It's amazing seeing the leafs having so much money (MacArthur/Armstrong/Connolly/Lombardi) tied up in 4 players that don't have/warrant a spot on the team...this doesn't even include Komi on the backend!
$14,500,000.00 tied up in those 4! Just imagine what we could do with that money...hmmm
If the leafs of the (very near) future can find a way to move 2/5 mentioned above, I'll be happy...lowered expectations.
Mac, Army, Connolly, and Lombardi are all UFAs next summer. Komi, the summer after that.
Kessel + for Nash (I know this won't happen, but to me it makes sense)
Bozak for Ott
Grabo + Gunnar + Kadri + 1st rnd conditional pick for Kesler + Luongo
Sign Schultz
FORWARDS
Joffrey Lupul ($4.250m) / Ryan Kesler ($5.000m) / Rick Nash ($7.800m)
Matt Frattin ($0.827m) / Tim Connolly ($4.750m) / James Van Riemsdyk ($4.250m)
Nikolai Kulemin ($2.200m) / Joe Colborne ($1.100m) / Steve Ott ($2.950m)
Leo Komarov ($1.200m) / David Steckel ($1.100m) / Mike Brown ($0.737m)
Clarke MacArthur ($3.250m) / Jay Rosehill ($0.600m) /
DEFENSEMEN
Dion Phaneuf ($6.500m) / Jake Gardiner ($1.117m)
John-Michael Liles ($3.875m) / Korbinian Holzer ($0.605m)
Justin Schultz ($1.250m) / Cody Franson ($0.840m)
Mike Komisarek ($4.500m) /
GOALTENDERS
Roberto Luongo ($5.333m)
James Reimer ($1.800m)
BUYOUTS
Darcy Tucker ($1.000m)
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CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $70,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $66,833,542; BONUSES: $1,025,000
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $3,466,458
There's a chance Bozak takes another step in his development and puts up more points. He was on pace for about 50 last year. Even if he got to 55 or so, that puts him in the top 25 centres in the league. Ideally you would have a real top centre to play with Kessel, but one isnt available, so what can you do?
The key to the forwards is what version of the guys do we get. Does the 10-11 Kulemin come back? Or is this past season's version the real guy? To a degree, same with MacArthur.
And then can Lupul come close to repeating what he did last year? Or does he go back to a 50 point pace? What about Kessel? Is he really someone who can do close to 40-40 every year? Or will he go back to a 60 point pace?
And then how does JVR impact things?
Bottom line is we were top 10 in goals last season, the forwards were not the problem. We added a goal scorer. So even as is, the forwards should be alright, unless everyone hits a wall.
Mac, Army, Connolly, and Lombardi are all UFAs next summer. Komi, the summer after that.
I'm aware of that. The problem is their presence on the roster is impacting the development of many other players who have much more long term potential for this team.
Lupul Bozak Kessel
JVR Grab Kulemin
Mac Con Frattin
Armstrong Steckel Brown
Kadri
Lambo
Komarov
How do our forwards look so far? Is it good enough if no changes made? Obviously we need a 1C, to drop bozak down to 3 and get rid of connolly, easier said then done...second line looks beautiful...would love kadri on that 3rd line, but regardless of him or mac i think we need a bigger and grittier LW with con/bozak and frattin, Penner would be near perfect...imo armstrong steckel and brown make up a very strong 4th line with size, grit and energy
after fratin's ahl playoff run plus his solid regular season I'd like to see him on the second like over Kulmin
I can see why some people are assuming Mac will be dealt but saying he doesn't warrant a spot on the team and grouping him with Komi in terms of importance is laughable.
Clarke had a decent year with 20 goals and 23 assists when you consider that he would have had a far stronger showing had Kulemin not been snake bitten.
He had 62 points the season before when his line mates were performing and honestly I won't be hurt too badly if we keep him.
Putting faith in Kadri is nice but what if he's not ready yet? Slightly above average wingers like Mac are a must on a playoff team.
It's amazing seeing the leafs having so much money (MacArthur/Armstrong/Connolly/Lombardi) tied up in 4 players that don't have/warrant a spot on the team...this doesn't even include Komi on the backend!
$14,500,000.00 tied up in those 4! Just imagine what we could do with that money...hmmm
If the leafs of the (very near) future can find a way to move 2/5 mentioned above, I'll be happy...lowered expectations.
Kadri is alot like MacArthur in the sense that he HAS to be in the top six to produce consistently. Kulemin on the third line with Frattin sounds like a good checking line too so I echo alot of the sentiments in here:
I don't have a hate for Mac. Of the 5 I posted he's the one I'd most like to keep as he's earned his paycheque. That said, if you look at the wings, there really isn't room for him. Unfortunately, of those 5, he likely has the most value as well....ya gotta give to get.
Lupul - Bozak - Kessel - Do not really like this line, just likely what it will be
JVR - Grabo - Frattin - Think this line may work well
Kulimen - Connolly - Kadri - like Kulimen and Kadri together
Brown - Steckle - Orr/Rosehill - I think one of Orr or Rosy will be in the lineup
Stratches: Armstrong, Lombardi, MacArthur
I think it would be criminal and counter productive for a rebuilding team to take NHL time away from guys like Frattin and Kadri. If we intend to get better, it will not be with guys like Lombo on our 3rd line. Young kids need roles to be able to grow.
I think somehow Mac gets dealt but think Army is in the minors or scratched and no clue what lombardi does. I like the speed he brings and I do believe he can still put up 40-50 pts as a center. Just where does he play?
Why do we not put our best center with our best wingers for a prolonged period of time? Lupul/Grabovski/Kessel is am experiment that had never really been given a shot.
It's amazing seeing the leafs having so much money (MacArthur/Armstrong/Connolly/Lombardi) tied up in 4 players that don't have/warrant a spot on the team...this doesn't even include Komi on the backend!
$14,500,000.00 tied up in those 4! Just imagine what we could do with that money...hmmm
If the leafs of the (very near) future can find a way to move 2/5 mentioned above, I'll be happy...lowered expectations.
At least Mac had the numbers this year.
Connolly, Tim $4,750,000
Lombardi, Matthew $3,500,000
Armstrong, Colby $3,000,000
Komisarek, Mike $4,500,000 Disgusting: $15,750,000
I am never going to like it with Bozak in the 1 hole.
You and any knowledgeable hockey fan. How can Burke ever say the team is turning the corner if Tyler Bozak is still the top Center. I don't care if freaking Terry Sawchuk is brought back from the dead and restored to the height of his game, this team is going nowhere until they get an NHL caliber #1 C.
There's a chance Bozak takes another step in his development and puts up more points. He was on pace for about 50 last year. Even if he got to 55 or so, that puts him in the top 25 centres in the league. Ideally you would have a real top centre to play with Kessel, but one isnt available, so what can you do?
I'm fine sticking with Bozak on the top line. If Grabo/JVR/Frattin/Kulemin or whoever winds up on the second line provide any secondary scoring it'll keep some of the pressure off the Bozak line.
Connolly needs to go though. He proved that he doesn't mesh with the Kessel/Lupul combo last year and he doesn't fit anywhere else in the lineup.
