Burke has plenty of money and no idea how to spend it

These college players are signing with the Leafs because they will be able to get into the lineup right away to show off their talents and market themselves for free agency.

Um....okay. We'll see if it works.

So the Ducks blueprint is to sign College players then trade them away? Its a 50/50 success rate - hose the Oil in the Penner "deal" and get dominated by St. Louis in the MacDonald for Weight deal. Leafs fans had better hope Burke learned something from his time in Anaheim, or their team might just end up being in Cap Trouble sooner rather than later.

And I agree that these kids are signing in Toronto because they know that they will be able to play right away - and will get as much money as they would anywhere else.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 09:39 AM ET  04.07 by PopKing

These college players are signing with the Leafs because they will be able to get into the lineup right away to show off their talents and market themselves for free agency.

These college players are signing with the Leafs because they will be able to get into the lineup right away AND BECAUSE THE LEAFS PAID THEM MORE MONEY THAN ANYONE ELSE. Why is everybody so naive and does there need to be another reason. If they play well Burke will have done a good job and if they are fringe players then he overpaid. Thats it. Its about the MONEY!!! This is professional sports. Its always about the money!!

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 11:22 AM ET  04.07 by bjz3

These college players are signing with the Leafs because they will be able to get into the lineup right away AND BECAUSE THE LEAFS PAID THEM MORE MONEY THAN ANYONE ELSE. Why is everybody so naive and does there need to be another reason. If they play well Burke will have done a good job and if they are fringe players then he overpaid. Thats it. Its about the MONEY!!! This is professional sports. Its always about the money!!

It's also about Ron Wilson's ability to develop young talent and the fact the Toronto is still the hockey center of the universe. Keep knocking them while you can guys...next year they're in the playoffs! Burke know his work is cut out for him...as well as a mess he continues to have to mop up after JFJ left town.

As an aside...Do you think that any team is looking forward to facing the 8-2-0 Ducks in the opening round with their winning road record?

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 11:36 AM ET  04.07 by Baun-ded=PUCKHEAD

Keep knocking them while you can guys...next year they're in the playoffs!

Ah yes! The Maple Leaf fight song...all together now..."WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!!!"

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 11:49 AM ET  04.07 by Baun-ded=PUCKHEAD

As an aside...Do you think that any team is looking forward to facing the 8-2-0 Ducks in the opening round with their winning road record?

All kidding aside Baun-ded, your point here is well taken. Any of the top 4 teams in the West are vulnerable to a first round upset, especially the Sharks and the Flames (assuming the Canucks don't overtake the Flames) .

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 11:50 AM ET  04.07 by PopKing

Ah yes! The Maple Leaf fight song...all together now..."WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!!!"

I could give you dozens of reasons why they will but unfortunately most on hear are sadly lacking in reading skills & any real hockey knowledge when not suffering from homerism...I'll let Wilson's & Burke's boys argue it next season instead. That way all you have to do is remember your comment until next April. If that's not asking for to much strain on you.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 11:22 AM ET  04.07 by bjz3

These college players are signing with the Leafs because they will be able to get into the lineup right away AND BECAUSE THE LEAFS PAID THEM MORE MONEY THAN ANYONE ELSE. Why is everybody so naive and does there need to be another reason. If they play well Burke will have done a good job and if they are fringe players then he overpaid. Thats it. Its about the MONEY!!! This is professional sports. Its always about the money!!

Not because Toronto paid them more money. They got entry-level deals, the max at that, and anyone could have offered it.

3 years, max $875,000.00 US, 2 way contract. Your first contract in the NHL can't be any higher, and has to be 2 way.

Ottawa offered Bozak the exact same deal that Toronto did, as did Colorado...

By the way, Toronto will get Gilroy as well. Burke will paint quite the picture. Come to Toronto, play with Hanson, Bozak, 1st Round Pick, Grabovski, Kulemin, Pogge, Schenn, Stajan, Stempniak, and White. The youth movement will bring the players. Just watch.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 11:58 AM ET  04.07 by Baun-ded=PUCKHEAD

I could give you dozens of reasons why they will but unfortunately most on hear are sadly lacking in reading skills & any real hockey knowledge when not suffering from homerism...I'll let Wilson's & Burke's boys argue it next season instead. That way all you have to do is remember your comment until next April. If that's not asking for to much strain on you.

I can't even remember what I had for dinner last night (LOL). However, if the Leafs do make the playoffs, I'm sure you'll remind me of the comment ;)

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 12:06 PM ET  04.07 by MoReeselovestheSENS

Not because Toronto paid them more money. They got entry-level deals, the max at that, and anyone could have offered it.3 years, max $875,000.00 US, 2 way contract. Your first contract in the NHL can't be any higher, and has to be 2 way.Ottawa offered Bozak the exact same deal that Toronto did, as did Colorado...

These guys are coming in as free agents and while the base can only be 875,000 the bonus levels are much higher. Bozak can make 4 million over two years with easily attainable bonuses. Ottawa did not offer that much nor did Colorado. It's about the money and nothing else. How does a Crosby or Ovechkin make more as rookie than a 2nd pair dman? The bonuses!! And that is how Burke is offering close to double what Ottawa offered...

C'mon Baun-ded, your statement is exactly what is wrong with the Leaf Nation. You tell us to make fun while we can because you are going to make this PLAYOFFS next year? So? More than half the league makes the playoffs. You Leaf fans' issue is it is too easy to placate you. the richest team in the league, if it is "the Centre of the Hockey Universe" should only be interested in winning the Cup, not just making a one and done appearance in late April. I will be making fun of the Leafs until the become a legitimate contender - if you Leaf fans are willing to settle for more, my Wings will continue to set the bar higher - and will continue to be raising championship banners in October.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 01:47 PM ET  04.07 by goCanada!

I will be making fun of the Leafs until the become a legitimate contender - if you Leaf fans are willing to settle for more, my Wings will continue to set the bar higher - and will continue to be raising championship banners in October.

I made a similar comment in the strand dealing with Grabovski. I grew up in Wndsor, and it was hard to root for the Wings during the late 60's (post Roger Crozier) and the 70's and into the 80's. However, people stayed away and it forced a change.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 11:49 AM ET  04.07 by Baun-ded=PUCKHEAD

As an aside...Do you think that any team is looking forward to facing the 8-2-0 Ducks in the opening round with their winning road record?

Red wings could get a surprise, indeed. But let's not forget the Ducks are very inconsistent. Giguere will probably start in net for them and he's been shaky at best this year.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 11:58 AM ET  04.07 by Baun-ded=PUCKHEAD

I could give you dozens of reasons why they will but unfortunately most on hear are sadly lacking in reading skills & any real hockey knowledge when not suffering from homerism...I'll let Wilson's & Burke's boys argue it next season instead. That way all you have to do is remember your comment until next April. If that's not asking for to much strain on you.

If you want to call finishing 8th and getting eliminated in 5 games a success, have at it. Laffs fans would probably have a fake parade with a tin foil cup down Yonge St. if they made the playoffs next year. The goal however remains winning the Cup and for the last 42 years, that hasn't happened in Tranna. Not that you'd remember....

Baunded didn't say making the playoffs next season would be the ultimate success for the the Leafs, he just isn't expecting next year's team to become an instant Stanley Cup contender. You guys are intentionally misinterpreting his statement.

Making the Leafs into a true Cup contender is going to take time, but based on this year's performance, they have a pretty good chance of making the playoffs next season. And that's the first big step.

Some of you have way too much blind derision for the Maple Leafs, and their fans. They have taken some good steps in the past year, to build a better core for the future, they have better coaching, and a GM with full control for the first time in a while. Things are looking up, and if you could get over the "haha Laffs" nonsense, you'd see that.

- Scott

was listening to the radio today and a toronto area show was worried about the toronto marlboro`s inability to draw crowds;

TORONTO ALREADY HAS AN AHL TEAM TO WORRY ABOUT!!!!!!