Posts tagged panthers
![8471676[1]](http://leafshq.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/84716761.jpg "8471676[1]"){kind=small}
15* Players That People Should Stop Caring About
Jun 28th
This is more of a personal tangent than anything, I’m not going to lie. This isn’t really something that goes in the media (though it kind of does), and it sure as heck isn’t happening in actually front office trade/signing discussions, but its a phenomenon that you definitely see throughout the internet, and that’s fan speculation and trade proposals. Depending on exactly where you go to, the quality of such armchair GM hopes and predictions varies, but its always there. To make matters worse, they seem to always be about the same 20 or 25 players around the NHL. And most of them are complete and total pipe dream’s, for various reasons. So here’s 13 of them that I frankly just can’t stand hearing rumors for, plus 2 bonuses.
Leafs Off-Season Rumors #12
Jun 23rd
Sorry If I’m late on this. Exam season is stressful season. Last one tomorrow, so hopefully it goes well and I have a relaxing summer and get back to writing more posts here.
Rumor
-Darren Dreger reported via his Twitter that due to the Nathan Horton deal that sent Dennis Wideman to Florida the Bruins could possibly be looking to add another defenseman. He wonders when the Kaberle to the Bruins talk will begin and mentioned that he’s heard rumblings over the availability of Marc Savard.
-Pierre LeBrun of ESPN reports he spoke to Brian Burke over the possibility of the Bruins and Leafs being in talks and Burke went on to say they weren’t, and he’s unhappy with the speculation
-Peter Chiralli (Bruins GM) denied that his club is looking for another defenseman
My Analysis
Marc Savard signed a seven-year contract extension mid-season that includes a NTC, so dealing him might look bad on the Bruins part, not to mention the retirement contract gives Savard a cap-hit of only 4-million dollars (pretty damn good for a playmaking center of his calibre).
On the other hand, the Bruins have an arguable first-line center in Patrice Bergeron, another skilled one in David Krejci, not to mention they’re slated to draft Tyler Seguin this Friday, so it would make sense that at least one of those guys is up for grabs.
The Bruins might not be looking to add another defenseman but at the same time Chiarelli may just be keeping his cards close to his chest.
A Savard deal is unlikely but at the same time it wouldn’t be surprising. Stay tuned as Kaberle is widely speculated to be dealt by the end of the weekend.
You can follow me on Twitter here.
Leafs Off-Season Rumors #11
Jun 21st
Rumors
-Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke was recently quoted as saying, “We have received several offers we have had to discuss, and expect another today, nothing we have received to date meets our requirements.” Kaberle is widely speculated to be traded this Friday at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
-DJ Bean from weei.com reports the Boston Bruins are the clear frontrunners for Panthers’ power forward Nathan Horton, although it is believed the Maple Leafs are of the teams seriously interested as well.
-Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun reports Brian Burke may find it hard to get a quality forward in exchange for Tomas Kaberle as there isn’t much available, specifically stating the Flyers aren’t suitors anymore due to the acquisition of Dan Hamhuis’ rights this past weekend.
Leafs Off-Season Rumors #9
Jun 19th
Rumor
Everyone’s favorite journalist, Damien Cox of the Toronto Star reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs hope to greatly improve their roster within the next two weeks through trade and free agency. Cox says the Leafs are hopeful of adding Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp, Panthers power forward Nathan Horton and/or Predators blueliner Dan Hamhuis.
My Analysis
The Leafs have been rumored to be interested in both Horton and Sharp for quite some time now so this shouldn’t come to the surprise of anybody. Pending the willingness to part ways with Viktor Stalberg or Nikolai Kulemin it’s possible that the Leafs could land both Horton and Sharp but don’t hold your breathe. Kaberle would be included in one of those deals obviously.
As for Dan Hamhuis, he’d be a nice addition but given the money he’s going to cost (in or around four-million) it just wouldn’t be smart for the Leafs to continue to invest that much on the blueline. The Buds have a number of promising defensive prospects on cheap contracts so there shouldn’t be any rush to break the bank on another shut-down defender.
It’s going to be an exciting two weeks. Get ready.
You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/raskofalltrades
Latest Tomas Kaberle Speculation
Jun 9th
Round two of, if the past is any indication, a number of volumes in a newly heralded series following the Czech puck-mover whom Leafs nation seems to have grown tired of. You know the drill.
-Michael Traikos of the National Post has reported that four teams-the New Jersey Devils, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets-have shown a great deal of interest in acquiring the services of Kaberle. Buffalo Sabres General Manager Dary Regier declined to comment on the matter but has said that contract talks are well underway with Toni Lydman and Henrik Tallinder.
-Kaberle’s agent Rick Curran has yet again stressed that although Tomas’ no-trade clause disappears this summer, Brian Burke will more likely than not still have to find a trading partner of a team that Tomas would still want to play for, as Kaberle is an unrestricted free agent following the 2010-2011 season and teams are unlikely to give up the assets Brian Burke is looking for for just a rental.
-Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun believes Dale Tallon is agressively shopping Nathan Horton, a talented power forward who might be of some interest to the Leafs
-Elliott Friedman of CBC reports that there are rumblings the Columbus Blue Jackets would be willing to part with their first round pick (fourth overall) in the upcoming draft. The Blue Jackets have been confirmed as one of the teams interested in Kaberle and Steve Simmons previously speculated that Brian Burke might push hard to deal Kaberle to the Jackets for that pick.
-Friedman also suggests Tallon and the Panthers may have interest in Kaberle, though any deal that would send Kaberle to Florida would surely have to have Dale Tallon 100% positive that Kaberle would resign there long-term. Kaberle’s former powerplay partner Bryan McCabe is currently the captain of the Florida Panthers.
My Analysis: More >
Where Can Kabby Go?
Jun 4th
So, its June and the year is 2008 or later. You guys all know the drill. Tomas Kaberle probably used his no trade clause at the trade deadline, and speculation runs wild that the Leafs will trade him at the draft, particularly this year where the pick cupboard is particularly low. The particular opinion is that the Leafs want a top six forward and secondary toughness in return, in an effort to shore up a particularly ailing forward system on a team filled to the brim with defencemen and goaltending for the first time since the birth of Chris Chelios (273 BC).
At this point, everyone agrees that no matter how much we respect Kaberle for being one of the top all time defencemen on this team in terms of contribution, for being far and away the longest serving Leaf left (he’s the only player that was on the roster before October 2008. Yes, you read that right), for being classy as can be during his tenure, for consistantly being an awesome defenceman, and about a thousand things great about him, its his time to go. Dion Phaneuf has come in and declared the team his, essentially making it clear that anyone who disagrees can jump off a bridge. Francois Beauchemin had a solid year. Komisarek, when healthy, was very good after the first few weeks. Luke Schenn had a weak start to the year, but has been evolving at hyperspeed since Dion came in. Carl Gunnarsson has shown amazing strides in his play. And the Leafs have a million and one defensive prospects willing to force Jeff Finger into the AHL. Kaberle is just simply the odd one out.
There is a question that concerns many though – and that’s who would be wanting a player like Kaberle? As great as he is, there are definite concerns in such a trade.
1. How does the other team look for salary?
1a. Do they have a lot of players to sign already? High cap space may not be as good as appears.
2. Do they have enough forward depth to be able to trade someone solid away?
3. Would Kaberle be a first pairing defenceman on the team?
4. Would Kaberle be the #1 puck moving defenceman on the team?
5. Is the team in a position where they’d want to be acquiring a Kaberle to win?
6. How badly would they require Kaberle to sign an extension? And
7. Would Kaberle want to sign an extension there?
I took these 8 categories, and put them in to a chart, to see if it gives a reasonably accurate portrayal of who I thought could aquire Tomas. This is what came out of it.
Tuesday Roundup – BRB ACC
Jan 26th
Not like anyone cares, but I’m going to tonights game. First regular season game in nine years, as a matter of fact. Kinda odd too – the last one was also against LA. Merely a coincidence though. Until then though, I’m here, and so is your Tuesday Morning Roundup.
News From The Printerweb:
1. David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail gives us an update on Komisarek’s injury and talks about the incredibly stupid zamboni practice controversy.
2. The Sporting News has a pretty decent preview of tonight’s game. Probably because we’re facing LA.
3. The Los Angeles Times talks about Wayne Simmonds homecoming to Toronto. Unlike yesterday, the Kings circlejerk isn’t coming from a Toronto paper.
4. Back to Shoalts, he talks about how the clock is ticking on the Leafs goalie decision. I disagree. The clock is yelling at Ron and Brian to make the obvious choice.
Things From The Intertubes:
1. Far Away Leaf says they’d like to enjoy watching the Leafs again.
2. Puckdrawn wants you to rebrand the Leafs. If this was real, I’d have my pitchfork out, but have some fun in this fake reality we call Photoshop and his trusty Intertubes.
3. Sports and the City is in favour of Kaberle staying. I agree, “WAH WE NEED A FIRST” people be damned.
4. Junior on Maple Leafs Hot Stove talks about effectively using “Good News!” and, to add some seriousness to his argument, Luke Schenn.
5. Steve from Hockey Analysis tells us where the Leafs stand.
6. Battle Of Ontario reminds us that the Kessel trade shouldn’t be synonymous with the Leafs policy on picks, and that we acquire them sometimes.
7. Still need more of a fix? Pension Plan Puppets has a few more links in their roundup.
Leafs Lunch:
As always, Leafs Lunch is on at noon. Here’s a link for you to stream it.
Stuff From The Forums:
Not happening just yet.
Unseen Leafs Photos – Part I – All Kessel Edition
Nov 16th
The plan is for Unseen Leafs Photos to become a daily routine of odd photoshopped photos. Lets see how it goes.
February 15th, 2010 - The first of many acts of “I told you so” to the Boston Bruins organization.
April 10th, 2010 – Batman discovers he has been laid off. Must mean the Leafs season is over.
June 23rd, 2010 - Though the Leafs end of season push still left them only ninth in the Eastern Conference, tears were wept by Bruins fans everywhere regardless. Taylor Hall, not shown, is eating a hot dog, and has spilled ketchup on his jersey. Good thing its a Hurricanes home jersey.
January 20th, 2011 - Phil is seconds away from taking a shot during Chara’s attempt at the breakaway challenge, leading to the first skills competition line brawl in the history of the game.
February 16th, 2011 - After smashing the fastest skater record at the skills competition on the night of the previous picture, Kessel now has an addicton to proving himself the fastest object alive. He would start this race in 42nd with 10 laps to go, and win it by 9.8 laps. The race, held just outside Miami, sold more tickets that night than the Lightning and Panthers combined. And thats with all 41 games each combined.
Until Next Time,
Jeff
Loading ...
