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wasting time 10-06-2003, 06:21 AM Another tough decision for JF soon.
I doubt he would accept a 2 way contract, so what do you do with this guy?
The articles about his return in the Sun and Star make it sound like he's a lock for the top 6. I'm not so convinced. He was getting his ass sent back down to the Rock when he got sick last year.
Since then he has been literally sitting on his ass for close to a year. I wonder if he has been able to even lift a barbell, because he was not able to do cardio.
He's a decent prospect; a better one than Hedin to be sure at 25, but what do you do? He is supposed to be available in 2-3 weeks for play.
Do you sign Pushor? and then release him to make room for Pilar to be the #7 guy until he can crack the top 6?
This is an interesting year.
Epoch 10-06-2003, 06:29 AM Klee obviously makes the top 6....take your pick of Jackman or Pushor.
Release Pushor now, if you need a 7th, Belak can get cozy in the press box. As for Pilar, he should sign a 1 yr two way to prove he can get back to where he was two seasons ago. Hasn't proved anything but a decent playoff up until the break in his hand.
p.l.f. 10-06-2003, 06:46 AM pilar will need about 10 games in stjohns
Epoch 10-06-2003, 06:48 AM pilar will need about 10 games in stjohns
More than that. He just came off of a dangerous virus. He won't just whip right back into form.
DocHolliday 10-06-2003, 03:02 PM He hasn't accomplished anything in the past 18months. I'm sure he'll take a 1 year 2 way deal just to prove he can play. If he's got half a brain he can surely see that St.Johns isn't so bad because their should be plenty of opportunities to crack this years blueline.
sluggo* 10-06-2003, 03:19 PM Pushor has already been released.
Pilar will have to spend at least a couple months on St. Johns, he hasn't played in a while, and won't be able to just step into the Leafs line up, even as a #7. The Leafs starting defense will probably be Klee, Kaberle, Jackman, Berg, Marchment, Kondratiev. Once McCabe gets back either Jackman or Berg will be moved to the #7 spot or Kondratiev will be sent to St. Johns (depending how people are playing). If they make a trade for a defenseman (and don't give up one of their active D-man, I think Berg is a likely man for a trade) that would push more one guy out of the starting 6. The Leafs have good depth at defense, they are just missing the top guys.
Mike1 10-06-2003, 03:23 PM If he's healthy he should be signed.I don't think it's a tough decision at all.Pilar has showed he has the talent to be a top 4 guy.
Pinto 10-06-2003, 03:27 PM If he's healthy he should be signed.I don't think it's a tough decision at all.Pilar has the showed he has the talent to be a top 4 guy.
took the words right out of my mouth
Pushor has already been released.
Pilar will have to spend at least a couple months on St. Johns, he hasn't played in a while, and won't be able to just step into the Leafs line up, even as a #7. The Leafs starting defense will probably be Klee, Kaberle, Jackman, Berg, Marchment, Kondratiev. Once McCabe gets back either Jackman or Berg will be moved to the #7 spot or Kondratiev will be sent to St. Johns (depending how people are playing). If they make a trade for a defenseman (and don't give up one of their active D-man, I think Berg is a likely man for a trade) that would push more one guy out of the starting 6. The Leafs have good depth at defense, they are just missing the top guys.
Problem with your plan SLUGGO is that at Pilar age he is only allowed to spend a 2 week / 14 day conditioning stint in the AHL , otherwise he has to be put on NHL waivers to go done and HE WILL NEVER CLEAR.. if as you say he is healthy...
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1065391809428&call_pageid=1044442959412&col=1044442957278
Pilar hasn't played a game since Dec. 28 so even he knows it would be foolhardy to think he could immediately step back in at the NHL level. The 25-year-old has battled back from a serious viral infection that knocked him off skates for months and ultimately weakened his heart. The condition was very much like post-concussion syndrome with Pilar suffering headaches, dizziness and fatigue whenever he'd attempt exercise.
Once signed and once in game shape, the assumption is Pilar will claim a spot on the blueline. He showed the potential to be one of the club's top four defenders before he was felled by illness.
Pilar has met with general manager John Ferguson and the defenceman said he's prepared to report to St. John's for a 14-day conditioning stint, once signed. That would give the club a chance to assess him in game conditions without putting him on waivers.
Ferguson declined to say how contract negotiations are proceeding and said the team is just trying to get a feel "for where he's at physically."
sluggo* 10-06-2003, 03:35 PM "Pilar has the showed he has the talent to be a top 4 guy"
Yes he did, but 2 years ago in one playoff run. He was a very good prospect, but he hasn't played in almost a year because of his health problems. I would sign him, but definatly to a 2-way deal, and Pilar does have to prove that he can still play at that level before he can make the Toronto team again.
sluggo* 10-06-2003, 03:40 PM The Messenger - thats the **** about the business side (and I don't know all of the rules, I thought they could sign him to a 2-way contract or after a specific date and get around the waivers thing). If Kondratiev can hang in their early on and shows he can play at the NHL level now, would you want to take a chance on Pilar or stay with Kondratiev? Or who would you put on waivers to protect Pilar (assuming thats how it works).
Maybe working out a trade deal involving Pilar (which would make a package a lot more attractive) then signing him and trading him right after would make sense. The Leafs do have good defensive depth right now, and unless they are planing to trade one of those guys away I'd rather keep the group they have now then take a chance on Pilar, who might not be able to play like he did before he got sick.
The Messenger - thats the **** about the business side (and I don't know all of the rules, I thought they could sign him to a 2-way contract or after a specific date and get around the waivers thing). If Kondratiev can hang in their early on and shows he can play at the NHL level now, would you want to take a chance on Pilar or stay with Kondratiev? Or who would you put on waivers to protect Pilar (assuming thats how it works).
Maybe working out a trade deal involving Pilar (which would make a package a lot more attractive) then signing him and trading him right after would make sense. The Leafs do have good defensive depth right now, and unless they are planing to trade one of those guys away I'd rather keep the group they have now then take a chance on Pilar, who might not be able to play like he did before he got sick.
Well Waivers is certainly not your strength... Once the waiver draft is over which it is ... There is no such thing as putting another player on waivers to protect a different player.. If you want to send a player that qualifies by the waiver rules to the AHL ..He and He alone is eliglble to clear or picked up by another team..has absolutely nothing to do with any other teammate, and Pilar when signed can only spend a 2 week conditioning stint in St Johns..
Second Kondratiev stay has everything to do with McCabe missing 3 to 6 weeks and not really Pilar at all.. He is an injury replacemant for McCabe, and will be farmed out probably when he returns.
Your idea of trading Pilar without signing him first is possible, but even as you stated earlier not playing Hockey or any activity for nearly a year and recovering from a rare heart virus, with only a strong playoff 2 years ago on his resume..
HOW MUCH TRADE VALUE WOULD HE HAVE??
So its back to the sign him and them personally if they did I DO NOT think they would risk losing him, and therefor would try to send either Poni or Perrott to the minors, if Pilar is part of the 23 man roster.. Both of them would have to clear as well but the value of a young Dman in higher than 4th line wingers so Leafs barring a trade would probably rather lose one of them..
the only other solution is , if another Leaf player is injured and placed on injured reserve then Pilar can take that roster spot temporarily but that ends when the player comes back..
sluggo* 10-06-2003, 04:14 PM "Second Kondratiev stay has everything to do with McCabe missing 3 to 6 weeks and not really Pilar at all.. He is an injury replacemant for McCabe, and will be farmed out probably when he returns. "
Maybe, but hes out playing Berg (which he did in the pre-season) guess whos going to be moved to the #7 spot, not the better of the two. Kondratiev has an opertunity right now, and if he makes the most of it he could earn himself the #6 spot which is bergs right now.
"Your idea of trading Pilar without signing him first is possible, but even as you stated earlier not playing Hockey or any activity for nearly a year and recovering from a rare heart virus, with only a strong playoff 2 years ago on his resume"
Alone, he be would worth nothing, which is why I said make him part of a package. A package of Domi and second round pick is only worth so much, but you add a young defenseman who can be a top 4 guy and some teams would be willing to take that gamble (your not goign to get Blake for him, but you might get a Zhitnik).
"So its back to the sign him and them personally if they did I DO NOT think they would risk losing him, and therefor would try to send either Poni or Perrott to the minors, if Pilar is part of the 23 man roster.. Both of them would have to clear as well but the value of a young Dman in higher than 4th line wingers so Leafs barring a trade would probably rather lose one of them"
I wouldn't lose any sleep if the leafs lost Pony, they have lots of future 3rd and 4th liners in their system.
Brock 10-06-2003, 04:19 PM If Pilar can work himself back to form by the all star break, it would be a HUGE boost to this club.
"Second Kondratiev stay has everything to do with McCabe missing 3 to 6 weeks and not really Pilar at all.. He is an injury replacemant for McCabe, and will be farmed out probably when he returns. "
Maybe, but hes out playing Berg (which he did in the pre-season) guess whos going to be moved to the #7 spot, not the better of the two. Kondratiev has an opertunity right now, and if he makes the most of it he could earn himself the #6 spot which is bergs right now..
That's fine... Quinn has stated a young guy will not be #7, but you are forgetting about the fact that this thread is about Pilar..
If you rank in any order you like
1) Kaberle
2) McCabe
3) Klee
4) Marchment
5) Jackman
6) Kondratiev
7) Berg
Where does that put Pilar??.. which again is the point of this thread.. and they also still have Belak as well as a Dman spare???
Doesn't really matter if you rank Kondratiev 6 or 7 someone still has to go in order to get Pilar in the lineup...
sluggo* 10-06-2003, 04:33 PM Which is why I said put him in St. Johns, but if they can't and Kondratiev is playing at a good NHL level then I would either let him go, or work out a trade, then sign him and trade him. Vitim of the numbers game.
sluggo* 10-06-2003, 04:40 PM I don't know if they own Pilars rights or not, if they do they can always trade those.
Which is why I said put him in St. Johns, but if they can't and Kondratiev is playing at a good NHL level then I would either let him go, or work out a trade, then sign him and trade him. Vitim of the numbers game.
That is why I said originally that Pilar has nothing to do with it..
When Leafs get McCabe back..
They will have
1) Kaberle
2) McCabe
3) Klee
4) Marchment
5) Jackman
6) Berg
with Belak as the 7th dman in the press box
7) Belak
Whether you want to dump, trade, cut, waive Pilar and call it a numbers game young Kondratiev is also a victim of the numbers game but well before Pilar is signed and ready to go... Do you also suggest the do the same with Berg, Jackman or Belak as well ...just to keep Kondratiev on the team???
A team as week on Defense as Toronto is supposed to be and you recommend losing 2 just to keep Kondratiev, because trades pre CBA is going to be tougher than before
I would not call that good asset management..
sluggo* 10-06-2003, 04:51 PM First, what I'm saying, all dependson how well Kondratiev plays. If Berg out plays them its not an issue, send him to st. Johns. I also wouldn't call Belak the #7 d-man, but the 23rd man on the team since he can play both positions.
I'm also saying that unless Pilar shows that hasn't lost a step at all in almost a year (which he probably has) then hes the one that will have to be let go. I'd rather move Berg to the #7 position and keep Kondratiev in if hes playing well then take a risk on Pilar (which is will pretty much have to be when he returns). As for a trade, if you removed Berg and Pilar in a trade for a defenseman, you giving up two but getting one (a top level D-man, which is what they need) back so they'd only be giving up one defenseman, who isn't on the roster.
I don't know if they own Pilars rights or not, if they do they can always trade those.
Yes Pilar is currently a Restricted Free Agent, belonging to Toronto but unsigned... no different than Gaborik being a RFA to Minnesota...
but Pilar's rare virus, makes signing a contract a tricky thing never mind all the roster problems it causes once he is signed, and I repeated he would have very little trade value because of it, even if you threw him into a package...
What would make most sense would be to leave him unsigned for the time being and then sign him as an injury replacement should one of Toronto's top 6 get injured or Kondratiev not pan out..
sluggo* 10-06-2003, 05:01 PM "Yes Pilar is currently a Restricted Free Agent, belonging to Toronto but unsigned... no different than Gaborik being a RFA to Minnesota"
I know what a RFA is, but that means he can be traded without having to be signed.
"but Pilar's rare virus, makes signing a contract a tricky thing never mind all the roster problems it causes once he is signed, and I repeated he would have very little trade value because of it, even if you threw him into a package"
First I'm not sure when he is going to start skating (or if he already has). If he has been skating for a while he would gain some more trade value. And if a team is close to making a deal with the Leafs, and player like Pilar with a lot of potential could be what tips the scale, making them go for the trade, maybe not but maybe.
"What would make most sense would be to leave him unsigned for the time being and then sign him as an injury replacement should one of Toronto's top 6 get injured or Kondratiev not pan out"
If they don't trade him and he starts showing that he can play at the level he did before, or close to it (in practices or whatever) I'd sign him and move Berg down (as I understand it now, that would mean he can be picked up), assuming he plays the same as last year and in the pre-season and Kondratiev is playing well, and give Pilar Bergs spot on the defense.
First, what I'm saying, all dependson how well Kondratiev plays. If Berg out plays them its not an issue, send him to st. Johns. I also wouldn't call Belak the #7 d-man, but the 23rd man on the team since he can play both positions.
I'm also saying that unless Pilar shows that hasn't lost a step at all in almost a year (which he probably has) then hes the one that will have to be let go. I'd rather move Berg to the #7 position and keep Kondratiev in if hes playing well then take a risk on Pilar (which is will pretty much have to be when he returns). As for a trade, if you removed Berg and Pilar in a trade for a defenseman, you giving up two but getting one (a top level D-man, which is what they need) back so they'd only be giving up one defenseman, who isn't on the roster.
ON paper or in theory that may be fine
.. about packaging Pilar and Berg.. but that is not going to get you a top level Dman as you say Leafs need.
. Players even ones that are packaged together THAT YOU are Calling 7th and 8th on the depth chart and victims are not going to get you that Dman.. Even if you could get rid of Berg in a package then most likely it is going to cost Carlo or Maxim in that package along with another roster player probably Tucker to get a decent or Top level dman.. NO ONE will want PILAR, UNSIGNED, UNTESTED, or give you anything for him.. Which does not solve the LOGJAM unless you can make the perfect trade
... which I am saying is fine in theory...just like trading/getting rid of Reichel and his contract is ... EASIER SAID THAN DONE.....because he has been outplayed by others like Stajan ..But it doesn't matter..Stajan just like the Kondratiev situation, will not pass Reichel on the depth chart no matter how well he plays.. The kids are the victims of the numbers game and thats how asset management works in the NHL... We don't have to like it and Leafs are in a no win situation, because when they try to make moves to make roster spots like the Green situation ...Fans start yelling Blue Murder ...and the next minute they are saying get rid of Berg, Pilar ..just to make room for a Kid ...
Can't have it both ways..
sluggo* 10-06-2003, 05:18 PM I don'tk now how many times I've said the Leafs will have to put a package together, including at least a prospect or high draft pick for a defenseman. Really, do I have to say this in each and every post I make where I mention a trade. I would assume people would just to know what I'm talking about after a couple posts. Your not getting anything for Berg and Pilar, but you throw in a first round pick or Bell and maybe someone like Domi and you could get something.
I don'tk now how many times I've said the Leafs will have to put a package together, including at least a prospect or high draft pick for a defenseman. Really, do I have to say this in each and every post I make where I mention a trade. I would assume people would just to know what I'm talking about after a couple posts. Your not getting anything for Berg and Pilar, but you throw in a first round pick or Bell and maybe someone like Domi and you could get something.
But the point you are missing in your ideal trade of Pilar & Berg and as you say Domi.. for 1 player ... Then the team you are trading them to will have the same roster problems as the Leafs have and are trading Berg and Pilar in the first place... The team that gets these players have to put them on their 23 man roster and remove at least 2 extra along with the one the Leafs are getting..
So that's the Big problem with your suggestion .. Not only do the Leafs get Quality for Quantity.. but the team they trade with losses the best player and if Berg and Pilar don't make their top 6 dmen and Domi fill a roster spot then it makes no sense for the other team to make a multi-player trade with Toronto..
Leafs have a suspect defense and you are ranking Berg and Pillar 7th and 8th...How many teams in the NHL would they all of a sudden be higher than that on their depth chart, and force the other team to drop, waive, cut, trade the 2 extra players to make the 3- 1 trade possible for Toronto.. NO ONE other than a real Young Team/Expansion team, and why would they trade their stud Dman, if they had one??
The Detroits, and Colorado, Philly's etc can't make a 3-1 trade no matter what the players are involved, because they have their own roster problems and the players they would have to get rid of are better than the ones Toronto is trying to dump on them..
In reality it is not going to happen..
"but Pilar's rare virus, makes signing a contract a tricky thing never mind all the roster problems it causes once he is signed, and I repeated he would have very little trade value because of it, even if you threw him into a package"
First I'm not sure when he is going to start skating (or if he already has). If he has been skating for a while he would gain some more trade value. And if a team is close to making a deal with the Leafs, and player like Pilar with a lot of potential could be what tips the scale, making them go for the trade, maybe not but maybe.
Here is the answer to when ???
Pilar wins heart battle
Unsigned defenceman skates with Leafs after getting medical clearance
By TERRY KOSHAN, TORONTO SUN
Welcome back, Karel Pilar. To what, nobody can say for sure.
The unsigned Maple Leafs defenceman was a surprise participant in the club's open practice yesterday at the Air Canada Centre after he was medically cleared by Dr. Michael Clarfield a day earlier.
Pilar had been battling a heart virus. The Leafs still want to put him through a number of tests, so when and where he eventually plays has not been determined.
"He won't initially be part of our decision (tomorrow, when teams have to submit a roster of a maximum of 23 players to the NHL)," coach Pat Quinn said. "Last year I thought he would be the guy but he wasn't (before he was diagnosed with the heart trouble). We need to get him back to playing form."
So although Pilar has been skating with his club team in Prague, his training camp essentially will get underway this week. That's absolutely no problem for the 25-year-old, who had seven points in 17 games last season.
"I'm happy because I have been waiting for this day for 10 months," Pilar said. "It felt great to be back out there skating with the guys again. I hope we can get (a contract) done as soon as possible."
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/Sports/2003/10/06/218406.html
You really need to be reading some of the papers to keep up with the info thats happening.. Because when others are talking about Pilar returning you need to be better informed when getting into a long discusson on the subject..
I enjoy the debate but, I never thought I would have to present the facts for both sides ..just my own point of view..
sluggo* 10-06-2003, 06:23 PM Man you have selective reading.
"Your not getting anything for Berg and Pilar, but you throw in a first round pick or Bell and maybe someone like Domi and you could get something."
You don't ahve to make roster space for prospects or guys the AHL, and MAYBE you can put Domi in that package as well. And its stupid to say "no one can take on 2 or 3 players" because teams make trades and pick up an extra player or two all the time, thats not a reason to say a trade won't happen, it all depends on salaries, what a team needs and what they think they can give up. Nor does the guy they get have to be their best player. If they are able to get Hamlrik (who they have talked about getting) then the Islanders are in fine shape. What you fail to get is that if a team sees an older defense man as expendable because they need some grit or a young team they aren't going to mind giving up "quality for quanity". Point and case the deals the oilers made last season, they definitaly game up quality for quanity, those situations will come up this year as well, the Sabers have already been in talks with the Leafs about giving pu Zhitnik.
BlueAndWhite 10-06-2003, 06:48 PM In the midst of this whole mess, I just want to ask a simple question;
Why the HELL does everyone think that Jackman is so secure in that #5 slot over Berg. I realize that there is a more than a slight anti-Berg slant prevalent on these boards, sadly. Jackman has looked good this preseason. Very good. But it is only preseason and it a very short stretch of games. Jackman is very inconsistent and this preseason excluded, I wouldn't see why ANYONE would pick Jackman over Berg.
Jackman has to prove that he can keep up this level of play. Then and only then IMO, does he get the #5 spot over Berg.
Man you have selective reading.
"Your not getting anything for Berg and Pilar, but you throw in a first round pick or Bell and maybe someone like Domi and you could get something."
You don't ahve to make roster space for prospects or guys the AHL, and MAYBE you can put Domi in that package as well. And its stupid to say "no one can take on 2 or 3 players" because teams make trades and pick up an extra player or two all the time, thats not a reason to say a trade won't happen, it all depends on salaries, what a team needs and what they think they can give up. Nor does the guy they get have to be their best player. If they are able to get Hamlrik (who they have talked about getting) then the Islanders are in fine shape. What you fail to get is that if a team sees an older defense man as expendable because they need some grit or a young team they aren't going to mind giving up "quality for quanity". Point and case the deals the oilers made last season, they definitaly game up quality for quanity, those situations will come up this year as well, the Sabers have already been in talks with the Leafs about giving pu Zhitnik.
Its not selective reading I am picking the parts that I do not agree with..
Yes multiplayer deals do happen but usually the formula is a roster player (McCauley) a propect( Boyes ) and a pick (1st) for Nolan.. and all about money or for young players that can still play on the farm for a Vet..
Lets take your Hamrlik example.. Do you honestly believe that NYI would trade him in a package that includes Berg & Pilar (which is the point of this thread) and then some of your Domi, Bell or pick?? .. Because if you do then I don't think you have a good feel for player values..
Even if NYI are trying to reduce Salary a 3-1 trade with Domi would cost more Salary wise than Hamrlik does.. So what would the point be..
Pilar and Berg and even a first (mid 20's) going to get you Hamrlik... Not even if Milbury is completely drunk..
and your Pilar and Berg & Bell (3 dmen in one package for the leafs) Yah right and that also is not going to get you Hamrlik..
So your proposals don't make sense for lots of reasons, not only roster spots but value wise.. In your offer it is going to take a heck of a lot more than your are offering and then your packages can be beaten easy by other teams if a bidding war begins for Hamrlik services...
So you had better be more specific as to the player your offer can get and the team you want to trade with because I can tell you lots on NHL teams could not take on 3 roster spots for 1.. and unless the prospects and picks are Tier I you are not going to pry quality from anyone, if you are attempting to package Berg with Pilar and something else unless that Something else is like Antropov is included..
You are not going to be able to dump Toronto's dead weight on another team and get quality in return.. Its just not going to happen..
and Also Leafs have the youngest and newest most inexperienced GM in the League and he is the one that has to pull this off...
In the midst of this whole mess, I just want to ask a simple question;
Why the HELL does everyone think that Jackman is so secure in that #5 slot over Berg. I realize that there is a more than a slight anti-Berg slant prevalent on these boards, sadly. Jackman has looked good this preseason. Very good. But it is only preseason and it a very short stretch of games. Jackman is very inconsistent and this preseason excluded, I wouldn't see why ANYONE would pick Jackman over Berg.
Jackman has to prove that he can keep up this level of play. Then and only then IMO, does he get the #5 spot over Berg.
I agree with you... I am a big fan of Jackman but he has to prove he is better than Berg, who was wearing an A on his jersey in some exhibition games.. The discussion as you strated out with even Kondratiev pushing Berg to number 7 on the depth chart, by Sluggo here ..
In Quinn's mind I would think that Berg could be anywhere from 4 behind (Kaberle, McCabe & Klee), even ahead of Marchment at times..
So I agree I am not a fan of Berg's because for his size if he wants to be a better Dman he has to use that better in front of Leafs net and get meaner.. He too often is a gently giant out there and this year without Lumme ruining him should be better..
Jackman has to prove that he can keep up this level of play. Then and only then IMO, does he get the #5 spot over Berg.
I find the whole fact that at least a few people have already labeled him as a solid #4 D-Man as amazing.
Just MHO of course.
BlueAndWhite 10-06-2003, 07:48 PM I find the whole fact that at least a few people have already labeled him as a solid #4 D-Man as amazing.
Just MHO of course.
Yeah. Well some fellow fans tend to be over-zealous at times. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the Jackman plays a solid rough and tough game (plus he's a good Canadian kid, eh Don?); which is enough to make you a better captain than Mats Sundin ever could be. So yeah, #4 D-man is not too much of a stretch.
:o
MORE GOOD NEWS>>>>>
PILAR OF STRENGTH
Defenceman Karel Pilar pronounced himself fit for duty with the Leafs after a final battery of tests the past two days to check the heart virus that sidelined him for almost a year.
"I feel I could play Saturday, but it will probably take me about two weeks to get into game shape," Pilar said yesterday. "I did all the tests, such as the V02 max on the bike, and I was fine."
Agent Mark Stowe and Leafs general manager John Ferguson were to talk this week about a contract that must precede any game action by Pilar.
"I haven't heard anything about the contract yet," said Pilar, who made $700,000 US last year.
Mike1 10-08-2003, 04:31 PM MORE GOOD NEWS>>>>>
PILAR OF STRENGTH
Defenceman Karel Pilar pronounced himself fit for duty with the Leafs after a final battery of tests the past two days to check the heart virus that sidelined him for almost a year.
"I feel I could play Saturday, but it will probably take me about two weeks to get into game shape," Pilar said yesterday. "I did all the tests, such as the V02 max on the bike, and I was fine."
Agent Mark Stowe and Leafs general manager John Ferguson were to talk this week about a contract that must precede any game action by Pilar.
"I haven't heard anything about the contract yet," said Pilar, who made $700,000 US last year.
Very good news.Hopefully it doesn't take too long for a contract to be worked out so Pilar can go for his conditioning stint as soon as possible.
RoadWarrior 10-08-2003, 05:19 PM Very good news.Hopefully it doesn't take too long for a contract to be worked out so Pilar can go for his conditioning stint as soon as possible.
I'm excited about Pilar. He's got as much upside as any of the leafs d prospects and it's great to hear that he's fully recovered. This guy is top four material with 40 games experience. He won't be sent on a conditioning stint because he'd take up a roster spot. Instead he'll workout with the leafs until he signs a contract and then the buds will demote a forward. Likely Stajan or Perrott. My guess is the buds will try to trade a tough guy + d-man before then in a 2 for 1 swap.
Mike1 10-08-2003, 07:57 PM I'm excited about Pilar. He's got as much upside as any of the leafs d prospects and it's great to hear that he's fully recovered. This guy is top four material with 40 games experience.
Pilar back & playing well would be a big boost for the Maple Leafs & would help ease the loss of McCabe for 3-6 weeks.
Pilar back & playing well would be a big boost for the Maple Leafs & would help ease the loss of McCabe for 3-6 weeks.
Only problem I see with that is that the minute they sign Pilar someone has to go down to St. Johns and I think the team wants to see how the kids Stajan and Kondratiev do before they move forward on Pilar..
Of Course a bad start to the season may move the signing sooner..
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