2024-25 Roster…too soon?

[WarriorofTime]

And some of our guys are going to be total busts too. Can’t not spend money because we think every first and second round draft pick is going to be a home run.

If you end up with too much talent then that’s an amazing problem to have and easy to solve. Also gives you trade bait for playoff runs.

You can spend money, you just have to realize the timeline of a potential winning main core of players is going to be players born 01 or later. So trying to artificially jam in a new, older core piece and just hope he ages like Panarin doesn't make much sense to me.

 

[GIADF]

You can spend money, you just have to realize the timeline of a potential winning main core of players is going to be players born 01 or later. So trying to artificially jam in a new, older core piece and just hope he ages like Panarin doesn't make much sense to me.

Not trying to suggest they should be competing for a WC or anything, just that they shouldn’t be bottom 5 for a 4th straight year.

I would hope for closer to bottom 8-12 league wide.

If Bedard is the players he’s expected to be at a certain point he needs to do the heavy lifting to get us out the bottom of the bottom. Not to mention the other young guys who are now starting to get ready to make an impact.

 

[Hawkaholic]

I will be disappointed if they are still a bottom 5 team for the 2026 draft. They won’t really lose anyone of significant value for next season and will have a few bucks to spend.

Then ideally Korchinski, Nazar, and Allan take on full time roles.

May also have a top 3 pick to jump right into the mix.

I’m not going to count on Levshunov playing NHL minutes next year but I don’t think it’s that crazy of an idea if he plays well in Rockford this year. I’d bet he would be better than Brodie, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s best for his development and something they can or will do.

But more importantly than all of that it’s entirely possible we have a new coaching staff and just about anyone would be better.

I wouldn't be so sure of that.

 

[BHawk21]

You can spend money, you just have to realize the timeline of a potential winning main core of players is going to be players born 01 or later. So trying to artificially jam in a new, older core piece and just hope he ages like Panarin doesn't make much sense to me.

you have to realize Marner can be very good for another 7 years. You keep saying artificially I am not sure why.

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

Tavares signed a 7 year, $11m AAV deal in 2018/19. The next year Marner signed a 6 year, $10.9m AAV deal and Matthews signed a 5 year, $11.6m AAV deal. The UFA contract for Tavares set the tone for the other guys.

True we don't have a cap problem or 3 major RFA's to sign after our big UFA contract but that doesn't mean we need to make things more difficult down the road. Imagine if Toronto had not gone out and chased that big free agent? Their RFA's would have lower AAV's and they would've had a lot more cap space going forward to balance out their roster. Instead they're always up against the cap solving major leaks in their team by putting duct tape on it with bargain bin players and guys like 42 year old Joe Thornton.

If Marner comes in wanting $14m as a UFA and we give it to him then Bedard could/would want that or more. That sets the tone for each and every one of our RFAs going forward and while none of them are at Bedard's level it could raise their contract asks and dwindle away our abundant cap space.

Bedard is eligible to sign his extension on 7/1/2025. I would expect that Kyle would lock him up before making any major UFA signings.

And I agree that MM's tendency to come up small come P/O time is going to limit his value. I certainly wouldn't want to pay him what he's going to get.

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

you have to realize Marner can be very good for another 7 years. You keep saying artificially I am not sure why.

Agree that Marner could be "very good" for another 7 years. He could also continue to come up small when it matters, and then have his play fall off in 4 years where the last 3 years are an anchor.

For whatever reason - the Leafs are a disaster in the play-off's, and Mitch is a key part of that organization. It should also be noted that the Leafs play-off failures are more due to lack of offense more so than goaltending or team defense, and both MM and Auston Matthew have significantly underperformed.

If I were Kyle - I'd be REALLY hesitent to put all my eggs in the Mitch Marner basket.

 

[WarriorofTime]

you have to realize Marner can be very good for another 7 years. You keep saying artificially I am not sure why.

I'm not sure what's so confusing about "artificially", it just means you raised yourself in the standings but not due to your draft/prospect growth.

Sure Marner may be good for all 7 years, but you can also just make a play for someone else when you are actually are closer to being a guy away from being more competitive.

 

[BHawk21]

I'm not sure what's so confusing about "artificially", it just means you raised yourself in the standings but not due to your draft/prospect growth.

Sure Marner may be good for all 7 years, but you can also just make a play for someone else when you are actually are closer to being a guy away from being more competitive.

I understand what you are trying to say but I dont think you know what artificially means.

 

[BHawk21]

The team has to start getting better to start being a contender. Once they start to become better you will not get those high end draft picks. The team in theory should start to get better as soon as next year.

We have a D core then should be set for the future. Rinzel Vlasic Korchinski Levshunov EDM Jones Kaiser Allan.

The players you need to win will need to be fowards. Right now you have Bedard Teuvo maybe Bertuzzi possible top 6. We will have 2025 pick this year and Nazar hopefully joining in the next 2 years.

I understand if you dont like Marner and want someone different through trade but after this season its time to aquire elite skill.

Kyle Connor Brady Tkachuk Mitch Marner Mikko Rantanen Matthew Barzal

 

[WarriorofTime]

I understand what you are trying to say but I dont think you know what artificially means.

It’s a term we use in business all the time. Artificial vs. organic growth