Arena The Toronto Maple Leafs Thread

I said most profitable, not biggest. I believe the top four teams for ticket sales are Toronto, Montreal, Philly, and Vancouver.

As to absolute value, I believe Toronto rules there, too. Unfortunately this is from 2006, but it gives you an idea: Team Valuations: Rank. You'll note that the Rangers are second, and the Caps dead last. Granted, this is before Ovechkin became such a draw.

 

Back to reality. Lose to Atlanta. A shame, just a shame.

 

Finally! Beat the Sabres!

 

Toronto now has the dubious distinction of being the team that hasn't won the Stanley Cup for the longest period of time...43 years.

 

They also don't have a pick in the first or second round of the upcoming draft.

 

The Kaberle Deal will net us a pick somewhere, wheather that's this draft or next years is a different matter.

 

What did the Leafs get for him?

 

He hasn't been traded yet but it just seems inevitable. Then again the same thing was said last year and it didn't happen.

 

If it's not tomorrow night at the Draft then he'll be traded during the window in his contract that let's the Leafs trade him. If they don't they should re-sign him.

 

It's been inevitable for 3 years, just saying.

 

I never said it was inevitable, but all I'm just saying is that if they do deal him, it will be in the window that his contract allows. They've been getting offers, and their listening. As to what they're being offered, who knows. If they don't trade him they should re-sign him.

 

Not with a no-trade clause they shouldn't, and that would probably be his price.

 

I think that the age of the all out no-trade clause is over. To restrictive for teams and too much power to the player. Hopefully the Leafs can work something out at the draft or later.

 

Like last year, nothing major will happen until July 1st.

 

I like the second round draft pick the Leafs got today. Bradley Ross is a big kid who had 68 points in 71 games and 203 penalty minutes. Definetly a Brian Burke type of player.

 

Brian Burke drafted the Sedin twins.

 

BB drafted the Sedins because they were best talent available in the draft. He couldn't pass that up. He does like skill too NM.

I like Colby Armstrong but think the Leafs over paid, 3 million for a 3rd liner is a bit much. Versteeg is a great pick up for the top six forwards. Paradis and Stalberg might be a good players later but KV is a good player now. Mike Brown gives us even more sand paper.

 

The Leafs keeping Kaberle isn't the worst thing ever. I mean I would liked another skilled forward, but I can live with this for now. Still not enough up front though.

 

When the Canucks traded for Ballard, I was surprised by Leaf fans saying, basically, how dare they not try for Kaberle.

The reasons:

1. He's 32;
2. He's got a big contract;
3. He's got a no-trade clause; and most important
4. Gillis loathes Burke.

 

Yeah, you're probably right, Burke burnt that bridge a while ago. This seems like the roster we're going into camp with. If that's the case then we'll have problems scoring goals this year IMO. If the D and the goaltenders play amazing, then the team will be competitive but not much else. Another long year.

 

Burke goes over well with the media, but he's burned a *lot* of bridges.

But the Toronto media is the most cut-throat in English Canada (the Quebec media are in a league of their own). They campaigned for Burke to be hired and now they will campaign to have him fired.

 

I wonder if there is an actual rift between Ron Wilson and Tomas Kaberle? If so then Burke's hand might be forced and then the return won't be as good. Another year in Leaf land.

 

What did Burke imagine he would get for him?

 

I think he imagined a "top six" forward in return, or maybe a bigger deal with someone else packaged for that "top six" forward. Either way it looks like he didn't get offered anything close to what he wanted.

 

See, there's a problem; because the Toronto press talk Kaberle up, the fans don't realize that older, soft European defencemen are 1) fairly common; and 2) not that valuable. In the wake of Detroit's win, everyone's looking for tougher players (even Burke himself). Burke thinks if he says Kaberle is worth a lot, he will con someone into paying it (he's done that before). Other GMs appear to be getting wise. They want younger, tougher and cheaper. For example, Willie Mitchell has had some terrible concession problems, but despite that, teams were interested, including the Canucks (he went to LA). Because he's tough and good, it's worth a gamble, and he wouldn't cost too much.