Kats Krunch: NHL One Goal Games Records

@ keon:

Yes, San Jose has determined his worth is not as great as his cap space; what does that tell you. If they need space, why don’t we go for one of the guys they actually want to keep around; like Pavelski. I like Clowe, and I would gladly acquire him, but not by using Kaberle. If they wanted to do a Chicago/Minnesota type trade, where we exchange similar players and throw in a player/prospect in order to make it worth their while, while they simultaneously dump the cap space – then sure! I’m talking about something like Ponikarovsky + Mikus = Clowe.

As far as Couture goes – yawn. Imagine if we had a prospect who could tear up the AHL. Wow, that would be amazing. Maybe we could trade him for Phillipe Paradis. The kid does not show any of the same spark as Kadri – I’ll pass. And while we’re on the subject, Ponikarovsky is statistically better than Clowe in every category, including hits. The only thing Poni doesn’t have on Clowe is a desire to drop the gloves. I think that’s evened out by Clowe’s injury history though…

I’m not saying I want Kaberle for a prospect and a pick. In my mind, that would be the worst return for him. I want a top line player in return for Kaberle, and preferably a center. Bozak will not be this team’s top center next year, so suggesting the acquisition of guys like Clowe (for the purpose of augmenting Bozak/Kessel), via Kaberle, is as redundant as suggesting Komisarek/Beauchemin trades. It’s not going to happen.

Finally, Brian Burke is the kind of of man who believes he has a shot at every free agent on the market. He believed this in Anaheim, and that feeling has only been magnified in Toronto, which we know he considers to be the holy land of hockey. If he feels San Jose has cap troubles, he will not make a deal with them (unless it is absolutely enormously lobsided), that prevents him from having a word with one Patrick Marleau.

Hmm, seems to me that the last time he spoke on the matter, he said he would play for him anyday. I don’t expect Marleau to be a Leaf; not by a long shot. However, if he does hit free agency, Burke is the kind of man who will want to talk with him, regardless. Don’t forget that Marleau has watched the team that Burke built knock his team out of the playoffs a few times, and go on to a Stanley Cup in one case.

My personal belief is that the Sharks will sign Marleau. However, a surprizing (or not) early exit from the playoffs, could have Wilson forced to either blow it up, or at least make massive changes. Heatley and Thornton are virtually unmoveable, so guys like Marleau, Nabokov, and Setoguchi/Pavelski, and Clowe, will be the ones to go.

In that circumstance, I do believe that Marleau would sign with either Anaheim or Los Angeles, but don’t discount Burke based on a three year old feud that both parties have admitted is water under the bridge. And don’t be so quick to forget that while Wilson and Marleau didn’t always see eye to eye, Marleau saw his best year’s under Wilson (save for thsi season, which is likely to surpass all previous marks). Burke is an extremely persuasive man, and as we saw with Komisarek, Beauchemin, and Giguere, guys come here solely because of him.

Well then, I shall defer to your ability to read body language. Coaches and players don’t have to be best friends; there just has to be a mutual respect, and they have that. Again, I’m not saying it’s going to happen, and in fact I concede it’s not likely at all. I’m just saying, that Burke is not to be under-estimated in these situations.