GDT: Free Agent Frenzy 2022

[SprDaVE]

Is it a two horse race between re-signing Bunting or a yet to emerge Ilya Samsonov?

Samsonov is a RFA so Leafs have a bit more leeway compared to Bunting as a UFA.

 

[ULF_55]

The Arvidsson contract would be 4.7m x 7 years.

Except Arvidsson was 24 years old and Bunting would be 28 when the extension kicked in.
So his contract would include years outside his prime.
Additionally, he just played with the best player in the league for his production.
Arvidsson was just tapping into his potential.

 

[ULF_55]

Is it a two horse race between re-signing Bunting or a yet to emerge Ilya Samsonov?

I would hope it is the keeper.

Can you imagine if the Leafs actually had an excess of NHL calibre keepers you'd be okay with in the net?

 

[Stephen]

Samsonov is a RFA so Leafs have a bit more leeway compared to Bunting as a UFA.

Kind of, but you’d have to stick handle him past the last year of Murray if he’s a success. So it’s a bit of a tricky situation. Unless Sandin and Liljegren really emerge next year and we can get rid of a Brodie or Muzzin.

 

[supermann_98]

Exactly!

Move any player if it results in a better team that can win the Cup.

Of course, there are player fans and team fans and they aren't always the same thing.

... not to mention the GM fans

 

[ULF_55]

... not to mention the GM fans

He's just another temp.

 

[as Pure as Evil]

man the southern fairies (stl fans mostly) are losing there shit about a % of leaf fans wanting chucky.

 

[Fogelhund]

man the southern fairies (stl fans mostly) are losing there shit about a % of leaf fans wanting chucky.

Why. Would they rather be after a player no other fan base has interest in?

 

[Jackothy]

Man, if Calgary does the smart thing and embraces the rebuild, Tanev would be such a dream fit.

Reilly-Tanev
Muzzin-Brodie
Gio-Liljegren

That my friends is a legit contender's defense (Muzzin's health pending). Dropping Kerfoot and Holl would balance out the cap. Think parting with any prospect not named Niemela or Knies and a 1st.

 

[Burnie97]

man the southern fairies (stl fans mostly) are losing there shit about a % of leaf fans wanting chucky.

I don't think we'll get him at all but funny we're rent free in so many NHL fans minds.

 

[Stephen]

The Canadian sports media guys really need to get a life about this American player exodus from Canada because Gaudreau randomly left Calgary and that’s causing Tkachuk to re-assess.

The sensationalism and hand wringing is just nonsense. It’s as silly as saying players don’t want to be in New York State and look out New York Rangers because Buffalo and Long Island are traditionally unpopular destinations and a number of high profile players have left those teams. Find new talking points!

 

[nuck]

Is it a two horse race between re-signing Bunting or a yet to emerge Ilya Samsonov?

Long odds with Samsonov. Take away his draft status and his biggest shine comes from being a KHL regular at a young age but all goalies look great at Magnitogorsk. He was not a good AHL goalie and Vanicek was better there and in the NHL although V's salary made him a non starter for the Leafs, except as a possible #1. I would have gone with Comrie but a 19 game sample is a legitimate concern if your #1 is injury prone.

For Sams to be resigned he needs to play at a higher level for the Leafs than he has yet shown in North America. I am hoping they saw something they think they can coach out of his game but... I think he outperforms an injured Mrazek no matter what.

 

[Jmo89]

Did he say he was staying in Calgary?

Every actual insider cj. Dreger. Friedman seravalli all have said that they have every belief Matty will re sign

The idea that he would leave like 50-70 goals from the all time record of the most famous team worldwide in hockey is silly.

Personally I think he signs a 3 year deal. Gets the all time goal record and can make his decision from there when the cap jumps.

But if he wants to sign 8. Great. I would just let him secure the bag.front load it and if he wants to go south promise to trade him wherever he wants to go.

He owes us nothing. If he wants to go home. Let him. Work out a trade like tkachuk. If he won’t sign and we keep him. Well that’s the leafs mistake not his

I think he will go longer than 3 but I agree. He will re-sign but it won't be 8 years. Probably another 5 years and then his retirement contract for 8.

He and Dubas will say the same thing again; that he signed a shorter term deal to bring the cost down, and then for his 3rd contract the script will flip a little. The team will "reward" him until he's 40 and bring the cost down.

In the end he will maximize his earnings with a higher cap and be a career Leaf.

 

[Fogelhund]

Man, if Calgary does the smart thing and embraces the rebuild, Tanev would be such a dream fit.

Reilly-Tanev
Muzzin-Brodie
Gio-Liljegren

That my friends is a legit contender's defense (Muzzin's health pending). Dropping Kerfoot and Holl would balance out the cap. Think parting with any prospect not named Niemela or Knies and a 1st.

It's certainly doable, but they'd really have to withhold cap on that deal, preferably 50%.

 

[Stephen]

Long odds with Samsonov. Take away his draft status and his biggest shine comes from being a KHL regular at a young age but all goalies look great at Magnitogorsk. He was not a good AHL goalie and Vanicek was better there and in the NHL although V's salary made him a non starter for the Leafs, except as a possible #1. I would have gone with Comrie but a 19 game sample is a legitimate concern if your #1 is injury prone.

For Sams to be resigned he needs to play at a higher level for the Leafs than he has yet shown in North America. I am hoping they saw something they think they can coach out of his game but... I think he outperforms an injured Mrazek no matter what.

Well, Samsonov has shown a lot of flashes with Washington and still has a pretty healthy wins loss record, so he could be in process of fixing his technique, becoming more quiet and consistent in the nets and that would warrant an extended look. He doesn't have to steal the job outright in his first year.

 

[nuck]

Well, Samsonov has shown a lot of flashes with Washington and still has a pretty healthy wins loss record, so he could be in process of fixing his technique, becoming more quiet and consistent in the nets and that would warrant an extended look. He doesn't have to steal the job outright in his first year.

What I am hoping is that Sanford is giving KD better advice on his goalies than Briere was able to. He can't confirm that Murray will stay healthy but he can say if he sees patchable holes with Sams.

Nothing about the Caps goalie coach Scott Murray tells me he is any better than Briere. The Capitals seem to be exporting goalies rather than developing them. Sanford gives Samsonov a chance for a reset that he wasn't getting in Washington. This is a new chance for him.

 

[Legion34]

The Canadian sports media guys really need to get a life about this American player exodus from Canada because Gaudreau randomly left Calgary and that’s causing Tkachuk to re-assess.

The sensationalism and hand wringing is just nonsense. It’s as silly as saying players don’t want to be in New York State and look out New York Rangers because Buffalo and Long Island are traditionally unpopular destinations and a number of high profile players have left those teams. Find new talking points!

The much bigger trend that everyone is ignoring is the west to east exodus. Every major star signed in the east so far right?

JG specifically said he was looking forward to being home by 12 instead of 4.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

Man, if Calgary does the smart thing and embraces the rebuild, Tanev would be such a dream fit.

Reilly-Tanev
Muzzin-Brodie
Gio-Liljegren

That my friends is a legit contender's defense (Tanev and Muzzin's health pending). Dropping Kerfoot and Holl would balance out the cap. Think parting with any prospect not named Niemela or Knies and a 1st.

Fixed for you. Tanev suffered some big injuries in the playoffs and just had shoulder surgery. Elite D corps with a ton of risk.

 

[Torontonian]

The Canadian sports media guys really need to get a life about this American player exodus from Canada because Gaudreau randomly left Calgary and that’s causing Tkachuk to re-assess.

The sensationalism and hand wringing is just nonsense. It’s as silly as saying players don’t want to be in New York State and look out New York Rangers because Buffalo and Long Island are traditionally unpopular destinations and a number of high profile players have left those teams. Find new talking points!

They forget the quality of life if you are comparing Calgary and Toronto for example, of people of their lifestyle. Calgary doesn't stand a chance when comparing it to Toronto. It's exactly like Panarin leaving Columbus to play in New York, the two life styles are night and day.

Unless you are playing in Toronto ,Vancouver ,Montreal, it's going to be hard to keep your talent, it is what it is.

 

[Menzinger]

The Canadian sports media guys really need to get a life about this American player exodus from Canada because Gaudreau randomly left Calgary and that’s causing Tkachuk to re-assess.

The sensationalism and hand wringing is just nonsense. It’s as silly as saying players don’t want to be in New York State and look out New York Rangers because Buffalo and Long Island are traditionally unpopular destinations and a number of high profile players have left those teams. Find new talking points!

Nothing gets Canadian viewers/readers more engaged than framing anything in a Canada vs USA light, unfortunately.

Going to hear about it quite a bit until we get a Matthews extension.

It's all very dumb regardless. US hockey writers didn't start this stuff when Tavares left New York ect

 

[Menzinger]

I wonder if it might be worth it for the Leafs to extend Bunting right now? There's no rush I suppose and it's risky but I think he's been a great fit on and off the ice.

I'd take the chance on giving him a ~4M cap hit for 4-5 years kind of thing. Get him before he potentially explodes even more and is in the 5M+ territory.

I think it would be worth it. Seems like both sides could come to a reasonable compromise sooner than later

 

[Rielly4]

Bunting for 4-4.5 would be a good move imo.

I honestly have no clue what we are going to do with our top 6. Looking around the league there arent a ton of options.

 

[dubplatepressure]

Bunting for 4-4.5 would be a good move imo.

I honestly have no clue what we are going to do with our top 6. Looking around the league there arent a ton of options.

Knies next year, Robertson as a potential this year. It isn’t all that bad.

 

[Puckstuff]

Tkachcuk + Tanev 50 %
For
Nylander, Sandin, Kerfoot, Holl


Tkachcuk-Tavares-Marner
Robertson-Matthews-Bunting
Engvall-Jarnkrok-Kubel
Anderson-Kampf-Clifford

Rielly-Tanev
Muzzin-Brodie
Giordano-Liljegren

Murray
Samsanov

Need to check cap but I think it could work.

 

[Fogelhund]

Tkachcuk + Tanev 50 %
For
Nylander, Sandin, Kerfoot, Holl


Tkachcuk-Tavares-Marner
Robertson-Matthews-Bunting
Engvall-Jarnkrok-Kubel
Anderson-Kampf-Clifford

Rielly-Tanev
Muzzin-Brodie
Giordano-Liljegren

Murray
Samsanov

Need to check cap but I think it could work.

It would work if a) Tkachuk would sign for $9.5 mil and if b) he would come here.

There is little chance he’ll sign for less than $11 mil, and he won’t come here anyway.