Archive for June, 2008
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Monday, June 30th, 2008Here are your Puck Headlines: A glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere…
Jaromir Jagr to Become a Leaf?
Monday, June 30th, 2008With the free agent market opening in just a few days, there have been a lot of rumors about who is going where. For me to believe something that I have heard on TV, radio, or the Internet I need a lot of sources to tell basically the same story for me to believe it.
I have heard from several sources that Cliff Fletcher is talking to Rangers GM Glen Sather about trading Jaromir Jagr’s rights to the Toronto Maple Leafs. It would give the Leafs a chance to possibly unload some of the players that they wanted, such as Bryan McCabe or Pavel Kubina.
In return, the Rangers would get something for Jagr instead of losing him to the open market.
It is also rumored that Jagr is thinking about retiring or going to play hockey in Russia, but those rumors have died down quite a bit over the last few days.
With potentially three or five Leafs players leaving, you have to think that it’s going to be a big summer for them in the free agent market. Most of the players that the Leafs sign over the next couple of days will not likely be big name players. They will all be pieces to the Leafs’ puzzle.
Here are some of the rumored players heading to Toronto, along with the predicted salaries they will make next season.
Ron Hainsey
A solid stay at home defenceman, he rarely makes mistakes in his own end. He is also not afraid to get in on the rush.
Salary prediction: $1.5-$2 million per season
Jaromir Jagr
He is starting to become a good two-way player now. He racks up a lot of points, and he plays defence in his own end. Still, he is getting old, and Jagr only plays when he wants to.
Salary Prediction: $6-$6.5 million per season
Dmitri Kalinin
He’s defenceman that can jump up in the rush and get points as well. He has a strong shot from the point and makes tape-to-tape passes in his own end. He takes a lot of penalties, getting reckless with his stick, causing hooking or slashing penalties.
Salary Prediction: $2-$2.5 million per season
Pascal Dupuis
This is one of the fastest wingers in the NHL right now. He’s a great passer on both ends of the ice, and he can also put the puck in the net when given a chance. I don’t know why any team wouldn’t want him with the way he played in the playoffs.
Salary Prediction: $2.75-$3 million per season
Mike Commodore
One of the most useless defencemen in the NHL. If the Leafs sign this guy, it would be like taking steps back from rebuilding.
Salary prediction: $3 million per season
Marcus Naslund
Once one of the best left wingers in the game, he has slipped quite a lot in the past three seasons. He is a great leader and he makes Vancouver proud. A change of scenery is all he needs to make him one of the NHL’s best offensive weapons again.
Salary prediction: $5-$5.5 million per season
Mike Ryder
A very gritty right winger, he is like another Darcy Tucker, but he doesn’t fight as much. He battles hard in the corners and in front of the net, but does not focus on defence as much as some teams would like him to.
Salary prediction: $3.5-$4 million per season
Could Jaromír Jagr Become a Leaf?
Monday, June 30th, 2008With the free agent market opening in just a few days, there has been a lot of rumors of who is going where. For me to believe something that I have heard over the TV, radio or the Internet i need allot of sources to have the basically the same story for me to believe it.
I have heard from several sources that Cliff Fletcher is talking to Rangers GM Glen Sather about trading Jaromir Jagr’s rights to the Toronto Maple Leafs. It would give the Leafs a chance to possibly unload some of the players that they wanted, such as Bryan MacCabe or Pavel Kubina. In return, the Rangers would get something for Jagr instead of loosing him to the open market.
It is also rumored that Jagr is thinking about retiring or going to play hockey in Russia, but they have died down quite a bit over the last few days.
With potentially three or five Leafs players leaving, you have to think that its going to be a big summer for them in the free agent market. Most of the players that the Leafs sign over the next couple of days most likely will not be big name players. They will all be pieces to the Leafs’ puzzle.
Here are some of the rumored players heading to Toronto along with predicted salaries they will make next season.
Ron Hainsey - A solid stay at home defense man, he rarely makes mistakes in his own end. He is also not afraid to get in on the rush. Salary prediction $1.5-$2 million per season.
Jaromir Jagr - Starting to become a good two way player now. He racks up a lot of points, and he plays defence in his own end. Although he is getting old and Jagr only plays when he wants to. Salary Prediction $6-$6.5 million per season.
Dmitri Kalinin - He’s defence man that can jump up in the rush and get points as well. He has a strong shot from the point and makes tape-to-tape passes in his own end. He takes a lot of penalties, getting reckless with his stick causing hooking or slashing penalties. Salary Prediction $2-$2.5 million per season.
Pascal Dupuis - One of the fastest wingers in the NHL right now. He’s great passer on both ends of the ice, he can also put the puck in the net when given a chance. I don’t know how any team wouldn’t want him with the way he played in the playoffs. Salary Prediction $2.75-$3 million per season.
Mike Commodore - One of the most useless defence men in the NHL. If the Leafs sign this guy, it would be like taking steps back from rebuilding. Salary prediction $3 million per season.
Marcus Naslund- Once one of the best left wingers in the game, he has slipped quite a lot in the past three seasons. He is a great leader and he makes Vancouver proud. A change of scenery is all he needs to make him one of the NHL’s best offensive weapons again. Salary prediction $5-$5.5 million per season.
Mike Ryder- A very gritty right winger, he is like another Darcy tucker, but he doesn’t fight as much. Battles hard in the corners and in front of the net. Does not focus on defence ad much as some teams would like him to. Salary prediction $3.5-$4 million per season.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Possible Options During Free Agent Frenzy ‘08
Monday, June 30th, 2008July 1 is only one day away and while the prevailing wisdom says that the Toronto Maple Leafs will not be active on the free agent market, they do have a couple of holes that could be filled by young UFA’s.
Don’t expect the Leafs to seek expensive, older free agents in an attempt to improve the line-up. That directly clashes with the idea of rebuilding and the Leafs can’t afford any more bad contracts.
Cliff Fletcher said recently that he would pursue young free agents who are willing to stay in Toronto for the long haul. I’m not sure if I agree with long-term deals for anyone at this point, but if it can be done at a reasonable rate, I can live with it.
Toronto should be targeting young, second-tier free agents who won’t break the bank and who will play significant roles in the team’s future.
So, without further tomfoolery, here’s a look at who the Leafs could be after.
BACKUP GOALIE
With the departure of both Andrew Raycroft and Scott Clemmensen, the Leafs are in need of a number two goalie, since it looks like Justin Pogge will play another full year with the Toronto Marlies. There aren’t a ton of goalies on the market, but there are a few the Leafs might be interested in.
1. Curtis Sanford, 28, Vancouver
Sanford has been a reliable backup during his time with the Blues and Canucks. He played 34 and 31 games, respectively, during his two full seasons in St. Louis, which is similar to his probable workload in Toronto. Fletcher says Toskala will play around 60 games, but that’s if he stays healthy and that’s no sure thing.
Likely salary: $700,000
2. Curtis Joseph, 41, Calgary
I know, I know, Cujo’s name is thrown out every time the Leafs need a goalie. And I know he’s 41 years old, but he showed last season with the Flames that he’s well-suited to a backup role and he could surely handle 20-30 games with Toronto. Besides, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Pogge called up near the end of the season and take a few of those games.
Likely salary: $1.2 million
3. David LeNeveu, 25, NY Rangers (RFA)
LeNeveu has been touted as a top goalie prospect for quite a while, but hasn’t been able to establish himself at the NHL level. He’s got 21 career games to his credit, all with Phoenix. He’s got the size and temperament to be a solid backup.
The Leafs could probably nab him for under a million without the Rangers matching, since they have a couple of other goalies pushing for time. The Leafs would give up a third round pick for anything over $843,000.
Likely salary: $843,000
STAY-AT-HOME DEFENSEMAN
True, the Leafs got a great deal for Hal Gill, but it does leave them without a stay-at-home guy. With either Bryan McCabe or Pavel Kubina likely to be shipped out, the Leafs will be in need of a blueliner, as no one on the Marlies appears ready to make the jump. Staffan Kronwall can play full-time, but the Leafs still need to have seven guys to cover for Carlo Colaiacovo’s annual injury parade.
1. Brooks Orpik, 27, Pittsburgh
I sense that Orpik will stay put in Pennsylvania, but if he does test the market, the Leafs should take a serious run at him. It will take some convincing to bring Orpik to a bottom-rung team, but if he’s attracted by the challenge and if they can match the money he’ll get elsewhere, it’s certainly possible.
Likely salary: $2.5-3 million
2. Dmitri Kalinin, 27, Buffalo
He’s not strictly a stay-at-home guy, but Kalinin is sound defensively and soaks up minutes like a sponge. He’s a good hitter and has some offense as well. Somewhat injury prone, but that’s not a big deal for a team like the Leafs, since they can treat injuries as an opportunity to audition their prospects.
Likely salary: $2-2.5 million
3. Jim Vandermeer, 28, Calgary
If there’s one phrase that describes Jim Vandermeer, it’s “tough as nails”. He’s made an NHL career out of being downright nasty. Loves to hit, which is something the Leafs’ blueline currently lacks, except when Colaiacovo is in the line-up. Vandermeer tends to take bad penalties, though, so that could scare the Leafs off.
Likely salary: $1.1 million
TOP-SIX WINGER
1. Jason Williams, 27, Chicago
Williams is coming off an injury-plagued season, which may drop his market value. He still managed to put up 36 goals in 43 games. Plays a solid offensive game and is great on the PP. Williams might be a good fit alongside Alex Steen or Matt Stajan (or both) on the second line.
Likely salary: $2 million
2. Michael Ryder, 28, Montreal
Yeah, I know he had a terrible season, but you don’t just forget how to score goals. Ryder is a sniper who could really bounce back with a guy like Nik Antropov setting him up. Signing him to a relatively cheap one-year deal wouldn’t be much of a risk, but it could yield a big reward. Besides, I’m sick of him burning the Leafs on Saturday nights.
Likely salary: $2 million
3. Valtteri Filppula, 24, Detroit (RFA)
The Leafs are limited in what they can offer restricted free agents ($1.3 million, to be precise) because they don’t have a second rounder next year and the first rounder is off limits. It would be worth their while to offer this gifted all-around player a long-term deal at $1.3 million. Odds are Detroit would match, but on the off-chance that they don’t, Filppula would be a major coup for the Leafs.
Likely salary: $1.3 million
There are lots of other RFA options the Leafs could take a look at, including Tomas Fleischmann, Eric Nystrom, and David Backes, to name a few. There’s no guarantee that any of them would work their way onto the top two lines, but all three would likely be available for $1.3 million or less.
Mytml Forums
Monday, June 30th, 2008Hey all,
In case you didn’t know mytml has decided to add forums to the site. Phase 1 of the plan has been completed. The forum is now active, some features are not yet available as we are still working on it.
Please feel free to start posting!
Here is a link to the forums: http://forums.mytml.com
Chris
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Fletcher Cleaning House
Monday, June 30th, 2008
Cliff Fletcher was not lying when he said that there would be big changes to the Toronto Maple Leafs. So far this summer, Fletcher has bought out Darcy Tucker, and put Kyle Wellwood and Andrew Raycroft on waivers.
Fletcher is also currently trying to get Bryan MacCabe to wave his no-trade clause. If Fletcher can not get MacCabe to wave his no movement clause before training camp, it has been reported that Fletcher will tell MacCabe to stay at his home in New York.
Also the Toronto Maple Leafs have granted the Montreal Canadiens permission to talk to Mats Sundin about a contract. Tucker,Wellwood and Raycroft will not be back this season. Should Sundin sign another contract with the Canadiens, and MacCabe is told to stay home, that’s potentially five players that will not return to the Leafs.
As a Leafs fan not one of those moves disappoints me. I will break down why I’m not sad to see any of these players return below.
Darcy Tucker- His age is starting to show, he is starting to loose his feet, he has also been recently struggling to put the puck on the net. The first season after the lockout, there was not one shift that Tucker played that every player was aware that he was on the ice. The way he plays now $3.5 million a season is just to much in the new NHL.
Kyle Wellwood- The Leafs depended on this player to much and they paid for it. It seemed like he was injured every other game with some sort of nagging injury. Wellwood had potential to be on of the most dynamic centers in the game.
You could say that the Leafs ruined his career. Despite injuries, he had the speed and the moves and he played defense in his own end, which is what the leafs desperately need right now.
Andrew Raycroft- One of the most inconsistent goalies in the NHL. He was set to make $2.2 million next season. Through 19 games Raycroft won only two of them. So that adds up to 1.1 mill for 1 win. The Leafs can’t afford him when Scott Clemensen or Justin Pogge can come in and do a bang up job as a back up.
Mats Sundin- Made the Leafs good enough to get a bad pick in the entry draft. Sundin was one of the best captains in the game right now. But the Leafs are looking to rebuild, in skill level and in age. Sundin is just too old to have around a team that is looking for a younger style.
Bryan MacCabe- Hell of a point shot but $7 million is too much for a defenseman who can’t play defense. To me it was Tomas Kaberle that really made MacCabe shine on the pp. With the next contract that he signs he won’t be making any where close to $7 million.
Toronto Maple Leafs: If Mats Sundin Leaves…
Monday, June 30th, 2008Still no word from Mats Sundin. If he leaves, I think I’m ready.
I’m holding out hope, though, that he’ll return for another season in the blue and white. I’m holding out hope that, at the end of the day, he can’t put another jersey over his shoulders.
At the same time, I’m not upset that he hasn’t yet come to a decision when it comes to his future. He’d be a fool not to test the free agent market, set to open at high noon on Tuesday, July 1. You’d do the same if you were in his position. He’s got to see what’s out there. If Sundin does leave, I wish him nothing but success. He owes the Maple Leafs nothing. I’m sick and tired of hearing and reading that he does. Last week someone came at me with this gem: “Sundin should have done the honourable thing and let Toronto trade him, like Wendel Clark did.” Riiiiiiiight.
Wendel had no say in the matter when he was dealt back in 1994. Wendel didn’t “let” the Leafs do anything. Because Wendel didn’t have a no-trade clause, mutually agreed upon by both player and team, negotiated into his contract. With his negotiating rights transferred to Montreal, Sundin’s already got an offer from le bleu, blanc et rouge. If he wanted to sign with Montreal, I think he would have done it by now. On Tuesday, he’ll receive an offer from the Leafs (one-year, $7 million, and a no-movement clause), and likely ones from Detroit and the Rangers of New York. I can’t help but be a bit tickled by the thought of Mats playing in Montreal. Sure, the Habs are our historic rivals, but we haven’t played them in the playoffs since we moved to the Eastern Conference—and until that happens, the “rivalry” will always be a little dry.
And just imagine Sundin in that lineup, in that building. It would be electric, playing with Alex Kovalev, Tomas Plekanec, the Kostitsyn brothers, Saku Koivu, and Chris Higgins. With Sundin on board, Montreal would be quite the offensive juggernaut. Don’t get me wrong, seeing Mats trade in his Leafs uniform for a Habs one would be intensely awkward. Sort of like going to Canada’s Wonderland as a young lad on “Gay Day” (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but not knowing it was “Gay Day.” Yes, awkward like that. Umm, not that that’s ever happened to me before. Detroit would also be a great match for Sundin. He can join the Swedish posse down there, and give himself the best chance to get his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. As for New York, I see it as the least likely place Sundin ends up. Sure, it would be great to see Sundin play with talent the likes of Jaromir Jagr, Chris Drury and Scott Gomez—but I just don’t see it happening for some reason. Chalk it up to gut feeling. And for the record, my gut feeling is in mired in a serious slump at the plate right now. A lot of people I speak to are bitching and moaning that Mats hasn’t yet made up his mind about whether he’s coming back to Toronto or not. They say he either knows or he doesn’t. I say that simply is not true.
Sundin, as loyal and dedicated a Maple Leaf as there has ever been, has earned the right to make his decision on his own schedule. In a perfect world, Cliff Fletcher would know whether that $7 million allocated to Sundin can be spelt elsewhere tomorrow. But it ain’t a perfect world. Sundin can’t be faulted for taking the time he needs to make this critical decision. Lately, I’ve been feeling like Sundin should bolt for greener pastures, and that this city doesn’t deserve him anymore. It saddens me to know that people are getting ready to burn his jersey and deny his tremendous legacy here in Toronto if he decides that, at this stage in his career, with the window quickly closing, he should go down another path.
And all because we didn’t get Chris Higgins, or a draft pick or two in return. It seems all those years of diligent service—the goals, the points, the scars, the playoff battles, the victories—don’t count for anything.
Sundin goes into Tuesday afternoon with a lot of options. He will likely have, at one point or another, offers on the table from four of the NHL’s Original Six franchises. That is incredible. Which ever team he chooses, in my mind he’ll have made the right decision.
I hope it’s Toronto. I hope he continues to lead this team as it heads, finally, in a new direction. But if Sundin leaves, I’ll be rooting for him and his new team. Loudly. Unapologetically. I will let the haters do the hating.
Those who don’t like Sundin will always have their reasons to not like him. I think, actually, I’ve heard them all. Those who choose not to like him if he leaves via free agency on Tuesday (or later), with the Leafs netting nothing in return, are, well, simply bitter and petty. Just remember that another former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, one Doug Gilmour, when he was a free agent in 2001, chose between two teams—the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators. If Sundin leaves, I’ll be disappointed, of course. But I will harbour no ill will towards him. If he leaves, it will mark the end of one tremendous ride. Even after everything that went down these last few months—the trade deadline and the calls for Sundin to accept a trade and “help the Leafs”—never let it be said that Mats Sundin let down the Toronto Maple Leafs.
It simply isn’t true. By never surrounding Sundin with the talent he deserved to play with—ironically, the same talent he can now go and find on another team—the Toronto Maple Leafs let Sundin down. You’re free to leave the nest, Mats. Fly away, if that’s what your heart desires. I’ll never hold it against you. But I’m still hoping he stays…
Toronto Maple Leafs: Free Agent Frenzy or Slow, Quiet Summer?
Monday, June 30th, 2008It’s now one day away from free agent frenzy ‘08 to start and with the blowout well underway, what can Leaf fans expect to see? Only Cliff Fletcher knows for sure, but if you ask this die hard fan, don’t expect a whole lot to happen.
Toronto should have a fair amount of cap space come free agent time, even after re-signing all the UFA’s and RFA’s. I think they should bring in one or two guys to be role players, or locker room leaders, like bringing in Mayers from St. Louis. He’ll be a good guy to help develop the younger players and provide leadership. A couple more guys to do that couldn’t hurt.
The one position, in my opinion, that is the most important is back-up goaltender. Even though that sounds crazy as to all you hockey fans, it’s very important for Toronto to clear it up.
Vesa Toskala is clearly the number one goalie in town, but whose number two? Justin Pogge, Scott Clemmensen, or someone else? It better be someone else!
Pogge and Clemmensen need to stay down in the minors because Pogge needs to play and backing up Toskala means riding the bench for probably 60-65 games. That’s not good for him.
Clemmensen needs to stay down with the Marlies as well to help Justin learn and become the future star goalie all the Leaf fans are hoping for, since we no longer have Tuukka Rask (Thank you very much, JFJ).
I have the perfect candidate for the back-up goalie, Curtis Joseph. Yes Cujo. He should already be accustomed to the back-up role; playing 20-ish games at this stage in his career should be alright with him. It seemed to be okay last year with the Flames, so that works out well for him.
As for the team, they’re not expected to win a whole lot this year anyway, so why not bring back a fan favorite like Cujo to at least bring some merit to a team in the rebuilding stages.
That’s just one Maple Leaf fans’ opinion though. If the Leafs can bring in a good back-up and some role players or locker room leaders, it will make this season a step in the right direction. Keep at that pace and the Stanley Cup will be in downtown Toronto in six or seven years at most, or at least that’s what Leaf Nation is hoping!
Toronto Maple Leafs Should Tread Carefully in Free Agent Waters
Sunday, June 29th, 2008Heard on Episode 3.43 of AFITC
Every year in the days leading up to unrestricted free agency on July 1, the top free-agent prizes are identified—and then as sure as the sun will come up in the morning, all those top free agents are said to be bound for Toronto.
However, this time around things seem to be much different.
This year’s unrestricted free agent class is a lot weaker than in previous years. Mats Sundin will be this year’s most coveted free agent and it seems like the only place he isn’t rumored to be going is Toronto.
Other top free agents include Marian Hossa, Jaromir Jagr, Kristin Huselius and Markus Naslund—none of which would I recommend general managers commit to for the long term or with significant dollars.
Many GMs turn into kids in candy stores at free agency time—eager to spend their money on as much as possible, but in the end wishing they hadn’t when they are left with queasy feelings.
Look at Ryan Smyth, considered to be a top prize a year ago. While he had a decent year with 37 points in 55 games with the Avalanche last season, I highly doubt Colorado GM Francois Giguere is too pleased with a cap hit of $6.25 million for the next four seasons.
Mats Sundin notwithstanding, the Maple Leafs should go after none of these free agents. They will not be a good team next year, and they probably will not be a good team the following year. Burdening themselves down with large, unwieldy contracts at this stage of the game would only hamper the rebuilding process—especially when there are still several players left remaining on the roster whose contracts the Maple Leafs are trying to get rid of.
A backup netminder? Fine. One or two serviceable and inexpensive skaters? Fine. $8 million a season for four years to Marian Hossa? Forget it, Cliff. Now is certainly not the time. But hey, all that was just rigamarole.
Johnny Bower - Sat 7/6/08 - Brampton, ON
Sunday, June 29th, 2008Johnny Bower
Sat 7/6/08
Time TBA
South Fletcher’s Sportsplex
500 Ray Lawson Blvd
Brampton, Ontario
(905) 799-6248