TNT (Tomas, Nik, & Tie) and some other stuff you might have heard about

First of all, don't mess with Tomas. Reports of him being "furious" after hearing the Pronger rumors are justified. Tomas could've waited to sign for more loot. He took less because he wants to stay with the team, and that gesture should be reciprocated. Besides, I'd rather have someone reaching their prime than having someone with their prime in the rearview. The whole idea of giving up Kaberle and one of either Steen or Stajan or Wellwood is just bad team management.(UPDATE - go check out Pension Plan Puppets for a look at the numbers-side of this argument) Pronger is an awesome player, but his addition with the subtraction of Kaberle and a forward actually makes the team worse. This team needs forwards, and giving up young, cheap, serviceable and productive forwards for an albeit HOFer is still a step in the wrong direction. The Leafs should pull their offer off the table, in my opinion. Just go get Elias and McKee.

Next, Nik Antropov has always been an injury risk, and the new CBA gives teams a way out and players less job security. Apparently, the number of games played is held in account when tendering offers to RFAs. As Nik has played less than the requisite 60 games in the last season, the Leafs are allowed to offer a two-way deal. Tough break for Nik. He presumably will take the team to arbitration to fight the slap in face $95,000 possible salary in the AHL. But perhaps he shouldn't consider it a slap in the face, and more of a wake up call.

In the same story, and still not officially confirmed, apparently the decision has been made to...wait for it...cut ties with Tie Domi. We'll see what happens.

Sorry about the lack of updates this past eventful weekend. Camping tends to put a damper on internet activity. I don't remember who called it, but somebody pegged the Tlusty (easy to spell - just remember T-lusty) pick months ago. Nice work. And Ovechkin and Malkin's linemate in the second round. Atleast you know he knows to how play away from the puck.

And Raycroft for Rask. I initially didn't like giving up Rask. I wanted to see Pogge and Rask develop into Hasek and Roy. But that dream was never going to happen. I'll take a few years of development, a Calder trophy, and as puckupdate says an "Ontario native with something to prove". I consider it to be a good "buy low" move. It could turn out to be a steal, it could turn out even, or it could cost the franchise dearly (especially if Pogge doesn't pan out). It is a gamble, but it definitely isn't a bad bet, and drawing conclusions now is way premature.