Apparantly it was a rift of cliques. If it was true, maybe Olli was with Dion. I don't really care either way, as long as it helps the team win. I also don't mind intense people, and can be short fused myslef. If teammates are gonna whine enough and not compete to get rid of an intense or even irritating individual, then they aren't real competitors in my opinion. Wasn't there a rift between Roberts/Domi and Tucker/Corson? That never affected their play. Of course haveing level headed guys like Niewy and Sundin surely helped.
I'm pretty sure that was because of some adultery going on at the time which led to players taking sides.
I'd actually like to get Jokinen. He's probably top 5 free agent out there, definitely top 10. Maybe give him 8 million over 2 years. If I was Burkie I wouldn't do more than that, maybe try to get him for 7/2 or 10.5/3...
I wouldn't mind Jokinen for the right price. After all other 1st line options have been explored.
Unfortunately, managers get really silly in the offseason. I doubt Jokinen signs anywhere for the "right" price. It will almost certainly be the "wrong" price. Here's my guess. 5 years (for Jokinen), front loaded, 4 million dollar cap hit contract with a limited no trade clause. About a million less than his cap hit now, while making no less money for the first 3 years. Someone will offer that up. Whether it is Burke or not. Then again, Alex Tanguay (fortunately) got a lot less then he expected, I think after a weak year in Montreal. And is having trouble living up to THAT.
Unfortunately, managers get really silly in the offseason. I doubt Jokinen signs anywhere for the "right" price. It will almost certainly be the "wrong" price. Here's my guess. 5 years (for Jokinen), front loaded, 4 million dollar cap hit contract with a limited no trade clause. About a million less than his cap hit now, while making no less money for the first 3 years. Someone will offer that up. Whether it is Burke or not. Then again, Alex Tanguay (fortunately) got a lot less then he expected, I think after a weak year in Montreal. And is having trouble living up to THAT.
Burke doesn't strike me as the silly type. He'll have a number/term that he won't exceed.
Burke doesn't strike me as the silly type. He'll have a number/term that he won't exceed.
You know what, I withdraw my comment. The more I think about it, the more I realise that if Burke had genuine interest in Jokinen, he probably would have got him in the Calgary trade. Considering what the Flames got for him, adding Ponikarovsky probably would have been enough.
You know what, I withdraw my comment. The more I think about it, the more I realise that if Burke had genuine interest in Jokinen, he probably would have got him in the Calgary trade. Considering what the Flames got for him, adding Ponikarovsky probably would have been enough.
Jokinen is a UFA though. The Leafs aren't competing for a stretch drive, so why give up something more for a few months of negotiating with Jokinen ?
I'd actually like to get Jokinen. He's probably top 5 free agent out there, definitely top 10. Maybe give him 8 million over 2 years. If I was Burkie I wouldn't do more than that, maybe try to get him for 7/2 or 10.5/3...
That says less about Jokinen, and more about the quality of the FA pool though, doesn't it?
Personally I'd say no - underachieving players just aren't what's needed here.
That, and Jokinen doesn't appear to be the type of player that Burke prefers; if he were, he probably would have been involved in the Phaneuf deal, no?
That says less about Jokinen, and more about the quality of the FA pool though, doesn't it?
Personally I'd say no - underachieving players just aren't what's needed here.
That, and Jokinen doesn't appear to be the type of player that Burke prefers; if he were, he probably would have been involved in the Phaneuf deal, no?
It certainly looks like Sutter was after a player under contract for him. He didn't have to take Kotalik. Who could the Leafs have offered who is healthy and under contract next year that could contribute this year?
Leafs really don't have much left that fits that category.
Coming from a guy recently shipped out of the same dressing room as Phaneuf, apparently he was not a problem personality as has been suggested.
The article goes on to suggest that it might have been disgruntled fans that caused him to be traded. I'm not sure I really believe that at all but at least dressing room problems don't seem to have been the big issue with Phaneuf in Calgary.
I am pretty sure it was a 9 game losing streak and a $6 million offensive defenseman working on a 30 pt season. You don't change a losing mentality by moving the bit players around. Plus Giordano stepped up and basically outplayed Phaneuf while earning under $1 million a year. Can't trade Jaybo and Regehr wouldn't bring as much back.
If Dion had a bit of an attitude before I think he will be a bit more humble with a new club where nobady remembers or mcares how good he was a few years ago. I listen to Fan 960 in Calgary every day and i have never heard anything about his character(or Olli's for that matter).
I saw Tucker and Corson referenced in this thread so I have to go back a bit and reference Gary Roberts. This is who Dion somewhat reminds me of with his intensity and personality. Not always the most social chap but very intense and competed hard.
