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Leaf Rumours

leafman101 said:
Antropov is considerably better than Poni. And he didn't suck like Poni did.

Poni couldn't even get in the lineup.
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Nahh, Antropov sucked pretty badly too. Two goals and three points in seven games. His playoff performance is probably the main reason the Rags didn't bust their humps trying to re-sign him. But my point wasn't really necessarily to compare the two---just to say that I wouldn't write off a solid regular season performer just because of one crappy playoff performance (and also his first NHL playoff action in six years). And since at the time of the trade, Burke indicated that the length and dollars that Poni was looking for on his new deal were the reason he was getting sent packing, I'm assuming Ponikarovsky would have to be making some major concessions on both those fronts in order to end up back here.
 
LeafGm said:
Nahh, Antropov sucked pretty badly too. Two goals and three points in seven games. His playoff performance is probably the main reason the Rags didn't bust their humps trying to re-sign him. But my point wasn't really necessarily to compare the two---just to say that I wouldn't write off a solid regular season performer just because of one crappy playoff performance (and also his first NHL playoff action in six years). And since at the time of the trade, Burke indicated that the length and dollars that Poni was looking for on his new deal were the reason he was getting sent packing, I'm assuming Ponikarovsky would have to be making some major concessions on both those fronts in order to end up back here.
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Its par for the course for Poni though. He just doesn't have that drive and passion. He plays a regular season type game. He doesn't use his size. He's inconsistent.

Burke isn't going to be interested.
 
leafman101 said:
Its par for the course for Poni though. He just doesn't have that drive and passion. He plays a regular season type game. He doesn't use his size. He's inconsistent.

Burke isn't going to be interested.
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I disagree. He may not throw his 6'4" frame around and plaster guys with reckless abandon, and he may not scream and get "crazy eyes" like Darcy Tucker, but he's a solid defensive player, good along the boards, is a virtual lock to get you at least 20 goals and 45+ points, and he generally makes his linemates better.

Burke and Wilson both also have never had anything but positive things to say about him as a player and as a person since they both arrived in Toronto. So, if the terms of the contract are right, I have no doubt that Burke would be interested in bringing him back to Toronto.
 
LeafGm said:
I disagree. He may not throw his 6'4" frame around and plaster guys with reckless abandon, and he may not scream and get "crazy eyes" like Darcy Tucker, but he's a solid defensive player, good along the boards, is a virtual lock to get you at least 20 goals and 45+ points, and he generally makes his linemates better.

Burke and Wilson both also have never had anything but positive things to say about him as a player and as a person since they both arrived in Toronto. So, if the terms of the contract are right, I have no doubt that Burke would be interested in bringing him back to Toronto.
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I'm not saying Poni is a bad player, the Leafs are just looking for more impactful players.

The two things Burke is looking for up front are physical, scoring wingers, and plumbers. Poni is neither.

He's not a fit here.
 
The beauty of Poni is that he can literally be effective in most any role. He can play on a scoring line, and he can play on a checking line, and be very effective in both roles.

I mean if he's signing for something in the same range as Torres or Armstrong, give me Poni all the way.
 
zeke said:
The beauty of Poni is that he can literally be effective in most any role. He can play on a scoring line, and he can play on a checking line, and be very effective in both roles.

I mean if he's signing for something in the same range as Torres or Armstrong, give me Poni all the way.
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I'd much prefer someone who is actually GOOD at one of those two things and not like OK at both.
 
I think he's pretty darn good at both, myself, and is likely to be one of the better bargains on the UFA market.
 
Poni doesn't play with passion, and never has played with passion. Maybe that'd be acceptable if he would be playing a supporting role, or would be one of the younger guys, but as one of the veterans and highest-minute players on a team, it's team-killing imo.
 
I just think in todays NHL you can't afford to pay guys like Poni. You have to find cheaper alternatives. Save the dough for someone who makes a difference.
 
Poni is a very good player. I'm kind of over it now, but I'd be happy if we got him back. I just don't think Burke will want him.

As for this Kulemin for 20th overall, give me a break. Where did all the people who cited the mystery box argument go now? Kulemin may well be a 25 goal scorer with first line minutes on a stable team this year. Why in the **** would we want a late first round piece of shit for him?

I will never understand this lack of appreciation for this guy's potential.
 
LeafOfFaith said:
Poni is a very good player. I'm kind of over it now, but I'd be happy if we got him back. I just don't think Burke will want him.

As for this Kulemin for 20th overall, give me a break. Where did all the people who cited the mystery box argument go now? Kulemin may well be a 25 goal scorer with first line minutes on a stable team this year. Why in the **** would we want a late first round piece of shit for him?

I will never understand this lack of appreciation for this guy's potential.
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It has nothing to do with Kulemin's potential, odds are he's not a leaf next season (based on the way contract negotations are going), so we trade him for a 1st round pick rather then lose him for nothing. See how it works?
 
Pronger84 said:
Poni never sucked, he's been a good 2nd liner. Yes he shat the bed in the playoffs, but to say he sucks as a player based on 2 rounds of playoffs is a bit much.
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Did you watch him in Pittsburgh? He really did suck... bad. He was a non factor after the trade deadline and was even worse in the playoffs. Completely invisible.
 
Poni was indeed a non-factor in Pittsburgh, but the way Pittsburgh stubbornly stuck with their lineup was also a bit of a joke. For whatever reason, the cup winning coach either put Poni on the 2nd line with Malkin, or he's a healthy scratch. He never tried Poni in any other line, any other role. Seriously, even when they're dying for offense in the MTL series, he never once put Malkin and Crosby together on the same line ... that amazes me.

Anyways, I don't care as much what Poni did or didn't do in Pittsburgh. I know what he did for the Leafs all these years, and if he's looking for a reasonable deal I want him back.

IF the Leafs only have 1 hole to fill on our top 6 then no, I may no re-sign Poni. But we have multiple holes to fill. Poni is such a versatile player the only reason I wouldn't sign him would be $$.
 
Kulemin looks like he has FIGURED out the NHL finally. But GM's hate paying for potential. Its what did you do last year. How many points etc...

Kulemin, MAY score 50-60 points this year. It would be really bad to lose him. But if you are Russian, New York or Toronto are the places to be. Tons of Russians here.
 
Poni's main problem while playing for the leafs was lack of passion. He just didn't bring the same effort every night. Not sure if he can all of a sudden become that player upon his return.
 
Pronger84 said:
It has nothing to do with Kulemin's potential, odds are he's not a leaf next season (based on the way contract negotations are going), so we trade him for a 1st round pick rather then lose him for nothing. See how it works?
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As mentioned, I don't see these as our only options. For me, the 20th pick does not have enough value to give up on a young player with kuly's potential. If I were Burke, I'd make it clear to their camp that it's either him signing a deal that matches his production thus far, or he is off to the KHL. Burke shouldn't let players bully him or use other leagues as leverage, not when trading said players doesn't bring in enough value.

Given the fact that Kuly wants to stay in the NHL I'm fairly sure he'll sign a reasonable deal if he knows that's his only option to stay at this time. If not, see you in a couple of years when you realize this is the place to be.
 
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