For the first of what I hope is many fantasy –related blogs to come, I’ll kick off with a few of my tips for having a successful fantasy team, and I’ll try to keep it as general as I can as there are many variations to pools people compete in. I come from a background of non-keeper fantasy leagues, mostly points only and head to head, with 90% of them based on Yahoo. While most of my advice can be applied to that type of league, a lot of these tips can be transferable to other formats.
The most important part of any league is the draft. You can never do enough research in this area, but the one thing I will say is this: NEVER BUY FANTASY HOCKEY MATERIAL. Ever. It’s a waste of money. Anything to be found in any of these books should be looked at as entertainment only, as 99% of what is contained is information you already know, and the other 1% can be had elsewhere for free. You will never better yourself if you don’t afford yourself the opportunity to make mistakes and learn the hard (read: right) way. Though don’t let me discourage you from sending me cash if it makes you feel better.
And though the draft is THE most important part, there is no magical handbook or advice someone can provide you to tell you who to pick when and where. The first thing you need to accept is that 9 of every 10 players you want will be lost to you, or should be if you’re among other competent general managers. Hockey pools are not won in the first five or even ten rounds of the draft. These, for most, should be no-brainers, and frankly, hard to fuck up. The key to a successful draft is to identify 10 to 15 guys that you believe will fly under the radar, and the impetus is to plan when said players will be picked, how off the radar they are to your opponents, and how far you can let them slide. Gambling is a big part of the draft - accept that you will lose as much as you win in these instances.
And without getting too in depth with respect to drafting, as I’m sure most have completed their picks, the next step to drafting well is to identify which positions will be hardest and easiest to fill. Generally speaking, for example, centers tend to be the easiest position to replace / acquire. The nature of the position is that the play will almost always run through them, meaning a center is more likely to produce points than a winger. This trend can be seen in positional stats at the end of every season. The 40th highest scoring center is usually as productive as the 25th ranked right winger. Top flight defensemen, on the other hand, are generally the hardest to come by, and with a stable of good defense, you will almost always have leverage to acquire a player of a differing position during the season, especially later on.
But enough chatter on general tips, let’s move on to my picks for breakout / sleepers / “off the radar” type players that I believe will make an impact this season. These are players you should be able to come by relatively easily, but try not to make it too apparent to your fellow GMs that this is someone you really want.
BOUND TO MAKE YOU LOOK GOOD - Forwards:
Paul Stastny – Many times, people will forget or undervalue players because they recently have come off an injury. These are the #1 best gambles of any other kind of player, as no one else has anything to go by from the previous season. Many GMs are very short-sighted when it comes to past performance, but young guys like Stastny can’t be overlooked. He is the best player on Colorado, and while their team is awful, he will be a bright spot on this team. Expect 30 goals and 80 points from him. 40 goals is his upside, and not entirely out of the question if he gets help from his line mates.
Daniel Alfredsson – Not a secret by any means, but he had a bad year last year by his standards. He is a little injury prone, and yes, a year older, but he still is elite talent. If you can come by Alfie for a decent price, pull the trigger, he is worth the risk. Even if he only plays 65 – 70 games, I expect a bounce back year from him. Even in 65, he could put up 30 to 35 goals and 80 points. If he stays healthy, expect a 90+ point season from Daniel.
Daniel Briere – Another guy coming off an injury plagued season, but is a MUCH higher risk than the first two players. On the other hand, this should make him very cheap to acquire, and may even be on waivers in pools that aren’t terribly deep. When he plays, he gets points, and with the focus shifting in Philly to guys like Carter and Richards, don’t expect Danny to be checked as hard as he was when he first became a Flyer. He isn’t the go-to guy anymore, and that may be just the thing Briere needs to put together a good season. I expect 60 games, 25 goals and 70 points out of Danny.
Brian Little – Another guy who shines like a diamond in the rough, Brian put up 31 goals last year, and shouldn’t have trouble doing it again. He’s got a little of the Cy Young sickness, as he hasn’t put up many assists thus far, but I expect this to change. He doesn’t get the kind of attention he deserves, and I’m looking for him to put up 30 – 35 goals and to bump his assists up to at least the 30+ range.
David Backes – Off to a slow start thus far, but the pedigree here is too good to deny. 30 goals last year, and may dip a bit in the goal category, but with Kariya healthy and Andy Mac back in the fold, he won’t have to carry the mail like he did last year. Assists should go up with better players around him. Expect 25 to 30 goals, 35 assists.
Bobby Ryan – Now this is my “gut” pick, because I believe this kid will have a monster year. 1 year older, playing with two of the better forwards in the league, and tore shit up only playing 60 odd games. His upside is 50 goals (yes I said 50), and should put up close to 40 this year. Even if you have to give up more than you think might be necessary, take the risk. Will be a point per gamer, mark my words.
DO NOT WANT – Forwards to avoid:
Martin Havlat – Being the big dog in Minnesota this year, he will be the focal point of any team trying to shut down what little offense the Wild have. With teams checking Kane, Toews, Versteeg, etc., Marty could have a little more space to roam. Not this year. He will get banged up, especially by teams in the North West. I would be surprised if he plays more than 40 games this year.
Mike Cammalleri – I don’t know why, but it never fails that a player has a career year, signs a huge deal, and the production dips the first year in. Mike doesn’t have Iginla to play with this year, and while Gomez and Gionta are decent players, they won’t afford him the time and space he needs to reproduce his goal total of last year. He will get his points, but I believe will barely break 70 points. Other GMs will want a premium for him based on last year. Don’t get sucked in.
Devin Setoguchi - Broke out last year playing with Jumbo, but may lose opportunities to score with Heatley being the best player for the play to go through. He’ll get his points, but don’t expect the 30 goal range to be hit by him again this year. Again, nice to have, but only at the right price. A low one.
Ray Whitney – Go onto TSN, or whatever website you use for stats, and look at Whitney’s career. The guy gets injured for +/- 20 games every other year like clockwork. 70 points was nice last season, but don’t risk it. Wait until next year for the Wizard.
Jonathan Cheechoo – Screw the stats. I don’t care what anyone says, Cheechoo is human garbage, and his Rocket Richard season was a fluke. You’d think he couldn’t go to a more underachieving, choke-artist team, but somehow he did. Even if he scores 70 goals this season, he still sucks. Don’t bother with him. And yes, I am a Leafs fan.
That’ll do it for this session. Next up will be my assessment of defensemen, as well as a little bit on the art of The Deal, the second most important component to a successful fantasy season. And remember, just like in real hockey, half the game is mental, other half is being mental. Never be afraid to take a risk.
October 12, 2009
April 15, 2009
The NHL is a joke...
Detroit is pulling the pants down on the NHL and CBA for the last few contracts they’ve signed for the last little while.
They’re signing they’re big players for long term deals, bringing down the cap hit to very friendly dollar values (read: zetterberg, franzen) and ripping the CBA for all its worth.
Does no one realize that these players can retire at any time and the cap hit rolls off their backs like water on a duck? The players can be buried in the minors for little dollars (if they last that long) or they won’t count for anything once they retire against the cap? The cap hit only applies to players that sign deals at what, 30+ years old is it?
I’m not totally well versed in the cap and how it works with older players, but if you sign a young player for 10 years, what does it matter if he retires and / or you send him to the minors when he gets older?
Sign these guys for 40 years if you have to, but give them their money in the first 4 -5 years, then do with them what you want. The cap won’t matter if their last years are worth nothing. Bury them in the minors, let them retire. Either way, they get their money, and its circumvents the cap. Holland knows what he’s doing, and I think Wang knew what he was doing with DiPietro. This cap system is flawed, and front-loaded deals are going to be the norm going forward as far as I can see.
They’re signing they’re big players for long term deals, bringing down the cap hit to very friendly dollar values (read: zetterberg, franzen) and ripping the CBA for all its worth.
Does no one realize that these players can retire at any time and the cap hit rolls off their backs like water on a duck? The players can be buried in the minors for little dollars (if they last that long) or they won’t count for anything once they retire against the cap? The cap hit only applies to players that sign deals at what, 30+ years old is it?
I’m not totally well versed in the cap and how it works with older players, but if you sign a young player for 10 years, what does it matter if he retires and / or you send him to the minors when he gets older?
Sign these guys for 40 years if you have to, but give them their money in the first 4 -5 years, then do with them what you want. The cap won’t matter if their last years are worth nothing. Bury them in the minors, let them retire. Either way, they get their money, and its circumvents the cap. Holland knows what he’s doing, and I think Wang knew what he was doing with DiPietro. This cap system is flawed, and front-loaded deals are going to be the norm going forward as far as I can see.
February 20, 2009
And Sundin's reception is...?
Regardless of how you feel about Sundin’s refusal to waive his no trade-clause, or whether you believe he was even the best Leaf ever, Mats Sundin deserves your applause during his inevitable honoring during his return to Toronto tonight.
Listen, I’m with a lot of you. I’m very bitter that Sundin stayed in Toronto on the basis that he didn’t want to be a rental player, and ended up becoming one. But let’s not forget all he did for the franchise over the years. Many of his peers have told about his sacrifice and determination while playing for the Leafs. Many of those sacrifices might prove to be surprising to you, and I’m sure there are many more actions Sundin has taken that we don’t appreciate because we’ll never hear of them.
Either way, yes it sucks that he didn’t help the franchise when it needed it most. Yes, it’s awful that he left Toronto the way he did. But let us never forget the excellence he brought to our team over the time he was here. He never bitched, he never complained, and he never backed down from the criticism that was most of the time undeserved from the media and Toronto’s fans.
Don’t get me wrong, I really wish he would’ve waived. I personally think it would have been his most honorable move as a Leaf to move when he least wanted to. And I would have cheered him for it.
But at the end of the day, Sundin did what was within his rights. It’s not his fault that the Leafs have had terrible ownership and management for such a long time. Not many of us would have fallen on their sword the way Mats would have had to do at the deadline, so relax a bit on his return.
Cheer him on his return, and realize what he did for us while he was here. Could he have done more? Of course. But not many would. And that’s why I believe Mats Sundin will never be remembered as the “greatest Leaf ever”. He’s one of them, to be sure, but he will never solidify himself as THE best ever, although he might have if he has only sacrificed himself for the franchise.
Listen, I’m with a lot of you. I’m very bitter that Sundin stayed in Toronto on the basis that he didn’t want to be a rental player, and ended up becoming one. But let’s not forget all he did for the franchise over the years. Many of his peers have told about his sacrifice and determination while playing for the Leafs. Many of those sacrifices might prove to be surprising to you, and I’m sure there are many more actions Sundin has taken that we don’t appreciate because we’ll never hear of them.
Either way, yes it sucks that he didn’t help the franchise when it needed it most. Yes, it’s awful that he left Toronto the way he did. But let us never forget the excellence he brought to our team over the time he was here. He never bitched, he never complained, and he never backed down from the criticism that was most of the time undeserved from the media and Toronto’s fans.
Don’t get me wrong, I really wish he would’ve waived. I personally think it would have been his most honorable move as a Leaf to move when he least wanted to. And I would have cheered him for it.
But at the end of the day, Sundin did what was within his rights. It’s not his fault that the Leafs have had terrible ownership and management for such a long time. Not many of us would have fallen on their sword the way Mats would have had to do at the deadline, so relax a bit on his return.
Cheer him on his return, and realize what he did for us while he was here. Could he have done more? Of course. But not many would. And that’s why I believe Mats Sundin will never be remembered as the “greatest Leaf ever”. He’s one of them, to be sure, but he will never solidify himself as THE best ever, although he might have if he has only sacrificed himself for the franchise.
February 18, 2009
Kaberle is worth it....to trade.
My bias towards Tomas Kaberle needs to be stated right away before this post can go any further.
I am very much biased towards Kaberle. I believe he is too soft. I think his defensive acumen leaves much to be desired. To me, a top defenseman needs to get dirty, be tough, and grind out individual battles in order to help his team win. Kaberle does none of this. This bias likely comes from my father, who I’ve watched hockey with my whole life, and he HATES Kaberle. I used to defend Tomas to him when I was younger, but lately, his hatred has seeped into me. Though I can’t ignore the skill this man possesses in the least, his heart and grit leave much to be desired.
And this is why I think the Leafs need to trade him.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Tomas is insanely skilled. I don’t doubt for a second that he’s among the most skilled defensemen in the league. When you see guys like Boyle, Campbell, Timonen, and even Mark Streit and Ron Hainsey getting the money they sign for, you HAVE to look at Kaberle as a massive bargain. He consistently throws up 50 points a season, and he obviously manufactures an effective power play. When Tomas is out of the lineup, the Leafs clearly suffer. Hell, look at McCabe’s stats playing with Kaberle and when he hasn’t, and its clear Tomas makes the people around him better, at least statistically.
But here is where his value ends. Kaberle will never be the #1 defenseman the Leafs need. He will never be the difference maker in the playoffs. He will never be the key cog in the top 4 that can control the fate of games. And most importantly, he will never provide the massive abstract we call leadership when times are tough with a team. He’s just not that guy.
His skill relates almost directly to the power play, which is nice in and of itself. Power play proficiency in the NHL since the lockout is a HUGE need among all teams. But a power play contributor does not a championship team make.
He would need to be more than that. He would have to shut down the best forwards he faces. He would have to land a body check that changes the tone of a game. He might even have to get into the face of a teammate, or provide some sort of commentary that lights a fire under those he plays with. Tomas, unfortunately, can only provide the aforementioned power play contribution.
As much skill and ability Kaberle is capable of, he is only as valuable as his skill that translates onto the score sheet. Of all of the intangibles us hockey fans love to harp about, Kaberle doesn’t really illustrate any of them. To me, he is a glorified forward who happens to play defense, and if Burke can fetch the return we hope for, god bless Brian.
We will, however, proceed onto the argument that he should be kept. And here are my refutations:
If he’s kept, what is really gained? He has two years left on his contract. So then, what happens? He leaves in 2 years for greener pastures? What does he contribute to a rebuilding team? If you resign him, then what is the cap hit and salary then? It surely won’t be anywhere the $4.25 million he makes now. If anything, Kaberle will become just another massive immovable contract that the Leafs screwed up on, and that’s if he decides to stick around. Trade him now, while his value is highest, and hope for the best, that’s my opinion. Odds are he won’t be around either way when the Buds are ready to contend.
But even if the return isn’t extraordinary, that’s alright with me too. I just hope they get something decent for him, because to me, if and when the Leafs win a championship, I can’t ever see a man like Kaberle leading the way from the defensive end.
We fans should expect, and deserve, better than that.
I am very much biased towards Kaberle. I believe he is too soft. I think his defensive acumen leaves much to be desired. To me, a top defenseman needs to get dirty, be tough, and grind out individual battles in order to help his team win. Kaberle does none of this. This bias likely comes from my father, who I’ve watched hockey with my whole life, and he HATES Kaberle. I used to defend Tomas to him when I was younger, but lately, his hatred has seeped into me. Though I can’t ignore the skill this man possesses in the least, his heart and grit leave much to be desired.
And this is why I think the Leafs need to trade him.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Tomas is insanely skilled. I don’t doubt for a second that he’s among the most skilled defensemen in the league. When you see guys like Boyle, Campbell, Timonen, and even Mark Streit and Ron Hainsey getting the money they sign for, you HAVE to look at Kaberle as a massive bargain. He consistently throws up 50 points a season, and he obviously manufactures an effective power play. When Tomas is out of the lineup, the Leafs clearly suffer. Hell, look at McCabe’s stats playing with Kaberle and when he hasn’t, and its clear Tomas makes the people around him better, at least statistically.
But here is where his value ends. Kaberle will never be the #1 defenseman the Leafs need. He will never be the difference maker in the playoffs. He will never be the key cog in the top 4 that can control the fate of games. And most importantly, he will never provide the massive abstract we call leadership when times are tough with a team. He’s just not that guy.
His skill relates almost directly to the power play, which is nice in and of itself. Power play proficiency in the NHL since the lockout is a HUGE need among all teams. But a power play contributor does not a championship team make.
He would need to be more than that. He would have to shut down the best forwards he faces. He would have to land a body check that changes the tone of a game. He might even have to get into the face of a teammate, or provide some sort of commentary that lights a fire under those he plays with. Tomas, unfortunately, can only provide the aforementioned power play contribution.
As much skill and ability Kaberle is capable of, he is only as valuable as his skill that translates onto the score sheet. Of all of the intangibles us hockey fans love to harp about, Kaberle doesn’t really illustrate any of them. To me, he is a glorified forward who happens to play defense, and if Burke can fetch the return we hope for, god bless Brian.
We will, however, proceed onto the argument that he should be kept. And here are my refutations:
If he’s kept, what is really gained? He has two years left on his contract. So then, what happens? He leaves in 2 years for greener pastures? What does he contribute to a rebuilding team? If you resign him, then what is the cap hit and salary then? It surely won’t be anywhere the $4.25 million he makes now. If anything, Kaberle will become just another massive immovable contract that the Leafs screwed up on, and that’s if he decides to stick around. Trade him now, while his value is highest, and hope for the best, that’s my opinion. Odds are he won’t be around either way when the Buds are ready to contend.
But even if the return isn’t extraordinary, that’s alright with me too. I just hope they get something decent for him, because to me, if and when the Leafs win a championship, I can’t ever see a man like Kaberle leading the way from the defensive end.
We fans should expect, and deserve, better than that.
February 16, 2009
Is he really worth it?
I must say, the return for an aged and diminished Mathieu Schneider wasn’t, in my mind, as high as what the Atlanta Thrashers garnered from the Canadiens. Whether Gainey was desperate to make a move or not is unclear, this trade will only help increase the value of the likes of Kaberle and Kubina. At least, that’s the thinking.
I think the return for these two defensemen will be more in line with what was acquired by trading of similar players over the last five years or so. Darren Dreger of TSN lists the asking price as “An early 20’s impact roster player, a top prospect, and a first round pick”. God, I hope so, because history has shown that trades such as these don’t exactly pan out that well.
Let’s have a look at trades for defensemen, notably those for 1 single player (i.e. Kaberle) and possibly picks as well, the return it merited, and we’ll keep it exclusive to post-lockout seasons.
Andrej Meszaros for D Filip Kuba, D Alex Picard, 1st Round Pick
Dan Boyle (& Brad Lukowich) for D Matt Carle, D Ty Wishart, 1st & 4th Round Picks
Marek Zidlicky for RW Ryan Jones, 2nd Round Pick
Lubomir Visnovsky for C Jarret Stoll, D Matt Greene
Marc-Andre Bergeron for 3rd Round Pick
Brad Stuart for 2nd & 4th Round Picks
Hal Gill for 2nd & 5th Round Picks
Brian Campbell (& 7th Rd. Pick) for F Steve Bernier, 1st Round Pick
M-A Bergeron (& 3rd Rd. Pick) for D Denis Grebeshkov
Shane O’Brien (& 3rd Rd. Pick) for Gerald Coleman, 1st Round Pick
Alexei Zhitnik for Braydon Coburn
Craig Rivet (& 5th Rd. Pick) for Josh Gorges, 1st Round Pick
Brent Sopel for 2nd Round Pick
Dennis Wideman for Brad Boyes
Eric Cairns for 6th Round Pick
Dick Tarnstrom for F Jani Rita, D Cory Cross
Jaroslav Spacek for F Tony Salmelainen
Luke Richardson for 4th Round Pick
Ken Klee for F Aleksader Suglobov
Brad Lukowich for 3rd Round Pick
Denis Gauthier for F Josh Gratton, 2nd Round Pick, 2nd Round Pick
Sandis Ozolinsh for 3rd Round Pick
Brendan Witt for F Kris Beech, 1st Round Pick
Cory Cross for 4th Round Pick
Eric Weinrich for D Tomas Mojzis, 3rd Round Pick
Ric Jackman for Petr Taticek
Chris Pronger for F J. Lupul, D Ladislav Smid, (2) 1st Rd. Picks, 2nd Rd. Pick
Alexei Zhitnik for D Freddy Meyer, 3rd Round Pick
Danny Markov for 3rd Round Pick
Brent Sopel for 3rd Round Pick
Chris Pronger for D Eric Brewer, D Jeff Woywitka, D Doug Lynch
Toni Lydman for 3rd Round Pick
Andy Hilbert for 5th Round Pick
Now obviously the majority of these players are not of the same caliber of a Tomas Kaberle, and the relatively low cost his contract will pose to a team, both in real dollars and the cap, can’t be ignored as positive factors for the Leafs. Most notably, the deals for Campbell, Boyle, Meszaros, Pronger and possibly Rivet would make the best comparables in what Kaberle will fetch.
The Boyle and Meszaros deals are still too fresh to determine the value received, but I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Campbell and Pronger didn’t exactly provide full value. I think the package that is coming is going to be much like the return seen in the Pronger to Anaheim deal, and even then, what do the Oilers really have to show for it? Sure, Smid is a nice prospect, and Lupul never really fit with their team, but it’s not exactly a rebuild jump starter type package is it? And I don’t believe many of us would put Kaberle into the same class as a Chris Pronger.
I really hope I’m wrong here. I really hope the increased parity adds to the desperation a lot of GMs feel at this time of year, and I really hope that Kaberle’s availability, along with not much else to choose from, contributes to Burke robbing someone blind. But if you look back at the recent history, for Burke to work out a deal that provides the type of haul that Dreger and many Leaf fans expect, he’ll be the first one to make it happen.
I think the return for these two defensemen will be more in line with what was acquired by trading of similar players over the last five years or so. Darren Dreger of TSN lists the asking price as “An early 20’s impact roster player, a top prospect, and a first round pick”. God, I hope so, because history has shown that trades such as these don’t exactly pan out that well.
Let’s have a look at trades for defensemen, notably those for 1 single player (i.e. Kaberle) and possibly picks as well, the return it merited, and we’ll keep it exclusive to post-lockout seasons.
Andrej Meszaros for D Filip Kuba, D Alex Picard, 1st Round Pick
Dan Boyle (& Brad Lukowich) for D Matt Carle, D Ty Wishart, 1st & 4th Round Picks
Marek Zidlicky for RW Ryan Jones, 2nd Round Pick
Lubomir Visnovsky for C Jarret Stoll, D Matt Greene
Marc-Andre Bergeron for 3rd Round Pick
Brad Stuart for 2nd & 4th Round Picks
Hal Gill for 2nd & 5th Round Picks
Brian Campbell (& 7th Rd. Pick) for F Steve Bernier, 1st Round Pick
M-A Bergeron (& 3rd Rd. Pick) for D Denis Grebeshkov
Shane O’Brien (& 3rd Rd. Pick) for Gerald Coleman, 1st Round Pick
Alexei Zhitnik for Braydon Coburn
Craig Rivet (& 5th Rd. Pick) for Josh Gorges, 1st Round Pick
Brent Sopel for 2nd Round Pick
Dennis Wideman for Brad Boyes
Eric Cairns for 6th Round Pick
Dick Tarnstrom for F Jani Rita, D Cory Cross
Jaroslav Spacek for F Tony Salmelainen
Luke Richardson for 4th Round Pick
Ken Klee for F Aleksader Suglobov
Brad Lukowich for 3rd Round Pick
Denis Gauthier for F Josh Gratton, 2nd Round Pick, 2nd Round Pick
Sandis Ozolinsh for 3rd Round Pick
Brendan Witt for F Kris Beech, 1st Round Pick
Cory Cross for 4th Round Pick
Eric Weinrich for D Tomas Mojzis, 3rd Round Pick
Ric Jackman for Petr Taticek
Chris Pronger for F J. Lupul, D Ladislav Smid, (2) 1st Rd. Picks, 2nd Rd. Pick
Alexei Zhitnik for D Freddy Meyer, 3rd Round Pick
Danny Markov for 3rd Round Pick
Brent Sopel for 3rd Round Pick
Chris Pronger for D Eric Brewer, D Jeff Woywitka, D Doug Lynch
Toni Lydman for 3rd Round Pick
Andy Hilbert for 5th Round Pick
Now obviously the majority of these players are not of the same caliber of a Tomas Kaberle, and the relatively low cost his contract will pose to a team, both in real dollars and the cap, can’t be ignored as positive factors for the Leafs. Most notably, the deals for Campbell, Boyle, Meszaros, Pronger and possibly Rivet would make the best comparables in what Kaberle will fetch.
The Boyle and Meszaros deals are still too fresh to determine the value received, but I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Campbell and Pronger didn’t exactly provide full value. I think the package that is coming is going to be much like the return seen in the Pronger to Anaheim deal, and even then, what do the Oilers really have to show for it? Sure, Smid is a nice prospect, and Lupul never really fit with their team, but it’s not exactly a rebuild jump starter type package is it? And I don’t believe many of us would put Kaberle into the same class as a Chris Pronger.
I really hope I’m wrong here. I really hope the increased parity adds to the desperation a lot of GMs feel at this time of year, and I really hope that Kaberle’s availability, along with not much else to choose from, contributes to Burke robbing someone blind. But if you look back at the recent history, for Burke to work out a deal that provides the type of haul that Dreger and many Leaf fans expect, he’ll be the first one to make it happen.
January 19, 2009
Toronto, Onatrio: Where Potential Goes to Die.
Well as it turns out, my assessment of Lee Stempniak was WAAAAAY off. Jesus, should we even give the kid a stick anymore? He might as well be skating the entire rink along the boards at 2 miles per hour like me at a public skate.
And speaking of bad predictions, what the hell is wrong with Vesa Toskala? I'm now fully convinced this guy just doesn't care, and gives up on plays way too easily. I still stand by my claim that the Leafs will never draft Johnny T, but obviously it won't be because of the reasons I laid out earlier.
You'd think if Ves wanted to leave or wasn't comfortable in this god awful losing environment, he'd string together 5 or 6 good efforts in hope that Burkie could unload him to a contender. I really don't get it with this guy. But, we can't have it both ways can we Leaf fans?
I'm one of the many that like what they see with the Leafs long term, in that they're sucking harder than ever and will likely end up with a good to great player come June. I do, however, find myself getting increasingly disappointed with the players that are supposed to be our best, namely Kaberle, Antropov, Poni, Toskala, and Kubina.
But really, if they were playing great, that would just gum up the works in terms of trying to bottom out now wouldn't it? Shouldn't I be glad that they're sucking along with everyone else? Bah, my brain says this is what we need, but my gut says this is definitely not what we want.
Hopefully a couple of GMs will be idiots come the deadline (god I wish JFJ were working with another team, but hey look, Don Waddell!) and we'll get good value for the aforementioned players. I hope Kubina, Kaberle and Toskala all leave, and even though they are young, lets be real for a second: Antropov and Ponikarovsky are not players you build championship teams around. An average car always looks nice next to a rusted out shit box rather than a brand new lamborghini.
I guess we can't have our cake and eat it too my fellow Leaf sufferers. In fact, the mere smell of cake is 3 - 4 years away and for now we have to stomach shit pie, especially from the all knowing media for the next few.
Hang in there people!
And speaking of bad predictions, what the hell is wrong with Vesa Toskala? I'm now fully convinced this guy just doesn't care, and gives up on plays way too easily. I still stand by my claim that the Leafs will never draft Johnny T, but obviously it won't be because of the reasons I laid out earlier.
You'd think if Ves wanted to leave or wasn't comfortable in this god awful losing environment, he'd string together 5 or 6 good efforts in hope that Burkie could unload him to a contender. I really don't get it with this guy. But, we can't have it both ways can we Leaf fans?
I'm one of the many that like what they see with the Leafs long term, in that they're sucking harder than ever and will likely end up with a good to great player come June. I do, however, find myself getting increasingly disappointed with the players that are supposed to be our best, namely Kaberle, Antropov, Poni, Toskala, and Kubina.
But really, if they were playing great, that would just gum up the works in terms of trying to bottom out now wouldn't it? Shouldn't I be glad that they're sucking along with everyone else? Bah, my brain says this is what we need, but my gut says this is definitely not what we want.
Hopefully a couple of GMs will be idiots come the deadline (god I wish JFJ were working with another team, but hey look, Don Waddell!) and we'll get good value for the aforementioned players. I hope Kubina, Kaberle and Toskala all leave, and even though they are young, lets be real for a second: Antropov and Ponikarovsky are not players you build championship teams around. An average car always looks nice next to a rusted out shit box rather than a brand new lamborghini.
I guess we can't have our cake and eat it too my fellow Leaf sufferers. In fact, the mere smell of cake is 3 - 4 years away and for now we have to stomach shit pie, especially from the all knowing media for the next few.
Hang in there people!
January 8, 2009
The gift that keeps on giving...
Apparently Tomas Kaberle saying "obviously when the GM is going to tell you he doesn't want..., you don't want to play for a team if someone doesn't want you" equivocally means "will be waiving his no-trade clause, end of story". I'm not going to get too excited yet over what he may potentially bring the Leafs in return for his services, because we all remember what happened with Kubina at the deadline last year.
I will take Burke at his word, and therefore think it's safe to say that Kaberle will not be traded for the sake of a trade. In all likelihood, Burke will tell either Tomas or his agent that he will only mention a possibly deal IF something of good to great value is offered his way. Until then, I don't see Burke even giving Tomas a "what up" between now and the deadline. That said, Kaberle's comments will let other GMs know that prying him out of Toronto is plausible - and at the same time sends the right message: the offer better be damn a good one.
But speculation aside, one wonders why Tomas was so adamant about staying put on a shitty Leaf team last year, but now all of the sudden he's understanding the plight that Toronto faces these next few years because "obviously, the team is re-building now and I can’t control that". I guess it's true that Toronto wasn't openly rebuilding last season, but the circumstances surrounding the team really haven't changed all that much. So what gives?
Some have suggested that it was the "Muskoka 5" that had plotted to remain solidified in their effort to stay in Toronto, all agreeing over dinner to not waive their NTCs no matter what. True, none of them ended up waiving, but no one knows for sure if it was something all five players conspired to do. It seems likely, but I have another tag-along theory as to why Tomas, as well as the others, refused to be traded:
Mats Sundin.
Why yes, the man who stuck it out in Toronto for all the reasons we've heard a thousand times, only to end up a hypocrite who signed with a new team who offered him the most money. I get that he was within his rights, bla bla bla, but his methods haven't done much to hold on the respect of his long time fans. I personally will always have fond memories of Mats (I don't have many other fond Leaf memories other than him), but for now I couldn't care less. I don't give a shit what he says or what he does anymore. He's no longer my guy. But, it is what he said [i]last year[/i] at the deadline that would have made it difficult for anyone else to waive their no-trade. Let me explain:
The feeling about Mats leaving was pretty much a Catch-22 for him - if he lets the trade happen, he abandoned the team and its fans at their lowest point for greener pastures. If he stays, he's selfish and refuses to give back in the most meaningful way he can to an organization that has given him so much and desperately needs the help. He said and did all the right things at the time, but that's only if you consider "right" to be synonymous with "the easiest".
Had Tomas, or anyone else, agreed to a trade, it would cast a negative light on the other players who wouldn't leave, but most importantly on Mats Sundin. Kaberle becomes a Flyer, Leaf fans rejoice, and not many people would be that upset with Tomas, because he's not [i]the[/i] guy like Mats was. Mats, on the other hand, looks like a selfish ass if the deal is completed and he stays put. Tomas was willing to waive it to help the future, why won't you? Kaberle's sacrificing personal short-term comfort for the good of the team, while expressing his desire to win (which we all know wouldn't happen in Toronto) at the same time, yet you won't go too? Aren't the playoffs even further away with Tomas gone? You're the captain, shouldn't you be the one that falls on his sword before the followers do?
I'm not saying these arguments are legit in the least, but knowing the MSM in Toronto, you better fucking believe that this kind of bullshit would have been hurled Mats' way from every angle. The rest of his season would've been much harder if people had a solid reason to cast doubt on his motivations. And we see now that Mats was being selfish from how things are today. Again, its his right to be selfish, but that doesn't mean I, and all Leaf fans, have to like it.
I believe McCabe, Tucker, Kaberle and Kubina all knew what an agreement to a deal would have meant for Mats. No one would look to those four for answers, but a lot of media and fans certainly would've gone to Mats and questioned him as to why some would agree to go, and some would not. The easiest course of action was for all five to stay, and the next easiest would be if all five agreed to go. Anything in between and you'd have a couple friends and teammates making the life of one other teammate particularly difficult because of their actions. Kaberle in particular knew this, and that's why I believe he wouldn't agree to be dealt.
This year, though, agreeing to go won't affect anyone else around him. Kaberle can leave with a clear conscience, and Leaf fans will love him for it. No one will boo, no one will accuse, and no one's life is any harder because of him.
But fuck, Carter and Sbisa sure would have been nice. Lets start the bidding at a 1st rounder, 2nd rounder, and a blue chip prospect.
I will take Burke at his word, and therefore think it's safe to say that Kaberle will not be traded for the sake of a trade. In all likelihood, Burke will tell either Tomas or his agent that he will only mention a possibly deal IF something of good to great value is offered his way. Until then, I don't see Burke even giving Tomas a "what up" between now and the deadline. That said, Kaberle's comments will let other GMs know that prying him out of Toronto is plausible - and at the same time sends the right message: the offer better be damn a good one.
But speculation aside, one wonders why Tomas was so adamant about staying put on a shitty Leaf team last year, but now all of the sudden he's understanding the plight that Toronto faces these next few years because "obviously, the team is re-building now and I can’t control that". I guess it's true that Toronto wasn't openly rebuilding last season, but the circumstances surrounding the team really haven't changed all that much. So what gives?
Some have suggested that it was the "Muskoka 5" that had plotted to remain solidified in their effort to stay in Toronto, all agreeing over dinner to not waive their NTCs no matter what. True, none of them ended up waiving, but no one knows for sure if it was something all five players conspired to do. It seems likely, but I have another tag-along theory as to why Tomas, as well as the others, refused to be traded:
Mats Sundin.
Why yes, the man who stuck it out in Toronto for all the reasons we've heard a thousand times, only to end up a hypocrite who signed with a new team who offered him the most money. I get that he was within his rights, bla bla bla, but his methods haven't done much to hold on the respect of his long time fans. I personally will always have fond memories of Mats (I don't have many other fond Leaf memories other than him), but for now I couldn't care less. I don't give a shit what he says or what he does anymore. He's no longer my guy. But, it is what he said [i]last year[/i] at the deadline that would have made it difficult for anyone else to waive their no-trade. Let me explain:
The feeling about Mats leaving was pretty much a Catch-22 for him - if he lets the trade happen, he abandoned the team and its fans at their lowest point for greener pastures. If he stays, he's selfish and refuses to give back in the most meaningful way he can to an organization that has given him so much and desperately needs the help. He said and did all the right things at the time, but that's only if you consider "right" to be synonymous with "the easiest".
Had Tomas, or anyone else, agreed to a trade, it would cast a negative light on the other players who wouldn't leave, but most importantly on Mats Sundin. Kaberle becomes a Flyer, Leaf fans rejoice, and not many people would be that upset with Tomas, because he's not [i]the[/i] guy like Mats was. Mats, on the other hand, looks like a selfish ass if the deal is completed and he stays put. Tomas was willing to waive it to help the future, why won't you? Kaberle's sacrificing personal short-term comfort for the good of the team, while expressing his desire to win (which we all know wouldn't happen in Toronto) at the same time, yet you won't go too? Aren't the playoffs even further away with Tomas gone? You're the captain, shouldn't you be the one that falls on his sword before the followers do?
I'm not saying these arguments are legit in the least, but knowing the MSM in Toronto, you better fucking believe that this kind of bullshit would have been hurled Mats' way from every angle. The rest of his season would've been much harder if people had a solid reason to cast doubt on his motivations. And we see now that Mats was being selfish from how things are today. Again, its his right to be selfish, but that doesn't mean I, and all Leaf fans, have to like it.
I believe McCabe, Tucker, Kaberle and Kubina all knew what an agreement to a deal would have meant for Mats. No one would look to those four for answers, but a lot of media and fans certainly would've gone to Mats and questioned him as to why some would agree to go, and some would not. The easiest course of action was for all five to stay, and the next easiest would be if all five agreed to go. Anything in between and you'd have a couple friends and teammates making the life of one other teammate particularly difficult because of their actions. Kaberle in particular knew this, and that's why I believe he wouldn't agree to be dealt.
This year, though, agreeing to go won't affect anyone else around him. Kaberle can leave with a clear conscience, and Leaf fans will love him for it. No one will boo, no one will accuse, and no one's life is any harder because of him.
But fuck, Carter and Sbisa sure would have been nice. Lets start the bidding at a 1st rounder, 2nd rounder, and a blue chip prospect.
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