2025 26 Roster…too Soon

[Hull2Roenick2Kane]

This isn’t about money. Toronto has more than enough to make it work.

It’s about how the Leafs do in the playoffs. If they crash out early again, they may be forced to change finally. With that being said, I think Marner still wants to be there, so I’m not holding my breath.

But let’s play the hypothetical and say he does go to free agency. There’s going to be at least 10 teams interested in him, much closer to competing than we are. We certainly aren’t the favourites in any regard. If it got to that point, it’s likely about where he and his wife want to live since he’ll get his money regardless. Chicago is obviously a top city, but so is New York and obviously somewhere in California as well.

apparently Florida and Texas are top draws as well for their income tax or something...

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

While I’d welcome Marner here, I’m not expecting it. Only way it happens is via a massive overpayment to the point I’d be nervous to see the numbers. More realistic destinations to me would be….

Utah - competitive team already with a new owner and city who wants to make a huge splash.

Pittsburgh - Dubas connection.

Buffalo - close to Toronto but out of the spotlight of Toronto and the Canadian media.

But ultimately I’m expecting him to just stay in Toronto.

 

[Drumman44]

Marner would love it here I think. Chicago media is very friendly to players and he can still enjoy the advantages of a big city and market without having to worry about the press being up his ass

 

[Pez68]

I was thinking about Pasta as well. Depends entirely on him and Boston, but the team has traded away vets and could be going full rebuild vs just a retool (this is still more likely though unfortunately).

If he's available, he would be a fantastic target to cash in our assets for.

Id trade a lot for him. Top prospects like Korchinski, Moore, Lardis, Kantserov, top picks like the 26 1st, 27 1st, any of the 26/27 late 1sts, any of the lesser prospects like Reichel, Allan etc, any roster player like Bertuzzi, TT etc if needed.

For example a package of Bertuzzi, Korchinski, Moore, 26 1st, 25 Tor 1st would surely be enticing for both sides.

I hope he becomes available.

Giving up that much for a 29 year old Pasta seems insane to me.

 

[Hawkaholic]

Giving up that much for a 29 year old Pasta seems insane to me.

100%, we are in no position to be giving up major assets for any player over the age of 25.

 

[Hattrick Kane]

100%, we are in no position to be giving up major assets for any player over the age of 25.

Are we okay with another year of looking like this? Not trying to be confrontational, just that short of big swings like this, the team will look like shit again.

Giving up that much for a 29 year old Pasta seems insane to me.

If the 26 first is Florida’s and not Chicago’s, do you feel better about it? If it’s Chicago’s It’s too much with all that going back I agree.

I look at the Erik Karlsson as the last true superstar that was traded, Eichel doesn’t count because he was injured.

Balcers and Norris as prospects, Demelo who was a bottom pairing D at the time, Tierney a bottom six forward, 2x 1sts and 2x 2nds.

Now this backfired because the Sharks cliffed and their first became third overall. But those at the time were Sharks firsts being given up. They didn’t have that much value. I would have to believe if Boston is doing a full blown rebuild and Pastrnak is available, not many teams can offer a better package than that.

In terms of the Hawks side, Korchinski may not fit on this blueline, guys are taking up minutes he should have. Moore looks more bottom six than top 6. And the firsts, well we already have a loaded pool, they’re probably going to be used for help anyways.

My reasoning for a trade like that is you have to turn a corner at some point, that’s a trade that really helps. It’s not a marginal first liner, it’s a superstar scorer.

 

[Hawkaholic]

Are we okay with another year of looking like this? Not trying to be confrontational, just that short of big swings like this, the team will look like shit again.

Yes, as long as they show marginal improvements for the next couple of years, which should come naturally from growth within. I don't mind taking a stab at a Marner, but i'm not OK trading high profile prospects for aging vets.

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

Are we okay with another year of looking like this? Not trying to be confrontational, just that short of big swings like this, the team will look like shit again.

I don’t even like Boeser that much but I’d rather they just sign him vs giving up assets to get Pasta.

Wish a Shane Wright for Korchinski could be doable but I doubt Seattle would have any interest

 

[Pez68]

Are we okay with another year of looking like this? Not trying to be confrontational, just that short of big swings like this, the team will look like shit again.


If the 26 first is Florida’s and not Chicago’s, do you feel better about it? If it’s Chicago’s It’s too much with all that going back I agree.

I look at the Erik Karlsson as the last true superstar that was traded, Eichel doesn’t count because he was injured.

Balcers and Norris as prospects, Demelo who was a bottom pairing D at the time, Tierney a bottom six forward, 2x 1sts and 2x 2nds.

Now this backfired because the Sharks cliffed and their first became third overall. But those at the time were Sharks firsts being given up. They didn’t have that much value. I would have to believe if Boston is doing a full blown rebuild and Pastrnak is available, not many teams can offer a better package than that.

In terms of the Hawks side, Korchinski may not fit on this blueline, guys are taking up minutes he should have. Moore looks more bottom six than top 6. And the firsts, well we already have a loaded pool, they’re probably going to be used for help anyways.

My reasoning for a trade like that is you have to turn a corner at some point, that’s a trade that really helps. It’s not a marginal first liner, it’s a superstar scorer.

Why are we giving up assets for a 29 year old Pasta as opposed to just throwing money at an equivalent, probably younger, free agent?

 

[Hattrick Kane]

Why are we giving up assets for a 29 year old Pasta as opposed to just throwing money at an equivalent, probably younger, free agent?

I’m assuming you’re talking about Marner. For one, decent chance Marner just re ups with Toronto. But if he is, they have room to get both.

No one else in this free agent class is even close to that level. Throwing money at Ehlers or Boeser is just asking for trouble. They won’t look good on this team, and will be extremely overpaid for what they bring.

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

Pasta also has a NMC. In what universe is he waiving to get out of a soon to be retooling Boston to come to an even worse Chicago?

 

[Hawkaholic]

Pasta also has a NMC. In what universe is he waiving to get out of a soon to be retooling Boston to come to an even worse Chicago?

They aren't trading Pasta.

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

They aren't trading Pasta.

I didn't say they were...?

Just stating that if he himself was to ask for a trade, it's not going to be for him to waive to come to Chicago.

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

Pasta also has a NMC. In what universe is he waiving to get out of a soon to be retooling Boston to come to an even worse Chicago?

The difference being that the Hawks should be exiting the rebuild while BOS (especially if trading Pasta) would just be entering theirs. You can build a case that the Hawks aren't that close to exiting their rebuild, but the Hawks trading for a guy like Pasta would be based on the expectation that the Hawks would be ready to make the next step.

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

The only negative I can see to the Hawks signing Marner is I imagine that means Bedard goes back to C. It's hard to see a scenario in which Bedard and Marner are split up as RW1 and RW2. If that were to happen I could actually see Donato as being a good third wheel to that line.

Donato-Bedard-Marner
TT-Nazar-Roslovic?
Bertuzzi-Dickinson-Mikheyev
Slaggert-Reichel-Dach

Then in 2-3 years hopefully someone like Misa and Boisvert earn a top 6 role and push guys like Donato and Roslovic to the third line.

 

[Hawkaholic]

I didn't say they were...?

Just stating that if he himself was to ask for a trade, it's not going to be for him to waive to come to Chicago.

I know you didn't, didn't mean to imply you did, just saying.

 

[giza]

Sam Bennett would be my number target. Wouldn't mind a Brock Nelson for 1-2 years either. Hawks don't really have a tough guy to replace Maroon either.....not a big fan Jeannot, but he could handle that role.

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

Sam Bennett would be my number target. Wouldn't mind a Brock Nelson for 1-2 years either. Hawks don't really have a tough guy to replace Maroon either.....not a big fan Jeannot, but he could handle that role.

Bennett is probably going to age terribly with how heavy of a game he plays. Not to mention the best thing about him is how he plays in the playoffs for you, which the Hawks are still pretty far away from.

If you can get him on a 5 year deal I'd probably be happy with it, but anything beyond that I think is too risky and I'm guessing he's going to get 7 years with so many teams having so much cap space to use now.

 

[statswatcher]

Are we okay with another year of looking like this?

i think how we feel about it is very far removed from having anything to do with it practically. the team will look pretty bad for probably another two years. the difference between the next two years and the last two years is they are finally reaping a crop of young talent who can come in and out play the replacement level mercenaries kd has been over paying to make the cap floor. instead of a bunch of 30 year old has-been's and never-were's, there should actually be a significant number of players that actually figure into the future. i think thay should make things more interesting, even if the on ice results are just as ugly.

 

[Hattrick Kane]

i think how we feel about it is very far removed from having anything to do with it practically. the team will look pretty bad for probably another two years. the difference between the next two years and the last two years is they are finally reaping a crop of young talent who can come in and out play the replacement level mercenaries kd has been over paying to make the cap floor. instead of a bunch of 30 year old has-been's and never-were's, there should actually be a significant number of players that actually figure into the future. i think thay should make things more interesting, even if the on ice results are just as ugly.

I’m just preparing myself because I don’t think management sees it that way. The sense I get is they’re going to try to turn the corner this offseason. But that’s reading between the lines if what little Davidson says and what the media gives which is all connected to the organization anyways.

 

[statswatcher]

I’m just preparing myself because I don’t think management sees it that way. The sense I get is they’re going to try to turn the corner this offseason. But that’s reading between the lines if what little Davidson says and what the media gives which is all connected to the organization anyways.

davidson can try whatever he likes. if he thinks this team is turning a corner without somehow magically conjuring 2-3 nhl level centers along with a high calibre scoring winger, then the people calling for his job are right.

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

I’m just preparing myself because I don’t think management sees it that way. The sense I get is they’re going to try to turn the corner this offseason. But that’s reading between the lines if what little Davidson says and what the media gives which is all connected to the organization anyways.

Yeah, I think another 50 something point season next year means KD is out of a job, and I think he knows that too. Fully expecting a panic signing or two. I just hope Marner is one of them as he should still be a stud throughout that entire contract and a great player to have along the journey.

 

[Northernhawk]

All this Marner and Bennett talk, the guy I think Chicago could get for $10 million(an overpayment) for two years is John Tavares…he’s a centre that wins face offs, vet presence, and at $10 million he might actually consider it…last summer I was thinking Chicago needed a Guentzel or Bertuzzi type player…Bertuzzi it was

 

[Deputy McRizzy]

All this Marner and Bennett talk, the guy I think Chicago could get for $10 million(an overpayment) for two years is John Tavares…he’s a centre that wins face offs, vet presence, and at $10 million he might actually consider it…last summer I was thinking Chicago needed a Guentzel or Bertuzzi type player…Bertuzzi it was

I wouldn't hate it, but I just don't get the vibe he has any interest in leaving Toronto. Especially or a guy with $111M in career earnings already.

 

[BobbyJet]

All this Marner and Bennett talk, the guy I think Chicago could get for $10 million(an overpayment) for two years is John Tavares…he’s a centre that wins face offs, vet presence, and at $10 million he might actually consider it…last summer I was thinking Chicago needed a Guentzel or Bertuzzi type player…Bertuzzi it was

Tavares would be a great addition. I think acquiring him is more realistic than Marner, but I would love it if KD got serious and offer sheeted Knies (it wouldn't make him the most popular GM but it might be a sneaky way to make Tavares available .... a la what Doug Wilson pulled on Stan).