Unofficial 2013-2014 Armchair GM Thread

[Champ Kind]

No sense dwelling on the past.  With respect to the Nutman, I think we'll look back at this Game 7 and see it as the a turning point for the organization.  I won't venture into what they're turning into, but it has the feeling of a definitive moment.

I hope not much changes for next year.  There has to be a few additions: veteran backup goalie, added toughness who can play in the top 6, and a strong, physical defenseman who isn't a puckhandling liability.  And Nonis needs to find a veteran or two to help roundout this lineup, non-negotiable.

 

[TML fan]

While personnel changes are necessary, the only drastic change required is the team's approach to the game. Nothing highlights that more than last night's loss.

 

[Zee]

While personnel changes are necessary, the only drastic change required is the team's approach to the game. Nothing highlights that more than last night's loss.

Talk to Carlyle about that.

 

[Corn Flake]

While personnel changes are necessary, the only drastic change required is the team's approach to the game. Nothing highlights that more than last night's loss.

Huh? That approach is what got them to OT in game 7.  They got better and better at executing it as the series wore on. 

The collapse had more to do with the B's finally waking up after looking ready for dead, and overwhelming a young Leafs team in the final minutes. 

 

[chestyleroux]

The collapse had more to do with the B's finally waking up after looking ready for dead, and overwhelming a young Leafs team in the final minutes.

Well, that's one part of it. The collapse also highlighted the Leafs inability to exit the zone when they have possession of the puck, and their over-reliance on one player to win a face-off.

 

[Kin]

And I mean, we can't pretend like the loss was just last night. The Leafs are just as much the team that went down 3-1 as they are the team that won the next two.

 

[TML fan]

While personnel changes are necessary, the only drastic change required is the team's approach to the game. Nothing highlights that more than last night's loss.

Huh? That approach is what got them to OT in game 7.  They got better and better at executing it as the series wore on. 

The collapse had more to do with the B's finally waking up after looking ready for dead, and overwhelming a young Leafs team in the final minutes.

No it wasn't. They took a radically different approach to their game from game 2 until the last 10 minutes of game 7. The only constant in their game was their refusal to cover the point, but that was somewhat offset by them actually playing with the puck.

And no it didn't. Teams don't just "wake up" and completely take over a game like that, with 10 minutes to go. It just doesn't happen. The Leafs let them back into the game by sitting back and playing their STUPID prevent defence which they did pretty much all season. The Leafs beat themselves by just giving Boston the puck and letting them attack. I counted TWO shifts in the last 10 minutes where a Leafs player even went as far as the hash marks in Boston's zone. They forgot what gave them a 4-1 lead.

 

[Corn Flake]

The weaknesses the team had were the ones we basically have known about for a while now... team needs a legit #1 centre and one more very high end top four d-man, plus a little bit of housecleaning as well.

my initial thoughts:

1. Wave goodbye to Bozak and MacArthur.  Frattin > Mac, and a legit #1 has to somehow be found.  The cash Bozak will want will make him too expensive for what he brings.  If he wants $1 more than $3.5 mil, cya.  O'Byrne can go as well.  He was an okay fill-in but not a guy I would sign long-term. size good, wheels just a bit too slow.

2. Buy out Komisarek.  Duh.

3. Trade Liles, if no home then buy out as well.  Liked what I saw from him in the final games of this series but I think Gardiner makes him basically obsolete, plus he eats up a good hunk of cap space for a guy who is basically the #5 at best.  Money needed to sign Gunarsson, Franson, etc.

4. make a call on Colborne... played decent in his two playoff games, still has future but I believe he is waiver eligible this year so either he's part of the team or he will be moved.  I think he's a valuable asset that steps in as the #3 next year, or use him in a package to get a #1.

5. David Clarkson... NJ based whispers he's looking to come to Toronto.  Would love his game here but the cost could be goofy, plus not sure another winger is the right place to invest.  Nathan Horton is UFA as well and has me thinking along those lines too. Horton is 2 years younger than Clarkson but has had far more head trauma.

6. Centre... Stephen Weiss is the only UFA but I think a major trade is the only way to really truly upgrade here.  Kadri I like longer term but a top 3 centre trio of ????, Kadri and Grabbo I think is the way to becoming a contender.  We need that big, defensively responsible centre who can handle the big guns out there and still provide offense.  I think Paul Stastny is still a candidate as he is basically all of those things, but the cap hit is an obvious issue.  Need to spend some time thinking aobut this one.

7. Top Four d-man... We need a Phaneuf part II, even if that guy doesn't bring the offense.  Need size, skating and a guy who can read plays at the highest level and can pass the puck.  My #1 semi-realistic target is Erik Johnson.  He fits all the above criteria plus he's only 25 and on a very cap friendly contract.  Will try and drum up more names to fill this role.  A Johnson/Gardiner second pairing would be silly good. With the Avs 99% likely to draft Seth Jones, I can see them being ok with letting Johnson go at some point.. will see if it's sooner than later.

 

[pnjunction]

Keep: Franson, McClement, Lupul, JVR, Colborne, Gunnar, Frattin, Kadri, Gardiner, Kessel, Reimer

Cheap (or bail): Mac, Bozak, Fraser

Heap: Everyone else

 

[Corn Flake]

While personnel changes are necessary, the only drastic change required is the team's approach to the game. Nothing highlights that more than last night's loss.

Huh? That approach is what got them to OT in game 7.  They got better and better at executing it as the series wore on. 

The collapse had more to do with the B's finally waking up after looking ready for dead, and overwhelming a young Leafs team in the final minutes.

No it wasn't. They took a radically different approach to their game from game 2 until the last 10 minutes of game 7. The only constant in their game was their refusal to cover the point, but that was somewhat offset by them actually playing with the puck.

And no it didn't. Teams don't just "wake up" and completely take over a game like that, with 10 minutes to go. It just doesn't happen. The Leafs let them back into the game by sitting back and playing their STUPID prevent defence which they did pretty much all season. The Leafs beat themselves by just giving Boston the puck and letting them attack. I counted TWO shifts in the last 10 minutes where a Leafs played even went as far as the hash marks in Boston's zone. They forgot what gave them a 4-1 lead.

Really. You don't think Boston came alive after scoring their 2nd goal? You don't think they had a massive boost of effort and energy after that?  Wow. Not sure what to tell you.

they adjusted after game 1 and got pretty darned good at shutting down Boston. It worked rather effectively until they unraveled in the final 10 mins.  The Leafs weren't sitting back at all to start that final 10.  Did they let them back in with the goal? Absolutely, but that goal came on missed coverage, something a defense quick to collapse should have handled.

 

[Corn Flake]

And I mean, we can't pretend like the loss was just last night. The Leafs are just as much the team that went down 3-1 as they are the team that won the next two.

Yeah, but they clearly got better at executing what they were trying to do as the series went on, with the exception of the final 10 last night.  They were very good at controlling Boston through game 5,6 and the first 50 mins of game 7.

 

[Corn Flake]

The collapse had more to do with the B's finally waking up after looking ready for dead, and overwhelming a young Leafs team in the final minutes.

Well, that's one part of it. The collapse also highlighted the Leafs inability to exit the zone when they have possession of the puck, and their over-reliance on one player to win a face-off.

Which was not that big of a problem in the final 3 games of this series and maybe even after game 1.  Reliance on faceoffs? I don't think they were relying on it considering how ineffective they were at it. 

 

[Zee]

Keep: Franson, McClement, Lupul, JVR, Colborne, Gunnar, Frattin, Kadri, Gardiner, Kessel, Reimer

Cheap (or bail): Mac, Bozak, Fraser

Heap: Everyone else

Kessel -  - Lupul
Frattin - Kadri - JVR
            Colborne
            McClement

Franson - Gardiner
Gunnar -

Pretty huge gaps, 1C sticks out and only 3 d-men.  Sadly I agree with your assessment.

 

[TML fan]

While personnel changes are necessary, the only drastic change required is the team's approach to the game. Nothing highlights that more than last night's loss.

Huh? That approach is what got them to OT in game 7.  They got better and better at executing it as the series wore on. 

The collapse had more to do with the B's finally waking up after looking ready for dead, and overwhelming a young Leafs team in the final minutes.

No it wasn't. They took a radically different approach to their game from game 2 until the last 10 minutes of game 7. The only constant in their game was their refusal to cover the point, but that was somewhat offset by them actually playing with the puck.

And no it didn't. Teams don't just "wake up" and completely take over a game like that, with 10 minutes to go. It just doesn't happen. The Leafs let them back into the game by sitting back and playing their STUPID prevent defence which they did pretty much all season. The Leafs beat themselves by just giving Boston the puck and letting them attack. I counted TWO shifts in the last 10 minutes where a Leafs played even went as far as the hash marks in Boston's zone. They forgot what gave them a 4-1 lead.

Really. You don't think Boston came alive after scoring their 2nd goal? You don't think they had a massive boost of effort and energy after that?  Wow. Not sure what to tell you.

they adjusted after game 1 and got pretty darned good at shutting down Boston. It worked rather effectively until they unraveled in the final 10 mins.  The Leafs weren't sitting back at all to start that final 10.  Did they let them back in with the goal? Absolutely, but that goal came on missed coverage, something a defense quick to collapse should have handled.

I think Boston was never out of the game. I think they were frustrated, but I don't think they ever panicked. The Leafs panicked when they gave up the 2nd goal. Mistake #1. Mistake #2 was reverting to their loosely termed shut down defence mode instead of doing the things that got them a 4-1 lead in the first place. You don't have to tell me anything. I already know what happened. The only credit Boston deserves is not packing it in. Hard to praise a team for doing what they're supposed to.

They unravelled in the final 10 minutes because they did everything they were doing wrong all season and nothing they were doing right from game 2 up until that point in the playoffs.

 

[cabber24]

Keep: Franson, McClement, Lupul, JVR, Colborne, Gunnar, Frattin, Kadri, Gardiner, Kessel, Reimer

Cheap (or bail): Mac, Bozak, Fraser

Heap: Everyone else

I would add Fraser to the keep list and Gunnar to the release list. I don't see Bozak back mainly because of Garbo's contract will price Bozak out of Toronto.

 

[chestyleroux]

The Leafs panicked when they gave up the 2nd goal. Mistake #1.

I also sensed this, which is why I was bewildered as to why Carlyle didn't call a timeout after that goal. He must have sensed that they were unravelling. Perhaps he was saving it for it later in the game, but I feel like the team would have benefited more from the break and the reminder of what their responsibilities were at that point in time.

 

[TML fan]

The Leafs panicked when they gave up the 2nd goal. Mistake #1.

I also sensed this, which is why I was bewildered as to why Carlyle didn't call a timeout after that goal. He must have sensed that they were unravelling. Perhaps he was saving it for it later in the game, but I feel like the team would have benefited more from the break and the reminder of what their responsibilities were at that point in time.

For a guy who coaches as much as Carlyle does, I'm astonished he lost control of his bench the way he did last night. Part of me thinks he panicked as well.

 

[louisstamos]

I agree largely with your post, CF.  The UFA crop isn't terrific this year (although I'm curious to see how teams use their compliance buyouts).  At centre, there's Weiss, Roy and Ribero, and none of the 3 fill me with tremendous confidence over Bozak, who is younger than all 3 of them.  If you can get one of them on a good deal, then go for it, and whichever is your best centre (including Kadri and Grabbo) plays on the top line.  But I'm also not adverse to giving Colborne a shot on the third line and letting him earn his ice-time, much how the Leafs handled Kadri this season.  But if he can't get the job done, is there anyone in the organization who can?

As far as UFA wingers go, Iginla would be amazing and would provide leadership this team sorely needs, but I don't think he has any interest in coming here (especially if Phaneuf is still the captain).  Clarkson would be a good one too, but much like you, I fear he is going to get paid out like a first liner, when I think he's a good 2nd line winger at best.  If they can get him for $5 mil or less, I'd be very happy.

As for defense, unfortunately, I'm not sure the two-way first pairing d-man is available any way other than trade for an Erik Johnson or someone of that caliber.  Maybe, I could be convinced that Ian White could be that guy, as he played on the first pairing with Lidstrom last year, but didn't have very good stats without him in 25 games this year.  I'd also hold of on buying out Liles, at least for one more year.  I think if Morgan Reilly wants a spot on this team, that's the player he has to supplant.  So keep him around until that happens.

Lupul - Kadri - Kessel
JVR - Grabovski - Clarkson
Kulemin - Colborne - Frattin
Komarov - McClement - McLaren

White - Phaneuf
Gardiner - Franson
Gunnarson - Liles
Fraser (provided he can play next year. :S)
Ranger?

 

[bustaheims]

I honestly don't see a lot of major changes for the team, or a huge amount of roster overhaul either. In terms of some of the guys people want run out of town - I keep both Liles and Grabovski.

What the early part of the first round taught me was the mobility on the backend is very important. Liles offers that to enough of an extent that he should be kept around next season. There's not really much by way of mobile defence in the UFA market, and, with all the cap space the Leafs have going into the summer, Liles' cap hit is not really an issue next season. If the right trade offer comes along for him, so be it, but he's not a buy out candidate as far as I'm concerned.

As per Grabovski - I'm not willing to give up on him because he had one bad season and didn't produce well in the playoffs. The guy has multiple 20+ goal seasons and plays a premium position. He's also one of the team's best face-off guys, and that's an area where the Leafs need all the help they can add. He gets another year to show that he can rebound and get back to being that guy we know he can be.

What I feel needs to be done is the AHL dmen need to go - Fraser and Kostka should never again be NHL regulars for the Leafs. They did admirable jobs this year, but, they're just not good enough and there really isn't room for them. The team needs to add talent at the top of the roster, not tinker with the talent at the bottom. The team also needs better depth down the middle. Bring in someone like Weiss, but keep Colborne on the roster, even if he plays on the wing most of the year. The team needs 5 or 6 guys who can play down the middle and win draws. That's what every centre needs to be working on this summer. There aren't really any big prizes out there in the UFA market this summer. The best the team can really hope for is minor upgrades to the roster and hope of some of the younger guys keep taking steps forward while others rebound from poor seasons.

 

[brothert]

Stephen Wiess anybody?  How does he compare with Bozak?  Do we try for both and move grabbo for a defensive asset?