Should Toronto be buyers or sellers come deadline day?
Most Leafs’ fans are getting excited with the possibility of a playoff berth for the first time since the lock-out, and who can really blame them? While I think it is Burke’s intention for the team to make it to the post-season this year, I have also heard the GM mention on several occasions that the cup is his primary target, and a first-round exit is not his goal.
With this in mind, I bring up the idea of whether the Leafs should be sellers or buyers come trade deadline? While you can make a strong case for both at this point, I myself am leaning towards seller. I understand the pain of ‘giving up on the season’ but that scenario may be the best for the Leafs in the long run. Here are my reasons for considering it:
1) Burke is an impeccable trader
There is no doubting Burke’s ability to sell his product high and buy low. He has done an impeccable job in the past 3 years bringing in some great talent, with a few exceptions. However, at this point in the year, the Leafs have plenty of ‘extra’ contracts, and it is definitely a seller’s market. The names such as Grabovski, Schenn, Komisarek, Macarthur, etc… have all been mentioned as possible targets of teams. Grabovski would easily be the most sought after centre rental at this year’s deadline, next to Derek Roy, and could fetch our team a pretty penny. The pieces landed here, similar to the Beuachemin and Kaberle deals of last year, could help set us up for the next several years.
2) We need more cap room
With the CBA set to be renegotiated soon, we are dangerous of being so close to the cap. If we could find suitors for players such as Komisarek, Lombardi, or Macarthur it would clear out some much needed cap space for the following year, which we could then be used to add players in areas with more of a pressing need. Let’s face it. Kulemin is going to demand north of the $2.3M he was making this year, Crabb, or his replacement (I hope not), will demand equal to more than the $0.75M he is making this year, and our current starting goaltender in Gustavsson will probably end up with money equal to Reimer’s contract from last year. We simply do not have the cap room to add any key pieces in the upcoming year, unless we shed some salary.
3) We need to make room for the young guys
There is nothing wrong with a little healthy competition. Competition has been instrumental to the development of certain players such as Franson, Gunnarson, Crabb, Kadri, Frattin and Bozak. However, there comes a point where you are going to have to make a regular spot for the young guys to squeak their way into the line-up. With the number of contracts we have right now, and the eventual return of Armstrong to the line-up, it seems the spots area at a premium. Guys like Colborne, Frattin, Ross, Blacker, and Holzer are going to find it difficult to get their shot with the big club. That may lead to frustration and slower development for some.
4) We need more pieces to get an impact player, without sacrificing the future
We all know that the team is in need of a #1 centre. Unfortunately, if we were to trade for one currently, it would require names such as Kadri, Schenn, Kulemin, Gardiner, etc… going the other way. We have enough depth at these positions to not completely destroy our NHL team, but the Marlies would suffer as a result. If we were to acquire more picks and prospects ala a Roster player for 1st + Prospect route, as Burke is known for, we could help replenish the youth on our team, while still being able to draw in that impact player we need. I am all for bringing in that #1 centre, but not at the cost of crippling the team to do so. Selling now could help us ensure that a trade of prospects and picks later does not dampen our future.
I would not be against trying to make the playoffs this year, God knows I miss playoff hockey, but I am thinking long-term here. I am not interested in mediocre playoff performances, early round exits, and emotionally crippled squads year in and year out. No sir. I want a cup! That is the ultimate goal here, and it should be the only goal for Leaf fans! While I am not expecting it this year, or the next, I expect us to improve to the point where we can compete for it soon.
We are currently more than one-piece away from getting to this point, and I think we need to become sellers this year in order to get to that next level. That’s my opinion at least, and I stand by it. What do you think?
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Oh, and it wouldn’t be a blog from me unless I threw in one of my ‘Fire Wilson’ comments. So….
FIRE WILSON! 
Cheers.
Comments
I was on record as saying I don’t want to see our depth depleted for one player, we are not at that stage yet to do so, but Burke’s impatience to build a winner and to get in the playoffs may side track that, I said it in the last blog, it will be interesting to see which way Burke is going to go, the next two weeks we will have our answer, imo.
I hope he makes some significant moves, but like you said, the future is important.
I’m not overly worried however as he always seems to find a gem in his trades and gets way more value that he should.
Hope for the best… It’s all we can do
A few things.
1. I don’t agree that Kulemin will command more than 2.3 million after his play this year. As bad as it is to see him struggle, the more he does, the less we are going to have to commit come the offseason.
2. I think Crabb is out the door and Frattin or Mueller takes his place next year. If we can get anything for him, we should sell now.
3. It really depends what is available. If Ryan Getzlaf, Eric Staal, Rick Nash or a player of that calibre is available, you make that trade because that is not buying or selling, that is improving. I would argue that Brendan Morrow also fits into the improving category considering he is on contract for another year.
4. Overall, I think we should stay be buyers at the deadline. Target guys like Travis Moen and Tuommo Ruutu. Unless the asking price is really low (which it won’t be) steer clear of names like Parise, Webber, and Suter.
It’s no secret that I wanted Matt “Bulldog” Frattin to stay up with the Leafs, one of the only players that hits on the fore-check, I hope he finds his way up again this year.
I am with you 100%. I thought he played very well with the leafs even if it didn’t show up on the stat sheet. He was tenacious and I would love to see him back on the team. Tough to justify right now because Crabb is playing really well but I think he should be the first call up after injury.
A few notes on your points:
1) There is no way Kuli makes the same or less than 2.3M. He has a 30 goal season last year and is a solid 2-way player. That would have let him command $4.0M plus. the fact that he has slowed this year makes me think he’ll be somewhere in the $3.0-$3.5M which while reasonable, still adds to our cap
2) If Frattin’s salary is $1.3M. If he replaces Crabb that is $600,000 more. Likewise with Mueller.
3) Improving not necessarily, it depends on what we have to give. Nash is another winger, who would improve our second line, but if we move his entire supporting cast in Kadri, Kuli, Grabo, etc… It won’t really be worth it to us (not to mention his cap hit). Just hypothetical, if Burke can pull off some magic I’m all for it
4) Ruutu would be a great addition, but that’s also t he case for plenty of other teams. I hope we can get a guy like that, but again, stock[ilikng picks now would help us with that trade or for a future trade to get a guy like that… or int he draft
1. With regard to Kuli, we shall see. But I think we are talking in the 2.5 -3.0 range. This year has been a big step back for him and while I think he will bounce back, the most recent year is what has the greatest effect on contract negotiations.
2. Alright. I still say sell Crabb for anything as I see no long term future with the team and he doesn’t really add much that Frattin or Mueller can’t do. Might as well get something for him. Same goes for Boyce btw.
3. Agreed on Nash. I was a little hesitant to put him on the list. But he still doesn’t count as a “deadline deal” where you are stocking up for a playoff push. Both teams are thinking long term in a deal of that magnitude as opposed to “deadline deals” where one team is thinking long term (seller) and the other is thinking short term (buyers)
4. A deal of that magnitude is what I want out of Burke this year. Get Moen and or Ruutu. The cost will not be ridiculous. You do not have to sell the farm to land these players. A B prospect or a middle pick will probably do the job. I want Burke to make this team one that nobody wants to see come playoffs and the main missing pieces for that are those two guys. Add them to our lineup and we can matchup a lot better against Boston.
1) I can see Kulemin arguing for, and getting, the same type of deal as MacArthur. And that’s probably fair. Here’s hoping this season is an aberration, and that he gets back to the offensive numbers he put up in 2010/11. There’s no questioning his effort and all-round play.
2) Frattin should be replacing Crabb … maybe even Armstong! In that case the CAP hit would be lower. Wonder if a playoff-bound team (e.g., Pittsburgh, Boston) might be interested in #9?
3) As I said in my comment on the other post, I don’t see the point in trading 2 or 3 guys who put up 80+ points for one guy who puts up 80+ points. If that guy gets hurt, or shut down (Kessel?), you’re “toast”. I’d rather have my offense spread around a little. Having said that, if BB, can “steal” a superstar, I, too, am all for it.
4) I’d love to see Tuomo Ruutu in Blue & White … Travis Moen and Ryane Clowe, too. If BB could scoop those guys for a reasonable price, I’d say the Leafs were playoff bound in 2011/12!
Apparently unlike many people, I believe that BB is under pressure to make the playoffs this season, if for no other reason than to impress his new boss and ownership group. Another “miss”, and I think he and his “entourage” (including the coaches) will be show the door.
You think Shawn Thornton will make it to UFA? (if he is not re-signed) might be someone Burke could go after in the off season.
I doubt it, but the Bruins whole 4th line is UFA this summer, I think. It is the prototypical 4th line IMO. Campbell and Paille are GREAT PKers, too.
I heard yesterday that the Cap may actually go down this summer, so that’s another thing to consider.
I read that, too, but it’s hard to believe given Bettman’s recent comments about attendance being up, etc. The NHL is a ticket-driven enterprise.
It would be interesting to compare the balance sheet for this year’s Jets with that of last year’s Thrashers. Then explain to me how hockey in Phoenix makes any sense when you have open markets like Quebec City and Hamilton (for starters).
Over the last 82 games the Leafs have earned 97 points. Useless stat of the day but interesting.
I have a feeling Bettman would try Kansas City, Las Vegas, or some other bug US market before Quebec or Hamilton… remember, they care about the potential market for TV more than selling out the rink
No trade freeze apparently
FantasyhkyCBC CBCSports Fantasyhky
The Calgary #Flames have traded Brendan Morrison to the Chicago #Blackhawks for defenseman Brian Connelly. #HNIC #CBCSports
hardly a trade of note
Were I Regier, I’d tell Burke to give me D Luke Schenn in exchange for Gaustad. Schenn is the odd man out on Toronto’s blue line once John Michael Liles returns from the concussion that he suffered at the hands of Gaustad in Buffalo a few weeks back.The emergence of D Carl Gunnarsson is taking ice time away from Schenn as well.
– Garth.
For a laugh…..
That is laughable. Maybe this is too, but …
Suter has stated that it’s highly unlikely he’ll sign a new contract with Nashville before the deadline.
When the Predators and Leafs met earlier this year, both Weber (Schenn’s “roomate” in the WHL … same boarding family … and they still talk regularly) and Trotz said Cody Franson would be welcome back in Nashville anytime. Also, Poile has been looking to upgrade the # 6 Dman (Blum) for awhile. So, is it possible that BB and Poile might swing a deal that would send Suter (he’d have to agree to sign a new deal with the Leafs, of course) to Toronto for a package that would include Franson and Schenn? If not Schenn, then maybe Aulie?
BB would likely have to do some tap-dancing (like getting rid of Komisarek somehow) to fit Suter into the Leafs CAP structure next season, but it would be well worth it, I think.
Suter – Phaneuf
Liles – Gunnarsson
Gardiner – Aulie/Schenn
… would look pretty good, no?
Prospect Report:
Brad Ross – GP 49 G 31 A 30 TP 61
Greg Mckegg (Erie & London)- GP 46 G 23 A 33 TP 56
Sam Carrick – GP 48 G 25 A 21 TP 46
Josh Leivo – GP 43 G 21 A 23 TP 44
Josh Nicholls – GP 34 G 22 A 17 TP 39 (Injury)
Andrew Crescenzi GP 35 G 13 A 19 TP 32 (Injury)
Sondre Olden – GP 30 G 6 A 13 TP 19
Stuart Percy – GP 25 G 4 A 18 TP 22 (Injury)
Garret Sparks (G)- GP 37 SO 4 GAA 2.75 W 18 L 13 T 3 SvPct .913
Tyler Biggs – GP 24 G 6 A 5 TP 11
Tony Cameranesi – GP 31 G12 A 12 TP 24
New Blog up.