Hey All,
Might be a little much, but these would be the moves I'd try and make:
1) Sign Michael Leighton to a 1 year deal at 1.3 million.
He's a proven player at the NHL level, helped the Flyers to the cup a few years back, and has put up decent numbers his last two years in the AHL. He's an experienced player that should complement Reimer nicely. Leighton could play 25 - 30 games, leaving Reimer around 50 - 55 games.
Hopefully Leighton's experience could help Reimer when he struggles. I still like Reimer for a number one.
2) Trade Phil Kessel and Matt Frattin for Jordan Staal and Ben Hanowski.
Leafs pick up their number one centre but give up their top goal scoring and also a potential top six forward down the road. Pens get an elite player for Crosby (they'd be magic together) who doesn't have to be the centre of attention. They also get a third liner that can step up making their depth deeper.
Leafs also pick up a big forward who is still a few years away.
3) Trade Tyler Bozak and 2nd Draft Pick for Brendon Morrow
Leafs pick up Morrow, although his best days are behind him provided some added leadership to the leafs that has been sorely missing. Morrow is still a top six forward who competes hard, and sets an example on the ice. I'm a huge fan of Morrow and I believe that he would make a massive difference in the locker room.
Stars pick up a centre who can play at the 2nd/3rd slot and a draft pick to continue their mission to getting younger.
Stars are rumoured to be moving Morrow over the summer, so I believe that a fit could work for the leafs. Maybe not this deal, but something similar.
4) Trade Matt Lombardi, Clarke MacArthur and Stuart Percy for Cal Clutterbuck
Although Lombardi hasn't had a ton of successful in Toronto, he's proven he's able to return from his serious concussion. This was something no one expected to see. A few years ago he was considered a top free agent for his offensive abilities. MacArthur provides more offensive help, as well as some of the grit that is being lost with Clutterbuck, though not to the same extent.
The Wild get a chance to improve their offensive output and also pick up a former 1st draft pick. Minnesota are last in GF so this gives a chance to bounce up their offensive output.
Leafs get Clutterbuck who fits in the Caryle system and provides the kind of grit we love to see and desperately miss. Also a good ol' Ontario boy.
5) Sign Travis Moen
Leafs get bigger, and tougher. Moen is similar with Burke and Caryle's system playing a crucial role in the cup success with the Ducks as part of the shut down line. He helps the Leafs get tougher, and is a realistic signing in my opinion.
Our D stays the same as I don't see Komo going anywhere, and I actually still like our D on paper. I just think they need a little more structure and some trust in their goaltending.
So my ideal roster looks like this:
FORWARDS
Joffrey Lupul ($4.250m) / Jordan Staal ($4.000m) / Brenden Morrow (A) ($4.100m)
Nazem Kadri ($1.720m) / Mikhail Grabovski ($5.500m) / Nikolai Kulemin ($2.200m)
Travis Moen ($1.900m) / Tim Connolly ($4.750m) / Cal Clutterbuck ($1.400m)
Colby Armstrong ($3.000m) / David Steckel ($1.100m) / Mike Brown ($0.737m)
DEFENSEMEN
Dion Phaneuf (C) ($6.500m) / Mike Komisarek ($4.500m)
John-Michael Liles (A) ($3.875m) / Luke Schenn ($3.600m)
Carl Gunnarsson ($1.325m) / Jake Gardiner ($1.117m)
Cody Franson ($1.210m) /
GOALTENDERS
James Reimer ($1.800m)
Michael Leighton ($1.300m)
Will any of this happen? Probably not... but hey at least it's fun to post my own thoughts. I do see Moen and Morrow as being high chances of arrival. Everything else is a little bit of a long shot.
Thanks for reading!
