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Question Period – Leafs Edition

by on January 16, 2009 in Uncategorized - 30 Comments

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 Ten questions to ponder while you prepare for the Leafs – Thrashers tilt tonight:

 

 

*Inspired by Eric Engels’ thought-provoking question blogs*

1)      If you were Brian Burke, who would you unload before the Trade Deadline?

2)      Matt Stajan is on pace for 20 goals and 64 points (in 76 games). Trade him while his value is high, or lock him up as an integral piece to the Leafs’ future?

3)      Justin Pogge is scorching hot in the AHL ( 1.64 GAA, .934 SV% in  his last 7 games). Is the time now to insert him to the Leafs’ lineup, or would some extra seasoning in the AHL serve him better?

4)      Burke is reportedly interested in bolstering his club through college prospects (who are UFA’s). D Matt Gilroy (20GP, 2G, 12 PTS) and C Tyler Bozak (18GP, 7G, 21 PTS) are some the names being thrown around. Do you think this is an important step for the Leafs’ rebuilding plan?

5)      Should the Leafs pursue an enforcer, or is the tandem of Deveaux and May – and I suppose Mayers – effective enough already?

6)      Should the Leafs pursue Jay Bouwmeester? Who would you be willing to unload?

7)      What type of return do you think Kaberle will garner if he decides to waive his NTC?

8 )      If the Leafs were to grasp the 1st overall pick – god knows they can’t overcome the almighty Islanders – who would you choose, Tavares or Hedman? And why?

9)      Where do you think the Leafs will land in terms of draft positioning? Who would use choose based off that decision?

And finally, the question you’ve all been waiting for…give me a drum roll…

10)   Will Grabovski and S.Kostitsyn duke it out during their next contest at the Bell Centre, Feb.7th? If so, who will win? And what finisher move will they perform for the “Finish him!” finale?

You stay classy, MLHS.

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  • Garrett Bauman

    1) Antropov for sure should be dealt while his value is high. If (and only if) the offer is right, Kaberle should be moved also. If the offers aren’t there, he should be moved at the draft. Same goes for Kubina. I would add Toskala to the list, but it is questionable what sort of return he would bring. It should be noted that Curtis Sanford has been a better goaltender than Toskala this season, and nobody picked him up when he was waived.

    2) You keep Stajan. His value, trade-wise, isn’t as high as some Leaf fans think. This is the first season in which he has shown an offensive burst. His value will not climb until he proves he is not a one year wonder. And in any event, this team will need veteran leaders when it is ready to compete … who better than a guy who has seen the franchise through its dark days? As for now, Stajan is still a young player, and can be locked up long-term at an affordable number.

    3) Pogge will get more games after either (a) Vesa is dealt at the trade deadline or (b) the Leafs are officially eliminated from the playoff race. So long as Vesa is the starter in Toronto, Pogge is better served with regular playing time in the AHL, than one out of every eight games in the NHL.

    4) It’s always good to take a look at as many leagues as possible. You never know where you can find a player. If Burke thinks the player can help the club, why not take a flyer on him?

    5) The Leafs need toughness, but not the enforcer brand of toughness. They need players who can grind, throw hits, and drive to the net. Power forwards in the Bobby Ryan/Blake Wheeler mode would be much more beneficial than a fighter who only plays five minutes a night.

    6) Bouwmeester should only be pursued if neither Kaberle nor Kubina are in the plans for next season. He will be at minimum a $6 million dollar player, so one of those two would have to be gone for sure. I must admit, Bouwmeester and Stralman sure would look good as a tandem at the point on the PP.

    7) Kaberle should be able to net a 1st round pick, and either a top prospect or a young player (2-3 years in the league) with upside. Which is basically last year’s Philadelphia offer of a 1st and Jeff Carter.

    8 ) If the Leafs somehow get the top pick, I would choose Tavares. Hedman is a great player, but the Leafs need a go-to guy to build the offense around, more than they need a defenseman (especially considering they will be in the running for Bouwmeester anyway).

    9) My guess is the Leafs end up with the 6th pick. In that spot, I would take a forward to build the offense around. Considering that Tavares and Hedman will likely be the first two picks, one of Schroeder, Duchene, Schenn and Kane will be available (probably the latter two). I’d be happy with any of those, but my money is on either Schenn or Kane to be available by pick #6 … which works out well since they both fit the Burke mold better than the other two, anyway.

    10) Grabovski and S.Kostitsyn will try to scrap, but given all the hype and chatter that will build up before the game, the refs/linesmen will have an eye on them and will be sure to break it up before anything really happens.

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  • Paynter Graham

    1. On a team not destined for the playoffs, EVERYONE is available – even Schenn! Make us an offer!

    2. Matt Stajan – good journeyman NHL’er! Decent player – but if the price is right – - – If someone said on a favorable deal – “include Stajan” – he’s history!

    3. Justin Pogge – really is he the Leafs #1 goalie of the future? – somehow I doubt it the way the Leafs have brought him along. Trade him while the stakes are high in a multi-player deal

    4. Are the Leafs interested in free agents? What a dumb question! Who wouldn’t be?

    5. Yes, we need a legitimate heavyweight to protect the prospects. Hello George Parros! But keep Brad May as well – he’s got some balls!

    6. JBo? Look it, the Leafs have got to go for it! If the Leafs don’t step in NOW to acquire what could be the cornerstone of the future, someone else WILL! You can’t wait until the deadline – too late! In a blockbuster – Antropov, Kubina, Grabovski, Tlusty and Jeremy Williams for JBo, Jacob Markstrom and a 1st rounder!

    7. Kaberle ? Depends on #6 question – but no way would I give up Kaberle for LESS than a 1st rounder AND a high quality prospect OR two 1st rounders! Kaberle to Philly or LA seems like the best fit! But two 1st rounders?- take the lowest team in the standings at the time! If you can’t get value – KEEP HIM!

    8. #1 pick overall will be John Tavares – no doubt about it! Evander Kane will be a nice consolation, if possible after Hedman!

    9.. Looks to me the Leafs will finish, say, fifth! Therefore I would say draft Brayden Schenn of the Brandon Wheat Kings. You won’t go wrong!

    10. Grabovski or Kostitsyn – really, does it matter? Big deal – or no deal!

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  • http://www.purevolume.com/johnpilat John

    well, it WOULD be amazing if grabovski gave him the stone cold stunner at centre ice. good suggestion

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  • Garrett Bauman

    Grabovski and Kostitsyn will have a dance off at centre ice.

    Grabs will bust out some 1980s breakdance moves to Eastern European techno beats. Tits will respond with the more traditional Trepak (from The Nutcracker).

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  • Matt Swagg

    1. The only players I would deem untouchable would be Stajan, Schenn, Stralman, Hagman, Grabovski, Kulemin, White & pogge

    2. I wouldn’t trade Stajan… ever… lol

    3. Keep Pogge in the AHL as long as Toskala’s still around.. It’s not worth it to hav him up if he’s not start 4 outta 5 games…

    4. If Burke can sign sum college free agents I say all the power to him… I’ve read about those 3 players since the summer time and they sound like good players considering I’ve nevr seen them play…

    5. Persue and enforcer in the offseason… atleast 2 or 3 will be UFAs in the offseason, dont give up players for an enforcer…

    6. Persue Bouwmeester in the offseason if he’s interested in becomin a Leaf but don’t trade for him unless its a sign n trade… I wouldn’t give up a player for an impending UFA if I wasn’t a playoff team…

    7. Leafs should be able to get a player who can play right now a prospect and a draft pick for kaberle… If they cant get good value they shouldn’t trade him..

    8. #1 draft pick I would pick John Tavares no matter what! He’s from Oakville he’s a Leaf fan and I’ve watched this guy play live for the Generals and this guys the real deal… He’s what the Leafs need!

    9. leafs should end up drafting anywhere from #1-6 standings are pretty close… It’s a deep draft any1 in the top 8 should be playin in the NHL by next season… So the Leafs can’t go wrong… Tavares, Hedman, Duchene, Schroeder, Kane, Eberle, BRAYDEN Schenn…. the list continues but I think it would be pretty cool to watch the Schenn brothers in action on the same team…

    10. Grabovski and S. Kostitsyn will probably end up fight and Garbo will win…

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