In terms of potential, he's got a higher ceiling than anybody in the system, including Woll (Woll loses some points for being so injury prone). Definitely better than Stolarz too in terms of skills. So, yes, he could be the answer right now based on his talent and skills. He's been compared to Carey Price and at the same age, Price was playing 40/50 games with very good numbers.

But he's also an unknown because he doesn't have much NHL experience. Which is why it's perfect if he split the net with Woll so they could both split 40 games each and we see where they stand right now.



Sorokin played in the KHL until he was 25. Shesterkin was in the KHL until he was 24. Like I said, Askarov is already playing in NA which usually takes the Russian goalies a lot longer to take the jump. Vasilevskiy spent a little time in the AHL at 21/22. Then two years as a back-up where he played less than 30 games. That's where Askarov could fall right now splitting the net with Woll. But the first two were older when they came over and were given 12-35 NHL games right off the bat. Then 50+ after they proved themselves.



They signed Wedgewood for 2 years. There is no long term back-up plan for a goalie they signed to an 8 year deal at 7.75 AAV. They're all in on Saros. Askarov is just waiting to be moved at this point. Expensive, yes, but worth the calculated risk.
- Rare_Jewel

You've gotta let go of the Askarov thing. He's the best or one of the best G prospects in the league. It's going to take Cowan to get him.

You've gotta let go of the Askarov thing. He's the best or one of the best G prospects in the league. It's going to take Cowan to get him.
- PlatosRepucklic

Deal, no problem. I'd value an elite goalie prospect being compared to Carey Price or Vasilevskiy more than a winger they got late in the 1st round and performed well in the OHL.

How quickly everybody forgets Robertson was Cowan 3/4 years ago after he scored 55 goals in 46 games. And what is he now?

Don't get me wrong, both are valuable prospects. Cowan could be a good addition to the Leafs after more development. But looking at what the Leafs need right now, I'd take an elite goalie prospect over a winger prospect considering the Leafs have Marner and Nylander at RW but have an often injured Woll as their top G option.

Deal, no problem. I'd value an elite goalie prospect being compared to Carey Price or Vasilevskiy more than a winger they got late in the 1st round and performed well in the OHL.

How quickly everybody forgets Robertson was Cowan 3/4 years ago after he scored 55 goals in 46 games. And what is he now?

Don't get me wrong, both are valuable prospects. Cowan could be a good addition to the Leafs after more development. But looking at what the Leafs need right now, I'd take an elite goalie prospect over a winger prospect considering the Leafs have Marner and Nylander at RW but have an often injured Woll as their top G option.
- Rare_Jewel

I'd also imagine Nashville can get better offers elsewhere while they are in "win now mode"

JT’s agent and accountant didn’t (frank) around setting payment structures and tax mechanisms to minimize his tax bill. Unfortunately, CRA said not so fast. If they win in tax court, it will limit how much Canadian teams can use signing bonuses to reduce tax bills.

Walsh is right that there’s lots you can do but at the end of the day it’s hard to beat 0% state tax.
- Canada Cup

Issue with the CRA vs. Tavares is that when he got his first signing bonus he was living in the States, paid those taxes as he did, then he moved to Canada. CRA is saying he was living in Canada when he got the Bonus thus owning more tax $$

I'd also imagine Nashville can get better offers elsewhere while they are in "win now mode"
- PlatosRepucklic

Maybe, maybe not. But they can't fit much more in their current cap situation. Might have to be draft capital and/or prospects.

Tsn needs to stop putting Jonas on tv.
My gawd

https://x.com/TLNdc/statu...8e2dZo7V5gaMFWnLTSrQ&s=19

Tsn needs to stop putting Jonas on tv.
My gawd
- Fakepartofme

and radio

https://x.com/TLNdc/status/1808559507053682808?t=MZ8e2dZo7V5gaMFWnLTSrQ&s=19
- Fakepartofme

Well, if there's anyone who knows what the Leafs should do it's Burke...

Issue with the CRA vs. Tavares is that when he got his first signing bonus he was living in the States, paid those taxes as he did, then he moved to Canada. CRA is saying he was living in Canada when he got the Bonus thus owning more tax $$
- dmnted

That was part of it but the signing bonus was the bigger issue. CRA’s said in the court documents that “the signing bonus was not an inducement but was actual part of Tavares’ salary and other remuneration. JT’s lawyer’s position was that the bonus “was an inducement to sign an agreement.” The size of the bonus relative to his salary was obviously a factor.

Yes, both Tanev and OEL are puck movers and the latter should help on PP2. Plus, I think Lilly is going to thrive this year with a better partner.
- gravyface

This point can not be emphasized enough. Bringing in Tanev pushes everyone else down one notch, playing against lesser competition. That'll help everyone. Look at Edmonton's defense when they brought in Ekholm.

This point can not be emphasized enough. Bringing in Tanev pushes everyone else down one notch, playing against lesser competition. That'll help everyone. Look at Edmonton's defense when they brought in Ekholm.
- Whipper

Overall the D got bigger, harder and more uncut

This point can not be emphasized enough. Bringing in Tanev pushes everyone else down one notch, playing against lesser competition. That'll help everyone. Look at Edmonton's defense when they brought in Ekholm.
- Whipper

Agreed however Tanev is not a top pair D at 34-40. He helps take the burden off the lower guys but he himself will be overmatched if he is played too much. And obviously, he almost always gets injured as well. Tanev should have been signed as the 2nd pair RHD and the Leafs risk turning him into Muzzin 2.0 if they're not careful.

Hopefully, Berbube plays all 3 pairings close to equal (21/20/19) so that none of them have to do too much.

I got Axel F queued up and ready to go.


Next blog might be about the prospect camp going on now.

Tsn needs to stop putting Jonas on tv.
My gawd
- Fakepartofme

i cant stand him

https://x.com/TLNdc/status/1808559507053682808?t=MZ8e2dZo7V5gaMFWnLTSrQ&s=19
- Fakepartofme

Well given how many years Burkie set this team back I guess Marner is the guy to go

Well given how many years Burkie set this team back I guess Marner is the guy to go
- jribout

Burke was a terrible rebuilder. But did just fine with Anaheim when they were in the stage the Leafs are in now.

Well given how many years Burkie set this team back I guess Marner is the guy to go
- jribout

I remember he said of his Leaf tenure that when he left they were a playoff team. As if that team was set up well.

Agreed however Tanev is not a top pair D at 34-40. He helps take the burden off the lower guys but he himself will be overmatched if he is played too much. And obviously, he almost always gets injured as well. Tanev should have been signed as the 2nd pair RHD and the Leafs risk turning him into Muzzin 2.0 if they're not careful.

Hopefully, Berbube plays all 3 pairings close to equal (21/20/19) so that none of them have to do too much.
- Rare_Jewel

When you look at Dallas, they had him on the 2nd pair with Lindell. Of course Dallas has Heiskanen and Harley on the top pair, so that's a little different.

For much of the year in Calgary Tanev and Hanifin seemed to be the #1 unit, but after both were dealt they leaned more heavily on Weegar and Andersson as the top guys.

Because you'll want to roll Rielly out on PP2 (likely giving OEL PP1 looks more often) and Tanev out on the PK, I would imagine that a Rielly - Tanev pairing might get a little less 5v5 time than the second pairing, but we'll see. That second pairing could be Benoit - McCabe or Liljegren/Hakanpaa - OEL. Based on previous distribution and his successes there I'd imagine OEL is on the third pair, but I'm not sure you give a guy $3.5m to be on the third pair. I guess it could be something like McCabe - OEL and then Liljegren/Hakanpaa - Benoit depending on how much pushback they want in the lineup.

This all assumes Liljegren stays and Timmins goes. Based on cap needs I could see Liljegren going and Timmins staying as the 7th if a 3C can be found.

I remember he said of his Leaf tenure that when he left they were a playoff team. As if that team was set up well.
- Zezel

To this day, Dougie Hamilton would still look good in a Leafs jersey.

If for nothing else, the season schedule launch videos.

I got Axel F queued up and ready to go.


Next blog might be about the prospect camp going on now.
- dmnted

F, G#, F, F, A#, F, D#, F . . . that was like the first pop song I learned on my keyboards.

I got Axel F queued up and ready to go.


Next blog might be about the prospect camp going on now.
- dmnted

i suspect you are going to be disappointed

Well, if there's anyone who knows what the Leafs should do it's Burke...
- Zezel

F, G#, F, F, A#, F, D#, F . . . that was like the first pop song I learned on my keyboards.
- Monkeypunk

The little diddy that just won't get out of your head.

When you look at Dallas, they had him on the 2nd pair with Lindell. Of course Dallas has Heiskanen and Harley on the top pair, so that's a little different.

For much of the year in Calgary Tanev and Hanifin seemed to be the #1 unit, but after both were dealt they leaned more heavily on Weegar and Andersson as the top guys.

Because you'll want to roll Rielly out on PP2 (likely giving OEL PP1 looks more often) and Tanev out on the PK, I would imagine that a Rielly - Tanev pairing might get a little less 5v5 time than the second pairing, but we'll see. That second pairing could be Benoit - McCabe or Liljegren/Hakanpaa - OEL. Based on previous distribution and his successes there I'd imagine OEL is on the third pair, but I'm not sure you give a guy $3.5m to be on the third pair. I guess it could be something like McCabe - OEL and then Liljegren/Hakanpaa - Benoit depending on how much pushback they want in the lineup.

This all assumes Liljegren stays and Timmins goes. Based on cap needs I could see Liljegren going and Timmins staying as the 7th if a 3C can be found.
- Monkeypunk

I would have preferred signing Pesce as the #1 RHD, traded McCabe and trade Liljegren but anyway...

I look at the Leafs D as it is right now.

Rielly / Tanev
OEL / Liljegren
McCabe / Hakanpaa
Benoit

PP1: OEL / FWD
PP2: Rielly / FWD

PK1: McCabe / Tanev
PK2: Rielly / Hakanpaa
PK3: OEL / Liljegren

This PK is weak on the left side. Might have to carry 7 D just to use Benoit on the PK instead of Rielly and OEL.

I hope Berube does a balance deployment but looking how hard he rode his top 4 in St. Louis the year they won the Cup, he rode 3 guys very hard and 3 guys very light in the playoffs.

Pietrangelo was at 25, Parayko at 25, Bouwmeester at 23. The other 3, 16 or less.

I don't see the Leafs giving Berube what he needs to replicate what he had when he was his most successful.