Confirmed with Link: 2021 Signing NOT 2022 Yet - TOR signed F Ondrej Kase [1 year, 1.25M]

[Once]

I honestly thought he was done. I hope he can stay healthy though because he was really good in Anaheim.

We need a LW. I’m indifferent on Ritchie so I hope that comes via trade.

 

[SprDaVE]

Low risk proposition, cap hit is fully buriable.

But I question fit. Marner, Nylander, Spezza, Simmonds are all RWers and so is Kase.

This team needs real LWers. You can put Nylander/Simmonds on the LW but neither are as effective in those positions imo.

They really needed better offensive depth and options. There is very little scoring in the bottom 2 lines. Simmonds is ok and Spezza might be given days off in back to backs. We have 13 of them I think... so might be important.

 

[Nylander88]

I'm guessing Engvall or Mikheyev isn't coming back . At just over 1 million, I'm not sure how I feel about this signing because his numbers aren't exactly spectacular in terms of games played.

This definitely makes it feel like Mikheyev and Engvall may be gone. Kampf and Kase are direct replacements for both of them. Good defensive players, good foot speed, PK type guys. I'd think Dubas' is moving out one or both of them now at some point. Give a new look to the fringe players around the core this year

 

[Jacquestrapless]

He's also an RFA next year so we have some control.

 

[GoonieFace]

1.5 mil and the over/under of games played is also 1.5

 

[kb]

There was a time where he was getting a bit overrated.

I think in 2018 with the ducks he had 20 in 30 or so and his advanced stats were really strong along with great per 60 numbers

A few fans, including that one really young Tampa fan had him ranked the 9th best player in the NHL. Fans of the ducks argued if healthy he'd be better than Nylander

Obviously those fans overrated the crap out the guy but he had some natural talent and drive which he showed. He was producing well. Talent wise I think he can be as good as 2019 AJ or Kapanen if he's healthy and in a scoring line. Should be good for 45 to 50 points barring health and team chemistry working well

I didn't like the Kampf deal, still don't tbh. But this deal to me is a very solid one. Better to take the risk on Kase at 1.25M then pay Ritchie 2.5M while both regular season impact can be similar due to how undisciplined and lazy Ritchie is as a player

My favorite move of the offseason so far from the leafs.

We have what 2M or so left now if we run a 20 man roster?

If they drop 4 to get down to 20, they will have about $2.6 million left. Trade Engvall and you have almost $4 million to run 20 players.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Some people believe he is one hit away from a career ending injury. I wish him luck for our sake, but especially for his sake.

 

[Magic Man]

If this is their big FA winger signing and they had the cap to sign Ritchie and didn't to fit in this scrub who didn't play last year I think I might have just become anti-Dubas.

If it is in addition to that signing then nice, I thought Ritchie would eat all the cap.

 

[hamzarocks]

If they drop 4 to get down to 20, they will have about $2.6 million left. Trade Engvall and you have almost $4 million to run 20 players.

4M is a lot of money to be honest

Enough to get a difference winger and have this offseason be a little bit worse than last (which I gave a A-)

Hoping we deal Engvall/Mikheyev for picks and then use the 4ishM to either get Tatar or make a deal for a proven scoring winger (Kessel@50 for Engvall + 2023 3rd I'd consider for sure)

 

[fillkessel]

I can’t remember much about this guy but I think he is a gud pro

 

[hamzarocks]

Nylander being able to play LW is nice as it means if Kase starts good we can have him play I the top 6 as at RW

Also gives us the option to trade for a RW and have Nylander play LW

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

If he can get through the concussions, great player. If he can't then its a low risk move.

 

[RAM]

Some people believe he is one hit away from a career ending injury. I wish him luck for our sake, but especially for his sake.

Every player is one hit away from a career ending injury

 

[kb]

4M is a lot of money to be honest

Enough to get a difference winger and have this offseason be a little bit worse than last (which I gave a A-)

Hoping we deal Engvall/Mikheyev for picks and then use the 4ishM to either get Tatar or make a deal for a proven scoring winger (Kessel@50 for Engvall + 2023 3rd I'd consider for sure)

I was actually thinking of a Kessel deal prior to this signing (unless Kase can play LW). Kessel is still capable of driving a line on his own, although not like the Kessel of old.

Only issue is there is no bonafide LW in the top 6.

EDIT: Unless Nylander slides over to LW.

 

[Nylander88]

If this is their big FA winger signing and they had the cap to sign Ritchie and didn't to fit in this scrub who didn't play last year I think I might have become anti-Dubas.

If it is in addition to that signing then nice, I thought Ritchie would eat all the cap.

I think we had like 3.5m or something didn't we? And Kase is taking 1.25m. And I believe that was including guys like Engvall that may be buried or moved before the year starts. But that still leaves us 2.25m, I don't think Ritchie is going to make more than that. Seeing as he still hasn't signed, and Boston walked away from his 2 mil qualifying offer. I think Mikheyev and Engvall get moved yet. I too want Ritchie, but I don't think Kase effects that imo

 

[BigBlu]

Sign Ritchie next PLEASE

Should be able to get him for next to free/the minimum. Tell the kid to come home, guarantee him some time on a line with either Matthews or Tavares to boost his stats and reclaim his value in the league.

 

[egd27]

If they drop 4 to get down to 20, they will have about $2.6 million left. Trade Engvall and you have almost $4 million to run 20 players.

So zero pressbox fodder? I suppose that's fine on homestands, but not too wise when travelling.

Also Spezza supposedly won't play the b2b games.

 

[Smif]

He's also an RFA next year so we have some control.

Well that can't be...

 

[kb]

So zero pressbox fodder? I suppose that's fine on homestands, but not too wise when travelling.

Also Spezza supposedly won't play the b2b games.

Just saying what is possible.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I want to like this because he does have the talent to play with Matthews and Marner but he's as durable as sand.

I hope this doesn't take them out of the running for Tatar because if they landed Tatar then you got

Tatar Matthews Marner

Kase/Bunting Tavares Nylander

Kase/Bunting Kerfoot Mekyehev

That's a pretty good top 9

 

[Ashdown2]

Well that can't be...

un qualified RFA still retain that status... so yes its true.


honestly this one is a head scratcher. im not a fan of this pickup.
i have my doubts he makes the team and will probably end up on the marlies.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

_____ - Matthews - Marner
Bunting - Tavares - Nylander
Kerfoot - - - Kampf - - - Kase
Simmonds - Spezza - Gabriel

Sign Ritchie to fill out that top line. Dump Engvall & Mikheyev

I was very disappointed so far this off season but things are looking alright. Robertson can play in Kase’s spot if he gets hurt.

Somebody find Mekyehev before it's to late because he seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth

 

[Smif]

un qualified RFA still retain that status... so yes its true.


honestly this one is a head scratcher. im not a fan of this pickup.
i have my doubts he makes the team and will probably end up on the marlies.

Isn't that the same case as Bunting, then?

 

[Cor]

One other thing that may have attracted Kase;

our medical team. Leafs medical team has a strong reputation around the league. A guy like Tyler Ennis comes to mind of a guy who specifically signed with us due to it.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

4M is a lot of money to be honest

Enough to get a difference winger and have this offseason be a little bit worse than last (which I gave a A-)

Hoping we deal Engvall/Mikheyev for picks and then use the 4ishM to either get Tatar or make a deal for a proven scoring winger (Kessel@50 for Engvall + 2023 3rd I'd consider for sure)

I tend to think Mikheyev is traded because he becomes a UFA after this season. If he breaks out he is gone because we can't afford him anyways. If he wants to stick around for 1.5m ...great, but I seriously doubt he will.

Engvall is still an RFA if I am not mistaken at the end of his current deal. If he isn't...get rid of him now while you can get something for him.