16200 replies to this topic

[serge]

I have had this argument before with friends.I dont understand if you are a young and rich hockey player why do you choose a city like Columbus, Carolina(sorry Arp) over Toronto.If you play in Toronto not only are you a rockstar now, you are a rockstar for life.Just ask Eddie Shack how much free alcohol he gets everywhere he goes. Guys like Gilmour, Clark, Sundin, Sittler are heroes . They own the city.How do you not want that as a hockey player?I get the hometown thing with Parise and Suter..I get the brother thing with Staals and Schenns..I also get the weather thing with Luongo and others. But how in the hell do you choose to play in Columbus instead of Toronto.

[ajs510]

A lot of these guys don't want to be daily-recognized rockstars, they just want to play hockey, make money, and have a personal life and a family life. If you have a big ego that needs feeding, you go play in a big market. I don't get that impression at all from guys like Parise and Suter, they seem very humble and just want the best opportunity to play well and succeed without getting mugged by mobs of people everywhere they go.IMO, Minnesota is an easy call for both players if they went together.Who chose Columbus over an offer from Toronto? I can't even remember the last time Columbus actually signed an in-demand free agent...most of their acquisitions have been trades.

[ajs510]

The Jackets signed Wizniewski last offseason, for way more money than anyone else was going to pay him. I can see that, I understand why he'd take that deal. Columbus wouldn't be able to sign any player in the league for the same or less money than any other team in the league was willing to pay. It just wouldn't ever happen.

[MapleLeafpoker]

ajs510, on 05 July 2012 - 08:02 AM, said:

A lot of these guys don't want to be daily-recognized rockstars, they just want to play hockey, make money, and have a personal life and a family life. If you have a big ego that needs feeding, you go play in a big market. I don't get that impression at all from guys like Parise and Suter, they seem very humble and just want the best opportunity to play well and succeed without getting mugged by mobs of people everywhere they go.IMO, Minnesota is an easy call for both players if they went together.Who chose Columbus over an offer from Toronto? I can't even remember the last time Columbus actually signed an in-demand free agent...most of their acquisitions have been trades.

great points, really agree with the ego thing. Guys who need attention go to the places that will feed their need.also Serge, I dont know this firsthand, but it seems a lot of NHL'ers who played in Carolina swear by it as a great place to raise a family. By the time FA comes around, these guys are already thinking of settling down and starting a family, so the lure of getting laid in Toronto isnt as appealing as a quiet family life in Carolina.Forget for a second what its like to be a Maple Leaf. I would never subject my family to the crap that could go on here if their father/brother/husband was a Maple Leaf. Money buys a lot of things, privacy out in public is not one of them.

[ajs510]

MapleLeafpoker, on 05 July 2012 - 08:12 AM, said:

also Serge, I dont know this firsthand, but it seems a lot of NHL'ers who played in Carolina swear by it as a great place to raise a family. By the time FA comes around, these guys are already thinking of settling down and starting a family, so the lure of getting laid in Toronto isnt as appealing as a quiet family life in Carolina.

I know a lot of people who've migrated to Carolina from the Northeast in the past few years, and all of them swear by it. It's basically Florida with less oppressive heat and fewer hurricanes (or more, if you count the hockey players).

[serge]

Talk today around Leafs nation is that Carlyle wants to try JVR as a centre. He played some centre in his career before the NHL. Its an interesting dilemma..Everybody talks about going an acquiring a number one centre, like its easy.There is a handful of centres in the NHL that i consider top notch Franchise First line centres. Most of those guys are untouchable and they arent going anywhere.Guys like Crosby, Malkin, Getzlaf, Thornton,Zetterberg,Datysuk,Sedin, Stamkos.There are a few other that you can mention with these guys. There is no way you are going to get one of them. If you do, you would have to trade the whole Leafs and Marlies..Probably throw in the TFC as well.So some of the other second tier guys like Marleau(not a true centre), Stastny are rumoured to be in trade talks..HOwever how much more of an improvement is that over Connolly, Bozak, Lombardi..Assuming Grabo is the second line centre.Its very tough for Burke, Im sure he will make a move but it needs to be a blockbuster..I would be happy with Marleau or Stastny for the right price.Its amazing all those years we needed wingers and secondary scoring when we made the runs in early 2000s...Now we have secondary scoring and the main piece that is needed to compete is Mats Sundin and Eddie Belfour.I think the team and organization has 6 centres that can be comfortably slotted on the second or third lines..but that top guy is elusive..GET ER DONE BURKIE

[Zach6668]

Easy to see why Philly moved him to the wing... Richards, Carter, Briere all centers...

[Zach6668]

Marleau would be an improvement over anyone on the Leafs roster, at center (until JVR proves himself).

[MapleLeafpoker]

I dont like Marleau. Great as a poolie, but hes one of the guys who I buy in to the "wont win" tag.

[ajs510]

MapleLeafpoker, on 06 July 2012 - 11:54 AM, said:

I dont like Marleau. Great as a poolie, but hes one of the guys who I buy in to the "wont win" tag.

Yeah, he's firmly on my "do not want" list for Buffalo, sitting right next to Rick Nash.

[serge]

Zach6668, on 06 July 2012 - 11:38 AM, said:

Marleau would be an improvement over anyone on the Leafs roster, at center (until JVR proves himself).

Ya I like Marleau..He is consistently putting up solid numbers...He may also be perfect for 2-3 years until maybe a guy like Colborne can develop(if he can)Also we need someone that is older on this team..I just checked the Leafs oldest player is 31 years old..No team in the NHL has a "younger" oldest player..

[MapleLeafpoker]

ajs510, on 06 July 2012 - 11:59 AM, said:

Yeah, he's firmly on my "do not want" list for Buffalo, sitting right next to Rick Nash.

If what is being reported is true, Buffalo would have to trade Ennis, Vanek, Grigorenko and half of Pegula's net worth to even be in the running.When I read Skinner was being asked for as part of a package, I knew Columbus was just trying to shoot for glory.

[ajs510]

MapleLeafpoker, on 06 July 2012 - 12:10 PM, said:

If what is being reported is true, Buffalo would have to trade Ennis, Vanek, Grigorenko and half of Pegula's net worth to even be in the running.When I read Skinner was being asked for as part of a package, I knew Columbus was just trying to shoot for glory.

Yeah, Scott Howson is basically insane in his asking prices. It's pretty clear that he has no interest in trading Nash, just wants to look like he's trying to trade him. I wouldn't want to see Buffalo trade a 2nd round pick for him...he's not worth the cap hit and doesn't fit Buffalo's immediate need at Center.From what I understand, Buffalo isn't on Nash's acceptance list anyway, so it's all good.

[serge]

Can t blame Howson..The market for Nash will soften up and he wont get anywhere what he is asking IMO.

[serge]

I promised myself I wouldnt read Eklund for the 100th time..I couldnt help it.He posted Leafs are working on a trade for Getzlaf..While I would throw my personal parade if it happened, NO CHANCE>

[ajs510]

serge, on 06 July 2012 - 12:19 PM, said:

I promised myself I wouldnt read Eklund for the 100th time..I couldnt help it.He posted Leafs are working on a trade for Getzlaf..While I would throw my personal parade if it happened, NO CHANCE>

I haven't read any of his drivel in over two years. Sometimes I give his site a clickcount and read Garth's column or John Jaeckel, but that's it.

[iBeaver]

I will say this right here. If Nash becomes a wing I will have a hard time getting into next season. I don't think he will even be close to being worth what we would have to give up. Ryan? I would be ok giving good stuff up for him but not Nash.

[Dubey]

Howson is drunk if he thinks he's getting a guy like Skinner in a package for nash. When these kinds of trades happen, it is usually futures only involved, not young Calder trophy winners who might already be as good as the player you are trading.I'd expect nash to get a package similar to what the penguins got for Staal, except maybe swap out sutter for a blue chip prospect and one other prospect.

[Fenxis]

That's because Howson knows that in a prospects trade that he will be raked over the coals until such time that the incoming players (may or may not) develop.

[mrdannyg]

Yes folks, it has officially started:http://www.facebook....&type=1