Speculation: 2025-2026 Offseason Thread 2: more threads than combined playoff goals between Cirelli and Point edition!

[DFC]

See I disagree, I watched the man for a couple seasons throw everything at it while the writers shit on him over and over again. They wanted someone to blame for them not having a parade yet and it was ridiculous. That whole team couldn't do it, but they needed a pound of flesh now and Marner was the guy for it. Even in the face of getting constant "COULD THIS BE HIS LAST GAME AS A LEAF" the guy professed his love for the city, growing up as a Toronto kid, and still got run out the door by media and management.

I don't disagree with the latter point. I think the issue with the Leafs is in the culture. They struggle to play with real heart when it matters, and I do think Marner was an example of that. Not the only example by far, but even in the year they beat us, they didn't look like a team who knew how to get it done. Marner was more the guy who's contract came up when they had too many of the same finesse-type player, but the big mistake was not trading him for a franchise-changing return before his trade protection kicked in.

 

[RSchmitz]

I want you to be wrong. Give me Raddysh and Larkin instead. Adding more wingers in addition to possibly putting Point on wing is just putting ketchup on our ketchup

I feel like we chased Tuch too hard to not desperately want to sign him

 

[Flat Ronnie]

Quote me

We are going to offer Tuch 9.5x7, we may have to pay more but we will sign him

I also think we are going to try extremely hard to get Larkin. I’m not sure we land him but I have little doubt we try.

Raddysh will walk

Guentzel - Larkin - Kucherov
Hagel - Point - Tuch
James - Cirelli - Goncalves
Gergs - Gourde - Holmes

Moser - XXXXX
McDonagh - Cernak
XXXXX - Hedman

Vasilevskiy
XXXXX

 

[The Gongshow]

Tuch and Raddysh still isn't a terrible off season. Doesnt solve our 1C problem but atleast gives our top 6 anothet weapon.

Our PK wasn't as sharp during the playoffs so adding another elite PKer is a nice luxury

 

[T REX]

Next...JBB walks on water

 

[J Roc Baby]

I feel like we chased Tuch too hard to not desperately want to sign him

You may have a point because I feel like JBB more or less has a history of becoming fixated on a player he wants at basically any cost

 

[DFC]

Tuch and Raddysh still isn't a terrible off season. Doesnt solve our 1C problem but atleast gives our top 6 anothet weapon.

Our PK wasn't as sharp during the playoffs so adding another elite PKer is a nice luxury

I don't think it's possible to add Tuch to Raddysh. I'd rather spend the money on Raddysh, because I think the hole his exit would leave is a lot bigger (if Hedman doesn't return to form). If we could swing both, it would be awesome, but I can't see how.

 

[J Roc Baby]

I don't think it's possible to add Tuch to Raddysh. I'd rather spend the money on Raddysh, because I think the hole his exit would leave is a lot bigger (if Hedman doesn't return to form). If we could swing both, it would be awesome, but I can't see how.

It would be a lot smarter to figure out Raddysh+1 than anything else. I don't care if a trade for Larkin happens or not. But it would also free up at least a few roster spots for young guys who want a bite of the apple.

I'm not done with a Tuch signing or a Larkin trade as much as I think Raddysh is the first order of operations before we apply ourselves to anything else

 

[The Gongshow]

It would be a lot smarter to figure out Raddysh+1 than anything else. I don't care if a trade for Larkin happens or not. But it would also free up at least a few roster spots for young guys who want a bite of the apple.

I'm not done with a Tuch signing or a Larkin trade as much as I think Raddysh is the first order of operations before we apply ourselves to anything else

JBB has to get Raddysh done so he knows whats left. It really should have already been done by now - if this drags out much longer JBB will miss out on other potential "big signings/moves"

If it goes to FA on July 1st Raddysh is gone because JBB will 100% move on to Tuch - he's been JBBs biggest want for a bit now

 

[Major4Boarding]

I quoted you.

Pretty genius for a Clown

 

[Flat Ronnie]

JBB has to get Raddysh done so he knows whats left. It really should have already been done by now - if this drags out much longer JBB will miss out on other potential "big signings/moves"

If it goes to FA on July 1st Raddysh is gone because JBB will 100% move on to Tuch - he's been JBBs biggest want for a bit now

I would think Raddysh is the one holding this up

 

[TheSchmidt]

Florida is interesting if true. Already have great center depth. Would they move Bennett to wing? They need a goalie wayyyyy more than a center, and I don’t think they’d move Lundell in a deal for him, even if I feel he’s a tad overrated.

Unless it’s a bigger deal to get one of Detroits young goalies along with him.

 

[DistantThunderRep]

Selkerelli as 1C, point on line 2 wing, one middle six small winger and we’re good! Holy f*** who knew. Four straight horrible postseasons from our cups and cash crew but don’t worry boys.

Run.
It.
Back.

The reason you are an expert on running it back, is because you keep walking back on you not posting anymore. You can't even live up to your own words, so anything you say is utterly useless. Worst Poster on HFLightning.

 

[LightningStrikes]

Florida is interesting if true. Already have great center depth. Would they move Bennett to wing? They need a goalie wayyyyy more than a center, and I don’t think they’d move Lundell in a deal for him, even if I feel he’s a tad overrated.

Unless it’s a bigger deal to get one of Detroits young goalies along with him.

Larkin to Florida, Barkov to us, Point to Detroit. Make it happen!

 

[Zwui21]

Tampa mentioned here as well, listen to the clip.

 

[atlanticobserver]

I really don't think we end up with Larkin, but I've been surprised before. Frankly, I think I would prefer to keep Raddysh assuming it's not an obscene amount of money

 

[Stammertime91]

The part that bums me out about Larkin speculation, Tuch signing, etc is that our highest paid players are postseason boat anchors except Hagel and Jake. I think for the first time since 2015 my expectations have really plummeted on what this team can actually do. Until they win a series again, I wont feel any different. I dont hold the mindset that this group can get it done because several are cup winners. Its a different coaching staff, different division, different captain, top six, defense, etc and you're adding at minimum 5 years onto the last series wins if it happens in 2027.

This last attempt, call it whatever you want, killed my optimism. Unless we get McDavid himself, these options to "round out" the lineup really do not mean shit in the grand scheme of things when Kucherov, Point, Cirelli, Vasy and Hedman arent contributing. Its sad, yes, but its the truth.

 

[LTIR Trickery]

The part that bums me out about Larkin speculation, Tuch signing, etc is that our highest paid players are postseason boat anchors except Hagel and Jake. I think for the first time since 2015 my expectations have really plummeted on what this team can actually do. Until they win a series again, I wont feel any different. I dont hold the mindset that this group can get it done because several are cup winners. Its a different coaching staff, different division, different captain, top six, defense, etc and you're adding at minimum 5 years onto the last series wins if it happens in 2027.

This last attempt, call it whatever you want, killed my optimism. Unless we get McDavid himself, these options to "round out" the lineup really do not mean shit in the grand scheme of things when Kucherov, Point, Cirelli, Vasy and Hedman arent contributing. Its sad, yes, but its the truth.

Welp, you heard the man, lets wrap all this shit up and get out of here

 

[OffBy1]

I am willing to bet that Point doesn't drop from 13th to 283rd in 5v5 pts/60 if he plays on the Red Wings. Would he be 13th? Hell no. But he isn't anywhere close to as bad as Larkin is 5v5. Were talking about Larkin being our savior in the playoffs when the guy can't even show up for meaningful regular season games down the stretch. He is notoriously bad in March when his team needs him the most. Also does Larkin even get a PP spot over Hagel? Would Larkin be able to produce to the same degree on our powerplay that he does in Detroit? There is so much more uncertainty there and if he doesn't you are paying a lot of assets for a 50pt 2C.

Sounds like another Bjorkstrand type add (the Bjorkstrand who was successful before joining our team) - more of what we already have that hasn't worked in the post season. He also doesn't play physical from what I've seen and has a negative +/- for 8 out of his 11 seasons, sometimes by a lot. Negative 100 for his career. Let's not take this cap weight off Yzerman's hands. We need young or prime Palat and Killorn type players to have a reasonable, yet false hope of playoff Point and Kuch being resurrected.

 

[RussianGuyovich]

i think larkin makes us better, so for sure im down with picking him up. but i am super leery at the cost (once again our future) and also he's been kinda a real big cry cry weiner before as a player so if we dont get him i am A-Ok with that as well. thanks for reading my centrist opinions.

 

[atlanticobserver]

i think larkin makes us better, so for sure im down with picking him up. but i am super leery at the cost (once again our future) and also he's been kinda a real big cry cry weiner before as a player so if we dont get him i am A-Ok with that as well. thanks for reading my centrist opinions.

I'd be excited if we traded for him, but really depends on what we'd give up.

Would definitely prefer him to Tuch, though. If you guys thought any TB top 6er was bad in the playoffs, that Tuch performance against Montreal is enough to make a grown man cry

 

[Stammertime91]

Welp, you heard the man, lets wrap all this shit up and get out of here

Im just saying man. Im sad.

 

[DFC]

It would be a lot smarter to figure out Raddysh+1 than anything else. I don't care if a trade for Larkin happens or not. But it would also free up at least a few roster spots for young guys who want a bite of the apple.

I'm not done with a Tuch signing or a Larkin trade as much as I think Raddysh is the first order of operations before we apply ourselves to anything else

I'm basically operating as if we are still trying to keep Raddysh, and everything else is on top. For Larkin, money would have to move out, but our D is now a position of strength (if we keep Raddysh), and we can actually move money there. I don't know what Cernak's clauses are like, but we might finally be in a position where we could move him if that's what it takes to upgrade at F. That said, it risks that McDonagh falls off a cliff and Hedman doesn't bounce back, and that the younger D don't maintain last year's level or improve.

Nick Paul is the other one. Both Cernak and Paul should have great value league-wide. I'd be more hesitant to move Paul if we aren't certain to add a C who can win face offs though.

 

[J Roc Baby]

The part that bums me out about Larkin speculation, Tuch signing, etc is that our highest paid players are postseason boat anchors except Hagel and Jake. I think for the first time since 2015 my expectations have really plummeted on what this team can actually do. Until they win a series again, I wont feel any different. I dont hold the mindset that this group can get it done because several are cup winners. Its a different coaching staff, different division, different captain, top six, defense, etc and you're adding at minimum 5 years onto the last series wins if it happens in 2027.

This last attempt, call it whatever you want, killed my optimism. Unless we get McDavid himself, these options to "round out" the lineup really do not mean shit in the grand scheme of things when Kucherov, Point, Cirelli, Vasy and Hedman arent contributing. Its sad, yes, but its the truth.

I was there last offseason. I was so pissed and so down. I'm not sure my morale had ever been lower as a fan. And suddenly we flipped the switch. Last year DID feel different. But after how it ended? Back to square one. I literally have no expectations anymore. Let Raddysh go? Whatever. Trade for Larkin? Whatever. Prove it to me in April

 

[J Roc Baby]

I'm basically operating as if we are still trying to keep Raddysh, and everything else is on top. For Larkin, money would have to move out, but our D is now a position of strength (if we keep Raddysh), and we can actually move money there. I don't know what Cernak's clauses are like, but we might finally be in a position where we could move him if that's what it takes to upgrade at F. That said, it risks that McDonagh falls off a cliff and Hedman doesn't bounce back, and that the younger D don't maintain last year's level or improve.

Nick Paul is the other one. Both Cernak and Paul should have great value league-wide. I'd be more hesitant to move Paul if we aren't certain to add a C who can win face offs though.

It's probably not a popular opinion but yeah, we needed to start thinking about life after Cernak about 2 years ago. But it's not like he was SOOOOOOO bad it was this immediate problem that needed to be resolved. We've been able to ride it out with trade protection well enough. He has a NTC which turns into a 16 team list next year. We are probably okay to ride it out with him this year too. But!!! It never hurts to think ahead though. I'm getting worried that Hedman's season last year is a preview for how hard and how fast Cernak could fall off one day.

I'm okay with keeping Paul but if he can be packaged for another center then send it