• Moderators, please send me a PM if you are unable to access mod permissions. Thanks, Habsy.

Leaf Rumours

These 'rumours' appear to be the product of someone's uncreative imagination.

If Burke trades Kaberle, I'll be puked. It would only pain less if we could bag a true budding #1 centre. Otherwise, I'll get my torch and join the mob on Bay.
 
BeLeafer said:
These 'rumours' appear to be the product of someone's uncreative imagination.

If Burke trades Kaberle, I'll be puked. It would only pain less if we could bag a true budding #1 centre. Otherwise, I'll get my torch and join the mob on Bay.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the only thing I'd be satisfied in return from Chicago would be Jonathan Toews. But then you'd just be filling one hole (#1 centerman) while opening up a giant hole in another place (#1 defenseman, PP QB). So, what's the point, really? Besides, it'd be nice to actually see a star player start and end his career in Toronto. When was the last time we actually saw that happen?
 
The Kaberle for Campbell rumour is a Chicago area wet dream.

Kaberle is better, and cheaper than Campbell, and even on his next contract will be cheaper...he will also continue to be better.

Seriously, Zeke had it nailed...Toews, Kane or **** off.
 
LeafGm said:
Besides, it'd be nice to actually see a star player start and end his career in Toronto. When was the last time we actually saw that happen?
Click to expand...
I agree with this. He's a lifer, imo.

I always worry though that this organization doesn't really value him properly. I've felt that way ever since the Leetch trade.

The only possible advantage here is that we get additional mileage. Ian White can fill some large shoes, but it's what's behind him that would create a rather large void on our blueline and suck the life out of our offensive game.
 
I can't imagine any scenario where the Hawks would give up Toews or Kane for Tomas Kaberle ... which is fine, because he should remain a Leaf regardless. I was open to exploring trade options in the off-season, but I've changed my mind, barring a ridiculously loaded offer.

We've discussed Horton before, but Backes is a new one. If the Blues do decide to move him, I would love to hear what they'd want back, because I'd definitely have some interest there. If the price was reasonably low.
 
He got chubby for a while but he would have to be Santa Claus before I would want to trade our Beliveau.
 
Backes is a nice player, decent goal scorer and can play any forward position. I'dlike to see a player like this in our top 6 whether it's Backes, Ladd or Clowe. All decent young power forwards with 25g/60pt upside.
 
Backes is very much a "Burke" type of forward. He would add that aggressive play while still being able to put the puck in the net.

He's been horrible this season, and the question is... which is the real David Backes???

Unfortunately I think St.Louis would want someone like Poni for him... and right now Poni is the better player.
 
Hoss said:
Backes is very much a "Burke" type of forward. He would add that aggressive play while still being able to put the puck in the net.

He's been horrible this season, and the question is... which is the real David Backes???

Unfortunately I think St.Louis would want someone like Poni for him... and right now Poni is the better player.
Click to expand...


Well unless Poni starts using his size to intimidate opponents - I think that he'll be prime trade bait before the trade deadline - especailly if we can replace him with some real muscle up front.
 
I heard an interview of Wilson when he spoke about Poni, and I think he's got a very good read on Poni, and it actually convinced me again of Wilson's ability to read players, and his coaching ability.

The interview started with Watters calling Poni an 'enigma' and he's a soft player for his size. Wilson basically said some players have certain elements in them, that you can work on, but some players just don't have it in him. Poni, despite his size, is not a feisty or physical player. He utilizes his size along the board and in the corners, but if you want him to play that feisty, intimidating physical game he just doesn't have it in him.

But Wilson said if you can forget his size, and just assess him as if he's an average sized player, he's a speedy winger who is consistent for ~ 20G every season, and that isn't bad at all. He's responsible defensively, he feels comfortable playing him in the last minute of a 1 goal game, and he consistently leads the team in +/-. He can play in 5 on 5, PK, PP. And off the ice, he's a very nice guy, which is another reason why he just doesn't have that feistiness in him. But Wilson thinks he's been a positive influence on the young players, especially the young Russian players like Grabovski, Kulemin etc.

So all in all, despite Watters' attempt to sell him as a disappointment or a player that's not part of the plan, Wilson likes Poni and sees him as a valuable contributor on the team.
 
I agree.. we want him to knock down people and such, but the reality is he scores 20 or so goals and does alot of things well. That's what you want from a guy making his salary.

I would love to somehow get a Backes in here without giving him up.

He's a perfect 6th forward. A line with him and Backes though could be a big second line with some toughness and skill
 
Poni's a decent player - but if trading him means filling a team need, there are a lot of veterans who can play Poni's game for a similar price.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top