Random thought:
Anyone think there could be a deal to be had (Before season or mid-season) with SJS revolving around
Logan Couture
+
Nazem Kadri
Jake Gardiner
+
We don't need many trades at this point. Perhaps Bozak will still be moved.
TDL offerings seem abundant so I am sure we'll get some hits on that end.
Really really hope Holland and Panik emerge as fringe 2nd liners and Jake and Rielly hit stride. Komarov gets back his form. The rest are in the cross your fingers category.
Bozak is the only player I see moving between now and training camp, but with each passing day it's becoming less likely it feels like.
Phaneuf and Lupul are staying for the foreseeable future.
Bozak is the only player I see moving between now and training camp, but with each passing day it's becoming less likely it feels like.
Phaneuf and Lupul are staying for the foreseeable future.
I don't see how he's a Leaf come fall. We just have so many centers on the team already.
So, your thinking that Lupul, Phaneuf and Bozak will likely start the season in the blue and white uni then, with a possibility that Bozak could potentially be moved?
So, does that mean we are not trying to trade these players, or that the market/return is not there for them?
They must not like the offers for Bozak or he would be gone by now.
Maybe the thinking is that we should remain patient and hope he plays well this year to get some interest. Bozak actually did play decent down the stretch last year and maybe he actually plays better away from Kessel. I always thought he was too focused on getting Phil the puck, when there were times he could have been a bit more unselfish. I actually think Bozak's close friendship with Kessel has hurt his own game.
I just don't think that Bozak and Phaneuf have much interest around the league. Bozak is a weak centre, and Phaneuf is a #2 at best at a 7mil cap hit.
Prefer Bozak moves.
Lupul's contract is garbage so unlikely he is moved.
I think this year will be about building up Phaneuf's value around the league again.
The core still needs to move, I think the difference between Kessel and the other core players is attitude and professionalism. I feel like Nylander looks more in shape right now then Kessel has ever looked in his life.
The core will still be moved over the next 2 years.
People need to be patient. It will take some time to move out the whole core. Management has been pretty productive so far, and people can't realistically expect everyone to be gone by training camp. They were smart to pull the trigger on the Kessel deal, but are smarter to wait to get the right deal for the other guys rather than give the away. My guess is Phaneuf may stay a year or two, and the rest (Lupul, Bozak, JVR) will be gone at points within the season, but will not last beyond the trade deadline. Phaneufs value can only increase under Babcock, and although he was the captain I don't think he was the root of their problems.
We will really get a sense of what this team is truly going to look like after the next draft.
I wonder if Babcock wants to keep some core players as vets.
Don't forget the guys they signed aren't what you'd call vets, other than Winnik. They other guys are just NHL hangers on, and huge underachievers from their draft expectations.
Paranteau, Arcobello, Spaling aren't really players you bring in and use as a veteran example. Heck, some of them could end up with the Marlies.
If JVR can post 25/25 this year he'll fetch a PREMIUM at the TDL with his contract.
I'm hoping JVR gets moved at some point this year for a 2016 1st round (unprotected) pick from a team on the fringe of making the playoffs (as Florida was last year), a top-end prospect, and a 3rd or 4th round pick (depending on the quality of the prospect received).
I hope too, but that might not be realistic though. An unprotected 2016 1st and a 3rd would be more probable I feel.
I hope too, but that might not be realistic though. An unprotected 2016 1st and a 3rd would be more probable I feel.
Still bugs me that Martin Jones got an unprotected 2016 1st. Doug Wilson what were you thinking?