Assessing the Leafs’ Trade Needs and Targets

[conFABulator]

At 25, not sure we should call steeves a prospect... He will probably be a carreer AHL player...

Seattle already having stephenson, Benier and Wright down the middle and maybe a Catton who will join the team next year... Not sure they really need an other C to replace gourde

I’ve been thinking about Yanni Gourde, and I’ve come around. He’s probably worth more than I initially thought, or maybe our assets are worth a bit less. Either way, I’m convinced. Let’s move past that.

Now the real question is: how do we reconfigure the lineup if we add Gourde? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this because I really value your insights.

If Gourde is the third-line center, that gives us Matthews, Tavares, and Gourde down the middle, assuming everyone’s healthy. The wings are locked in with Nylander, Marner, Knies, Pacioretty, McMann, and Domi. But that raises a big question: where does Robertson fit? If Domi is in the top nine for sure, Robertson likely ends up scratched or bumped to the fourth line, and neither option feels like a great fit for him.

As for the third line itself, does something like McMann, Gourde, and Domi work? It doesn’t feel like the kind of defensive, checking line we’d want. But moving someone like Marner or Knies down takes away key minutes from your top players, which isn’t ideal either.

The fourth line adds another challenge. If McMann drops down, it might push Kampf out, leaving something like Dewar, Lawrence, and McMann. That gives you speed and size, but it’s still tough to see how Robertson gets a meaningful role.

So, if Robertson doesn’t have a clear spot and the third line doesn’t quite balance the way you’d want, what does work? How do you structure a lineup that maintains defensive integrity, maximizes minutes for your top players, and makes room for everyone? I’m curious what you think—because I’m not sure we’ve cracked it yet.

 

[Maple Leaf]

What does he bring other than poor defensive play and stupid penalties?

He sells jerseys

 

[-DeMo-]

I don’t think it’s about refusing to give up assets, but about being smart with them. Overspending isn’t the move, but if Steeves, Holmberg, Niemelä, Kampf, or Järnkrok aren’t part of next year’s plan, it makes sense to use them to improve the bottom six now. Including mid-to-late-round picks in the right deal is fine too.

That said, we have to know our limits. Other teams might overpay, and that’s fine—we can’t get caught in a bidding war. Set the value, stick to it, and be ready to walk away if the price goes beyond what these players are worth to us.

not really sure what type of player you can acquire using those names and picks you just mentioned. I think the poster talking about not spending assets at the deadline believes to get one of the two pieces you mention in this thread as needs ie 3c and top 4 Dmen were moving more/higher quality assets then what you listed. like do we expect Gourde to be moved for a 3rd + Holmberg? doubt it.

with those pieces your probably looking at a reclamation projects, someone whose not working out in the current situation there in and need a fresh start where we hope that player can turn it around for 2-3 months and maybe beyond to give us that quality 3c.

I'm not opposed to that strategy but mainly don't want to spend more assets on rentals.

 

[mustardtiger67]

For me, yes you 100% try and bring in Toews. Yeah he might not be ready, yeah if he is he might not still have it, but you have to try. Even if he’s in the press box it would still be worth it for his presence. But if it happened that’s a pure bonus either way, so can’t build plans around that.

I’m really looking at Nashville. They are probably going to be looking to do something big. I’d be open to bringing O’Rielly back and he’d be a great fit. You also have cheaper options like Novak or Nyquist who could serve a purpose. Maybe even they decide the Stamkos experiment didn’t work and that would be worth looking at although it’d be hard to make the money work obviously.

I’d prioritize Josi over all else though. If there’s a chance they move him I pay the asking cost. It would be complicated but not impossible. He would solidify the D in a way that would put us over the top. He’s the dream for me.

As far as some other 3rd line options, Ryan Strome in Anaheim is making 5 mil and would probably be a good fit for Robertson as a piece going back.

Sean Monahan in Columbus is another guy I didn’t love but he’s having a great year and would work. Maybe Brayden Schenn if St. Louis is looking to get some prospects but doesn’t seem like they will be there mentally in time to make that move this year. Jared McCann would be another name I’d look at. And yeah, a possible Naz reunion is something I’d entertain if Calgary is willing to retain some money.

It really is not a great market for what we need with so many teams still technically in it with pressure to compete, so I think our options will be limited. If we can’t bring in a big name which is likely the case, move Robertson for a third line center as early as possible like Strome and be done with it. Then a veteran depth dman for a mid pick maybe as a second smaller move on the actual deadline as some insurance.

 

[thusk]

I’ve been thinking about Yanni Gourde, and I’ve come around. He’s probably worth more than I initially thought, or maybe our assets are worth a bit less. Either way, I’m convinced. Let’s move past that.

Now the real question is: how do we reconfigure the lineup if we add Gourde? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this because I really value your insights.

If Gourde is the third-line center, that gives us Matthews, Tavares, and Gourde down the middle, assuming everyone’s healthy. The wings are locked in with Nylander, Marner, Knies, Pacioretty, McMann, and Domi. But that raises a big question: where does Robertson fit? If Domi is in the top nine for sure, Robertson likely ends up scratched or bumped to the fourth line, and neither option feels like a great fit for him.

As for the third line itself, does something like McMann, Gourde, and Domi work? It doesn’t feel like the kind of defensive, checking line we’d want. But moving someone like Marner or Knies down takes away key minutes from your top players, which isn’t ideal either.

The fourth line adds another challenge. If McMann drops down, it might push Kampf out, leaving something like Dewar, Lawrence, and McMann. That gives you speed and size, but it’s still tough to see how Robertson gets a meaningful role.

So, if Robertson doesn’t have a clear spot and the third line doesn’t quite balance the way you’d want, what does work? How do you structure a lineup that maintains defensive integrity, maximizes minutes for your top players, and makes room for everyone? I’m curious what you think—because I’m not sure we’ve cracked it yet.

1-Robertson would be out and who really care?!?! The guy got 60% of his production on 3 game stretche vs Buffalo x2 and his brother ( where he always step up against his brother). He had 4 points on 38 game remaining and his impact had be pretty none.

2- Split Marner, Matthews, Nylander doesn't mean that will hut drastically his ice time. Playing around 18 for a Nylande4 and maybe 20 for Marner/Matthews who's playing on PK could be pretty good. That will help to keep them fresh, with more energy and playing harder on everyshift.

Pittsburgh already did it with crosby, malkin, kessel on 3 different line, Chicago with tiews kane and sharp...


3-Gourde is a clear upgrade in every part of the part of robertson come playoff time, absolutly no doubt about it. So if Berube go with mcmann-Gourde-Domi, that would still a pretty good upgrade vs actual 3rd line

 

[Torontonian]

I don’t agree about trading Knies, but just for the sake of it, realistically who would you trade him for, or have him included in a trade for?

Someone impactful and in there prime like a Tage Thompson etc.

 

[conFABulator]

1-Robertson would be out and who really care?!?! The guy got 60% of his production on 3 game stretche vs Buffalo x2 and his brother ( where he always step up against his brother). He had 4 points on 38 game remaining and his impact had be pretty none.

2- Split Marner, Matthews, Nylander doesn't mean that will hut drastically his ice time. Playing around 18 for a Nylande4 and maybe 20 for Marner/Matthews who's playing on PK could be pretty good. That will help to keep them fresh, with more energy and playing harder on everyshift.

Pittsburgh already did it with crosby, malkin, kessel on 3 different line, Chicago with tiews kane and sharp...


3-Gourde is a clear upgrade in every part of the part of robertson come playoff time, absolutly no doubt about it. So if Berube go with mcmann-Gourde-Domi, that would still a pretty good upgrade vs actual 3rd line

Yeah, we are on the same page. Here is what I would like to see, perfect world.

Acquire Gourde and Tanev from Seattle. We would need some retention on their end. I would be good giving up Robertson, Niemela, Kampf, Steeves and maybe a couple of (non first round picks). I would like for us to spread out the core 4 also. Scoring has been our issue in the playoffs and I think spreading the big guns around is the way to solve this. What concerns me is that I haven't seen Berube do this as much as I would like. Maybe that's a second half of the season thing?

Knies Matthews Domi (14 ES)
Paccioretty Tavares Nylander (13 ES)
McMann Gourde Marner (14 ES)
Lorentz Dewar Tanev (7 ES)
Jarnkrok, Holmberg, Reaves

PP and PK time can get Matthews and Marner to 20, Willy to 19 and JT, Knies, McMann and Gourde to 16 or 17 minutes.

Three lines that can score and not get caved in. A fourth line with an identity and purpose.

I would also consider two more balanced PP units.

We can work on the D later.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I’ve been thinking about Yanni Gourde, and I’ve come around. He’s probably worth more than I initially thought, or maybe our assets are worth a bit less. Either way, I’m convinced. Let’s move past that.

Now the real question is: how do we reconfigure the lineup if we add Gourde? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this because I really value your insights.

If Gourde is the third-line center, that gives us Matthews, Tavares, and Gourde down the middle, assuming everyone’s healthy. The wings are locked in with Nylander, Marner, Knies, Pacioretty, McMann, and Domi. But that raises a big question: where does Robertson fit? If Domi is in the top nine for sure, Robertson likely ends up scratched or bumped to the fourth line, and neither option feels like a great fit for him.

As for the third line itself, does something like McMann, Gourde, and Domi work? It doesn’t feel like the kind of defensive, checking line we’d want. But moving someone like Marner or Knies down takes away key minutes from your top players, which isn’t ideal either.

The fourth line adds another challenge. If McMann drops down, it might push Kampf out, leaving something like Dewar, Lawrence, and McMann. That gives you speed and size, but it’s still tough to see how Robertson gets a meaningful role.

So, if Robertson doesn’t have a clear spot and the third line doesn’t quite balance the way you’d want, what does work? How do you structure a lineup that maintains defensive integrity, maximizes minutes for your top players, and makes room for everyone? I’m curious what you think—because I’m not sure we’ve cracked it yet.

You don't really need to reconfigure the lineup.

1st line Knies Matthews Marner that's the same.

Patches Tavares Nylander that's the same.

Mcmann Groude Domi

Lorentz Kampf Dewar that's the same.

all it is, is taking Robertson out of the lineup because I assume he's in the deal, and moving Domi to the wing where he should be and always should have been.

 

[mydnyte]

Leafs need a top 4 puck moving RHD more than anything else.
We cant even ice a healthy lineup, and Jarn will eventually come off the D/L
shuffling forward pieces will not improve us much, but, a 'good' top 4 RHD puck mover will help immensely, and let all our LHD play LHD and slice Benoit to #7
2 would be better, but, we can live with Myers/Timmins as our #6 RDH

 

[mydnyte]

At 25, not sure we should call steeves a prospect... He will probably be a carreer AHL player...

Seattle already having stephenson, Benier and Wright down the middle and maybe a Catton who will join the team next year... Not sure they really need an other C to replace gourde

how old is Bobby McMann?

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I'm not a big Christian Dvorak guy, never have been but depending on how long Jake McCabe is out, and I am a little concerned because if that's a concussion that's his 2nd concussion in very short order.

But depending on how long Jake McCabe is out I do wonder if Treliving does some one stop shopping and tries to bring in Dvorak and Savard.

Or maybe Evans and Savard

how old is Bobby McMann?

Bobby Mcmann is the exception, not the rule.

Bobby Mcmann happens once or twice a decade.

Alex Steeves is NOT Bobby Mcmann

 

[nuck]

At 25, not sure we should call steeves a prospect... He will probably be a carreer AHL player...

Seattle already having stephenson, Benier and Wright down the middle and maybe a Catton who will join the team next year... Not sure they really need an other C to replace gourde

80-20 you are right but he has had little opportunity and he is not the same player he was a couple of years ago. May take an injury to get a real look tho.

 

[Fogelhund]

Alex Steeves is NOT Bobby Mcmann

This is true... he's far more productive at the AHL level, than McMann ever was. I think Steeves ends up playing in the NHL, but it's not likely for us.

 

[tom leafers]

Its time for us to move on from Mo
Love him but his cap can be spent in areas that help the team

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

This is true... he's far more productive at the AHL level, than McMann ever was. I think Steeves ends up playing in the NHL, but it's not likely for us.

But would he be more productive in the NHL?

Bobby looks like baring injury he's going to score 20+ goals.

would Alex Steeves do that? I doubt it

I don't really care what he did in the AHL because it's exactly that......the AHL.

Garett Sparks won an AHL title AND AHL goalie of the year do you remember how that worked out? I do he was so bad he was all but kicked off the team.

Andres Johnsson won AHL playoff MVP and while he was a 20 goal scorer in Toronto where is he now?, that's a legitimate question I don't actually know and that's the point.

The AHL doesn't mean shit.

 

[Fogelhund]

But would he be more productive in the NHL?

Bobby looks like baring injury he's going to score 20+ goals.

would Alex Steeves do that? I doubt it

I don't really care what he did in the AHL because it's exactly that......the AHL.

Garett Sparks won an AHL title AND AHL goalie of the year do you remember how that worked out? I do he was so bad he was all but kicked off the team.

Andres Johnsson won AHL playoff MVP and while he was a 20 goal scorer in Toronto where is he now?, that's a legitimate question I don't actually know and that's the point.

The AHL doesn't mean shit.

In the right circumstances, Steeves might just have more points than McMann, in the NHL, but he's never really been given an opportunity to display that. McMann is the better goal scorer. Not that I'm trying to endorse Steeves, but at least he's made himself an asset that might be attractive to a rebuilding team.

 

[jiggy35]

I’m into smaller upgrades on a few players to upgrade scoring depth and physicality:



Holmberg + 3rd for B Tanev 50%

Kampf/Dewar + Robertson + 2nd for S Laughton 50%

Hakanpaa + Niemela + 3rd for C Murphy 50% (prob need to give up the first but, optimism)



Murphy + Laughton both have a year after this, and Tanev could be in for a reasonable contract with his bro + hometown factor. Tanev and Laughton could easily slide into different roles in the lineup depending on injuries and situations. Tanev - Laughton - Marner could actually be a great shutdown line.



Knies - Matthews - Marner

Pacioretty - Tavares - Nylander

McMann - Laughton - Domi

Lorentz - Dewar/Kampf - Tanev



McCabe - Tanev

Rielly - Murphy

OEL - Myers

Benoit - Timmins

 

[conFABulator]

You don't really need to reconfigure the lineup.

1st line Knies Matthews Marner that's the same.

Patches Tavares Nylander that's the same.

Mcmann Groude Domi

Lorentz Kampf Dewar that's the same.

all it is, is taking Robertson out of the lineup because I assume he's in the deal, and moving Domi to the wing where he should be and always should have been.

I agree it could be that simple but I am not loving Gourde and McMann flanked by Domi. We have the opportunity to have a very solid line with strong shut down capabilities if we put a winger with more defensive awareness.

I worry that if we go McMann • Gourde • Domi we end up with a line that doesn't have a role or identity and gets 10 minutes a night and then are we getting full value from Gourde? Are we doing enough drive secondary scoring? There is some reason Berube has not put Domi with Matthews yet, they showed chemistry last year and I would love to see it again.

 

[AvroArrow]

I don’t think the leafs should spend any assets at the trade deadline.

This core has been begging for someone to arrive in town at the 11th hour to bail them out their entire careers.

Tell them loud and clear that the answers they’re looking for need to come from the room.

If they go 3 rounds or make a final this year, bring in some help next year.

Hold your assets until this team proves they have the heart and courage to not find a way to lose every matchup they find themselves in.

Keep on giving up futures and prospects to help a team that refuses to help themselves is foolish. Hold them and draft well instead.

We're leading the division and look like a legit contender, we absolutely should be adding guys at the deadline. Preferably with at least 2 years, no giving 1sts for a 1 year rental. If we get passed the first round, Florida will be waiting for us, cup champ who likely bulks up at the TDL. We gotta be able to compete with them, would be a mistake not to go for it this year IMO.

Just don't give up a 1st for a guy we are guaranteed to lose at the end of the season.

 

[Captain Crunch]

Someone impactful and in there prime like a Tage Thompson etc.

So who goes the other way, with us not going over the cap?

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

So this obviously depends on how long McCabe is out for, but if he's out eventually they are going to need to fill that hole.

Do you think they would look at Jacob Trouba?

I don't think Trouba would cost very much even if you got the Ducks to retain 50%

I know I'm in the minority but I like Jacob Trouba always have.

I don't remember who said it but I do remember seeing that the Leafs like Trouba and have interest in him if the Ducks made him available.

I think he could fill the hole left by McCabe if McCabe is out long term.

and assuming McCabe is back by the playoffs you'd have in no particular order.

Rielly
Tanev
McCabe
Trouba
OEL
Benoit
Myers

That's a pretty good top 7 in the playoffs.

 

[jaric1862]

We all know the targets for 3C: Nelson, Gourde, Laughton, Evans, etc

Who would you want to target on D?

 

[Menzinger]

We're leading the division and look like a legit contender, we absolutely should be adding guys at the deadline. Preferably with at least 2 years, no giving 1sts for a 1 year rental. If we get passed the first round, Florida will be waiting for us, cup champ who likely bulks up at the TDL. We gotta be able to compete with them, would be a mistake not to go for it this year IMO.

Just don't give up a 1st for a guy we are guaranteed to lose at the end of the season.

This probably the most wide open the Leafs post season path has been since the disaster of the Canadian division season

I think it makes a lot more sense to spend this tdl than hoarding assets for an unknown future

 

[thusk]

how old is Bobby McMann?

How many time did Mcmann goes on waiver and no team claim him..For 1 Mcmann who will develop late, youbwill get 200 bust or player you will lost him on waiver before he had a chance to win a NHL spot

I agree it could be that simple but I am not loving Gourde and McMann flanked by Domi. We have the opportunity to have a very solid line with strong shut down capabilities if we put a winger with more defensive awareness.

I worry that if we go McMann • Gourde • Domi we end up with a line that doesn't have a role or identity and gets 10 minutes a night and then are we getting full value from Gourde? Are we doing enough drive secondary scoring? There is some reason Berube has not put Domi with Matthews yet, they showed chemistry last year and I would love to see it again.

Who asking for a shutdown 3rd Line ?!?!especially when you're 4th line are 100 % defensive specialist and get maybe the best 2-way line with knies-Matthews-Marner in the NHL...

The #1 reason to remove domi from C is exactly to reduce his defensive impact. As winger he will not hurt...Just get a way who can play both side with grit would be great

 

[conFABulator]

How many time did Mcmann goes on waiver and no team claim him..For 1 Mcmann who will develop late, youbwill get 200 bust or player you will lost him on waiver before he had a chance to win a NHL spot



Who asking for a shutdown 3rd Line ?!?!especially when you're 4th line are 100 % defensive specialist and get maybe the best 2-way line with knies-Matthews-Marner in the NHL...

The #1 reason to remove domi from C is exactly to reduce his defensive impact. As winger he will not hurt...Just get a way who can play both side with grit would be great

I am going to have to see how you see the minutes being distributed. How much ice time is our fourth line going to see exactly?