Leaf Predictions
Posted 5:08 PM ET | Comments 3
Yes another rabid leafs fan makes predictions for 2013-2014 season.
Morgan Reilly:
We all want to see him in the blue and white, and we will for the rookie tourney in London, and most likely for 9 games on the big team. Unless Morgan topples over all the other defensemen in training camp he will be returned to junior.
Nazem Kadri:
Expect a bridge contract to be made here, a long term contract unless its at 3.5 per for 6 years makes no sense for a guy who did very well in a shortened season, and disappeared for a stretch near the end. I expect 2 years at around 2.5-3 mill per.
Cody Franson:
I suspect his blue and white days are behind him, his salary expectations are a bit high from what i understand and he is only worth at most 3.5 per on a 4 year deal. This does not jive with the leafs cap hit. Look for him to be moved west, with Anaheim , Colorado, or Calgary being the best fir for him. Probably a mid level prospect and a third in return. Leaf fans put a big value on their players that is too much for a team to reach. If we were shopping Bernier he would be worth 3 firsts in the fans eyes.
Goalie Controversy:
Not really a controversy here, its pretty simple, the guy who fares best in training camp will be starting and the other waiting for them to fail. By the end of the season look for Bernier to be the reg starter and Reimer shipped out for draft picks. Kind of sad to me as I think Reimer earned a little more for his GAA last year, but Nonis is putting his stamp on the team and unless Bernier fails this is inevitable.
David Clarkson:
Fans will never get what they want from Clarkson, as they will expect too much, he is a quality player with a decent not great contract, and his skating is sub par. Most likely there to create room for Kadri. I expect 25 goals and some highlight reel hits and fights. He will not be the saviour ala Wendel that we all wish him to be.
Kessel and Phaneuf Contracts:
Kessel will be locked up prooir to the Christams break and Phaneuf most likely after the season, he doesnt want to go to free agency and wishes to remain a leaf. Kessel look for the 8 mill range and 8 years which is fair value. The leafs will want Dion to take a hit too stay and he most likely will, but it will still be in the 6-7 mill range 4-6 years.
Jake Gardiner:
I expect a slow start again, but the kid has game and Randy will bring it out in him or he sits and becomes trade bait.
Lupul:
55 Games, He just wants it allso bad and gives it every night.
JVR:
25 Goals and will keep everyone wanting more.
Rookies:
Granberg will make it full time by Feb 1 if not right away, he will be the first call up until he is fulltime, when that happens expect Blacker to get a shake and be the first call up.
Ashton will be the first call up from the Marlies on Forward.
Trades:
If we are looking as if we go deep in the playoffs I expect only Kulemin to move. If we are squeeking in I expect Kulemin to stay. They will want him for a deep run on a weaker squad. McClement may be the odd man out with Bolland here, its sad to say but Bolland play will dictate Jays next contract and visa versa. If both are reasonable and play well then they both stay. I expect come Dec and Mid Feb that Nonis will want to add some depth on the D. Names to look at here are Zidlicky, N Shultz, Hjarlmarrson, Robidas, Sarich, Butler, Hunwick, Russell, Grebeshkov, Fayne , Weaver,Benoit, Smith.
Thanks for reading look forward to your polite comments.
M
Morgan Reilly:
We all want to see him in the blue and white, and we will for the rookie tourney in London, and most likely for 9 games on the big team. Unless Morgan topples over all the other defensemen in training camp he will be returned to junior.
Nazem Kadri:
Expect a bridge contract to be made here, a long term contract unless its at 3.5 per for 6 years makes no sense for a guy who did very well in a shortened season, and disappeared for a stretch near the end. I expect 2 years at around 2.5-3 mill per.
Cody Franson:
I suspect his blue and white days are behind him, his salary expectations are a bit high from what i understand and he is only worth at most 3.5 per on a 4 year deal. This does not jive with the leafs cap hit. Look for him to be moved west, with Anaheim , Colorado, or Calgary being the best fir for him. Probably a mid level prospect and a third in return. Leaf fans put a big value on their players that is too much for a team to reach. If we were shopping Bernier he would be worth 3 firsts in the fans eyes.
Goalie Controversy:
Not really a controversy here, its pretty simple, the guy who fares best in training camp will be starting and the other waiting for them to fail. By the end of the season look for Bernier to be the reg starter and Reimer shipped out for draft picks. Kind of sad to me as I think Reimer earned a little more for his GAA last year, but Nonis is putting his stamp on the team and unless Bernier fails this is inevitable.
David Clarkson:
Fans will never get what they want from Clarkson, as they will expect too much, he is a quality player with a decent not great contract, and his skating is sub par. Most likely there to create room for Kadri. I expect 25 goals and some highlight reel hits and fights. He will not be the saviour ala Wendel that we all wish him to be.
Kessel and Phaneuf Contracts:
Kessel will be locked up prooir to the Christams break and Phaneuf most likely after the season, he doesnt want to go to free agency and wishes to remain a leaf. Kessel look for the 8 mill range and 8 years which is fair value. The leafs will want Dion to take a hit too stay and he most likely will, but it will still be in the 6-7 mill range 4-6 years.
Jake Gardiner:
I expect a slow start again, but the kid has game and Randy will bring it out in him or he sits and becomes trade bait.
Lupul:
55 Games, He just wants it allso bad and gives it every night.
JVR:
25 Goals and will keep everyone wanting more.
Rookies:
Granberg will make it full time by Feb 1 if not right away, he will be the first call up until he is fulltime, when that happens expect Blacker to get a shake and be the first call up.
Ashton will be the first call up from the Marlies on Forward.
Trades:
If we are looking as if we go deep in the playoffs I expect only Kulemin to move. If we are squeeking in I expect Kulemin to stay. They will want him for a deep run on a weaker squad. McClement may be the odd man out with Bolland here, its sad to say but Bolland play will dictate Jays next contract and visa versa. If both are reasonable and play well then they both stay. I expect come Dec and Mid Feb that Nonis will want to add some depth on the D. Names to look at here are Zidlicky, N Shultz, Hjarlmarrson, Robidas, Sarich, Butler, Hunwick, Russell, Grebeshkov, Fayne , Weaver,Benoit, Smith.
Thanks for reading look forward to your polite comments.
M
I am so confused lol Why would the Leafs pay a player in Clarkson who is older and far worse then Franson over five million a year for 7 years and not pay Franson. That for me is what makes the Clarkson signing worse then the Clowe one. Signing Clowe didnt prevent us from locking up any of our guys but the leafs still havent signed Kadri or Franson both better players and both younger then Clarkson. Hard to believe the criticism Uncle Lou gets for contracts when Nonis is no better.
It boils down to fair market value, Franson has had one good year and several not so great years. Clarkson has consistently had a few good years. Therefore he gets paid more and then some because UFA is not what is used to be. FYI no one mocks Lou for anything, except maybe the Kovy contract other than that he is still one of the most highly respected people in hockey.
Franson for a mid level prospect and a 3rd? Know how many d-men put up more then the combined 35 pts Cody had last year? 3..Subban,Letang and Keith.Unless the leafs can get a 1st for him or a good prospect and a 2nd, he is not going anywhere.