Could Maple Leafs veterans Dion Phaneuf, Joffrey Lupul, Nazem Kadri and Tyler Bozak inevitably follow Phil Kessel out of Toronto this season?
Will Nazem Kadri once again become the subject of trade rumors?
TORONTO STAR: Damien Cox recently reported there’s “a palpable sense” this season could be the last in Toronto for Maple Leafs veterans Dion Phaneuf, Joffrey Lupul and Nazem Kadri “unless they can demonstrate to the team’s braintrust they deserve and want to be Leafs.” While all have said they want to be, they must now prove it on the ice. Cox also suggested that the Leafs recent acquisition of winger Michael Grabner, who’s a UFA in July, indicates they’re gunning for a playoff spot.
TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby reports Leafs coach Mike Babcock isn’t sure if center Tyler Bozak is a top-line player without former linemate Phil Kessel. Babcock claims they’re going to make Bozak a better two-way player. The center acknowledged he’s been the subject of trade rumors “for six years now,” but claims he’s excited about the club’s offseason changes and the upcoming season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I have no doubt that, had there been willing buyers for Phaneuf, Lupul, Kadri and Bozak during the offseason, all would be skating with new clubs this season. If the media rumor mill is to be believed (and some of them were respected pundits), there was varying degrees of interest in those four, but a number of factors (salary, health, potential and current abilities) dampend their trade value. It also appears that, unless there were substantial returns coming the other way, the front office seemed uncomfortable with the complete roster teardown so many of us expected this summer.
So, after trading away everyone’s favorite whipping boy in Kessel (who, despite his flaws, was still the Leafs best player), the current brain trust will evaluate the remaining veterans to determine their respective futures in Toronto. Perhaps they’ll all improve under Babcock. Perhaps not. Some of them, possibly all four, could reappear in the rumor mill by midseason.
As for Grabner, that move was made more to shed some contracts and make room for other potential signings or additions before the start of training camp, not to make a run for the playoffs. Grabner will most likely be used as a trade chip later in the season to add a draft pick or a prospect.
The grabner trade for me was having the ability to sign a couple pto’s and to be able to pick up a player or 2 via waivers. I also think if grabner puts up some good points and is flip they could likely get a second or higher. The leafs players moved in trade might have gotten them 4th to 7th round picks, where as grabner being more household name if he plays well can get leafs a much better return. Yes I know its what if he puts up points and stays healthy, but he will have a chance to play in top 6 and if franson and gaustad got the returns they did u never know..
I grudgingly will concede Grabner could get the Leafs a second but I find it hard to beleive a player traded for 5 minor leaguers will then be flopped for a 1rst round pick.
Cox must be sniffing glue if he think the acquisition of the oft injured Grabner is a sign the Leafs are making a run for the playoffs. His best season in the last three years was 26 points. Grabner is a speedy, soft and brittle player who disappears when the going get tough, like the playoffs. I agree with you, Lyle, it’s more about what they gave up than what they acquired.
File that under Toronto Media Wishful-Thinking – a malaise that infects them every year at this time as they desperately cling to the hope that the local team will FINALLY give them something positive to write about after a decade of futility. And it’s understandable. Annoying as Hell, but understandable.
Grabner is fast as heck and he’s a good penalty killer. Looking at his as anything else is dilusional.
can’t keep your mouth shut i knew you couldn’t stay off this site
is that shticky? lol
Bozak and Kadri have been subject to trade rumors for most of their time in Toronto. No wonder these players have difficulty developing when they constantly dogged with the possibility of being shipped out. Bozak is a third line center on a very good team. Good player he can play on my club anytime.
Completely agree Hanson, I live near the city and it can be brutal sometimes. I’ll never stop being a die-hard fan, but if I were a player I might have my hesitations about playing here too.
And this is nothing new Durt, I have been watching the Leafs for the better part of 45 years. The Leafs have to create a culture so players want to come to Tronna and be part of their future. My hope is the new Leaf management, having seen the situation from the outside sees the cultural issues and deals with them.
It’s hard playing in places like NYC too, but at least in New York you have other teams and sports to distract the masses. Toronto is Leafs, 24/7 – 365 days/year.
I agree, I do not believe Kadri was shopped last year. But he was called out publicly by management, basically singled out for the Leafs’ trouble. That’s not going to help the kid develop.
Hopefully the media starts to tune them out a little, maybe with the Raptors and Jays doing so well recently it’ll take some of the focus away from the Leafs. It’s great when they’re winning, but we shouldn’t be expecting much in the next few years. Giving them the lions share of focus at this point kinda feels like nitpicking.
if the media is ” actually” affecting the players on the ice you have the wrong players on the ice or need a better team psychologist lol! when the puck drops players aren’t thinking about what the media has to say that’s absurd
Of course they have the wrong players Bigbear, that’s why we picked fourth overall. But when you’re a crappy team, developing young players in a negative environment can be difficult, that was the point. The media makes a bad situation worse. Nobody should expect this team to contend so answering “what’s wrong with this team?” A thousand times this year wont help anybody.
Nobody is accusing the media of effecting the players’ performance. The issue is more with the culture that surrounds this team. Leaf management not only has to bring in the right players, they need to create an atmosphere of winning similar to what exists in Chicago and Detroit. It’s not just the right players, it is the right culture and expectations. The Leafs have not had a workable culture since the early 90’s.
durt… if up and coming young players care what is being said outside of there coach they are not very focused that’s what babcock is there for! enough with the excuses the players have to do it themselves the media has nothing at all to do with it
The media needs to relent on the constant trade rumours that seem to be created to sell papers. Let these players play and when a trade happens evaluate it. Stop trying to ship every possible player in and out of Toronto
Kadri wasn’t being shopped this summer. Management said as much when they signed him to a “show me” contract. I believe the rest were, but it’s hard to move those contracts after such a dismal season.
My guess, Phaneuf and Kadri have a descent season and aren’t going anywhere, Lupul and Bozak will be traded at the first opportunity. Given their contracts that’ll probably be next year sometime.
dion is gonna continue to decline I agree I think kadri will have a good year but I also think they should move him if he has a good year seems like a bit of an enigma. bozak and lupul should have been gone this summer for whatever they could have gotten both contracts aren’t great
1. Damien Cox must have comprising photos to still be employed. Never got why he gets so much space. If someone can set me straight, that would be great.
2. Kadri is the Leafs best centre and has had what seems like litle support to mature as both a pro and a player (could be wrong here) trading him helps Kadri but does not help the leafs.
3. Doubtful the leafs can trade ANY player on their roster for their full value as their roster has little value to other teams.
4. Interesting to see what kind of player Bozak is sans Phil the thrill.
peace
5. When will people realise that NHL players are human and when hordes of media are released upon you on a daily basis asking insulting, repetitive questions and then being critical to the point of what would be considered defamation in any other profession in what is published and said.
then with every fan recording you through a cell phone when they see you away from the rink, so there is no time off.
this would affect all of us at our jobs no matter what our pay grade.
Peace
The Leafs are shaping up to be much like some past DET and NJ teams. very heavy emphasis on compete level and special teams. Play above your talent level or expect the boot. Whether they expect to make the playoffs of not, any player who is not trying to make the playoffs will be discarded. It is about drafting talent and then immersing them in a culture of hard work and winning.
Has Cox forgot all the pressers the Leafs have been having lately? They all say the same thing its not going to matter if they are 2 points in the playoff or 20 behind the 8 spot Grabner and all the other short term players will be available come deadline day, that is the “pain” part of this rebuild daid by every one in management.
Cox been sleeping thru all these press conferences the Leafs been having lately? That or he is really forgetful…the pain part of this whole thing is its not going to matterif the Leafs are 2 points up in eighth or 20 points behind 8 Grabner and all the rest of the short term guys will be available at the deadline. Every one in management has said the samething a little success or failure isnt going to sway the long term goal.
Damien Cox… sigh.