Comments for Battle of Ontario....
I do like Clutterbuck. I saw him with the Gens alongside Tavares several times a few years ago and liked his effort. He was definitely a fan favourite for his tenacity - the kids had, predictably, nicknamed him "ClusterFuck" and would shout "ClusterFuck 'em!!" or chant out the nickname whenever he went banging in the corners.
He'd be a nice add on in a Heatly swap.
Burns, Clutterbuck + 12th overall. Not my first choice, as I'm concerned the 12th pick may not actually pan out as hoped. Yes, the team improves at D and in grit, but boy do we give up a lot of scoring in that deal.
I'd at least like a consistent 20+ goal scorer with upside potential coming back (Michalek, Svatos, Wolski, Frolov, etc.)
Swap Koivu for the pick and I'm sold. Maybe then we'd actually win a freakin shootout once in a while...
I think you guys have your expectations far too high but we'll see. I'd be surprised if Minnesota traded Burns and if they did I'd be shocked if they included the first round pick in the deal as well and you have next to no chance of getting Koivu. Set your sights on Pierre-Marc Bouchard instead.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=282846
For those too lazy to cut and paste, it states that a serious trade offer has been put forth for Kaberle, and since it's TSN there must be some inkling of truth.
Kaberle thing is growing fast now.
Rumour from Michael Landsberg: Tampa sends 2nd overall pick and Ryan Malone to Toronto for Kaberle, Toronto's 7th overall pick, and next years 2nd round pick.
Burke personally shot this down in video however.
Now the Star has posted this:
http://www.thestar.com/sports/ar.../article/
656876
Gotta like the possibilities of something happening by tomorrow.
Ya think Sportsnet is going to soon be super critcal of Burke? The number of leaks going to TSN and his hourly chat sessions with Duthie is getting old quickly.
Ottawa Citizen reporting they haven't received one official offer for Heatley, most likely nothing will happen.
TSN definitely is getting favourable access to sports biggest draw on either station.
The Leafs are an addiction. I've kicked smoking, and still can't stop reading anything that comes out about Toronto.
I'm already dreading July 3rd to September 20th when there is basically no Leaf news. Better call my sponsor!
Ottawa Citizen reporting they haven't received one official offer for Heatley, most likely nothing will happen.
I forget who it was on the Sportsnet panel last night who heard from a GM that Murray's ask for Heatley is "outrageous".
Better get used to the idea he may be a disgruntled Sen in the line-up at least until February.
Now Eklund saying the deal for Kessel was "straight up", not involving a pick.
He also said it's -3 outside, Dan Akroyd will be the next PM, and that Jim Balsille has offered the Leafs 2 million blackberries for Matt Stajan.
I'll believe anything at this point.
Getting a little nonplussed at Heatley not getting traded. The issues with Heatley's salary, NMC and length of contract as well as his being a headcase aren't going to get the mythical 1-10 pick and two very good roster players.
Murray may have to settle for a 2nd round pick and 1 good player (maybe?) and some junk.
I can't even imagine Heatley being in the line-up next year...what a circus the media pundits will make that into.
What a circus this management has become, what a circus indeed. You know when you long for the cash-strapped Bryden and taciturn Johnston you're in bad stead...
Oh, why do the Leafs want to cut ties with Kaberle? He's being paid a very respectable 4.2 (?) for a few more years and is a good point producer. Is this part of the youth movement?
They don't want to cut ties with Kaberle, but if Burke can get a good return for Kaberle he will consider trading him.
I'm not sure what Boston is smoking these days. I like Phil Kessel, but I like draft picks more than I like RFAs who will likely produce less when taken off a good line.
Oh, why do the Leafs want to cut ties with Kaberle? He's being paid a very respectable 4.2 (?)
Kaberle and his salary is a luxury item for a team like Toronto. No chance of winning a cup for two years, and working below the salary cap - he's a nice to have.
To a team like Boston who believe they are close to a cup, Kaberle and his $4.2M salary is worth a hell of a lot more.
I think Burke wants to know just how much Boston and whoever else think that's worth? If Toronto can squeeze a very beneficial deal out of it, especially one that sends youth and prospects to the club, it's a business decision that makes perfect sense.
All that said, I think it still will be hard for him and the Leafs to let such a quality player and great contract go.
People think Toronto is going to stand for 2 yrs of a crap team? If the Leafs miss the playoffs for the 09/10 season Burke will be okay. If they miss 10/11 I think he's fired.
I think you guys have your expectations far too high but we'll see.
I agree the Burns+Clutterbuck+Koivu for Heatley was a bit of a pipe dream.
But I don't think any of the following rumoured deals are too far out of line:
Michalek+Vlasic
Wolski+3rd overall
Frolov+Quincey+5th overall
Burns+Clutterbuck+12th overall
I think in any of those deals, the other team can make a reasonable case to be coming out ahead.
At this point, I have no idea what will happen. Was Murray lying when he said he had a deal on the table that he could accept, but was hoping for more? Maybe. Or maybe not. We still have a few hours before the draft, and a few days before that July 1 bonus payment kicks in.
See this from Senschirp:
(UPDATE 2:05 PM)- Melnyk on the Heatley bonus "There is no way we are paying him his $4 million bonus, I don’t care if he sues us."
I never saw that anywhere else. What the hell does that mean?
I never saw that anywhere else. What the hell does that mean?
I read that elsewhere. Apparently Melnyk goes on to say he doesn't care if Heatley tries to sue him, he ain't paying.
If a trade doesn't happen in the next couple days, this could get real ugly. The Sens are bound by the contract, but if Heatley decides to sit out instead of playing and gets suspended, the Sens can argue that he would have to repay the $4M bonus because he had no intention of honoring the contract at that time. Melnyk is taking the approach that he'll withhold payment pre-emptively.
I suspect there will probably be no winners on either side.
Saying you want a trade doesn't validate your contract just like a GM saying he wants you to waive your no-trade doesn't mean you stop playing.
Can't see how Melynk could get away from paying the bonus.
Yeah, this could get ugly fast. And will seem more and more surreal. I still can't wrap my head around why a guy wants a trade from a team who gave him a $4M SIGNING BONUS because of being moved temporarily to the 2nd unit powerplay...is he really that unintelligent?
Murray's a bit of an old boy, a traditionalist who is trying to transform Ottawa into a character team. If he can't get a couple of good players and a pick for an elite scorer, watch for him to tell Heatley to shut up and play. If Heatley chooses to sit out, he's ending his career.
Michalek+Vlasic
Not too bad. Could work. Salaries wouldn't be too far off which the Sharks would need and neither Michalek or Vlasic are top tier players (both are good, but not stars).
Wolski+3rd overall
Not a chance that Colorado gives up a good young player and a potential franchise player who could end up being better than Heatley.
Frolov+Quincey+5th overall
Again, not a chance unless the Kings decide they desperately need a top tier player. They can probably get better value for the 5th overall pick and a couple of solid players.
Burns+Clutterbuck+12th overall
Not a chance. I don't see the Wild trading Burns who has the potential to be a #1 defenseman along with a good 3rd line physical player and first round pick.
Think about this. Kessel is younger and cheaper than Heatley and scored just 3 goals fewer than Heatley in 12 fewer games this past season and the Bruins are offering him and a pick up for Kaberle. Now you want the Wild to give up Burns, Clutterbuck and the 12th overall pick? You are dreaming.
Maybe I am wrong. Maybe you will find someone to pay that much for a talented goalscorer who makes a lot of money and has asked to be traded twice in his career now but I have my doubts.
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