If leafs are looking at Markov, according to EK, than I hope nyr is offering Holden in a package for Bozak.
- rrentz

once the Leafs get Connor Brown signed, that would give them the maximum of 50 contracts

they are going to have to do one of those things they did a few years ago when they traded 5 crap contracts for Grabner

the reality is the 50 contract thing is more of a problem for the Leafs than the salary cap

only problem they'd really have is if someone signed Connor Brown to an offer sheet

once the Leafs get Connor Brown signed, that would give them the maximum of 50 contracts

they are going to have to do one of those things they did a few years ago when they traded 5 crap contracts for Grabner

the reality is the 50 contract thing is more of a problem for the Leafs than the salary cap

only problem they'd really have is if someone signed Connor Brown to an offer sheet
- jimbro83

The Rangers should trade Holden to Leafs for a AHL player, Lupol's contract and like a 2nd round pick. The Leafs get the extra contract slot and Holden. Rangers get to LTIR Lupol's cap hit.

People always forget that AV sent Kreider to the AHL after AV's first training camp with the rangers
- rangerdanger94

People also forget that it was warranted.

sunday thoughts blog up

I would bet that Gorton had already offered Holden as one piece in part to possibly acquire center, Tyler Bozak.
However, if "Toronto Star" writer, Kevin McGran, can be of any trustworthiness, he had written at the beginning of this past week in regards to any talk of Bozak being dealt to the Rangers, that "the Leafs have no interest in 30 year old, Nick Holden".
There was also the feeling that the best match for the Leafs in acquiring a defenseman from a team in need of any of their forward depth, would be with Carolina. The Hurricanes have only two of their d'men in Justin Faulk and Jacob Slavin currently signed after next season. That leaves at least two top promising young defensemen in Brett Pesce and Noah Hanifan in part among their unsigned ones, who are 8 and 10 years younger respectively than Holden, but who would each require a bigger return from Toronto than just the 31 year old center in Tyler Bozak at a $4.2M cap hit.
In addition, Toronto is now about $3.9M over the cap, with only another $3.6M permitted to be over during the summer. That could also have an effect on what they may be able to do to upgrade at defense, unless parting with a significant cap piece(s) up front in one or more moves.
- RangerSaver

What you're saying makes some sense, but I don't see Carolina parting ways with Hanifin.
At this point I wouldn't be surprised to see the Leafs sign Brown and then stand for the summer until they have to do something to conform to the salary cap and roster rules. Probably moving pieces to acquire one more D.

sunday thoughts blog up
- airjan23

Aaahh! Snaked me again! That's what I get for checking over my grammar!!

Something to ponder on your Sunday..............
How about the Rangers trade Staal and next years 2nd rounder to Avs for the rights to reigning Hobey Baker winner Will Butcher? Rangers retain $3 mill in salary this year, $2 mill next year, $1 mill the following year on Staal. Cheaper to Rangers than a buy-out, but similar effect.

Rangers do this to clear roster of Staal and give someone like Bereglazof a real chance at making roster. Also clears cap space. Butcher does not even have to sign with Rangers and this is still good.

Colorado does this because they need defensemen badly, have much cap space to absorb Staal's contract, and Sakic gets to save face in acquiring an asset for Butcher. Rangers retaining salary first 3 years of remaining 4 year contract makes Staal more attractive. Avs are going to lose Butcher in a few weeks as an UFA. Staal agrees to waive NTC to go to Avs to be a locker room leader and get a fresh start to his career with less pressure than staying in NY.

A win win trade for both teams.

What you're saying makes some sense, but I don't see Carolina parting ways with Hanifin.
At this point I wouldn't be surprised to see the Leafs sign Brown and then stand for the summer until they have to do something to conform to the salary cap and roster rules. Probably moving pieces to acquire one more D.
- Tonybere

I was not claiming that Carolina will put either Hanifin or Pesce on the trade market to acquire some upper quality forward or two. I was inferring to the fact that they have some young, top potential d'men who are not yet under contract starting in the 2018/19 season, making Faulk & Slavin, (the latter signed this past week), being their only two signed d'men after this upcoming season. Even newly acquired Trevor van Riemsdyk would be due a new deal in two seasons.
This makes Carolina be a better trade partner for Toronto to acquire a top four quality defenseman, as opposed to the Rangers being one. In still attempting to contend for a Cup while rebuilding, the Rangers are not dealing Skjei, McDonagh, Shatty, or Smith. In addition, Toronto isn't interested in Holden, Staal, or Deangelo to be a top four d'man in order to take their next step to win a playoff round or more.
Toronto also has cap space issues after signing Marleau. They need to move cap space up front to improve their loss at defense, after in key, losing as a F.A. to the Penguins, 31 year old, Matt Hunwick, and replacing him with former Penguins' 36 year old F.A. d'man, via of Carolina, Ron Hainsey.

he is still 2 months away from turning 18, it's amazing

the summer when I was 17 I was flipping burgers at Roy Rogers
- jimbro83

I was in Navy bootcamp during the Summer i was 17

I was in Navy bootcamp during the Summer i was 17
- doubled61

I was celebrating 3 things in the summer of 94 when I was 17, Rangers Stanley Cup win, got my license to drive & graduated High School.

I was celebrating 3 things in the summer of 94 when I was 17, Rangers Stanley Cup win, got my license to drive & graduated High School.
- B2B76

Sounds like a dull summer

Sounds like a dull summer
- 21peter

woot woot