GDT: Free Agent Frenzy 2022

[93LEAFS]

Forget signing him, he should be in jail and throw away the key. How dare he not agree with the dictator running our country?

On a serious note, I would love if we could get Stastny as our 3rd line C to play with Nylander and Engvall. Engvall and Willy had some chemistry last year and as much as I appreciate what Kampf brings he’s just not offensively gifted enough to center a line like that.

Stastny would fit like a glove on that line and Kampf would be the best 4C we’ve had in quite awhile

Again, I never even made any political commentary on whatever he does with his money. But, if he donated to that, I doubt he's very inclined to sign in Canada again.

 

[zeke]

All but guaranteed with 16 and 34 on the team but it will not be a cakewalk like it was the last two years.

It will be a cakewalk, and right now the Leafs are the safest bet to finish 1ST in the Atlantic.

 

[Stigma]

I want a cheap Phil.

He scored 20 goals just 2 seasons ago in 56 games. 52 points this year. He still has some of "it".

 

[kb]

Who cares what Soup was signed for? Do you honestly thing he was worth 5x5? The guy we were begging to upgrade on at the TDL. Some revisionist history going on.

I’m not saying Murray and Samsonov are without question marks, but this team was 29th in 5v5 save% and 25th in overall save%, the bar isn’t set too high. We pretty much went from a Hynduai to a Nissan. Not great, not reliable, but pretty much the same.

Obviously losing Mikheyev hurt, but the off-season isn’t done. There still seems like there will be movement upfront.

This seems like the off-season of lateral movements.

Yup.

The downside of the goaltending tandem would be the same as we saw from New Years onwards anyway. The upside is 2 potential #1's, one with 2 cup win pedigree.

It's no worse overall, that's for certain. It can't be worse as even Kallgren was better than Mrazek for the most part, and he's still here as #3.

 

[SprDaVE]

Agree. I believe having 16, 34, 88, 91 with a solid D masks some of the problems and they are only exposed in the playoffs.

The fact that we are replacing players signing for $4m-$5m with $1m dollar players is starting to catch up to us IMO. How much thinner can we make the supporting cast before the core can no longer carry them is what concerns me.

Mrazek was garbage but I like Samsonov's upside so that is an upgrade although from listening to some of the experts, perhaps the Caps had good reason not to qualify him.

Jury is out on the team until we see the on ice product.

The supporting cast is largely the same as it was last year minus Mikheyev really and he was injured for 25% of the season. We didn't really replace anyone from a 4M contract to 1M. Not sure how it's catching up when this past season we just had the best Leafs regular season. How can anyone say this with a straight face is beyond me.

The goaltenders changed but can't be much worse. In theory they are better. Mrazek was by far the worst goaltender in the league last year. Even a drunk 40 year Craig Anderson was better. Any sort of replacement is better, which is what Samsonov is.

Compare what the Leafs lost to what the Lightning and the Panthers lost.

Look man, I know being overly negative about things is a trait. And to be fair, the Leafs deserve every ounce of criticism and doubt because they can't win when it matters. So have at it. I just want actual facts being presented, not just loose interpretations of what is considered regression.

 

[Legion34]

People forget that hari sateri was signed to play goal for the leafs on the stretch drive.

And we are worse?????

 

[ULF_55]

On defense compared to last season. Gio in over Dermott is a major upgrade. Sandin and Liljegren are another year more experienced and proven. The defense looks better this year than it did last year. They have a top-5 league defensive unit.

At forward they've lost Mikheyev, Kase and Spezza. They are players that can bring a lot of offense and they brought good defensive ability and the ability to PK. They've replaced them with Malgin, Aube-Kubel and there may still be another forward out there that they may sign. If they don't sign anyone, I would assume the other roster spot is Robertson's to lose. This is a big question mark going into the season. How much can you get from these guys. Even, if you sign a Motte, ZAR or Strome.

In net I think we came away with an upgrade at the backup position. If you told me at the start of the off-season that Samsonov or Murray would replace Mrazek I would have been fine with that. When it comes to one of them being a starter I'm very nervous that either of them can pull it off. I think Jack was a gamble to maintain his high level of play, but either of these goalies are far more risky.

In summary, I think the defense being pretty much perfect on paper to start the season and the big 4 being in top form should carry us to the playoffs rather easily. Goaltending and bottom-6 forward quality are big concerns going into the season. They may need to address both before the deadline.

Bunting-Matthews-marner
Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Aube-Kubel

Simmons, Robertson, Clifford, Anderson, Gaudette (auditions from the prospects - waiver exempt)

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Giordano-Liljegren
Sandin

Aube-Kubel replaces Spezza's contribution.
Mikheyev's 32 points have to be replaced
Kase 27 points have to be replaced

 

[ToneDog]

Who cares what Soup was signed for? Do you honestly thing he was worth 5x5? The guy we were begging to upgrade on at the TDL. Some revisionist history going on.

I’m not saying Murray and Samsonov are without question marks, but this team was 29th in 5v5 save% and 25th in overall save%, the bar isn’t set too high. We pretty much went from a Hynduai to a Nissan. Not great, not reliable, but pretty much the same.

Obviously losing Mikheyev hurt, but the off-season isn’t done. There still seems like there will be movement upfront.

This seems like the off-season of lateral movements.

Agreed, if Murray can stay healthy Murray/Samsonov most likely better than Soup/Mrazek because Mrazek was terrible here. We won't know until we see them on the ice though.

My thinking was cheap out on goaltending but beef up the forwards. With the cap space we have left, it is going to be tough to beef up the bottom 6 and find a LWer for Tavares. We also have not replaced Lub. Lots of work to be done IMO.

People forget that hari sateri was signed to play goal for the leafs on the stretch drive.

And we are worse?????

Who were our healthy goalies at that time ?? Context counts.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Barring any trades (~2.8 to get Sandin and Engvall done), and based on Keefe's comment

Top 6 is back as is, NAK with Engvall and Kampf for a shutdown 3rd line

What I'd personally like to see is one of our young kids/prospects step up and secure a top 6 role.

Then move out Kerfoot for someone more suitable to the 3rd line. Big body, shutdown defensive type.

 

[Fogelhund]

Everyone is operating under the same economic structure and has known what it will be for a while now. Only one guy hasn’t been able to adapt his plan for it apparently.

The key there is adapt. Which other teams had the unique situation of having recently locked up their stars before the pandemic, and how did they adapt?

The other team, that I can think of that did this, was the Penguins, when they first signed Malkin and Crosby to their big contracts. In their case, they just waited until the cap went up.

Our only choices were trade Marner or Nylander... doubt that would have made us better.

 

[supermann_98]

Again, I never even made any political commentary on whatever he does with his money. But, if he donated to that, I doubt he's very inclined to sign in Canada again.

I hear you but was born in Canada so you never know. His career earnings are ~$83M so maybe he’d take a low number on a one year to hopefully win his first cup

 

[Magic Man]

Bunting-Matthews-marner
Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Aube-Kubel

Simmons, Robertson, Clifford, Anderson, Gaudette (auditions from the prospects - waiver exempt)

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Giordano-Liljegren
Sandin

Aube-Kubel replaces Spezza's contribution.
Mikheyev's 32 points have to be replaced
Kase 27 points have to be replaced

If we go with what we have the best chances to replace that production is from Robertson and Malgin,

 

[showtime8]

It's interesting to have a look at the final roster from game 7 and look at the difference the bottom 6 is going to look like. The starting line-up had Nylander - Kampf - Engvall as the 3rd line and Spezza - Blackwell - Kase as the 4th line.

The 4th line from last season is completely gone. So you have a blank slate on what you'd like to do. It really looks like Dubas wants to go with the relentless pressure similar to what Colorado did with their team on the bottom 2 lines. It was wave after wave of guys hounding pucks and and just not allowing the other team to catch their breath and having any sustained pressure outside of defending.

The stumbling block that I can't get over is why there is any confidence in keeping Kerfoot around. I get the argument that he produced his numbers solely based on 5 on 5. It's valid and I understand it's tough to do that. The thing that I don't get is, you have a giant hole on the 2nd line and if you don't address it, then we're in the same spot as last year.

Yes it is still early in free agency and the new season doesn't begin for another 2+ months. But not getting out of the contract ahead of time affects any other moves you could be doing.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Good to remember that our team will likely look different after the trade deadline. Also good to remember that our biggest rivals Tampa and Florida have already traded away their 2023 and 2024 1st round picks.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Is it the guy whose team finished with 115pts this year? And who is keeping his team intact much better than the other teams that finished at the top of the standings?

Man, you’re super proud of 115 points in the regular season.

It’s really pathetic that after 4 seasons that’s the thing you’re boasting about under Dubas. Besides, keeping together a group that is incapable of winning a playoff round isn’t anything to be proud of.

 

[Americanadian]

Based on Dubas' comments yesterday (need physical RHD, Sandin won't play RD) I wonder if there's a fit with LA in exchange for Roy.

 

[zeke]

Man, you’re super proud of 115 points in the regular season.

It’s really pathetic that after 4 seasons that’s the thing you’re boasting about under Dubas. Besides, keeping together a group that is incapable of winning a playoff round isn’t anything to be proud of.

Yeah super pathetic that the team is one of the elite teams in hockey.

 

[ToneDog]

The supporting cast is largely the same as it was last year minus Mikheyev really and he was injured for 25% of the season. We didn't really replace anyone from a 4M contract to 1M. Not sure how it's catching up when this past season we just had the best Leafs regular season. How can anyone say this with a straight face is beyond me.

The goaltenders changed but can't be much worse. In theory they are better. Mrazek was by far the worst goaltender in the league last year. Even a drunk 40 year Craig Anderson was better. Any sort of replacement is better, which is what Samsonov is.

Compare what the Leafs lost to what the Lightning and the Panthers lost.

Look man, I know being overly negative about things is a trait. And to be fair, the Leafs deserve every ounce of criticism and doubt because they can't win when it matters. So have at it. I just want actual facts being presented, not just loose interpretations of what is considered regression.

Kappy and A.J were 3.5m players who we replace with ??

Mik is a 4.5m player who we replaced with who ???

Hyman is a 5.5m player who we replaced with Bunting making 990K. Bunting was good playing with Matty but you can't tell me Bunting was better than Hyman in the last playoffs.

Bunting, Kampf and Kerfoot are pending UFAs that we probably won't be able to afford next year. Rinse and repeat.

No sense in debating this further, The answer will be known when the teams hit the ice.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Yeah super pathetic that the team is one of the elite teams in hockey.

Dumped in the 1st round again

Not elite but good try.

 

[ULF_55]

The stumbling block that I can't get over is why there is any confidence in keeping Kerfoot around. I get the argument that he produced his numbers solely based on 5 on 5. It's valid and I understand it's tough to do that. The thing that I don't get is, you have a giant hole on the 2nd line and if you don't address it, then we're in the same spot as last year.

Trading Kerfoot might still happen, but it has to be for a good reason.

There are still some decent depth players around, and if they land one that fits with Tavares and Nylander, Kerfoot becomes a different type of asset.

It very well might be awaiting the decision on someone they've already offered a deal to?

 

[al secord]

Dumped in the 1st round again

Not elite but good try.

We were one goal away from being elite? Seems like a fine line for you.

 

[kb]

People forget that hari sateri was signed to play goal for the leafs on the stretch drive.

And we are worse?????

Stop the insanity! lol I mean....they were looking on 'Wish' for goalies FFS.

 

[zeke]

Bunting-Matthews-marner
Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Kampf-Aube-Kubel

Simmons, Robertson, Clifford, Anderson, Gaudette (auditions from the prospects - waiver exempt)

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Giordano-Liljegren
Sandin

Aube-Kubel replaces Spezza's contribution.
Mikheyev's 32 points have to be replaced
Kase 27 points have to be replaced

Don't forget Ritchie's 9pts, Boosh's 6pts, and Blackwell's 3pts!

 

[WTFMAN99]

We were one goal away from being elite? Seems like a fine line for you.

How do you remember those early 2000s Ottawa teams that got knocked out yearly by Toronto in the 1st round?

Are they still elite in your mind ?

 

[The Management]

I've been critical of how we handled goaltending, but I like the idea of reformatting our bottom six. This should be a good year for some of our prospects to make a push, particularly Robertson.

I'd still like to pick up another forward with size and scoring that can play on the second or third line, but that's probably something you address over the course of the season. I'm glad we didn't hand out any of these silly contracts.