Speculation: In 15 days we have to get serious about signing a center (or 2)

[SHANNYPLAN]

Either Sign JT and Run

Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Johnsson - Tavares - Nylander
Marleau - - Kadri - - Kapanen
Grundstrom - Aaltonen - Brown
Or
Martin - - Gauthier - - Brown

OR Play Nylander at Centre

Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Johnsson - Nylander - Kapanen
Marleau - - Kadri - - Brown
Grundstrom - Aaltonen - Martin
Or
Martin - - Gauthier - - Leivo

 

[Boutette]

Sure, but theres a reason Moore was on the team over Aaltonen and why they felt the need to trade a 2nd for plekanec instead of bringing him up

I will remind you that on that Aaltonen was injured and out for an unknown amount of time when the Plekanec trade went through. Who knows what the Leafs might have done if Aaltonen had been healthy at the trade deadline. Plekanec went on to score 0 goals for the rest of the season and failed to help the leafs get past the first round. Hopefully Dubas was watching and learning from that mistake.

 

[rent free]

I will remind you that on that Aaltonen was injured and out for an unknown amount of time when the Plekanec trade went through. Who knows what the Leafs might have done if Aaltonen had been healthy at the trade deadline. Plekanec went on to score 0 goals for the rest of the season and failed to help the leafs get past the first round. Hopefully Dubas was watching and learning from that mistake.

If aaltonen was healthy at the deadline, he wouldn't have made the team. He'd still be in the minors. plekanec was our 2nd best playoff performer offensively and he was also the go to guy to match up against Bergeron when kadri was hurt because Matthews was terrible against him. It's ridiculous to say he failed to help us get to the second round, when our best forward and 3rd best forward didn't do much in the series. Maybe if Matthews and nylander actually played we could have made it to the second round.

 

[Jozay]

I will remind you that on that Aaltonen was injured and out for an unknown amount of time when the Plekanec trade went through. Who knows what the Leafs might have done if Aaltonen had been healthy at the trade deadline. Plekanec went on to score 0 goals for the rest of the season and failed to help the leafs get past the first round. Hopefully Dubas was watching and learning from that mistake.

Aaltonen got hurt on feb 24th and the trade happened on the 25th.

I think if he was their guy, they would've called him up before the deadline.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Sure, but theres a reason Moore was on the team over Aaltonen and why they felt the need to trade a 2nd for plekanec instead of bringing him up

Plus at the time Moore signed as a UFA he was a cheaper option than Brian Boyle.

 

[Einzakin]

People thinking that Aaltonen is anywhere near Bozak will be sorely mistaken. We should sign Bozak to a 2 years cheap contract, he is a perfect 3rd line centre.

 

[Boutette]

People thinking that Aaltonen is anywhere near Bozak will be sorely mistaken. We should sign Bozak to a 2 years cheap contract, he is a perfect 3rd line centre.

He had a better first AHL year than Bozak did. You seriously think he couldn't match Bozak's amazing 7% shooting percentage all the while being on one of the most heavily sheltered lines in the league? Is a guy who's SH% has dropped 14% in 4 years any good to anyone?

Explain how, at this point in his career is Bozak a better center than Aaltonen? Is he a better shooter, or passer? Is he faster? Is he grittier? Is he bigger? Is he noticeably better on the faceoff circle? Is he used on both the PP and PK? Does his coach trust him to play at all in the 3rd period when his team is ahead? Does he give a rat's a$$ about defense? Would he manage more than 30pts a season now without the NHLs foremost tip in specialist to lob low percentage shots at?And lastly, he'll probably cost 4x what Aaltonen will the next 2 years. How is that spending Cap money wisely?

 

[Boutette]

Aaltonen got hurt on feb 24th and the trade happened on the 25th.

I think if he was their guy, they would've called him up before the deadline.

His injury certainly took the depth C option away from them which was all the Plekanec pickup was. And as it turned out, Plekanec was a worse option for the rest of the year than Moore. Seriously, no goals, 2 assists and a -2 for the rest of the season. Even Gauthier would have been a better choice, as it turned out.

 

[Leafsman]

Leafs could insert Marlies top Calder winning line as their 4th line next year ..

Johnsson (Calder MVP) -- Aaltonen -- -Grundstrom

So the Leafs realistically need a 3rd line Centre unless the plan is to relocate Nylander to the middle.

I would be thrilled to have that as the 4th line, I'd be somewhat thrilled to have it as the 3rd line for that matter.

I thought Aaltonen should have made it as the 4C last year. Based on Moore and Plekanec's play, I'd have preferred it.

I'm not quite sure what that spells out for Gautier, but likely the waiver wire would be my guess.

 

[Leafsman]

He had a better first AHL year than Bozak did. You seriously think he couldn't match Bozak's amazing 7% shooting percentage all the while being on one of the most heavily sheltered lines in the league? Is a guy who's SH% has dropped 14% in 4 years any good to anyone?

Explain how, at this point in his career is Bozak a better center than Aaltonen? Is he a better shooter, or passer? Is he faster? Is he grittier? Is he bigger? Is he noticeably better on the faceoff circle? Is he used on both the PP and PK? Does his coach trust him to play at all in the 3rd period when his team is ahead? Does he give a rat's a$$ about defense? Would he manage more than 30pts a season now without the NHLs foremost tip in specialist to lob low percentage shots at?And lastly, he'll probably cost 4x what Aaltonen will the next 2 years. How is that spending Cap money wisely?

How could you possibly explain he isn't??? Bozak is a seasoned veteran in the NHL, Aaltonen hasn't had a single game. You can't possibly compare the two.

You can likely expect 40+ pts from Bozak and a fairly decent FO%. Aaltonen you can't even have an expectation as he's never played an NHL game. I'd be willing to develop Aaltonen as an NHL center in the 4th spot. I'm not sacrificing the 3C spot on a guy with no track record. 3C is a very important position, I'm more than comfortable with Bozak filling the role

 

[Critical13]

People thinking that Aaltonen is anywhere near Bozak will be sorely mistaken. We should sign Bozak to a 2 years cheap contract, he is a perfect 3rd line centre.

He's a minus defensively. I'm done with that, personally. I'd rather lose some offence and find someone who can actually check.

 

[Boutette]

How could you possibly explain he isn't??? Bozak is a seasoned veteran in the NHL, Aaltonen hasn't had a single game. You can't possibly compare the two.

You can likely expect 40+ pts from Bozak and a fairly decent FO%. Aaltonen you can't even have an expectation as he's never played an NHL game. I'd be willing to develop Aaltonen as an NHL center in the 4th spot. I'm not sacrificing the 3C spot on a guy with no track record. 3C is a very important position, I'm more than comfortable with Bozak filling the role

You think a massively protected offensive line center who barely managed 40pts has no 2 way game? Really? What's going to happen to all he has left, his offensive game, when he doesn't have a 36 goal scorer on his left? At this point Bozak is barely better than Moore and on the same downward trajectory. Aaltonen on the other head steadily improved all year. He's not my first choice in the role, that would be Nylander, but I'd prefer him to Bozak, a player in serious decline whose probably going to be half as useful next year as Komarov was this year.

 

[deletethis]

Or acquiring one through trade.

 

[Leafsman]

You think a massively protected offensive line center who barely managed 40pts has no 2 way game? Really? What's going to happen to all he has left, his offensive game, when he doesn't have a 36 goal scorer on his left? At this point Bozak is barely better than Moore and on the same downward trajectory. Aaltonen on the other head steadily improved all year. He's not my first choice in the role, that would be Nylander, but I'd prefer him to Bozak, a player in serious decline whose probably going to be half as useful next year as Komarov was this year.

Who said he has no 2-way game?

I wouldn't mind if his numbers remained around where they are. You can't bump a guy down a line and expect his numbers to go up. Brown-Bozak-Kappy would be a fantastic line. I'd be very happy with that.

I'm a big Aaltonen fan and thought he should've made it last year but I'm definitely not comfortable just handing over the 3C spot to him without him earning it or proving that he can succeed in it. There's no harm or shame in him taking the 4C role and proving he can play 3C. Bozak can always be traded.

Going into next year with Aaltonen and Nylander as new centers means we're taking a step back. I want proven players in as many positions as possible

 

[Boutette]

Who said he has no 2-way game?

I wouldn't mind if his numbers remained around where they are. You can't bump a guy down a line and expect his numbers to go up. Brown-Bozak-Kappy would be a fantastic line. I'd be very happy with that.

I'm a big Aaltonen fan and thought he should've made it last year but I'm definitely not comfortable just handing over the 3C spot to him without him earning it or proving that he can succeed in it. There's no harm or shame in him taking the 4C role and proving he can play 3C. Bozak can always be traded.

Going into next year with Aaltonen and Nylander as new centers means we're taking a step back. I want proven players in as many positions as possible

Anyone with eyes sees Bozak is useless defensively. Brown had to perform all the defense for the wondertwins, at the cost of his own offensive production.

So the Leafs are a no-rookie team now, eh? Its funny how quickly people want to go back to the old ways of cramming expensive declining vets onto the roster when we just have a Calder Cup wining team with a number of players ready to make the leap. Jamming mediocre GUD PROS looking for retirement contracts is exactly what hasn't worked for this team. Time to move into the 21st century.

 

[robertmac43]

Marleau can play center in a pinch.

I don't think he wants to play there and over an 82 game season I think he will start to feel the effects of playing center

 

[ottomaddox]

Leafs could insert Marlies top Calder winning line as their 4th line next year ..

Johnsson (Calder MVP) -- Aaltonen -- -Grundstrom

So the Leafs realistically need a 3rd line Centre unless the plan is to relocate Nylander to the middle.

The plan? Who's plan?

 

[Menzinger]

How could you possibly explain he isn't??? Bozak is a seasoned veteran in the NHL, Aaltonen hasn't had a single game. You can't possibly compare the two.

You can likely expect 40+ pts from Bozak and a fairly decent FO%. Aaltonen you can't even have an expectation as he's never played an NHL game. I'd be willing to develop Aaltonen as an NHL center in the 4th spot. I'm not sacrificing the 3C spot on a guy with no track record. 3C is a very important position, I'm more than comfortable with Bozak filling the role

This is Bozaks last chance to get a multi year deal, he likely is going to price himself out of the Leafs bracket. Not sure if Dubas makes him an offer unless Bozak is willing to take s two year deal. I suspect he’s going to end up in a place like Vancouver

 

[Leafsman]

Anyone with eyes sees Bozak is useless defensively. Brown had to perform all the defense for the wondertwins, at the cost of his own offensive production.

So the Leafs are a no-rookie team now, eh? Its funny how quickly people want to go back to the old ways of cramming expensive declining vets onto the roster when we just have a Calder Cup wining team with a number of players ready to make the leap. Jamming mediocre GUD PROS looking for retirement contracts is exactly what hasn't worked for this team. Time to move into the 21st century.

Funny how quickly people contract Calder Cup fever. You're putting way too much stock into it. It doesn't translate too much going forward, it's a positive sign but nothing more.

This is the second time you implanted an argument and then argued against it???? Nowhere did I even come close to mentioning the Leafs are a no-rookie team?? In fact, I have many times in this thread indicated rookies in a potential line. I merely stated we can not just plunk the Marlies lineup in and expect their AHL success to translate to NHL success. Ridiculous that you feel a suggested line of Brown-Bozak-Kappy is somehow similar to the old way of cramming vets?????? Bozak's 32 - perfect age for a 2-3 year contract and still be a viable tradeable asset in the final year.

I'm a big Aaltonen fan but be real - the guy's 25 and was 6th in playoff scoring. By your logic, we should be slotting in Ben Smith. Aaltonen COULD be a very effective player but betting the 3C slot on it for a season is a fairly large gamble. Especially when the 4C spot is open and he can be tested there and always moved up. I rather have too many bottom pairing centers than too few. Bozak could always be traded.

 

[Leafsman]

This is Bozaks last chance to get a multi year deal, he likely is going to price himself out of the Leafs bracket. Not sure if Dubas makes him an offer unless Bozak is willing to take s two year deal. I suspect he’s going to end up in a place like Vancouver

Depends how much he likes playing in Toronto?? I can't see anyone paying over $5M, does he like playing here enough to take $4.5M?

My concern is term - I'd even go $5M if he took two years. 2 years is perfect, it's the teams that may possibly go 3 or 4 years.

 

[LeafFever]

UFA market is so crap. Stay away.

 

[lifelonghockeyfan]

It's still really a developmental year for the Leafs. Johnson, Kapanen at wing. Aaltonen at centre. Dermot maybe Borgman or Ozhinokov at defence, Sparks in goal.
With the lack of internal options or UFA options, I'm for having Nylander at centre. Strong support at wing, Leafs have to see if he's a centre.

 

[Boutette]

I want proven players in as many positions as possible.​

Did you say this or not? How does that not mean you want no-rookies on the team, because its entirely possible to find enough GUD PROS to fill out every vacant position? You claim that 25 year old Aaltonnen should not even be discussed as a potential 3rd line center after managing 56 pts in 84 games in his freshman season? And then say that 30 year old AHL lifer Ben Smith is comparable??? WTF? How was 24 year old Tyler Bozak remotely qualified to be handed Toronto's #1 Center position after managing just 20 pts in 32 games on the Marlies and only 4 goals? Especially when Stalberg, Hanson, Tlusty, Calder, Zigomanis, Brent and Troy Bodie all out performed him ppg-wise on the Marlies that year? By your criteria Bozak should never have been promoted to the leafs, that they should have gotten a proven center instead. You would have argued that Hanson or Zigomanis should have been chosen before an unproven guy like Bozak, because Zigo actually scored 14 goals in the NHL before, and that even if Bozak was wrongly promoted, he should have been put on the 4th line, tops, right, not instantly placed with Kessel and JvR, thereby granted the chance to succeed? Because that is exactly what your argument is: There should be no Bozak to replace.

 

[Leafsman]

Did you say this or not? How does that not mean you want no-rookies on the team, because its entirely possible to find enough GUD PROS to fill out every vacant position? You claim that 25 year old Aaltonnen should not even be discussed as a potential 3rd line center after managing 56 pts in 84 games in his freshman season? And then say that 30 year old AHL lifer Ben Smith is comparable??? WTF? How was 24 year old Tyler Bozak remotely qualified to be handed Toronto's #1 Center position after managing just 20 pts in 32 games on the Marlies and only 4 goals? Especially when Stalberg, Hanson, Tlusty, Calder, Zigomanis, Brent and Troy Bodie all out performed him ppg-wise on the Marlies that year? By your criteria Bozak should never have been promoted to the leafs, that they should have gotten a proven center instead. You would have argued that Hanson or Zigomanis should have been chosen before an unproven guy like Bozak, because Zigo actually scored 14 goals in the NHL before, and that even if Bozak was wrongly promoted, he should have been put on the 4th line, tops, right, not instantly placed with Kessel and JvR, thereby granted the chance to succeed? Because that is exactly what your argument is: There should be no Bozak to replace.

No point talking to you since you just put words in people's mouth and argue against your own made up arguments! I also said I wanted Johnsson, Kappy and Grundstrom in, so maybe read the entire post

There is a GIGANTIC difference between the team when Bozak arrived compared to the team when Aaltonen arrived. Looks like maybe you should start living in the 21st century!

 

[Ziggdiezan]

You think a massively protected offensive line center who barely managed 40pts has no 2 way game? Really? What's going to happen to all he has left, his offensive game, when he doesn't have a 36 goal scorer on his left? At this point Bozak is barely better than Moore and on the same downward trajectory. Aaltonen on the other head steadily improved all year. He's not my first choice in the role, that would be Nylander, but I'd prefer him to Bozak, a player in serious decline whose probably going to be half as useful next year as Komarov was this year.

That is a prety outrageous statment lol.... Bozak was one of the best 3rd line centers in the league last year and his line did not get used that differently than many teams third lines while he produced at a top 6 pace.