Leafs Talk: Painful...but proud of the team of youngsters

[thelefteyeguy]

2011/12

[heymrdj]

This is gonna be interesting!

[Carnage]

I surely hope they don't move on Allison and/or Lindross. Unless they are willing to play for the minimum salary.

They're both one hit away from retirment.

Nolan also I'd expect to get bought out. Too much money for a player who won't play when it counts.

The rest is a crap shoot. There's way too many scenarios that could play out.

[thelefteyeguy]

more info on the Nolan's situation....this could be disasterous

Nolan could bring Leafs to their knees

Buyout could cost almost $12 million
Club at odds with winger over injury

KEN CAMPBELL
SPORTS REPORTER

The cost of relieving the Maple Leafs' payroll of Owen Nolan was always going to be high, but now it could go up from $3.8 million (all figures U.S.) to nearly a whopping $12 million.

And what could make matters worse from a Leaf perspective is that they might not have any choice in the matter if they want to create room under the NHL's newly formed salary cap.

Nolan, who injured his right knee late in 2004, is scheduled to undergo surgery Tuesday in Cleveland. Terms of the collective bargaining agreement allows teams to buy players out of their contracts at two-thirds of their value without it counting against this season's salary cap. But there is also a provision that says a player can turn down the buyout if he is injured and Nolan's agent, J.P. Barry, is prepared to do just that.

"It's disappointing to Owen that it has taken this long to identify a problem he has been having over the last six or seven months," Barry said yesterday.

Maple Leafs general manager John Ferguson, who fired much of his medical staff this summer, could not be reached for comment.

If the Leafs attempt to buy out Nolan at two-thirds of his $5.6 million salary for this season — at $3.8 million — Barry will undoubtedly file a grievance to go along with one he filed last year when Nolan was cleared to play in late October. Nolan wants to be paid in full for last season ($6.5 million), because the injury lingered the entire year. He was paid about $238,000 for the time he spent on injured reserve.

Much of the dispute dates back to last October when Leaf surgeon Dr. Darrell Ogilvie-Harris, who did not have his contract renewed by the Leafs, pronounced Nolan fit to play after the right winger suffered extensive damage and bruising to his medial and anterior cruciate ligaments and his meniscus. Ogilvie-Harris did not perform the surgery on Nolan.

As was his right under the CBA, Nolan sought a second opinion from Dr. Tony Miniacci — performing Tuesday's surgery — who cleared him with an exception and pointed out that there were anomalies that could change Nolan's injury status. As Nolan continued to work his knee, he experienced more swelling and things got progressively worse. He did an MRI six weeks ago that showed more abnormalities and more swelling than there was in October.

After that, Nolan sought another opinion from Dr. Allan Hirahara, an orthopaedic surgeon in Sacramento, Calif., who confirmed that there was extensive damage in the knee.

All of which leaves the Leafs in the middle of a serious dilemma. Starting tomorrow, they have a six-day window in which to buy out Nolan and their offer almost certainly won't be accepted unless they agree to pay all of last year's salary and the full buyout for this season, which would total $11.8 million. They could take their chances and allow Nolan to file a grievance, but if they lose, they'll be on the hook for at least the $5.6 million Nolan would have earned this season and will almost certainly not be able to add any free agents of consequence.

The lockout cost the Leafs $4.2 million because of injuries to Nolan, Alexander Mogilny, Tie Domi and Ed Belfour. Mogilny, who spent the entire season injured, collected all of his $5.5 million salary last season, but $2.8 million was picked up by insurance.

[poppa]

I hope they get some good D! Gonchar and Niedermayer are available.

[Nacster]

Here's some more interesting Leaf talk on RFD:

http://www.ottawasun.com/Sports/Hock...40633-sun.html

[thelefteyeguy]

As much as I dont want to see Roberts go...i would rather have ONeil at the present time.

no one has more grit than Roberts but Roberts isnt line 1 or 2 material anymore. If the leafs offer him 3rd line salary...and he doesnt take it...well I will wish Roberts luck.


btw if Roberts left and went to the Sens...he could kiss his personal trainer business in Toronto goodbye...he would royally piss off Leaf Nation.

[tkl]

Nolan has been overhyped and often injured from day 1 as leaf. He's had one decent contract year in San Jose where he's received his currently salary.

The Leafs knew they were getting an injury proned player and yet they still bought in..

Out - Nolan and Belfour as well. Not too many teams in the hunt for a 40 yr old goalie especially when guys like Khabibulin are avail.

[Hanniganite]

Tucker's a Leaf, I'm happy.
I want them to add Scott Niedermayer. He's my favorite D-man and I always draft him high (certainly first defender) when I play console games

[NDman]

Nolan and Leafs at odds now, or so TSN says

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=131061

[thelefteyeguy]

Nolan has been overhyped and often injured from day 1 as leaf. He's had one decent contract year in San Jose where he's received his currently salary.

The Leafs knew they were getting an injury proned player and yet they still bought in..

Out - Nolan and Belfour as well. Not too many teams in the hunt for a 40 yr old goalie especially when guys like Khabibulin are avail.

Khabibulin is available...but at what price? He will not be cheap. Having won a cup, his only need is money.

Given the chance I would go for Biron.

[NDman]

This is gonna be a very inetresting off season. Teams and players are still figuring out the market price. I reckon there'l be a lot of pissed off players with the lowball offers.

As for the goalie situation, the 'Bulin wall is gonna be too expensive, I think. Is Biron a FA too? He's intriguing but only if the Leafs figured what to do with Belfour first

[Carnage]

Great $12 million for a player who might not play again(cause who's going to pay Nolan the amount he'll want?).

[thelefteyeguy]

Biron is a restricted free agent...Leafs will need to see what happens in 5 days. If he's not signed, a lot of teams would be very interested in Biron.

Alexei Zhitnik is an UFA...i'd like to see the Leafs make a go for him if Niedermayer stays with NJD

[Carnage]

Alexei Zhitnik is an UFA...i'd like to see the Leafs make a go for him if Niedermayer stays with NJD

Zhitnik has been involved in Toronto trade rumours for quite awhile, so it might be somewhat likely.

There's so many UFA's out there that there are thousands of combinations we could go with.