Posts tagged ilya
7 Reasons #84 Should Stay
Jul 26th
Editor’s Note: There’s been a lot of discussion amongst fans whether it’s in the comments, or forums or Twitter or things like that which state the Leafs should trade Mikhail Grabovski, and that he’s expendable with the acquisitions of guys like Kris Versteeg, or that he can be packaged with Tomas Kaberle for a greater return or things like that. This is a post I made way back in April, one of my first here at LHQ, stating why we should keep Grabovski, at least for one more season. Pretty much all of the points still stand. Enjoy.
Whether it’s TSN’s Off-Season Game Plan or just another thread on the HF Boards, the consensus is that Mikhail Grabovski could be shipped out of town. But why?
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he’s the greatest offensive stud or an answer to any position longterm, I don’t think he’s going to score 30 goals or dish 50 assists, I don’t think he has any shot at ever topping 55 points in a season. I don’t really like his cap hit, his contract, his attitude or his ethic. I don’t like his defense, his rushes or even his hair. But put all those negatives aside, and Mikhail Grabovski is a guy who could be integral in helping the Maple Leafs reach the playoffs next season. How?
Here’s how: More >
Free Agency: Day Two
Jul 2nd
It was quiet from dusk til dawn on the second day of July, also known as the second day of free agency, also known as, “Why hasn’t Kovalchuk signed anywhere yet?”.
Steve Yzerman continued his impressive moves by bringing former Maple Leaf Pavel Kubina back to Tampa, the Islanders brought in a bunch of stop-gaps, and the Leafs luckily did not win the Matthew Lombardi sweepstakes as the overrated center signed a three-year deal with the Nashville Predators worth 10.5-million dollars.
It wasn’t a completely unproductive day for the Buds however, as they managed to finally re-up the rising “star” in the grinder who can score, everyone’s favourite Russian Nikolai Kulemin. Kulemin was a restricted free agent, and after various reports that he was demanding north of three-million dollars, Brian Burke’s hardball finally paid off as the young stud signed a two-year contract extension worth 4.7-million dollars (paying him and giving him a cap hit of 2.35-million in each of the two years on contract). Kulemin will still be a restricted free agent once this current contract expires.
He will join a number of potentially key free agents for the Leafs when the likes of Kulemin, Versteeg, Gustavsson, Beauchemin and Rynnas all have expiring contracts at the end of the 2011-2012 season. Cup run anyone?
Update: John Mitchell has resigned with the Leafs for one year and will earn .725 in that span.
Unrestricted Free Agency: Day One
Jul 1st
In the weeks leading up to free agency I made it clear that there were a few people I didn’t want on this team: Raffi Torres, Colby Armstrong and Dan Hamhuis. Torres is just a mess of a human and a player, Armstrong is an unneeded right-winger, and Hamhuis is an unneeded defenseman.
Which is why I’m very happy to announce the status on all three players in regards to the Toronto Maple Leafs: Vancouver outbid Toronto for Dan Hamhuis, and…are you ready? Colby Armstrong signed with the Leafs!
Yep, that’s right, the so-called gritty right-winger previously of the Atlanta Thrashers and Pittsburgh Penguins has signed with the blue and white for three years, making three million dollars in each of those three seasons. Armstrong put up just 29 points last season, and in his final season with Pittsburgh he had just 24 points in 54 games playing along the league’s top centers in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Yeah, serious questions have to be asked when it comes to this kids offensive abilities.
On the other hand, Armstrong’s a pretty gritty kid, and a character kid at that. His countless interviews on Hockey Central over the last year were hilarious, and he seems like a real loveable kid. He can play at both ends of the ice and, according to some analysts should make a pretty good net presence.
But along the likes of Kessel, Versteeg, Kulemin, Sjostrom, Brown and Orr, Armstrong becomes the seventh right-winger on this team, and he appears to be an overpaid one at that. This might not end badly, but I’m really not sure I like this one.
Whose Drought Will End First?
Jun 19th
You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/raskofalltrades
By now we’re all well aware that the Toronto Maple Leafs hold the longest Stanley Cup drought in the entire NHL. Well, that’s what Damien Cox would like us to believe, but most of us also know by now that the St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings hold the exact same miserable feat to their name.
In light of both the recent deal for Jaroslav Halak by the St. Louis Blues (as well as the lack of any other notable storylines in hockey right now) it got me thinking about how all three of these teams are seemingly on the rise, all emerging from the ashes of long and harsh rebuilding processes. Whenever one long drought ends, the next longest one seems to end within a short span. So again, with all three of these teams clearly on the quick road to contention it seems only natural that a Stanley Cup win from one of the Maple Leafs, Kings or Blues is imminent. Let’s take a further look at whose poised to hoist Stanley’s mug next.
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.
Kessel Can Score 40 Next Season
Jun 16th
“I think I can score 40.” – Phil Kessel
That’s straight from an article the Star posted yesterday (don’t worry, not by Damien Cox) showcasing an interview that the established newspaper had with the Toronto Maple Leafs’ most debated star sniper.
Now that’s all fine and dandy that Phil Kessel feels more comfortable in Toronto now, that he’s training more thoroughly this summer and that he seems genuinely interested in winning hockey games, but can the Madison Flash really accomplish what the likes of Alex Semin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Gaborik did this past season?
Well, let’s take a further look in the only way I know how: More >
Leafs Off-Season Rumors Volume Five
Jun 13th
Final name change. I swear.
Rumor
A man known only as “Hockey Insider” who runs a blog and twitter account called NHLSourcesSay had this as his most recent blog post:
Rumors have surfaced today that has the Leafs going after Marleau or Kovalchuk. After making a few calls i am 100% certain Kovalchuk will NOT be pursued by the Leafs this summer. Marleau on the other hand will be, Burke has made it known that his top 6 forward position is the main concern, Marleau would fit nicely, but the price is the question…if Marleau is asking upwards of $6.5 million per year with a long term its safe to say Leafs G.M. Burke will pass.
My Analysis
Don’t let his grammar fool you, I’ve followed this guy on Twitter for months now and he seems to be pretty legitimate. It’s always tough to take articles with unnamed sources seriously but how much you believe is up to you.
I’ve said again and again that the Leafs need a number one center much more than they need another sniper, especially one that will demand the sort of contract that Ilya Kovalchuk will. For this reason I believe the Leafs probably won’t pursue Kovalchuk and probably will pursue Marleau, though I’m sure they will at least kick the tires of Ilya’s camp. Whether or not Patrick Marleau wants to play out east, and for Ron Wilson for that matter remains to be seen. I doubt he would sign with the Maple Leafs and as of right now it remains to be seen whether he’ll even leave San Jose.
You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/raskofalltrades
In Defence Of Jeff Finger
Jun 12th
This may or may not be the most hated article that I’ll ever write. I’m aware, so troll on.
Look, there are many extremely toxic contracts in the NHL, that are extremely detrimental to the team because of their ridiculous length, cap hit, and a players poor play. Jeff Finger, isn’t one of them. Sure, he’s by no means worth it to the Toronto Maple Leafs, filled to the brim with very good defencemen. Sure, his contract was a big WTF when he first signed it. But when you really look at things, its not so bad. Look, I know you’re laughing your asses off right now, but give this article a chance and hear me out.
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