Kariya a Leaf?

[healer677]

Somebody mentioned this to me earlier todad, did anybody hear any evidence to this?

Or is this just one of those rumors? - would be nice though.

[Ranger68]

I've always liked Steve.

[MojoRisin']

I heard Jeff Marek talking about it on Leafs lunch a bit today....had it on in the background but i think its just an option the guys on the "lunch" brought up. Nothing that MLSE have suggested i dont think. Interesting thought though

[the_big_E]

I've always liked Kariya, it'd be nice if they got him...this team will look so much different next season, provided there is a season of course.

[Ranger68]

I don't think Kariya's capable of playing hockey like he used to unless and until the NHL cracks down on the interference. Again.

[MojoRisin']

yeah but i think he'd be great for the lesser $$$$ that he would cost these days. at least he's younger than the other FA's the leafs have been going after.

[Kev]

Are we talking about Steve or Paul K?

[MojoRisin']

you guys out west gave Steve a try...we'll take Paul thanks

[Kev]

Originally posted by MojoRisin'
you guys out west gave Steve a try...we'll take Paul thanks

Yes we did and we politely packed his bags and sent him on his way. Paul however as a local would fit in better in Vancouver.

Which ever team Paul plays for if he gets his health back hes gonna be smokin.' --- Kev

[MojoRisin']

i couldnt agree more Kev...therefore i hope its the Leafs

[Leaffan1976]

I hope so to Mojo. Kariya would fit in nicely to the leafs offense. I think Kariya still can contribute a big deal to whatever team he plays for and for him to be a maple leaf would be quite a sweet deal :)

[americanson]

As you leaffans are undoubtedly aware it's been about a week since the Rangers released Eric Lindros. He's now free to go whereever he pleases. Remember back in 2001 when Philly traded him his first choice was the Leafs. So what do you guys think? He's only 31 but my oh my the number of blows to his head and his piss poor attitude would scare almost anyone off. I say sign him to a two year 3 million dollar deal and then take it from there.

Also, Eric should join up with Keyshawn Johnson, Ryan Leaf, Steve Francis, etc to write a book called: "How to fail miserably when you have the talent to be one of the greratest of all time."
Yowza! Eric snubs the Soo Greyhounds, then Quebec, then even Philly fans think he has an attitude (How bad is that?) now NYR. Boy who would want to give this guy a chance? Hell dealing with his dad Carl may be the easy part.


Okay on a side note I posted a few weeks ago that my Rangers should give Eric the boot (which they thankfully did) and now the rest.

1) Ditch Sather. The days of landing diamonds in the rough a la Paul Coffey, Glenn Anderson, Mark Messier etc are over.

2) Ditto for Messier. He's supposed to retire I just damn well wish he'd make it official so I could breathe easier. Former gm Neil Smith made the right call by letting him walk to Vancouver but then of course in typical NYR fashion they ditch Smith (who was pretty good) and bring back Messier.

3) Give Bure his walking papers. See Lindros above.

4) Keep Jagr. Great player with a great attitude who knows what it takes to win ( 2 cups in his first two years.) Although it was a bit shaky at first he's definetly a keeper.

5) Buy neraly bankrupt Pittsburgh Penguins and move Mario to broadway. Along with the Fata brothers, Rob Scuderi, Brooks Orpik, Mike Eastwood, And Ryan Whitney.

And now over to you Rangers68.

[Ranger68]

Jagr has a poor attitude.
Just because he had "2 cups in his first two years" doesn't mean he "knows what it takes to win". Whatever the heck that is.

As far as Kariya goes, the numbers don't speak well, so I'm not sure where the opinion that he's going to be "smokin" comes from. He hasn't topped a point-per-game in three years. Two of his last three seasons have been very average. I really think the NHL needs to crack down on interference for Paul to be effective again. If not, his prime years are already done.
As for his health, who knows if it'll ever be 100% again. He's become a bit brittle.

[The Doctor]

Lindros wouldn't be high on my list given who's out there potentially unless he came with a price tag no more than $2 million.

The stats can be a little misleading for Kariya over the last three years given that the Ducks played a pretty tight checking style and he was hurt much of last year on a team with a pretty disfunctional offense. In the right surroundings (possibly Toronto with Mats and Almo), I think Kariya could still be an 80 point player.

[Ranger68]

I think 80 points is his top end, and due to injury troubles and the way the league is played these days, that his top end is unlikely to be achieved.
If he comes cheap - less than Roberts or Nieuwendyk - I'd take him.

[shack]

Originally posted by Ranger68

If he comes cheap - less than Roberts or Nieuwendyk - I'd take him.
I agree. You can use him as a 3rd or even 4th liner (helluva 4th liner and if he's hurt there's lots of 4th liners out there), his ego can't be too big nowadays, especially on a talented and veteran team like the Leafs, and he'd probably play for less money here than anywhere else and probably play his hardest as well. Just keep Mommy and Daddy out of things.

[Ranger68]

I was talking about Kariya, not Lindros, although the same comments may apply - if he comes cheap, fine, but I wouldn't expect much more than third-line status.

[Toronto Passions]

I think Kariya would go nice with the leafs.

[americanson]

Hey Ranger68. Just to clarify that Jagr has the playoff experience and can help the team immensely and let's face reality here: NY has to start fresh. That of course means ditching some high-priced players but Jagr And Dunham should definetly be mainstays
I also think the Rangers finally made a wise decision by drafting Al Montoya. Two years keft at Michigan and then he'll likely be ripe for picking. Although Dunny will only be 34 at the time (2006) he's played for quite some time now and will probably be close to winding down his career at that time.

As far as Paul Kariya goes I agree that he did himself a great disservice by leaving Anaheim for Colorado. Who'd have thought that he'd do worse with a solid supporting cast and less pressure? Also what on earth was Colorado thinking by letting Granato go for Joel Quennville? Nothing against Quennville personally but he has butted heads with almost everyone in St.Louis and didn't exactly have the greatest on ice record either. A lot of people tried to pin the blame on Keith Tkachuk and while the local boy (I'm from Boston too) did have an off year make no mistake he's a mainstay.


Just on a side note about the Blues: Their farm team AHL's Worcester Ice Cats is located about a 45 minute drive from Boston. They have some solid prospects on that team namely Jeff Panzer, And John Pohl. They both deserve a chance to play in the nhl so let's hope St Louis' next coach realizes that and gives them the opportunity.

[americanson]

GGGGRRRR. Just learned that Brian Rolston has signed with the Minny Wild. Even though the Rangers are my team becuase they never made the playoffs I've rooted for the local Bruins. That is it. I'm angry enough now to root for the Habs. First Knuble, now Rolston. Apparently Bruins mgt has a problem with common sense. Well best of luck to both young men still in the primes of their careers who will help Philly, And Minny greatly I expect. As sad as I was in 2000 to see Ray Bourque walk I forgave Sinden when Brian played up to par and now this.

On a side note given his Stanley Cup ring in 1995 with N.J. Brian Rolston was free to walk anywhere but expressed his desire to remain here in beantown. SSSIIINNNDDDEEENNN. Best of luck Brian we'll miss you, although I'm a bit surprised that his hometown Red Wings never pursued him.

[MojoRisin']

Originally posted by americanson
I'm angry enough now to root for the Habs.

You are a glutton for punishment arent ya? maybe the Sens next?

[21pro]

I think 80 points is his top end, and due to injury troubles and the way the league is played these days, that his top end is unlikely to be achieved.
If he comes cheap - less than Roberts or Nieuwendyk - I'd take him.

do you still think lindros won't reach 80 points this season, ranger?... with a healthy season, he's on course to reach about 95 points.

[MojoRisin']

do you still think lindros won't reach 80 points this season, ranger?... with a healthy season, he's on course to reach about 95 points.


well friggin great!!! way to curse him now 21pro.....crap, damn, piss, shit, fuck, poo! Dickhead!

[21pro]

curse him? WTF! i got nothing to do with his success/failures...

[21pro]

GGGGRRRR. the Rangers are my team becuase they never made the playoffs.

imagine that... they drastically dropped much of their high paid talent and cut their payroll and voila!, the Rangers are off to their best start since they won their last cup!

[Ranger68]

do you still think lindros won't reach 80 points this season, ranger?... with a healthy season, he's on course to reach about 95 points.

"With a healthy season" ...
Pardon me, but .......
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
:)
Time will tell.

[MojoRisin']

curse him? WTF! i got nothing to do with his success/failures...


oh sorry my mistake, I actually thought you were a warlock of some sort. I must have been mistaking you for someone else on here. Carry on