Brad Treliving is doing a great job.

[conFABulator]

Wasn't a huge fan of letting Kyle go in the first place, but I have to say I have been pretty happy with Brad thus far. He seems to handle himself in the same fashion as Kyle did in terms of making sure he earns the respect of those under him. It really feels like he has a better pulse on some of the necessary elements of a team that go a bit less noticed vs what Kyle did. On paper, the Reaves deal is a mess. But when you realize the value he will bring to the room and on the bench it's as big of an acquisition as Domi and Bert IMO. One thing that caught my attention from Reavo's post signing interview was that he is not going to let cliques form in that room, and that team dinners mean the entire team. If you want any success on the ice, it starts off the ice. Something that I think may have been missing in the past.

You couple that with the big time acquisitions of Domi and Bert. Those 2 are monumental upgrades on Bunting and Kerfoot. They'll add depth and a competitiveness that we've lacked in years past. Not to mention they want to be Leafs. That is huge. We've seen the impact that can make in the past. You look at the likes of Darcy Tucker and Gary Roberts and you can see first hand what that jersey meant to them and how that propelled them to higher levels. I expect Domi and Bert will follow in their footsteps.

Klingberg is a welcomed gamble IMO. Puck movers are a neccesary part to the success of our team. We need guys who can make plays with the puck in neutral ice and on breakouts. Get the puck into our best players hands. Of course Klingberg comes with risk, but so do a lot of puck movers. AT the very least, he is an upgrade from Holl.

Lastly, He locked in the best player to ever play for the blue and white. Really nothing else to say other then he accomplished the biggest piece of business seemingly with ease.

Losing Schenn I think will ultimately be our biggest loss. He fit like a glove and I will really miss him.

but all n all, I agree with the title of this thread. I think Brad has done a great job all things considered. He has earned my confidence already, which is more than I expected at this point to be honest.

That's a good summary and assessment. I don't think the Reaves is as much of a mess as I first thought. Even though he 35+ it is structured in such a way that we can bury the contract. This year we are on the hook for $200K if we send him down andin future years as the cap goes up I ASSUME that the amount we can bury goes up also. I think giving him three years was the way to get him and we felt we needed him in the room and for culture as you suggested. I imagine he plays 40 to 60 games this year and less in future years, if at all and then it only costs us money and contract spot, not even a roster spot.

Schenn is a loss, but signing him for the Nashville deal would have hurt more. Maybe Benoit can fill some of that gap. We have a tight cap and roster until the first injury and then we are fine.

I also feel good about Nylander playing for a contract all year. We can sign him in the offseason if he produces and we want to keep him. Worst case is he leaves and we have the room to keep both Bertuzzi and Domi if we want.

So far a good offseason. Curious to see if we lose Benoit, Timmins, Jones, Gambrell, Gregor or Lafferty on waivers. I don't imagine we expose Lafferty though. It gets interesting if Robertson, Benoit or Holmberg force their way onto the roster. I could see Reaves and Giordano on waivers this year with an understanding that if they get claimed they retire.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I will also add, I think the Kampf deal was a bit of a mess as well.

IMO 3 x 2.75AAV for Schenn and even 3 x 2AAV for Acciari are both better allocations of resources over Kampf at 4 x 2.4AAV.

But that's just my opinion. Just feel like w don't have a Schenn like defensemen on our team at this point, and IMO Kampf is a dime a dozen player. Useful, but he went from a nobody to overrated in this market almost instantly when he signed. Happy to have him on the roster, but he's not moving the needle in either direction. I feel like Schenner and Noel provided some really big moments for us down the stretch and in the playoffs. Not sure why they werent prioritized over Kampf TBH.

Still think Brad has done a great job, but that is definitely one that I'd like back personally.

I would agree if the salary cap going to be about 92 million by 2025 but it is.

And because it's going to be about 92 million in 2 years 2.4 million for Kampf is fine, in fact by that time it could be a bargain.

Would prefer Kampf as 4C though

 

[Twine Tickler]

I don't think the Reaves is as much of a mess as I first thought. Even though he 35+ it is structured in such a way that we can bury the contract. This year we are on the hook for $200K if we send him down andin future years as the cap goes up I ASSUME that the amount we can bury goes up also

This is a very good point. I agree, I have softened my opinions over time on this del for sure.

I did add to my original post how I would have much rather overpaid for the services of Schenn vs the overpayment we made on Kampf, but at the end of the day the good far exceeds the bad for Brad this offseason IMO.

Like I said originally, he has my confidence. I love the additions of Bertuzzi and DOmi. Just what we needed IMO. We need more passion in that lineup. The last guy I can remember bleeding blue and white who also had the ability to change the game any shift was Naz. I have missed that element ever since he left. I think Bert and Domi can provide a bit of that

 

[conFABulator]

This is a very good point. I agree, I have softened my opinions over time on this del for sure.

I did add to my original post how I would have much rather overpaid for the services of Schenn vs the overpayment we made on Kampf, but at the end of the day the good far exceeds the bad for Brad this offseason IMO.

Like I said originally, he has my confidence. I love the additions of Bertuzzi and DOmi. Just what we needed IMO. We need more passion in that lineup. The last guy I can remember bleeding blue and white who also had the ability to change the game any shift was Naz. I have missed that element ever since he left. I think Bert and Domi can provide a bit of that

I loved what Schenn brought last year, but it was a small sample size and he isn't getting any younger and the game isn't slowing down at all. I would have loved Schenn at $1.3 but obviously that wasn't happening.

I like Kampf a lot and he brings what we need as shutdown centre and PK fixture. I would have loved him at $1.8. That may not have happened either. For him to earn that deal we need him to be more than a 4C.

I could see the following making sense.

Nylander Matthews Bertuzzi
Domi Tavares Marner
Knies Kampf Jarnkrok

With Lafferty, Reaves, McMann, Gambrell and Gregor fighting for fourth line minutes. Maybe just Lafferty and Reaves if we go 11-7 to start and get under the cap.

I would also hope that Benoit is a player and our D looks like:

Rielly Liljegren
Brodie Klingberg
Benoit McCabe

With Gio and Timmins coming in. Maybe Liljegren and Rielly can actually play together. Schenn was not a prototypical top pairing guy, neither was Lyubushkin or Holl though. I want Brodie with Klingberg.

 

[Twine Tickler]

I loved what Schenn brought last year, but it was a small sample size and he isn't getting any younger and the game isn't slowing down at all. I would have loved Schenn at $1.3 but obviously that wasn't happening.

I like Kampf a lot and he brings what we need as shutdown centre and PK fixture. I would have loved him at $1.8. That may not have happened either. For him to earn that deal we need him to be more than a 4C.

I could see the following making sense.

Nylander Matthews Bertuzzi
Domi Tavares Marner
Knies Kampf Jarnkrok

With Lafferty, Reaves, McMann, Gambrell and Gregor fighting for fourth line minutes. Maybe just Lafferty and Reaves if we go 11-7 to start and get under the cap.

I would also hope that Benoit is a player and our D looks like:

Rielly Liljegren
Brodie Klingberg
Benoit McCabe

With Gio and Timmins coming in. Maybe Liljegren and Rielly can actually play together. Schenn was not a prototypical top pairing guy, neither was Lyubushkin or Holl though. I want Brodie with Klingberg.

I think if it were up to me I'd go:

Bertuzzi - Matthews - Marner
Knies- Tavares - Nylander
Robertson-Domi - Jarnkrok
Lafferty-Kampf-Reaves

Rielly - Brodie
McCabe - Klingberg
Giordano - Liljegren

 

[Fogelhund]

I would agree if the salary cap going to be about 92 million by 2025 but it is.

And because it's going to be about 92 million in 2 years 2.4 million for Kampf is fine, in fact by that time it could be a bargain.

Would prefer Kampf as 4C though

Kampf is a 4C... but he is so important defensively he gets more minutes than the 3C... I know, it's weird semantics, but it is what it is... as long as he continues to be great defensively, he'll continue to get the third most minutes of the C's.... and it's for good reason.

Whomever is our 3C, will end up with less minutes, but with a more offensive focus, and a little more sheltered.

 

[Guided by Veseys]

I really like having Kampf. It’s a luxury to have a dependable guy that you can put out in key defensive situations to win draws and do the job quite well. He’s getting a bit underrated around here. The team does lean on him when needed, he is not just an average fourth line nobody.

 

[conFABulator]

I think if it were up to me I'd go:

Bertuzzi - Matthews - Marner
Knies- Tavares - Nylander
Robertson-Domi - Jarnkrok
Lafferty-Kampf-Reaves

Rielly - Brodie
McCabe - Klingberg
Giordano - Liljegren

I have considered the same or similar combination but worry about that second line getting caved defensively. That's the only reason I shift Marner away from Matthews.

I also don't see a shutdown/d-zone starts line. That line should have Kampf on it and not have Robertson or Reaves on it.

As for D pairings. That works if McCabe can cover for Klingberg.

 

[Macallan18]

Why don’t you think he likes him?

He doesn't play him if he can avoid it.

 

[ACC1224]

He doesn't play him if he can avoid it.

I wouldn't take that to mean he doesn't like him you can only dress so many players.
Who would sit instead?

 

[Al14]

I will wait till I see how the newly revamped team does this coming season before proclaiming that Brad Treliving is doing, and has done, a great job.

So far he has added some new players of note, however he has also lost some players of note too.

He allowed the right players to depart in Holl and Kerfoot, however he was unable to retain Schenn and O'Reilly.

Treliving has added some good coaches in Boucher and Van Ryn as well as Doan as an advisor. However, he extended Keefe instead of replacing him.

I think the Matthews new contract is short on term and a tad bit of an overpay. Sadly, a contract extension for Nylander is nowhere to be seen. He should have been resigned or traded prior to his no trade clause kicking in July 1st.

So far it looks okay on paper, however the proof is what happens when the team starts playing the games, makes the playoffs, and goes for an extended playoff run.

JMHO.

 

[geo25]

A career hockey man, player and executive doesn’t need daddy to get him a job. Absurd.

If Tannenbaum was going to do daddy Treliving a favour he’d kick Pizza Pizza out of the building.

I thought it was Boston pizza?

 

[Macallan18]

I wouldn't take that to mean he doesn't like him you can only dress so many players.
Who would sit instead?

Last year? Holl? Schenn? I would have given him hard minutes all season and built his confidence. He has the tools, he needs a coach to develop him mentally. Keefe doesn't have that skill.

 

[LeafChief]

I'd say Treliving has done a pretty solid job so far.

He's not done and I expect there will be at least 1 significant move still to come on D at some point throughout the year. Klingberg is a huge wildcard for us. If he finds his game, that would be HUGE. I imagine Treliving has fond memories of how Klingberg stepped up against Tkachuk in the playoff two years ago (Calgary v Dallas). I think they even fought once or twice. Klingberg definitely didn't win the fights but the fact that he stepped up during the playoffs is encouraging.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I'd say Treliving has done a pretty solid job so far.

He's not done and I expect there will be at least 1 significant move still to come on D at some point throughout the year. Klingberg is a huge wildcard for us. If he finds his game, that would be HUGE. I imagine Treliving has fond memories of how Klingberg stepped up against Tkachuk in the playoff two years ago (Calgary v Dallas). I think they even fought once or twice. Klingberg definitely didn't win the fights but the fact that he stepped up during the playoffs is encouraging.

They did fight, I saw those fights, he very, very, very, VERY did not win.

 

[LeafChief]

They did fight, I saw those fights, he very, very, very, VERY did not win.

Says a lot to me that he was even willing to go with Tkachuk.

 

[ULF_55]

So far ... not impressed.

Jays are doing better, and they suck.

I'm going to give them another 5 months before I will have a preliminary thought on it.

Everyone is a winner in the off-season.

 

[darrylsittler27]

I think Treveling was left a mess by Dubas who had a total scorched earth approach.

 

[ACC1224]

Last year? Holl? Schenn? I would have given him hard minutes all season and built his confidence. He has the tools, he needs a coach to develop him mentally. Keefe doesn't have that skill.

Don’t disagree with that but I admit I’m biased. Can never have enough players from Thorold.

 

[notdoneyet]

Ottawa has 18/23 players signed with 895k
In cap space
They have Norris and Forsberg coming off IR at 10.7 million. They also have to sign Pinto.

Could we trade nylander for D help and trade with Ottawa for Pinto. 6’3” center.

 

[hobarth]

I was hoping BT's drafting with Calgary was better than TO's since 2017(inclusive) so I checked, no such luck as a matter of fact TO's record is without doubt better, lovely.

 

[Racer88]

The Keefe signing is basically meaningless. It doesn't affect the cap, he's easy to fire, and his regular season performance has been tolerable. How much of the team making the playoffs each year you ascribe to the players or to him doesn't matter too much. With or without him, they will make the playoffs (the good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise).

Personally I hope a better one is signed well before the season ends, so that we have a better chance entering the playoffs.

By say February, if that does or doesn't happen will be the time to credit or debit Tre's account.

Unfortunately if they are having the good regular season like we all expect, then they will have no reason to fire Keefe until after another playoff failure. The time to let bimgowas during the summer. It’s now rude or die with Keefe yet again

 

[conFABulator]

I think Treveling was left a mess by Dubas who had a total scorched earth approach.

Yeah? What's your definition of scorched earth?

A team with a core just entering their primes that should challenge for a President's Trophy?

A team with a young forward who could win a Calder Trophy? And a goalie who could do the same?

A team that is in better cap shape than almost every team around them in the standings? Certainly the ones in their division?

A team that had their first round draft pick?

Now, you can talk about a lack of playoff success...but scorched earth? Please elaborate.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Yeah? What's your definition of scorched earth?

A team with a core just entering their primes that should challenge for a President's Trophy?

A team with a young forward who could win a Calder Trophy? And a goalie who could do the same?

A team that is in better cap shape than almost every team around them in the standings? Certainly the ones in their division?

A team that had their first round draft pick?

Now, you can talk about a lack of playoff success...but scorched earth? Please elaborate.

They had Boston's 1st

 

[conFABulator]

They had Boston's 1st

Fair. I should have wrote "they had A first round pick".

Is the the definition of scorched earth, trading down a few spots in the first round?