Again, I go back to my argument that he's shown long (season long) bouts of consistency under the 'defense-last system' of Wilson.

I personally think his problem is a lot bigger than the system he plays in. Will it help? Sure. But ultimately, his lack of footspeed in today's NHL, combined with his lack of hockey IQ will be what solidifies him as a #5-6 dman in a few years.

I hope I'm wrong...but I haven't seen anything on the contrary to make me believe he can turn it around.
- Pen15

Other than his rookie year I don't recall seeing that.

Other than that I essentially agree with you...but with higher hopes (not expectations) that he'll end up a 3-4 shut down dman.

afternoon everyone, hows things today?

The one thing Kuli is definitely not...is a first line winger, guaranteed.

The one thing he definitely is effective at would be a 3rd line winger that can fill in on the 2nd line. The potential for the next few years will be that he's a capable 2nd liner but the verdict is still out on that.

I'm not saying Schenn is developing perfectly, he's more inconsistent then I thought he'd be at this point...but I won't be concerned about him until he's 25 and still inconsistent.
- Juice

Agreed that Kuli isn't a 1st line winger....but I definitely think he has the tools to be a 2nd liner. He's a big body, and has great board play. And let's not forget, Kuli had been improving his play year after year until this year. So I'm more willing to be easy on the guy given his consistent track record.

And I get that the verdict won't be out on Schenn for another 2yrs...but do we wait so long that he becomes worthless? And given his up and down years...there's far little evidence to suggest that he can actually turn it around.

Everyone talks about how he can develop into a top shutdown guy...but for every top shutdown guy that's developed, there have been 50-100 that have failed. Given this, there's a really good chance Schenn doesn't turn into what everyone hoped he'd be.

you say that now...

Wait until Berger & UG start critiquing your game....you'll want to go play down in FLA in no time.
- Pen15

Haha, I would care less about them...

I work an office job at the moment and know how lucky I would be to be making $500,000 to play the game I love

afternoon everyone, hows things today?
- Dozzer

kinda bleak now.

But why do we need to bring in goaltending and a #1 c this season? I mean, didn't this team just finish in 25th place? I doubt those two additions will make this team a Stanley Cup contender over this offseason. Suck for one more year, draft Nate. #1 centre taken care of......and as for goaltending, lets see whether Reimer or Scrivens have the ability to be NHL starters. Who knows, we may just get lucky and end up with a Brian Elliott story, or in Scrivens case, maybe an Ed Belfour type story. We have nothing to lose by sucking.
- mykokes

I agree that we have nothing to lose by sucking....but I'd argue that we would've made the playoffs this year (with Wilson as coach) if we had the goaltending we had from Reimer in the second half last season.

IMO, this team is one good goalie (and by good I mean a goalie who won't lose games for you) from making the playoffs....and a #1c & power forward away from contending.

Agreed that Kuli isn't a 1st line winger....but I definitely think he has the tools to be a 2nd liner. He's a big body, and has great board play. And let's not forget, Kuli had been improving his play year after year until this year. So I'm more willing to be easy on the guy given his consistent track record.

And I get that the verdict won't be out on Schenn for another 2yrs...but do we wait so long that he becomes worthless? And given his up and down years...there's far little evidence to suggest that he can actually turn it around.

Everyone talks about how he can develop into a top shutdown guy...but for every top shutdown guy that's developed, there have been 50-100 that have failed. Given this, there's a really good chance Schenn doesn't turn into what everyone hoped he'd be.
- Pen15

His development curve compares very well to many of the top stay at home d-men currently in the game, and some of the better ones over the past 20 years. I'm not panicking.

Don't listen to him. I'd be extremely grateful if you pulled a Tlusty and pm'd me with the details.


xoxo
- weirdoh

lol, why didnt I hear about this?

He got in poop?

I agree that we have nothing to lose by sucking....but I'd argue that we would've made the playoffs this year (with Wilson as coach) if we had the goaltending we had from Reimer in the second half last season.

IMO, this team is one good goalie (and by good I mean a goalie who won't lose games for you) from making the playoffs....and a #1c & power forward away from contending.
- Pen15

But the cost to get that #1 c and #1 goalie and power forward will be too much via trade. It always is.

Other than his rookie year I don't recall seeing that.

Other than that I essentially agree with you...but with higher hopes (not expectations) that he'll end up a 3-4 shut down dman.
- Juice

I think he had a decent year in 10/11...outside of the first 15 games.

kinda bleak now.
- dt99999

what?

now?

i thought we had crossed that threshold awhile back....

oh wait.... you mean me..

well .... then in that case

you're welcome

Haha, I would care less about them...

I work an office job at the moment and know how lucky I would be to be making $500,000 to play the game I love
- mfreedman

His development curve compares very well to many of the top stay at home d-men currently in the game, and some of the better ones over the past 20 years. I'm not panicking.
- mykokes

Who would you say are some of the top stay at home dmen in the game today?

what?

now?

i thought we had crossed that threshold awhile back....

oh wait.... you mean me..

well .... then in that case

you're welcome
- Dozzer

please ban Juice.

please ban Juice.
- dt99999

*searches for clever reply*

...................

not found

But the cost to get that #1 c and #1 goalie and power forward will be too much via trade. It always is.
- mykokes

Here's what I would do:

Goaltending:
Option 1: Trade for Lindback/Bernier (give up Schenn/Franson + Mac/Kuli)
Option 2: Sign a veteran back up & give Reimer another shot

Power Forward:
Option 1: Trade for Nash/JVR (give up Schenn/Franson + Mac/Kuli + 2nd rounder/Colborne/Kadri
Option 2: Sign Dustin Penner for cheaper than what he makes now

#1 Centre:
Draft Galenchuk

What are the odds that Armdog, Kulimen and Lombardi have bounce back years and play to their abilitys.....what if Schenn and Komi settle down andbecome productive??

Is it me or does it always seem that what ever can go wrong does go wrong??

Once, just once id love to see a mid level leaf draft pick blossom into something greater than he was projected to be

As a long supporter of this team i realize that there is a better chance of the hole in my ass healing than any of the above coming true

Here's what I would do:

Goaltending:
Option 1: Trade for Lindback/Bernier (give up Schenn/Franson + Mac/Kuli)
Option 2: Sign a veteran back up & give Reimer another shot
- Pen15

So give up Schenn and Kulemin for an unproven back-up.

Power Forward:
Option 1: Trade for Nash/JVR (give up Schenn/Franson + Mac/Kuli + 2nd rounder/Colborne/Kadri
Option 2: Sign Dustin Penner for cheaper than what he makes now

Or give up almost the exact same package for Nash or JVR. Apparently they both have the same price.

Sign a 30 year old with 7 goals.

Genius.

So give up Schenn and Kulemin for an unproven back-up.



Or give up almost the exact same package for Nash or JVR. Apparently they both have the same price.

Sign a 30 year old with 7 goals.

Genius.



- Unholy_Goalie

HE'S CLUTCH IN THE PLAYOFFS!

HE'S CLUTCH IN THE PLAYOFFS!
- Pecafan Fan

So give up Schenn and Kulemin for an unproven back-up.



Or give up almost the exact same package for Nash or JVR. Apparently they both have the same price.

Sign a 30 year old with 7 goals.

Genius.



- Unholy_Goalie

wouldnt be against the penner signing so long as it was on the cheap.. however if his agent looks for an inflated contract due to a respectable post season this year then no thanks.

So give up Schenn and Kulemin for an unproven back-up.



Or give up almost the exact same package for Nash or JVR. Apparently they both have the same price.

Sign a 30 year old with 7 goals.

Genius.



- Unholy_Goalie

It's not almost the exact same package....it includes a pick/prospect.

And although Kuli & Schenn have more experience....they're both just as risky for a team acquiring them, as Lindback/Bernier would be coming back.

But I wouldn't expect you to understand risk analysis....you have a hard enough time trying to assess talent.

wouldnt be against the penner signing so long as it was on the cheap.. however if his agent looks for an inflated contract due to a respectable post season this year then no thanks.
- Dozzer

The Leafs already have Lupul, Kessel, Grabovski and MacArthur as top six forwards. Penner isn't a center so he's not going to replace Bozak or Connolly. That leaves Kulemin, Frattin and Kadri. Do you really want to see Penner replace one of those three guys? And even if he plays on the 3rd line, do you really want Penner on the 3rd line?

Makes no sense. He's 30, he's usually out of shape, he's lazy and he's the opposite of what this team needs.

wouldnt be against the penner signing so long as it was on the cheap.. however if his agent looks for an inflated contract due to a respectable post season this year then no thanks.
- Dozzer

If we can get him inked to a $2-3MM contract over 2yrs, I'd do it....

But to your point, it all depends on the amount of buyers...and his production in the post season will probably drive up either price or term.

It's not almost the exact same package....it includes a pick/prospect.
- Pen15

So the difference between Lindback and Rick Nash is a 2nd round pick.

Beautiful.

And although Kuli & Schenn have more experience....they're both just as risky for a team acquiring them, as Lindback/Bernier would be coming back.

Yeah totally, a 23 year old 5th overall pick and a 30 goal scorer are totally the same as a back-up with 38 games of NHL experience.

But I wouldn't expect you to understand risk analysis....you have a hard enough time trying to assess talent.

Oh this is risk analysis? Is that what this is? I've got another name for it but I'd probably get banned for it.