The Leaf Dilemma
Posted 3:38 AM ET | Comments 41
This is my first blog here at HockeyBuzz, so let me quickly introduce myself. I love the Leafs. I also love the game of hockey. Yes, I've played, and yes, I watch, just like many of you, but I would like to write with a style that encourages debate and discussion...if that's possible.
I believe that your opinion is only good if you can defend it, and "throwing" your opinion to the wolves is a healthy exercise if you don't mind being wrong, heck, being wrong means you learned something, so being wrong is actually a good thing.
Back to my Leafs, my beloved blue and white, and no, Tampa is NOT "blue and white", even though they use the SAME blue (the Blues use a different blue)...they have not and never will, earn this title. They simply chose the wrong colors. I live in Florida so I'm allowed to say this, I have enjoyed several Lighting games in fact.
Ok. Back to the Leafs. For real. The Leafs need defense, but not just any D, they need young, controllable D that can grow with this core. This means they should be looking for 1-2 players that are 20-24 years old, and can play top 4 minutes. This isn't easy to find. I keep hearing "rumors" that have Toronto interested in players like Alzner or Shattenkirk as UFA's...um I doubt it. Too old and too much "old" term. I hear they have interest in Tanev from Vancouver, too old at 27 and too unproven to pay top price for, so no. Brodin? Not going anywhere. Dumba? Possibly, but I don't think Lou wants to trade future assets and Minnesota can't take back a contract like JVR, so probably not. Spurgeon? Not going anywhere. Vatanen? Bidding war should take him out of the Leafs willing-to-pay-price, he's good but he's not exactly what they need. Montour? Not going anywhere. Josh Manson? Now this is a player the Leafs would love, but 2 problems.
1) Ducks don't have a protection slot to take back a player like JVR.
2) Will Leafs give up future assets for a player that is probably top 4 but most likely never top 2? Doubt it. So we have a conundrum...or do we?
This brings me to my D of choice...Jacob Trouba. He's 23. He's a right shot. He plays big top 4 minutes, and seems very capable of becoming a top 2 guy. He has size and some toughness (Leafs need), he can play PP and PK, and the Jets can protect a player like JVR in a trade. The Leafs would need to pay a premium to get him, but he's actually worth the price. rnrnJVR + Leipsic or Kapanen + 2017 2nd ----> Jacob TroubarnrnFire Away. Cheers.
I believe that your opinion is only good if you can defend it, and "throwing" your opinion to the wolves is a healthy exercise if you don't mind being wrong, heck, being wrong means you learned something, so being wrong is actually a good thing.
Back to my Leafs, my beloved blue and white, and no, Tampa is NOT "blue and white", even though they use the SAME blue (the Blues use a different blue)...they have not and never will, earn this title. They simply chose the wrong colors. I live in Florida so I'm allowed to say this, I have enjoyed several Lighting games in fact.
Ok. Back to the Leafs. For real. The Leafs need defense, but not just any D, they need young, controllable D that can grow with this core. This means they should be looking for 1-2 players that are 20-24 years old, and can play top 4 minutes. This isn't easy to find. I keep hearing "rumors" that have Toronto interested in players like Alzner or Shattenkirk as UFA's...um I doubt it. Too old and too much "old" term. I hear they have interest in Tanev from Vancouver, too old at 27 and too unproven to pay top price for, so no. Brodin? Not going anywhere. Dumba? Possibly, but I don't think Lou wants to trade future assets and Minnesota can't take back a contract like JVR, so probably not. Spurgeon? Not going anywhere. Vatanen? Bidding war should take him out of the Leafs willing-to-pay-price, he's good but he's not exactly what they need. Montour? Not going anywhere. Josh Manson? Now this is a player the Leafs would love, but 2 problems.
1) Ducks don't have a protection slot to take back a player like JVR.
2) Will Leafs give up future assets for a player that is probably top 4 but most likely never top 2? Doubt it. So we have a conundrum...or do we?
This brings me to my D of choice...Jacob Trouba. He's 23. He's a right shot. He plays big top 4 minutes, and seems very capable of becoming a top 2 guy. He has size and some toughness (Leafs need), he can play PP and PK, and the Jets can protect a player like JVR in a trade. The Leafs would need to pay a premium to get him, but he's actually worth the price. rnrnJVR + Leipsic or Kapanen + 2017 2nd ----> Jacob TroubarnrnFire Away. Cheers.
Is this Manics?
too much to give up..maybe JVR and a second..but not Kapanen
pogo for bobby the john.
Brandon Montour has just been eaten by a monster.
Update: Because Montour was eaten, the Ducks have signed Niklas Lidstrom to replace Montour (previously eaten by a monster) in the lineup.
thejonathans, can you please clarify? did he get uneaten? or is he still eaten? why is he no longer eaten by a monster?
he is stil eaten. he is gone forever.goodbye montour.
So how do you think Lidstrom will do with Anaheim?
Do you think they will pair Lidstrom with Niedermayer?
Your trade proposal for Trouba is a much lower value than what it would cost to get him. Obviously you need a 1st round pick to get him, not a 2nd. Definitely an A prospect and who knows if they would want JVR with only 1 year left, in which next year he would want a hefty raise. Probably additional prospects/picks on top of what is already listed would be required.
Great read, great post. I like the JVR a second for sure. I'm nervous about moving kapenan. JVR second and Leipsic or Leivo sure but cap is a big game player.
kap *
No, Niedermayer is retired. Lidstrom could play with Lindholm i think.
alexander87 you are no
goodbye dan girardi and matt greene
Who does Pronger play with if he isn't playing with Lindholm?
Pronger doesn't play anymore. Here are the Ducks defensemen: Lindholm, Lidstrom, Vatanen, Fowler, Manson, Holzer, Bieksa, Stoner, and Theodore.
thejonathans, you think the ducks will trade lidstrom to the leafs?
Well they just signed him so no, i don't think he'll be traded to the Leafs or anywhere else. It's a pretty god replacement for Montour, do you agree?
iz shane done going too reetire?
Is anyone good besides Lidstrom on the Ducks D?
yeah, Lindholm, Fowler, Manson, and Vatanen are top 4 defensemen.
shane doan is going to play defense for the ducks
no he isn't/
yes he is
not true, he will either retire or play for the coyotes i think.
Does Doan back up Mike Smith in goal next year?
Doan is a forward.
Is he good?
yeah, he's pretty good.
but he's like 40 or something.
hoopy
That's really old
doan should probably switch to goaltending
buddzy,1) Pretty sure Jets want to compete now, which means said prospect is NHL ready (Leipsic or Kapanen because they are NHL ready), and they would want a player like JVR who can upgrade their core immediately. I agree with the pick, a 2nd may be too low, but the Leafs won't trade this years 1st so it would have to be next year's if they added a 1st.Don't undervalue JVR. He's a premium player in his won right and he's on a very affordable contract. I think the real problem with the Jets being a willing trade partner in a deal like this is how do they replace Trouba? Another trade for a younger, less-proven player, or a FA signing...but that's the main roadblock if you ask me.
capeandcali, while buddzy possibly undervalues JVR in this deal, I think you undervalue Trouba. The Leafs will definitely need to add a good pick to start talks in a deal like this. Trouba is a beast.
Go Leafs and Lightning! Trouba is too expensive. Lets see what happens this summer.
Do you guys think Doan or Iginla would be a better goaltender in Arizona now that Mike Smith is gone?
obviously iginla. doan won't even be back
Kind of crazy to trade Mike Smith, then not offer your back up goalie a contract.
Not sure why all you guys are ranting over trouba, i am a Leaf fan that lives inTHe Peg. Trouba is not a smart defenceman. He makes lots of mistakes, dis younot watch him in the playoffs a year ago. Took stupid penalties twice, and bothtimes Anahiem scored and went on to win. Dumb as stone. Leafs don,t need that.