So Babs new decision is who to stick on who's wing..

Does Mitchy go with AM or JT?
- mel_vin

I think he already said he's going to try Marleau with Matthews and Nylander, Hyman with JT and Marner.

I can't believe we traded David Clarkson.

They're pretty good b'y.
- gravyface

Good team but arguably not better than the leafs with a much smaller window.

Rather have a guy who just plays smart and plays defense. Shame Pateryn got signed really quick. He might have been pretty good to fill that role.
- Unholy_Goalie

Yeah, he would've been a good pickup.

What do you think about us being linked to Calvin de Haan? LHD, but better/younger than Hainsey.

I'm kinda of meh on it.

UFA crop looks rough though for RHD, so might need to see how the summer plays out and give Holl/Carrick/Borgman some longer looks.

I think he already said he's going to try Marleau with Matthews and Nylander, Hyman with JT and Marner.
- gravyface

Brown / Tavares / Marner
Marleau / Matthews / Nylander
Hyman / Kadri / Kapanen
Johnsson / Vermette / Gauthier
Leivo

Went to the Cup Finals not long ago, Couture, Pavelski, Burns, Jones; they're not a bad team and they're pretty balanced. Gave up more money from the Islanders. Gave up better teams in Tampa Bay and Boston. Gave up money on the lower taxes too. All of that is still true. Most players don't do that but he's a crazy mother (frank)er and I'm glad he is.
- Unholy_Goalie

Most of the Sharks best players are in their 30's. Jumbo Joe is 39. Little Joe is 36. Burns is 33.

How many years would they have at a cup before those guys slow down until they're no longer elite? 2 or 3? Thornton is already slow. They've got a couple younger players, but the majority of their core is old.

So Tavares could've gone to the Sharks, whose window is closing, where he'd have 2-3 years out of his 7 year deal where they might have a shot at a cup, or he could come to Toronto, whose window is just opening, and have a shot at a cup for probably his whole 7 years. Gee, tough choice.

I can't believe we traded David Clarkson.
- Aetherial

I can't believe we traded for David Clarkson and Bolland and signed Nonis to an extension really not that long ago.

Went to the Cup Finals not long ago, Couture, Pavelski, Burns, Jones; they're not a bad team and they're pretty balanced. Gave up more money from the Islanders. Gave up better teams in Tampa Bay and Boston. Gave up money on the lower taxes too. All of that is still true. Most players don't do that but he's a crazy mother (frank)er and I'm glad he is.
- Unholy_Goalie

You dont take the $$$ with you when you check out...If this really was a dream of his, and for the price we got him for than he is good peeps. How much more money when you make a poop ton of money does one need to make? He probably want to see the leafs win a cup in his life time being a fan, and if he could be a part of that, Im not sure you can put a dollar figure on that.... Endorsements and such are gonna be gravy on top of this.

Good team but arguably not better than the leafs with a much smaller window.
- HealthyScratch6

This exactly. Why go to a team whose window is closing and sign for 7 years, when you can go to a team whose window is just opening and sign for 7 years?

I can't believe we traded David Clarkson.
- Aetherial

Hey member the day the leafs signed John Tavares?

Most of the Sharks best players are in their 30's. Jumbo Joe is 39. Little Joe is 36. Burns is 33.

How many years would they have at a cup before those guys slow down until they're no longer elite? 2 or 3? Thornton is already slow. They've got a couple younger players, but the majority of their core is old.

So Tavares could've gone to the Sharks, whose window is closing, where he'd have 2-3 years out of his 7 year deal where they might have a shot at a cup, or he could come to Toronto, whose window is just opening, and have a shot at a cup for probably his whole 7 years. Gee, tough choice.
- Thecakeisalie

Him wanting to play for his home team, which has probably the longest window in the NHL right now, is why he came here.

But San Jose wouldn't have been a bad choice at all, neither would TB or BOS, if you want to try to win a cup.

Most of the Sharks best players are in their 30's. Jumbo Joe is 39. Little Joe is 36. Burns is 33.

How many years would they have at a cup before those guys slow down until they're no longer elite? 2 or 3? Thornton is already slow. They've got a couple younger players, but the majority of their core is old.

So Tavares could've gone to the Sharks, whose window is closing, where he'd have 2-3 years out of his 7 year deal where they might have a shot at a cup, or he could come to Toronto, whose window is just opening, and have a shot at a cup for probably his whole 7 years. Gee, tough choice.
- Thecakeisalie

Tampa Bay.

You dont take the $$$ with you when you check out...If this really was a dream of his, and for the price we got him for than he is good peeps. How much more money when you make a poop ton of money does one need to make? He probably want to see the leafs win a cup in his life time being a fan, and if he could be a part of that, Im not sure you can put a dollar figure on that.... Endorsements and such are gonna be gravy on top of this.
- mel_vin

You also don't die at 40 when you retire from the NHL. There's another 40-50 years left to go. Plus your whole family, kids, future generations etc.

Every player has those dreams but reality sinks in. There's a reason why the rest did the opposite.

Yeah, he would've been a good pickup.

What do you think about us being linked to Calvin de Haan? LHD, but better/younger than Hainsey.

I'm kinda of meh on it.

UFA crop looks rough though for RHD, so might need to see how the summer plays out and give Holl/Carrick/Borgman some longer looks.
- gravyface

At 3-4 million or less, for sure.

Bieksa is a RHD. 1 year at 1 million might be an alright band-aid.

Him wanting to play for his home team, which has probably the longest window in the NHL right now, is why he came here.

But San Jose wouldn't have been a bad choice at all, neither would TB or BOS, if you want to try to win a cup.
- gravyface

As terrified as I was to admit it to myself prior to him signing the leafs were by far his best option. Had the money and cap space,opportunity to win. Ton of good young players to play with, solid management and coach, childhood dream come true.

Edit: only negative there was the media/attention.

How terrible was Bieska last year for the Ducks? I don't remember watching him play.

Polak 2.0? Gritty canon fodder on the PK?

How terrible was Bieska last year for the Ducks? I don't remember watching him play.

Polak 2.0? Gritty canon fodder on the PK?
- gravyface

I would sign him to league minimum just to watch him one punch guys on the reg

I think he already said he's going to try Marleau with Matthews and Nylander, Hyman with JT and Marner.
- gravyface

Yep in presser..

How terrible was Bieska last year for the Ducks? I don't remember watching him play.

Polak 2.0? Gritty canon fodder on the PK?
- gravyface

Even if he sucks, he'll break his hand in a fight and only play half the season anyway.

Tampa Bay.
- Unholy_Goalie

Yeah, Tampa would've been scary, although I'm still skeptical they could've fit him without trading away important assets.

Still, Tampa is one team that would've been better than Toronto for a cup. He chose Toronto over them for sentimental reasons it seems. And like you, I love him for it. (frank)ing awesome!

uggie!! your're here!!!

c'mon pal, and give me a big WOOO FRACKING WHOOOOOOO

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN AND IT DID!!!!!

My source is sound



dam I should write my own blog if I only know how to spoke
- mel_vin

I knew I could trust a guy with an Offspring avatar.

Kapanen is get'n traded for Faulk..



U can Chaulk that one up to me..



- Fruitcakenipple

Yeah, Tampa would've been scary, although I'm still skeptical they could've fit him without trading away important assets.

Still, Tampa is one team that would've been better than Toronto for a cup. He chose Toronto over them for sentimental reasons it seems. And like you, I love him for it. (frank)ing awesome!


- Thecakeisalie

If Tavares had of signed with Tampa or Boston leafs would of been (frank)ed for years

Hey member the day the leafs signed John Tavares?
- mel_vin

The salty tears from the idiots here are thick and caramelly.

How terrible was Bieska last year for the Ducks? I don't remember watching him play.

Polak 2.0? Gritty canon fodder on the PK?
- gravyface

Really bad.

Only thing he did right was knock a few guys out with his awesome superman punch.