Leivo has asked for a trade

[LeafsNation75]

well if Sosh asked for a trade too..
bye Sosh.

and basically this is a v. happy day for Johnsson and Kappy because they have no one to battle for a spot now.

Frankly speaking I didn't like it when Sosh used the threat of going back to the KHL if they never re-called him this past November. I understand that he had that right since it was in his contract, although it also seems like a selfish card to play.

 

[Man Bear Pig]

Still think he can be a 20/20 winger. He's not special but could be a solid contributor to a team in need of offense.

 

[Cor]

Meh.

Some here really overrate him.

 

[Man Bear Pig]

Frankly speaking I didn't like it when Sosh used the threat of going back to the KHL if they never re-called him this past November. I understand that he had that right since it was in his contract, although it also seems like a selfish card to play.

Its different with Sosh. I'm sure he was told he'd be an NHL regular when he signed here. Otherwise, there would have plenty of others who would have offered him a contract and played him.

 

[ULF_55]

He is so overrated. Noone would give anything for him.

So the Leafs should waive him and let him play with the Marlies.

 

[GardinerTheForward]

Hes been benched because he couldnt steal a job away.

This just is not true. Multiple times he had great showings that were not rewarded. Most of his games were good/very good and then a couple stinkers

 

[LeafsNation75]

Its different with Sosh. I'm sure he was told he'd be an NHL regular when he signed here. Otherwise, there would have plenty of others who would have offered him a contract and played him.

When he signed here Dave Nonis was still the GM at the time. So lets remember that it was not Lou Lamoriello.

 

[Daisy Jane]

Frankly speaking I didn't like it when Sosh used the threat of going back to the KHL if they never re-called him this past November. I understand that he had that right since it was in his contract, although it also seems like a selfish card to play.

me either. i would have been all toodelooo.

 

[Tonka]

He doesn't fit in for a full time role on the team. Much rather have Kapanen than Leivo on our team.

 

[ULF_55]

Frankly speaking I didn't like it when Sosh used the threat of going back to the KHL if they never re-called him this past November. I understand that he had that right since it was in his contract, although it also seems like a selfish card to play.

Would you think it was selfish if the team used their rights to demote a player?

See here's the thing a contract isn't selfish it is a contract and if both the team and the player agree to those scenarios, you can't blame either can you?

I know there are some who think an individual should have no rights but you really have to question how those people would react if their rights were violated. Hypocrites?

 

[htpwn]

Good for him. It's been over a season and a half with this nonsense, where the Leafs are scared to send him down because they'll lose him on waivers, but Mike Babcock doesn't want to play him. For the sake of his career, he needs to start playing a regular shift, and he has undoubtedly earned that opportunity IMO.

As for the team's perspective, I'm willing to wait and see what type of deal Lou can swing here before I criticize, but I'm not impressed thus far with how management has handled our depth situation. We had the luxury of having 5 or 6 young wingers, on entry-level contracts, more or less ready for the NHL duty and none have gotten an extended look. None, thus far, have been packaged in a trade for something greater. It just seems like management is in a wait and see pattern while Babcock prefers and plays his veterans. We already lost Leipsic for nothing in the expansion draft. That alone is not a big deal, but if also lose Leivo and Sosh for little to nothing as well... I'll be disappointed.

 

[ottomaddox]

 

[Ciao]

Who would Leivo replace?

Hyman and Komorov are the team's main PKers (a role Leivo can't play) and JVR and Marleau are simply better.

He's in a crappy situation but someone has to be in that spot.

Komarov could replace Moore at centre and Leivo could replace Komarov at left wing.

Better yet, Nylander could also move to third line centre, bumping Bozak to fourth line centre and Komarov to fourth line right wing.

 

[Daisy Jane]

Good for him. It's been over a season and a half with this nonsense, where the Leafs are scared to send him down because they'll lose him on waivers, but Mike Babcock doesn't want to play him. For the sake of his career, he needs to start playing a regular shift, and he has undoubtedly earned that opportunity IMO.

As for the team's perspective, I'm willing to wait and see what type of deal Lou can swing here before I criticize, but I'm not impressed thus far with how management has handled our depth situation. We had the luxury of having 5 or 6 young wingers, on entry-level contracts, more or less ready for the NHL duty and none have gotten an extended look. None, thus far, have been packaged in a trade for something greater. It just seems like management is in a wait and see pattern while Babcock prefers his veterans. We already lost Leipsic for nothing in the expansion. That alone is not a big deal, but if also lose Leivo and Sosh for little to nothing as well... I'll be disappointed.

but why should they send down their 13th forward?

 

[LeafsNation75]

Would you think it was selfish if the team used their rights to demote a player?

See here's the thing a contract isn't selfish it is a contract and if both the team and the player agree to those scenarios, you can't blame either can you?

It's one thing to use the threat of the KHL despite it being negotiated into his contract. However the way I see things if Babcock feels a player is not ready to be in the lineup he won't play them. I mean aren't we happy the Leafs got rid of this country style approach where everyone gets to play even if they have not earned it. That's what it was like under JFJ, Brian Burke and Dave Nonis.

 

[Petrus]

In retrospect it seems Leipsic should have been kept instead of Leivo. Anyone else agree?

 

[ChurchOfMatthews]

He can now move forward with his career...

in the minors.

 

[LeafsNation75]

In retrospect it seems Leipsic should have been kept instead of Leivo. Anyone else agree?

I realize he is now playing for Vegas but last I checked he only had 1 goal this season for them. So its not like everyone is saying omg why did they not protect Leipsic.

 

[AppsSyl]

I do feel sorry for him being in this situation,......but he did sign a contract extension like a couple of months ago. He kind of shot himself in the foot.

 

[ULF_55]

It's one thing to use the threat of the KHL despite it being negotiated into his contract. However the way I see things if Babcock feels a player is not ready to be in the lineup he won't play them. I mean aren't we happy the Leafs got rid of this country style approach where everyone gets to play even if they have not earned it. That's what it was like under JFJ, Brian Burke and Dave Nonis.

They should have let him go back to the KHL then.

Seems some just feel MLSE should be able to do whatever they want without question.

So the player has to honour a contract but the MLSE does not? How can anyone with integrity take that stance?

 

[Petrus]

I realize he is now playing for Vegas but last I checked he only had 1 goal this season for them. So its not like everyone is saying omg why did they not protect Leipsic.

I think Leipsic is more versatile an can play C too if I m not mistaken.

 

[GardinerTheForward]

In retrospect it seems Leipsic should have been kept instead of Leivo. Anyone else agree?

If we end up losing him for nothing (less than Leipsic's value) then yes

 

[Man Bear Pig]

When he signed here Dave Nonis was still the GM at the time. So lets remember that it was not Lou Lamoriello.

That doesnt change the assumption that he was told he'd be given NHL ice time. I get that Lou never guaranteed anything but I'd get why he asked for a trade.

 

[GardinerTheForward]

Overall this makes me v v sad as Leivo was my favourite "player". Not that I think he isn't a capable player just that I think he never got a chance. I know some here are quite vocal that he sucks - that's great to have diversity and differing opinion.
Mine is such that Babcock didn't give him a chance. I refute that Babcock evaluates him in practice because look at how he favourites Polak/Hyman. Babcock does NOT practice the accountability mandate that he preaches.

 

[htpwn]

but why should they send down their 13th forward?

Why should Josh Leivo, who's 23-24 years old and at a make-or-break point of his career, sit for months on end?

At some point you have to have respect for the player's career and livelihood.