that goes without saying.
If the leafs trade 1 more first all hope is lost for this team.. hopefully a team moves into the GTA and I can start over in that case
- senstroll

Been hearing some rumours about that involving Markham?

sign Getz if you can, forget trading for anyone, the leafs do not have any young assets to trade.. 1 "A" prospect and a bunch if B or C level ones.
- senstroll

I thought that Mrs Getzlaf had made it clear that they will not leave SoCal. I assume he resigns with the Ducks. Perry is a more likely UFA.

that goes without saying.
If the leafs trade 1 more first all hope is lost for this team.. hopefully a team moves into the GTA and I can start over in that case
- senstroll

You are beginning to make the same sounds as me.

I thought that Mrs Getzlaf had made it clear that they will not leave SoCal. I assume he resigns with the Ducks. Perry is a more likely UFA.
- spatso

ok..point is dont waste assets to acquire him, sign as a FA..its its a .05% chance...still better than trading the assets it would take to get him

You are beginning to make the same sounds as me.
- spatso

you are a sens fan...not even close

Right now the leafs look good for stretches, but they can't finish the game. This is a team that can make the playoffs imo, they just need to step up some secondary scoring. Kessel actually doesn't seem that put out without Lupul, he just needs to put the puck in the net.

This a team with injuries right now, I'm excited to see what they look like healthy.

Right now the leafs look good for stretches, but they can't finish the game. This is a team that can make the playoffs imo, they just need to step up some secondary scoring. Kessel actually doesn't seem that put out without Lupul, he just needs to put the puck in the net.

This a team with injuries right now, I'm excited to see what they look like healthy.
- Morris

They've had a reasonably difficult schedule.

If you consider them a middle team (like I would), they've won a few you wouldn't expect them to, and lost a couple they should have won, and that leaves them where you would expect. To hang on like this, as you say, with injuries, is a good thing for sure. They have the depth to deal with that.

The production has come from a few sources you wouldn't expect, so that's encouraging. All said and done, there really haven't been too many games they haven't been in. Really, the Isles game, they were in until the second period. The Canes game, and the first Sabres games, are the ones they weren't in. All said and done, that's not bad. Funny they pick the bad teams to crap the bed against. That, I think is a product of good coaching. If they can continue to play like they do, and a few guys come back, then yes, I see them as a late playoff seed.

Right now the leafs look good for stretches, but they can't finish the game. This is a team that can make the playoffs imo, they just need to step up some secondary scoring. Kessel actually doesn't seem that put out without Lupul, he just needs to put the puck in the net.

This a team with injuries right now, I'm excited to see what they look like healthy.
- Morris

I dont have the optimism you do at this point, they are inconsistent (as you mentioned), and I think the only thing keeping them .500 is the secondary scoring, Kadri, Frattin and JVR who is on the #1 line now out of necessity.

The game last night even though they won, they looked terrible imo. if it was against a decent team instead of the 30th place team, they would have lost. When they play more talented teams it shows, turnovers, breakdowns etc..

They've had a reasonably difficult schedule.

If you consider them a middle team (like I would), they've won a few you wouldn't expect them to, and lost a couple they should have won, and that leaves them where you would expect. To hang on like this, as you say, with injuries, is a good thing for sure. They have the depth to deal with that.

The production has come from a few sources you wouldn't expect, so that's encouraging. All said and done, there really haven't been too many games they haven't been in. Really, the Isles game, they were in until the second period. The Canes game, and the first Sabres games, are the ones they weren't in. All said and done, that's not bad. Funny they pick the bad teams to crap the bed against. That, I think is a product of good coaching. If they can continue to play like they do, and a few guys come back, then yes, I see them as a late playoff seed.
- prock

Hahahahahaha. You're such a homer.

Hahahahahaha. You're such a homer.
- SUPERDOMINO

By saying they're a middling team?

Wasn't there a blog from Engels the other day talking about how good the HAbs are?

Talk about a team playing WAY above their heads.

They've had a reasonably difficult schedule.

If you consider them a middle team (like I would), they've won a few you wouldn't expect them to, and lost a couple they should have won, and that leaves them where you would expect. To hang on like this, as you say, with injuries, is a good thing for sure. They have the depth to deal with that.

The production has come from a few sources you wouldn't expect, so that's encouraging. All said and done, there really haven't been too many games they haven't been in. Really, the Isles game, they were in until the second period. The Canes game, and the first Sabres games, are the ones they weren't in. All said and done, that's not bad. Funny they pick the bad teams to crap the bed against. That, I think is a product of good coaching. If they can continue to play like they do, and a few guys come back, then yes, I see them as a late playoff seed.
- prock

They would need to win at the least 22 of their remaining games, and pick up a handful of "loser points" to capture the 8th seed. That's about playing at a .645 P% clip for the remainder of the season ( if my math is correct ) which is do-able.

By saying they're a middling team?

Wasn't there a blog from Engels the other day talking about how good the HAbs are?

Talk about a team playing WAY above their heads.
- prock

aww

They would need to win at the least 22 of their remaining games, and pick up a handful of "loser points" to capture the 8th seed. That's about playing at a .645 P% clip for the remainder of the season ( if my math is correct ) which is do-able.
- Doppleganger

Your math is a little off.

Last year, .561 pts% made the playoffs. That’s about 54 points over 48 games. That’s another 44 points in 38 games, or .579 pts% over remaining games. A .645 pts% would very safely get them a playoff spot. Probably more like a 5th to 7th seed. Most analysts at the beginning of the season were saying roughly 56 points would absolutely guarantee a spot. That would require roughly a .605% for the remainder.

.645 would put them at 59 points for the year, or about .605%. That was good for 6th place in the East last year.

Your math is a little off.

Last year, .561 pts% made the playoffs. That’s about 54 points over 48 games. That’s another 44 points in 38 games, or .579 pts% over remaining games. A .645 pts% would very safely get them a playoff spot. Probably more like a 5th to 7th seed. Most analysts at the beginning of the season were saying roughly 56 points would absolutely guarantee a spot. That would require roughly a .605% for the remainder.

.645 would put them at 59 points for the year, or about .605%. That was good for 6th place in the East last year.
- prock

There is much to be positive about this year. How many years has it been since the Leafs were only 4 points out of the conference lead in the second week of February?

Your math is a little off.

Last year, .561 pts% made the playoffs. That’s about 54 points over 48 games. That’s another 44 points in 38 games, or .579 pts% over remaining games. A .645 pts% would very safely get them a playoff spot. Probably more like a 5th to 7th seed. Most analysts at the beginning of the season were saying roughly 56 points would absolutely guarantee a spot. That would require roughly a .605% for the remainder.

.645 would put them at 59 points for the year, or about .605%. That was good for 6th place in the East last year.
- prock

Still do-able, and Kessel will soon get going in the goal department. Watching the highlights of a game a few night back, he could have easily had a hat-trick.

Still do-able, and Kessel will soon get going in the goal department. Watching the highlights of a game a few night back, he could have easily had a hat-trick.
- Doppleganger

I think that trading Kessel will get a far better return than many people believe. Insiders know that if you put him on a good line with a top center his game would explode. Do you not think that everyone would be happier if they all just moved on? If the Leafs can get a good return, I think it is time to let go of the Kessel era and move forward.

A good return would be a top 6 skater, a prospect and a pick.

I think that trading Kessel will get a far better return than many people believe. Insiders know that if you put him on a good line with a top center his game would explode. Do you not think that everyone would be happier if they all just moved on? If the Leafs can get a good return, I think it is time to let go of the Kessel era and move forward.

A good return would be a top 6 skater, a prospect and a pick.
- spatso

Something like the this with NYI
Strome, Ninonedereiter and a 1st

Isles are a bubble team at the moment, could go either way. Thats why we would need a top C prospect in return imo. I would prefer to substitute Griffin Reinhart for Nino...but I think that would be pushing it

Of course the Isls fans would scoff at it I am sure

Something like the this with NYI
Strome, Ninonedereiter and a 1st

Isles are a bubble team at the moment, could go either way. Thats why we would need a top C prospect in return imo. I would prefer to substitute Griffin Reinhart for Nino...but I think that would be pushing it

Of course the Isls fans would scoff at it I am sure
- senstroll

of course they would. 2 of the top forward prospects in the game plus a first? insane.

of course they would. 2 of the top forward prospects in the game plus a first? insane.
- sens rock

Do you think you would get that for Spezza?

Do you think you would get that for Spezza?
- prock

a better chance anyways.

Spezza > Kessel

I can't really think of any trade in the past couple years for players of similar calibre that would set a standard to work off for a kessel trade. I think Nonis could get either strome or nino plus the pick, but not until later in the season.

of course they would. 2 of the top forward prospects in the game plus a first? insane.
- sens rock

If I was the GM it would take a similar package to get Kessel from me, otherwise what is the point. I am not sure how much Value you put on Nino at the moment, I think his value has dropped significantly, I would be surprised it he is rated in the top 50 at the moment. He would be a very big Risk.

Other questions I would have, does Strome project to be a #1 Center?, in NY he will def be #2. he is probably the 10-15th ranked prospect at the moment. I dont know his upside to be honest

The 1st would probably be in the 10-20 range, if the Isles added Kessel without giving up any roster players, I think it would help boost them a little. so closer to 20 than 10th I would think.

a better chance anyways.

Spezza > Kessel

I can't really think of any trade in the past couple years for players of similar calibre that would set a standard to work off for a kessel trade. I think Nonis could get either strome or nino plus the pick, but not until later in the season.
- sens rock

Kessel is younger (Spezza is almost 30. Guess what, that's past prime in the NHL), Spezza is injured every damn year, and they scored the same last year. I don't think you'd get more for Spezza that Kessel would get.

If I was the GM it would take a similar package to get Kessel from me, otherwise what is the point. I am not sure how much Value you put on Nino at the moment, I think his value has dropped significantly, I would be surprised it he is rated in the top 50 at the moment. He would be a very big Risk.

Other questions I would have, does Strome project to be a #1 Center?, in NY he will def be #2. he is probably the 10-15th ranked prospect at the moment. I dont know his upside to be honest

The 1st would probably be in the 10-20 range, if the Isles added Kessel without giving up any roster players, I think it would help boost them a little. so closer to 20 than 10th I would think.
- senstroll

Yes, Strome definitely projects to be a number 1.

Kessel is younger, Spezza is injured every damn year, and they scored the same last year. I don't think you'd get more for Spezza that Kessel would get.
- prock

Centres are worth more cause they are harder to acquire (see Toronto Maple Leafs post Sundin). Spezza is a top faceoff guy, over PPG career, better shooting percentage. Injuries are a concern I agree.

Centres are worth more cause they are harder to acquire (see Toronto Maple Leafs post Sundin). Spezza is a top faceoff guy, over PPG career, better shooting percentage. Injuries are a concern I agree.
- sens rock

He's 30. Downside of a players career. He's past his prime. Unfortunately, 30 is a bad number for an NHL player's age.