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Leaf Rumours

number17 said:
Are you talking about the same Giguere who said he won't play backup to anyone?
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And who would he play backup to??
Toskala ... the same guy that rabbited on his teammates?
Or a goalie that seems to have problems that could become serious???
Toskala should be sent to the minors and kept there and maybe used as an insurance chip for a team that is going to the playoffs ....
And as far as gustavfson is concerned ... 3 times in less than half a season (2 heart and 1 groin) makes me very very skeptical.
 
I suppose I understand why people think Toskala "rabbited". However, despite their faults, Brian Burke and Ron Wilson are hardline, standup guys. If they think he was faking an injury or gave up on his teammates, they wouldn't have put him on the IR, they would have released him or sent him down. As such, I believe he did hurt himself in that game. I could be wrong, I obviously don't know Vesa Toskala personally, but I don't believe he's that type of person.

Last year Burke seemed to question his injuries a little bit, but he did eventually require surgery.

And prior to that period where he was hurt, he gave up zero goals in the period before, and was the first star of the game before that. I'd give him another look before doing anything drastic. Now as for bringing in a guy like Valiquette at very little cost, it's worthy of consideration, but only if you think he's better than Joey MacDonald.
 
Vincent Lecavalier may be on his way out of town -- possible to the Montreal Canadiens.

ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun writes, "He doesn't look happy to me. He's not firing on all cylinders. His coach doesn't seem to know how to use him. It's just a bad fit right now. And the timing, well, let's just say he's in the first year of a massive lifetime deal that pays him $70 million over the first seven years."

LeBrun writes that three possible destinations are Montreal, New York and Los Angeles. "New York doesn't have a No. 1 center, but it does have a coach in John Tortorella who brought out the best in Lecavalier during their years together in Tampa Bay (including winning a Cup together in 2004). And wouldn't it be nice for Marian Gaborik to have a center?"

That deal, however, probably wouldn't happen until this summer.

Hockey30.com, via Hendrick's Hockey, has reported that the Canadiens and Lightning have had trade talks about Lecavalier. They report that Tampa would like Andrei Kostitsyn, Sergei Kostitsyn, Maxim Lapierre and Paul Mara for Lecavalier, Matt Walker and Kurtis Foster. Montreal wants a deal of the Kostitsyns, Matt D'Agostini and Mara for Lecavalier and Walker.
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That's a terrible offer by Montreal if true. No way TB does that.

Schenn, Hagman, Grabovski for Lecavalier + Filler. Get it done Burkie.
 
There is no way that the Habs can afford Vinny without sending Gomez the other way.

I do think that Vinny may be on his way out though. With Stamkos stepping up and taking the #1 center spot, I can't imagine TBay paying $10mil a year for a second line center.
 
They report that Tampa would like Andrei Kostitsyn, Sergei Kostitsyn, Maxim Lapierre and Paul Mara for Lecavalier, Matt Walker and Kurtis Foster. Montreal wants a deal of the Kostitsyns, Matt D'Agostini and Mara for Lecavalier and Walker.
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LOL at the idea that this is what Tampa wants, and that Montreal would try to negotiate further. Ha! Gainey would separate his shoulder trying to get to the phone to accept this deal.
 
Vinny's no movement clause is going to be a killer for TB in terms of a trade. Why on earth would he agree to come to Toronto or Montreal? To pay higher taxes on a crappier team? I don't see Vinny doing either of these moves. Maybe Montreal if he's a huge fan but even then, no way Habs can make that trade.
 
Volcanologist said:
Why would Tampa take Gomez? Montreal isn't in the game for Lecavalier anymore.
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Only way is if Vinny flat out says he will only waive to go to Montreal. While Gomez is just as expensive, he is also signed for half the duration and his actual salary is far less than Lecavalier's. Remember, teams like Tampa worry about actual salary too. His cap hit may be ~$7m but they have to pay him $10M.

I also don't see it happening but you asked and that is the only scenario in which I can see them accepting Gomez.
 
axlsalinger said:
LOL at the idea that this is what Tampa wants, and that Montreal would try to negotiate further. Ha! Gainey would separate his shoulder trying to get to the phone to accept this deal.
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Yep, LOL that the deal is hung up on not wanting to give up Lapierre.

Yeah, Montreal wouldn't replace D'Agostini with Lapierre and let that deal die because of it.

Some of these rumors are hilarious.
 
Vinny's no movement clause is going to be a killer for TB in terms of a trade. Why on earth would he agree to come to Toronto or Montreal? To pay higher taxes on a crappier team? I don't see Vinny doing either of these moves. Maybe Montreal if he's a huge fan but even then, no way Habs can make that trade.
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I wonder what the difference is in terms of endorsement money though being in the spotlight?
 
Vinny's a tough one.

He does fill the #1 need of the Leafs, which is that top-line center role. At the same time, that contract is terrible, and could handcuff a team with an almost $8 million salary till Vinny retires. I mean, he's not even playing like he's worth that salary right now, it's not even the salary that's horrific, but the term. I would be willing to pay that salary for 5-6 years, but taking on Vinny at $7.75 million till 2020 is too much risk for me IMO.
 
I really don't think it will cost a huge package to get Vinny. That contract significantly lowers his value.

No way do I want the Leafs to try to get him.
 
Vinny:

06/07: 82 gms, 108 pts (82 gms, 108 pts)
07/08: 81 gms, 92 pts (82 gms, 93 pts)
08/09: 77 gms, 67 pts (82 gms, 71 pts)
09/10: 28 gms, 24 pts (82 gms, 70 pts)


The thing is, good #1 centres are very very hard to get. We were spoiled with Sundin's consistent performance. There just aren't many players like this available. When one becomes available, you got to jump on the chance.

Obviously Vinny's contract isn't ideal, but if it was ideal, there's no way TB would trade him in the first place. If he can return to a 80-90 point pace, his cap hit of 7.7 is very manageable for a player like that. It's a long contract, but i think you have to take some risks along the way if you want to be great. And I'll take a risk on a big #1 centre in his prime who already has a cup ring on his finger.
 
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