Ya these threads should be closed shortly after they open. It is a ridiculous notion that the leafs move any of our big 3. Not a chance. The demotion is not based on point production. It is based on his work ethic (lack there of) so far. He looks slow for some reason, he is flying the zone ( a la kessel), he is making cutesy passes at the wrong time, instead of shooting (which he had told the media the coaching staff wanted to see more of). He will be back on the Bozak line soon enough. I even would say that it will be tomorrow. I think he starts with his line, and if he starts messing around he goes down, or he starts on the 4th line, and then he will start skating like he should and move back up. In addtion (quick thought) I think Komarov needs to move down to the 4th line. Move Brown with Kadri/Bozak, and put Marner there. Marleau is a slower starter (known), but I have not really liked Komarov (except on the pk). So again either lines go back to normal sometime tomorrow, or I could see that combo given a try (though I think this is more a wake up call for Marner to start working).
Again my opinion on these dumb threads, that say nylander for---- or marner for--- NO CHANCE. All you need to look at is this. Doughty is probably going to test the FA market (unless LA contends, doubt they do). Even if LA does contend a blind man can see the leafs are very close to glory. So why give up a ton when we could possibly get one for free. Also remember JVR and Bozak are UFA in addition Lupul, and Gleason come off the books, we will have some extra dollars there (and I think Cowan as well). Not to mention I dont think we are keeping both Fehr/Moore. I smell a trade, been smelling one since we got Pickard. We all know that the team is evaluating those 2 right now, whoever they do not choose I think is packaged in a deal, with Leivo and who knows what for a defensemen. But also remember we have Lily in the AHL shoot right, he probably is a full-time NHLer by next season. If we sign Igor Og (however you spell his last name) he is a right shot as well. Plus we still have Borgman, Rosen, and Dermott. We are a move or 2 away here. Also keep in mind with Nylander probably coming in around 8million next year, then the following we have Matthews and Marner up, can we afford a big name defensemen? Probably not. Many want Tavares. I would love him, but his contract value (unless he took a big hit), will not work for us. Same with Doughty that is a huge salary, and we are 99.9% keeping Marner, Nylander. So therefore, how do we have room? We wont, unless a big pay cut is taken. I will go as far as to say our big 3 will take a bit less, to give us a bit more breathing room. Hyman and Brown (more so brown) took a bit less than I think they could of gotten (emphasis on Brown). I am sure the guys know we are close, and all want to win a cup together so.....I guess we will see.
