Staal in a tough spot, Komarov will join Leafs

by on May 14, 2012 in Maple Leafs Rumours - 600 Comments

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Photo: Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

With four teams left and the NHL playoffs set to wind down, news and trade rumors should pick up as we get closer to the draft. “Wind down” is perhaps the wrong way to say it, but with fewer games happening (we’ll soon be at one every two nights) there’s a lot more time to speculate and gear up for an eventful summer.

The word out of Pittsburgh has been centered around Jordan Staal for a few weeks now, and since the team was eliminated there have been questions, ranging from reasonable to… er, unreasonable (Malkin trade anyone?) popping up quite regularly.

The Staal situation isn’t new. Folks have been talking about his place with the Penguins — behind Malkin and Crosby — since he’s been with the team. The idea is that he’s essentially being held back from thriving with another club. And for us Leafs fans, desperate to see an elite center in blue and white, we’re quite familiar with the name.

Then there’s this, from Josh Yohe at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Staal, whose contract expires next summer, recently was asked whether he, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin could enjoy long-term happiness in Pittsburgh.

“Good question,” he said.

That’s interesting.

I’m not ready to declare “Staal wants out” or anything, but it’s obvious he’s unsure of where things are going with the Penguins. In fact, this thing is gaining so much speed recently, it’s almost assumed that Staal isn’t in Pittsburgh next year.

Yohe doesn’t go all Eklund on us with this recent piece. He simply names teams he believes will be in on this, and of course Carolina is at the top of the heap. Even Bob McKenzie has said this recently.

Number two on the list is the Leafs, and here’s what Yohe has to say about them:

It has become known that Toronto general manager Brian Burke is a big Jordan Staal fan. In fact, every GM in hockey is a big Staal fan, but Burke is said to particularly covet him. Burke and Shero are friends and have conducted business together. Think they would like Staal, a Thunder Bay native, in Ontario?

What the Maple Leafs have to offer

Center Nazem Kadri is the most talented player in Toronto’s system, and he thrived late in the season with the Maple Leafs. He’s a pure goal scorer. Also, defenseman Luke Schenn is the kind of physical, stay-at-home defenseman the Penguins badly need. The Maple Leafs are willing to deal Schenn.

The Ontario native bit doesn’t matter at all. And we’ve heard the “Burke is a huge fan” about basically any player on this planet who isn’t awful at hockey – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true.

For another team to “badly need” Luke Schenn is a pretty hilarious idea for a number of us Leafs fans, but if other clubs believe this, then hey, bonus for the Leafs.

Burke would obviously be hesitant to deal Kadri, especially if it involves sending another player with a lot of potential out with him. But with Staal, who seems to have been in the NHL forever, it’s easy to forget how young he is. He’s nearly a full year younger than Matt Frattin. It isn’t like the Leafs would be mortgaging the future for this guy, he is a future-type player.

Other teams mentioned in the Staal sweepstakes are the Oilers and Wild.

The Oilers have an edge in terms of assets they can unload for a big name player like Staal. But tossing out a potential star seems backwards to me, and with one year left there’s no way Staal would re-sign in Edmonton next summer anyway. For all I know this probably applies to Toronto as well, so if Burke is actually a big fan of Staal, he’ll be careful not to dish out major pieces without knowing if this guy is going to be a Leaf in 2013.

Toss this guy’s name in the hat along with Luongo and Suter for players the Leafs will look at and likely strike out on in the next few months.

Note: Dmitry Chesnokov reports that Leo Komarov will join the Leafs this summer. Born in 87, Komarov had 24 points in 46 games for the KHL’s Moscow Dynamo this past season.

Email [email protected] and follow on twitter @rfancey

Earlier today: Seven Games of Ross by Jon Steitzer

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  • Black_Hawk

    I think he can right the ship, give him a couple of more years. Look at sather he’s been with the Rags for a long time and now is enjoying success

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  • Andrew R

    HA

    so, you spend how much time insulting the hell out of me, telling me Im wrong, and when Im right, now Im guilty of being right?

    fine, if all I do is “tripe” – so be it.. I will spend my time talking about how I think the Leafs should be run, and you spend your time telling us all about these wonderful trades that have never happened and never will happen and convince yourself this isnt “Tripe” ok.. back to the original point Cameron – its not your place to decide what others or my opinion should be or what we discuss.. got it? clear enough for you?

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  • http://www.hockey-nerd.com Cameron

    This is a lie, and you know it. You give this little speech every once and a while because you think it somehow makes you more entitled, or less biased, when you constantly rip on him. He’s not my idol, I just don’t like that anyone who likes Phil Kessel is a fucking idiot, and anyone who thinks we’re headed in the right direction is wrong because YOU know the truth – that the pooch has been screwed and without your Moneyball logic and new management, we’re doomed. *sigh*

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  • DefenceWinsChampionships

    I don’t think BB can get Luongo out of Vancouver so easily. Komi going back makes sense, because it levels out the salary a bit. And Reimer would be a key piece, but I bet BB would have to AT LEAST give them the 35th overall pick too.

    Luongo is still a well above average goaile, and Vancouver won’t just give him away. Komi + Reimer + 35th overall is reasonably what I would like to see. I’m not 100% convinced that it wouldn’t take even a bit more than that though.

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  • NazemKsavzri

    I agree that cam can sometimes be a dick, but so can i, and so can you. That being said we are all here for the same reason and thats for the love of this team. This team isnt a lost cause, n this offseason could be our biggest yet. It may not add up like many of us hope, but theres a sayin “when it rains, it pours”, that can easily apply in a domino like fashion if we acquire a Luongo or say..a Getzlaf. Its fine if you think its unlikely..i do too. But we are a fanbase built on hope. You never know.

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  • http://www.hockey-nerd.com Cameron

    Who would offer more than Komi + Reimer?

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  • Andrew R

    now you are criticizing what I posted, in a post nothing to do with you, in which you posted a bunch of self admitted ass comments back? and now are actually trying to say what? trying to dictate what I should or should not post? are you freaking insane?

    the only one on the soap box is you, trying to mandate what is acceptable and not.. not your place… I have stopped blogging on this site because the hassle of clowns like you isnt worth it.. but, if you are going to pretend to lecture me on what I can and cannot post, I will go back to ignoring the comments section and post some blogs again – which should make you excessively happy..

    now, shut up and learn to play nice in the sandbox.. and if you dont like what I have to say, ignore me.. but dont pretend for a second you are either qualified enough or intelligent enough to lecture me on what I can post and what my opinions should be..its that simple..

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  • http://www.hockey-nerd.com Cameron

    Not trying to shape anyone’s opinion – just conversing about what would be fun to see. I don’t actually believe we’ll trade for Stastny, Nash, Getzlaf, Parise, Luongo, Stewart and Crosby. I’m just explaining why I’m hostel with YOUR opinion in particular. You insult those who don’t agree with you, and you constantly lecture the same points. Not sure what you don’t understand.
    -
    And I’m certainly not accusing you of being ‘right’….I’m not sure what you’ve been right about.

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  • Andrew R

    He might man.. I agree.. and if he gets the chance to continue (which I am not sure if he will) and if he starts to make more sound moves, I will also change my opinion..

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  • Andrew R

    “This is a lie,”

    oh, thats so cute – you got caught lying and now I am lying?

    “I just don’t like that anyone who likes Phil Kessel is a fucking idiot”

    Phil Kessel is a good hockey player. One dimensional maybe – and soft certainly – but, a good player.. I never said otherwise.. what I have said is that trade was brutal.. I stand by it..

    “and anyone who thinks we’re headed in the right direction is wrong”

    ummmm – what place out of 30 have we finished in over the last 7 years? no, we arent heading in the right direction…

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  • DefenceWinsChampionships

    That is a very small offer. Reimer got hot when he came in as an unknown, but he’s unproven. And while I think Komi can play better than he has in Toronto under Wilson, he’s a salary dump. I’m sure Tampa would offer more than just that. Maybe Columbus too. Adding the 35th overall may tip the scales a bit. But in any case, I don’t think they’ll move Luongo just for the sake of moving him. If they can’t find a good offer, they should and will likely keep him. Can’t be making bad deals just to get rid of someone you have a replacement for.

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  • DefenceWinsChampionships

    Fuck this Disqus is screwing me around now. Even when I’m typing a message, my screen shifts to any new messages that pop up.

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  • http://www.hockey-nerd.com Cameron

    Andrew, you are the one not playing nice. You’re the one telling me to shut up and calling me a crack addict and carrying on like a child. I’m simply telling you that your manner is insulting. I wasn’t giving you any kind of mandate or preaching. I gave you a one sentence jab, and it has set you off on an hour long frenzy. You need to just chill out. Fact is, if you didn’t think you deserve it, you would have just ignored it and moved on.
    -
    For the record though, I get along just fine with everybody else. Oh sure, some posters and I, we have our troubles, but I have no problem apologizing when I’ve been an ass.

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  • Andrew R

    Hey there – thanks for the reasonable comment.. yes, we can all be dicks at times.. Cameron has crossed the line.. instead of just fessing it up and letting it go, its turning into a soap – so be it..

    re the Leafs – they are not in good shape in my opinion – but, no, its not a lost cause by any stretch, but, there is a good hole to dig out of..

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  • http://www.hockey-nerd.com Cameron

    Luongo would not waive to go to Columbus though. So again I ask, who would offer more than that, and what would it be?

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  • Andrew R

    “Andrew, you are the one not playing nice. You’re the one telling me to
    shut up and calling me a crack addict and carrying on like a child.”

    Cameron – you got caught acting like a total ass and have since admitted it.. you crossed the line one too many times.. just man up, stop being a cry baby and move on ok? if your personality needs to reflect this on me and make it my fault – fine – just stop acting like an ass and stop following me around with your insulting and aggressive comments and we will be fine ok?

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  • http://www.hockey-nerd.com Cameron

    Terrible trade. Soft. One-dimensional.
    -You hear that Leaf fans? You’re allowed to think Kessel is a good hockey player, but only so long as you accept that he’s also all of the above.
    -
    Funny thing, we can use a non-contextual stat like standings to determine the direction of the team, but we can’t use a non-contextual stat like placement in league scoring to evaluate Kessel.
    -
    Hmm….

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  • DefenceWinsChampionships

    Maybe TB offers Malone with Roloson and a 2nd or something like that. Malone is a better asset than Komi, and Roloson + a 2nd is better than Reimer. I don’t think TB would have much trouble making that deal.

    But even if they didn’t offer more, Vancouver doesn’t HAVE to move him. The Canucks aren’t going to make a bad hockey deal just to get Luongo out of town.

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  • http://www.hockey-nerd.com Cameron

    Oh, missed that last sentence. They won’t be keeping him under any circumstances. He is a distraction to the team at this point. He was a distraction all season. The real value in trading Luongo is in moving the contract.

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  • http://www.hockey-nerd.com Cameron

    They absolutely do have to move him.
    -
    Malone has a NMC and has refused to waive twice. His father works for the team. Roloson’s deal has expired. Tampa cannot afford Luongo outright.
    -
    I just can’t get past the Campbell trade. Campbell had a better deal than Luongo’s, and played a position that 29 teams were looking to improve at, and all they could get for him was 3 years of an AHL salary dump (the equivalent of Jeff Finger). I don’t know how anyone can see that trade and then attribute more value to Luongo, who is older, has a worse contract, has a NTC, and probably only has 2 markets he can go to…

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  • DefenceWinsChampionships

    How bad would it look if they moved Luongo in a terrible deal, only to have Schneider fail as a full-time starter? 33 games played is a low career-high. He’s not even entirely proven.

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  • http://www.hockey-nerd.com Cameron

    Then they have tons of assets to go out and get help. They’re one of the deepest teams in the league and they have a great farm team. Schneider/Reimer would be an excellent tandem.

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  • DefenceWinsChampionships

    Didn’t realize capgeek still shows 11-12 salaries. Thought they’d have moved on to 12-13, and that the one year left it showed for Roloson was next season. My bad.

    Campbell had less years left on his contract, but Luongo makes almost $2 million less. That’s a big difference. And that Campbell deal was bad for Chicago. Can’t expect every other team to replicate it.

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  • Black_Hawk

    nice

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  • http://www.hockey-nerd.com Cameron

    I can assure you no one is following you around.
    -
    And this is the supposedly “over the line” cry baby comment I made that was too aggressive and insulting for you to handle:
    -
    “He doesn’t see what you’re saying – he only sees an opportunity to lecture us about what an idiot Burke is.”
    -
    You had just turned a comment that was disguised as a complimentary piece, about Anthoni’s 8th seed article, into a lecture about the Kessel trade and how we can’t judge Burke on the whole, because he’s ruined the team with his errors. Pretty fair criticism, in my opinion.
    -
    Anyways, I’m going to bed.

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