So is there a light ?

I have heard so many opinions on the Toronto Maple Leafs and their future. Most believe the Leafs should stay the course. We are close to where we should be. Matthews is an elite goal scorer in the NHL. He proved that this season with sixty goals. 

The two biggest trade chips are Nylander and Muzzin. Both players are assets that can bring cap relief for next season. 

With the salary cap not going up, the Leafs have a dilemma making the money fit. The Maple Leafs have four UFA's: Ilya Lyubushkin, Jason Spezza, Colin Blackwell, and of course, the Man—goaltender Jack Campbell. 

A few words on Campbell. If the Leafs fork out the money to sign him, which Campbell will we get? The early season version where he was lights out? The ugly Campbell who couldn't stop a beach ball? The Maple Leafs have to make sure they get the right Campbell or else go shopping for one in the off-season via a trade. 

With Gio's signing, the Maple Leafs solidify the defence a little more. But, the question remains: do they try to trade Justin Holl? Justin brings a lot to his game, including his penalty-killing skills. There have been a lot of complaints about his defensive blunders and puck handling skills. Don't get me wrong—I have been frustrated with his play at times, but what he brings might still be enough to keep him. The Leafs have plenty of young defence, including Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin. That will be an interesting area to look at in the off-season.   

Randy

Islanders hook Barzal

Barzal makes it official: three years, $7 million a year. The Islanders wanted a longer term, but could not work out the money.  As a result, they had to settle for a three-year deal. There is some bright side to this; the cap hit is $2 million less, giving the Islanders some cap flexibility next season. The other good news is that the Islanders still hold his rights after the contract is done. 

He is here, and the hype is at an all-time high. Mr. Ilya Serokin comes with some fanfare, and with that comes some high expectations. I hope the fans temper their expectations. Let him settle in before we exalt him as the next Billy Smith. Don't get me wrong, Sorokin is as good as advertised, but he is still a rookie.

The KHL is not the NHL, and it may take time for Ilya to get to know the game. There is a lot more to the NHL than just a different size.  This kid will be a stud, but let him grow into it. 

There is one thing different this season. The Islanders are not going to take anyone by surprise. I don't see why they are not a division contender, the only difference being Dobson. Dobson takes Toews' spot. Green should be the perfect mentor for him. Dobson will add to the powerplay this season, as the Islanders should have two powerplay leaders. 

Overall, I am excited for the season to start. The Islanders will be fun to watch.

Randy

Devon Toews: A Gent, A Cap Casualty

 

There are times a General Manager does not like his job. This was Lou's time to lament the regrettable necessity of trading a promising young defenceman in Devon Toews. I say promising not because I don’t think he is a good defenseman, but because he is still learning and becoming an even better defenseman. 

As a blogger, I have to look at this like a professional. The trade was a necessity due to the Cap. The Islanders had three players filing for arbitration: Devon Toews, Ryan Pulock, and Josh Ho-Sang. Everyone knows that the Islanders are going to do everything in their power to keep Barzal and Pulock. The writing was on the wall. Barzal wanted, more than likely, eight million plus, and Pulock asking around five million (being optimistic.) According to my math, that is 13 million dollars—too many mouths needing to be fed and not enough food to go around. 

This deal gives the Islanders more Cap and roster flexibility, as Mayfield can now be protected in the expansion draft. This is huge: the Islanders can protect an extra forward if they feel the need to do so. 

As a fan, you hate this trade. You are losing a very promising defenseman. Fans hate future trades; you want to see this team get better now, especially when the team came so close last year.  

I like Devon because of his ability to pitch in; he learned when to sneak in from the point. He had a terrific underrated slap shot. Opposing powerplay would concentrate too much on Ryan Pulock, and Devon would get his chance to shoot from the point. Losing a character player on and off the ice sucks. We understand why this trade happened, but we don't have to like it.

Randy

Maple Leafs to do list

Yes, it is this time of year, the General Managers all go to the shopping malls to haggle over prices. The Maple Leafs are no different. They would love to add another no-nonsense dman to make the opposition, let's say, more cooperative. Now, this is just me, but I think they should look into acquiring a seasoned backup goalie who has some playoffs experience. I have not heard that the Leafs are even sniffing for a backup at this point.

Let's look at the dmen the Maple Leafs are considering.

Radko Gudas

Radko means business. A big physical dman, he can fit in as a great number four or five. He has shown great strides in his play and will both add some offence to the game and shore up the defence.  He is solid in his own zone. But so far, they have not been able to coax him out of Philly. Keep an eye on him, especially if he goes on the market.

Adam McQuaid

You get what you pay for — a serviceable number six dman. Adam can give the Leafs precisely what they need as a third pairing defenceman. He won't hurt them in their own end. McQuaid is a stay-home dman who knows his limitations. He is a smart player who does not get caught pinching in. He won't add any offence, but he will shore up the defensive zone play, something the Maple Leafs so vitally need.

The third line gritty forward who can beef up the Maple Leafs for a matchup against the Bruins. Everyone knows the Bruins intimidated the Leafs into submission last year. The Maple Leafs would love to eliminate that problem this year.

Wayne Simmonds

Simmonds would add some beef to the team. The Maple Leafs have a very gifted forward who lacks the size to go to the net. Wayne fits this bill. His specialty is garbage goals. He will go to the net and find the puck. If he has to beat up someone to get it, so be it. He would get his share of goals, and maybe clear some room for Matthews and Tavares.

Marcus Johansson

Marcus is a solid winger with some speed. I have not heard him connected with the Maple Leafs, but he is being shopped around. He would add some offence, but his size would help give the smaller forwards some room to roam. He was very talented with the Capitals; he could just be able to regain his offence in Toronto. He would be a good fit for the Leafs.

Eric Staal

The last one on this list Eric Staal. He is the perfect faceoff specialist, with plenty of grit. Eric is on the market for a price; will the Maple Leafs bite? Only time will tell.

Here is one more morsel to chew on: The Leafs may be looking for a solid number four centre. They need a solid penalty-killer with some size to wreak havoc and get inside the Bruins' heads. The Maple Leafs need to get bigger; it is time to stand up to the bully.

Deadline Day Approaches!

Reblogged from Flames Jamalaya:

Today's Flames panel is on what the Flames should do at the deadline. And what they will do?

Randy's answer:

What they should do 

I know I am going to get slammed for this, but I truly believe that they should sell, and invest more of the future. Build on the assets they have now. I just do not see them beating out LA this season or Vancouver.

So what does selling involve?

Curtis Glencross 

We really need to get his influence out of the dressing room, the problem is we may have trouble finding a home on him. I have been told that the Flames will find him a home.

Karri Ramo

Simply put, the Flames are not going to re-sign him. Ortio is on a one-way contract next season, and Hiller is locked up for one year. Making Ramo the odd man out. The Flames should send him packing.

Dennis Wideman

This is where I am going to get in trouble with my readers. I feel that the Flames should try to get younger on defense. Send Wideman to a contender. Again, I know I will get flamed for this, but that is life.

Generally, I think the Flames should try to continue to rebuild for the future, and not simply going all out for the playoff push for one year.

What the Flames Will do?

I suspect they will do a little tinkering, for some reason they really don't care what I think! <Sigh> I suspect the Flames will make three moves at the deadline.

Pick up additional top 6 forward

The best option: Chris Stewart

The Buffalo Sabers power forward would be perfect fit. His size would help the Flames with some gritty goals. He needs a new environment, and the Flames may very well fit the bill. He can get the job done.

Go after another 4 or 5 number defence-man.

(Preferably a young one, to replace or improve our last pairing.)

Best options:

Braydon Coburn

Not having the best year in Philly. But I still believe that he can be a solid defenseman in the Flames roster. Not as much pressure. He might very well thrive in the Flames dressing room. A solid upgrade if he becomes available at the deadline.

James Wisniewski 

If the Jackets are serious about taking offers, the Flames should call. James is a solid defenseman. He has some offensive skills to add on the rushing to the ends. He is a solid addition.

Trade Glencross

Of course, the last transaction is that they will trade Glencross.

The Flames may very well have some trouble finding a him a home. The problem is there so many sellers, that teams may very well find other suiters. His rep is not exactly solid, and why would teams take him when they can find another forward with less baggage?

I am sure that the Flames will be able to trade him, I am just worried that we will won't get as much as they want. I have no doubt that he will be traded for a draft pick.

Dearen's answer:

What should the Flames do at the trade deadline?

I am a believer in going for it. In the NHL today it is extremely difficult to make the playoffs any given year. Look at the Kings, they barely make it into the playoffs, but dominate the playoffs once they get in. I am not saying we can compare ourselves to the Kings, but making it in can lead to magical rides. The puck was in.

I would like to see Treliving add to help this current Flames group. I know, I know do not mortgage the future for a rental player. I am not suggesting we trade the likes of Bennett, Monahan or Gaudreau to bring in a player like Evander Kane, who went to Buffalo. But this team needs help if you want to see playoff hockey at the Saddledome this spring. And not just Hitmen playoff hockey.

The Flames in my opinion need to upgrade on Engelland and Diaz/Smid pairing. Bringing in a capable #4 d-man is ideal. But with the current prices, I am not sure that will be possible without mortgaging the future, which I already said we should not do. But if a move makes sense that brings in a Wisniewski or Andrew Ference; I would be in favor. Both Wisniewski and Ference have another year left on their deal and would not be classified as rentals. "Siedenberg" to throw out another name that could potentially be available.

Another area for me is the face off issue. Granted this a significant issue that one center cannot fix. Having a future of Bennett-Monahan-Backlund up the middle is appetizing, so I would not spend a lot now to bring in a temporary center, like Vermette. So maybe this is something we do not address and Granlund, Colborne, Jooris and Stajan rotate behind Monahan and Backlund for the remainder of the season. I would suggest a guy like Letestu or McClement to provide some depth and experience down the stretch.

Another area I want addressed is a right handed sniper. I know I am asking for a lot here. Lupul or Kessel would cost too much and can Lupul even stay healthy for 10 straight games? Maybe more realistic is a guy like Cam Atkinson; but he would not be my first choice.

What do I think the Flames WILL do?

Order a round of coffee, talk about the Canadian Dollar and how it will affect the NHL salary cap. Call to see if Freddie Modin is still skating. Every five minutes Brian Burke comes over the intercom "trade deadline is the day GM's make the most mistakes".

I think we may be in for a quiet day. If Glencross is still around on Monday, we may see Brad Treliving move him for a third round pick. Or maybe he deals him to a playoff team for their disgruntled forward, who knows. But besides Glencross I am not so sure the Flames will be active. It is an easy sell for Treliving to address the media and say "this group has worked hard, and deserves to stay together. We are not going to jeopardize the future, the prices were too high for our appetite".

My only glimmer of hope is that news leaked that the Flames were heavily interested in Tyler Myers and Cody Franson. Treliving didn't want to spend what it was going to take to acquire those guys, but he was interested. This has me to believe that upgrading the d-core is on Treliving's mind.

I don't think we will see a Reto Berra for a second round pick type of move this year.