Question Period – Leafs Edition
Ten questions as you ponder the Leafs’ future with Martin Gerber between the pipes.
1. Are you content with Brian Burke’s decisions at the Trade Deadline?
2. Do you think Gerber will aid Tank Nation, or further the Leafs from a top 5 pick?
3. Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore are no longer Maple Leafs, do you see either of them re-signing with the Leafs during the off-season?
4. Pavel Kubina (4 G, 8 PTS in his last 6 GP) and Tomas Kaberle will have their no-trade clauses lifted between the NHL Entry Draft and August 15th, do you see Burke unloading either of them? Both of them?
5. Vesa Toskala is out for the season. Will he be the Leafs’ starting goaltender next season, or will he be traded during the summer?
6. If the Leafs continue to separate themselves from a top 5 pick, should Burke trade up?
7. Burke will have plenty of options to start the rebuilding in Toronto this summer – free agency, draft day, trading, and college signings. If you were Burke, what transactions would you perform to turn this team around?
8. Anton Stralman and Jiri Tlusty have been lighting up the AHL (Tlusty named AHL player of the month in February). What role do you see them playing in the Leafs’ future?
9. Justin Pogge has struggled in the NHL thus far. Do you still see him as the goaltender of the future?
10. Is it possible Mats Sundin returns to the Leafs next season?
Super Duper Bonus Question!
1. If you were a chick, who’s the one guy you would sleep with?
You stay classy, MLHS.
ronguillet@mapleleafshotstove.com
March 6th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
1. Yes I am, he didn’t take on any contracts into next year and acquired draft picks. just wish Antropov’s trade would’ve been for a 1st rounder but it’s not Burke’s fault.
2. He will help this team win, which is the opposite of a rebuild. As Bill Watters said it’s more of a renovation.
3. No I think they’re done as Leafs. Mitchell is a capable 3rd line center and despite thinking Antropov’s a good forward I don’t think he’s what Burke’s looking for.
4. I hope he will trade both, but I think BB sees value in keeping one of them and that person is Kubina. Kaberle will get traded at the draft. Kubina likely will be dealt as a rental at the trade deadline.
5. There’s no better goalie in the Leafs system, I don’t see how he’s not the starter, unless Burke’s the mayor of tank nation.
6. No I think he could move up significantly if he is willing to part with the 2 2nd round picks.
7. This year it’s all about the draft and signing as many US college FA as possible. Forget July 1, we’re not ready to win yet therefore signing big ticket UFAs will only hinder the rebuild
8. it’s too early to tell, but I think it’s clear these two will be permanent Leafs in the not to distant future. Next season I see Tlusty on the PP and maybe 2nd line with the leafs. Stralman, a 5-7 dman for the leafs.
March 6th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
9. Need to hang on to him, at worst he’ll be a capable backup in the NHL
10. If he accepts NO NTC then YES, but that won’t happen. Burke won’t wait around all summer long for him to decide. So NO
Bonus. Ron are you hinting at something? lol
March 6th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
1. (Content) For the most part
2. (Gerber)With the alternative being CuJo, I definitely see Gerber as not helping Tank nation since Toskala had to shut it down regardless.
3. (Re signing)After the negotiations that took place I can’t see Moore re signing, Antropov may feel slighted by Burke’s public comments and may not want to come back but he is the more likely of the two.
4. (NTC)I don’t see what all the fuss is about Kubina’s improved play..he did this exact same thing this same time last year so it’s not surprising. With that said, I see it more likely that he will trade Kaberle as it’s more likely he will get fair value as opposed to Kubina.
5. (Toskala) Reading between the lines of what has taken place this past week leads me to believe that Toskala will be back next year.
6. (Trade up) If our pick is 8th or worse and Burke can pull off a trade where we don’t give up too much to get in the top 5 I say absolutely go for it.
7.(Rebuild) Basically Burke has to use every means available to him to acquire good young talent that will be able to contribute once this team is competitive again.
8. (Stalman + Tlusty) Hopefully Stralman can develop into Kaberle 2.0 and if Tlusty continues to progress I can see him being our future franchise player’s wing man on the 1st line.
9. (Pogge) At this point in time I don’t see Pogge as becoming a bonafide #1.
10. (Sundin) This team will still be rebuilding next year so Sundin will probably not return for the same reasons he didn’t return this year.
Bonus…dude wtf?
March 6th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
JOHN STAMOS!
March 6th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
clearly carlton didn’t get the step brothers reference
March 6th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
1) Yeah, it was a hard deadline. We might’ve been a little underpaid on Antropov but we were overpaid with Moore, so it equals out.
2) Gerber will be Geber, inconsistent. It’ll depend on how the team is playing.
3) Nik? No. Moore? Maybe. It’ll depend on how the Dominator plays with Buffalo. If he does well, he won’t come back, if not… He has to, we are his hometown team and the only place he’s ever done well, as long as he is willing to play for the correct pay he’s welcome back.
4) Kaberle traded at the draft, but Kubina will probably stay on until at least next years trade deadline. I think Burke secretly wishes to keep one, and Kaberle will fetch a much bigger return.
5) Good question! If there is interested from other teams, he will be traded. It’s pretty obvious that Cujo won’t be back next season, so I see Burke as holding onto Toskala and keeping him in a semi-starter position while bringing in a Goalie who will definitely challenge for the starter’s spot. Expect a new definite number one the year after.
6) I think he can move up, and should. I’d prefer we use Kaberle to do it instead of our 2 2nd rounders, but I’d settle for whatever we can. If not, it may not end up that badly if Burke has a plan for a particular player (Braydon Schenn? We know Burke likes brothers (neids, sedins)).
7) The college ranks are definitely a good method, and there are a few good ufas to look into as well. Obviously draft day is the most important for the long term, but really Burke should use as many different methods as he can.
9) He is not the goaltender of the future as it stands. I would love to see some sort of trade to acquire another prospect goaltender (maybe Corey Schneider?). I think he will be playing in the NHL in a short while, but it may only be as a backup. I don’t doubt that he could someday be a number one, but it won’t be for another few years in my opinion. If he doesn’t mind playing in the AHL for at least 2 or 3 more years, than that would be the best plan.
10) Burke does have a history of bringing back guys like him, so I wouldn’t be surprised, but I would prefer that if we did bring him back, that we bring him back in 2 years for one last season.
Bonus: Lanny MacDonald, or if not him, than Ian White. It’s Mustache March!
March 6th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
1. Did the best he could with the market being so conservative.
2. Don’t believe in “Tank Nation”, and i hope he does play well
and hope Burke is able to re-sign him at a discount for a backup
for Toskala.
3. I think if Moore really wanted to play with the Buds, he would of
taken the hometown discount before the deadline. I think Burke will
acquire another Cntr to fill that spot. So no to that question.
4. Kaberle isn’t fitting well, and it was mentioned on this site that he
hasn’t been the same since the Janssen hit and i believe that’s true.
Now for Kubina, well if he could get this intensity at the first of the
season then yeah……he’s still a great shot.
5. Give him till end of training camp to see if his form comes back, but
if Gerber plays well, we could always sign him as insurance, not sure
about Pogge….like Price…….he isn’t impressing me much like they
did in the WJC.
6. I think the Leafs will try to place around 10 to 15 cause i personally
think the Leafs should try for Ryan Ellis, and try to gain another pick
thru the trading of Kaberle.
7. Keep Blake no matter what, use Kaberle as a bait for another pick
to draft Kane or Schenn. Sign Cammalleri (works good as a winger)
, if we trade Kabs…..Beauchemin would be a good replacement.
This will get the ball rolling, but not finished; NCAA prospect signing,
Chad Rau/Viktor Stalberg and (praying) Matt Gilroy, which will be
great to get them stocked in the Marlies shelves for backups/callups.
8. Tlusty will get his chance in training camp and hopefully Hamilton will
be back next year, cause both of them would be a speedy wingers
on a line with Mitchell for sure. Stralman might develop into a good
dman, but he’s still not there yet……but who knows.
9. One name Jaruslav Janus – Finland / later round pick. (could be the
next Hasek)
10. F**k no…….had his chance to help us last year and come back this
year……period.
March 6th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
1. Absolutely content with the moves he made. I really like the direction Burke is taking, and the patience he shows in his decisions. I like the image he is creating for the organization.
2. If Gerber continues to play like his career is on the line, this man will help us win for sure. I’d love to see Gerber continue to play that way. However if he falls back into old habits than we have a bonafide tanker of a goalie on our hands. Without watching yesterday’s game I would have said we were dead in the water, but seeing how hard he is trying, it’s hard to not imagine him doing the same thing over the remainder of the season.
3. Part of me would like to see either one come back. I’d say it was more realtisic to get Antropov back than Moore, because of the contracts issue. However if Moore doesn’t find a taker this summer, we may just see him return to the Blue and White.
4. I’d say Kubina is a goner for sure, and for Kaberle it’s 50-50. I think Burke will stick to the fact that he has to be blown away to trade him. Whereas Kubina could be had for a cheaper price, and he’s a good D man for 5mill. So if we keep him, great!
5. Vesa Toskala will still be the starter next season for sure, I would be stunned if he was traded in the summer. Watch for him to bounce back (if surgery is successful) and be shopped at next years deadline. (Thats what I’d do)
6. With the extra second round pick I’d say that would be a good idea. If we packaged out first, buff or nyr second, and a player… I think we could make that happen.
7. Trade up to draft Tavares, I do think he’s a perfect fit for the Leafs. Trade Kubina, Finger, and Poni. Keep Kaberle, Stralman, and extend White. Make a pitch for some “solid” 2nd liners, and find a #1 Center.
8. Anton Stralman should be kept, and played. I see a future Kaberle in him, and I think he has wicked awesome potential. I think he’s ego is a bit fragile, so he should be handled carefully. If Tlusty can score 5 goals in a game, and put up a point per game in the AHL, than he should be able to translate that to the NHL. Maybe not a point per game, but a future 60+ pointer here. He should be brought up and played at least 2nd line minutes next year.
9. Justin Pogge still in my eyes has a lot of potential, and I found that more often than not the Leafs gave up on him this year in games. He’s big and from what I can tell has good rebound control. Sort of like Luongo in the sense that he “absorbs” the puck. I definitely think we should bring him up next year and play him more. But we should try and look for a franchise goaltender, either proven, or draft one. And just keep working on it, to say that Pogge will turn out is impossible. But I see potential for him to kick some ass for us.
10. It would make zero sense for Mats Sundin to be a Leaf next year, zero. I think Brian Burke knows that.
Super Duper Bonus Question!
1. What!?
March 6th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
LMAO – Thank you deMarcus for getting the Step Brothers reference!! You win!
March 6th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
1. Are you content with Brian Burke’s decisions at the Trade Deadline? – Yeah, he did all he could.
2. Do you think Gerber will aid Tank Nation, or further the Leafs from a top 5 pick? – In the middle. I don’t see him winning a ton of games or losing a ton. I think he’ll probably go .500 or close to it.
3. Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore are no longer Maple Leafs, do you see either of them re-signing with the Leafs during the off-season? – No
4. Pavel Kubina (4 G, 8 PTS in his last 6 GP) and Tomas Kaberle will have their no-trade clauses lifted between the NHL Entry Draft and August 15th, do you see Burke unloading either of them? Both of them? – I think Kaberle is still likely to go in the summer. Kubina stays most likely, although I’d move both.
5. Vesa Toskala is out for the season. Will he be the Leafs’ starting goaltender next season, or will he be traded during the summer? – I don’t think he’s tradeable in the summer. I think he’ll be a Leaf till the deadline, then they’ll decide to move him or resign him.
6. If the Leafs continue to separate themselves from a top 5 pick, should Burke trade up? – Depends on the price.
7. Burke will have plenty of options to start the rebuilding in Toronto this summer – free agency, draft day, trading, and college signings. If you were Burke, what transactions would you perform to turn this team around? – Move Kaberle and Kubina, sign Gilroy Beauchemin.
8. Anton Stralman and Jiri Tlusty have been lighting up the AHL (Tlusty named AHL player of the month in February). What role do you see them playing in the Leafs’ future? – Top 6 forward and top 4 dman, when they are ready. They are starting to show they might be ready soon.
9. Justin Pogge has struggled in the NHL thus far. Do you still see him as the goaltender of the future? – There’s still time. He wasn’t terrible, wasn’t great either. He had zero support. He looked better in the last 2 games.
10. Is it possible Mats Sundin returns to the Leafs next season? – Doubt it. I’m not interested in going down that road.
March 6th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Ron, Step Brothers was hilarious!!
March 6th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
1/ Yes Especially Moore’s 2nd
2/Gerbers a pro..he won’t hurt them.
3/Antro back at 3 mill very posssible, Moore no.
4/ Keep Kuby he’s a gamer. Kaberle’s summer trade is the franchise shaper.
5/ Toskala will be back and have a great contract year.
6/Trade up only for Tavares
7/Trade Kaberle for a 1st and a ready blue chipper, sign Cammy , keep powder for Rick Nash and /or steal a player from a cap dysfunctional team.
8/ Both Leaf front liners soon
9/Poggee needs a fair shot, definately not close to writing him off.
19/Matts not
March 6th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
1. Are you content with Brian Burke’s decisions at the Trade Deadline?
– Yes, couldn’t as ask for much more.
2. Do you think Gerber will aid Tank Nation, or further the Leafs from a top 5 pick?
– I can see us giving us average goaltending (Which is a step up to what we normally get), and thus we will win a few more games. Who cares what “tank nation” thinks, they aren’t Leaf fans anyway.
3. Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore are no longer Maple Leafs, do you see either of them re-signing with the Leafs during the off-season?
– No.
4. Pavel Kubina (4 G, 8 PTS in his last 6 GP) and Tomas Kaberle will have their no-trade clauses lifted between the NHL Entry Draft and August 15th, do you see Burke unloading either of them? Both of them?
– One of them, maybe. Not both.
5. Vesa Toskala is out for the season. Will he be the Leafs’ starting goaltender next season, or will he be traded during the summer?
– He’ll be the starter. If Gerber plays well he could be re-signed as the back up or as a fail safe if Toskala craps the bed again, or surgery doesn’t go as planned.
6. If the Leafs continue to separate themselves from a top 5 pick, should Burke trade up?
– No.
7. Burke will have plenty of options to start the rebuilding in Toronto this summer – free agency, draft day, trading, and college signings. If you were Burke, what transactions would you perform to turn this team around?
– Go hard for as many of the “top” college FAs out there.
– A trade or two perhaps. I personally believe we need a pure playmaking center to try with Blake/Stemp/Kule/Poni and all the other “shooters” we got.
– See if we can package two players for one.. We got a little bit of depth at forward, so maybe Trading Poni and Grabo as a package for a better player, and signing a filler or replacing them with a Marlie like Stapleton could help.
– Keep going hard after draft picks of course.
– Draft Schenn if possible. If not I did like what I saw from Kulikov and Tatar in the WJC.. Then again Martin Sagat looked good at the WJC too, so the jury is out on Tatar
– Give Bouwmeester what he wants if he wants to sign here. I can’t see him commanding a dollar over Chara-money (7.5 mil per I believe), so if we can get him at that or lower then it is a must. Whoever thinks this kid is overrated needs a shake.
– Cammalleri at 5 mil for 3 or 4 years gives us a top line player. But he’ll probably get more.
8. Anton Stralman and Jiri Tlusty have been lighting up the AHL (Tlusty named AHL player of the month in February). What role do you see them playing in the Leafs’ future?
– Top line winger in Tlusty, depth defenseman in Stralman. Tlusty should be recalled soon to see if he can keep up his scoring in the NHL.
9. Justin Pogge has struggled in the NHL thus far. Do you still see him as the goaltender of the future?
– No.
10. Is it possible Mats Sundin returns to the Leafs next season?
– Perhaps.
March 6th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Super Duper Bonus Question!
1. If you were a chick, who’s the one guy you would sleep with?
– Ryan Hollweg, final answer.
March 6th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
1. I am fine with the deals made at the deadline. I would have liked more for Antropov, but we did get 2 2nd round picks which is a start, and we got a 4th for free from T.B. So I am content with what was done I guess.
2. I think getting Gerber will get us further away from a top 5 pick. (Thanks Burke!)
3. No I don’t see either returning.
4. I have a feeling that both will still be here. I don’t think Burke will get what he wants for either as shown by the deadline teams are very cautious of dealing top prospects due to an impending lower cap in 2011, teams will need those prospects to fill out their roster, I say both don’t go anywhere and are part of the team’s rebuild.
5. Toskala will still be here as the starter. His value isn’t worth moving.
6. I would try as hard as I could to get to a top 3 or 4 to get Kane or Schenn, package our 2nd round picks with our 1st maybe.
7. I would try and get Bobby Ryan from Anaheim or other good young guys. I would stay far away from signing vets like the Sedin’s or Cammiliari.
8. I think Tlusty will be on our team full time next year. Stralman I don’t think is there yet. Will get the occasional call ups.
9. No I don’t. I think he’ll be a back up for a good team, and an average starter at best.
10. No chance Sundin returns imo. I would hope not.
March 6th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
1. Are you content with Brian Burke’s decisions at the Trade Deadline?
- Yes, UFAs were turned into decent draft picks. Burke got what many would argue was fair value for Antropov, and got a much higher value than Moore was worth.
.
2. Do you think Gerber will aid Tank Nation, or further the Leafs from a top 5 pick?
- I don`t think he makes a difference one way or the other.
.
3. Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore are no longer Maple Leafs, do you see either of them re-signing with the Leafs during the off-season?
- Antropov, no … Sather has already said he wants to keep him in NY, and has a history of paying players far more than they are worth. Nik will get the big contract he wouldn`t get elsewhere and stay. Moore is a definite possibility to come back … if he gets realistic about his salary demands.
.
4. Pavel Kubina (4 G, 8 PTS in his last 6 GP) and Tomas Kaberle will have their no-trade clauses lifted between the NHL Entry Draft and August 15th, do you see Burke unloading either of them? Both of them?
- Kubina, yes, because his contract ends after next season. But it is unlikely he moves Kaberle unless he gets that Pronger-esque offer. Simply put, Kaberle is a bargain, has two more years left on his deal, and would be very difficult to replace.
.
5. Vesa Toskala is out for the season. Will he be the Leafs’ starting goaltender next season, or will he be traded during the summer?
- He will be the starter, if healthy. No trade market for him as of this moment.
.
6. If the Leafs continue to separate themselves from a top 5 pick, should Burke trade up?
- Yes. Burke has already hinted as much following the deadline, and the extra picks he acquired may allow him to do so.
.
7. Burke will have plenty of options to start the rebuilding in Toronto this summer – free agency, draft day, trading, and college signings. If you were Burke, what transactions would you perform to turn this team around?
- Go after Gilroy and Bozak in the NCAA ranks. Try to move up in the first round. Explore free agency, but within reason (and with an eye toward 2010-11).
.
8. Anton Stralman and Jiri Tlusty have been lighting up the AHL (Tlusty named AHL player of the month in February). What role do you see them playing in the Leafs’ future?
-Tlusty will get another shot as a winger in Toronto. Stralman could one day be the long-term replacement for Kaberle … but is still quite a ways off from getting there.
.
9. Justin Pogge has struggled in the NHL thus far. Do you still see him as the goaltender of the future?
- Solid starter, good but not necessarily great. He has shown flashes of potential but clearly needs a ton of work on his game. Fans must be careful not to crush this kid with too many expectations too soon.
.
10. Is it possible Mats Sundin returns to the Leafs next season?
- I put the odds of that happening at about 10%.
.
Super Duper Bonus Question!
If you were a chick, who’s the one guy you would sleep with?
.
Garrett Bauman
March 6th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
A lot of you said that we should trade up to get Tavares, and even though I would like that as much of the next guy, what are the realistic chances? What do we have to offer that would make any team (whoever has the first overall pick) want to give up Tavares?
March 6th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Adam it would take a serious overpayment that wouldn’t be worth it.
Think something along the lines of our 1st, Tlusty, our two 2nd round picks and Kaberle.
It would take a big overpayment for the isles to ever consider moving that pick.
I think it would be realistic to move up a few spots, but for #1 or 2 you’ll need to trade the farm.
March 6th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
1. yes.
2. hopefully the former, but with no pressure and a few games remaining against equally mediocre teams, unfortunately the leafs could have lost their chance at finishing in the bottom 5.
3. maybe to 1-year contracts so they can be traded again at next year’s deadline…
antropov i don’t see being re-signed. he’ll want to come back, but i don’t think burke has him in his plans for the future. and moore, only if he significantly reduces his asking price.
4. hopefully at least one. i’d prefer both, but of the 2 i think i can see kubina being retained before kaberle… let’s face it, the leafs played pretty well with kaberle out of the lineup, and stralman does have the potential to fill his shoes. i think both burke and wilson really like kubina, and since kaberle would probably be more sought-after (thus, a higher return) and is also the worse of the two defensively, then i’d expect kaberle to go before kubina.
5. he’ll be the leafs’ starter. with his injury this year, i think most teams would rather not trade for him in the off-season, and i think for the leafs it’d be better not to trade him when his value is low. if he plays really well, the leafs may be able to trade him, hopefully recovering the assets they lost when they traded for him in the first place. if he sucks again, he’s UFA at the end of next season anyway.
6. yes! i have my heart set on a top-5 pick. evander kane or brayden schenn would be fantastic additions to the leafs. whatever happens on draft day, i want one of those two. or both. preferably both, but the likelihood of that happening, even with burke…
7. all of the above! try to get gilroy and bozak, i’d like to get mike cammalleri (particularly if he’s willing to take a hometown discount… i’d rather not overspend), bobby ryan via trade, and other young players/prospects…
8. i’d like to see them both get a shot at playing major roles with the leafs. a lot of people have speculated that either of them could be traded, but i’d like to see them given a chance with the leafs, because i doubt other teams would offer that much in exchange for them. if an offer came up that burke couldn’t refuse, then sure… but i just don’t see that offer ever being made.
9. i really wish JFJ hadn’t traded rask, mostly just so we’d have an option. maybe in a few years pogge will be ready, or maybe he’d be better in the NHL than the AHL, but i’m not entirely sure about him yet. i actually really wish reimer was playing with the marlies, because he’s always had decent stats on bad teams (whereas pogge played junior on a really good team, and has struggled playing for a bad team).
10. i hope not, unless he doesn’t have an NTC and the leafs can trade him anywhere they want. but please, no more drama. i’ve had enough.
bonus: well, i am a chick, and i’d have to say luke schenn… even if he is younger than me!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
1. Burke’s decisions – mostly content, although I still think his comments about Antro hurt his trade value. There are ways to motivate a guy without showing all your cards.
2. Gerber will play well. He’s motivated to prove he still belongs in the NHL. The Leafs will struggle. I see us picking 5-7 in the end.
3. Neither Moore nor Antropov will be resigned.
4. One or both (preferably) of Kaberle and Kubina will be traded.
5. Toskala will be our starting goalie next year, with Gerber as a potential backup.
6. Best question of the lot! It’s certainly something to consider, especially if we can use a roster player(s) as bait. But I hope we don’t trade picks. We need quantity and quality.
7. The Leafs should explore every option – draft, free agency, trades and college players. Build smart, though.
8. Tlusty and Stralman have played well of late. Let’s hope they enjoy a nice playoff run and come to camp ready to compete.
9. Pogge needs to be pushed. We need another top goalie prospect.
10. Mats will retire as a Leaf, whether he takes the ice again or not.
March 6th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
1. Are you content with Brian Burke’s decisions at the Trade Deadline?
Yes for sure, he didnt make any mistakes. I trust what hes doing so I agree with what he did
2. Do you think Gerber will aid Tank Nation, or further the Leafs from a top 5 pick?
Hes gonna get us close to a playoff spot IMO, he has something to prove
3. Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore are no longer Maple Leafs, do you see either of them re-signing with the Leafs during the off-season?
Maybe Antropov but we dont need Moore, we have Mitchell and Stajan who can do the same roll he does
4. Pavel Kubina (4 G, 8 PTS in his last 6 GP) and Tomas Kaberle will have their no-trade clauses lifted between the NHL Entry Draft and August 15th, do you see Burke unloading either of them? Both of them?
I see and hope he unloads Kaberle but keeps Kubina
5. Vesa Toskala is out for the season. Will he be the Leafs’ starting goaltender next season, or will he be traded during the summer?
Hes gonna come back this year and be stronger then ever
6. If the Leafs continue to separate themselves from a top 5 pick, should Burke trade up?
Yah but wait for the draft
7. Burke will have plenty of options to start the rebuilding in Toronto this summer – free agency, draft day, trading, and college signings. If you were Burke, what transactions would you perform to turn this team around?
Only UFA I would sign would be Cammy that worth alot, then go after the NCAA guys and may be a few roll players
8. Anton Stralman and Jiri Tlusty have been lighting up the AHL (Tlusty named AHL player of the month in February). What role do you see them playing in the Leafs’ future?
Stralman should be a 5-6 guy and work his way up nmext year and if Tlusty keep this up he could be a line 2 guy next year
9. Justin Pogge has struggled in the NHL thus far. Do you still see him as the goaltender of the future?
I think he will but I think it may take time….theres no way his play up till now was a fluke, hes a great goalie
10. Is it possible Mats Sundin returns to the Leafs next season?
I would like to see him but without a NTC and only if the team can be a bit competitive
11. Only guy in the world I sleep with is hands down, ME!….I am the shit and everyone wants to be like me, and I own all thew whores!:)
March 7th, 2009 at 1:20 am
1. Are you content with Brian Burke’s decisions at the Trade Deadline?
yepper, in burke we trust.
2. Do you think Gerber will aid Tank Nation, or further the Leafs from a top 5 pick?
Gerber plays well behind a defensively responsible team. Defense will determine the fate of this team.
3. Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore are no longer Maple Leafs, do you see either of them re-signing with the Leafs during the off-season?
Antropov, hes emotionally attached to the fishing in Ontario.
4. Pavel Kubina (4 G, 8 PTS in his last 6 GP) and Tomas Kaberle will have their no-trade clauses lifted between the NHL Entry Draft and August 15th, do you see Burke unloading either of them? Both of them?
I see him keeping both. Just because of a bad trade market.
5. Vesa Toskala is out for the season. Will he be the Leafs’ starting goaltender next season, or will he be traded during the summer?
Vesa will dominate next season in a leafs uni.
6. If the Leafs continue to separate themselves from a top 5 pick, should Burke trade up?
Yes to select B Schenn
7. Burke will have plenty of options to start the rebuilding in Toronto this summer – free agency, draft day, trading, and college signings. If you were Burke, what transactions would you perform to turn this team around?
NCAA signings, responsible drafting, and trading for more prospects.
8. Anton Stralman and Jiri Tlusty have been lighting up the AHL (Tlusty named AHL player of the month in February). What role do you see them playing in the Leafs’ future?
Stralman: NHL d man next season sometime. Will be 2nd PP unit, 3rd D pairing.
Jiri: Playing with kulemin and grabovski
9. Justin Pogge has struggled in the NHL thus far. Do you still see him as the goaltender of the future?
Yes. Hes got tweaking to do though
10. Is it possible Mats Sundin returns to the Leafs next season?
He wants to retire a leaf, right?
Bonus: White, who wants a mustache ride !?
March 7th, 2009 at 2:50 am
1. Are you content with Brian Burke’s decisions at the Trade Deadline?
– Did the best he could based on the market.
2. Do you think Gerber will aid Tank Nation, or further the Leafs from a top 5 pick?
– Leafs won’t be getting a top 5 pick.
3. Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore are no longer Maple Leafs, do you see either of them re-signing with the Leafs during the off-season?
– Always a chance but I doubt it.
4. Pavel Kubina (4 G, 8 PTS in his last 6 GP) and Tomas Kaberle will have their no-trade clauses lifted between the NHL Entry Draft and August 15th, do you see Burke unloading either of them? Both of them?
– I would like to see them both go….. but it’s not likely to happen. I think Burke will trade one of them if it can help him move up in the draft, otherwise he will hold onto both.
5. Vesa Toskala is out for the season. Will he be the Leafs’ starting goaltender next season, or will he be traded during the summer?
– Toskala will be back next year.
6. If the Leafs continue to separate themselves from a top 5 pick, should Burke trade up?
– Totally dependent on the cost. If he can move up without giving up too much future then go for it. It he already has a top 10 pick though it may be a waste based on the depth in this years draft. I’d rather see him turn Kaberle into another first rounder (anywhere) and a prospect.
7. Burke will have plenty of options to start the rebuilding in Toronto this summer – free agency, draft day, trading, and college signings. If you were Burke, what transactions would you perform to turn this team around?
– Two different things here. Loading up on prospects via the draft and college signings will be the first order of the day, but that is for the future. For the now I would sign two 25 plus goal scorers at no more than 3.5m each.
8. Anton Stralman and Jiri Tlusty have been lighting up the AHL (Tlusty named AHL player of the month in February). What role do you see them playing in the Leafs’ future?
– Tlusty will see top six minutes next year or spend another year on the farm. Stralman (can he clear waivers again?) will play with the Leafs if Kaberle is gone.
9. Justin Pogge has struggled in the NHL thus far. Do you still see him as the goaltender of the future?
– How far in the future? Pogge has all the tools to play in the NHL, he just isn’t ready yet. Not sure how long they can keep him in the AHL though. He is an RFA this summer.
10. Is it possible Mats Sundin returns to the Leafs next season?
– Anything is possible…. but why? Wouldn’t he just be taking valuable minutes from a Tlusty or another youngster?
Cheers
March 7th, 2009 at 10:55 am
1. I am content, he did not force any trades to happen that were not there, he got the draft picks back we had lost, and he did not take on any long contracts.
2. I’d like to say aid, but after last game he looks like he could be a man on a mission, I don’t think he is going to play perfect, but I don’t think the Leafs are going to be finishing in the bottom 5 either. We will probably end up somewhere around the 7th to 10th pick, much like last year.
3. I see Moore coming back, the grass is not always greener, and the free agent market is going to be a GMs market this year, their may be interest in Moore, but no one is going to pay him 2.5mill.
4. I do see him unloading Kaberle, and probably out west. I have a feeling teams like the Canucks, Blue Jackets, and Stars are really going to struggle in the playoffs with out a dominant power play defenseman and with free agency being very expensive, and the cap room that teams like Vancouver will have (no Ohlund / Sedin’s) someone will make a pitch for him.
5. Toskala will be the Leafs starting goalie next season. They won’t be able to trade him and their is no real reason to buy him out. And Backstrom already is signed, no need really to look for another goalie out there.
6. The draft is deep, as long as they have a top pick I would not break the bank trading up unless the deal is their is a player Burke is really targetting (maybe B. Schenn), as long as they make smart picks when they have them no need to trade up
7. Sign the college players that he has been targetting, please don’t take on the Sedins as their really is no point in bringing them in if you don’t plan on making the playoffs next year. Get a great group of prospects and young players, maybe Mike Cammalerri if he is available
8. Both will play with the big club next year and probably have minor success (Tlustly may actually pocket 20 goals or so, which would not be bad)
9. Nope, unfortanutely
10. Please no, unless it is a 1 day contract to retire as a Maple Leaf.
March 7th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
“Late-blooming Leafs prospect shines on NCAA rinks”
http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=1361605
March 7th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Thats a good find! I would love to see where hes gonna end up fitting in here soon
March 8th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Jordan, I am interested to see where he fits in too. But he’s (Stralberg) only a Junior and still has one more year of college left, and I don’ think he or the Leafs are interested in him leaving yet.
March 9th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
I am not going to go through each and every question but summarize a couple of items.
I think that the youth on the team will be closely monitored along with that on the Marlies until the end of the season. One player that stands out for me considering it is his first season in the NHL is Mitchell. Here is a guy that has size, physicality and has started to learn the defensive side of the game. What I’ve seen of him in the offensive zone and his ability to hit and take hits and stick handle in tight spots leads me to believe that the Leafs may have a second or third line centre here. If in a 3rd line role he could develop into a John Madden type player.
I believe that Kubina or Kaberle will be traded in the off season. I think the way the trade deadline went this year and given the alteration in the cap for the ’10-’11 season it is probably better to trade one of them during the offseason then wait until next February.
I do not seeing either Moore or Antropov coming back. I think that Burke is going to get bigger and faster. Thinking is that if he sees someone like Grabovski and Kulemin being a first or second line then he will want to have a good sized winger with them that can make room for the two of them. So I think it all depends on what Burke thinks of the youth and what he needs.
One kid that I have seen recently in the College is this Hayes kid for Boston College. It is his first year and he has some size and toughness and a nice shot…this could be a kid that we see in a few years.