Free Agency and Trade Thread - Playoff Edition II

[WTFMAN99]

Agreed. Think Scott Harrington.

I actually liked him with us and he can play his off-side. Mind you I was a fan of acquiring Rychel at the time....but grabbing Scott Harrington could make sense. CBJ has a ton of defenseman they're promoting and he might not be qualified.

I would love to bring him back.

 

[TheShape]

Believe it or not, you can replace what Zaitsev accomplished with a bottom pairing level defenseman paid probably around the league minimum, or at the very least between the 1M and 2M range.

Again, I’m not against moving the contract if there is an opportunity to. But name me someone for under 2 million who will step into our top four and replace those minutes? Nick Jensen IMO would have been perfect but you can scratch him off the list.

Ron Hainsey is also most likely gone and Dermott is out for 6 months. We need to add to our D core not subtract.

 

[TheShape]

I actually liked him with us and he can play his off-side. Mind you I was a fan of acquiring Rychel at the time....but grabbing Scott Harrington could make sense. CBJ has a ton of defenseman they're promoting and he might not be qualified.

I would love to bring him back.

I think Harrington is slotted right where he should be which is on the third pair. And we all know how stubborn Babcock is, once he has made his mind up on a player that is it. He didn’t have time for Harrington then and I doubt he will now.

 

[SprDaVE]

Again, I’m not against moving the contract if there is an opportunity to. But name me someone for under 2 million who will step into our top four and replace those minutes? Nick Jensen IMO would have been perfect but you can scratch him off the list.

Ron Hainsey is also most likely gone and Dermott is out for 6 months. We need to add to our D core not subtract.

I think internally should be enough. Losing Dermott definitely sours that because he was definitely one of those names that would have easily replaced Zaitsev and his contributions... but he's not out for the entire season.

And I wasn't suggesting someone under 2M could replace Zaitsev. What I meant is that Zaitsev was contributing like a sub 2M player and essentially a bottom pairing defenseman paid like he's a good middle level defenseman.

The Leafs do need to shuffle the deck defensively. They have a lot of options but a lot of them are also a little unsure due to their age. There are options they could trade for... but who knows how that goes. Whatever happens, I'm sure keeping Zaitsev on the team is far down the list of things they want.

 

[TML1967]

Zaitsev is a fine #5 guy on a cup contender IMO.
He still cant seem to pull it all together, he has the tools to be a #4 maybe even borderline #3 but we haven't seen it other than a few flashes.

If he was making 3m, I think he probably is liked by more a sizable amount of the fans. At least tolerated.

When he signed the 3 most comparable contracts were Klingberg, Klefbom and Josi according to call friendly. I'd take any of them over him in a heartbeat.

Last year he showed doesn’t generate a lot of offence on his own. He struggles to keep the puck out of the Leafs defensive zone, and he struggles to get the puck back up ice once he recovers it. Not worst on the team, but below what his contract would dictate.

If Vancouver covets him we should be targeting a guy like Troy Stecher, with the Leafs adding in a kicker like a Bracco.

Only 1 more year but at under 2.5m.
Good possession guy with similar offensive upside. He is a tad bit smaller but seems to get the defensive side of things a bit better at 5v5.

I cant see why they would not like Stecher but he was a healthy scratch this year and was on the third pair for most of the season.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

If you're making that much money, it plays a big part into it yes. And as a defensive defenseman, he gets buried in shot attempts anyway. There is very little redeeming about Zaitsevs performance when you consider his contract over the past 2 seasons unfortunately. His efficiency is terrible, which is why Dubas needs to trade him for as much value as possible... if at all possible.

Jake Muzzin is what you think Zaitsev is.

No. If he was, then I'd want 10th overall from Vancouver and we'd never consider trading him because he'd have one of the best contracts in the league, much like Muzzin has right now. If you are comparing everyone to Muzzin, then you aren't getting anybody.

Muzzin would easily get 6+ mill on the open market. Maybe even 7+ mill next year. He's good enough to be a #2 on many teams. It's like saying Zaitsev is overpaid at 4.5 because Rielly is making 5. Well the problem is Rielly is making like half of what he's worth, not what he's going to earn.

Just look at what guys like Gardiner, Myers and Stralman are going to get this year. Stralman may get undercut a bit since he is getting older and had a few tougher seasons, but even he probably gets over 4 mill this year. Look at Evolving Wilds model. I'll be the first to admit there is a lot of room for that thing to grow, but it is accurate enough to know that guys like Zaitsev would get at least the contract he's on right now on the open market. Look at what guys like De Haan and Alzner got in recent years. Look at what Hainsey even got. Alzner was a bad deal from the start, but that is what even the most offensively incapable defenseman can go for on the open market if they show even the slightest ability of competently defending at a top 4 level.

Like we've got to be somewhat realistic. Zaitsev is something even the Leafs need more of, and something a lot of teams will have to pay good assets to acquire. Otherwise, their alternatives are giving huge deals to guys like Myers, and there are not many out there.

 

[SprDaVE]

Zaitsev is a fine #5 guy on a cup contender IMO.
He still cant seem to pull it all together, he has the tools to be a #4 maybe even borderline #3 but we haven't seen it other than a few flashes.

If he was making 3m, I think he probably is liked by more a sizable amount of the fans. At least tolerated.

When he signed the 3 most comparable contracts were Klingberg, Klefbom and Josi according to call friendly. I'd take any of them over him in a heartbeat.

Last year he showed doesn’t generate a lot of offence on his own. He struggles to keep the puck out of the Leafs defensive zone, and he struggles to get the puck back up ice once he recovers it. Not worst on the team, but below what his contract would dictate.

If Vancouver covets him we should be targeting a guy like Troy Stecher, with the Leafs adding in a kicker like a Bracco.

Only 1 more year but at under 2.5m.
Good possession guy with similar offensive upside. He is a tad bit smaller but seems to get the defensive side of things a bit better at 5v5.

I cant see why they would not like Stecher but he was a healthy scratch this year and was on the third pair for most of the season.

Very well said and I agree on pretty much everything.

However, if we're giving up Bracco here, I think the deal has to be more enticing. Bracco's value is pretty high right now... but I don't disagree it might be what it takes for someone to take over Zaitsev unfortunately.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I think Harrington is slotted right where he should be which is on the third pair. And we all know how stubborn Babcock is, once he has made his mind up on a player that is it. He didn’t have time for Harrington then and I doubt he will now.

I guess we'll see. I wouldn't have an issue with Scott Harrington as 3rd pairing RD for like 1-1.5M

 

[Magic Man]

Not moving Bracco in almost any realistic scenario. We need him to replace departing roster players for cheap and he's going to be a big boost to the PP next season, which is something that failed us down the stretch.

 

[Magic Man]

I actually liked him with us and he can play his off-side. Mind you I was a fan of acquiring Rychel at the time....but grabbing Scott Harrington could make sense. CBJ has a ton of defenseman they're promoting and he might not be qualified.

I would love to bring him back.

I'd be willing to give him another shot if they don't qualify him. I'd look at other options first.

 

[The Podium]

If and when Panarin walks, Marner would be a nice fit with the BJ's. Jones is a righty, cheaper ,only 24,checks all the boxes. If Columbus adds throw in Anderson. Look good riding shotgun with Mathews or JT. And isn't Werenski a lefty.
LEAF D:
Reilly -- Jones
Muzzin --- Zaitsev
Rosen --- Dermott or Rosen /Lily or Dermott/Lily

Jones is one of the few players in the league I would be ok with in a trade involving Marner

 

[Menzinger]

Again, I’m not against moving the contract if there is an opportunity to. But name me someone for under 2 million who will step into our top four and replace those minutes? Nick Jensen IMO would have been perfect but you can scratch him off the list.

Ron Hainsey is also most likely gone and Dermott is out for 6 months. We need to add to our D core not subtract.

If you trade Zaitsev you could resign Hainsey for 3 mil or less and probably on a 1 year deal.

Zaitsev can be useful when given the right partner and usage but I'd still potentially pay a reasonable sweetener to move him

 

[Dreakmur]

If you trade Zaitsev you could resign Hainsey for 3 mil or less and probably on a 1 year deal.

Zaitsev can be useful when given the right partner and usage but I'd still potentially pay a reasonable sweetener to move him

Unless Hainsey really wants to stay here, that deal won't cut it. I can see him getting a 3 year deal out of somebody.

 

[SprDaVE]

Unless Hainsey really wants to stay here, that deal won't cut it. I can see him getting a 3 year deal out of somebody.

3 year deal for a 38 year old?

Woof.

 

[Dreakmur]

3 year deal for a 38 year old?

Woof.

Oh, they'll regret it, but you don't see a desperate team adding an extra year just to make the deal?

 

[SprDaVE]

Oh, they'll regret it, but you don't see a desperate team adding an extra year just to make the deal?

Doubtful, even from the worst GM out there.

 

[Dreakmur]

Doubtful, even from the worst GM out there.

Even so, you think a 1 year deal is the most he gets?

 

[SprDaVE]

Even so, you think a 1 year deal is the most he gets?

Very likely, yes... but who knows.

 

[Menzinger]

Unless Hainsey really wants to stay here, that deal won't cut it. I can see him getting a 3 year deal out of somebody.

Mirtle suggested he quite liked playing in Toronto. Well see what happens but I think GMs are finally starting to show a bit of caution when it comes to older players and contract length

 

[Rielly4]

Havent we heard that Zaitsev actually has some positive trade value? As in we wont have to add a player to get rid of him. No way in hell it would be Bracco either...Our best offensive forward on ELC in a cap crunch.

Zaitsev is definitely the main issue with our top 4 and replacing him with a true top pairing RD would make our blueline look very strong with Muzzin-Dermott as the second pair.

I do kinda agree with the poster above that Zaitsev at 4.5 might be intriguing over some of the UFAs like Myers and Stralman considering they could get 5.5 and in Stralmans case is older. It is a very weak d man free agent class considering Karlsson will probably resign. Hainsey and Gardiner may actually be the best free agent d men available haha. This leads me to believe that trading Zaitsev is doable but we obviously have to ensure we are getting a deal done for a top pairing D before moving him out.

 

[Blueboy]

Havent we heard that Zaitsev actually has some positive trade value? As in we wont have to add a player to get rid of him. No way in hell it would be Bracco either...Our best offensive forward on ELC in a cap crunch.

Zaitsev is definitely the main issue with our top 4 and replacing him with a true top pairing RD would make our blueline look very strong with Muzzin-Dermott as the second pair.

I do kinda agree with the poster above that Zaitsev at 4.5 might be intriguing over some of the UFAs like Myers and Stralman considering they could get 5.5 and in Stralmans case is older. It is a very weak d man free agent class considering Karlsson will probably resign. Hainsey and Gardiner may actually be the best free agent d men available haha. This leads me to believe that trading Zaitsev is doable but we obviously have to ensure we are getting a deal done for a top pairing D before moving him out.

Completely agree there. I think it’s a key time to move on from Zaitsev. Especially if he carries value around the league.

In order to acquire that RHD, it could very likely mean moving Kapanen, Kadri, Johnsson or quite possibly Nylander.

I’m not keen on moving Nylander, but the others I wouldn’t be opposed. There’s two guys I think Leafs would or at least should be interested in. Manson and C.Miller.

Vegas has shown interest in moving Miller, he’s a former Soo and fancy stats darling, plays with an edge too.

I could see Anaheim doing some odd moves, they’re in a weird spot for them. Especially with the contracts and core age.

 

[Leafin]

Zaitsev and Marleau gotta go. Brown is probably an easy guy to move.

~13 million right there.

I would love to find 2 top 4 RHD to replace Zaitsev and Hainsey. Maybe there is something to the Larsson rumors out in Edmonton. He'd be a solid defensive partner for Rielly.

Colin Miller a possible target? Had a tough year in Vegas. Might look good paired up with Muzzin. Would provide us with a bomb of a shot.

I assume Liljegren takes a spot in camp.

Rielly - Larsson
Muzzin - Miller
Rosen/Dermott - Liljegren

Rosen probably gets the spot until Dermott comes back. We'd see how things would play out after that.

 

[Dragao6]

Unless Hainsey really wants to stay here, that deal won't cut it. I can see him getting a 3 year deal out of somebody.

If hainsey resign which I can see happen it for allot less then 3M on 1 year to play 3rd pairing so depends if lilly is really ready to go or needs another year.
One thing is obvious, these kids on ELC are too valuable to out cap situation so people on here need to stop offering them in trades.
I'd like to hear more of Zaits leaving ang bring in spurgeon and Miller...would round up lineup nicely and give lilly, sandin another year in minors if needed while getting 1st taste of nhl with call ups

We just need to get by this year and get Marleau off books

 

[Magic Man]

I think Hainsey signs for 2 years if he goes to the highest bidder. If he came back to the Leafs I don't think they go past 1 year with recent memory of having to get out of Marleau's 3rd year. I do think the defenseman they sign to fill out their roster assuming no trades on D would probably be a 1 year deal on a bottom pairing guy no matter who it is, with Liljegren and Sandin guarantees for the following year or earlier and Muzzin and Dermott in the need of renewal at season's end.

 

[Fogelhund]

I think Hainsey signs for 2 years if he goes to the highest bidder. If he came back to the Leafs I don't think they go past 1 year with recent memory of having to get out of Marleau's 3rd year. I do think the defenseman they sign to fill out their roster assuming no trades on D would probably be a 1 year deal on a bottom pairing guy no matter who it is, with Liljegren and Sandin guarantees for the following year or earlier and Muzzin and Dermott in the need of renewal at season's end.

If Muzzin is extended, Dermott could end up on the block at some point. Maybe in two, or three years. This assumption is based upon picking up a guy who can legitimately play with Reilly, and Liljegren being ready for 2020, and one of the other RHD also looking to progress to the NHL. Dermott is just ok to me on the right side, and I think Reilly, Muzzin and Sandin will be better left side options. Oh, Zaitsev gone in the assumption too. If Z stays, and Liljegren makes a push, it's possible Dermott moves sooner, if the return helps the team overall.