rick zombo

Sproul’s will be better

You can have Wiz. I’ll take Kronwall 10 out of 10 times.

He gave him a little extra but kept the term to one year. Holland did well. Good, respectable, REAL WORLD, signing. If you can’t see this, then I don’t know what to say to you.

I'd say all GMs are more-or-less willing to do what needs to be done in their mind. In some GMs minds, paying 6M/per for a guy like Callahan is what needs to be done. But that doens'y make him an outstanding GM. Basically, you love Yzerman. Good for you. I love him too. But objectively speaking, he hasn't done a ******* thing worth writing about yet in his time in Tampa other than killing Murray in the Bishop deal.

If you're trying to knock Holland, remember, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Kronwall have these intangibles in abundance. Clarkson was a heart and soul guy too. Many here wanted Holland to sign him. Try telling a Leaf fan that "some GMs are willing to make their team better even if it means overpayment (which is part of UFA)".

Don't be silly. In magical LGW fan-boy land, we're gettng both. Holland will lock up Niskanen to 7 years 49M because godddammit I want a new toy!!!!! And then he'll zap Kesler's brain, making him want to come to Detroit instead of just Anaheim or Chicago (as is rumored) then he'll give Vancouver Mantha, Sproul, Tatar, and 1st, just to prove to the LGWs faithful that he does, in fact, have ballz. The everyone will ***** about overpayment and junk. Ad ******* naseum. (this isn't targeted specifically at you Kip)

No kidding. Makes me wonder if they would have taken Kindl? He makes half of that.

Yeah, my bad. I thought he was a righty for some reason.

Holland's desparate for a RHD that can play the PP. You'd have to think that if Almquist isn't good enough to make the team under these circumstances, then he's just not good enough. Plain and simple.

Nikitin. 2 years, 4.5M per. That's Kronwall type money http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=455660

I swear to ******* god that sometimes this forum is like a hockey version of "The View". Super over-the-top theatrical, petulant, and diva's everywhere...... Did anyone actually read this article from Kulfan????!!!!!!! http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140624/SPORTS0103/306240052/Alfredsson-shows-interest-returning-Red-Wings

Where the hell is he going to play? Zetterberg - Datsyuk - ? Franzen - Weiss - Nyquist (?) Tatar - Sheahan - Jurco Miller -- Helm - Abdlekader Does this mean Alfredsson plays on Datsyuk’s wing? Not a chance. We all know Babcock wants a puck hound on that line. Unfortunately, that’ll probably be Abdlekader. For me, without trying to be overly negative, an Alfie signing means Jurco starts the year in GRs. edit: unless, of course, one or more of the kids get traded.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=455517

This should have been the mentality with Franzen in 2009. Here was a dude that was drafted at the age of 24 and a third line checking center who had just come off two playoffs with stratospheric scoring numbers. The organization should have recognized this as a bit of an anomoly (which it was!!) and Holland could have traded him right then and there for a pretty great D prospect and then resigned Hossa.

Totally. Imagine if Holland was the GM of Chicago after the cup win in 2010. Bowman had to clean house (Niemi, Campbell, Ladd, Versteeg, Brouwer.....)!!!! That would have been fun to watch.

Yeah, I read that Mlive Q&A as well. Basically, he speculates that Holland won't overpay either in UFA dollars or in tradable assets. So no Niskanens, no Boyles, no Keslers, or Yandle type guys. Honestly, I'd be happy with Tom Gilbert. He'smobile, has a great first pass, can eat up a ton of minutes, and has that right shot. One of the "secondary scorers" he mentioned was Jussi Jokinen. I will be absolutely furious if we sign that guy.

On the contrary. This is the worst time to play the Leafs. The best time to play Toronto, traditionally, is late February - early April

Jurco is going to be the man!!

Yeah, no s*** eh? Kind of makes me wish Holland had held off on that Weiss signing last summer.

Uhh....that's why I said "crazy".

FWIW, I'd take Marleau over J(D)umbo . Late last night I was struck with the notion that Holland's is definitely going to make a big trade, and it might be borderline Crazy Cat Lady crazy. Like Mantha + Smith + 1st for someone like Marleau. Just this vibe that I can't shake.

For the record, it was pretty clear that I wasn't suggesting any type of team strategy. Just pointing out that under the circumstances, trading Z for Florida' #1 pick would be silly.

The Leafs are looking at dealing for the #1 pick. But rumor has it, the asking price is: JVR + Gardiner + 1st rounder (8th overall) And that "might" get it done. If this is true, then it's insane. Nonis would be crazy. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl-draft/kadri-package-not-enough-to-get-no-1/

I expect Sheahan and Tatar to both make in the 2M range (3.4 for Tatar is high IMO). Dekeyser will be around 3M.