How aggressive should the Leafs be at the deadline? New Poll Added ... apologies

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

The deadline is 2 months away and at the time that I write this the team is tied for top spot in the east, they are a point or 2 out of 1st in the NHL and sitting 6 points ahead of 2nd place in the Atlantic.

and they have done a lot of it without Auston Matthews, and now he's back and he's got 7 points in 3 games.

So it has me asking how aggressive should this team be?

I know there will be will be some that say they shouldn't be aggressive because this team has proven it can't get over the hump.

And while those people are entitled to that opinion those people are wrong.

This team has never had a defense this good.

This team has never had goaltending this consistent and I'm not just talking about Woll and Stolarz I'm also talking about Hildeby, his numbers aren't great but he is 3-1 and he was fantastic against Philadelphia.

Now they have an actual coach.

And now they sit tied for top spot in the east.

I think they should be willing to go all in. and not the type of all in they went in 2023 because they didn't go all in in 2023 not really.

Sure they traded their 1st round picks in 2023 and 2025 but they also acquired a 1st round pick in 2023 so to me that's not all in.

When I say all in, I mean ALL IN

I'm talking about the Lakers when they got Anthony Davis and won a title,yes they suck now but they won a title.

I'm talking about the Raptors in Raptors 2019 when they went all in getting Kahwi, Green Ibaka and Gasol.

I'm talking about the 2008 Celtics getting Garnett and Allen.

The 2020 Rams bringing in Stafford.

The 1994 Rangers

the 2002 Red Wings with Hasek, Hull and Robitale.

I'm talking about ALL IN, TRULY ALL IN.

I think you need to have this years 2nd and 3rd available.

You need to have the 2026 1st available, you need to have all your 2027 and 2028 picks available.

Cowan, Minten Danford and Hildeby need to be available.

You need to be willing to go ALL IN.

Now I'm not suggesting trading guys like Cowan, Minten and Danford for rentals if those guys are traded they need to be traded for players with Term, at least Cowan and Minten do, Danford I'm not as high on.

I think this team needs to get aggressive because I think with some additions they can win.

Click to read more...

 

[Niagara Bill]

The cap plays a role. In your plan a decision on Mitchy needs to be made not communicated.
If you have that cap space next year your choices are different.
But 57 years....(we need another Bathgate, ) . A center, a tough winger and a powerplay dman.

 

[barilko05]

I don't think this is the year. We still haven't gotten over the 1st round hump. I think we add a complimentary depth piece or two without selling the farm, and see where it leads us. If we get to a CF or a final without ultimate success, then we go for it in 25/26. We try to snag a top FA in the off season, keep it status quo as far as regular season positioning, THEN we load up at the deadline and sell whatever and whoever it takes to get it done. After that, if we're still Cup-less, we sell Matthews to the highest bidder. I know...NMC...but if we don't win it all, he may be ready to move on at that point anyway. Then...we go after McJesus.

 

[GoonieFace]

Not a fan of making big changes at the deadline. There just isn’t enough time for players to gel. Add a 3C and depth on D perhaps. Tre also isn’t a big deadline guy if I’m not mistaken

 

[ACC1224]

Go for it.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Large or Xtra Large Aggressive

 

[tmlms13]

Phase One: LTIR Matthews,
Phase Two: ???
Phase Three: Profit

 

[REALTALK81]

IF Tre does plan on making a big move, he should do it as early as possible. Getting a 2C/3C and spreading out the scoring would be beneficial. In the past players like Denault, Barkov, Bergeron etc have all been able to shut down Matthews and his line, leaving Tavares, Nylander to pick up the slack and hoping players like Kerfoot, Kampf, Holmgren etc can chip in.

 

[HockeyVirus]

I don't think this is the year. We still haven't gotten over the 1st round hump. I think we add a complimentary depth piece or two without selling the farm, and see where it leads us. If we get to a CF or a final without ultimate success, then we go for it in 25/26. We try to snag a top FA in the off season, keep it status quo as far as regular season positioning, THEN we load up at the deadline and sell whatever and whoever it takes to get it done. After that, if we're still Cup-less, we sell Matthews to the highest bidder. I know...NMC...but if we don't win it all, he may be ready to move on at that point anyway. Then...we go after McJesus.

Hell no. First of all we don't even know if we can keep Marner. Second what happens in 25/26 when let's say the Devils are top team in the NHL, the Wings/Sens/Habs take a step and we still have Panthers and Tampa.

The division is the weakest I can remember since we got Matthews. The east in general is weak this year. We may be the best team in the east for real. You MUST go for it. Our D is old, JT is getting old, and we need to win now

IF Tre does plan on making a big move, he should do it as early as possible. Getting a 2C/3C and spreading out the scoring would be beneficial. In the past players like Denault, Barkov, Bergeron etc have all been able to shut down Matthews and his line, leaving Tavares, Nylander to pick up the slack and hoping players like Kerfoot, Kampf, Holmgren etc can chip in.

We need someone who can put the puck in the net. Another Knies level player. Or even Patches level player. Someone more reliable than Robertson to do that on the third line who can play center

 

[REALTALK81]

Hell no. First of all we don't even know if we can keep Marner. Second what happens in 25/26 when let's say the Devils are top team in the NHL, the Wings/Sens/Habs take a step and we still have Panthers and Tampa.

The division is the weakest I can remember since we got Matthews. The east in general is weak this year. We may be the best team in the east for real. You MUST go for it. Our D is old, JT is getting old, and we need to win now



We need someone who can put the puck in the net. Another Knies level player. Or even Patches level player. Someone more reliable than Robertson to do that on the third line who can play center

I would be targeting a guy like Brock Nelson personally as he isn't terrible defensively and can put the puck in the net. Ideally we could find a defensively responsible center who can hit like Pacioretty but good luck finding that.

 

[Squiffy]

Phase One: LTIR Matthews,
Phase Two: ???
Phase Three: Profit

Equipment rash from two weeks before deadline to opening day of playoffs, make it so. 100 million dollar playoff roster.

 

[REALTALK81]

Equipment rash from two weeks before deadline to opening day of playoffs, make it so. 100 million dollar playoff roster.

Crazy that JT Miller and Brock Nelson combined are only 750K more than Matthews cap hit

 

[thusk]

All in its pretty large...

Should they be buyer and be extremely active on market?yes for sure

Did they did to outbit everyone to get biggest fish at TDL? No, they don't had major need but they can find the right player for what they need at a decent price.

 

[Niagara Bill]

Crazy that JT Miller and Brock Nelson combined are only 750K more than Matthews cap hit

Wouldn't trade AM fir those 2 guys.
Wouldn't want Nelson for a 5th rounder. Certainly would not trade Mintèn or Cowan for him.He sleeps thru too many games.

 

[Acesup]

East is weak this year. Go for it. Trade picks, prospects, whatever it takes.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I don't think this is the year. We still haven't gotten over the 1st round hump. I think we add a complimentary depth piece or two without selling the farm, and see where it leads us. If we get to a CF or a final without ultimate success, then we go for it in 25/26. We try to snag a top FA in the off season, keep it status quo as far as regular season positioning, THEN we load up at the deadline and sell whatever and whoever it takes to get it done. After that, if we're still Cup-less, we sell Matthews to the highest bidder. I know...NMC...but if we don't win it all, he may be ready to move on at that point anyway. Then...we go after McJesus.

If this isn't the year when they are arguably the best team in east when IS the year?

THIS IS the year.

the time is NOW

 

[REALTALK81]

Wouldn't trade AM fir those 2 guys.
Wouldn't want Nelson for a 5th rounder. Certainly would not trade Mintèn or Cowan for him.He sleeps thru too many games.

I wouldn't either but if Matthews was to go on LTIR like the scenario I replied to suggested, we could get both of those players and get Matthews back for the playoffs. Giving a ton of top 6 options and be a nightmare to match up against

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

All in its pretty large...

Should they be buyer and be extremely active on market?yes for sure

Did they did to outbit everyone to get biggest fish at TDL? No, they don't had major need but they can find the right player for what they need at a decent price.

I think they need to be prepared to do it.

I'm not suggesting that they must sell the future, if you can get better without selling major picks and prospects by all means go for it, hell I'd prefer it.

But be prepared to sell major picks and prospects if there is ever a time to go for it It's NOW.

I wouldn't either but if Matthews was to go on LTIR like the scenario I replied to suggested, we could get both of those players and get Matthews back for the playoffs. Giving a ton of top 6 options and be a nightmare to match up against

Have you missed the last 3 games? Matthews is back and looks fantastic

 

[Evilhomer]

Hell no. First of all we don't even know if we can keep Marner. Second what happens in 25/26 when let's say the Devils are top team in the NHL, the Wings/Sens/Habs take a step and we still have Panthers and Tampa.

The division is the weakest I can remember since we got Matthews. The east in general is weak this year. We may be the best team in the east for real. You MUST go for it. Our D is old, JT is getting old, and we need to win now

Full-stop 1,000% agree. You go for it this year as if your life depended on it. I woud sell the farm and everything on it (obviously for appropriate players). This team's best players are not kids anymore. Four years from now when Easton Cowan might be a decent second line player, no one will care. This team has gone 57 years without winning. What on God's green Earth are we waiting for? I would sell the first round pick, Cowan, Minten and your grandmother if another team will take her for a quality asset in return. There may never be a better chance than this season. If the Leafs win the Cup this season, will anyone honestly care if they suck ass 5 five years from now?

 

[REALTALK81]

I think they need to be prepared to do it.

I'm not suggesting that they must sell the future, if you can get better without selling major picks and prospects by all means go for it, hell I'd prefer it.

But be prepared to sell major picks and prospects if there is ever a time to go for it It's NOW.



Have you missed the last 3 games? Matthews is back and looks fantastic

No sir. Haven't missed a game. Just responded to a what if scenario. IF Matthews was to go on LTIR, Leafs would have a large amount of cap room to acquire a few good players.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Full-stop 1,000% agree. You go for it this year as if your life depended on it. I woud sell the farm and everything on it (obviously for appropriate players). This team's best players are not kids anymore. Four years from now when Easton Cowan might be a decent second line player, no one will care. This team has gone 57 years without winning. What on God's green Earth are we waiting for? I would sell the first round pick, Cowan, Minten and your grandmother if another team will take her for a quality asset in return. There may never be a better chance than this season. If the Leafs win the Cup this season, will anyone honestly care if they suck ass 5 five years from now?

Well said if moving Cowan is what it takes to bring in another ROR level player you make that move.

 

[therealkoho]

Here's the thing, if it's Laughton you get a guy who can play the bottom 6 full stop. So what big deal we already have those guys.

It's why the Leafs need to go big or stay home. You need a guy who can be the 2c at the very least. The kind of guy who is one of those "in case of fire break glass" that can play all the way up to the 1 position if needed for short spurts. The kind of guy who gives the Leafs 2 2nd lines. No one would stop that and might make going all the way a real probability.

 

[thusk]

I think they need to be prepared to do it.

I'm not suggesting that they must sell the future, if you can get better without selling major picks and prospects by all means go for it, hell I'd prefer it.

But be prepared to sell major picks and prospects if there is ever a time to go for it It's NOW.



Have you missed the last 3 games? Matthews is back and looks fantastic

If the type of guy needed is available and the price is right (exemple the coleman trade or lehkonen trade or barbashev trade), yes you should do it but leafs are not as desesperate to absolutly make something happen this season.

 

[Commander Clueless]

Very aggressive.

Hopefully for players we can keep around.


My campaign to bring back Luke Schenn for a third go around begins now.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Hell no. First of all we don't even know if we can keep Marner. Second what happens in 25/26 when let's say the Devils are top team in the NHL, the Wings/Sens/Habs take a step and we still have Panthers and Tampa.

The division is the weakest I can remember since we got Matthews. The east in general is weak this year. We may be the best team in the east for real. You MUST go for it. Our D is old, JT is getting old, and we need to win now



We need someone who can put the puck in the net. Another Knies level player. Or even Patches level player. Someone more reliable than Robertson to do that on the third line who can play center

They have 30+ million in Cap space in the off season they can absolutely keep Marner if they choose to, the question is will they choose to?

They absolutely can.