Comments for Battle of Ontario....
Well, in fairness, he was reponsible for a very serious car accident and was convicted of a crime in a court of law. What do you expect, that he'll avoid any prison time and his fans will all just pretend it never happened?
Maybe Kyle Wellwood should be the one sentenced to break rocks in the hot sun for eight hours a day to get him in acceptable physical shape for the start of the season.
I don't expect Bell to be on the Leafs team next year. He'll be traded, bought out or sent to the minors.
David, are you sure about that?
I would assume that a $2M a year guy who can eat minutes, put up some points, and provide a physical presence for a young team, all with one year left on his deal, is exactly the kind of guy you keep for a rebuilding season?
Lynn, couldn't agree more. Wellwood really let everyone down last year, the fat bastard. I'm not sure what you do with this guy? He's a special player, could be a great 2nd line center, but obviously he lacks the conviction to even bother to get into shape. Is this the kind of player we want? I know we all hear the stories of how out of shape Roberts was to start his career, but this is 2008.
I have to think that Wellwood will put in a good summer's worth of work unless he's eager to bounce out of the league.
I don't think that they'll buy out Bell. He'll have paid his dues and enter a season without baggage for the first time in three seasons. He won't be guaranteed a spot but he'll be able to earn one.
Bell will have the luxury of a full training camp as well. On a team with next to no toughness or hitters up front, Bell is a necessity.
While we're on the subject, here are some players I wonder about going into next year:
Ian White: He can skate and he can move the puck, but he's small. Can we do better? I think so. Mostly because Kaberle and Stralman can play the puck moving role on the top two pairings, so why not get some size and toughness for the other spots. Especially with Kubina likely on the way out.
Carlo Colaiacovo: All the promise in the world doesn't change that he's a piece of glass. Is it time to move on from this guy now? I think it might be. There's bad luck, and then there's Colaiacovo.
Alexei Ponikorovsky: He's in the last year of a deal for just under $2M and is good for around 20 goals and 40 points every year. He's never going to be anything more, so do you give his spot to a Marlie and see where the chips fall?
Devereaux and Moore: Fast as hell, play hard every shift, but never more than 3rd or 4th line players. Do you keep them or fill their slots with kids?
Antropov: This might sound funny since the giant Khazak finally had a healthy and productive season, but lets face it, it could have been luck. Should Toronto trade him while his stock is at an all-time high?
Jesus. What a mess.
I don't know if Bell will get bought out but he is far from guaranteed a spot on the team. It will depend somewhat on who the coach and GM is. A guy like Burke would likely keep him around for his size but I am sure many other coaches and GMs wouldn't unless he shows something dramatically different than this past season (or two if you include his year in San Jose). $2 million is just too much to spend on a 4th line guy. I'd rather give his role to Kris Newbury at one quarter the salary.
Ian White: I'd consider using him as trade bait. He has some value and could be used in a package for a young top six forward.
Carlo Colaiacovo: Based on his injuries his value is too low compared to his potential upside so I would just stick with him and hope he can get healthy. He is in much the same position as Antropov was over the last few years. I wouldn't give up on him yet.
Ponikarovsky: I was a bit disappointed in him last season. He did OK but didn't progress any more so it appears he has reached his ceiling as a 20 goal guy with limited playmaking ability but is relatively sound defensively. He is useful, but he is also expendable in the right deal. Package him with a guy like White and a draft pick and try to acquire some top young talent.
Devereaux and Moore: I'd keep them both as 4th line/depth/role players. Every team needs a couple guys like this and I think they can play a role in helping young players develop.
Antropov: Kind of in the same position as Ponikarovsky but is a much better all round player. He is probably worth keeping around and trying to get a contract extension at a reasonable price but if that can't be done then he certainly could be used as trade bait.
I agree, Newbury has played his way onto the team. Even if it's the fourth line with Dev and Moore, he stays. I like how he plays the game.
There are also the 14 draft picks coming in June, maybe 2011 will be a good year for TML.
Maybe Bell can go play with Heatley. I would encourage carpooling as well.
There's no reason to buyout Bell. Just send him to the minors and get his salary off the books -- his play warrants a spot in the AHL.
Hell, Gilbert will probably play him on the first line.
Correction: Bell will be doing manual labour in the hot sun for a month and a half, surrounded by *fellow* criminals.
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