News Article: Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis talks draft, Bolland and trades

[Hero]

Only hope is Clarkson somehow develops some lower body and core strength and then starts playing well, or we can somehow move him.

 

[Bardown warrior]

For gods sake Nonis use your head and sign LEO KOMAROV.

for 4 million a year... Yes Nonie use your head

 

[jmart21]

For gods sake Nonis use your head and sign LEO KOMAROV.

Why overpay for a player that you shouldn't have to overpay for, and can replace at a much lesser cost?

 

[mydnyte]

As much as I like Bolland when he's healthy, he hasn't been for a while.
In the 7 season's he's played, he only has 2 where he's played more than 75 games.

He averages 54 games over that span (I prorated the lockout season).
Especially since rumour has him demanding over 4 million, we don't need 3 #2 centers on our team.

we have 3 ...Bozak, Kadri, and Holland ...Bolland is not a #2C, he's a #3 with a 45.1% on faceoffs last year, not what you want from a 3rd line C either ...heck Kadri was higher

 

[mydnyte]

Yet you probably can't give a reasonable argument as to why it's silly if you compare them irrespective of their current teams.

Please tell us why Kane is a god compared to Kessel.

maybe he meant it the other way, since Kessel has been much better than Kane the past 3 seasons

 

[hockeywiz542]

According to Chris Johnston of Rogers Sportsnet:

- David Bolland, who still wishes to remain with his hometown team but doesn’t want to do so at a hometown discount.

- there no longer seems to be a fit between Nikolai Kulemin and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The issue? Role, more than contract.

- talks are underway between the Leafs and restricted free-agent defenceman Jake Gardiner, according to sources. It is believed that the sides are discussing a two-year bridge deal that will likely end up falling somewhere between $2.25-million and $3-million per season.

- Nothing appears close with Toronto’s other pending UFA’s — Mason Raymond, Jay McClement and Paul Ranger — although Raymond’s agent, J.P. Barry, plans to sit down with Dave Nonis later this week in Philadelphia.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/leafs-kulemin-appear-to-be-parting-ways/

“Our position hasn’t changed a whole heck of a lot,” Anton Thun, Bolland’s agent, told Sportsnet on Tuesday.

Like Kulemin, the Bolland camp is preparing for the opening of Wednesday’s free-agent discussion window. Since the player will be making his way back from a significant injury, Thun anticipates that some teams may want to speak directly with him.

The lines of communication will also be kept open with Toronto.

“At this time it’s just not coming together,” said Thun. “We can’t force the Leafs to accept our terms.”

With the off-season set to kick in to high gear, there is still a high level of unpredictability around what direction the team is headed. Nothing appears close with Toronto’s other pending UFA’s — Mason Raymond, Jay McClement and Paul Ranger — although Raymond’s agent, J.P. Barry, plans to sit down with Dave Nonis later this week in Philadelphia.

One thing that is known is that talks are underway between the Leafs and restricted free-agent defenceman Jake Gardiner, according to sources. It is believed that the sides are discussing a two-year bridge deal that will likely end up falling somewhere between $2.25-million and $3-million per season.

Toronto had rocky negotiations with RFA’s Nazem Kadri and Cody Franson last summer and isn’t eager to repeat that situation with Gardiner.

 

[Tyler Biggs*]

Why overpay for a player that you shouldn't have to overpay for, and can replace at a much lesser cost?

I never said to overpay for him. Komarov did a great job on the Leafs, wouldn't mind having him back back at the right price!

 

[rdawg1234]

According to Chris Johnston of Rogers Sportsnet:

- David Bolland, who still wishes to remain with his hometown team but doesn’t want to do so at a hometown discount.

Then get out, honestly, people need to realize that a 3rd line C is very replaceable, just look at the UFA list, Marcel Goc could probably be had for 2.5-3m.

bolland looking for 4m+ is ridiculous, he's a solid player, but not a game changer by any means. Numerous 3rd line C's like him in the league and we probably have our replacement in Gauthier within a season or two.

 

[Trapper]

Shanahan: we need to start drafting high risk high reward. Skill.
Nonis: yeah not worried about skill so much as character.
Gonna be a long 5 years.

 

[Amadeus]

According to Chris Johnston of Rogers Sportsnet:

- David Bolland, who still wishes to remain with his hometown team but doesn’t want to do so at a hometown discount.

- there no longer seems to be a fit between Nikolai Kulemin and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The issue? Role, more than contract.

- talks are underway between the Leafs and restricted free-agent defenceman Jake Gardiner, according to sources. It is believed that the sides are discussing a two-year bridge deal that will likely end up falling somewhere between $2.25-million and $3-million per season.

- Nothing appears close with Toronto’s other pending UFA’s — Mason Raymond, Jay McClement and Paul Ranger — although Raymond’s agent, J.P. Barry, plans to sit down with Dave Nonis later this week in Philadelphia.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/leafs-kulemin-appear-to-be-parting-ways/

I won't miss Bolland if that's what he wants.

 

[ChickenMcNugget]

I won't miss Bolland if that's what he wants.

i will miss that second rounder though

but i am surprised McClement, he played huge minutes on the team and is loved by the fans, how much is he looking for?

 

[Trapper]

i will miss that second rounder though

but i am surprised McClement, he played huge minutes on the team and is loved by the fans, how much is he looking for?

Maybe it's not how much he's looking for it's what he's looking for. Winning. 4th line in Pittsburgh?
Pens add Kuli and Jay?

 

[GordieHoweHatTrick]

i will miss that second rounder though

but i am surprised McClement, he played huge minutes on the team and is loved by the fans, how much is he looking for?

He took a paycut to come here so I doubt money is an issue. Probably more like Leafs management thinking they don't need him

 

[Amadeus]

i will miss that second rounder though

but i am surprised McClement, he played huge minutes on the team and is loved by the fans, how much is he looking for?

Bringing back McClement is something I'm fine with, but I'm hoping they can give his spot to one of our youngsters with the Marlies. Two straight good years there, so we better start rewarding some of the players who have contributed well in the bottom lines.

 

[leafstilldeath*]

According to Chris Johnston of Rogers Sportsnet:

- David Bolland, who still wishes to remain with his hometown team but doesn’t want to do so at a hometown discount.

- there no longer seems to be a fit between Nikolai Kulemin and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The issue? Role, more than contract.

- talks are underway between the Leafs and restricted free-agent defenceman Jake Gardiner, according to sources. It is believed that the sides are discussing a two-year bridge deal that will likely end up falling somewhere between $2.25-million and $3-million per season.

- Nothing appears close with Toronto’s other pending UFA’s — Mason Raymond, Jay McClement and Paul Ranger — although Raymond’s agent, J.P. Barry, plans to sit down with Dave Nonis later this week in Philadelphia.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/leafs-kulemin-appear-to-be-parting-ways/

And Kuli is another player that is run out of town by the toaster of a coach. Brilliant!



Bolland is 28 years old and not needed, however, I am fine with giving him 2 years at 4 mil with no NTC, Gauthier will be ready by then.

Fine with bringing McClement back but no need of Raymond. Wondering if Lupul is being shopped (please God)

 

[leafstilldeath*]

Maybe it's not how much he's looking for it's what he's looking for. Winning. 4th line in Pittsburgh?
Pens add Kuli and Jay?

I can totally see this happening. Pens add solid players. Kuli can play on the Malkin line with McClement as a PK specialist. If Pens add a decent goalie they are gonna make some noise in Playoffs next season

Shanahan: we need to start drafting high risk high reward. Skill.
Nonis: yeah not worried about skill so much as character.
Gonna be a long 5 years.

Dont mind it if it is done right, with right set of players and right coach behind the bench.

 

[Trapper]

I can totally see this happening. Pens add solid players. Kuli can play on the Malkin line with McClement as a PK specialist. If Pens add a decent goalie they are gonna make some noise in Playoffs next season

Yes many of our players can be useful to teams that have drafted a decent core.
We are spare parts r us.

 

[The Thin White Duke]

I can totally see this happening. Pens add solid players. Kuli can play on the Malkin line with McClement as a PK specialist. If Pens add a decent goalie they are gonna make some noise in Playoffs next season



Dont mind it if it is done right, with right set of players and right coach behind the bench.

Don't forget that Grabo and Kuli were rumored to try to market themselves as a package deal. Grabo facing 3rd-rate defensive pairings behind Sid and Geno would be dangerous as hell, especially in the playoffs.

 

[leafstilldeath*]

Yes many of our players can be useful to teams that have drafted a decent core.
We are spare parts r us.

Couldn't agree more with this.

 

[leafstilldeath*]

Don't forget that Grabo and Kuli were rumored to try to market themselves as a package deal. Grabo facing 3rd-rate defensive pairings behind Sid and Geno would be dangerous as hell, especially in the playoffs.

true. Man that is one scary three line combo lol. There were rumors that Grabo would be re-signed by the caps. Lets see.

 

[Trapper]

true. Man that is one scary three line combo lol. There were rumors that Grabo would be re-signed by the caps. Lets see.

Next year:
MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Kulemin-Grabovski-Zibanejad

Man I'd laugh at Nonis/Carlyle

 

[leafstilldeath*]

Next year:
MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Kulemin-Grabovski-Zibanejad

Man I'd laugh at Nonis/Carlyle

Its anti-carlyle brigade right there lol

Mac
Grabo
Kuli
and ofcourse Ryan lol

 

[Donato]

For all the people *****ing that Kulemin is getting driven out of town by the coach.. After the last two seasons he had, do you think he deserved more ice time? He is replaceable, and is not a second line winger

 

[Purity*]

Then get out, honestly, people need to realize that a 3rd line C is very replaceable, just look at the UFA list, Marcel Goc could probably be had for 2.5-3m.

bolland looking for 4m+ is ridiculous, he's a solid player, but not a game changer by any means. Numerous 3rd line C's like him in the league and we probably have our replacement in Gauthier within a season or two.

100% agreed. If Bolland wants his big retirement contract, he has to go somewhere else. We are already handcuffed by bad contracts as is, we don't ****ing need any more.

Just think about it for a second. A two-time cup-winner wants to sign in his hometown at a retirement contract coming off of a horrible injury (and being injury-prone to begin with) so he can do what? Help us contend for a cup? **** that, he's been there and done that. All he wants to do is sign a retirement contract in his hometown so he can chill out for the rest of his career. What kind of compete level are we seriously going to see out of this guy? The Hawks seem to be doing perfectly fine without him. I was a fan of his play before his injury but the best thing to do is the cut the losses and MOVE THE **** ON. No reason we need to risk another horrible contract.

Shanahan: we need to start drafting high risk high reward. Skill.
Nonis: yeah not worried about skill so much as character.
Gonna be a long 5 years.

Nonis really loves his stupid buzzwords. He had about 100 different buzzwords coined after the Clarkson signing.

 

[HoweHullOrr]

they bought out a centre that didn't fit with a team that they didn't necessarily expect to be very good anyway, apparently. which is what i don't understand.

the fact is that Nonis took a team that made the playoffs in a shortened season, got rid of the players his coach didn't like and invested in Carlyle-type players to replace them. i have a hard time believing that he made these moves with the expectation that the team would quite possibly be worse as a result, and that it wouldn't necessarily be anything to worry about if things turned out that way.



maybe not "going all in" (although Nonis's comments about the Clarkson it came close) but they certainly didn't suggest the opposite, that the front office had allowed for and were comfortable with the idea that the team would get worse as a result of all the moves they made. all of which were intended to make the Leafs more like the team they thought could contend.



and they are apparently willing to move almost any player on said team.

I don't think he necessarily believed they'd be worse, but I think he was prepared for the possibility that certain players wouldn't repeat their previous season.
I think he expected he would get a full season out of Bolland and most certainly more out of Lupul and Clarkson.
I believe he expected us to be competitive and challenge for a playoff spot in the east, which is what he said last year, and what he is saying now.


What comment was that? I'm having a hard time finding anything that seems to portray that. And again, adding a young veteran winger and a proven 3c equates to trying to improve your team, which is what every GM strives to do. If they weren't willing to accept that the team could be worse, I would assume they would try to go much bigger than a Bolland or a Clarkson, especially when we were right in the thick of it come deadline day. Instead they are adding second tier guys which play two roles, one as mentor and one as place holder.



How about we play a little game of count the rumours. Lets go back to last season and check out all te rumoured trades and see how many actually took place. This is Toronto, it's a big hockey market with a lot of talking heads who all wanna be 'the guy'. Throwing a rumour out does that.

I guess the definition of "all-in" is rather user-definable and subjective.

On one hand, we sign a player to maximum term contract, with limited NMC & irrevocable signing bonuses, but then we are told this is not a core piece of the team or an "all-in move". Then, we get another player on a one-year term and send a bunch of picks the other way.

Equally confusing is the idea that we don't want aspire to the kind of half-measure successes that teams such as Montreal/Philly/NYR had. But, then we hear the argument in the same thread (from the same proponents) that we were really competitive in the shortened season, so who could blame the GM for adding these strategic yet supposedly "non all-in" type acquisitions.

I guess I'm just easily confused but these seem to be contradictory …….

The young-veteran term was also interesting.