I guess what I meant was that ( I think ) they can't give him an extension/new contract until next summer at the earliest. So how meaningful would a discussion about the next contract be today? There will be new Caps, new comparables, new limitations, another year on his resume - they could talk about intentions but money would be virtually irrelevant to talk about today.
- The Law

Agreed… it may turn up fruitless.

So does the threat of the unknown cause a trade? I’m not sure.

What I am sure about is - I’m glad Lou is here to make the decision.

I agree

But I'm speaking to the folk who worry about contracts years from now.
- WingmanWillie

It's a bit nutty eh?

Did somebody say Galchenyuk was a franchise center? Or am I on acid? Or is the person who said that on acid?

Galch is a good player but franchise center? Oh wait...the Habs franchise. Okay that makes sense.

Did somebody say Galchenyuk was a franchise center? Or am I on acid? Or is the person who said that on acid?

Galch is a good player but franchise center? Oh wait...the Habs franchise. Okay that makes sense.
- Njuice

Do not take the brown acid.

Did somebody say Galchenyuk was a franchise center? Or am I on acid? Or is the person who said that on acid?

Galch is a good player but franchise center? Oh wait...the Habs franchise. Okay that makes sense.
- Njuice

He's 22. Let's wait until he's 26 to see where he's really at in terms of upside.

He did score 30....

I'd say that Rielly Gardiner Carrick Zaitsev + 2 others that can be sprinkled up and down the pairings will be it for the foreseeable future unless one of them is packaged up to get a really studly d-man.
- TheMussel

The only reasonable starting D we could offer up to the Oilers in a package for #4 is Gardiner since Rielly isnt part of the discussion....it proves that our D needs major work as well, but is it worth trading Gardiner in a package to get #4?..and would the Oilers be interested in Gardiner?

I'd say that Rielly Gardiner Carrick Zaitsev + 2 others that can be sprinkled up and down the pairings will be it for the foreseeable future unless one of them is packaged up to get a really studly d-man.
- TheMussel

Name the last stud d-man traded for a package of average.

Agreed… it may turn up fruitless.

So does the threat of the unknown cause a trade? I’m not sure.

What I am sure about is - I’m glad Lou is here to make the decision.
- Tumbleweed

Agreed, and I'm not on the "trade JVR" train. I just believe it'd be good asset management to acquire a good young experienced partner for Rielly that can develop some chemistry and hopefully become a dominant type pairing.

IF, come July 1, they've added Matthews and Stamkos and Marner and Nylander are projecting to be in the lineup then maybe the time is right. Maybe ...

Also, interested to see what happens to Lupul and Michalek this summer.

Name the last stud d-man traded for a package of average.
- stormey

McDonagh

Point is Gardiner is serviceable, coachable, whatever. If we were to trade him and make a giant hole in our d lineup at this point without anybody to replace him, it'd better be for something the Leafs could really use.

The only reasonable starting D we could offer up to the Oilers in a package for #4 is Gardiner since Rielly isnt part of the discussion....it proves that our D needs major work as well, but is it worth trading Gardiner in a package to get #4?..and would the Oilers be interested in Gardiner?
- jimi james

Yeah...I don't see a match there.

Name the last stud d-man traded for a package of average.
- stormey

Sylvain Lefebvre ???

Did somebody say Galchenyuk was a franchise center? Or am I on acid? Or is the person who said that on acid?

Galch is a good player but franchise center? Oh wait...the Habs franchise. Okay that makes sense.
- Njuice

Galchenyuk is a great player and will be an offensive dynamo for years. Not so sure about his D play. He's quite similar to Jason Spezza IMO

McDonagh
- TheMussel

Yeah...but he wasn't considered a stud at that point. In fact some thought he was bordering on being a bust.

Yeah...but he wasn't considered a stud at that point. In fact some thought he was bordering on being a bust.
- stormey

In comes Mark Hunter to identify other teams' stud d-men who are potential busts in their eyes

Agreed, and I'm not on the "trade JVR" train. I just believe it'd be good asset management to acquire a good young experienced partner for Rielly that can develop some chemistry and hopefully become a dominant type pairing.

IF, come July 1, they've added Matthews and Stamkos and Marner and Nylander are projecting to be in the lineup then maybe the time is right. Maybe ...

Also, interested to see what happens to Lupul and Michalek this summer.
- The Law

I think Lupul will end up the same place as Robidas. Collecting a salary to do nothing. Good gig.

Michael I think they will try to maximize his value to get a late round pick for a playoff team.

In comes Mark Hunter to identify other teams' stud d-men who are potential busts in their eyes
- TheMussel

Step 1. Find your goalie of the future.

Lol. Subban? Really dude?
It was a season from hell, I wouldn't be so quick to judge.
Galchenyuk was 2nd in goals after the allstar break. He lost a whole year of development, now he's catching up. We have our franchise center.
Beaulieu is becoming a stud defenceman. Pateryn has turned into a great stay at home d. Plus a few of the kids on d are looking really good.
A 6'7 230 pound 3c who doing really well.
Gallagher who almost had a carreer year despite being injured for two months.
Patches 30-40 goal scorer.
Mr Carey Price and solid goalies in the pipeline.
A top 10 pick in a really strong /deep draft.
The next 20 years eh?

- hunglikeapuck

Awesome!

Now (frank) off!

Step 1. Find your goalie of the future.
- stormey

Tyler Parsons for the long term. We need someone for the next 3 or 4 years.

I think Lupul will end up the same place as Robidas. Collecting a salary to do nothing. Good gig.

Michael I think they will try to maximize his value to get a late round pick for a playoff team.
- Rang

I think you're probably right. Which means Michalek probably gets a gig on the left side of one of the top 2 or 3 lines.

Step 1. Find your goalie of the future.
- stormey

So true.

Brown, Sosh, Timo, Hyman...I could see one or two along with picks being traded for a Dman.
Or Bozak mixed in with one of the above.

But if you're are team willing to part with a young quality D...what are you going to want in return? A quality young player(s). Not sure Bozak fits that bill....as much as say a Kadri.

Edit:
Not saying trade kadri....relax Kadri lovers.

Step 1. Find your goalie of the future.
- stormey

yep...

Awesome!

Now (frank) off!
- Aetherial

Agreed, and I'm not on the "trade JVR" train. I just believe it'd be good asset management to acquire a good young experienced partner for Rielly that can develop some chemistry and hopefully become a dominant type pairing.

IF, come July 1, they've added Matthews and Stamkos and Marner and Nylander are projecting to be in the lineup then maybe the time is right. Maybe ...

Also, interested to see what happens to Lupul and Michalek this summer.
- The Law

Should be a good summer.

I’m expecting multiple trades. If they are able to add stamkos, it only increases depth and options for trades.

I think they’re going to try hard to get rid of lupul. I have no idea how, but am very interested to see if they can come up with something.

Should be a good summer.

I’m expecting multiple trades. If they are able to add stamkos, it only increases depth and options for trades.

I think they’re going to try hard to get rid of lupul. I have no idea how, but am very interested to see if they can come up with something.
- Tumbleweed

Honestly, if Tampa makes the finals, I see them winning the cup. Not sure if that helps Stammers decision to stay or leave.
If he leaves, the leafs will be in the mix, but I feel he'll sign elsewhere for more money.
9-9.5 is the max I would offer Stammer.