Now with a POLL! Is the Ron Wilson death watch on? (Possible player revolt?)

shabbs wrote:Burke says players to blame for poor start...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4558575&name=lebrun_pierre

I love how during pre-season he was all over the media, everywhere, Leafs were looking promising... and now they're 0-6 and he's nowhere to be found and does an interview with ESPN. Yes, it's Pierre LeBrun, but still.

Man... He was better off to shut the Diddle up.

Looking at the Leaf's UFAs next year, it looks like Toronto will have plenty of cap room and can add two-three top tier forwards to their developing young core. If I were Burke I think I'd put all my eggs in one basket and try to lure Kovalchuk out of Atlanta. It's obvious the Thrashers are trying to keep Ilya there surrounding him with Russian 'comrades' much like the Caps did in Washington with Ovechkin, but something tells me a person as skilled as Kovalchuk will flourish more in the spotlight. Savard would be a good plan B as would someone like Marleau, but if Burke wants to make a difference he better sign the marquee UFA to save face.

SpezDispenser wrote:

shabbs wrote:Burke says players to blame for poor start...

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4558575&name=lebrun_pierre

I love how during pre-season he was all over the media, everywhere, Leafs were looking promising... and now they're 0-6 and he's nowhere to be found and does an interview with ESPN. Yes, it's Pierre LeBrun, but still.

Man... He was better off to shut the Diddle up.

He just wants to remind everyone that he can do no wrong. He talks about patience and being in no hurry yet he traded for Kessel because there is no one in the upcoming draft that would have immediate impact.

Even The Name Dropper is now saying how he saw this coming a mile away even though he laughingly said on many occasions "I know Ottawa fans don't want to hear this" but Burke is doing a great job and they will challenge for a playoff spot this year.

Entertaining stuff. It amuses me to hear Burke and his Dung sycophants from the media flip flop and look for excuses.

Kovalfie wrote:Looking at the Leaf's UFAs next year, it looks like Toronto will have plenty of cap room and can add two-three top tier forwards to their developing young core. If I were Burke I think I'd put all my eggs in one basket and try to lure Kovalchuk out of Atlanta. It's obvious the Thrashers are trying to keep Ilya there surrounding him with Russian 'comrades' much like the Caps did in Washington with Ovechkin, but something tells me a person as skilled as Kovalchuk will flourish more in the spotlight. Savard would be a good plan B as would someone like Marleau, but if Burke wants to make a difference he better sign the marquee UFA to save face.

KOvalvhuk is a great guy and with the supporting cast he got this year combined with the future (Enstrom, Bogosian, Kane, Little...) his loyalty will stay in ATL. And I'm pretty sure Atlanta will give him more than enough money to even think about going elsewhere.

Kovalfie wrote:Looking at the Leaf's UFAs next year, it looks like Toronto will have plenty of cap room and can add two-three top tier forwards to their developing young core. If I were Burke I think I'd put all my eggs in one basket and try to lure Kovalchuk out of Atlanta. It's obvious the Thrashers are trying to keep Ilya there surrounding him with Russian 'comrades' much like the Caps did in Washington with Ovechkin, but something tells me a person as skilled as Kovalchuk will flourish more in the spotlight. Savard would be a good plan B as would someone like Marleau, but if Burke wants to make a difference he better sign the marquee UFA to save face.

They'll also need to sign/acquire a #1 goalie. Toskala and MacDonald are both UFA's and I'm sure won't be around. Gustavsson's an RFA and unless he takes over the #1 spot... they'll need someone else to.

They need to sign 4 forwards, 2 defencemen and 2 goalies with just under $20M.

shabbs wrote:

Kovalfie wrote:Looking at the Leaf's UFAs next year, it looks like Toronto will have plenty of cap room and can add two-three top tier forwards to their developing young core. If I were Burke I think I'd put all my eggs in one basket and try to lure Kovalchuk out of Atlanta. It's obvious the Thrashers are trying to keep Ilya there surrounding him with Russian 'comrades' much like the Caps did in Washington with Ovechkin, but something tells me a person as skilled as Kovalchuk will flourish more in the spotlight. Savard would be a good plan B as would someone like Marleau, but if Burke wants to make a difference he better sign the marquee UFA to save face.

They'll also need to sign/acquire a #1 goalie. Toskala and MacDonald are both UFA's and I'm sure won't be around. Gustavsson's an RFA and unless he takes over the #1 spot... they'll need someone else to.

They need to sign 4 forwards, 2 defencemen and 2 goalies with just under $20M.

Good thing they have the Genius there to fix all those problems for whoever created them.

The people in TO seriously think they can land Kovalchuk ?

Hoags wrote:The people in TO seriously think they can land Kovalchuk ?

Are you surprised? Some thought they would easily make the playoffs

Hoags wrote:The people in TO seriously think they can land Kovalchuk ?

Some certainly do think so saying that some players want to play in a market with passionate fans. That may be true, but who knows what Kovalchuk wants. If I was Kovalchuck... I'd stay far away from Toronto. Atlanta has some nice young prospects in the pipe. Sure, it's not a hockey hotbed like Toronto, and maybe Kovalchuk likes it that way.

Ya, again, I saw this happening a loooooooong time ago.

N4L wrote:Ya, again, I saw this happening a loooooooong time ago.

When do you see them getting their first win?

I think if they go 10 games without a win... it will hit a fever pitch here in Toronto.

shabbs wrote:

N4L wrote:Ya, again, I saw this happening a loooooooong time ago.

When do you see them getting their first win?

I think if they go 10 games without a win... it will hit a fever pitch here in Toronto.

They may not get a win in October, a kinda sad really. Probably against a divisional rival, Boston I'll say.

N4L wrote:Ya, again, I saw this happening a loooooooong time ago.

They have nowhere to go but up really. Toronto always seems to turn it up late in the season and play spoiler.

I'm curious how they do with Kessel and Gustavsson in the lineup.

marakh wrote:

Kovalfie wrote:Looking at the Leaf's UFAs next year, it looks like Toronto will have plenty of cap room and can add two-three top tier forwards to their developing young core. If I were Burke I think I'd put all my eggs in one basket and try to lure Kovalchuk out of Atlanta. It's obvious the Thrashers are trying to keep Ilya there surrounding him with Russian 'comrades' much like the Caps did in Washington with Ovechkin, but something tells me a person as skilled as Kovalchuk will flourish more in the spotlight. Savard would be a good plan B as would someone like Marleau, but if Burke wants to make a difference he better sign the marquee UFA to save face.

KOvalvhuk is a great guy and with the supporting cast he got this year combined with the future (Enstrom, Bogosian, Kane, Little...) his loyalty will stay in ATL. And I'm pretty sure Atlanta will give him more than enough money to even think about going elsewhere.

Also, I'm pretty sure he has children (or a child) starting school in Atlanta. I think it's more likely he stays than goes, and if he does go Toronto would have to dump a lot of salary to be able to add him (and they'd have to throw the moon at him).

N4L wrote:

shabbs wrote:

N4L wrote:Ya, again, I saw this happening a loooooooong time ago.

When do you see them getting their first win?

I think if they go 10 games without a win... it will hit a fever pitch here in Toronto.

They may not get a win in October, a kinda sad really. Probably against a divisional rival, Boston I'll say.

From now until the end of October they play the Rangers, Canucks, Ducks, Stars, Sabres and Habs. Dallas may be their best hope. If not... a winless October could be possible.

They will beat The Habs, Ill take that bet there, maybe even The Sabres. Dont see them winning a game on the road, although being away from Toronto at this point cant hurt.

That Kessel signing is going to look like Dung if they finish with a lottery pick.

shabbs wrote:

Kovalfie wrote:Looking at the Leaf's UFAs next year, it looks like Toronto will have plenty of cap room and can add two-three top tier forwards to their developing young core. If I were Burke I think I'd put all my eggs in one basket and try to lure Kovalchuk out of Atlanta. It's obvious the Thrashers are trying to keep Ilya there surrounding him with Russian 'comrades' much like the Caps did in Washington with Ovechkin, but something tells me a person as skilled as Kovalchuk will flourish more in the spotlight. Savard would be a good plan B as would someone like Marleau, but if Burke wants to make a difference he better sign the marquee UFA to save face.

They'll also need to sign/acquire a #1 goalie. Toskala and MacDonald are both UFA's and I'm sure won't be around. Gustavsson's an RFA and unless he takes over the #1 spot... they'll need someone else to.

They need to sign 4 forwards, 2 defencemen and 2 goalies with just under $20M.

That 20M is closer to 14.5M due to the fact there should be no bonus cushions next year.

I will assume Kadri makes the team, therefore it is 3 or 4 forwards, 2 defensemen and 2 goalies with 13M (not including a cushion for injuries).