I'd trade anyone on this team today, if it gets us better next year. No one here should say no one is untouchable after 4 years of missing playoffs under Burke. This team as it stands would not make the playoffs again next year without significant additions. Team is too small and worn out as the season wore on.
I got a feeling Schenn's going to get traded this summer.
I think it would be best to see how he responds over the summer and integrated into Carlyle's new system next fall rather than give him away, unless we get a good forward prospect, or an offensive defenseman in return.
People I would keep:
Kessel
Lupul
Colborne
Kadri
Ashton
Phaneuf
Gardiner
Schenn
1st round pick this summer
And then everyone else could be moved out in a hockey deal, including Grabovski, Kulemin, Frattin, Gunnarsson, Reimer, Bozak.
There are not many decent free agents to sign this year, especially in the center position. For that reason, the Leafs should keep Grabovski, as he is a warrior and would anchor the second line for the next five years. The other players to keep would be as follows:
Phil Kessel - $5.4 million (2 years)
Joffery Lupul - $4.75 million (1 year)
Mikhail Grabovski - $5.5 million (5 years)
John Michael Liles - $3.86 million (4 years)
Carl Gunnarsson - $1.325 million (1 year)
Jake Gardiner - $1.12 million (2 years)
Burke's most important decision will be regarding.....Kessel.
he has two years left on his contract. Burke has to determine whether Kessel will get along with Carlyle and flourish under his system. And whether they can develop a good enough relationship for Kessel to re-sign here in two years. If Burke doubts either, he might be wise to flip Kessel for another franchise-type player who plays a more rugged style of play. ie. Rick Nash
Burke's most important decision will be regarding.....Kessel.
he has two years left on his contract. Burke has to determine whether Kessel will get along with Carlyle and flourish under his system. And whether they can develop a good enough relationship for Kessel to re-sign here in two years. If Burke doubts either, he might be wise to flip Kessel for another franchise-type player who plays a more rugged style of play. ie. Rick Nash
it'll be a ballsy move
if Selanne can get along in Carlyle system so can Kessel.
I heard something interesting on the Grabo front, apparently the window to trade him is July 1st when his 5.5M contract kicks in.
If so, Grabo may not be a Leaf next year if there is a deal for him. If the free agent market is out of whack, he may still be traded.
Very interesting if Burke had this in mind, when he signed Grabo. Grabo would have probably gotten more on the open market, so he may be even more valuable post UFA status.
Take the Leafs top players and everybody just says keep them.
Of course everybody wants to keep Kessel, Lupul, Phaneuf, Gardiner, etc., etc. but those are also the assets that other teams will want from us.
Saying that we need to get rid of Komisarek, Lombardi is great but they won't bring any assets back. Than your left with cap room and no place to spend it. People can forget about the dream of Parise or Suter signing here.
-If I'm Burke I start gauging Lupuls interest in staying this summer. Probably don't need to trade him this summer but no matter what this team can't afford to loss an asset like that next year as a UFA
