LEAFS...What to do???
Posted 4:24 PM ET | Comments 1
First of all this is my very first blog so I apologize ahead of time for boring you. I'm gonna state my views on what the Leafs should do with their current roster only.
Jason Blake-trade if you can otherwise keep him. I bet he reaches closer to 40 goals next year.
Devereaux-displayed himself well when the games didn't count. I don't think he'll be back but he's a good cheap investment.
Grabovski-tough one. He'll be back if he don't get too greedy. Expect him to be signed to a one year, incentive laced contract with an option for a second. If he's realistic about his value and keeps his ego in tact than Burke will lock him up to a 4 or 5 year deal. I think Grabovski will take the Dom Moore approach and ask for two times his value.
Hagman-Still under contract and good thing, one of the players last year you hardly noticed, put up strong #'s and no glaring mistakes.
Hamilton-Small guy, fast legs and big heart. He played good and I think as it stands he may of earned himself a new one year deal. If Burke brings in more players than what what leaves than Hamilton should be picked up by someone.
Hanson-I'm kind of scared for this guy. I think he's on next years starting roster but don't be surprised if he's demoted after 20 games or so.
Kulemin-So solid last year after finding his niche as defensive forward. Displayed good hands at times. He needs to get comfortable this season and then watch out cause I believe he's gonna be 20-30 goals soon.
May-I hope they reward him and I think Burke will if May wants to continue. I know Brad from highschool and playing in Niagara Falls...he'll be back for a cheap one year deal.
Mayers-He always impressed when he was in St.Louis but this year I was impressed maybe a handful of times. Deal him to dump the contract.
Mitchell-Man oh man they need to keep this guy. Extend his contract now! Look for him to wear a Leafs uni for years to come. Probably an A on his chest whithin 2 years.
Poni-I personally don't like him. He looks terrible skating and passing, he misses the net more times than anyone I've seen...but his #'s speak for themselves. They need to keep him or replace him and I don't think they'll replace him with a player of similar #'s and pay. Look for Poni to be around for a few more years unless Burke can convince someone he's a 1st round pick or early 2nd round.
Stajan-Will settle around 40 points per season. Decent 2 way player with a big heart. He stays for another season or 2.
Stempniak-Always liked him...till he beacme a Leaf. His #'s dropped and he took bad bad penalties. Will be kept, at least for a bit, if you don't see him fly out of the gate next season and see him playing smart again then Burke will get rid of him.
Finger-solid and will be here for his contract if not longer
Harrison-Maybe as a Marlie.
Heward-Same as above.
Kaberle-Will be around longer than what we think. Who's gonna replace him at that kind of money? Plus he loves the Maple Leaf crest like most of us.
Kubina-I think Burke likes him but not his contract. He stays but when renewing comes up look for him to take a good paycut or be traded before.
Oreskovic-He needs a Leaf uni full time next year. Solid.
Reitz-I know nothing about him to comment.
Schenn-Will not be traded. Perhaps a future captain. Perhaps will be united with his bro next season.
VanRyn-I like him and should stay...kind of fragile though.
Frogren-Fletcher did great by getting this guy. Probably extended at the end of his contract.
Gerber-Won't be back.
Kolzig-Same as above.
Pogge-I think they'll re-sign him but look for him to spend 2 more seasons with the Marlies.
Toskala-I'm praying he returns to form. He stays but to make the playoffs next season we need this guy to win us some games.
As for the others...
Stralman-With potential trades you may see him on the blueline full time next season...just not in T.O.
White-I hope last season wasn't a fluke. I don't think it was and I think Burke would agree. White stays and should be extended some time next season.
Williams-An NHL'er very soon. Keep him or we'll regret it, maybe as much as Boyes.
Newbury-His opportunities could be gone.
Deveaux-Same as above.
Ondurus-Same as above.
Sifers-Will stay. Potential there...just how much.
Stapelton-Will be kept and given a chance to crack the line up.
Battaglia-Will stay. Won't wear a Leaf uni though.
Tlusty-What a great talent this guy is. Hopefully it will translate as well into the NHL as it did in the AHL.
Boyce-Stays
Hollwegg-GONE!
Bozak-Maybe the same fate as Hanson, however I'm hoping for big things from this guy.
In all honesty I see some vets on the move and some young guns coming in, so I expext to see 3-4 Marlies coming up and 5-6 current roster players gone with 1 or 2 new guys coming in via trade or free agents.
Let me know what you think!
Jason Blake-trade if you can otherwise keep him. I bet he reaches closer to 40 goals next year.
Devereaux-displayed himself well when the games didn't count. I don't think he'll be back but he's a good cheap investment.
Grabovski-tough one. He'll be back if he don't get too greedy. Expect him to be signed to a one year, incentive laced contract with an option for a second. If he's realistic about his value and keeps his ego in tact than Burke will lock him up to a 4 or 5 year deal. I think Grabovski will take the Dom Moore approach and ask for two times his value.
Hagman-Still under contract and good thing, one of the players last year you hardly noticed, put up strong #'s and no glaring mistakes.
Hamilton-Small guy, fast legs and big heart. He played good and I think as it stands he may of earned himself a new one year deal. If Burke brings in more players than what what leaves than Hamilton should be picked up by someone.
Hanson-I'm kind of scared for this guy. I think he's on next years starting roster but don't be surprised if he's demoted after 20 games or so.
Kulemin-So solid last year after finding his niche as defensive forward. Displayed good hands at times. He needs to get comfortable this season and then watch out cause I believe he's gonna be 20-30 goals soon.
May-I hope they reward him and I think Burke will if May wants to continue. I know Brad from highschool and playing in Niagara Falls...he'll be back for a cheap one year deal.
Mayers-He always impressed when he was in St.Louis but this year I was impressed maybe a handful of times. Deal him to dump the contract.
Mitchell-Man oh man they need to keep this guy. Extend his contract now! Look for him to wear a Leafs uni for years to come. Probably an A on his chest whithin 2 years.
Poni-I personally don't like him. He looks terrible skating and passing, he misses the net more times than anyone I've seen...but his #'s speak for themselves. They need to keep him or replace him and I don't think they'll replace him with a player of similar #'s and pay. Look for Poni to be around for a few more years unless Burke can convince someone he's a 1st round pick or early 2nd round.
Stajan-Will settle around 40 points per season. Decent 2 way player with a big heart. He stays for another season or 2.
Stempniak-Always liked him...till he beacme a Leaf. His #'s dropped and he took bad bad penalties. Will be kept, at least for a bit, if you don't see him fly out of the gate next season and see him playing smart again then Burke will get rid of him.
Finger-solid and will be here for his contract if not longer
Harrison-Maybe as a Marlie.
Heward-Same as above.
Kaberle-Will be around longer than what we think. Who's gonna replace him at that kind of money? Plus he loves the Maple Leaf crest like most of us.
Kubina-I think Burke likes him but not his contract. He stays but when renewing comes up look for him to take a good paycut or be traded before.
Oreskovic-He needs a Leaf uni full time next year. Solid.
Reitz-I know nothing about him to comment.
Schenn-Will not be traded. Perhaps a future captain. Perhaps will be united with his bro next season.
VanRyn-I like him and should stay...kind of fragile though.
Frogren-Fletcher did great by getting this guy. Probably extended at the end of his contract.
Gerber-Won't be back.
Kolzig-Same as above.
Pogge-I think they'll re-sign him but look for him to spend 2 more seasons with the Marlies.
Toskala-I'm praying he returns to form. He stays but to make the playoffs next season we need this guy to win us some games.
As for the others...
Stralman-With potential trades you may see him on the blueline full time next season...just not in T.O.
White-I hope last season wasn't a fluke. I don't think it was and I think Burke would agree. White stays and should be extended some time next season.
Williams-An NHL'er very soon. Keep him or we'll regret it, maybe as much as Boyes.
Newbury-His opportunities could be gone.
Deveaux-Same as above.
Ondurus-Same as above.
Sifers-Will stay. Potential there...just how much.
Stapelton-Will be kept and given a chance to crack the line up.
Battaglia-Will stay. Won't wear a Leaf uni though.
Tlusty-What a great talent this guy is. Hopefully it will translate as well into the NHL as it did in the AHL.
Boyce-Stays
Hollwegg-GONE!
Bozak-Maybe the same fate as Hanson, however I'm hoping for big things from this guy.
In all honesty I see some vets on the move and some young guns coming in, so I expext to see 3-4 Marlies coming up and 5-6 current roster players gone with 1 or 2 new guys coming in via trade or free agents.
Let me know what you think!
May 15, 2009 5:50 PM ET
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