toronto, regarding Grabner

[COOL MAN]

Did the Leafs give up anything in that group they sent to the Islanders ??

I'm one of presumably many Penguins fans who'll be happy to see Grabner playing for someone other than the Islanders. The kid's got wheels and a pretty nice shot, though I do think he has consistency problems. I used to think the Pens were one of a few teams for which Grabner just had their number.

Not that you asked, but with only a 1 year contract......and presumably with designs on something much bigger next summer (not sure if I mean Stamkos or not)......I'm thinking the Leafs brought Grabner in solely to see if he can goose them in the first half of the season, then use him as trade bait next February.

 

[COOL MAN]

Speaking of the NHL, I just read a piece on espn.com listing what they consider the worst FA signings this summer. As it turns out, #5 on the list was none other than Blake Comeau, who we jointly thought was a legitimate loss for the Penguins. Anyway, note the following rationale.....biased mostly toward pure analytics, though some "unmeasurables" were allowed as part of the analysis.....from the piece:

5. Blake Comeau, LW, Colorado Avalanche
Contract: Three years, $2.4 million per year
Approval: 36.4 percent
Concern: He doesn't bring anything tangible to the table.

Last season, Blake Comeau won the linemate lottery, playing the bulk of his time with Evgeni Malkin. Their scoring relationship was decidedly one way, as Comeau earned 74 percent of his points with Malkin on the ice, while the latter scored only half of his with Comeau. In terms of possession metrics, the Penguins attempted 52.6 percent of all attempted shots when they were together, but 57.6 when Malkin was out there with someone else.

Without Malkin, Comeau is the same player who floated around the league the previous three seasons, scoring just 43 points in 177 games on the depth lines of the Islanders, Flames, and Blue Jackets. And back then, he was signing only single-year deals for half the cap hit he now has in Colorado.

If not some extra scoring, Comeau needs to bring something to the table to earn that $2.4 million. He doesn't kill penalties, doesn't block shots, doesn't take on top opponents, isn't a defensive zone specialist, doesn't take shootouts, doesn't take faceoffs, and doesn't draw penalties. He does throw hits, but takes way too many penalties while doing so. To this year's panelists, it was simply unclear what need Comeau is going to fill this season, let alone for the two after that.

I really didn't realize Comeau had as little respect as shown in this review. Of course, as you can see, they think his season was all about Geno; which I suppose may be a legitimate assessment. I distinctly recall thinking numerous times last year (especially early) being surprised as to how good and effective a goal scorer Comeau was; but if so, why is it the Pens were able to sign him on the cheap ?? Maybe the explanation regarding the Geno effect indeed is that simple. Anyway, here's that entire list from ESPN......

http://espn.go.com/nhl/insider/stor...-identifies-worst-five-signings-offseason-nhl

 

[torontoeers]

Of the 5 going the Isles way...I like Verhaeghe. Big upside with him imo...obviously the Leafs don't share my opinion or they wouldn't have included him in the deal....which the deal itself is rather curious to Leaf fans and myself truthfully...as you mention Grabner may simply have been acquired for trade bait come Feb? I quite like him as a player but he is oft injured...they better hope he stays healthy if they plan on moving him come deadline and what does he get you if he does? I would think a high 2nd rd pick at best unless he absolutely tears it up this year. I was chatting with a gent last night who said when I queried about the deal 'why are we doing this now? The point is to see what we have with all these prospects? ' and he was disappointed to see both Verhaeghe and the goalie Gibson hitting the road...
Regarding Stamkos...Leaf fans want him...BADLY . Obviously he is one of the most talented in the league and a franchise type player BUT....my first thought is, didn't they already do this with the Kessel deal? It was deemed to be a massive failure which effectively turned into Tyler Seguin and Dougie Hamilton. I would think Stamkos would command as much or more in return for a talented goal scorer who dried up bigtime come playoffs this past spring...imo this new Leaf brass was brought in to accelerate development from within and do things differently (in the Detroit type model), If they are truly adopting this strategy , I would NOT be betting the farm on Stamkos, just my opinion...
Regarding Comeau...I didn't realize the numbers were so skewed in Geno's direction last year! Maybe it did make sense to let him walk after all??? With those type percentages it makes me think somebody could slot themselves in his spot quite nicely this year? Given we have also lost Sutter, but I think the Kessel and Fehr additions leave us on paper a harder team to play against...
IMO Beauch is the most ludicrous signing on the list...he had a bit of a resurgence over the last year or 2 I remember him being the whipping boy up here in Leaf fans eyes for years! He is certainly up there in age now too...I think they plan on lining him up on the top pairing??? That's 2 pretty darn questionable signings by the Av's...

 

[torontoeers]

I'm out at a wedding tonight and with the season around the corner I'll get a good feel from the fanbase over a few beers, about the summer's event's and particularly the Grabner trade...I think it will likely be an opinion of confusion...which I'm sure the suds will add to lol....

 

[COOL MAN]

I really can't make heads or tails of the kind of team the Leafs will be; from a distance, just too many unanswered questions......led by how the incumbents adjust to Babcock. I also have no clue how their tryout guys will work out as stop gaps while the roster is rebuilt. Presumably, the roster will be turned over close to 100% (from last season) by Year 3 at the latest.

Totally irrelevant, but I've gotten a kick out of the noises from Detroit (from Zetterberg, in particular) as to how sick they'don't gotten of Babcock'a act. Gives particular credence to the old Lou Holtz perspective that head coaching is a 10 year max proposition.

 

[COOL MAN]

BTW, if they could find a way to pry a #2 from someone.....it's not going to be in the top third of the round, since the trade will be to some looking either to get into the playoffs, or (more likely) round out the roster for a planned Cup run.....for Grabner at the deadline, I suspect this will be viewed in Toronto as a pretty nice deal (that is, if none of the minor leaguers dealt to the Islanders develop).

This will be one of those trades to remember as an early indicator if accepting the Toronto job has helped Lou get his touch back.

 

[torontoeers]

I hadn't seen the latest rumblings from Zetterberg...going to look them up, as that seems pretty telling...

The verdict last night was one of confusion as predicted from Leaf faithful...they like Grabner a lot but see him as a player that will make them marginally better. Some were wondering if Lou would attempt to extend him now and roll the dice. This may make sense BUT only if they could get him at reasonable term and $...as I say I'd be awfully concerned about the injuries.

Neighbor mentioned to me last night that Stamkos is a UFA come the end of the year which I'd forgotten about! Even still I would be awfully wary of giving out big $ and term, especially since it would go against the new development pattern the latest regime has set out....
He doesn't want Stamkos...says this would indicate 'more of the same' in Leafland...I cannot argue his feeling...

You heading to a game or 2 this year COOLMAN? I am really looking forward to the enviro this wknd vs Maryland, and was happy to hear it was sold out...after watching bits and pieces of that Maryland/South Fla game I think we've got them but they dont look as bad as their other 2 games indicated. Need to get on Rowe early/ often and I can see him coughing the ball up more than once...our secondary needs to stay on top of their receivers too...they look quick and sure handed...
EERS by 14....

 

[COOL MAN]

I hadn't seen the latest rumblings from Zetterberg...going to look them up, as that seems pretty telling...

The verdict last night was one of confusion as predicted from Leaf faithful...they like Grabner a lot but see him as a player that will make them marginally better. Some were wondering if Lou would attempt to extend him now and roll the dice. This may make sense BUT only if they could get him at reasonable term and $...as I say I'd be awfully concerned about the injuries.

Neighbor mentioned to me last night that Stamkos is a UFA come the end of the year which I'd forgotten about! Even still I would be awfully wary of giving out big $ and term, especially since it would go against the new development pattern the latest regime has set out....
He doesn't want Stamkos...says this would indicate 'more of the same' in Leafland...I cannot argue his feeling...

You heading to a game or 2 this year COOLMAN? I am really looking forward to the enviro this wknd vs Maryland, and was happy to hear it was sold out...after watching bits and pieces of that Maryland/South Fla game I think we've got them but they dont look as bad as their other 2 games indicated. Need to get on Rowe early/ often and I can see him coughing the ball up more than once...our secondary needs to stay on top of their receivers too...they look quick and sure handed...
EERS by 14....

As a practical matter, we haven't done Mountaineer games since my wife and I had our kids 21+ years ago.

Now that they're of legal drinking age, the air of watching most in-person football (especially if it's cold outside, or we have to drive a distance) has largely left my balloon.....though we admittedly did have our annual good time this past Saturday tailgating and attending the Memphis State-Bowling Green shootout at BG. Anyway, just more confirmation that I legitimately meet most standards of the term "old fart".

Anyway, coming off the Cup Finals, there's something about Stamkos that doesn't smell right. I suspect that SS now may not be viewed as valuable to the TBL's future as we'd have thought a year ago. It's now no secret they were very competitive in this group's first shot at the Finals; and they did it getting essentially nothing from Stamkos. But while letting him walk means you have to replace his 40+ goals, you can buy a fair amount of talent (and pay young players) with the $12 million per year he's being rumored to be asking for.

I myself think the TBL are in an exceptional position with Stamkos since they've more or less proven they're good without his contributions. I myself think their annual number for him probably tops out around $10 million; and he can decide if he likes it in Tampa enough to accept less than market value.

If not, he's free to walk and let Toronto or Boston or Montreal (or someone like that) make him the highest paid player in the League, hence opening $10 million in current (and presumably future new) cap space to bring in new blood.....or more perhaps importantly, have dollars available to pay core guys like Hedman and Johnson (who'll be looking for their own big numbers in year or two) or others ready to promote from their deep System.