leafman101
Well-known member
Well that's what I meant. Cap space next year isn't much of an issue.
Leaf Rumours
- Thread starter Hoss
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Leafin'
Well-known member
It will be when we ink Phaneuf and then have to think about resigning Bernier after next year.
Something that i could see happening though is potentially moving out Kulemin for a defender such as Kulikov and then moving out Gunnarson for a center. That way you can move Bolland to the wing and have 4 capable centers playing on the top-3 lines. Only reason to do so would be to have someone more capable at faceoffs on that 3rd line.
JVR - Bozak - Kessel
Lupul - Kadri - Clarkson
Bolland - XXXX - XXXX
I like having Bolland on the team, and would rather have him than Kulemin.
Something that i could see happening though is potentially moving out Kulemin for a defender such as Kulikov and then moving out Gunnarson for a center. That way you can move Bolland to the wing and have 4 capable centers playing on the top-3 lines. Only reason to do so would be to have someone more capable at faceoffs on that 3rd line.
JVR - Bozak - Kessel
Lupul - Kadri - Clarkson
Bolland - XXXX - XXXX
I like having Bolland on the team, and would rather have him than Kulemin.
hockeylover
Well-known member
Nah. Dion won't be getting a significant raise on his current cap hit and we have buyout money coming off the books. Cap space won't be an issue, IMO.
Wayward DP
Well-known member
I'm pretty sure Kulikov is a RHD, that may have something to do with it.
But yeah, tough to see where he would fit.
But yeah, tough to see where he would fit.
MyNameIsJonas
Well-known member
Kulikov is pretty good, no?
Wayward DP
Well-known member
Then I take it back
worm
Well-known member
Habsy tells me he is good. Though Im not sure why the leafs would bother with changes to the blueline.
Leafin'
Well-known member
This team should be looking for a clear upgrade on Gunnarson. AND what i mean by that is a defender that is far and away better than Gunnarson.
Im thinking along the lines of a Dan Girardi-type. Potentially capitalize on a guy that is from the area and is on a team that is struggling pretty badly right now.
Phaneuf - Girardi
Reilly - Franson
Gardiner - Fraser/Ranger
Not sure what we would be giving back the other way, and also keeping in mind that Girardi is a UFA at seasons end. Other side of it is we could potentially have him for free in the offseason. Would be interesting to see what kind of contract he would command. In all likelihood it would be a typical overpayment in the Clarkson mold.
Im thinking along the lines of a Dan Girardi-type. Potentially capitalize on a guy that is from the area and is on a team that is struggling pretty badly right now.
Phaneuf - Girardi
Reilly - Franson
Gardiner - Fraser/Ranger
Not sure what we would be giving back the other way, and also keeping in mind that Girardi is a UFA at seasons end. Other side of it is we could potentially have him for free in the offseason. Would be interesting to see what kind of contract he would command. In all likelihood it would be a typical overpayment in the Clarkson mold.
leafman101
Well-known member
Gunnar is pretty good. I don't thin Girardi is an upgrade.
Leafin'
Well-known member
AS overrated as Girardi may be by the media, i still find him to be an upgrade on Carl Gunnarson.
Gunnar is the only defender that i would upgrade on, as he is 26 years old and already has a decent sized contract. I dont see the point in moving out a Rielly or Gardiner as both are really young and on smaller contracts.
Then again, i wouldn't be opposed to moving either depending on the return.
Gunnar is the only defender that i would upgrade on, as he is 26 years old and already has a decent sized contract. I dont see the point in moving out a Rielly or Gardiner as both are really young and on smaller contracts.
Then again, i wouldn't be opposed to moving either depending on the return.
zeke
Well-known member
I don't get the idea of trading for a defenseman at all, really.
Could see them trying to pursue a Komarov replacement, though. A legit defensive stalwart and quality PKer for the fourth line wing. I think they like Orr's checking ability enough that a legit quality checking winger for the other side could give them a real good 4th line.
Could see them trying to pursue a Komarov replacement, though. A legit defensive stalwart and quality PKer for the fourth line wing. I think they like Orr's checking ability enough that a legit quality checking winger for the other side could give them a real good 4th line.
zeke
Well-known member
And I really don't understand the Gunnar criticism. He has been excellent this year. He and Phaneuf together have been excellent this year. Gunnar's turned himself into one of the premier shotblocking and PKing dmen in hockey, and is a good skater and puckmover to boot.
MindzEye
Wayward Ditch Pig
and I think you'd find that to not be the case if you watched him play regularly. He's got mediocre foot speed at best, is a bit of a boat anchor when it comes to moving the puck, etc. If he played in front of a goalie who wasn't elite, I don't think he would be considered a fraction of what his reputation makes him out to be.
Oh, I'm not against moving Gunnar, but I want a clear upgrade not just a media upgrade.
MyNameIsJonas
Well-known member
Gunnar is very Hjalmarsson like...without rings
Montana
Champion
LeafOfFaith
Well-known member
Gunnar is as solid as they get.
Why does anyone think we need to upgrade on the D? And if we did, Ranger should be the one to go in favor of a big body type like Fraser, but with a brain.
Why does anyone think we need to upgrade on the D? And if we did, Ranger should be the one to go in favor of a big body type like Fraser, but with a brain.