CBA contract limit for 1 year is 50. Maple Leafs + Marlies. So you have to keep that in mind when you draft. It's not that bad deal to have project players in tube developing slowly. If we can keep this system stacked, there will be time that we have those project players graduating every year..
Speaking of CBA and contract limits the 2 year window to sign drafted (non NCAA) prospects is closing midnight May 31st, 2012.
Will both need to receive Leaf contracts to retain their rights, before June 1st, 2012.
PS. That is also true for Sondre Olden and Josh Nicholls a pair of CHLers which remain unsigned at present as well.
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Signature: There is no greater demonstration of Fan patience then to suggest to "Play the Kids " and be willing to accept the consequences of those actions..
Biggs can't play for the Marlies next season he has only 3 options 1/ stay in collage
2/ Maple Leafs or 3/ plays for the Oshawa Generals who drafted Biggs
If Bigg's played in the OHL, then yes he would not be able to play in the AHL next season. NCAA there is a different clause.
It has been a very good second round for Brad Ross and the Portland Winterhawks. The winger exploded for four goals in a game 3 win over the Kamloops Blazers. He scored two shorthanded goals, one even strength goal and one on the power play. Check out the highlights of his big night. Wednesday during game 4, Ross had an assist and was a plus three in the 5-4 loss. Game five is Saturday in Portland.
After a slow start in the first round, Ross has eight points (six goals, two assists) and a plus six rating in the series. He currently sits ninth in playoff scoring in the Western Hockey League
Ross is coming along quite nicely too!! Woooohoooo!
So far as I know, all three of them are wingers. I'm hopeful that players like Ashton, Ross, Biggs and Mueller can play 3rd or 2nd line roles with us but I don't want to get my hopes up as they could all just as easily end up being fourth line tweeners.
(Hyper-optimism) Imagine a future forward line up of:
Lupul - Kadri - Kessel
Kulemin - Grabovski - Frattin
Ross/Ashton - Colborne - Ashton/Biggs
Ross/D'Amigo - Carrick? - D'Amigo/Deschamps
Pretty truculent, not a lot of goal scoring though I'm afraid. Of course there are no vets in this situation, just done for illustrative purposes.
Probably heading to the OHL, his rights belong to Oshawa. He's too young to play in the AHL.
Wrong. When you go the NCAA route you can choose to turn pro at any time. Its unlikely, but if Biggs did want to sign a contract with us now, he would be allowed to play for the marlies If the team thought he was good enough.
For proof look at D'amigo doing that last year after he played a season with RPI
Probably heading to the OHL, his rights belong to Oshawa. He's too young to play in the AHL.
What part of him saying "I'm committed to play at Miami for four years" makes you believe he will be in Oshawa? He'll be in the NCAA where his development is better served. He's one of a handful of players that will ultimately benefit from the NCAA route, and there is no indication that he has any interest in reporting to the Generals.
Not to mention, our GM is pro-NCAA. Biggs can focus on bulking up and adding even more strength, as their daily regimen in college includes being in the gym, and practice every day. He can work on his offense, and refine his puck skills further, becaus he won't have a lineup of goons waiting to drop the mitts with him.
Biggs is Burke prototype, but if look our needs. You would have thought that we need help faster than Biggs can deliver. Though Burke claims to be impatient but most of the time he have looked long run and big picture more than short term gain. Which I appreciate.
I absolutely agree on this. Burke wanted Biggs from the start, and this is a guy that fit a huge need of our's.
Biggs is a beast in the physical department, has been a Leafs fan since childhood, and has the high quality character of a guy that wears a letter. If his offense was better, we'r looking at a guy who plays with an attitude much like Wendel Clark played with. He seeks out contact, and LOVES to lay the big hit on the opposition. He's like an angry bull along the boards, and deives the net like a freight train.
If he comes along offensively, with the added ice time and responsibility he's going to be getting, he could really become a force.
I absolutely agree on this. Burke wanted Biggs from the start, and this is a guy that fit a huge need of our's.
Biggs is a beast in the physical department, has been a Leafs fan since childhood, and has the high quality character of a guy that wears a letter. If his offense was better, we'r looking at a guy who plays with an attitude much like Wendel Clark played with. He seeks out contact, and LOVES to lay the big hit on the opposition. He's like an angry bull along the boards, and deives the net like a freight train.
If he comes along offensively, with the added ice time and responsibility he's going to be getting, he could really become a force.
I wonder how he will fare when he comes into the NHL and has to start fighting right away? Where is he getting his fight training right now?
From what I'm reading he's going to be a fighter in the NHL. Intangible to make up for lack of skill I suppose.
I wonder how he will fare when he comes into the NHL and has to start fighting right away? Where is he getting his fight training right now?
From what I'm reading he's going to be a fighter in the NHL. Intangible to make up for lack of skill I suppose.
How does a mod make a comment like this when he clearly doesn't watch the kid play?
Kinda strange, no?
Either way, there's nothing saying that he's going to have to fight from day 1 in the league. Nor is there anything to evidence that he doesn't possess good skill. Maybe take the opportunity to watch him play the game, and talk about him not having good offensive abilities....we wouldn't be having this conversation if you did. He was a freshman this year, and did what not a lot of freshman can, and that's earn more meaningful minutes as the season wore on. He threw the body well this year, and looked good offensively. He needs to work on his finish, and continue to work on his stick handling, but he has pretty good hands and good hockey IQ.
And fight training? really? Who cares. You don't see guys like Lucic fight ALL THAT MUCH. he'll get a scrap going when someone hammers one of their stars, or if someone does some spearing and hacking, but he plays hockey. He's not out gooning. And he's extremely effective. He USED to fight more when he came into the league, because he had a reputation for it coming out of junior, something that Biggs WON'T have. You don't think the team in charge of his development knows that he would have to fight every game in the CHL? There's a reason he's in college..... There he can focus on mining the untapped offensive potential he has, and not worry about answering the bell whenever some clown feels like thumping his chest.
Will both need to receive Leaf contracts to retain their rights, before June 1st, 2012.
PS. That is also true for Sondre Olden and Josh Nicholls a pair of CHLers which remain unsigned at present as well.
Are you sure about Brodin and Granberg? It seems that both have 1 more year of contracts with thier respective teams. Do the Leafs have to sign them anyway? just curious as to how that works.
Biggs is already a man in terms of size, he could transition to the pros a lot faster than people think. Look at a Colborne, a Ashton, you can see they need to fill out to be an effective "power forward", whereas Biggs is a bus already, he needs experience not maturation.
How does a mod make a comment like this when he clearly doesn't watch the kid play?
Kinda strange, no?
Either way, there's nothing saying that he's going to have to fight from day 1 in the league. Nor is there anything to evidence that he doesn't possess good skill. Maybe take the opportunity to watch him play the game, and talk about him not having good offensive abilities....we wouldn't be having this conversation if you did. He was a freshman this year, and did what not a lot of freshman can, and that's earn more meaningful minutes as the season wore on. He threw the body well this year, and looked good offensively. He needs to work on his finish, and continue to work on his stick handling, but he has pretty good hands and good hockey IQ.
And fight training? really? Who cares. You don't see guys like Lucic fight ALL THAT MUCH. he'll get a scrap going when someone hammers one of their stars, or if someone does some spearing and hacking, but he plays hockey. He's not out gooning. And he's extremely effective. He USED to fight more when he came into the league, because he had a reputation for it coming out of junior, something that Biggs WON'T have. You don't think the team in charge of his development knows that he would have to fight every game in the CHL? There's a reason he's in college..... There he can focus on mining the untapped offensive potential he has, and not worry about answering the bell whenever some clown feels like thumping his chest.
All I ever hear is he can't play in the CHL because he'd have to fight all the goons.
So obviously, these people think all he can do is fight. Unless you are skilled you keep your job in junior by fighting.
So he must lack skill if he'd have to spend all his time fighting or the argument (stay in NCAA so he can develop some skill) is complete crap.
All I ever hear is he can't play in the CHL because he'd have to fight all the goons.
So obviously, these people think all he can do is fight. Unless you are skilled you keep your job in junior by fighting.
So he must lack skill if he'd have to spend all his time fighting or the argument (stay in NCAA so he can develop some skill) is complete crap.
Or you show a surprising lack of understanding the development of the skills he's working on?
He is a big guy, and doesn't shy away from throwing punches. He had some fights while with the USNDTP, and is known to be a power forward with a nasty disposition. THAT is why people mention him fighting goons, because when a bigtime prospect enters the league with that reputation, he gets it tested by every willing participant. Honestly, you can't really be basing your opinion of a player on what you read, having never watched him play...... right?
you speaking on a prospect that you've never seen, making riduculous assumptions.... well.... that's what I would call complete crap, Ulf.
Or you show a surprising lack of understanding the development of the skills he's working on?
He is a big guy, and doesn't shy away from throwing punches. He had some fights while with the USNDTP, and is known to be a power forward with a nasty disposition. THAT is why people mention him fighting goons, because when a bigtime prospect enters the league with that reputation, he gets it tested by every willing participant. Honestly, you can't really be basing your opinion of a player on what you read, having never watched him play...... right?
you speaking on a prospect that you've never seen, making riduculous assumptions.... well.... that's what I would call complete crap, Ulf.
I would call complete crap saying you can't develop skilled players in the CHL. What school did Tavares, Stamkos, RNH, Giroux, Crosby, Neal, Spezza, ... go to?
Seriously, people are trying to protect Biggs from the big nasty players in the CHL?
Mind you the players I mentioned plus thousands of others had enough skill that they didn't have to drop their gloves with every tough guy.
After reviewing about 5 draft guides last year I wanted Biggs, but now with all the excuse making maybe he wasn't the right guy.
I would call complete crap saying you can't develop skilled players in the CHL. What school did Tavares, Stamkos, RNH, Giroux, Crosby, Neal, Spezza, ... go to?
Seriously, people are trying to protect Biggs from the big nasty players in the CHL?
Mind you the players I mentioned plus thousands of others had enough skill that they didn't have to drop their gloves with every tough guy.
After reviewing about 5 draft guides last year I wanted Biggs, but now with all the excuse making maybe he wasn't the right guy.
The key to the guys you mentioned is that only one (Neal) is a PF, like Biggs, so they probably dropped their gloves once, if that.
You're also missing the point. Although it's a bonus that there's no fighting, it's not the sole reason why he's in Miami. They have a great program, and offer a great education.
I think he would stand out in the CHL, without a problem, but I (and many others) like the idea of him playing against grown men. He's knocking around 23-24 year olds, as an 18 year old. He also gets WAY more time in the gym, and practice EVERY DAY.
I'm a supporter of playing in the CHL, but in some cases (this one, and long-term projects), I'm fine with the NCAA. Definitely take a chance to watch him play, though. He's a freight train on skates, and he creates chances by taking the puck to the net hard. Solid player.
I would call complete crap saying you can't develop skilled players in the CHL. What school did Tavares, Stamkos, RNH, Giroux, Crosby, Neal, Spezza, ... go to?
Seriously, people are trying to protect Biggs from the big nasty players in the CHL?
Mind you the players I mentioned plus thousands of others had enough skill that they didn't have to drop their gloves with every tough guy.
After reviewing about 5 draft guides last year I wanted Biggs, but now with all the excuse making maybe he wasn't the right guy.
None of the guys you listed are PWFs.
Who are some of the best PWFs in the game?
The first two that come to mind are Kesler and Backes.
Both came out of college and developed slowly. Heck, one is a much scrutinized Burke draft pick who came out of Ohio as well!
With that said, I would for him to go to the NHL and dominate.
But, I think he'll leave school early as it's clear he's already physically mature enough to be playing with big boys, so maybe he'll join Ashton and D'Amigo in the AHL.
It would be very unwise for Biggs to leave Miami. At least 3 forwards are
graduating/turning pro and he will be counted on as a top line forward, getting prime ice time and a leadership role!
This is the ideal situation for him.
He's going to get an opportunity to rise to the top next year. It will be interesting to see how he does with the added responsibility and ice time. Not sure he'll wear a letter as a soph. but if he does, it will tell you a lot about the kind of person he is in the room and outside the rink.
It would be very unwise for Biggs to leave Miami. At least 3 forwards are
graduating/turning pro and he will be counted on as a top line forward, getting prime ice time and a leadership role!
This is the ideal situation for him.
I agree he'll get more practice time, but more ice time?
40 games versus 68 games.
I don't have a problem with him staying in NCAA, but to think only PF's come out of NCAA? Really?
Now a long shot project you definitely want to keep him away from needing a contract, so leaving him in college for 4 years makes sense. In the CHL he'd have to be good enough within 2 years to justify a contract.
I agree he'll get more practice time, but more ice time?
40 games versus 68 games.
I don't have a problem with him staying in NCAA, but to think only PF's come out of NCAA? Really?
Now a long shot project you definitely want to keep him away from needing a contract, so leaving him in college for 4 years makes sense. In the CHL he'd have to be good enough within 2 years to justify a contract.
Leafs get another 2 years to decide to sign him.
I think its an ignorant argument either way Ulf. You can develop players well in either league, if Biggs has the skill to be a top 6 player it will come through regardless of the league.
Its easy to point to NCAA and use the size and playing against men blah blah crap, or the fighting crap in the OHL, but the reality is that both are well respected developmental leagues, and talent is talent , it doesnt just pack up its suitcase and leave.
I realize generally you are playing devil's advocate, but your earlier post about how with all this tension about where he should maybe he isnt the right pick is just silly. Fans discussing the best place for development is not only moot, it has zero bearing on the player himself.
Biggs was a good pick because he brings several things the leafs need and desire in players.
1. Size and Truculence
2. Leadership
3. Swift skating
4. Upside
The fact that Biggs has upside can easily be disputed based on who you talk to, but the fact is that he was picked in the top 30 and was rated at 6 by ISS at one point because people - people that know a fair amount more than most people on this hockey board - believe he does have the tools to be an effective powerforward in the NHL, and should he not pan out to be able to use those tools in a powerforward role, then it is quite likely he is able to take a lesser responsibility on a lower line.
