Posts tagged eric
Colby Revisited
Jul 20th
On July 1st 2010 Brian Burke and Co flexed their proverbial management muscles and inked versatile grinder Colby Armstrong to a blah blah blah blah blah. Great, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get to the point.
As most of you know I try to keep my articles on the shorter side, just because well, reading a lot can get…boring. Uh, anyways, that means I’m gonna try and keep this article short and get my point across in a number of brief paragraphs, so again, let’s get on with the show.
When Colby Armstrong initially signed with us I was disappointed for a number of reasons: whether it was the fact that we were paying a guy who had just tallied up 29 points three million dollars, whether it was the fact that we were giving him that money for three years, whether it was the fact that he’s a right-winger or whether it was the fact our cap space was slowly diminishing, it really doesn’t matter. None of the reasons I hated the Colby Armstrong signing matter anymore, because guess what: I don’t hate it anymore.
Kaberle traded for State of Minnesota
Jun 25th
Tomas Kaberle, the only player on the Toronto Maple Leafs with more than two years spent playing for the team, has been traded to the United States of America for the entire State of Minnesota.
Kaberle, along with throw-in and Toronto Marlies team Captain Ben Ondrus, are heading to the North American nation in exchange for Minnesota, the thirty second state in the United States Union. The twelfth largest by area, and twenty first by population, Minnesota is most well known to Canadians for being a border state of Manitoba and Ontario, and for their hockey teams – the Minnesota North Stars of 1967 to 1993, and the Wild of 2001 to present.
Ilya Kovalchuk Isn’t That Impossible
Jun 18th
With the Leafs having a forward core that’s been described as absolutely brutal, and one of the most pathetic that has ever graced the NHL from a team that wasn’t within its first 2-3 years of existence, there is a lot of hype over what Brian Burke will do with this roster that has promise for the future, but no zing for the now. People are undecided if the big move is going to happen via trade, or via free agency. Personally, I think we’re going to see a little bit of both. Do I have any idea whatsoever the results are going to be? No clue. But do I have any wants?
Absolutely. In fact, I have the biggest want, with my eyes entirely on the big prize. Specifically, I want the man who just might be the best free agent in NHL history, all factors considered (more on that later). Of course, I’m talking about #17 of the New Jersey Devils (you know him better as the only relavent thing the Atlanta Thrashers have had in years) Ilya Kovalchuk.
Now, I know what you’re thinking “Jeff, first off, best UFA ever? You’re crazy. Secondly, he’s going to want too much money, thirdly, he’s going to the KHL, fourth, Burke doesn’t want him, and five, why would he want to come here?”
All fair arguments. But I’m still going to try to squash them.
Kaberle Speculation Volume Four
Jun 12th
Short and sweet. You know the drill:
Rumor
Eric Stephens from the Orange County Register reports that Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray denied rumors of him shipping RFA Bobby Ryan for puck-moving defenseman Tomas Kaberle. Murray called the possibility of shipping a potential 40-goal scorer for a potential UFA ridiculous. Stephens said the deal would never go through unless Nazem Kadri or Luke Schenn was involved.
My Analysis
I agree that Murray wouldn’t trade Ryan for Kaberle straight up unless more was added to the package (assets the Leafs probably wouldn’t be willing to ship), but I do think that Brian Burke will press Murray to the limit in hopes of acquiring another difference-maker to help the likely offensive woes of the Leafs next season. Don’t expect Burke to pull off another miracle trade like with Dion Phaneuf, but if Ryan truly is unhappy in Anaheim then don’t rule out the possibility of Brian Burke one way or another acquiring the elite power forward.
You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/raskofalltrades
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