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Your summer 2012 strategy?

ZBBM

ZBBM

Well-known member
With this season down the drain, what's your initial thinking on the moves Burke should make this summer?  (Dare I add, assuming he's still here?)

Right now my inclination is: blow it up.  Blow it up good.  This team is very, very far from anything worthwhile.  The team that was 28-19-6 on Feb 7 was a frigging mirage, as is now sadly apparent to all.

What remnants would I actively try to retain and then build around?

1.  Grabovski.  Even if no one is dumb enough to take Phaneuf off our hands right away, give the C to Grabs.  Phaneuf is no leader, and it's time to acknowledge it and move on.  Grabovski deserves the letter, and he'll be here for 5 more years, unlike Phaneuf.
2.  Gardiner.  He's got some tantalizing upside, even if we are overhyping him.
3.  Gunnarsson.  Solid.
4.  Brown.  Solid. Give him an A.
5.  Frattin.  Has some potential as a power forward or at least as a replacement for Kulemin.

Trade if at all possible (not saying possibilities are high, mind you):
Connolly
Phaneuf
Armstrong

Trade if price is right (keeping in mind that for guys like PK the price would have to be very high):
Kessel
Lupul
Lombardi
Schenn
MacArthur
Kadri
Bozak
Liles
Reimer

Let Kulemin go, or sign and trade.  Let Crabb go.  Let Gus go.  Sign Franson if the cost is not much higher than his current contract, otherwise let him go.

Tell Komisarek that he's not part of the future, and if he refuses to waive he'll watch every damn game next season from the pressbox.

I'm probably forgetting someone, and maybe missing a couple of NTCs I should remember, but you get the picture. 

So, what would you do?
 
Connolly has to go by hook or crook. - Especially with Grabo cashing in. I've had a dislike on for him since the summer and it's boiled over into a full blown hate I think. I honestly don't recall a Leaf player who's turned my stomach more.  I'd be perfectly happy if we just bought out his last year. Start there... Everything else is a bonus.
 
I agree with a lot of what's above, but I don't think this team needs anything too drastic.  They're a young team that is badly in need of some leadership and identity more than anything.

My wish list is basically:

1.  Ditch Phaneuf and get an actual leader.  And an actual d-man while you're at it.  I like a good offensive defenseman but we have Gardiner now.

2.  Pick a goalie and stick with him.  My money is on the Monster.  Go easy on the Allaire style, though.  It isn't worthless but you can't do it every time no matter what.

3.  Rebuild the defensive line.  Some of these guys can't seem to grasp stuff my coaches pounded into my brain when I was about 8.  I don't have time for that amateur stuff.  Get some proper D.

4.  Keep the speed offensively.  Not only is it fun to watch, it actually worked well when the team had confidence.  Once the confidence dropped, the passes stopped connecting.  It was like they lost hope that someone would actually catch up to the pass, so they stopped making them for fear of being the guy who turned over the puck.  With some identity and leadership I think we can see those passes and quick offensive plays again.


In terms of keepers:  I like Grabbo too, and I've liked Gardiner since game 1.  I like Gunnarsson and Frattin too, and while I don't think Brown has a super skill set exactly, I love his effort.  I also dig Steckel; like his forecheck, and of course the f/o numbers.

I'd like Kessel to put on some some muscle or something over the summer and see if that doesn't toughen him up at least up to average levels.  He's too easily pushed off the puck.  I also like Lombardi, but he has the same problem - tiny guy who is easily shoved around.  He has heart, though, and on a properly fast line with some good passing I think he's worth something.  I find it hard to let go of Lupul, too.  He plays well when he seems to be in a good mood, but gets easily frustrated - I think that feels like a leadership problem as well, which I hope the team can correct.

I don't know what to do about Kulemin.  I like him, but this hasn't been his year at all.  I think it's up to him whether he's ready to shake off the cobwebs or not.  Maybe a fresh start somewhere else is what he needs, I don't know.  I'm interested to see whether Schenn would settle down by the fall, especially under some new leadership and with some new partners on D.

I'm comfortable with the Monster in nets.  The problem is that he and Reimer are both shaky guys who need consistent play in order to settle in.  Each time they've been out for a while and then make a return, they're shaky as all hell for at least 2-3 games, and that makes them pretty worthless as a #2 guy.  I say stick with the Gus for now and try to pick up someone reliable for backup.  Tall order, though.

Phaneuf has to go.  He's offensive stats are not justifying his complete lack of effort defensively.  I'm not even kidding that a pylon could have done a better job on the PK tonight (vs Florida).  Not too impressed with Connolly or even Komisarek right now.
 
Nice post Sticky.  I hope others will chime in with similarly thorough analyses.

And jeez, I forgot Steckel -- bad me.
 
This may seem crazy, but aside from moving some parts out, there isn't much I would bring in this summer.  My armchair strategy going forward:

- One of Lombardi or Armstrong has to be traded, so you're making a philosophical decision.  Do you want to keep the small & speedy guy?  Or the the bigger physical type.

- Buy out Komisarek.  Even if he counts on the cap for the next four years, I'd much rather have a younger guy on an ELC like Holzer or Blacker in the pressbox if it means that they're more likely to play with the bigs.

- At the draft, unless Yakupov falls into the Leafs lap somehow, I would actually target Grigorenko.  He's exactly what we need; a big, playmaking centre who can score too.  He would still be a year away, so I'd let him play in camp and maybe a 9 game audition if he performs well.  But unless he's far-and-away a top line forward, I'd ultimately send him back to junior.

- I'd look to trade Connolly, but only in a deal where no salary would come back (or at the least, someone else with an expiring contract).  Otherwise, as much as it would make me cringe, let him play out his deal and *maybe* trade him at the deadline to a contender.

- Resign Kulemin to a short term deal.  I agree with the people who've implied that Kulemin's year last year was a bit on an anomaly.  He's not really a 30 goal guy, but he is a good 3rd type player.  Someone who can pot you 10-15 goals, and 40 points.  If you have get him around the same amount he's making now, I'd offer him a 2 year deal.

- Ditto Franson.  Started off slow, but progressed well during the year.  I'd be inclined to give him a longer deal, as long as you don't have to break the bank. 2-4 years around 2.5 mil would be alright by me.

- Address the goaltending position.  It's not a bad crop this year, so I would look to getting a guy this summer.  Next year's UFA crop has one name that intrigues me: Quick, and I'm fairly certain he'll resign in LA, so go after someone now.  Of the UFA's this summer, the ones that intrigue me are Harding, Biron, Montoya & Nabakov (probably in that order).  I'd also hang on to Reimer: he's still young, this was his first full season (with a lot of pressure), and it was capped off by a concussion.  Miller pretty much suffered the same fate, and is only now starting to regain his form.  Keep Reimer as a backup, and if you're lucky, maybe he turns it around.  Other than goaltending, I wouldn't break the bank on any UFAs this summer.

- Let kids play.  Keep a spot in both the top 6 and bottom 6 for the Marlies, as well as 1 D-spot, and let them fight for it and someone earn it.  Top 6 you're looking at one of Kadri/Frattin/Colborne/Ashton, and bottom 6 a Hamilton/Ashton/Ryan (or even a Zigomannis or Orr, though they're not kids).

- Lastly, keep your first round pick for next year.  This group would probably get similar results to this year...maybe with another epic collapse, maybe not, but it's better to air on the side of caution as you might have another high pick next year.  But that's okay...one more piece to the puzzle.

Roster going into next year:

Lupul - Grabovski - Kessel
MacArthur - Connolly - Kadri
Kulemin - Bozak - Lom/Arm
Brown - Steckel - K.Ryan
Zigomannis/Orr?

Phaneuf - Gunnarsson
Liles - Franson
Schenn - Gardiner
Holzer/Blacker?

Harding/Biron
Reimer
 
What I would do is probably different from what will happen so I'll try to find a middle ground.

Figure out what you've got on the Marlies. From the defence, probably one of Holzer, Blacker and Gysbers should be knocking on the door. From the forwards, Colborne and Kadri seem like question marks, Ashton and Frattin are probably ahead with their physical/defensive play but that's a tough call. In theory leave two spots for consideration there and one for the defence. Goaltenders? ...See what happens during the Calder run.

Sorry Reimer but I'd retain Gustavsson, if that means Burke is going to choose between one of them then either trade Reimer or send him to the A, which might not be a bad thing to have him as a call up too. I think they could re-sign him for 1.5-ish per on a two year term.

If this was a true 'rebuild' I wouldn't mind keeping both of them, that's all I'll say where the roads diverge into re-tool and what all else.

Sign/trade for a vet goaltender. Not sure who that would have to be, not a lot out there to be honest and the best ones could be looking at the end of their careers and may want to latch on to a potential cup winner. Could see if Vokoun cares at that point.

Trade excess D in some deal for a young-ish top 6 forward with size, probably not going to be able to get an 'elite' one but something, can't see/say who for certain but someone who can bang and score.

Trim some weight. There are obviously some contracts that aren't pulling their weight, there's uncertainty around the salary cap too. I'm not sure how you could move Komisarek but please, for the love of all that's holy.

Armstrong, Lombardi and Connolly are also in that group, overpaid for what they're bringing and so forth. Those 3 have one year left so they might be easier to deal with and if they truly fall off the map could see time with the Marlies if need be.

If Franson stays I'd hope to get him re-signed for something in the 1.5 per range.

Re-sign Kulemin. Depends on what he is willing to live with but trying to get him tied into something longer term with a reasonable hit per might be a good idea.

Give Carlyle a true robust checking group. He seems to still want to go with the Burkean top six bottom six, I've said before that I'd eyeball McClement ( pk especially ) Moen and Prust in those roles. Randy may have to learn to live with a hybrid line of sorts there too, just for some offensive depth.

Keep the first round pick and, should the pick be in lottery range, try to give Howson what he wants ( if he's still alive and the rumours have any merit ) and get Yakupov... maybe don't announce a la Tavares though.

Move heaven and earth to get Suter and Schultz, trim more D in trades if so.

There would be a lot of options in terms of trades with the forwards should some of the above arise. It gets pretty chaotic to predict who where or how but the possibilities are there, and, if some of the rumours of first round picks offered for some of these players are true, shouldn't be a lot different in the offseason.
 
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
Let Kulemin go
Click to expand...

Your post lost all credibility to me with this statement.  I know you then say "or sign and trade", but the fact that you even think about just letting him go...that's bad news bears.

 
You know, I'm not entirely sure Gus wants to come back next year, even if the Leafs are interested in keeping him. What would you guys do should he not be interested in resigning?

Reimer + Veteran?
Reimer + Scrivens/Ryannas/Owuya?
S/R/O + Veteran?
Trade for a #1?
 
Sarge said:
The Red Polar Bear said:
Trade for a #1?
Click to expand...

^ THIS ^ (Just my personal preference.)
Click to expand...

As is mine; but how often do teams trade their #1 goalie?  The only one I can remember in recent memory is the Luongo to Vancouver trade.  Teams may have backups that play like they starters (i.e: Schneider in Vancouver), but if they were #1 goalies, they would have passed the other goalie on the depth chart, no? (and in that scenario, probably not be traded)

All I can remember in the Toskala deal were how people were excited (myself included) because although he was technically Nabokov's backup, he played well enough "to be a starter," inlcuding some time in the playoffs.  And...well...hindsight is 20/20 on that one...
 
The Red Polar Bear said:
Reimer + Veteran?
Reimer + Scrivens/Ryannas/Owuya?
S/R/O + Veteran?
Trade for a #1?
Click to expand...

Mother of FSM if we go into next season with that (ie. Burke doesn't sign anybody) might as well fire up the Tank in October.

Burke has to get a veteran.  Personally I think the quality of that vet will depend on whether Gus stays.  I think Gus the way he has played for stretches has almost earned a shot going into the season as the #1 if he stays.  He's never had that chance yet.  That means we look for a decent veteran backup.

If Gus goes I think we have to try to land a #1, or at least someone with #1 potential (ie an older backup living in a big shadow), which will be much harder obviously.
 
I've read this notion that Jonas wouldn't want to come back but I haven't seen anything concrete to say why. Carlyle seems to like him and he's been given the 'if it wasn't for you' thumbs up from Burke.

Also, trading for a number one might be pretty difficult, risky too.
 
pnjunction said:
Tigger said:
Also, trading for a number one might be pretty difficult, risky too.
Click to expand...

I was going to say landing a proven #1 could be more than difficult, closer to impossible.
Click to expand...

That's just it. It is pretty much impossible. How many guys who were already clear #1 goalies have been traded in the past decade? I can only think of 2, and one pretty much demanded a deal out of Florida. The guys that will be available for trade are platoon guys, younger backups who might be able to shoulder the load and guys with other question marks surrounding them - and, I think we'd all agree, the Leafs have been down that road enough times with no success to really hang their hopes on that. Unless one of these guys comes cheap, sign a vet who can split time with Reimer/Gustavsson/whoever and go from there.
 
Hope to hell that:
Schenn can show signs of being the solid defensive Dman he was projected to be.
Gardiner can take the next step.
Kulemin will regain form of last year.
Reimer will show that this year was just a sophomore slump and will play like a legit  starting goalie next year.

If all four of those things can happen I think we'll have a realistic shot at the playoffs next year. Other than that, we're screwed.
 
AvroArrow said:
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
Let Kulemin go
Click to expand...

Your post lost all credibility to me with this statement.  I know you then say "or sign and trade", but the fact that you even think about just letting him go...that's bad news bears.
Click to expand...

It would enhance your credibility if you could be bothered to give some reasons why it's essential to retain him.  Because that's what you're saying when you say "the fact that you even think about...."
 
Tigger said:
Sorry Reimer but I'd retain Gustavsson, if that means Burke is going to choose between one of them then either trade Reimer or send him to the A, which might not be a bad thing to have him as a call up too. I think they could re-sign him for 1.5-ish per on a two year term.

If this was a true 'rebuild' I wouldn't mind keeping both of them, that's all I'll say where the roads diverge into re-tool and what all else.
Click to expand...

FWIW I could go with retaining Gus instead of Reimer.  I don't really see any point in keeping both, though, so in my original post I just figured it would be easier to let Gus go because Reimer is signed.  I actually prefer Gus over Reimer at this point.

EDIT: As for the second goaltender, I think the best-case scenario would be if they could pry Schneider out of Vancouver.  The trouble there is that even though he LOOKS like a can't-miss, he still isn't proven.  So you could wind up giving up a lot for yet another disappointment.  Getting a proven #1 is, as all have acknowledged, next to impossible.  (And ... while typing this I see OJ and I are in agreement.)
 
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