Rumor: 2024-2025 Trade Rumors and Free Agency Talk | The Slow Crawl to the Season

[Toothless Legend]

Remember when some analysts had Liljigren penciled in as a top-5 pick early on in the cycle?

Good times.

 

[Pokecheque]

Remember when some analysts had Liljigren penciled in as a top-5 pick early on in the cycle?

Good times.

I wouldn't call him that, but he's the kind of defenseman that de Haan would be if he were any good. Not really physical but a good active stick, and enough puckmoving ability to get it out trouble.

 

[dahrougem2]

The one thing helping them is the East has gotten considerably weaker. Do I think they beat the panthers - no. But Carolina and Boston have taken a step or two back. Jersey still hasn’t taken that next step. Rangers and panthers are the toughest out. Leafs are probably third best team. Playoffs anything can happen.

I think you can argue Toronto has also taken a step back, though.

 

[Pokecheque]

I think you can argue Toronto has also taken a step back, though.

Absolutely astonishing to me how many in the media there have the Leafs steamrolling the entire conference. Even with a few teams (Boston) seemingly regressing I just don't see how they can think Toronto is some elite franchise now, but I guess they're all drinking the Berube Kool-Aid.

 

[LOFIN]

I think you can argue Toronto has also taken a step back, though.

Meh. They've clearly upgraded their goaltending. Their defence has always been trash (not the team defence, but the D-corps) so they just improved that. On forwards, they lost Bertuzzi so they got weaker there but not like he was that good.

I think they are in a better spot than last year. Does that make them a top contender, hell naw.

 

[henchman21]

Its very early... but Panthers > Rangers > New Jersey > and a whole plate of goodish. Right now Washington looks fantastic. They took some major risks and filled the roster with very talented, but very flawed pieces. So far it is working, and honestly it wouldn't be all that shocking for them to end up a pretty good team (though I don't see them coming closer to contending)... they could also have PLD, Strome, Sandin, Chychrun, Vrana and Mangiapane all fall on their face and be bottom 10 again.

 

[Pokecheque]

Meh. They've clearly upgraded their goaltending. Their defence has always been trash (not the team defence, but the D-corps) so they just improved that. On forwards, they lost Bertuzzi so they got weaker there but not like he was that good.

I think they are in a better spot than last year. Does that make them a top contender, hell naw.

I think they've further eroded their skill and speed, not by a substantial margin but enough IMO to make a difference. Tanev is good but I don't think he moves the needle nearly enough. Not to mention there's no way Nylander hits the stride he hit in his contract year, and Tavares continues to decline.

In essence, despite an improvement in goal, they're older, slower, and IMO not as skilled as last season. They still just scream "first round exit" to me.

I'm sure now that I've typed that out they'll have some crazy-ass fluke run in the playoffs and make me regret those words.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

I think they've further eroded their skill and speed, not by a substantial margin but enough IMO to make a difference. Tanev is good but I don't think he moves the needle nearly enough. Not to mention there's no way Nylander hits the stride he hit in his contract year, and Tavares continues to decline.

In essence, despite an improvement in goal, they're older, slower, and IMO not as skilled as last season. They still just scream "first round exit" to me.

I'm sure now that I've typed that out they'll have some crazy-ass fluke run in the playoffs and make me regret those words.

You should hear the Toronto media talk about Tanev.

This morning, Mike Johnson and Carlo Colaiacovo were listing him on their Team Canada squad for the Four Nations ahead of Alex Pietrangelo.

They also questioned if Devon Toews would even make the team if he wasn’t Cale Makar’s D partner.

No joke.

 

[Balthazar]

they could also have PLD, Strome, Sandin, Chychrun, Vrana and Mangiapane all fall on their face and be bottom 10 again.

Chris Patrick to other GM's: "give me all the players you don't like"

 

[Balthazar]

Me, whenever CDH is on the ice.

 

[henchman21]

Chris Patrick to other GM's: "give me all the players you don't like"

Yeah basically... a bunch of misfit toys who somehow are working together. Maybe because this is their last real chance.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Yeah basically... a bunch of misfit toys who somehow are working together. Maybe because this is their last real chance.

“Room for one more?”

 

[Pokecheque]

Oh shit I forgot MacLellan ain't the GM In Washington anymore.

 

[The Merchant]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1852059987545084125

A bit of vet depth sure would hit the spot right about now