Leafs: we're done rebuilding this year?

[SilentJay]

Link (http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/1020899--for-now-we-re-done-burke-says-of-off-season-deals)

Personally, i'm a little dismayed. He picked up a few "fringe" players that could break out into the 30ish point area if they remain healthy, but missed out on a good number of more proven players. I understand his theory that he didn't want to get "into the fray", but the Leafs have cap space, they have !@#$-loads of money, why not make the fans happy and bring in a marquee player or two?

[KenYork]

Because we're still not ready to compete at that higher level.

[midnightfxgt]

Not a lot of Marquee talent on the FA Market either.

[SilentJay]

Brad Richards would've been nice, but would've cost the team a lot of money if they got in a bidding war with New York, so that's understandable.

"Burke also indicated he was unwilling to extend an offer sheet to restricted free agents Steven Stamkos or Drew Doughty."

Jagar was nice and cheap and short term - that would've been pretty cool, Langenbrunner, Arnott... Older players, but cheap and very short term. It'd definately help all the young talent learn the ropes, they'll still toss in 30 pts each.

[midnightfxgt]

Jagr probably wouldnt come to T.O. I think he wanted familiarity.

They want to keep it young, and trade for potential. I think they have done OK. Plus, with the way they played the second half of the year, they want to see if they can do that again (maybe all year this year LOL!)

[Iceman_F1]

Jagr probably wouldnt come to T.O. I think he wanted familiarity.

They want to keep it young, and trade for potential. I think they have done OK. Plus, with the way they played the second half of the year, they want to see if they can do that again (maybe all year this year LOL!)

+1

From my understanding, they know that for the most part, the players can play well together. They just needed minor tweaks. And I think Burke wanted to get out of the mindset at this point of getting these guys that WERE good but are at the later end of their careers and are tapering off. Also, RE: Richards, Burke has stated multiple times he won't do the type of contract that these guys like. High money in the first few years and taper it off later. Sure, he's limiting himself on who he can sign because of this, but he's been doing good so far.

[midnightfxgt]

While I would like to see those types of players, I respect Burke for not Front Loading. The league needs to stop it.

[S.F.W.]

I am not a Leaf fan, but will post my thoughts as a hockey fan.
1) I still think the Leafs need a veteran goaltender. I am not sold on Reimer or gustavson. Yes, they have lot's of young depth at the position, but they needed a veteran who could step in and shoulder some load.

2) RFA's - I think they could have made a big offer on Stamko's just to screw Tampa's cap situation, and force them to deal someome the Leafs wantes. I.E. - Ryan Malone.
Only issue is Burke says he will not artificially drive up salaries. That is a wonderful idea, if you do not want to compete.

3) They may not be completely done. As teams may yet need to shed contracts to get under the cap, Burke could make more changes.

[cwp_sedan]

2) RFA's - I think they could have made a big offer on Stamko's just to screw Tampa's cap situation, and force them to deal someome the Leafs wantes. I.E. - Ryan Malone.
Only issue is Burke says he will not artificially drive up salaries. That is a wonderful idea, if you do not want to compete.

Burke was burned in Vancouver by Edmonton or whoever who did the same thing to him and I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to do that to anyone else. This is respectful, but I'm not sure how well it's going to work out for us in the end...

[yearoftherat]

Every year is a rebuilding year for the leafs...

[cwp_sedan]

Every year is a rebuilding year for the leafs...

Unless you have something better or useful to say about the Leafs, get out! :P

[yearoftherat]

I have nothing useful to say about the Leafs...

[zoso]

The stamkos deal would have been a poor trade, something like 3 or 4 draft picks is just crazy

Everyone is jumping on Burke but what he has done in the last few years, signing real talent and somehow making some of the most lop sided trades (anything for toskala was lop sided). Burke is not building a team to win tomorrow he is building a perennial contender like the Ducks, like the Canucks, or did everyone in Toronto forget what he did for those two teams?

I like where the leafs are right now, back in the era of Sundin players wanted to play in Toronto and some would play for less to play in Toronto. Right now Toronto isn't a place you want to come if you want to Win, those are the facts but if Burke can make a team that can win and offer a proper atmosphere more players will be willing to come for less. I think even if Toronto could match the numbers for Richards or Stamkos they still wouldn't come because of the track record

[peterm15]

I like burke, but i do think he spends money on players that arent worth the money.
Gigure
Phaneuf
Kessel

Granted the later 2 players are decent players and from what ive heard phaneuf is a loud mouth thats willing to call out Burke, so he does deserve to be a captin at some point in time, i just dont believe that they had the performance last season to justify their salaries. Kessel did get better as the season went on but phaneuf makes alot of rookie mistakes, he jumps into play to early and gets stuck at the back of the pack with the puck in the defenceive zone, that happened almost every game.

I dont believe we need players that are on their last couple of years as pros, thats just a silly move. BUT we do need players that can be consistant from game to game.

As for goalies there really wasnt many top goalies available, unless you head to the euro league, but weve done that and got a goalie that was supposed to sweep the league, but hes only a backup and probably never be more. Reimer is a rookie and i really hope he continues to play like a pro, but at this moment He is the hope for toronto to keep their fans. His jersys cant stay on the shelf and people are paying a premium for them.

[bluemazda3]

I have nothing useful to say about the Leafs...

me too.. lol

[BiG-ED]

bigger things are afoot...

Here's to hoping Burke, Nonis, and Co. can pull a rabbit out of the hat w/ Stamkos.

[Strongjag]

Burke has already said he wont do Super long term-front loaded contracts.

[Unoriginalusername]

Burke has already said he wont do Super long term-front loaded contracts.

sometimes people play the media to soften up the negotiation expectations on the other side... by saying he's done for now that might some of the agents pushing for those types of deals to reconsider