PD needs to trade Zaitsev before he brings in a top 4 D....that I know.....many in the org are on him to get that done so then when a trade he likes comes up....he doesn't need to trade Zaitsev first....then do the deal.
- Kevin Francis

If he trades Zaitsev first then everyone knows he's really vulnerable and needs to add a Dman which is not a great bargaining position. It would leave him with Zub and Hamonic on the right side. I like Thomson and JBD and want to see them play but I would not want to be forced into playing two rookies, Sanderson and one of them, in the lineup.

Did anyone claim MDZ or did they actually buy him out because if they didn't that would be the way to go if Dorion didn't hate him so much. Was it you that posted that Dorion dislikes MDZ because he was McGuire's idea? I've heard that several times but I don't remember where.

MDZ bought out before 5pm on the 13th, which was the end of the first buyout window.

If he trades Zaitsev first then everyone knows he's really vulnerable and needs to add a Dman which is not a great bargaining position. It would leave him with Zub and Hamonic on the right side. I like Thomson and JBD and want to see them play but I would not want to be forced into playing two rookies, Sanderson and one of them, in the lineup.

Did anyone claim MDZ or did they actually buy him out because if they didn't that would be the way to go if Dorion didn't hate him so much. Was it you that posted that Dorion dislikes MDZ because he was McGuire's idea? I've heard that several times but I don't remember where.
- Whatisavailable

Yes on MDZ...and PD....about McGuire.
PD knows Zaitsev salary has to go out the door......so 2 ways of thinking here...if he acquires a top 4 D....the team that PD wants to unload Zaitsev too will ask for more in return because that team will know he has to unload that salary!

Yes on MDZ...and PD....about McGuire.
PD knows Zaitsev salary has to go out the door......so 2 ways of thinking here...if he acquires a top 4 D....the team that PD wants to unload Zaitsev too will ask for more in return because that team will know he has to unload that salary!
- Kevin Francis

Self inflicted rock and a hard place. I will be happy if that 's the hill he dies on - as long as he doesn't piss away next year's first round pick trying to save his sorry a_s. I for one have not forgotten who this guy is.

Self inflicted rock and a hard place. I will be happy if that 's the hill he dies on - as long as he doesn't piss away next year's first round pick trying to save his sorry a_s. I for one have not forgotten who this guy is.
- Whatisavailable

PD had the final say....he signed off on MDZ, he didn't have to say yes lol....but PD lets him everyone run him in the org....look no further than DJ....that's the one thing many have said has to stop this season....is PD not listening to DJ when it comes to personnel decisions.

PD had the final say....he signed off on MDZ, he didn't have to say yes lol....but PD lets him everyone run him in the org....look no further than DJ....that's the one thing many have said has to stop this season....is PD not listening to DJ when it comes to personnel decisions.
- Kevin Francis

It's going to be really interesting to see how Smith handles this team this coming season.

It's going to be really interesting to see how Smith handles this team this coming season.
- Whatisavailable

It's one thing to have talent....but it's another if he continues to get outcoached due to zero in-game adjustments or allowing the other team to own you when you have last line change....or to finally stop putting the 4th line out after Ottawa allows a goal, then that line gets caught out there taking a bad penalty...there are some serious issues that need to change with his coaching mentality. He can't be playing guys that haven't earned it because they are vets over youth....he can't make one guy a scape goat for a horrible effort the night before....then the whole team is left wondering why he singled out one player when it was everyone.....

Kevin you was right. Yesterday Pierre was in french tv for interview. Eric Fichaud ask him why the team the last two years have poor start. Mention couple things and finish saying DJ he s one with the most intense training camp. Said we gonna change couple little things
- Crosside

Interesting but glad PD isn't going to allow this stupidity by DJ in training camp. Every player has said for 3 years that it's the hardest training camp they have ever endured....then they crap the bed out of the gate....I wonder why?! It's stuff like this, that has to end....this isn't the OHL or the 90's.

It's one thing to have talent....but it's another if he continues to get outcoached due to zero in-game adjustments or allowing the other team to own you when you have last line change....or to finally stop putting the 4th line out after Ottawa allows a goal, then that line gets caught out there taking a bad penalty...there are some serious issues that need to change with his coaching mentality. He can't be playing guys that haven't earned it because they are vets over youth....he can't make one guy a scape goat for a horrible effort the night before....then the whole team is left wondering why he singled out one player when it was everyone.....
- Kevin Francis

I'm not optimistic which is why I don't want them giving up next year's first because it would just awful if Dorion trades away the first to get somebody like Weeger or Marino and that turns out to be the year they finally win the lottery.

I'm not optimistic which is why I don't want them giving up next year's first because it would just awful if Dorion trades away the first to get somebody like Weeger or Marino and that turns out to be the year they finally win the lottery.
- Whatisavailable

This team has no business finishing in the bottom ten of the league....PD knows to save his job during the season, if the team is not living up to its potential, one of his last moves would be to fire DJ, before he loses his own job if he cant find the right coach. GM's usually have a shelf life of 3 coach hirings.....Boucher being his first. Time will tell.

This team has no business finishing in the bottom ten of the league....PD knows to save his job during the season, if the team is not living up to its potential, one of his last moves would be to fire DJ, before he loses his own job.
- Kevin Francis

I can't see them finishing in the bottom 10 but I can see them finishing out of the playoffs because of poor coaching. This is a good team. If the young D is given an opportunity to mature they can be a great team.

I can't see them finishing in the bottom 10 but I can see them finishing out of the playoffs because of poor coaching. This is a good team. If the young D is given an opportunity to mature they can be a great team.
- Whatisavailable

Agreed!

Agreed!
- Kevin Francis

There is some sand coming with the likes of Greig and Boucher and Kleven.

I can't see them finishing in the bottom 10 but I can see them finishing out of the playoffs because of poor coaching. This is a good team. If the young D is given an opportunity to mature they can be a great team.
- Whatisavailable

I think that's what's so frustrating, PD wouldn't be looking for a top 4 D, possibly....had DJ allowed Thomson or JBD to play more last year....there were no expectations after Christmas....DJ said he would play the youth on the blueline....it never happened. Too many times he couldn't wait to send down Thomson or JBD so he could play certain players.....well we all know who I'm talking about.

There is some sand coming with the likes of Greig and Boucher and Kleven.
- Whatisavailable

I hope Kleven can get some games in Belleville at the end of the season once his NCAA season is over. Greig needs some AHL games.....a year for Boucher dominating in the OHL will serve him well. He missed far too much hockey last year.....it really sounded like he's going back to the 67's when PD talked to Overdrive on TSN the other day, when they asked him.

James Mirtle
@mirtle
·
4h
There's pretty clearly a trade coming for the Leafs after the Jarnkrok signing. Their cap situation is now too tight to sign RFAs Engvall and Sandin.

But who goes? And for what?

Tyler Ray
@DefenseMinister
It's too bad there's not really space for Sandin on the Sens roster because it looks like he's easily acquirable now

Jordie Benn hasn't played in the AHL since the 2012-2013 season.

Victor Mete has played in just 7 career AHL games.

The Leafs already have seven NHL defencemen in Rielly, Muzzin, Giordano, Brodie, Liljegren, Holl, and Sandin.

I hope Kleven can get some games in Belleville at the end of the season once his NCAA season is over. Greig needs some AHL games.....a year for Boucher dominating in the OHL will serve him well. He missed far too much hockey last year.....it really sounded like he's going back to the 67's when PD talked to Overdrive on TSN the other day, when they asked him.
- Kevin Francis

I didn't mean this year. They need more development but so do Sanderson, Thomson and JBD. Even if Sanderson is a quick study it will be a year before he can be counted as a reliable top 4D. Thomson and JBD have been around a bit longer but Mann says Thomson is NHL ready.

If Greig shows up next year and Boucher the year after and at some time Kleven things will be coming together like the perfect storm except in a really good way.

I didn't mean this year. They need more development but so do Sanderson, Thomson and JBD. Even if Sanderson is a quick study it will be a year before he can be counted as a reliable top 4D. Thomson and JBD have been around a bit longer but Mann says Thomson is NHL ready.

If Greig shows up next year and Boucher the year after and at some time Kleven things will be coming together like the perfect storm except in a really good way.
- Whatisavailable

Yes, Mann has said Thomson is ready.....JBD needs more time...it's just too bad those 2 didn't get the reps at the NHL level last year when there were no expectations....agreed on Sanderson....the guy hasn't played an NHL game yet. Plus that hand injury has slowed him this summer....

Yes, Mann has said Thomson is ready.....JBD needs more time...it's just too bad those 2 didn't get the reps at the NHL level last year when there were no expectations....agreed on Sanderson....the guy hasn't played an NHL game yet. Plus that hand injury has slowed him this summer....
- Kevin Francis

God I hope that hand heals fully.

God I hope that hand heals fully.
- Whatisavailable

He re-injured it during his training.....then had a 2nd surgery. You would hope it's ready to go in 2 months!

He re-injured it during his training.....then had a 2nd surgery. You would hope it's ready to go in 2 months!
- Kevin Francis

That's why it worries me a little bit. Seems a little bit of too much bad luck.

That's why it worries me a little bit. Seems a little bit of too much bad luck.
- Whatisavailable

He actually said it was a little bad luck!!

Guerin who is entirely out of cap runway signs Fleury. Cam Talbot's agent complains that Minnesota now has two starting goalies. Billy Guerin says I don't give a "poop" what the agent thinks and goes silent on the subject.

Leaf fans expect Dorion will take back 50% and surrender a prospect for Murray. Leaf fans are unhappy when final terms of deal are announced (25% salary take back, no prospect).

During the negotiations, Leaf fans and commentators wanted Dubas to walk away from Murray and talk to Guerin about Cam Talbot. Media reports Dubas did speak to Minnesota and Talbot was not available.

Did Dorion lock in the Talbot deal before beginning negotiations with Dubas? Did Dorion and Guerin conspire to exploit Dubas by remaining silent on their deal?

Does Dorion try to take advantage of the shortage of goalies on the market and move Forsberg as part of the package for a top 4 Dman?