Burke Speaks on HC @ Noon

by on June 1, 2010 in Leafs News - 317 Comments

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In case you missed it, here’s a brief summary courtesy of Naz:

- Burke has let it be known to the 29 other NHL teams that Tomas Kaberle is available; he’s received “two interesting package offers” so far for Kaberle and is expecting more in the days leading up to the draft

- Burke’s priority this offseason will be to acquire top six forward with some size; Acquiring a higher draft pick would be a luxury but is not a priority

- Wayne Primeau will not receive a contract offer prior to July 1st and his situation will be re-evaluated afterwards

- Nazem Kadri has a shot at making the Leafs next season but needs to continue to get “stronger” and play a “60 minute game”

- If Kaberle is moved, Burke explains that one of the Marlies “Big Four” of Juraj Mikus, Simon Gysbys, Korbinian Holzer or Keith Aulie could find themselves with a full-time job in the NHL

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  • B Leaf
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  • Schenn

    I’m guessing Torres is signed for a 3 year $6 million deal this off-season, Kulmein is resigned to a 4 year $10 million deal. To round out LW, a Top Six UFA will be signed and Sjostrom will drop to the fourth line.
    Center is basically set with Bozak, Kadri, Grabovski and Mitchell.
    Right wing will have Kessel, Stalberg, Hanson and Orr.
    UFA – Bozak – Kessel
    Kulemin – Kadri – Stalberg
    Torres – Grabovski – Hanson
    Sjostrom – Mitchell – Orr
    .
    Kaberle – Komisarek
    Phaneuf – Schenn
    Gunnarsson – Beauchemin
    I don’t believe Kaberle will be traded, simply because teams won’t be willing to pay what Burke is asking for.

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  • Kinger

    Man I always thought Kovalchuk had at least over 100 pts in a season, but has not done it yet, I’m surprised.

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  • Embro_Leafs_Nation

    I’d take Marleau over Kovalchuk. He’ll come cheaper and hes CANADIAN. He an Ex captain.
    I mean everyone wants Kovalchuk but look at want he didn’t do for Jersey, he did nothing in the play offs. Atlanta players were happy to see him go. Does that tell you something about him ??

    I’d rather Sign Marleau, Torres and Armstrong if the price is right. Take picks for Kabs or a few prospects.

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  • Schenn

    If Marleau is willing to sign in Toronto and play under Ron Wilson, then I’d much rather see him in the Blue and White than Kovalchuk. Not only is he Canadian, but he also uses his body and plays with some intensity. I’m hoping Marleau can be had at his current Cap Hit of $6.5 million and that might be possible with a front loaded contract that drops off in the final years.

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  • rpearce76

    Just to throw some stats out there for curiosity’s sake:

    Kovy:
    27 yrs old 6’2″ 230lbs
    7 nhl seasons
    GP:621 Goals:338 Ast:304 pts:642
    avg goals/season = 48
    avg ppg = 1.03
    playoffs: 9games 3g 5a 8pts

    Marleau:
    30 yrs old 6’2″ 220lbs
    11 nhl seasons
    GP:953 Goals:320 ast:373 pts:693
    avg goals/season = 29
    avg ppg = 0.73
    playoffs: 106games 45g 30a 75pts

    Marleau has had the benefit of playing on the Sharks who’ve been strong for handy on 10 years now and surrounded by better team mates.

    Being completely objective here I’d put my money on Kovy, even though I still have some hate for the guy for his fist pumping in the WJHC many years ago vs Canada on an empty net goal.

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  • RJ

    @ rpearce76:
    I agree, Marleau imo is a very nice consolation prize, but Kovi is the ultimate prize this offseason.

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  • Schenn

    Although Marleau will probably come a couple million cheaper than Kovalchuk and the money save could be used to bring in Torres.

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  • reversethecurse67

    I think Marleau coming here would be a mistake. I don’t think he can play the tough style of hockey Burke is demanding of Wilson’s team. And i really don’t think Marleau will be getting too much cheaper as he’s sure to command around $7 mill. Also, his personality isn’t beffiting of our ruthless expectation of perfection.
    .
    He would look good on our top line though, especially coming free. I say chances are 4:1 he comes here.

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  • Grahamzky

    Schenn wrote:

    Although Marleau will probably come a couple million cheaper than Kovalchuk and the money save could be used to bring in Torres.

    Would you rather have Matt Cooke or Torres? I would much rather have Cooke – and think he will be a Leaf unless the Pens resign him beforehand.

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  • mitch92

    I like the idea of Semin on one of our top two lines with Kessel on the other providing us two lines with lethal snipers and a dangerous top powerplay unit. We still would need a big body net presence to fill out the top six. If Kadri and Bozak play one and two centre and Kulemin plays the left side on the Kessel unit then a big body grinder who can wreck havoc in front of opposing goalies would fill out the Semin line. Of course that leaves Stalberg out of the top six but he may be required to be dealt to acquire Semin or the “BIG BODY” to be named later. If that happens it may be the move that puts the Buds back in the play-offs which will be worth losing his potential.

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  • BeLeafer

    @ Schenn:
    dude, Kaberle is as good as gone… what Burke has done in the past year is all mind games. He set a bar for Kaberle of a top 6/ prospect/ pick, while in reality this is all to try and get the return he wants which is probably much less than that.. the focus will be to get that top 6 which he should easily be able to accomplish…. this is the man that got Phaneuf for spare parts, even at the trade deadline Washington offered up a nice package…. believe it, this will get done 100%. It may also mean a bigger deal involving one of our prospects, players ??.. who knows. But Kabs is hitting the road.

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  • BloodonIce

    Kovy vs. Marleau might come down to what Burke lands in the Kaberle trade. If the best offer involves a winger, and he accepts, there will be more need for Marleau. If the Kabby trade lands a winger, then maybe Kovy seems like a better option come July 1st.

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  • Schenn

    @ BloodonIce:
    That makes no sense. in one sentence you say that if he gets a winger in the Kaberle trade that ther would be a bigger need for Marleau and then in the next you say if he gets a winger in the Kaberle trade that Kovalchuk would be the better option.

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  • BloodonIce

    I meant centre, sorry. If he gets a centre in the Kaberle trade, he would rather have Kovalchuk. Got distracted by the game on tv.

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  • mcloki

    Kovalcuk or Marleau. I almost want to see Toronto pass on both. There’s something about Kovalchuk that makes he hesitate. I get the sense that he wouldn’t fit in on the team and that the Toronto Media would rough him up a bit.
    Marleau would be a good addition if the Wilson bad blood rumours are unfounded. But I tend to believe the Wilson rumours but mostly because I’ve seen how Wilson coaches. Yikes. At least this year Wilson will be in the hot seat.

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  • Schenn

    @ mcloki:
    I would be happy with this off-season if Burke was able to trade for a top-line winger to play with Bozak and Kessel and is able to sign a couple of gritty bottom six forwards.
    That would give him the money saved this off-season to sign a top-six forward next off-season, which has more of a selection.

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