Get the latest on the Leafs and Coyotes, plus updates on Ryan O’Reilly, Chris Stewart and more.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Arizona Coyotes GM Don Maloney is ready to engage in a roster fire sale and is waiting for the highest bidders leading up to the March 2 trade deadline. Garrioch believes teams looking to bulk up for a playoff run (Montreal, Chicago and Boston) will have interest in pending UFA center Antoine Vermette, while the Dallas Stars, Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks could pursue blueliner Keith Yandle. Other trade candidates could include pending UFAs Zbynek Michalek and Martin Erat. Shane Doan’s no-trade clause gives him control over his future….Garrioch wonders if Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis will make a big move before the trade deadline or this summer, if Nonis will even still be the GM when the season ends, and if the Leafs will try to move scoring star Phil Kessel…Florida Panthers winger Brad Boyes might be available…Minnesota Wild forwards Ryan Carter and Kyle Brodziak and defenseman Nate Prosser have low trade value…Senators goalie Craig Anderson won’t be moved…Garrioch wonders which contender will make a pitch for New Jersey Devils winger Jaromir Jagr…Oilers GM Craig MacTavish doesn’t want to do much in terms of trades…There’s been no trade inquiries made of Buffalo Sabres winger Drew Stafford…Dallas Stars veteran winger Erik Cole might have trade value with a contender.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I expect Coyotes pending UFAs Vermette, Michalek and Erat to be moved at the trade deadline, but unless they get a great offer for Yandle by March 2 I think they’ll try moving the blueliner in the offseason when the market will be better…If the Panthers fall out of playoff contention Boyes could be dealt…The Devils will hang onto Jagr probably up to deadline day in hopes of improving his trade value…There will be more interest in Stafford, a pending UFA, by the deadline…Cole could be on the move if the Stars are out of the playoff race by March 2.
Could the Toronto Maple Leafs swap Dion Phaneuf for LA Kings center Mike Richards?
SPORTSNET: Mike Johnston lists the Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets and San Jose Sharks as possible trade destinations for Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan O’Reilly…Nick Kypreos reports the Avalanche have put out trade feelers on O’Reilly in search of blueline help, claiming the Leafs and Sabres are among two teams interested in the Avs forwards… Elliotte Friedman reports the Nashville Predators and Calgary Flames could have interest in Buffalo Sabres winger Chris Stewart…Friedman also speculates over the possibility of a Dion Phaneuf for Mike Richards swap, citing the Kings’ defensive needs given Slava Voynov’s uncertain future. Damien Cox claims Morgan Rielly is the Leaf garnering the most interest from rival GMs.
TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran cites the “Phaneuf for Mike Richards” and the “Ryan O’Reilly for Jake Gardiner and perhaps Tyler Bozak” as the current hot Leafs trade rumors.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wheeeee! So many Leafs rumors, so little time. Sure, the Avalanche are gauging O’Reilly’s trade value, but again, they don’t have to move him by the deadline, and you can expect they’ll want a high price, meaning a top-two defenseman. Also, they’re currently only three points out of playoff contention. If they keep improving they won’t be under as much pressure to move O’Reilly this season. If they do decide to trade him it would be better in the offseason when there will be more suitors willing to deal…Regarding a Phaneuf for Richards deal, Kings GM Dean Lombardi recently cited the cap issues he’d face if Voynov should return to the lineup. Phaneuf is earning more than Richards, which would really put the Kings in a bind unless the Leafs take back a couple of million annually in salary…No way in hell the Leafs move Morgan Rielly…Sure, there’s interest in Chris Stewart, but unless the Sabres lower the asking price (believed to be a first-round pick and a prospect) they won’t be able to move him.
NJ.COM: Randy Miller believes the Philadelphia Flyers should start making moves which will improve their odds of landing Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel in the 2015 NHL Draft. Miller suggests shopping defensemen with some trade value like Nick Schultz, Luke Schenn, Nicklas Grossmann and Braydon Coburn.
I’m going against the norm here and saying Buffalo should trade Chris Stewart to LA for Mike Richards.
Stewart is a little younger and cheaper, but doesn’t have the offense now or in the past of Richards. Their stats today are almost identical. I don’t follow LA, but they seem heavy at center and light on the wing
On the Buffalo side – they are horrible TODAY at CENTER (the lack of goals on the team has probably something to do with the fact we don’t make any plays at center. AND can we get a center to get in front of the net??). Hey Ted, we might want to name Cody Hodgson – in some trade rumors soon.
In the near future with Girgensons, Reinhart and McDavid we’ll have the youth to excel at the center position…. By adding a guy like Richards, would not only help now, but also in the future.
Thanks to the draft lottery there is no guarantee the Sabres get McDavid or Eichel!
Besides that i would do that trade if I was Lombardi! Getting rid of Richards long contract and only adding Stewart, who’s a FA after the season!
At the rate the Sabres are going, they will finish 30th and guarantee themselves Eichel or McDavid. Richards to Buffalo makes sense from a short term and long term point of view. He certainly has the pedigree, and hopefully has matured a lot since his Philly days. I personally don’t like him, but I see where your head is at. Buffalo would be wise to size up the savvy vets now, as youth alone won’t get it done.
Makes sense to me too. If the Sabres do get one of the two blue chips in this years draft, it doesn’t hurt to have a vet center who has been in playoff wars to show them what it takes.
Lol, maybe Richards has “matured” a bit but now he doesn’t know how to play quality hockey. The Sabres are slowly setting themselves up to be a good team with all of these high picks over the last few years, add a McDavid or Eichel and they could be a real threat soon….why throw in a way past his prime Richards with that crippling contract for 6 more seasons?
Actually if Buffalo finishes last they are guaranteed at least the 2nd overall pick. Only the 1st pick in the draft is a lottery this year. So with two big talents in the draft this encourages tanking.
what? This makes ZERO sens for LA. For starter Richards is twice the player Stewart is, even if Richards isn’t scoring (which he is doing more than Stewart) he is still playing great defensively, Stewart brings NOTHING to the table. Also the Kings are stacked on the right wing with Brown, Toffoli, Williams, Nolan and Lewis. Just because I few morons in the Toronto media says Richards is untradable, doesn’t mean he is. Try watching a few Kings games and make your own opinion before following like a sheep.
I agree with Lyle, Phaneuf for Richards will never happen too. Cap doesn’t work and people seem to forget that it was Darryl Sutter who traded the cancer that was Phaneuf from the Calgary locker room, no way LA wants that prima donna, even if TO retained some salary (which theyd have to do).
Honestly King I am not trying to be an ass, but there are several reasons thats a nutty trade for both sides…Richards is not anywhere near the player he used to be and I think you may be valuing him heavily on past glory. Not that Phaneuf and his contract are in anyway a bargain for LA but… Last thing in the world the Leafs need is a middle of the line up aging long term 5 mill player.
DION FOR RICHARDS …..& The elephant in the room
Heres the problem with that possible trade …….and I like Richards!
Mike Richards on a BOLSTERED and DEEP L.A. team looks like he is on the brink of retirement ……can you imagine him on the LEAFS ????
Phaneuf has more upside and value for the next 2 – 3 years in trade value as per the defensman being more sought after than a 3-4 the line Canterman at Richards salary cap …..
My point is : If you take on Richards your next move after being a Leaf might be a buyout !
Keeping Phaneuf you have more options in trades coming back over the next 2 years ….including a prospect in that deal. After obtaining Richards …you no longer have any value in the player and his TERM IS TOO LONG …its a LOOSE….LOOSE ….LOOSE business deal …
Unfortunately, the key word for both Stewart and Richards– “WAS” and not “IS”. Neither player IS playing good today!! If you think Richards is twice the player today than Stewart, then you should watch a few more of those games.
Richards and Stewart today have almost identical Stats. They both have a whopping 15 points. Major difference (good or bad – I think GREAT) is Stewart’s grit and checking. LA would gain a three year younger player, save a million a year, and get more grit. Would Stewart put in ten or fifteen more points a year with Jeff Carter – Yup… And have his back!
Like I said in my first line of my original post – I’m going against the NORM. I think Buffalo will be deep soon in YOUNG centers. A guy like Richards would have a high value in my mind. By the way tell ESPN to fix their roster for LA – they have about 30 centers listed and three right wings.
As a Buffalo fan I’m not pleased with the lack of points with Stewart, but the guy plays with an edge. He’ll find his points again, but you can’t coach playing with a gritty edge like he has. Put him on a line with Carter or Kopitar and he’ll put in 40 points a year.
The reason Phaneuf was traded from Calgary was because Regehr. He was trying to be the Alpha-dog, and felt Phaneuf in the way. lol, and we all know how long Regehr remained a Flame after Phaneuf got traded.
Richards is now sheltered against low quality of competition, doesn’t take the important defensive shifts in his own zone like he did in philly AND he can’t score. He’s pretty much untradeable with that contract, what team would want him?
Any team wanting to backwards on purpose would take on Richards.
IMO LA canmot give him away unless eat 2m in salary retention.
The Sabres would be guaranteed one of the two by finishing dead last. Dead last can not go any further then second pick so yes they would be a lock for one of the two if they finish dead last if you don’t know what your typing then think again before opening your mouth
All trades aside if I had to choose between the old declining way past his prime, maybe matured Richards over the prima Donna once cancer of the Flames Phaneuf, (think this is how you all describe them) I myself would pick Phaneuf.
So the Maple Loaves fire their coach and then play worse? Let the tanking begin … Nonis will be fired at year’s end so Shanahan has put the stop sign on any major moves he planned to make … Mike Babcock will be hired to run the whole show and report to Shanahan … So Bruce Garroch reports that Ryan Carter, Brodziak & Prosser have low trade value? And he gets paid for that reporting?
There is still no way in hell that mike Babcock destroys his own legacy and attaches himself in any way to the perpetual joke that is the maple leafs, not for all the money in the world. Wherever he goes he will be paid handsomely and the guy is a competitor through and through, no way he wants to coach a bunch of LOSERS now or ever. The leafs are literally the worst sports franchise in the world and leaf fans that think Babcock automatically is willing to go there are as delusional and arrogant as a fan base can be, typical leafs nation.
lol purely unbiased factual opinion…good post, it hardly sounds like the rant of an 8 year old at all….
Funny thing the leafs. I actually thought he last two seasons things were changing. They started to draft better, started giving young guys I’ve time. Stopped signing players past their prime. All the things I thought they needed to do. suddenly they have a mediocre season and bam change coarse med season and appear to be tanking. Not scoring a goal in three of the last four while possessing won of the more potent offenses in the league is pretty blatant embarrassing and shameful.
Hopefully it simply is a symptom of the system. But what system allows a team to be shut out 3 of four??
It seems that this western swing and season for that matter has all the Leaf fans who only really watch the Leafs up in arms and brought out all the hayers who sit on the edge of their seats waiting for the latest calamity to scream “Leafs suck”, there is not a whole lot of perspective going on right now. Fact is its a completely different system they are trying to play and the shooting percentage which is usually pretty high is at a rock bottom low right now against some very good defensive teams, look at the results of some other teams doing road trips thru Cali and then St.Louis realistically teams are lucky to get 3 points out of a trip like that, the Leafs fired their coach the day before they left….again I am not sure what people were expecting, besides not scoring its not a playoff team in the east, playing the top teams in the west on a brutal road trip, with a new coach new system that he is trying to put in place on the run with no training camp and little practice…but sure ya trade everyone because they “forgot” how to score. (Sarcasam)
lol shticky please take the rose colored glasses off please….yes its a new system yes its a new coach but jesus they looked like an ahl team on that road trip!! outscored 12-1 is terrible the leafs are in major trouble its getting really ugly
jello…AHL team? did you even watch any of the games? maybe instead of just watching the sports highlights, you can actually watch a game before commenting. They were in every game out of that road trip being down mostly by just 1 goal for most of those games. Get over yourself
C’mon man, think about what you are saying. I am a Leaf fan of 43 years and I have seen GM after GM who have thought the way you do. Stop saying things are not too bad…they are very bad! I love the Leafs, but they have made the playoffs once in the past 8 years. It’s time to break it down and rebuild.
For all you people who say why rebuild again, i ask you, what do you mean again. If you give me an example from the past 20 years, i ask you, do you know what a rebuild is?
i would hate to see the leafs miss the playoffs for the next 5 years, but if it means people are saying “hey those leafs could be trouble this year” in years 6, then i say LETS DO IT!!!!
do you watch the games pashik!!? why do most leaf fans think they were in those games cause they didn’t allow 30 shots they looked and played terrible on that road trip! they got 1 goal for f*** sakes! just ugly hockey! thank you scott for not putting the rose colored glasses on and calling a spade a spade!
Honestly jello you have to have some issues, almpst guaranteed that you being a Habs fan are not watching a Leaf game when the Habs are on…such as last night, chances are pahshik is right….feel free to keep adding youre profound insight such as “Leafs suck” and views on the dynamic of a dressing room of a team you obviously cant stand…notice how 99% of the people on this site dont even aknowledge you anymore? lol go thru the responces here today not one same as yesterday just 1 or 2 saying you dont know what you are talking about…now go ahead do youre little routine where you call me a name or other such nonsense.
they don’t argue cause they know im right!! why don’t you go whine to lol again honestly cant believe you did that! lol
* whine to lyle
I find this kind of amusing people saying Leaf fans would have the patience to go thru a rebuild similar to the Oilers and some others…they are the same people who look at the Western road trip and since Horachek has taken over as a true indication of the team, and its only been 6 games…Alot are the same people who are the ones who want to ship out guys like Rielly Kadri Gardiner and deal draft picks away, and were the same as the ones on here 2 weeks ago saying the 9 wins in 11 games was different this time…lol Good teams draft and develop well and dont need top 5 picks.
Optics are funny things. It is all tprelative to what you see. I admit not wart hint the Leafs play. I am glad to hear they are not tanking. I was hoping it wasn’t so. Now that this horrid western trip is over the leafs can start scoring a few goals.
Wonder if they can now get more than 1 a game?
how old are you i’m thinking 10 to 12
Love the trolling, I am 35 in March. But still watch hockey like I was about 16. 12 is a bit to low. Sorry for my typos “wart hint” was suppose to be watching, obviously a letter got missed and well I rather the spelling error be ther rather than the auto correct but it is what it is.
Dee FYI the red wings were called the dead things before Babcock. I know it’s hard to talk about things you know when you don’t know much.
Ron – I think you are the one showing you don’t know much since the Wings started their playoff streak long before Babcock and won 3 cups with a coach named Scotty Bowman (maybe you’ve heard of him). They were the dead things back the 70’s and in the early 80’s before Illitch bought the team in the mid 80’s and brought in Jim Devellano over from the Islanders which started the change for the team. Wings were still a good team when Babcock got to Detroit with future hall of famers like Yzerman, Shanahan, Chelios and Lidstrom to go along with Datsyuk, Zetterberg and other young players in their primes. It’s not like he took over a team with no direction, no leadership and in turmoil. I don’t know where Babcock will be coaching next season but I also strongly doubt he will want to be in that circus called the Leafs when he can pretty much go anywhere he wants and name his price with any team.
Aaah Jr Babcock has not been coach for 22yrs for Deteoit.
Facepalm
It was probably the worse possible timing in firing carlyle. I kind of feel bad for horacheck. They weren’t going to come out of this road trip good no matter what. I could have told you that at the start of the season. The one thing that sucks is they are now out of the playoffs. Done. And now they have 8 games which they will climb out of the top five draft picks. This is where management in the past has failed at takin a direction and shanahan and co need to change that this year. Start the sale early, bozak, lupul, even phaneuf need to go
Agree. Let’s see what the team does by mid-February. Everyone who paid attention knew that this past week would be the hardest one of the season.
Give Horachek a chance for the next while and we’ll see how the Leafs are playing then. I expect them to get on a roll.
I honestly hope they don’t get on a roll. This team is going no where soon. Better to make some moves now. Not going to get McDavid or eichel but maybe Strome ?
agreed. Sell n Tank quickly and badly.
YOU GUYS HILLARIOUS …..HAAAAA…they are loosing now without having to tank …
They have 1 Goal in 4 games …LMFAO
Thats what they are doing now !!!
You dont have to sell and crash quickly …dont do anything it might help you !!!
LMAO
It’s definetly not good but take it in context as well they just played 4 or the best teams in the nhl. All in 6 nights. Not excusing the limited goals but they aren’t as bad as shown either. This is the fear though that they now are playing teams either under them or around them in the next 8 games and this is where thy are going to put themselves in no mans land in regards to the standings.
it doesn’t matter what kind of teams they just lost too the coach just got fired most teams it would light a fire under! there forward have only scored 1 goal on the road In 6 games!
Disagree. First game in la they should have scored but Jones played good. As much talk as you’ve heard about leafs not scoring not once has credit gone to the opposing goalie. After la I can’t make an excuse they seemed to generate less and less. buy like I said when a team plays bad credit is never given to the opposing team for maybe playing good and limiting that team.
you don’t even know how to spell lose. Enough said
Me neither, that always gets me. Lose, loose, loss. I get confused. Montreal had a great coach who couldn’t even read. Funny how ones spelling equates to ones intelligence on boards along the good O”internet. I have diplomas and degrees beyond high school but spelling always got me. Hmmmm…..but I accepted it, we all have strengths and weaknesses. I guess that is why I am not a journalist or novelist. I suppose it is my lack of interest that retards my spelling.
If ROR is available at the deadline or in the summer, the Leafs should push hard to get him.
If ROR resigns with the Leafs I would offer JVR, Franson or Polak + picks / prospects (not named Nylander or Rielly).
Thoughts?
I wouldn’t trade brown either, he looks like he could be a player!
You’re right! He looks promising playing for the Marlies. But you have to give something to get something.
I just thought JVR could replace ROR on the wing for the avs. And in addition they get a d-man they need so desperately. And to sweaten the deal I would add that pick or prospect, because there will be a bidding war for ROR. Good centers don’t come cheap.
Seems like that could possibly be getting in to things that have plagued this team over the past several years…emptying the cupboards for a fix. I like the idea of dealing for OReilly but only to a point. Other teams have good young center depth that may be interested in a guy like JVR or some of the other pieces the Leafs would be able to offer. Imo I wouldnt empty the cupboards for ROR. The Leafs need a big strong centre true but they need alot more than that aswell. Id take a younger prospect type center if the cost was that high. Grow the team properly dont try and rush it.
@Shticky: Why is a trade including JVR and Franson / Polak + a pick / prospect emptying the cupboards?
There is no guarantee that Franson resigns with the Leafs! If he’ll resign it’ll cost the Leafs a lot and they have already cap issues.
So what do you think it’ll cost to get ROR and would you offer that much? What other teams good young centers have you in mind?
Not so much Polak, but Franson could be a wise resigning for a team that needs D along with JVR plus throwing probably a high pick and a prospect like Brown on top of that is 4 younger pieces (Franson in noway old at 26), I think there may be other guys who maybe not quite as ready as OREILLY that could maybe a better option going down the road. JvR imo is a very good trade chip on his own for a team looking for a proven producer to play in their top 6 at a very affordable contract. I dont think you should throw everything including the kitchen sink at one player when there are so many holes to fill going down the road. Just my opinion.
lets get this out of the way right now franson is not resigning with the leafs unless they severely overpay( could happen with nonis I guess?) they screwed him around not signing him long term with 2 1 yr deals! he will be traded for a good return at the deadline to a team that wants to make a run! and ror is going to Toronto rielly will be in the return other teams will out bid the leaf if he isn’t!
ROR with one year left at 6 is not worth JVR given his contract and ability. Franson, sure. Bozak, sure. Anyway, why do the Leafs want ROR when that just prolongs the rebuild? I hope they don’t do it.
I don’t understand that Dan39. If the leafs acquired ROR would he not be one of the centre pieces of the rebuild. How is that prolonging it,
Well you can look at ROR as part of the rebuild as a young good player but he makes the Leafs better right away and that means a worse draft pick. I’m thinking rebuild based on getting worse and getting good picks. That may be too far back and they could go for prospects first but either way I think they need to get worse short term to get better Lon term.
Ah, I gotcha. Thanks for clearifying,
That’s a huge overpayment. Jvr alone should get him. I know leaf fans overvalue their players but that’s a horrible undervalue. Franson and a prospect would be an overpayment.
Leafs need to move players out for picks. I like oreilly a lot but he won’t make the team that much better right now, if he is willing to join the rebuild however…
I would personally give nonis a handy if he can move phaneuf for oreilly. I think most people would give him gm of the year award!
matty….. franson ufa is at the end of the yr ad a prospect and that if still far from an overpayment!
phaneuf for o reilly is fair value, salary, and helps both teams. I’d find that offer hard to beat from the avs perspective unless they want prospects
backwards….. no way phaneuf for ror straight up??? geez that’s dumb if the avs trade ror they will get a lot more than phaneuf cmon
not considering other teams offers, just leafs and avs trade
@ Jello
Avs won’t do Franson for JVR straight up this year. They’d rather keep ROR for this year’s playoff push — Avs are 3 points out of wildcard, and ror’s gotten his game going the past 5-7 games. He is also the Avs only two-way center. Unless Avs are clearly out of playoff contention or offered a king’s ransom, I don’t think ROR goes anywhere this year.
ROR for JVR straight up is unlikely ever to happen, given that trades for ROR likely would start a bidding war. Leafs best hope for getting ROR is over the summer or even at the next trade deadline (2016). If it’s next deadline, maybe then ROR for JVR and a 3rd rounder or higher end prospect works (the third rounder/prospect is in because Leafs are dealing from position of weakness given likely demand for a ROR).
Ugh, I meant ROR for JVR, not Franson for JVR.
Don’t think Avs will want Franson in a trade — he’s another contract headache for them, like ROR, and while a good dman is not the clear #2 they need.
bad trade for leafs
2nd tier player for 2nd tier player
franson or bozak + 2nd would be fair
WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE!
FIRE NONIS …TODAY!!!!
HIRE SHERO AND BYLSMA …Babcock will not do a rebuild in Toronto
realistic changes
#1 ) Clarkson – BUYOUT -100% regardless of the $$$ penalty over time.
#2) Phaneuf – for 1 “A” prospects …not draft picks!
Because they finish to high in the draft….picks not a good return.
#3) Package Kessel & Gardiner – for a BIG top line power forward and a #2 defender and 1 “A” prospect.
#4… Keep …..Santorelli, JVR , Rielly
sign Bernier to extension NOW BEFORE HE BOLTS!
Start injecting youth into the team like Calgary did and let them win or loose …..just get them in there it wont make a difference they are loosing now anyways ( BAD LOL ) and are against the cap team ( what a joke )
…need guys who are hungry to make a name for themselves and earn contracts over the next 3 years…..have to see what these guys can do in the NHL regardless of the age.
…Connor Brown, Percy , Loov , Leivo
let Shero and Bylsma rate the rest of the guys to see what can be done in the off season …Kadri and Franson….RESIGN or trade before July 1st or at draft !
YOU KNOW THINGS ARE REALLY BAD WHEN…. MATT FRATTIN ….IS YOUR BEST CALL UP PLAYER!!!….NO HELP IN SIGHT !!!
Hiring Shero isn’t a bad idea! But Bylsma? He always had a very competive roster in Pittsburgh and it didn’t work the last years. Only worked in 2009 and the Leafs won’t have guys like Crosby and/or Malkin in the near future.
If they gonna do a full rebuild, the can easily absord Clarkson’s contract.
The Leafs won’t get much in return for Phaneuf. Maybe if they retain some salary, but that could haunt them later if he retires before his contract ends…
Same for Gardiner, his trade value is low at the moment. Let him play, give him a chance to be part of the rebuild.
Trading Kessel makes only sense, if they intense to do a full rebuild. He will net you a lot of nice pieces (picks/prospects) and they may have to take a bad contract in return (which would mean getting more pieces).
JVR is their best trade chip! He comes cheap and is young! So if the right offer is made….
I also would trade Winnik and Santorelli! Keep Rielly, Kadri and resign Bernier!
And then let them play… maybe it’s not to late for a McDavid or Eichel 🙂
@ JUSS
Low value for Phaneuf ..??? Really ??
Perron got a ….1st rounder and player ?
Over payment yes …Leafs need to trade for
quality 1 “A” prospects …not Draft picks
Clarkson’s contract is not so easily absorbed. It probably is absorbable by the money loaded leafs who get to spend the same as other teams but have less pressure on their spending as the money pit seems endless.
However I am digressig….
The other day I was watching hockey and Elliott freidman informed leaf nation and the rest of the world that Clarson’s contract contains 20 point something million dollars of bonuses and if this contract is bought out the Leafs would owe Clarkson 100% of the 20 point whatever dollars.
A difficult absorption for many. The leafs can likely easily toss the money out to cover it. Which goes back to my rant of a topic discussed the previous day’s, of how their money can ease pressure on contracts they sign as they can use money to fix the problem. Yet the cap is set the same for all teams the pressure is less on the leafs causing these horrible contracts. However this is a key reason why Clarkson can’t be traded.
I am not sure what has to be achieved for him to reach those bonuses but perhaps it is cheaper for the leafs to not buy him out and keep the 20 million of bonuses, and get something for their dollars as he will be at least on the team….just keep saying it leaf fans it makes all things better.
Supercalifragilisticexpealodotious…..keep saying it, it makes everything better.
If they buy him out they get almost no cap relief. The leafs will have to retain money in a trade involving Clarkson. That’s the only way Toronto gets any signifigajt cap relief
Forgot to write that ROR has to resign with Leafs.
Sh…! The response above was for Dan39….
I would be shocked if Toronto was able to move Kessel during the season. I’d even be more shocked if they could convince any NHL team to take on Kessels 8 per cap hit along with Gardiners 4 cap hit in the same trade. Not saying either can’t be dealt, but I doubt it’s the same deal. I also think that a top line power forward, a #2 d-man and an A prospect is gross overpayment.
Agreed, in fact Id be shocked even more if a team that is struggling to score sends away an 80 point player. If Kessel was to get traded (doubt it) it will be in the summer around (before) the draft, and it will be on his own. Only guys that ,ay move before then are the UFAs, possibly a Bozak Polak Reimer some of the depth types for later picks and second tier prospects. I am not sure Nonis will be making any big moves, or should be allowed to.
Agreed Shticky. I’m not dogging the value of either, but in the cap era moving 12 million in salary in one transaction is highly unlikely. Also agree that there are better moves to be made (and easier) than moving your top scoring winger.
First, I’m a Leafs fan. So I would be happy to get that “A” prospect, I just don’t believe they will!
Phaneuf’s cap hit is 7mil for another 7 years (hope it’s correct :-)). I like Phaneuf, but he’s not a no.1 d-man but he’s paid like one! I think he would be best suited as a 2-3. And 7mil. is a lot of money for a 2-3 d-man. Perron on the other side has a cap hit of 3.9mil. and is a scoring winger and not overpaid. Not comparable in imo. Just my thoughts!
Shane Doan is now 38 years old and if management is serious about a fire sale I wonder if he might not ask to be dealt for one shot at the cup. Doan is the type of player like Bill Guerin was when he was dealt to the Pens, brings all the grit and leadership and without the high expectations that came with Iginla.
If he said did go to management and ask for the trade I could see Montreal, Winnipeg, and Pittsburgh making some pretty serious passes at him.
Leafs this leafs that; have you ever seen a team get so much press for a team that has done so little!? the teams that are built for success have a common tread. a #1 goalie, #1 dman, 2 top centers and
a power forward and or scoring winger. What from this list do the Toronto Maple Leafs have? The scoring winger.
They have a #1 goalie, 2 #2 centres, a bunch of scoring wingers.
So hey need top centre, top Dman, I think a power forward. So many easy to obtain things hah
With the trade deadline approaching, player contracts and team’s relative cap space are critical factors when looking at trade options. Does anyone know of a site that can provide this information now that CapGeek has gone off-line?
I’ve been using hockeybuzz cap central. Doesn’t seem bad
Thanks!
God I love this site snd it’s arguments!!!!!
Ok I was hammered for coming up with trade ideas for Kessel the other day (deservedly so for some) so here it is.
What do you think Kessel is worth and please, give an example.
Also, what do you think the leafs could get for jvr? As much as we all say we want him to stay, he is worth a buttload on the open market.
Leafs could easily trade JVR and Gardiner for ROR and then can easily trade Bozak/Kadri for a scoring winger. IMO the Leafs would be better defensively at the end of the day. No team can succeed with Rielly and Gardiner on defense, one has to go. Too weak with both.
I don’t think the Leafs could “easily” trade Gardiner and JVR for ROR…..I don’t think Colorado is in the market for scoring wingers.
As i posted above, JVR as the centerpiece for ROR isn’t bad. Even if ROR plays more at wing for the Avs, somebody is needed to replace him. But I don’t think the Avs would want Gardiner. IMO their need a stay at home d-man.
Why do you guys keep saying JVR+ for ROR? JVR is a top line forward on almost any team. ROR is a second line, two way center. Then look at contracts, JVR has one of the best in the league, up there with Pacioretty, ROR is fully paid with only a year left. I think you’d have to add a conditional pick to offset that.
@Dan,
Remind me again why Colorado needs JVR? Then Remind me how ROR would greatly benefit Toronto……you see where I’m going?
Almost everyone down on the leafs because they lost the last 4 games, i am not a leafs fan but seriously did you see what teams they played in those 4 games Anahiem, LA, SJ and the Blues not easy teams to beat on any given night, so leaf bashers should calm down and relax, I believe Tor will regain its form back and if they do not they will get a great draft pick.
I actually enjoyed the losing string because:
1. I got to watch all the games on the west coast swing
2. leafs lost and I am hip to a high draft pick + reshuffle
3. I like defensive hockey and have waited 10 years to see 100% defensive coach, even if they don’t win
4. It exposes who cant play defense, and “probably” will disappear in playoffs (gardiner still has serious flaws / phaneuf is a step/thought too slow / Kessel is great offensively and that’s it).
I don’t need the whole season to determine this, I seen it since day one as most here do also. kessel is the only keeper of that bunch
I think the leafs are actually playing good. Could and will be better
Three things I noticed about the leafs still:
1. Same old usual suspects (see above)
2. Obviously scoring drought
3. No star player competes hard enough.
In the LA game they held their own hitting…that game had purpose (heart). In Anahein they played good and smart but got beat by better team again, again in ST. Louis.. but they didn’t hit/passion like the LA game (I know you cant hit every game), rather than learning the lesson from LA (champs) and doing what LA did to them to the next series of team the leafs face, they will continue ob playing shinny defense instead of shinny offense, while still lacking heart. The consistency to compete, is still lacking by the stars it shows when they don’t have offense to mask it
Leaf fans…STOP itching about how bad the Leafs are. What do you want? A proper rebuild is what I want. I guarantee if they go on a little winning streak right now Leaf’s brass and owners will feel good, be blinded by false sense of security and feel the need to only tweak things which WILL NOT WORK. Let them suck playing western teams, let them lose to Buffalo and Carolina…..let them lose the next 9 out of 10. WHY? 1. They will get a high draft pick. 2. Owners will finally give up and clean house which is what finally needs to be done with this team. 3. Did I mention high draft pick in a good draft?
People are getting way too far out of control with how high a pick they are going to get even if they keep playing bad, really doubt they could get in to the top 5. NJ Car Ari Edm and Buff would be just about impossible to get under.
1 the sched is alot on the road but some pretty bad teams coming up
2 I dont think the past few games is a reliable indication of how bad or good the Leafs are…teams just dont shoot 3.5 % for very long, especially a team that has shot around 12 % for years. Its almost the direct opposite of previous years, the Sh% and goalies are having un sustainable bad streaks. Not to say its all going to turn right around they are still bad but, realistically not bad enough to get in to top 5 picks, not going to matter if they strip it down or not.
No matter how good they play against those up coming weaker teams, they are still in need of a good center. If they’re not able to draft one in the near future and a player like Ryan O’Reilly is available they should push hard to get him. And if you want a good player back, you have to give some good things too. That’s why I thought JVR and Franson for ROR could be a good deal. If he hits the UFA market he can cash in big time. So we don’t know if he would resign with the Leafs. If the Avs don’t like Franson offer them Polak.
R O R
You guys value R O R wayyy to much. JVR is under valued and comes with GREAT contract ..you dont move a decent defender and goal scorer like JVR at his age together for R O R …no way !!!
totally agree
as far as I am concerned JVR is the only true untouchable/best player
-only defensively reliable forward on top line
– best value/salary on top line
– only player hits/goes to net on top line
If ROR had another 30+ goals season to show then I’d say very comparable players
I don’t think its a matter of overvaluing ROR…..What isn’t getting through is the lack of need for Colorado to land a scoring winger in return. JVR isn’t really curing the problem the AVS have right now. They have Landeskog, Iginla, Tanguay…….They don’t need JVR. The return is enough…..but it doesn’t make any sense what so ever from the Avs stand point. It would be like me saying Nashville sends Rinne to NY for Nash?????
agree nyr that’s why I don’t see ror going to the leafs they don’t have what Colorado needs and that’s defence
simple, if they do not strip it down, they will always be middle of pack going nowhere. Teams that win cup have some pretty stellar draft picks. Crosby, Malkin. Toews, kane, keith, Datzyuk, Zetterberg, Doughty, Quick, Kopitar, Perry, Getzlaf, Richards, Lecavalier. All had at least 2 stellar picks when they won cup. Getting picks 8-16 is NOT gonna cut it anymore. Trades are all but impossible….every team signs the best players for 20 years it seems…so free agency is only consisting of players past their prime. If a hot players do become available which is rare, you got 28 other teams to contend with. Leafs need to be garbage for a few years. ONLY way this team has a chance of becoming a consistently strong team in future, you WILL NOT see Chicago, Anaheim, Pittsburgh, LA, Detroit…heck even NYI, Florida get shut out 3 out of 4 games. Florida and NYI has had some great high picks and it’s starting to show. They are passing the middle of Pack Leafs and will most likely be better teams then the Leafs for the next 5-6 years.
Wow Champ, you realize Kopitar was picked 11, ROR eas a second round pick Datsyuk was picked 171st overall, Zetterberg was 210th overall? Your examples of we need high draft picks like these guys is pretty flawed.
Keith 54th, Quick 72nd…lol
and the leafs suck at those late picks too! lol
Leafs can’t draft…they only sure about 1-2 picks
Bernier
http://video.mapleleafs.nhl.com/videocenter/
Does this look like a guy who wants to play the remainder of his NHL career for the T M L …..I know that hes an RFA but this is going to be a HUGE problem for the Leafs over the next 6 months and what are they going to do if they approach his reps and they say no to any deals the Leafs present to him early …..what do you do with Bernier if he doesnt want to stay and lets you know this before deadline this year…as it seems that Nomnis is starting contract talks with Franson so he will be inquiring with the Bernier camp as well very soon !
Iam thinking Bernier wants OUT …then what ?
http://video.mapleleafs.nhl.com/videocenter/
easy :
1. Force him legally to fulfill his contract. I believe just because your a RFA doesn’t mean you automatically get a new contract that year. In fact its stupid to do so (you lose a year at sacrifice of player leaving), unless the player is wanted AND he might leave, like you mentioned.
2. Trade him or let him walk.
From management in salary cap era, it is a very very fine line choosing when to invest long term and when not to. No guarantees and salary cap structure leaves very little options out.
please do not bring up Edmonton..they blew those 3 years. Hall is one trick pony…rnh soft as silk, yaks…nuff said.
Crosby & Malkin arguably in the top 5 best players in the world every year along with , Letang and Fleury only have 1 cup in 10 years !
So rebuilding from only #1 draft picks is just as much a crap shoot as anything else …..L.A is a mix of both youth and veteran leadership and the best goalie in the world ….and Chicago is a blend of veteran leadership skill and good coaching with a rough and tough offensive system ……any other teams under these guys can try and rebuild all they want with #1 draft picks ….
Even Stamkos and OVI…. is having trouble getting to the dance
IT MEANS DICK !!!
teams need to be built big and strong and 4 lines deep with both veterans and decent young fast players …and ROLL players to win.
Hi Guys, Okay not sure how many are Leafs fans here, how many have watched this team. The main problem is leadership. I would think the room should elect the captain, not a GM like Burke did. Who is wearing the A’s? Although he’s injured more than most Lupul would have made a better captain, IMO. But that’s neither here nor there as this season is 1/2 way gone and the Leafs aren’t anywhere near where Leafs fans want them to be in the standings. We have Gauthier coming, we have Percy coming, Nylander is coming, Kadri can play…and Riley is a brightest light of young guys right now (I like his “hockey sense”-good defensemen) the cupboard is not bare!!! Youth is not the problem, which makes Gardiner expendable and affordable for other teams (L.A). People who think Gardiner will be better in the future need to realize something. He isn’t what this team, right now needs. He’s not a leader, he’s not physical enough in the playoffs (ie Boston and other physical teams hammer him a few times and he’s scared to touch the puck with confidence), his give aways and lack of commitment make him expendable to the Leafs right now. If the situation was different, and the Leafs had a great defense, then his current ability and skill set offensively would probably be an asset. But right now as it stands the Leafs need to trade him before the deadline for Mike Richards. Richards is seasoned, a centreman, and brings an appropriate skillset the Leafs need right now. The funk will continue, because Gardiner being traded to LA for Richards is only one of the pieces of the puzzle. Phaneuf and another player (Reimer?) to Edmonton gets rid of Phaneuf, enough, end of story, experiment over, Edmonton gets a top 4 defenseman, Leafs free up some cap space and get something in return to prepare for Kessel and ???? for First over-all pick to get Connor McDavid… You know not many other teams have been a sad sack like the Leafs for so many years. When was the last time the Leafs had the first over all pick???? Wendal Clark??? Gary Nylund??? This team should look like this next year:
Lupal-Bozak-Eberle (Phaneuf/Reimer/Pick)
Santorelli-Richards(Gardiner)-Kadri (yep I’d move him to the wing)
Clarkson-Gauthier-Komorov
Orr-McDavid(Kessel/van Riemsdyk)-McLaren
(Holland, Bodie, Winnik, Kozun, Frattin, Panik-not the best supporting cast)
Riley-Franson
Polak-Holzer
Percy- Robidas
Ward (Bernier)-Fasth(Phaneuf/Reimer/Pick)
That’s what I’d do, blow up that 2014/15 roster and change the culture of that dressing room!
OH BOY …..YIKES
Hi Martin ….
with any replys you get today on your post please dont be afraid to post here again ….the guys in here are pretty good guys …you just need a little razing to make you part of the group ….
Keep your chin up kid !
hahaha inititation
Leafs need Richards like they need another Clarkson. The only talks on Richards are LA inquiring about whether they’d take him – Leafs are in bad shape and even if Richards made them better he just brings them a worse pick (Richards isn’t the difference between them and the playoffs). Thankfully, Leafs don’t have the cap space to do something that stupid. Leadership – I don’t ever want another leadership move again! That’s what brought us Clarkson and nearly Bolland. Good god if we had Bolland at 5×5 we’d be even more deeply buried.
@ Dan 39
they took Bollands money and gave it to Gardiner for 5 years what the f–k is the difference !
Wasted either way !
Phanuef
Gardiner
Clarkson
= $17 million per year
Plus
Kadri & Kessel
= $29 million per year for 5 players of that caliber.
OH MY …thats almost half the cap in those 5 players this year .LMFAO
How does Nonis have a job ???
Shanny WAKE UP !!!!
@ Dan 39
O M G and how could I forget …what Nonis called his most important signing of this off season .LMFAO
Robidas @ $3 million for 3 YEARS …BLAHAAAAAAAA OMG
= $ 32 million in 6 players
Kadri is not the problem!
But $17million for Phaneuf, Clarkson and Gardiner looks scary! As a fan of any other team I would have a good laugh!
Of those contracts only Clarkson is totally unmovable. Lebrun was recently on TSN saying so – I believe that, look at the Staal deal. You can laugh if you want, but plenty of other GMs would have got in on Phaneuf on the open market at 7×7,and believe me I hate the guy. Reality is he’s a solid number two playing with a solid 3-4 guy in Franson on a team where the forwards only started back-checking a few games ago.
Orr-McDavid-McLaren would be your 4th line??? LMFAO!
Really Orr and McLaren over Holland, Winnik, Kozun, Frattin and Panik? Come on… at least those guys can play hockey. Orr and McLaren can only fight!
Thank god you’re not the GM of the Leafs! Assuming your trades happen (doubt any of them would), your roster would compete for the first overall in 2016!
@Martin
While changing the culture is probably the right way to go, I dare say some of your dreams are a little far fetched.
The idea that the Oil or (my) Sabres are in the market to trade a generational player for a goalie and a scoring wing is laughable.
None of the teams in the bottom five are going to trade unless its with each other and the top two are not trading for anything. Those are the facts.
Realistically, the Leafs may be able to trade for Strome if they get really lucky, but the rest is pie in the sky.
Sorry, my friend….it’s not going to be possible.
I’m not even going to mention the trades..they are wishful thinking as well.
Richards does not make sense financially for Toronto, but I think we he would be a good fit in Ottawa. The Senators are missing some grit, intensity and leadership that Richards could provide, and they have loads of cap space. They need to build a winning culture, not just pile up young prospects and teach them how to lose (like Edmonton). Dude is only 29 years old and buried in a very strong LA depth chart, I think he has more to contribute on a younger team.
You want grit, intensity, leadership, Leafs will gift wrap Clarkson for you plus hold back max salary. I’m joking, but we’re paying the price in TO for management over-valuing these things over hockey-ability.
Hello Again! I know on paper this proposal looks crazy, but really would they fare any worse??? They need a change, they need to change that losing is acceptable. Honestly, with the money Kessel is making where is the incentive to change? Orr and McLaren are put in the game to keep the elite players safe. If the Leafs trade for the number one pick, he’s gonna need protection!!! I prefer clean hockey, in an ideal situation trading away Kessel, Gardiner, Phaneuf, Bernier, van Riemsdyk would be nuts. But this is an insane situation and the tough teams are tough! And it requires DRASTIC action. Shanny has the gonads to get the job done, let’s hope he makes these trades I propose. Nonis needs to go, and Detroit’s coach should be made priority. Every day wasted gives the other teams the advantage. The Leafs need a proactive approach, not a wait and see, there is a hole in the levee. Every game that passes, elite player’s value depreciates!!!
Trade Phil, Dion and Morgan to the Oilers for Hall and there first and start the rebuild. You get rid of two problems and a promising young D- man for a young star and maybe another franchise player. Leafs need big change not small little moves.
Why would Edmonton want that trash.
Hall is better then all three and the first rounder could be a top two.
Hall’s production simply isn’t as good as fat Phil’s and neither play a defensive game so how you get to Phil + Dion is beyond me let alone + Rielly as well Lol. And Hall isn’t going anywhere according to Mac.
Lets see, Colorado have 3 centermen that are practically all 1C’s, so why not try to pry out Duchene with ROR? Bozak + Gardiner + Lupul + 2015 1st for ROR + Duchene
LOL! Nonis would automatically named gm of the decade if he could convince sakic to do this trade!
Bozak is a 2nd line center, lupul is injury prone, Gardiner is a overpaid offensive d-man with defensive weaknesses + a pick probably between 5 – 15 won’t land duchene abd ror!
Hello, it starts in net. Cam Ward for Jonathon Bernier. Then veteran leadership Jake Gardiner for Mike Richards. Once Kessel and van Riemsdyk are traded later this season for the number one pick, trade Phaneuf and Reimer for Eberle and Fasth. All of this is do-able. But the longer Shanny waits to get rid of Nonis, the longer the suffering will continue in the seats. Morgan Riley, Cody Franson, Stuart Percy, Korbinian Holzer, Stephane Robidas and Roman Polak are not a dream team. But they are not the problem at this time. Phaneuf and Gardiner would do well on another team. Eberle and Mike Richards would help to change it up. The defensemen are looking to Dion Phaneuf for leadership, the Leaf fans are looking for him to make the opposition pay for crossing the Leafs blueline…and the shot from the point that was once feared…Get Phaneuf off home to Edmonton!
Bernier for Cam Ward I can’t see. Cam Ward was great in 2006 (?) and is competent now. Th idea with Bernier is that he’s good and will get better and has a lot of years left. I wouldn’t even trade Reimer for Ward.
Nah..the Leaf’s are fine, just leave them the way the team is..
LOL!!
Pens look GOOD!!!! No need to change at all….. the D and Goal tending has been STELLAR the last few years in the playoffs!!!!
My wife bought me a Richards jersey for Valentine’s Day several years ago. Killer gift. Got it autographed when Philly came to Columbus. Killer, right? Signed a 10 yr deal and I thought he was a Flyer forever. Bobby Clarke 2.0. A trade and 2 cups later he’s a 4th liner with a albatross contract. How things change…
Mike Richards he’s only 30ish! Players that found new life in Toronto: Gary Roberts, Alex Mogilny, Darcy Tucker, Steve Thomas, Eddie Belfour, Glen Anderson, Doug Gilmour and Grant Fuhr. All said to be “washed up” or on the downside of their career when they arrived in Toronto. If the Leafs trade for Richards and bring in Eberle, you’ll see a difference. Both would be moral boosters to this team and the fans. Bring in Roberts as the strength and conditioning coach. Bring in some ex-Leaf’s to be behind the bench.
More like retirement contracts in Toronto. How can u lump in Richards with them anways.
As for pulling Eberle outta thin air who goes the other way?
I think Eberle and a combination could be pulled out of Edmonton for Dion Phaneuf and Reimer. They’ll never part with Hall or RNH, but maybe Eberle.
Four things that need to be done now even if no trades occur:
1. Strip that C from Phaneuf
(two coaches with two completely different approaches to the game were fired under his captaincy)
2. Bring up an enforcer or two
(this forces opposing teams think twice about getting rough)
3. Leave the Bozak-Kessel-JVR line intact
(these guys need to maintain their trade value).
4. Put everyone on the trade block, listen to all offers.
(Unfortunately the current elite Leaf players lack the intensity of Wendel Clark, the resilience of Mats Sundin, the determination of Doug Gilmour and the leadership of Darryl Sittler).
Looking around the league who has this?
PK Subban?
J Thorton?
J Taves?
R Getzlaf?
Trade the team away, start from scratch. Tank now and get that top pick.
Real unlikely if you look at the points, the Leafs are getting under teams like the Oilers Sabres and the Yotes…its more than the Leafs would have to lose alot of games the bottom 4 or 5 would have to win a pile to catch up, Sabres are in the middle of what 10 losses? Arizona, and the Oilers are still in the west sooo…the Leafs are not getting a top pick.
What about trading Bernier to Edmonton along with Phanuef and Gardiner for Eberle, Petry, Pittsburgh’s 2015 1st and Edmonton’s 2nd rounder in 2015. If you are going to start a rebuild, then Bernier is going to want to walk. Reimer can carry the load for 3 years while the Leafs focus on retooling the lineup in a different direction.
Voynov Is not coming back this season. His trail hasn’t even started yet! Plus DL doesn’t think he’ll be back this season either. So LA can pull of a trade of a high end ticket player
Bernier’s weakness has been exposed, high glove hand. Yep trade him to Edmonton with Phaneuf for Eberle and ???