Comments on: 15* Players That People Should Stop Caring About

By: Owen Durkin

Owen Durkin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:06:14 +0000

Why this is pointless:
…because Burke won’t move his top puck-mover for less than the likes of the players named above.

If I told any of you in the spring of ’09 that within a year both Kessel and Phaneuf would become Leafs, you’d ask for my dealer’s digits.
In short, pipe dreams do come true.

By: Jeff Veillette

Jeff Veillette — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:38:21 +0000

And on Ryan, if that logic is true, why isn’t there a massive panic over Erik Johnson in St. Louis? He’s a much better player, and also contractless, yet you don’t hear any fanbases talking about him like we are Ryan.

By: Jeff Veillette

Jeff Veillette — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:37:03 +0000

Pretty much every person you mentioned has infact been mentioned on a regular basis, particularly in the past month of two. And yes, Semin is one of them, to the point where at least once or twice hoax trade rumors had to be shot down.

As for Bertuzzi, I agree, and thats the entire point of what I was getting at and why it was a bonus, it was a talking about him from a “god I hope we don’t get him perspective”.

Nash speculation has very largely tapered off, but the most casual of fans will still do it. As is Thornton. I’m not going after a specific breed of fans with this article, it takes everyone into consideration, so just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean there haven’t been others doing so that I’ve seen.

By: The Meatriarchy

The Meatriarchy — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:05:46 +0000

I rarely see half these players mentioned regularly by Leafs fans:
Rick Nash was talked about a lot until he signed w Columbus but since then I haven’t seen or heard a lot of chatter (internet or otherwise) from people speculating he could become a Leaf.

Ditto for Sharp, as soon as Chicago made their trades last week the Sharp talked pretty much died. And, let’s be fair, for once that particular name was generated by Toronto sports media last year long before most Leaf fans knew who he was.

Joe Thornton: c’mon his name comes up once in a while but it is hardly constant speculation on Leafs fans part.

Semmin? You are tired of hearing rumours about Semin? I think I have heard his name once for every 300 times I have heard Sharp, Ryan or, lately, Savard. If you are tired of hearing about Semin your patience threshold is very freaking low.

Bertuzzi has been speculated by both fans AND Media because of the Burke connection but you know what? It is almost universally in the context of: “Geez I hope Burke doesn’t bring Bertuzzi here.”

Jason Spezza to my knowledge HAS NEVER been desired by Leafs fans till last month when the media generated this whole “Spezza will be traded thing”. Some fans obviously think if he is available then Burke should try to get him. But, quite frankly, MOST LEAF FANS DON’T.

As for Bobby Ryan he hasn’t signed yet. If he is so all fired excited about playing with the Ducks why hasn’t he signed? Whether he ends up in a Leaf uni or somewhere else you’d think that the Ducks would have gotten their top forward prospect locked up by now and until he does it is altogether fair for Leafs fans (and others) to speculate where he might land.

By: xterratu

xterratu — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:28:29 +0000

I get your point. It’s often enough for one site, or person to write about one player and it spreads like a virus. I like the Savard deal, I also like the Ryan idea, but the first one is realistic and the second one isn’t. And yes, like you said, the talk in the front office is well… much different. The only rumor that makes any kind of sense right now is the Savard deal. And to be honest, that’s only with Kaberle, Gunnarsson involved. But the fact remains that, with such a weak UFA list right now, people are dying for some players that could actually make an impact, hence all the rumors. It’s more desperation and something to talk about…

By: Ghostrider1174

Ghostrider1174 — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 03:50:08 +0000

With Burke nothing is impossible.And why cant fans have fun with trade talk.Its the season to speculate. If u told me we get Phaneuf Aulie and co for the crap we gave Calgary i say u crazy. But see its possible for many things.