-season is you don't have to jump the gun and name a replacement right away (which is how Carlyle got his job). Take the time and research potential candidates and find the right one. Kevin Dineen is a name that intrigues me. Steve Spott, although with only 1 year of AHL experience, has gotten a lot out of a young Marlies team that was supposed to take a step back this year, so you have to look at him as well.
2) As much as I love Reimer and would like to see him stay, with Bernier still in the fold I'm sure he's going to ask for a trade, and he should be accommodated. The issue is because of the way he was handled this year (*shakes fist at Carlyle*), his value probably isn't as high as it should be. Thus, I would package him with Cody Franson (who probably doesn't carry much either as an RFA with 1 year 'til UFA status), and try to get a 2 way-defenseman in return. Teams that could be potential targets are Winnipeg, NY Islanders, Vancouver, & Washington (maybe Calgary too). I'm not sure which D-men from those teams would be considered equal value, but I'd look long and hard at Dan Hamhuis (VAN, 2 years left 'til UFA, although has an NMC and is a BC native), especially if the Canucks decide that they are ?rebuilding? and trade Kesler & Edler, since he may not want to stick around for that. Clitsome from WPG is also a target (2 years 'til UFA). Alzner and Carlson from WSH (3 & 4 years left before UFA) are also options, although neither of them have had exceptional possession numbers in Washington. If no deal can be made, then I trade them both separately for picks.
3) UFA Players I let walk - Bolland, Raymond, McClement. Raymond was good this year, but is going to ask for (and justifiably deserve) a raise, and thanks to the Clarkson cap hit, I don't think he can fit under Toronto's cap for his role.
4) UFA Players I try and retain (if the price is reasonable) - Kulemin, Komarov, Bodie, Ranger. I feel like Kuli is going to go play with his buddy Malkin in Pittsburgh, but I'd offer him $3x3 in hopes that he'd stay, as he's an incredibly useful player to have. The Leafs missed Komarov in a big way this year - he's a fantastic skater, responsible positionally and hits in ways that causes turnovers. Not the greatest hands or possession numbers (the old adage is player who lead the league in hits does so because he never has the puck on the ice), but still good for a 4th line player. Ranger is fine as a #7 or as a leader for the Marlies if he?s willing to be on a similar contract. Ditto to Bodie.
5) Don't buyout Clarkson, maybe Gleason - the fact of the matter is, Clarkson's contract is buyout proof. I knew he was overpaid last summer, however, I expected him to be at least a competent 3rd line player, and he wasn?t even that. His value on the market is below mud right now ? you have to give him another year, and hope by SOME miracle he can produce better. I mean, statistically, he can?t be any worse than he was this past year. Gleason, while very good early on after the trade, tapered off as a Leaf before the end. He only has 2 years on his contract, though, so I think unless you have other plans/targets for that cap space (the UFA D-Men below), you keep him on for one more year and consider a buyout next summer. With Orr and MacLaren, I keep one of them around for the sheer fact that they?re best suited to sit in the pressbox night after night, and they both only have 1 year left on their deals. The one that doesn?t make it goes to the Marlies.
6) Hold on to as many picks as you can - the fact of the matter is, with rare exceptions, marquee players don't make it to UFA. The best way to get them is to draft and develop them. So do that. Gustav Nyqvist was a 4th round pick, and he nearly single-handedly dragged Detroit into the playoffs. So, unless you're getting a known commodity well-worth the price of the pick, use the pick and develop it properly.
7) No big splashes with UFAs ? the purpose here it to build a team that can skate, a competent 4th line that can play 8-10 minutes a game, and a D-corps that skates and moves the puck well and solid positionally (i.e: no more slow defenseman kept around for their ?toughness.? Team toughness is important, but I?d rather have 6 Duncan Keiths than 6 Luke Schenns). Possession-wise, Matt Niskanen is far and away the best UFA D-Man available, but is going to require too much money and term (thanks again for Clarkson, Nonis). If no D-Man can be had via trade for Reimer/Franson, I?d look at options on shorter contracts ? Kimmo Timmonen (39) is a good option, as would be Anton Stralman (27) as a younger option (although would require more term). Stephane Robidas (37) would have been as well, although because of his leg injury this year it would be a bit of a gamble on his mobility, but a short term contract would be fine. Matt Finn is a blue chip prospect coming up the pipeline, and Granberg , MacWilliam & Percy were very good for the Marlies this year and could make the jump next year, so I wouldn?t want anyone on a long-term deal coming in. For the 4th line, again, players that can skate, kill penalties, and not be a liability 5-on-5 is ideal. Brian Boyle (29) and Vernon Fiddler (33) would be two guys I look at. Lastly, a competent backup for Bernier is probably a good idea. Greiss and Peters are UFAs that would probably be cheap and reliable.
8) Let the kids play ? I would keep at least 2 or 3 spots on the team up for grabs at training camp for a rookie/Marlie to try and get. But by that same token, maybe you invite a UFA player who didn?t get a contract to camp on a tryout (much like Raymond last year). If one of the kids can outperform that player, then they?ve earned that spot. If not, back to the Marlies and you have that vet to plug into the lineup.
Ideal Lineup for Next Year?
JVR ? Bozak ? Kessel
Lupul ? Kadri ? Leivo
Kulemin ? Holland ? Clarkson
Komarov ? Boyle ? Bodie
ext: D?Amigo, MacLaren
Gunnarsson ? Hamhuis (against the opponent's top line)
Gardiner ? Phaneuf (almost exclusively with the 1st line)
Robidas ? Rielly
ext: MacWilliam
Bernier
Greiss
