So, as expected, the Leafs did almost nothing at the trade deadline. Oddly, nothing was better than the something that was rumoured; chasing Bill Guerin and Curtis Joseph. So for another full year Leafs fans can look forward to their team failing at another Cup bid and taking a stab with the same ragtag group of misfits they fail with every year.
Let’s look at Edmonton and Toronto, both failing and falling fast, both with checking forwards with the ability to score from time-to-time, both of whom will enter unrestricted free agency next year. The Oilers realize that they haven’t won anything with Smyth and that he’s asking for too much money, then quickly send him away for three 1st rounders and can attempt to resign him to a reasonable contract in the off-season. The Leafs give Tucker a four-year contract and a no-trade clause. So which GM is smarter?
The obvious winners in the deadline would be the Islanders, who were already succeeding before adding Smyth; the Sharks who add leadership and offence with Guerin and defensive prowess with Rivet; and the Thrashers who set themselves up on forward and defence going forward. That said, I stand behind my pre-season choices of Anaheim and Ottawa as the two teams likely to be head-to-head for the Cup this year. Sometimes a trade offers nothing more than a warm body, and in the case of these two teams I think they have the necessary pieces in place already. Mind you, my TML Blinders haven’t arrived yet, so I’m not yet able to pretend that Ray Emery is a bad goalie. I mean, he does only have a .919 save percentage with four shutouts, clearly not ready for primetime. :rolls eyes:
It was this time last year that I solemnly vowed that, if the Leafs did not fess up that they couldn’t compete and use the deadline to move their overpriced no-goodniks that I would refuse to continue blindly following in line. A year later all those players are still here, with the slight change in that they’ve all got no-trade clauses. Trust me, the weather’s fine off the bandwagon, who’s with me?
Go Sens Go!
I have to admit its becoming harder everyday to be a Leafs fan. I do believe in devotion to a team, but like you said, another year has past and the only moves the Buds have made is to lock up this ragtag bunch of halfwits for longterm no-trade contracts.
Purhaps its time that I find a new team to cheer on. (no it won’t be Ottawa).
As far as Ottawa goes I do wish them luck in the playoffs because they are the only Canadian team with a chance this season. (Yes Rick I will continue to cheer for a team based on geographical location). But I still do wonder about Emery’s ability to play in the playoffs. Maybe he will prove me wrong.
The one thing that I would like to bring up with all this is does anyone else get the feeling that its not simply a problem with JFJ, but the issue is deeply rooted in management of the organization? I’m beginning to wonder if the problems with the Leafs doesn’t have more to do with the fact that its a completely money making venture and all moves are based on keeping attendance and mechandise sales as high as possible.
Thoughts?
I do feel that even if JFJ wanted to gut the team and start fresh that management wouldn’t allow it. Why? Perhaps some odd feeling that a Columbus-style team of prospective star kids would lead to a loss of ticket sales. As someone who lived through the last-place Harold Ballard era, I don’t think that’s the case.
You speak as if we are not laden with prospective kids? Steen, Stajan, Carlo C, Wellwood, Raycroft, etc…
I’d rather have Tucker than a 2nd round pick and a AHL player.
I’d rather see Sundin stay and retire a leaf.
Not committed to winning? they had the 3rd highest payroll in the league before the lockout. Shipping of the only talent they have for picks is like playing the lottery. Doing nothing at the deadline was about the smartest thing they could have done. imho.
Spending a lot of money and trying to win are two different things; one helps you win, one helps you look like you want to win in the eyes of the fans. $50 million worth of manure is still manure. If the Leafs wanted to win they’d realize the only way to do it is to start with young talent sporadically surrounded by leadership-rich veterans. All this team has done for years is hire friends of their overpriced, undertalented players.
Thats a great list John expect one thing they are all second rate prospects. I think the proof is out there as the Leafs continue to slide more and more each year while continuing to do the same thing to “correct” it.
I would just like to see some fresh thinking and a new approach to winning the cup in Toronto.
I would consider the approach since the lockout ‘fresh’… they have had to use the prospects in their system whereas in previous years they would be dealt at the deadline and then sign expensive free agents.
Why is Rick always so angry?
Because rainbows and kittens don’t make people read. :P
In real life, I’m the gentleman and Mark’s the surly SOB. Truth.
Hey I may be surly and I may be an SOB, but I’m certainly not….. what was the third part?
I guess you are right John they have changed their approach somewhat. I mean it was obviously a good call to pay the most they could for a completely over rated defence while making sure to leave nothing in the cap for any sort of an offence while giving everyone longterm no trade contracts. Yes this all gives me a reason to cheer for them.
I’d like to propose we change the name of teh Pens in the E to the kittens… :-)
I don’t mind the ‘no trade’ too much… it just means the player will be able to provide a short list when the time comes to deal them.
My problem with the no-trade clause is it basically removes any need for a player to preform. In a league where players are being held accountable for their actions due to the salary cap, the Leafs have basically said that they don’t care what their players do. They are risking a lot by locking up a good chunk or their salary on guys that could turn around and say, “I’m not going to put my all now that I have job security.”
Let’s not forget the fact that they players they’re locking up aren’t exactly superstars. Sundin’s best days are well behind him, Tucker is a decent agitator and nothing more, Kaberle is a good defenceman (our best), and McCabe is the single most overrated blueliner in the entire NHL who’s defensive lapses are finally being noticed widely.
I will admit it would be nice to see Sundin retire as a Leaf, but at some point soon they will have to make a decision that he is not worth being their most expensive player.
Agreed on the Sundin points. I think if they can sign him for 3 more years at approx 4M per year, it’ll be a good deal. If he can still play after that go year by year.
McCabe = million dollar shot, 10 cent brain. That being said he is still 3rd in scoring on the team and I imagine he is top 10 in the league (or very close). So not allll bad.
Tucker is a good agitator… but there is something to be said for the ‘heart’ he brings to the team… see teams reaction to hit on Kaberle. Who was the only person yelling at the Jersey bench? Tucker. and he wasn’t even dressed. lol! Don’t forget his PP presence also.