Leaf Baiting Rumour of the Week: Eric Staal

[Commander Clueless]

Well, TSN and Darren Dreger are at it again - working the hearts and minds of desperate Leaf fans, preying on those of us grasping for even a small amount of hope.

 

The hot topic of the week - Eric Stahl, the man with the hardest-to-spell 5-letter last name in existence, if the general Internet is any indication.

 

Staaeel had a bit of a down year last year, scoring a mere 61 points in 79 games as opposed to his normal 70+ or almost PPG performances. He carries a hefty $8.25 million cap hit, and is paid an even heftier ~$9.25-$9.5 million for the last two years of his contract. He would, finally, be a #1 centre that the Leafs have lacked since the Sundin era.

 

It goes without saying that Staajl (the 'j' is silent) will command a hefty trade price, so the question becomes "can the Leafs afford this price?" Concerns have been expressed around Leaf nation that this signifies the team going down the John Ferguson Junior Path of Demise (trademark), where we trade our promising young players and all of our draft picks for giant busts in a desperate attempt to make the playoffs. 

 

 

The key problem is this: in my certifiably clueless opinion, the Leafs are in a difficult spot (or are about to be). A chunk of their core guys (Phaneuf, Kessel, Lupul, etc.) are either approaching their primes, or are already in it, while other key factors (Rielly, Gardiner, Kadri) are really just getting started. The team is a bit of a mess right now, but there is promise there. They have shown the capability to play hard and be a threat, even if it is in spurts.

 

So the question for Shanahan and company is "do we trade some of our young assets for an almost 30-year-old centre, or do we soldier on and possibly reboot the rebuild?" It's a tough call, but that's why Shanny makes the big bucks. 

 

So what do you think, fellow forum frequenters of fortune? Should the Leafs take the risk and try to use what promise they have to make the playoffs, or do they give up the goat and look to trade off some of their "older" players in favour of draft picks and Connor McEichelrzalnecnyhanifin?

 

Personally, I'm a bit on the fence. It may really depend on price, but if the opportunity presents itself for an actual (probably) #1 centre, I think they'd have to jump, wouldn't they? I mean, they're what, 7 years into their rebuild? Time to make or break this Burke-built ship, and salvage the refuse if they burn.

 

On the other hand, the top end of this year's draft looks mighty tasty....

[flyercanuck]

I think Staall (this spelling covers both the correct and most misspelled versions) can be a very good center, but seems to have lost his drive. Maybe playing in a hockey-crazy environment wakes him up? Who knows. Huge paycheck to absorb though.

[Commander Clueless]

@flyercanuck

 

Could be. Definitely a big cap hit that won't be easy to eat.

 

I should also mention, probably the biggest factor here is "would he want to play in Toronto?" If I recall correctly, he possesses a NMC and can now play with his brother (if Jordan could stay healthy...an issue as of late).

[flyercanuck]

@Commander Clueless

 

Well he is from Ontario, although the homestead is about a 15-25 hour drive depending on the weather. I think having Kessel/JVR as his wingers might inspire his offensive slumber.

[yave1964]

Staal would be a perfect fit on damn near any team, Toronto more than most. They swung and missed on Stastny in the offseason, Staal would cost a current player or two and a prospect, maybe a pick.

Something like:

Lupul

Gunarson

Gauthier

A first

For

Staal

That, or something like it would be the cost. At least. You be the judge Commander.

[flyercanuck]

@yave1964

 

I may be wrong but I'm not trading Staal for that if I'm the Canes, Lupul is injury prone and 31. Gunnerson is nothing special. Gauthier looks to be a 2nd-3rd liner. Their first may hold the most value. The Leafs have been trying to find a top line center since Sundin left. If they want mine, they're paying for it.

[Vanflyer]

So the question for Shanahan and company is "do we trade some of our young assets for an almost 30-year-old centre, or do we soldier on and possibly reboot the rebuild?" It's a tough call, but that's why Shanny makes the big bucks.

 

Offense is not Torontos problem. I would not do a Stall deal at all. If you are going to move assets, you need to do it for defense, which is not cheap. You guys do have a window (as you mentioned with folks in their prime / nearing their prime). I would not worry about the 30+ players that are at their prime or on the downslide. They will be replaced by your healthy farm system (Marlies). 

 

So, the bigger question is, who can the Laughs, um I mean leafs (sorry had to show my Flyer particism there) get to help shore up the D and at what cost? Do you sit and wait for development internally, or pull the trigger on a silver bullet??

[Irishjim]

more on this From NHL Updates:

 

According to TSN Analyst Darren Dreger, the Toronto Maple Leafs would be willing to pay "an enormous price" for Eric Staal.

If Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal were to become available in a trade this season the Toronto Maple Leafs would be willing to pony up in a major way to land his services, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

Yes, the season is only one week old, but the Carolina Hurricanes are banged up and bad at the moment. On Tuesday night they lost to the Buffalo Sabres in a shootout, playing a third line that included Jay McClement, 22-year-old rookie Patrick Brown (who?) and farmhand Brad Malone. That's ... truly awful.

So it's no surprise trade rumors are already swirling around Hurricanes veterans like Andrej Sekera, Cam Ward and even captain Staal, with the Maple Leafs rumored to be particularly interested in the Stanley Cup and Olympic gold medal-winning center.

"Very interested," Dreger said of the Maple Leafs' potential interest in Staal during an Insider Trading segment Tuesday night. "The key word is 'if,' 'if Eric Staal is available.'

"I know this, the Maple Leafs have had discussions with the Carolina Hurricanes in the past, most recently in the summer about the potential availability of the Hurricanes captain. Now the asking price if Eric Staal is available at any point this season prior to the NHL trade deadline is going to be enormous. It would include a first-round pick, you're talking about either Tyler Bozak or Nazem Kadri - because a center would have to go back - and likely Jake Gardiner. But I believe that's a price that Toronto would be willing to pay."

A 6-foot-4, 205-pound natural pivot, Staal turns 30 later this month and is coming off the worst offensive season of his career. Despite his recent struggles, Staal remains a useful offensive piece and has been one of the most productive and consistent first-line-caliber centermen in the NHL over the past decade. Needless to say, he would represent a major upgrade over what the Maple Leafs are currently rolling with in the middle of their forward group.

Of course, the Thunder Bay, Ont., native has a no-movement clause on his current contract and would have to be willing to come to Toronto, a city he once gently mocked during the All-Star Game player draft several years ago. That isn't necessarily a slam dunk, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

"Understand this, Eric Staal has a (no-movement clause) and all things being equal, Eric Staal really likes it in Carolina," McKenzie said. "He likes everything about playing for the Hurricanes obviously except for the fact that they're not winning games.

"He's driving the bus," McKenzie continued. "It only happens when he wants it to, and to where he wants it too ..."

[Polaris922]

Jordan just forced a trade to Carolina to be with his brother, so I don't see it happening.

[Vanflyer]

Jordan just forced a trade to Carolina to be with his brother, so I don't see it happening.

 

dems must be likin' dem hillybilly girls.

[Commander Clueless]

Offense is not Torontos problem. I would not do a Stall deal at all. If you are going to move assets, you need to do it for defense, which is not cheap. You guys do have a window (as you mentioned with folks in their prime / nearing their prime). I would not worry about the 30+ players that are at their prime or on the downslide. They will be replaced by your healthy farm system (Marlies). 

 

So, the bigger question is, who can the Laughs, um I mean leafs (sorry had to show my Flyer particism there) get to help shore up the D and at what cost? Do you sit and wait for development internally, or pull the trigger on a silver bullet??

 

 

While I agree the Leafs should look for at least a top 4 guy that compliments Phaneuf better than Franson or Gardiner if they are going to run 3 almost equal pairs with Rielly-Robidas and Percy-Polak, and that the Leafs can certainly score goals, the problem is that the Leafs offense relies far too much on Phil Kessel.

 

Sure Kadri and Lupul can produce in spurts, but both are wildly inconsistent (Lupul more for his injury pronedness). JVR is an excellent player, but I really doubt he can carry the offense himself. The Leafs are incredibly weak down the middle, and I have to think a guy like Eric Staal in that position does wonders for the team.

 

Aside from possibly Nylander, the Leafs don't really have anyone in the system right now that could assume that role, while they have young defenders like Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner that could be a staple on defense in the near future. Staal, if available, would solve a problem the Leafs have had since the departure of Sundin.

 

While Staal wouldn't solve all our problems (defense would still need to be somewhat addressed, and goaltending has been bleh at best to start out), you would have to think it puts them in a good position for a playoff spot. Maybe.