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Leafs Have Other Options
by Paul on 01/31/08 at 08:46 AM ET
Comments (4)
from Damien Cox of the Toronto Star,
What the Leafs should try to block, however, is the possibility they would net nothing for Sundin before the trade deadline, and then he would play for some other team next season.
So get his name on a contract extension. The Leafs have no handy successor for him as captain or as their No. 1 centre, and probably won’t for several years.
If he doesn’t want to leave, lean on him to commit to stay. After all, there are other viable trade options.
Starting with Nik Antropov. He doesn’t have a no-trade contract, has another year on his cheap deal and any number of teams would pay heavily to get him in their lineup for the post-season. The Sharks and Red Wings would be happy to get an extra big body with which to confront the Ducks.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
I seem to recall that Antropov has been in the Toronto doghouse from time to time. Not sure why, though. He seems like a decent player, if not spectacular, but he isn’t being paid to be spectacular.
I agree that the samart thing would be to hang on to him. Collecting draft picks and prospects is all well and good, but at some time you have to put a team of actual hockey players on the ice - not just a handful of maybes.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/31/08 at 09:52 AM ET
Not a big Antropov fan at all, twice this season he’s gone double digits in games without scoring, personally I think he’s a bigger, younger version of Anson Carter (i.e. take him away from Mats Sundin and watch the point production dry up).
Just my 2 cents…
Posted by dash_pinched on 01/31/08 at 10:30 AM ET
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Interesting suggestion for the Wings(of course Kronwall’s injury might upset this equation), one I’ve not seen on any of the NHL related sites until Paul’s spot-on posting.
According to NHL Numbers.com Antropov is making $1.950 mil this season, $2.150 mil for 08-09, and is UFA after that. So he is very affordable. He was the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 1st round choice (10th overall) in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He will be 28 yrs old in a couple weeks. He is a 6’6”, 230 lbs Center (but according to TSN, can play Center or either Wing). Having a very solid year; in 52 games, he has 18 goals, 23 assists, and is a +3 (one of only seven + players on the team).
Big Body, great numbers. Wonder what the Leafs might want in exchange for Antropov—a whole lotta Rosie to be sure. The more interesting question though, is why would they want to get rid of him, he is a big body, produces really good numbers and is quite affordable? They must really feel the need to assemble a bunch of draft picks and/or prospects (but isn’t the main point of draft picks and prospects to develope young/affordable talent—which Antropov (the #10 pick) clearly is???)
Great for the Wings if they can pony-up the asking price—curious proposition from Mr. Cox.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 01/31/08 at 09:16 AM ET