Comments for Battle of Ontario....
7 year deal for Ohlund. Long term but he got the same average as Kuba got. Good match for Hedman I suppose is the thinking.
Orr to TO for 1.0 per for 4 yrs. Neil just lost one of his markets.
Burke makes his big splash once the clock hits noon by paying about twice what Orr is worth for a 5 year deal. Nice!
Sry, 4yrs is right..
McGuire still has Heatley on his fantasy Team Canada, BTW.
Looks like Panger took him off, presumably because of his attitude/indecision/whininess/everything...
Anon - you need a real handle - Anonymous just doesn't cut it in the BoO. Try to come up with something good like a TLA.
Zzzzzzz.......
For entertainment I'm reading the Lowetide comments - boy, think we have it tough?!
@Don: Nah, I'm divesting.
Besides, it's my view these comments would probably be better if everyone posted as 'Anonymous'. Makes for more difficult prey for bandwagon members too who apparently at this point have little else to contribute.
I feel bad for Lowetiders.
Brian Burke is in Europe today?
Lol!
Classic.
Anyonymous, you're completely missing the point of the BoO: we're all about preying on comments from particular individuals from the other side. Leaf fans v. Sens fans. This is not a general hockey blog, nor one that focusses on the facts of the two teams. If that were the case, this thing'd have died long ago.
So does Burke still pursue Neil given he has his fighter?
To each their own. I like discussions about ideas, not thinly veiled insults.
Hossa to the Hawks? Could that possibly be strike 3 in the SCF?
Re:Neil. Nah. Burke better get his goalie, because he blew the draft and may now be squandering the Free Agent Frenzy day...
so going to Sweden to work Gustavsson is a bad thing?
Kubina to Atlanta. For WHO??????
I love Colton Orr. Leafs get a heavyweight who can actually skate minutes. $1M a year is nothing for a Vet 4th liner who will kick ass all year for the Leafs.
I think that spells the end of Brad May.
Rumour is Leafs still want fist-magnet Chris Neil. Why? Jesus.
Colton Orr's fight card on hockeyfights.com is impressive. He's won a fight against every heavyweight in the NHL over the last three years, and won about 80% of his fights all in all.
Leafs and Sens play opening night again? I wouldn't mind seeing him get started!
Yeah, if Neil does escape Ottawa, who the hell is going to fight Orr in the BoO? Fisher is our only real fighter now. Jebus....
To each their own. I like discussions about ideas, not thinly veiled insults.
Wrong blog.
Now they think the Kubina deal is for Colby Armstrong.
The reason it's delayed is that Armstrong is an RFA, so Toronto are likely hammering out a deal for him before they finalize. He made $1.2M last year and has 22 goals and 40+ points. I wonder how much money he wants? Can't be more than $2M one would think...
Just saw it's Armstrong and a 2nd rounder. That seems steep with Kubina only having one more year on his deal...
if Neil does escape Ottawa
I think you have to let Neil test the market. If he's not willing (or too embarrassed -- sorry to do this to you buddy) to sign with Ottawa after that, then you find or call up a guy who can fill that role.
Wrong blog.
You're right, and getting righter by the day. But it's nothing to celebrate.
just in, apparently Armstrong isnt part of the Kubina deal
This 12 yr Hossa deal has me wondering if either side (Owners or NHLPA) will seek to close that loophole in the cap.
Gustavsson would be well advised to check the history of goaltenders trying to make their name in Toronto.
Knuble to WAS for next to nothing. Based on his play in PHI the past couple of seasons, I think Knuble would have looked good on the Sens PP for a couple of years.
just in, apparently Armstrong isnt part of the Kubina deal
Than who is?
Quote from Anonymous "To each their own. I like discussions about ideas, not thinly veiled insults."
I love this guy. But the problem with this Anonymous is, Leaf Fans can't string together more than one sentence of lame insults. Watch their posts, it's almost comical - if it wasn't so pathetic.
bob gainey has lost his mind
its official
bob gainey has lost his mind
I hate agreeing with Jared.
But it is somewhat offset by the joy of watching the Habs descend into another decade of irrelevance.
The Molson brothers must be thrilled.
Slightly unnerved that the Senators haven't signed a free agent (not even a slug like Comrie...) or dealt Wonder Boy...but you know, maybe Murray is being discerning in his signings.
Yeah, that must be it...now for more beer.
Slightly unnerved that the Senators haven't signed a free agent
I feel you, it's the same for Leaf fans. Burke hasn't pulled off anything yet. There's some good players are out there still that I hope we get, but so far all we have is a fighter and a mystery trade with Atlanta.
I guess it's still early. Technically.
Early indications are Kubina for Exelby. This frees up over $3M in salary for Toronto, Exelby is a UFA at the end of next season.
No word if there is a draft pick involved in this deal as well.
Exelby is an incredible hitter but has absolutely no offensive upside, so Atlanta wins this trade easily, if that's all the players going.
What will Toronto do with the added cap space?
Now I hear Cammeleri is gone to Montreal.
Day is shaping up to be a typical Bryan Murray trade deadline/UFA day though, isn't it?
word is there are more peices coming back to toronto in the Kubina trade
Here is the final tally:
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=283448
I thought he could have done better frankly. What surprises me is the Leafs giving up on Tim Stapleton...
WHOAAAAAAA!!!!
Komiserek is a LEaf!!
well, if you cant win, beat em
Komiserek is a LEaf!!
I was afraid he would move to another division. Now we still get to see Lucic beat the crap out of him 6 times a year.
"We" DC? You a Leaf fan or just follow the Bruins ever since Ottawa shit the bed? 
Also, Lucic will be fighting Orr now. Or Exelby. And then maybe, just maybe, Komiserek.
TSN saying Burke isn't done, wants a centerman. Who is left?
$4.5M / 5years for Komiserek.
That is better than I thought it would be actually... Perhaps Burke threw out the old "No D-man makes more than Kaberle on this team" speech?
Well done.
Branscombe reporting that Komiserek turned down more money to instead come to Toronto.
Even after 41 years, there's still some kind of magical allure. Thank fuck.
Well, he's picked the right time if you ask me. Anchoring a younger, more dynamic squad that may go places can't be boring, at least.
Toronto's d-core avail for this season, as it stands:
Kaberle
Komiserek
Schenn
Van Ryn
Finger
White
Exelby
Frogren
Stralman
Orestovic
Maybe the next UFA signing ought to be a forward huh Burky? Just sayin...
Hmm. With that bunch I'd expect to see White transmuting back and forth between forward and D again.
That's a possibility. Or, Kaberle gets traded and White and Sralman take over the transition game roles on the team. I wouldn't feel very comfortable going into the season like that though...
"We" DC? You a Leaf fan or just follow the Bruins ever since Ottawa shit the bed?
Unlike most of leaf hamlet, many of us do watch other teams throughout the season.
Also, Lucic will be fighting Orr now. Or Exelby. And then maybe, just maybe, Komiserek.
In other words komiserek is now little more than a $25M+ pussy who can't score.
Unlike most of leaf hamlet, many of us do watch other teams throughout the season.
A Toronto nightlife means watching 40 hours of TV every week isn't an option...
In other words komiserek is now little more than a $25M+ pussy who can't score.
Ahhh. So you think it was a bad deal? Shocking that a Sens fan wouldn't see the value in anybody signed with the Leafs.
A Toronto nightlife means watching 40 hours of TV every week isn't an option...
I suppose finding 40 hours a week after spending 80 hrs a week at the BoO would be a challenge.
Indeed.
I get the feeling I'm one of the few who don't do this on 12 other blogs as well. Not pointing any fingers Don!
So you think it was a bad deal?
Not necessarily. He along with exelby will certainly make the leafs blue line more rugged but komiserek did not look good last season after Lucic busted him up the first time. $25M seems a little much for a D-man who has no offensive skills but the leafs have lots of cap space so why not.
Just heard that Komiserek has a limited No Trade Clause.
It means he submits a list of 12 teams every year he can be traded to.
That is some slick negotiating. Even a Sens fan would have to agree?
but komiserek did not look good last season after Lucic busted him up the first time
Like I said, he shouldn't have to fight guys of that fight class now that he's on the Leafs. Lucic is a killer. Nobody is denying that. Orr will probably take on that role now.
neil staying in ottawa, thank god
2 per year. Too much for Chris but we needed him or a guy like him.
With Gaborik in NY, Heatley has to accept the Edm deal.
Ya, it would have sucked if the Leafs added this much toughness and had nobody to fight in the BoO.
I totally missed that on TSN and Sportsnet. Maybe they could take the Komisarek signing down as the "page takeover" now. Surely we can focus on other trades too? Even a bit much for a Leaf fan...
I missed the Gaborik trade is what I was getting at...
With Neil's signing, I'll be looking forward to the OTT/NYR or OTT/EDM game if Dany Fuckface *does* sign. I'm hoping Neiler pounds the shit out of Heatley after some backchecking by Neil in a corner.
Wait.... Heately would have to appear in a corner for that to happen. Move along.
I hope you Sens fans enjoy your $2 million 3 goal guy for the next four years.
Neil v. Komisarek here.
No vids on Orr v. Neil..... yet
Don't forget, DJ, this is a guy many Leaf fans thought they'd be cheering for this year. 'One of burke's type of guys'.
From the TSN report:
Toronto Maple Leafs have [...] tabled [a] three year [offer] to the Toronto native.
Don't forget, DJ, this is a guy many Leaf fans thought they'd be cheering for this year. 'One of burke's type of guys'.
Yeah, at $1.2 million, I'd say sure, he's good value. At $2 million, there are better options. Laperriere got under $1.2 from the Flyers and I am not convinced Neil is any better. Alexandre Burrows got the same contract from Vancouver and he scored 25 more goals than Neil did this past season.
Did the leafs offer $1.2M or something above the $2M he got? Both TSN and Sportsnet have suggested the later. Neil accepted a lesser contract (at annual average) than offered by three other teams. So I'd look more to market than the non-comparables you've suggested.
It's probably best for everyone that Neil stays in Ottawa. They like him, and they need him, and I'm not sure anyone else in the league truly does.
i dont care if Neil signed for a dollar, I am just happy that gap toothed jackass isnt a leaf
I hope you Sens fans enjoy your $2 million 3 goal guy for the next four years.
Oh come on, DJ. The Leafs just gave $5-million to a 2-goal scorer. I think we can acknowledge points in't everything with every player.
The rest of the world already hates us Leaf fans. Let's keep the gloves up.
I hope you Sens fans enjoy your $2 million 3 goal guy for the next four years.
Looks like Burke had an offer of $2.3M per for 3 years on the table and the Rangers had the same money for 4 years.
http://www.ottawasun.com/sports/...01/
9996261.html
Here's to Neil popping Heatley in the eye with the smaller pupil in the upcoming season.
Oh come on, DJ. The Leafs just gave $5-million to a 2-goal scorer. I think we can acknowledge points in't everything with every player.
Atually, it was $4.5 million but defensemen are inherently worth more. It is a lot to spend on Komisarek but the Leafs desperately needed a pure shutdown guy.
Tough guys who score 3 goals and aren't good defensively are a dime a dozen. As for the Leafs, if they signed him for that amount I'd say it was a waste of money too.
I'm not upset about the Neil signing, but I do think $2M per is too much for Neil, especially considering his past couple seasons. I'm of the opinion that we could swap in Cody Bass in Neil's spot and it wouldn't make too much difference.
I'm sure I'm in the minority (or even alone) in that I would have preferred to see Murray use that money towards signing Tanguay.
I must also say I'm thrilled with the moves Burke has made so far. I think the Leafs are worse now than they were before Burke took over.
I know, I know, he's not done yet. He still has to offer Bertuzzi $4M per...
Asshat (a.k.a. Dany Heatley), defers his decision to post-deadline.
An interesting quote from the Sun's update:
"Last night Dany did not have enough time to evaluate the one option that was placed in front of him," said agent J.P. Barry. "He hoped he would be presented with more options. He was not.
Hopefully dipshit's impression of himself has shrunken a little. I almost want him back in Ottawa grovelling.
I'm wondering if the Oil wil now have to up their offer to satiate Melnyk.
The Oilers agreed to the deal when they would have been responsible for the bonus payment, so clearly they were willing to pay then.
Is there anything in the rules that would prevent Edmonton from simply giving Ottawa $4M as part of the trade, to essentially cover the payout they were willing to make anyway?
Or are there rules about not trading money?
Or are there rules about not trading money?
CBA rule 50.8b (ii) suggests you may not trade cash.
More specificially:
11.16
Sale of SPCs. There shall be no cash transactions in connection with the
Assignment of Players. Nor shall any Club be permitted to retain an obligation to pay or
to reimburse another Club for a portion of any Player's Player Salary or Bonuses in
connection with the Assignment of such Player, other than as set forth in Section
50.8(b)(ii) of this Agreement.
Given that rule, screwing the Sens for $4M makes even less sense. I can't understand how Heatley thinks this is going to work out for him. Where does he think he can go?
If LA, San Jose or St. Louis wanted him, I assume we would have heard about that by now. Is anyone but Edmonton even in the running? Doesn't seem like it.
So, does Heatley really think playing in Ottawa next year, after all that's happened, is preferable to playing in Edmonton?
It boggles the mind...
I know, I know, he's not done yet. He still has to offer Bertuzzi $4M per...
Laugh if you will, but Bert made $2M last year and scored 44 points in just over 60 games. I would not be unhappy if Burke signed him for two years at that price. He could be very useful, and his 75PIM's last year fits this teams objectives it would seem.
Here's the thing about tough teams... they seem to fall apart when they can't leverage the physical violence. Philly is a prime example.
So the Leafs need scoring and lots of it, but I don't see it happening this year.
I can't understand how Heatley thinks this is going to work out for him. Where does he think he can go?
All I can say is he must really fucking hate Ottawa or Clouston to be willing to destroy his reputation to get out.
I can't say I blame him, 
augh if you will, but Bert made $2M last year and scored 44 points in just over 60 games. I would not be unhappy if Burke signed him for two years at that price.
Well, given that's he overpaid for everything yesterday, and left the country to try and sign too guys were weren't free agents, then called an audible and courted a hyoung goalie who wouldn't buy in... All this after drafting in 7th a guy who probably should've gone 10th....
Yeah, Bertuzzi would not be the worst move he's made this week.
The answer to the Heatley thing is to demand he practices hard and plays hard, and make sure he goes full contact during practice.
When he stops showing up, you sue him for breach... you've probably got a pretty good case now.
Sad times for Sens fans. This Heatley situation completely handcuffed the team. I was really hoping Ottawa would go after Sullivan, or maybe even Gionta.
It's already starting to look like the 09/10 season will be one big, distracted write-off. Ottawa was already a team that needed everything to click perfectly before it started competing. If Melnyk goes the madman billionaire route and tries to destroy Heatley in court then we'll see the entire team get bashful and disappear.
Time to start brushing up on next year's draft prospects! Maybe we'll get into the top 5.
Also, since Molloy and the Heatleys see fit to engage in this debate, I urge the local, national and international media to abide by their wishes and interview them at every opportunity on how much of a disgraceful, unprofessional, disgusting human being their Dany is.
All this after drafting in 7th a guy who probably should've gone 10th....
My oh my. A Sens fan that finds something negative in everything Toronto. How shocking and original! We have never met anybody like you around here!
Look man, your negativity and anger is really just a protection mechanism for the pain you are carrying inside - so lets just get it out in the open and heal this once and for all:
I'm sorry my team beat your team EVERY TIME we've met in the playoffs. I'm sorry you turned off the CBC, slumbered to your bedroom and cried yourself to sleep in your Daniel Alfredsson PJ's. I'm sorry that Leaf fans in your town drove around for weeks with their Leaf car flags whipping in the wind like a million tiny slaps in your face, or that you had cousins from Toronto were not only cooler and more cultured than you, but now had not one, or two, or three... but four playoff series wins to brag about on the phone.
(Enter Robin Williams wearing a Leaf jersey.)
"It's not your fault.
It's not your fault.
No, son, it's not your fault".
So take off your mask Mr Anonymous, there's no reason to feel shame here!
Komisarek is Volchenkov at twice the price. Discuss.
Flying to Stockholm to sign two guys (who between them have won a gradn total of 3 playoff series in 8years, mind you) that never even became free agents. Good move/bad move? Discuss.
All this after drafting in 7th a guy who probably should've gone 10th....
It should be noted that Bryan Murray wanted to trade up to 7 to draft that same guy.
Komisarek is Volchenkov at twice the price. Discuss.
They are similar players for sure though Komisarek is more all round physical in that he'll fight 121PIM vs 36PIM. But the gist if your point is valid. Volchenkov is on a good contract but he signed it when he wasn't a UFA. He'll be due a nice raise next summer.
It should be noted that Bryan Murray wanted to trade up to 7 to draft that same guy.
DJ, you're talking to Sens fans who despite their GM offering to trade down and on National television saying he wanted Kadri, still try and convince anybody who will listen that he didn't in fact want Kadri. There's no reasoning here. You might as well try and push the Scotiabank Centre building into Ottawa city limits with your bare hands. It would be easier.
Flying to Stockholm to sign two guys...
Actually it's three: Gustavsson as well, whom he's meeting today. Never even played in the NHL, or won a playoff series, so I guess that's a bad move?
Ha ha - joke's on you Muppet! Kanata is part of the City of Ottawa now!
Sens Rule!
Komisarek is Volchenkov at twice the price. Discuss.
Schenn is Komiserek and Volchenkov combined, at 1/4 the price. Discuss.
The bad news, if Toronto ever gets a goalie, is that scoring the first goal will be involve skating around some ugly faces.
The good news, given Toronto's lack of forwards and lack of point producing defensemen, is that one goal is all you will need.
DJ, you're talking to Sens fans
Here we go again. Attack where the argument comes from, not the argument. Also invent a position to argue against, because that ways it's much better to poke holes in it.
Much better than trying to come up with yet another fanboy post, bereft of thought or insight.
Leave all the hard work to Don, who, by the way, is a Sens fan, and who's coattails you've been riding for quite long enough now, thank you.
Good stuff.
The good news, given Toronto's lack of forwards and lack of point producing defensemen, is that one goal is all you will need.
All I know is that the Leafs scored 15% more goals than the Senators last year finishing with the 10th best offense in the NHL.
I think he missed last season.
How did Anon know I wear tails whenever I post on the BoO? (Quickly I turn around to see if anyone's watching)
Schenn is Komiserek and Volchenkov combined, at 1/4 the price. Discuss.
Only time will tell. Certainly I think it's a little early to be making that argument, given that the kid has never seen the playoffs or even been in a real battle. Give him some tough games, and let's make sure he can heal.
All I know is that the Leafs scored 15% more goals than the Senators last year finishing with the 10th best offense in the NHL.
All goals aren't created equal, agreed? Which is why wins are what count, and all?
If the argument is that guys like Blake can score and do fistpumps as they lead their way to defeat then I concede that the Leafs may occasionally get a few more goals in lost cause games.
I was talking about other games.
Fuck. Heatly is on the Team Canada short list.
Fuck you Yzerman.
Yes, I wrote that.
That's not the short list. It's camp invitees, and was made over the course of the last 3 yrs. They scout games, matchups, etc. I'd be shocked if the alumnus who is Canada's all-time scorer, wasn't on that list.
I'll be shocked if he makes the short list.
I wouldn't be shocked if Heatley made the team in the least. If he wasn't trying to get out of Ottawa neither would any of you.
What's really satisfying is that Spezza didn't make the invitee list while Lucic did. That to me makes perfect sense.
Say what you want about Heatley, but the big difference here is not that he's in Ottawa.
It's that he's not acting rationally. Maybe he is just that dumb, but you've got to figure his agents would be able to explain it to him within a 48 hour time period.
And he's announced that he's quite happy picking his own role on a club, and if you don't like it, he's more than willing to put you in a jam.
And he's effectively insulted at least two Canadian cities and hockey clubs, which will almost certainly lead to boos and jeers when he hits the ice/touches the puck in this country for quite some time.
None of these are factors that are highly desireable on a hockey club.
What's really satisfying is that Spezza didn't make the invitee list while Lucic did. That to me makes perfect sense.
Yup. For Spezza to get on, he'll have to play himself there this year. I'm fine with that, and agree it makes perfect sense.
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