GDT: Around the League - 2021/22 - Playoffs edition

[Ziggdiezan]

Our bottom six last year was essentially Engvall, Mikheyev, Kase, Kampf, Spezza and Simmonds.

Engvall, Simmonds and Kampf will be back. Kase might be back, and if so, no raise.

So the question will be.. can we replace Mikheyev, Spezza? It's not like that's impossible, and then you take into account, that nobody would have predicted what we'd get out of Bunting....

At this point, who knows??

Fair enough, you could also probably include kerfoot in there as a depth guy who has a decent chance of being moved this year. Personally I would prefer to spend more on goalies so in that scenario I would fully expect the depth to get worse due to the raises to guys like Rielly, Sandin, Lil and the increase in cap from Campbell's 2 million last year (or whatever it was) to whatever the #1G gets this upcoming year.

Dubas could definitely hit on a guy like Bunting again, let's hope he does as I think with arguably 3 of the most productive depth guys getting replaced (Kerfoot, Mik and Spezza) with league mins it will be tough to improve depth scoring and goaltending and the leafs need to improve both.

 

[Fogelhund]

Fair enough, you could also probably include kerfoot in there as a depth guy who has a decent chance of being moved this year. Personally I would prefer to spend more on goalies so in that scenario I would fully expect the depth to get worse due to the raises to guys like Rielly, Sandin, Lil and the increase in cap from Campbell's 2 million last year (or whatever it was) to whatever the #1G gets this upcoming year.

Dubas could definitely hit on a guy like Bunting again, let's hope he does as I think with arguably 3 of the most productive depth guys getting replaced (Kerfoot, Mik and Spezza) with league mins it will be tough to improve depth scoring and goaltending and the leafs need to improve both.

On the flip side, we mostly agree that Holl is coming out of the lineup, with Giordano full time, and Sandin and Liljegren in their second years.... All three of the latter will likely improve either upon Holl, or their own offense from last year. So we are likely to see a boost from the backend offensively.

More than just improving the bottom six in the regular season, we need for them to improve in the playoffs, which frankly is a pretty low bar.

 

[saffronleaf]

so fun seeing that smug shit-talker cooper cry like a whiney little b at the post-game presser.

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

That’s was a bad call.

Don't care Tampa got through the Leafs on Phantom high sticks. I'd love for them to lose because of a missed Too Many Men call.

 

[Apotheosis]

Makar is the difference man. Even if you believe the offence is similar (it's not, Mackinnon plays better in the playoffs than any Leaf right now), we don't have any D remotely close to Makar. Absolutely insane player man.

 

[Fogelhund]

Makar is the difference man. Even if you believe the offence is similar (it's not, Mackinnon plays better in the playoffs than any Leaf right now), we don't have any D remotely close to Makar. Absolutely insane player man.

Such an amazing talent, Makar.

 

[Nineteen67]

Don't care Tampa got through the Leafs on Phantom high sticks. I'd love for them to lose because of a missed Too Many Men call.

Quite a difference in the two calls to an objective eye.

I know what Kardri was doing, but what was Kampf doing with his stick? Got spooked and was trying to protect himself? Who knows, but he cost his team dearly.

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

Quite a difference in the two calls to an objective eye.

I know what Kardri was doing, but what was Kampf doing with his stick? Got spooked and was trying to protect himself? Who knows, but he cost his team dearly.

To an objective eye? What does that even mean? The Tampa player sold a fake high stick. That's practically a dive in my books. A phantom call or a missed call. They're both the same thing in one regard. The ref got it wrong that's all that matters at the end of the day.

Matthews was getting grabbed for like 10 seconds straight. He didn't try to sell it but still got no respect from the refs. Glad the refs are finally screwing over Tampa even though they didn't mean to.

 

[Gallagbi]

Makar is the difference man. Even if you believe the offence is similar (it's not, Mackinnon plays better in the playoffs than any Leaf right now), we don't have any D remotely close to Makar. Absolutely insane player man.

Worth noting it looks like Tampa has too many themselves

 

[PromisedLand]

 

[Clark4Ever]

Makar is the difference man. Even if you believe the offence is similar (it's not, Mackinnon plays better in the playoffs than any Leaf right now), we don't have any D remotely close to Makar. Absolutely insane player man.

You can say the same thing about just about every other team in the league.

 

[Trapper]

Kadri should be popular this summer.
Boston would probably be a good fit if they retool, his Dad is a Montreal fan, Washington/Pittsburgh looking for another run, many teams could use him.

 

[Menzinger]

Kadri should be popular this summer.
Boston would probably be a good fit if they retool, his Dad is a Montreal fan, Washington/Pittsburgh looking for another run, many teams could use him.

Would they be willing to pony up what it's likely going to cost? He's likely going for deal that'll set him up for retirement

 

[Shooter2x]

Cooper crying about the situation there are in with the cap.
He forgot they have an unfair tax situation to other nhl teams.
Your team played games with the cap last yr maybe 100 mil cap hit for the playoffs .
He is going to get alot of push back from his statements.

Cooper is embarrassing himself greatly.

Last night was so cringe. Especially when Tampa made the cup finals off a blown too many men call just last season while being 7 billion dollars over the cap.

 

[1specter]

Kadri in a Bruins or Habs jersey would make me physically ill

 

[kb]

Kadri in a Bruins or Habs jersey would make me physically ill

50/50 chance of having to deal with him in the playoffs.

Edit: Next year Habs or Bruins? LOL. He can get himself a great early golf membership - even earlier than the Leafs.

 

[Trapper]

Would they be willing to pony up what it's likely going to cost? He's likely going for deal that'll set him up for retirement

I don’t get the impression from the Neely press conference that they want to go into full rebuild. It depends on Bergeron. Is he coming back? Bergeron,Marchand,Pasta,Kadri,Hall,etc. could set them up if they feel they want to run it again.
Kadri isn’t a 9 mil player, would it be term and decent dollars? Not sure.

 

[Menzinger]

I don’t get the impression from the Neely press conference that they want to go into full rebuild. It depends on Bergeron. Is he coming back? Bergeron,Marchand,Pasta,Kadri,Hall,etc. could set them up if they feel they want to run it again.
Kadri isn’t a 9 mil player, would it be term and decent dollars? Not sure.

I think after a season/playoffs like he just had he's going to ask for the moon and will probably get it. Top six centres rarely hit free agency. I think on the low end his aav starts with an 8.

I'd agree that Boston seems like they'll try and stay competitive. But their owner always strikes me as letting cheapness get in the way of things sometimes. He'd definitely fit with their team dynamic though.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Habs indicted they’ll be aggressive in free agency

I say they’re the favourites for Kadri.

People lament the Tavares contact amidst his decline but he’s the same age as Naz. Good for Kadri to have the year he’s had but giving him a long term deal for it could look bad quickly.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Kadri should be popular this summer.
Boston would probably be a good fit if they retool, his Dad is a Montreal fan, Washington/Pittsburgh looking for another run, many teams could use him.

I have my eyes on the Caps. With Backstrom essentially done, I think they'll be aggressive for a C

 

[Leaf Rocket]

If he was with us....a sneeze from a fan would've led him to the penalty box man. Leafs Kadri means Refs are just automatically benching or suspending him. I am loving every bit of him though to watch!

Habs indicted they’ll be aggressive in free agency

I say they’re the favourites for Kadri.

People lament the Tavares contact amidst his decline but he’s the same age as Naz. Good for Kadri to have the year he’s had but giving him a long term deal for it could look bad quickly.

Im still thinking that's gonna happen, he's like...I get to go for my childhood team and we are gonna win a cup here

Kadri in a Bruins or Habs jersey would make me physically ill

I wouldnt surprised if it happens...Closer to his family more lebanese cuisine options

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Makar is the difference man. Even if you believe the offence is similar (it's not, Mackinnon plays better in the playoffs than any Leaf right now), we don't have any D remotely close to Makar. Absolutely insane player man.

Makar is a beast, of course, but Byram is an absolute stud as well. The way he defends the blue line on rushes is a work of art and it seems like he always makes smart reads and passes. These playoffs have definitely been a coming out party for him, especially in this series where he has been dynamite. I'd argue he has been the 2nd most valuable defenseman overall in the playoffs. Not bad after all the concussion issues this season, and he's only 21.

Him + Makar on that blue line long-term will be disgusting.

 

[Apotheosis]

You can say the same thing about just about every other team in the league.

No. We have no true number 1 D. Tampa does. Colorado does. NYR does etc. There's stand above ours and many others.

 

[Stigma]

I wouldnt surprised if it happens...Closer to his family more lebanese cuisine options

This is actually a good point. I think I heard his wife wants to be back in Canada (I don't have a link). For many ethnic people, especially when you're married, where you live in North America is a factor (I know this cause I am one). I wouldn't be shocked if Montreal and Ottawa are at the top of his list. Ottawa has a huge, and well established, Lebanese community. That's where Paul Anka is from.

 

[ULF_55]

Would they be willing to pony up what it's likely going to cost? He's likely going for deal that'll set him up for retirement

He has career earnings of $38mm.

I think he's set for retirement.