The Rangers have traded Brian Leetch to the Leafs in exchange for Maxim Kondratiev, Jarkko Immonen and Toronto's first rounder this year and second rounder next year.
Much as I hate the Leafs, this will sure strengthen their lineup. Will Lord Stanley make an appearance in Hogtown??
"...Don't the sun look angry through the trees? Don't the trees look like crucified thieves?" --Warren Zevon, Desperadoes Under the Eaves
Maxim Kondratiev, Jarkko Immonen as well as Toronto's first-round pick in the 2004 Draft and the team's second-round in 05. IS WAY WAY WAY too much for Leetch, Gonchar went for less
but i know why they gave so much It was a rookie Gm mistake
JFergy Jr. is a rookie he thought that macphee is bluffing about dealing him somewhere else but macphee wasn't. Than Jr. felt pressured to make a deal reached out to St Louis for Pronger offered a similar deal to what he gave for Leetch but they wanted more so Jr. was stuck. Sather veteran GM saw that jr got no where to go and asked for what he got.
Man I love Brian Leetch and am happy the Leafs picked him up. But they gave up way way too much. Whether it was Ferguson pressured into making some kind of big move before the deadline, or some other explanation, it was a poor move.
Leetch is in the first year of his two year deal - $6.6m this year and $6.4m next year (like it really matters since no one will be playing hockey next year). Hopefully Sather will be gone by the end of the conract and Leetch will be brought back to NYC.
As a BIG Rangers fan this trade hit me like a stomach punch. Brian Leetch belongs in a Rangers jersey. And from listening to the Leafs fans so far, it sounds like you now have your scapegoat when you don't win the CUP again this year.
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It's official: they're gunning for it this year or bust.
They got the thing they needed the absolute most, which was to bolster their blue line, which means more at in the playoffs than the 38 scoring forwards they have.
I guess it's one of things where they figured going for another gunner at the trade deadline wasn't going to help them this year. Thank God it only took them 4 years to figure THAT out.
Originally posted by PlanavoyMaxim Kondratiev, Jarkko Immonen as well as Toronto's first-round pick in the 2004 Draft and the team's second-round in 05. IS WAY WAY WAY too much for Leetch, Gonchar went for less
I had thought that Gonchar would have cost the Leafs at least one of Stajan, Coliacovo, or Antropov, plus a pick. I would rather give up the draft picks.
Figures I leave town and they make things exciting again.
The Leafs didn't give up too much for Leetch at all. Kondratiev was the # 3 or 4 defenceman at St. Johns. He likely would never make the Leafs anyhow. Reportedly Immonen looked good at the European camp, but is far from a sure thing. I don't like giving up two high draft picks, but at least a conditional is coming back.
Compare this with the Gonchar trade, where Boston gave up a young top-6 defenceman. If you ask me, that's a way higher price.
Overall, a good trade for the Leafs.
-MHM, winner of the 2000 Throwdown in Christmastown.
Originally posted by Blanket JacksonIt's official: they're gunning for it this year or bust.
They got the thing they needed the absolute most, which was to bolster their blue line, which means more at in the playoffs than the 38 scoring forwards they have.
I guess it's one of things where they figured going for another gunner at the trade deadline wasn't going to help them this year. Thank God it only took them 4 years to figure THAT out.
It may work by removing a weaker link from the blueline, but really Toronto needed a defensive defenceman. Leetch is much more of a offensive star.
Originally posted by Blanket JacksonIt's official: they're gunning for it this year or bust.
They got the thing they needed the absolute most, which was to bolster their blue line, which means more at in the playoffs than the 38 scoring forwards they have.
I guess it's one of things where they figured going for another gunner at the trade deadline wasn't going to help them this year. Thank God it only took them 4 years to figure THAT out.
It may work by removing a weaker link from the blueline, but really Toronto needed a defensive defenceman. Leetch is much more of a offensive star.
True, but what they have now is two D's who can QB the power play (and he's better at it than Tomas "I'm Gonna Shoot This...Uh, No I'm Not" Kaberle probably).
Toronto made a half-hearted run at Hatcher in the off-season, but it didn't take. At the very least, Leetch also has leadership qualities and can still hit someone if necessary. But really, Toronto needs every advantage they can get right now if they want to get home ice over Ottawa, who probably will beat them if Game 7 is in Corel. Also, they're two points behind Phily and Tampa right now, and every game at the ACC helps.
Originally posted by anibangingIt may work by removing a weaker link from the blueline, but really Toronto needed a defensive defenceman. Leetch is much more of a offensive star.
I totally disagree. Toronto was much smarter to go for Leetch.
PLAYER
TEAM
POS
GP
G
A
P
+/-
PIM
PP
SH
GW
GT
S
S%
TOI/g
SFT/g
FO%
SERGEI GONCHAR
BOS
D
57
8
42
50
-20
46
5
0
0
1
132
6.1
27:53
28.9
0.0
BRIAN LEETCH
TOR
D
58
13
26
39
-4
24
4
1
1
0
166
7.8
26:13
28.6
0.0
For an "old guy" Leetch still gets a lot of ice time. And I know that both played on teams that were lacking defensively, but Leetch is -4 and Gonchar -20 despite Gonchar having 11 more points. That's an overall swing of -27.
Toronto is as close as they have been in my lifetime to having a legitimately GREAT team. The only question is goaltending, which is not so much about "is Belfour good enough?" because he is, but more, "what happens if Belfour gets hurt?"
Brian Leetch may be known as a guy who has been near the top of the points stats for defensemen for 10 years, but he's also a very solid defensive player, something Gonchar is not (Gonchar is the weakest guy I've ever seen in front of the net; he'd be better off serving them drinks).
Leetch is also a leader in the defensive end. Toronto has plenty of leaders, but most of them are up front. Having a QB in your own zone is vital, especially if you've got a goalie you don't trust between the pipes (and don't even try to tell me the Leaf players trust Kidd or Tellqvist). That leadership and experience will go a long way towards Toronto surviving if Belfour goes down for a couple of games.
Good offense, solid defense, leadership, a short-term contract, and a manageable salary vs. a whole lot of offense, no defense, and a salary that's only going to get bigger. Boston might end up regretting Gonchar, Toronto won't regret Leetch.
(edited by tarnish on 5.3.04 1638) /tarnish...
Firstly, the only cavassing of users you should be doing is with a heavy tarpaulin, a stack of bricks and a deep stretch of water" -- BOFH speaks the truth about surveys
For the record I think Gonchar would have been an even worse move. So far Leech looks good and everyone on the team seems to enjoy playing with him, so I'm hoping everything turns out alright and we win the cup this year. I was just saying a nice solid defencemen would have been a good addition.
I didn't watch Saturday's game so can't really comment on the last Leaf game but seeing that they lost 5-1 I'm sure there wasn't much positives.
But I did watch Thursdays game and Leetch looked fantastic, such a great puck controller from the blue line. He and McCabe seem to really click well without any practice at all... So you know what that says kids, Practice is overrated especially Quinn style LoL. Or maybe they just need good luck charm Trish Stratus to do special guest commentary for every game like she did on Thursday's game
smark/net attack wienerville advisory is lowered to BLUE alert - Guarded (Due to Eddie being WWE champ and facing Angle at WM, Benoit winning the Rumble in World title match in mania BUT Kliq members is still a threat - Vince you can save us from these threats) 2/17
Honors for Smartest thing ever written, 5th Horseman "When Victoria, Trish, Molly, and Lilian were in the ring.. I commented to my friends that all of the 4 ladies in the ring were hotter than the all 4 that are fighting over who is the hottest in the WWE"
I believe that although it was a pretty horrific loss to a relatively crappy team...Leetch still managed to get in on the only Toronto goal...
Cheers,
Erin
Omen Tattoo's Vancouver BC Canada
"I mostly just hurt people"
Forget hypocrite, when Shawn superkicked Benoit and signed on the dotted line, the first thing to go through my head was "Now I *KNOW* Jesus wouldn't do that" FurryHippie
The NHL Owners reportedly dropped the hammer today in the opening round of negotiations between them and the NHLPA. (care of http://www.ontheforecheck.com/2012/7/13/3158336/nhl-cba-owners-players-revenue-free-agency-negotiation and many others).