GDT: Free Agent Frenzy 2022

[WTFMAN99]

it's interesting how scared fans are to project any prospects into the lineup.

Anyways there's no reason why we can't have a whole whack of kids from the last 5 drafts in the lineup this year - Liljegren, Sandin, Robertson, Knies, Abruzzese, Holmberg, (Steeves, Anderson).

You missed quite a lot of them? Engvall isn't the only player drafted and signed by the Leafs on the team.

But if you mean only forwards and in recent years, that's what happens when you are contending, more or less. With that said, this is also why the Leafs are likely to leave spots for those young players coming up, and they should. Steeves, Anderson and Robertson played some NHL games last year, probably will again.

I think Knies is gonna join the roster and likely grab a top 6-9 spot later in the season.

I am projecting Robertson on my roster.

I think after that Steeves or Holmberg may have the best chance.

Kral is someone I really like but LD numbers game isn't good.

 

[SprDaVE]

I think Knies is gonna join the roster and likely grab a top 6-9 spot later in the season.

I am projecting Robertson on my roster.

I think after that Steeves or Holmberg may have the best chance.

Kral is someone I really like but LD numbers game isn't good.

I have Robertson as my 2nd line LW. This is why I'm not overly interested in going after a long-term top 6 option. He needs a long look.

After that, Leafs a plethora of useful forwards that are likely just as good if not better than anyone we can sign in free agency.

 

[ULF_55]

it's interesting how scared fans are to project any prospects into the lineup.

Anyways there's no reason why we can't have a whole whack of kids from the last 5 drafts in the lineup this year - Liljegren, Sandin, Robertson, Knies, Abruzzese, Holmberg, (Steeves, Anderson).

You would think rather than twisting themselves into knots trying to sign some player for less than 2 that will be signing elsewhere for over 3-4 per season they'd have an interest in looking internally.

Not the first time I've said this, but if they don't have any players in the system (drafted outside the gimme round) the franchise has problems top to bottom.

 

[New Liskeard]

$2 mil cap spent on a #7 is a waste given our holes in other areas.

I was referring to Sandin as the previous poster wanted to trade both Holl and Sandin.

 

[zeke]

You would think rather than twisting themselves into knots trying to sign some player for less than 2 that will be signing elsewhere for over 3-4 per season they'd have an interest in looking internally.

Not the first time I've said this, but if they don't have any players in the system (drafted outside the gimme round) the franchise has problems top to bottom.

unfortunately there's nothing they can do about earlier drafts and its too early to be dissappointed by no late round picks from recent drafts because no teams have any late round picks from 2018 in their lineups. That being said, I like the chances of mid to late round picks from 2018 and 2019 like Robertson, Holmberg, Abruzzese contributing this year.

 

[LeafChief]

You draft and sign prospects for the purpose of promoting them to the NHL.

How many are in the projected line-ups?

Engvall from 2014 draft

Perhaps the problem isn't the Cap.

The problem was our drafting for 2-3 years. The players that have been drafted over the most recent 2-3 drafts are progressing really well if you pay attention.

Having watched a lot of Steeves last year, it would not shock me at all to see him come in and having a Bunting-light impact.

Not expecting 60 points but a 30-40 point season would not be out of the question. He's fast as f***. Has a good shot and I found him surprisingly feisty. Even dropped the gloves once or twice.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I have Robertson as my 2nd line LW. This is why I'm not overly interested in going after a long-term top 6 option. He needs a long look.

After that, Leafs a plethora of useful forwards that are likely just as good if not better than anyone we can sign in free agency.

Maybe Sam Gagner as insurance, he can play bottom 6 or even stay as 13th forward if Robertson isn't up for it yet.

 

[ULF_55]

The problem was our drafting for 2-3 years. The players that have been drafted over the most recent 2-3 drafts are progressing really well if you pay attention.

Oh, I'm quite willing to put some of these players into the line-up.
There are opportunities, and if they're waiver exempt why wouldn't you give them an opportunity?

I have no interest though in moving out a 21 year old defender for some +35 year old player because that 21 year old is standing up for himself. Some get so indignant about a human being suggesting he wants some say in his life.

Like to see more line-up scenario's with internal candidates.

 

[LeafChief]

Oh, I'm quite willing to put some of these players into the line-up.
There are opportunities, and if they're waiver exempt why wouldn't you give them an opportunity?

I have no interest though in moving out a 21 year old defender for some +35 year old player because that 21 year old is standing up for himself? Some get so indignant about a human being suggesting he wants some say in his life.

Like to see more line-up scenario's with internal candidates.

Just to clarify, I never mentioned moving Sandin. I love Sandin.

 

[SprDaVE]

Maybe Sam Gagner as insurance, he can play bottom 6 or even stay as 13th forward if Robertson isn't up for it yet.

He's an option but he's a RW/C so not sure it's a great fit. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes through the summer unsigned and tries his shot with a PTO on the Leafs. He's way too good for a PTO to me but hey, sometimes you never know. Rodrigues would be much better than Gagner if we're adding a right handed forward.

Heinen or Milano on 1 year deals would be my choices for a Robertson competition signing. If Robertson proves to be really good and fits the 2nd line, they still fit on the other lines as depth.

ZAR or Donato would be choices to add lower line depth right away.

 

[ULF_55]

Just to clarify, I never mentioned moving Sandin. I love Sandin.

I wasn't including everyone in that, but easy to find the offers including.

 

[Avilaj07]

Personally, I would have zero problem moving Sandin if we can get a similar aged rhd or center back in the trade. Sandin is blocked with Rielly, Muzzin and Gio being on the left for the next 2 years and I'm sorry but I would prefer all 3 of those players come playoff time instead of Sandin. His foot speed is a major issue, he's not the biggest player and has issues in the corners. Lastly, I actually think Kral ends up being the better player out of the 2 anyways.

If we could move Sandin out for a player like Barrett Hayton then I hope Dubas makes that move asap.

 

[WTFMAN99]

He's an option but he's a RW/C so not sure it's a great fit. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes through the summer unsigned and tries his shot with a PTO on the Leafs. He's way too good for a PTO to me but hey, sometimes you never know. Rodrigues would be much better than Gagner if we're adding a right handed forward.

Heinen or Milano on 1 year deals would be my choices for a Robertson competition signing. If Robertson proves to be really good and fits the 2nd line, they still fit on the other lines as depth.

ZAR or Donato would be choices to add lower line depth right away.

I'm with you on everything except Donato.

Maybe he turned the corner because I didn't see much of him at all last season but every year previously he was soft and not committed defensively. I'd actually take Gagner over him, it seems silly to think/say it this way but I think Gagner would care more about being here.

 

[Apex Predator]

The problem was our drafting for 2-3 years. The players that have been drafted over the most recent 2-3 drafts are progressing really well if you pay attention.

Having watched a lot of Steeves last year, it would not shock me at all to see him come in and having a Bunting-light impact.

Not expecting 60 points but a 30-40 point season would not be out of the question. He's fast as f***. Has a good shot and I found him surprisingly feisty. Even dropped the gloves once or twice.

So Steeves could be Buntings replacement for next season?

 

[dubplatepressure]

I liked more of Steeves than what I saw of Abruzesse.

 

[LeafChief]

So Steeves could be Buntings replacement for next season?

I can't sit here and pretend to have a crystal ball but I was very impressed with Steeves last season with the Marlies.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Common trades

 

[ULF_55]

Personally, I would have zero problem moving Sandin if we can get a similar aged rhd or center back in the trade. Sandin is blocked with Rielly, Muzzin and Gio being on the left for the next 2 years and I'm sorry but I would prefer all 3 of those players come playoff time instead of Sandin. His foot speed is a major issue, he's not the biggest player and has issues in the corners. Lastly, I actually think Kral ends up being the better player out of the 2 anyways.

If we could move Sandin out for a player like Barrett Hayton then I hope Dubas makes that move asap.

Sandin is younger than Kral.
Not saying who is going to be better, but playing in the NHL as a 21 year old defender is pretty good.
Leafs used 12 defenders last year and Rubins was the only one to get a sniff from the Marlies, other than some older x-NHLers.

 

[Kurtz]

So what is our expectation on a Kerfoot return? Where do we set the over/under?

My baseline expectation is a 2nd rounder (Connor Brown return). Anything above, I'm quite happy; below and I'm putting Kyle to torch.

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

I hope Kadri stays in the Western conference

So what is our expectation on a Kerfoot return? Where do we set the over/under?

My baseline expectation is a 2nd rounder (Connor Brown return). Anything above, I'm quite happy; below and I'm putting Kyle to torch.

Listened to a Mirtle podcast over the weekend, he doesn't think his trade value around the league is very good. I'm prepared to be disappointed if it even happens

 

[WTFMAN99]

Common trades

The (un)Athletic were speculating it's just a matter of when with our cap situation, they seem to be plugged in with this management group.

So what is our expectation on a Kerfoot return? Where do we set the over/under?

My baseline expectation is a 2nd rounder (Connor Brown return). Anything above, I'm quite happy; below and I'm putting Kyle to torch.

I think you hit it on the head, a 2nd either 23 or 24 at the minimum.

 

[Cor]

The clips of Knies at the development camp make me wish he signed last year.

He’s going to be a great addition. Kid is a stud

 

[justashadowof]

Hate to see Kerfoot go and be replaced by a lesser player. Dubas needs to find an upgrade and one way is to find a budget team with a better player who is owned more real dollars than his AAV and that AAV has to be lower than Kerfoot's.

I'm really not seeing a match straight up. The Leafs will have to deal Kerfoot for futures then source his replacement in another way - he will need to be replaced, he occupies a role that will need to be filled. Most important is whether any of teams like Anaheim, Arizona, Buffalo, Chicago, etc. are interested and not on Kerfoot's no trade list.

 

[VanW27]

I think it makes sense to leave a LW spot open for a young player.

We have a couple more mature LWs that need a chance to show what they can do (Steeves, Holmberg, Abbruzzese) and then Robertson who while still young has been in that fringe spot for a couple years now.

Let the 4 kids fight over it.

 

[SprDaVE]

So what is our expectation on a Kerfoot return? Where do we set the over/under?

My baseline expectation is a 2nd rounder (Connor Brown return). Anything above, I'm quite happy; below and I'm putting Kyle to torch.

That's my expectations as well, but I could see the Leafs targetting a player in a return, something similar to the Johnsson return maybe.