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"Who's going to break the Leafs lineup this year?"
Canada • Canada • 41 Years Old • Male
In Goal it looks more and more that Gerber may be 1 and Toskala 1A and quite possibly expendable with a slew of decent goalies on the UFA list. Pogge is gone he sucks and hasn't really improved all that much in 3 years.

On D the Leafs are solid with maybe one or two guy expendable to clear cap space ie Kubina and can be parlayed into a 1st round draft pick as well a roster player look for that action at the draft.

Up front well this is where the team is going to go for an overhaul.

In the top six category dare I say there is no one but because of contractual obligations:

Blake is maybe the sixth man, Hagman the fifth man.

Grabovksi has to be more consitent but could be a fit in the top six. He is a liability with the puck and in the defensive zone so this guy is either going to make it or go back to the Continental League. He could be moved because of contract requirements.

Kulemin with a year under his belt and better language skills should prove to be a break out year for him he'll be platooned between the A and the Leafs.

Tlusty with the year he's having in the A might become a first line player depending who the Leafs sign so he'll be platooned between the A and Leafs depending on injuries and development.

The Sedins will be signed by Burke as they like him and he likes them.

Camilleri may be the tonic for an improved PP let there be no doubt the Leafs will bury or trade any mistake.

So the top six will look like this

H. Sedin 7 mill, D. Sedin 7 mill, Cammilleri 5 mill
Hagman 3 mill, Blake 4 mill, Grabovski 1 mill

spares Tlusty, Kulemin

Out will be Poni, Stajan, Stempniak despite contracts may be traded or put on waivers again contingent on what Burke signs.

The bottom six may need to keep May, Mayers but Bertuzzi is a UFA, Marchant is a UFA, Laraque a UFA may be available.

So the bottom six may look like this:

May 1 mill, Mayers 2 mill, Mitchell 1 mill
Bertuzzi 1.3 mill, Marchant 1 mill, Laraque 1 mill

On D

Kaberle 4.3mill , Kubina 5 mill
Finger 3.5 mill, White 850 k
Schenn 3 mill, Van Ryan 3 mill


in net Gerber at 2 mill as a starter.
Toskala 4 mill is going to be the backup and great trade bait as he'll be in the last year of his contract

Total Salary in this scenario under 56 million with several players in their last year of their contract the Leafs have a buffer zone as they can spend and bury mistakes this could be a vastly improved team that not only is play-off bound but a solid top 6.

With the Sedins being 1 and 2 in scoring, Camilleri wont be that far back and then you have Blake and his 5 mill if he fails he could be waived and demoted clearing 5 mill in space and if Kubina is traded at the draft for another 1st round pick then the Leafs could have a lot of room to make a key move at the trade deadline.

All the guys that stay will have had 1 year with Wilson and if the addage of developing a team from the goalie out is the way then the Leafs are on the right path.

W
Filed Under:   2010=11 TML  
March 29, 2009 2:33 PM ET | Delete
It was looking good there for a while...you had the right idea, but your overall team is terribleThere is no way our bottom six is going to look like that, and theres no way we'll be signing Camalleri AND the Sedins...Burke isnt trying to make a set lineup by next year
March 29, 2009 2:44 PM ET | Delete
March 29, 2009 4:18 PM ET | Delete
I DO NOT WANT THE SEDINS!!
March 29, 2009 5:53 PM ET | Delete
March 29, 2009 5:54 PM ET | Delete
Odd my comment can't be seen
March 29, 2009 9:43 PM ET | Delete
Teams do not go into Free agency looking to sign their entire first line. I also doubt Burke is looking to do that also. He'll get alot more in terms of rebuilding pieces if he can take some of the others teams cap issues off their hands for the next year or two. I'd rather not have the sedins to begin with also.
March 30, 2009 12:04 AM ET | Delete
If I were to see moves like this come to fruition I would be joining Sens nation.
March 30, 2009 1:21 PM ET | Delete
March 30, 2009 2:43 PM ET | Delete
March 30, 2009 2:52 PM ET | Delete
Wow. I'm glad you're not the GM.
March 30, 2009 5:13 PM ET | Delete
March 30, 2009 5:13 PM ET | Delete
why are my comments not being posted? i agree im glad you arent GM
March 30, 2009 6:13 PM ET | Delete
this guy makes Mike Milbury look good
March 31, 2009 1:02 PM ET | Delete
This guy has no idea... he has absolutely lost his mind, Grabs @ 1 mil or gone HAHAH Kuleman in the A and N HAHAHA, Tlusty = A and N (maybe). Sedins and Camli HAHAHAHA. Where are your upcoming juniors, we are your NCAA players? Where is your first round pick? I have no idea what Burke will do, but it won't be that. I have no idea what will happen with
April 3, 2009 10:35 PM ET | Delete
7 million for the sedins ARE YOU CRAZY
April 7, 2009 11:19 PM ET | Delete
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