News Brief: Wallin Signs With Toronto

Grabvoski – Kulemin – Hagman*
J.Mitchell – Blake – ???*
Bozak – Hanson – Stalberg
Wallin – Orr – Stuart

Beauchemin – Komisarek
Schenn – White
Finger – Exelby

Toskala – Gustavsson

We’d be deep down all 4 lines and still with more depth in the minors (Mitchell, Dido and Stefanovich, Tlusty, Scott and Berry) and a fierce defenseline in the East and a hopefully great goalie tandem.

I expect Stajan, Stemps, Mayers and Hollweg to be packaged or waived and sent down before the season so we can get down below the cap.

* Depending on what type of forward/s we get for either Kabs or VanRyn (if he’s the other dman). Hagman would either be in the first line, if we trade with Buf or Van and the second line if we trade with LA. But this wouldn’t be bad team to ice this year.

@Jordan

Those lines seem to make sense. Although Burke loves his top 6/bottom 6 setup, I really doubt that’ll actually be done this year.

This is a year to roll three scoring lines, with the third one being a little more defensively sound.

The reason is this: we have so many kids that need their shot in the big-times, show what they have and make an impression.

If they thrive, great! if not, give them more time or trade them for other assets.

My bad, I did mix up the centers:

Hagman-Grabo-Kulemin TOP 6
Bozak-Tlusty-Stalberg
Blake-Mitchell-Stajan BOTTOM 6
Orr – Wallin – Stuart

I did leave out Poni because I think he will be traded for sure. Not because hes not valuable to us, but hes UFA next year, and his value is at its peak IMO. Hes comming off a career year and could be a good piece to add into a trade to get a decent top 6.

I would MUCH rather us bring in a TRUE top line center though, to be a mentor for the young guys, and to eventually build around. (Vinny, Thronton, Marleau, etc), then I would want:

Tlusty-????-Bozak/Stalberg TOP 6
Hagman-Grabo-Kulemin
Blake-Mitchell-Stajan BOTTOM 6
Orr – Wallin – Stuart
LOTS of different opinions and combos possible though, and it will be fun to see who actually brings it, and who makes good chemistry!

@ Ohmyleafs

Don’t get the centre ice package just to watch the Leafs’ black-out games in Ottawa…get the Leafs on-line package. It’s WAY cheaper, you get to choose your camera angles and there are three game packs instead of the commiting to the whole season. I did that for the passed two years and loved it but now have Leafs TV and a PVR so I’m good. Just want to help a leafs brother out!
PS: I don’t work for MLS&E

@ jordan……..dude, after reading all your posts on the various threads, I have to say that I agree with damn near everything you say!! you think just like me….which is to say “correctly”.

Can’t imagine he would command more that Kotalik got, which was 3 years at $3mill. He just came off a contract that was paying him over $5 mill annually, As long as he were given a full medical clearance I think he would be a great fit and he is still only 29 years old.

He just wants to playson the small ice this year and play at a high tempo to see if he can make his countries Olympic Team this year.

I can’t understand why some guys want to get rid of Ponikarovsky,maybe in a deal for a top 6 forward. IMO, Pony IS a top 6 forward(5-6).He had his best year last year,and I believe will play even bigger and better this year what with the new toughness we have now to back him up. Now,if you’re trading him with Kaberle and something else for a #1 centre like Joe Thornton,that’s another story.Pony up!!