Speculation: Leafs Center's Moving Fwd Post the 13-14 Season

[Diatomic]

The only questionmark is Bolland.

Bozak (definitely staying)
Kadri (definitely staying)
Holland/Bolland (the biggest problem here)
McClement (most likely staying)

If Bolland wants alot of money he's gona to UFA and Holland will take over, if Bolland wants to stay I can see Holland being converted to wing and taking Raymonds spot next year.

I'm really hoping Nonis focuses on our defense this offseason rather than our center depth.

 

[Anthrax442]

I say re-signing Kuli is a priority over signing Bolland.

 

[Eb]

I am on the fence about rolling with boz-kad-hol-mcc.

In saying that, already giving up uneeded assets for Bolland (especially if he doesn't resign) i'd be fine going with that and then ease Gauthier in 2 years.

 

[GordieHoweHatTrick]

I wouldn't be surprised if Bolland re-signs here for one year at slightly more than he's making now.

Shows good faith by both sides.

That would be the ideal outcome

 

[CerebralDevil]

It would be a great two way line up if it goes as follows:
JVR - Boz - Kess
Lup- Kad- Kul
Bol- Hol- Clar
Bod- McC- Ash/McClar/DAmi

 

[Porn*]

JVR - bozak - Kessel
Kulemin - kadri - Lupul
Raymond/Leivo - holland - Clarkson
Carter - mcclement - Bodie


with bollands health issues and salary demands, i'd let him walk. no way does he deserve 5m per. 3.5 or less.

 

[Cotton]

This is the way I see it; Bozak is our 1C, his spot is safe unless we can upgrade in a hockey trade, even then he isn't going anywhere and will become our 2C.

Kadri is our prize pig, we drafted him to become a dynamic offensive talent and cross our fingers that he can become a complete player aswell. He won't be a 3C, it makes no sense and does nothing but knock the guys confidence. He's working on his draws and getting better, keep in mind this kid has Hart-Trophy aspirations, he doesn't want to just be good, he wants to be the best, and he's willing to work at it.

McClement has been as good as he always has been his entire career, a safe 4C and #1PK guy. I'd sign him in a minute if he doesn't ask for much of a raise. But working against us is the fact that he received a few Selke votes last year, i'm sure his agent will be bringing that up to Nonis.

Holland; Former 1st round draft pick with some offense and 2C potential, he's shown enough that he's the odd's on favorite for the 3C next year if we need one.

Bolland; Reportedly seeking 5x7 as an injury plagued 3C, think he'll sign for less then 4M per? I don't, and because of that I think he'll hit the open market. He can't make more then Bozak's 4.2M as our 3C, and next summer Kadri's bridge is up and he'll be looking for a raise on his 2.9M, and will expect to be paid more then Bolland.

In the end Bolland will be given a shot to show everyone how good he can be for us in the post-season (Assuming he's recovered by then) if he's anything less then pivotal to any success we have he'll hit free agency, and we'll give Holland the 3C next year, which he's earned.

 

[GordieHoweHatTrick]

Picking up Holland was a great insurance policy on losing Bolland as an ufa.

Next season:

Bozak
Kadri
Bolland/Holland
McClement

While thats a decent group of centers, ideally I'd like to have a guy that could seriously challenge Kadri for #2. We don't get much goal support from bottom lines so another top-2 center would be nice, assuming we want to challenge next season

 

[PuckMagi]

I'm fine with:

Bozak
Kadri
Holland
McClement

I think that Holland and Clarkson will play well together and should be good on a 3rd line.

We should try and re-sign Kulemin and then try and pick up another good winger to replace Raymond. Either a big 3rd line guy or a skilled 2nd line guy (since it looks like Kulemin would work on both lines). Then focus on defense. I think our center situation is good enough at the moment. I'm happy with the guys there. I would almost rather a #1 D than a # 1 C right now.

 

[Byron Bitz]

how many times have we seen a player ask for huge contract and then eventually settle for much less? ie Bozak. Im confident wel get bolland signed around 4 x 5.

 

[TmlHockeyFan]

how many times have we seen a player ask for huge contract and then eventually settle for much less? ie Bozak. Im confident wel get bolland signed around 4 x 5.

I like Bolland but definitely wouldn't want to give him more than a 2 year contract (because of his injury). I'd like to see him play first.

 

[ECanuck]

Let me see here: We got Nathan Kadri. Good Canadian boy, plays on the edge. Look at those hands. You don't want to keep him? Are you nuts?

Next we have Bolland. What can I say. Cup champion. Does it all. Even abused those Swedish sisters in the playoffs.

Now, Kingston Boy Mclemment. My Kinda guy. Kills penalties, blocks shots what a beauty.

Tyler Bozak? This guy plays with Phil Kessel and can't score 20 goals?

 

[bansheebeat]

While thats a decent group of centers, ideally I'd like to have a guy that could seriously challenge Kadri for #2. We don't get much goal support from bottom lines so another top-2 center would be nice, assuming we want to challenge next season

There's no reason why Raymond/Leivo-Holland-Clarkson can't provide an adequate amount of secondary scoring for a #3 line.

 

[zeke]

Center PPG, last 2yrs:

1. S.Crosby 1.41 (99gms)
2. S.Stamkos 1.19 (67gms)
3. E.Malkin 1.17 (83gms)
4. R.Getzlaf 1.14 (104gms)
5. J.Tavares 1.06 (107gms)

6. H.Zetterberg 1.05 (91gms)
7. C.Giroux 1.00 (112gms)
8. N.Backstrom 0.98 (113gms)
9. J.Toews 0.98 (111gms)
10. P.Datsyuk 0.95 (86gms)

11. M.Duchene 0.94 (108gms)
12. E.Staal 0.94 (109gms)
13. T.Seguin 0.89 (110gms)
14. J.Thornton 0.89 (113gms)
15. J.Spezza 0.86 (64gms)

16. A.Kopitar 0.85 (111gms)
17. J.Pavelski 0.82 (113gms)
18. M.Ribeiro 0.82 (112gms)
19. N.Kadri 0.81 (109gms)
20. D.Krejci 0.80 (110gms)

21. H.Sedin 0.80 (106gms)
22. L.Couture 0.79 (97gms)
23. M.Koivu 0.78 (94gms)
24. D.Stepan 0.77 (112gms)
25. T.Bozak 0.75 (87gms)

26. B.Little 0.73 (113gms)
27. B.Richards 0.72 (110gms)
28. P.Stastny 0.72 (98gms)
29. D.Backes 0.69 (106gms)
30. P.Bergeron 0.69 (105gms)

31. B.Dubinsky 0.67 (87gms)
32. S.Gagner 0.67 (99gms)
33. C.Hodgson 0.67 (101gms)
34. K.Turris 0.67 (112gms)
35. R.Hopkins 0.66 (102gms)



Unless we're adding a top-15 center, then we're obviously not moving Kadri or Bozak.

And there's no need to waste big money on a 3rd line C. Kuly can fill in there for cheaper if need be, Holland and McKegg can fight for a chance to fill it as well.

 

[nuck]

I'm pretty convinced that signing Bolland to any deal longer than one year would be a risk not worth taking.

I agree. I have no idea what they are going to get with him. I honestly don't think he is the hot commodity so many are suggesting. With his injury history I can't picture anyone offering him a 5 year deal, and if he can't manage a full season how do you pay him? It would be asinine to base a long term contract on the cup of coffee he has had with this team. I hope that he is able to earn whatever deal they offer him.

 

[Puckstuff]

Im really not understanding the love for Holland right now... He's cheap with some upside which is valuable but that's about it. He's not even close to being good defensively... With Bozak and Kadri as our top 2 Cs I would just prefer a veteran in that role... Id like to keep Holland around as a 4th liner (instead of a goon) a 13th forward and a guy battling it out for a 3rd liner winger role - but he's not good enough defensively to play a shut down role he turns the puck over way to much. Id would offer Stastny 5-6 million he's the type of guy if you can land you work around him to make the cap work. He's elite defensively and can play first second or third line. à

James Van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - Phil Kessel
Joffery Lupul - Nazem Kadri - Nikolai Kulemin
----------- - Paul Stastny - David Clarkson
Leo Komarov - Jay Mcclement - Troy Bodie ​

= Best forward group in the entire eastern conference.

 

[ConnorTO]

Let me see here: We got Nathan Kadri. Good Canadian boy, plays on the edge. Look at those hands. You don't want to keep him? Are you nuts?

Next we have Bolland. What can I say. Cup champion. Does it all. Even abused those Swedish sisters in the playoffs.

Now, Kingston Boy Mclemment. My Kinda guy. Kills penalties, blocks shots what a beauty.

Tyler Bozak? This guy plays with Phil Kessel and can't score 20 goals?

big fan of your work Don

 

[darrylsittler27]

Except Clarkson is gone.

He can't play top 6 and makes too much money, at the draft he will be on his way to Edmonton. The loss of Bolland and Clarkson plus the cap raise leaves more than enough money for Statsny.

 

[Faltorvo]

Im really not understanding the love for Holland right now... He's cheap with some upside which is valuable but that's about it. He's not even close to being good defensively... With Bozak and Kadri as our top 2 Cs I would just prefer a veteran in that role... Id like to keep Holland around as a 4th liner (instead of a goon) a 13th forward and a guy battling it out for a 3rd liner winger role - but he's not good enough defensively to play a shut down role he turns the puck over way to much. Id would offer Stastny 5-6 million he's the type of guy if you can land you work around him to make the cap work. He's elite defensively and can play first second or third line. à

James Van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - Phil Kessel
Joffery Lupul - Nazem Kadri - Nikolai Kulemin
----------- - Paul Stastny - David Clarkson
Leo Komarov - Jay Mcclement - Troy Bodie ​

= Best forward group in the entire eastern conference.

if the cap indeed only comes in at 68 million, then I don't think that fits.

kuli will probably get 3.5m minimum.

koma 2/2.5m/?

Stast will likely get 6m+ on the open market.


We would have to move out reims and some money off the d core, I think.

 

[Baba Ganoush]

I'd sign Kulemin long before Bolland.

I only bring Bolland back if its on a deal similar to the one he has now. If he wants too much and there's limited replacements for 3rd line C, why not keep Kulemin there...

I'm ok with:

Bozak
Kadri
Kulemin/Bolland

Going forward...though I'm not convinced Kadri is in the future plans (for better or worse). If I'm gm, it takes huge overpayment to land Kadri from me.

 

[Commander Clueless]

If Bolland's contract demands are in a more reasonable 2-3 year, 3.5-4 mil range, then I'm all for signing him back.

Kulemin is more of a priority for me, and could potentially become the 3rd line center if a 2nd line winger that has similar chemistry with Kadri and Lupul can be found. So unlikely.


I think McClement will be back for sure.

 

[Diatomic]

Let me see here: We got Nathan Kadri. Good Canadian boy, plays on the edge. Look at those hands. You don't want to keep him? Are you nuts?

Next we have Bolland. What can I say. Cup champion. Does it all. Even abused those Swedish sisters in the playoffs.

Now, Kingston Boy Mclemment. My Kinda guy. Kills penalties, blocks shots what a beauty.

Tyler Bozak? This guy plays with Phil Kessel and can't score 20 goals?

I was a big fan of this quote of yours Don, but now it seems like were both eating crow

"I can't believe they re-signed [Tyler Bozak] for that, I mean, there's a classic case of overpaying a guy. Ridiculous. He's a plugger, he's playing with (Phil) Kessel and he can't get 20 goals. You could get 20 goals playing with Kessel (laugh)."

 

[Erndog]

Im really not understanding the love for Holland right now... He's cheap with some upside which is valuable but that's about it. He's not even close to being good defensively... With Bozak and Kadri as our top 2 Cs I would just prefer a veteran in that role... Id like to keep Holland around as a 4th liner (instead of a goon) a 13th forward and a guy battling it out for a 3rd liner winger role - but he's not good enough defensively to play a shut down role he turns the puck over way to much. Id would offer Stastny 5-6 million he's the type of guy if you can land you work around him to make the cap work. He's elite defensively and can play first second or third line. à

James Van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - Phil Kessel
Joffery Lupul - Nazem Kadri - Nikolai Kulemin
----------- - Paul Stastny - David Clarkson
Leo Komarov - Jay Mcclement - Troy Bodie ​

= Best forward group in the entire eastern conference.

Stastny is going to be getting $6M+.... how they heck can you slot that into your 3rd line C? Especially with a 3rd line winger at $5.25M.

Doesn't make any financial sense whatsoever even if it's somehow doable.

 

[The CyNick]

The whole Bozak thing is so weird to me. Ask yourself, what is the purpose of a first line centre? Bozak centres one of the best lines in all of hockey. His wingers are producing, he is effective in both ends, and he has a team friendly cap number. I don't know why anyone would think we need an upgrade there.

Kadri is more of a debate. If it was my call, I would stick with him. Just think his upside is strong, and even if he stays around where he is, it's good for a #2 centre. hoping he can round out a two way game.

Relying on Holland as your #3 is a bit scary to me just because I don't think he has proven he can handle that role. But he is also young and likely will improve. But I would prefer to retain Bolland.

Mcclement is a good 4th line centre

 

[indigobuffalo]

If we can not sign Bolland.

I would try to sign Domenic Moore to a one or 2 year deal.

Always liked his game, he could be a good #3C for this team. If Holland is ready, #4C.

Rather McClement at 4C for the next 3-4 years. Long enough to groom Gauthier as the replacement.

Leafs have some decent-ish prospects but no one that's really legit top-6.

The Leafs need to figure out what their shut-down line is going to be. If Bolland isn't returning, we may have to look at another 3C for the shutdown role, or see if Kulemin is ready for a permanent stay there.

I think it could work to have a Komarov - Kulemin - Clarkson line and possibly look at Hartikainen at some point there too.