Leaf Rumours

[BG]

CONTEXTUAL REWIND:

And I wouldn't trade Kaberle for a low 1st and a 5th or 6th forward.

You obviously have a team/player in mind here - because I can think of a few "5th/6th" forwards that I'd be willing to trade Kabs for (and any pick would just be icing on the cake).

You can? Name them.

James Neal
Jamie Benn
Patric Horqvist
Jakub Voracek
Michael Frolik
Dustin Brown
David Jones
Chris Stewart
David Perron
Tomas Fleischmann
Eric Fehr
Bryan Little
James Van Rymsdyk
Ryan Clowe
Devon Setoguchi
Logan Couture

There's some widely varying quality in that list. I don't have the time right now to check all their icetimes, so I'm assuming for now you're correct that those guys are 5th or below on the depth chart.

In any case, not too many guys there I would trade Kabs straight up for.

I seem to recall talk of a first rounder as well.

Everyone else: I wouldn't trade Kabs 1-1 for anyone on that list. Kabs can outscore any teams 5th/6th forward.

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

hahaha

 

[zeke]

most of the guys listed there are Versteeg-level or less players.

And Versteeg didn't cost us Kaberle.

 

[BG]

most of the guys listed there are Versteeg-level or less players.

And Versteeg didn't cost us Kaberle.

Versteeg was 7th in ice-time for the Hawks... just saying...

..and just to reiterate, it was a quick and dirty list of 5th/6th forwards with upside.

 

[Volcanologist]

I still wouldn't trade him for a 5th or 6th forward. draft pick or no.

 

[BG]

Good lord that's a grim list.

Stewart,& Voracek are the only names on that list I'd even be close to interested for as centrepieces in a Kaberle deal.

As much as I can see the argument for some of these guys being very young (20-22) there is actually a cautionary tale on your list already. Dustin Brown, as solid a winger as he is, scored 60 points as a 23 yr old...and many expected him to be a "break out player" during the following summer. He hasn't though (mainly due to a lack of high end tools) hasn't, and has yet to even match his 23 yr old production since then.

The only kids I see with high end tools on that list are Voracek, JVR, & Stewart.

You realize that Stewart's progression is eerily similar to that of Brown's right? Right from OHL on up their numbers have been remarkably similar.

I don't see why everyone is so down on Brown, he popped 33 goals when centred by Kopitar - and has challenged 25 goals twice when mainly centred by Stoll. He also hits everything that moves.

Why is one a bust and the other a player with "high-end tools"?

 

[BG]

I still wouldn't trade him for a 5th or 6th forward. draft pick or no.

Name a single player you'd trade Kabs for 1-for-1, and let's see if everyone agrees.

 

[Volcanologist]

Name a single player you'd trade Kabs for 1-for-1, and let's see if everyone agrees.

Alexander Semin.

Both have a year left, both are probably moving on from their teams.

elite offensive dman for top line forward.

 

[Kritter]

Alexander Semin.

Both have a year left, both are probably moving on from their teams.

elite offensive dman for top line forward.

Based on the fact that Kabs is 6 years older I think we would have to toss in a mid round pick or there abouts. But overall Semin is a good example.

 

[JaysCyYoung]

Name a single player you'd trade Kabs for 1-for-1, and let's see if everyone agrees.

Jakub Voracek.
David Perron.
Chris Stewart.
James Van Riemsdyk.

 

[BG]

Not a rumour, but, Brian Burke was scheduled to host a charity luncheon in town here on Thursday.

Hearing today that Burke has cancelled the event and is instead travelling to Europe. I'll assume that it's hockey related.

 

[PlayerToBeNamedLater]

T Vanek
W Simmonds
K Okposo

 

[Volcanologist]

Not a rumour, but, Brian Burke was scheduled to host a charity luncheon in town here on Thursday.

Hearing today that Burke has cancelled the event and is instead travelling to Europe. I'll assume that it's hockey related.

He's going to oversee Peter Forsberg being outfitted with pneumatic robo-legs so he can come back to the NHL and be our #1 centre this year.

 

[worm]

finally

 

[BG]

He's going to oversee Peter Forsberg being outfitted with pneumatic robo-legs so he can come back to the NHL and be our #1 centre this year.

... seems pretty sudden, as they've been heavily promoting this event for the last month and were sold-out.

... maybe a sitdown with the Pope?

... another Grabo streetfight?

... another Finnish goalie to add to the mix?

... making it up to Reimer for leaving him behind by Allaire?

 

[MindzEye]

Everyone else: I wouldn't trade Kabs 1-1 for anyone on that list. Kabs can outscore any teams 5th/6th forward.

I still wouldn't trade him for a 5th or 6th forward. draft pick or no.

Trading Kaberle for Ryan Clowe and a 1st would be a mistake, a significant mistake.

You realize that Stewart's progression is eerily similar to that of Brown's right? Right from OHL on up their numbers have been remarkably similar.

I don't see why everyone is so down on Brown, he popped 33 goals when centred by Kopitar - and has challenged 25 goals twice when mainly centred by Stoll. He also hits everything that moves.

Why is one a bust and the other a player with "high-end tools"?

I'm not "down" on Dustin Brown at all, I think he's a solid, solid winger. But 2 yrs ago he was being hailed as one of the up and coming young stars of the NHL, a sure bet to score 35+ goals a year from here on in and his trade value would have been through the roof. Those predictions obviously didn't turn out very accurate, and it's imo, a cautionary tale when you're dealing in young players, if you don't see a high/elite level physical or mental toolkit at work when you watch a young player, don't just assume that extra icetime is going to turn him into an elite player.

What's the difference between Chris Stewart and Dustin Brown?

2 inches and 25 pounds, and when both guys more or less make their living in front of the goalie, that matters quite a bit.

Similar skills sets other than that though, Brown is a better skater, Stewart a harder shot. Neither has elite skill sets imo, but Stewart's size should allow him to carve out a better career living in front of the net.

 

[BG]

What's the difference between Chris Stewart and Dustin Brown?

2 inches and 25 pounds, and when both guys more or less make their living in front of the goalie, that matters quite a bit.

Similar skills sets other than that though, Brown is a better skater, Stewart a harder shot. Neither has elite skill sets imo, but Stewart's size should allow him to carve out a better career living in front of the net.

So by "high-end tools", you are referring to his height?

 

[zeke]

heheh.

 

[MindzEye]

So by "high-end tools", you are referring to his height?

I'm referring to his shot and his size, yeah. For the type of player he profiles as, those are useful aspects of the tool kit.

 

[hockeylover]

A public event that’s generated a lot of interest in Thunder Bay has had to be cancelled.

The Brian Burke and Friends Luncheon in support of Special Olympics was scheduled for this Thursday at Fort William Historical Park. Event organizer Tony LaChimea said the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager was called away on hockey business, and will not be able to make the event.
All 300 tickets for the luncheon had been sold out at $60 each. The event was also to feature a number of local hockey stars.

Tony LaChimea, a luncheon organizer, said they will try to reschedule the event, but added that everyone will be given full refunds.

The Ontario Winter Special Olympics are being hosted in Thunder Bay in January. The cancellation of the luncheon is a significant setback to the fundraising efforts for the event, and LaChimea is encouraging city residents to continue to donate or volunteer to make the event a success.

Update: LeafsNews has learned that Brian Burke has cancelled the event to travel to Europe to negotiate a contract with a prospective player – yet to be named.

*EDIT - removed link; some people are saying its giving them a virus.