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

[Racer88]

That would certainly give them a better chance to make a deep run and take some of the heat off Shanny/Pelley but if they go "all-in" and lose in round #1, all hell will break loose in Leafs Nation. Not sure they have the balls to move off the core. They will sell, JT took a discount and run them back like they have in the past.

I think even if they don’t go “all in “ and go out first round there will be hell to pay.
They can only have so many BS pressers about how they aren’t there just to sell jerseys and lessons learned.
Its conference final or clean house

 

[Sypher04]

Right now after the core 4, the scoring falls off a cliff.

Top 6 guys are all doing well. We definitely need more scoring punch from the 3rd line in particular.

Nylander - 48 goals in 82 games pace
Matthews - 39 goals in 67 games pace
Tavares - 35 goals in 78 games pace
Knies - 31 goals in 80 games pace
Marner - 25 goals in 82 games pace
McMann - 24 goals in 74 games pace

None less than 24 goals.
Matthews looks like himself again, so expect his pace to go up.

 

[ToneDog]

I think even if they don’t go “all in “ and go out first round there will be hell to pay.
They can only have so many BS pressers about how they aren’t there just to sell jerseys and lessons learned.
Its conference final or clean house

100%. My thinking is that Shanny might do what gives him the best chance to save his job, if that is even possible with Pelley now in charge.

 

[HellasLEAF]

OP I didn't really answer the poll but to answer your question aggressive AF. This group might be able to do it.

 

[Nineteen67]

How can you clean house when the tail is wagging the dog and has a full NMC? They won't move Matthews and they are afraid to lose him in 3 years if they are not competitive (even though he is part of the reason they have had little playoff success).

It’s called negotiating. The NMC protect the player. Maybe Matthews and Nylander would be fine with rebuild and missing the playoffs for a few years. Maybe that’s their preference, anyway.

 

[Al14]

I'm not sure how our Leafs can fit another top player on to our cap structure, however to compete for a Stanley Cup our team needs a 2nd line centre badly.

This would move Tavares down to 3rd line centre where he would likely be more effective against opponents 3rd lines.

That's the way I see things. I don't think adding a 3rd line centre moves the needle enough.

JMHO.

 

[TIGERCOOL]

A center with speed would be great. Matthews, Tavares, Holmberg and Kampf (or even Minten) makes us maybe the slowest group in the league down the middle. I don't know who fits the bill in our price range at this point

 

[ULF_55]

I'm not sure how our Leafs can fit another top player on to our cap structure, however to compete for a Stanley Cup our team needs a 2nd line centre badly.

This would move Tavares down to 3rd line centre where he would likely be more effective against opponents 3rd lines.

That's the way I see things. I don't think adding a 3rd line centre moves the needle enough.

JMHO.

A player on an expiring deal, that agrees to an extension, with the seller retaining.
Leafs could agree to pay him in extension up to $9mm-10mm starting next year.
Current team could retain for his current contract.

Just have to pay the freight.

 

[AvroArrow]

This group under Berube really makes be Be-Leaf, when was the last time we were 1st in the division this late into the season ? It's not just the record, it's HOW they're playing. Everyone is hitting, even f***ing Marner who was soft as butter for 7 years. He's hitting guys every shift and playing with an edge, team defense has been great, Woll is a stud, hopefully Stolarz is healthy soon he was playing phenomenal early in the year.

You simply cannot waste the season this team is having and not go all in. I was super critical of Florida going all in a couple years ago with 3 first round picks and failing, yet they still won a cup after that while losing those assets. Go for it, they're playing legitimate playoff type hockey and at a high level. It would be a damn shame if we didn't go for it this year.

Regardless of how the playoffs play out, you have to be all in on this group.

 

[Torontonian]

If they continue to be a top 5 team in the NHL, have to think they would be all in at the deadline. If now isn't the time that they think they can win it all, then when is?

Went with 1st for middle 6 forward, as that's the biggest glaring hole. Don't think defense or goaltending is going to be the issue going forward.

 

[nuck]

Leafs need another O’Reilly type addition for 3C. Nashville almost certainly will be sellers, not necessarily saying O’Reilly again but he does have history with Berube.

Maybe Kadri? Shanahan probably wouldn’t want him but that’s an option too.

How hilarious would it be to add Kessel and Kadri?

All kidding aside, we need a guy for 3C that does what O’Reilly did two years ago. Tanev and Ekman-Larsson don’t have much left in the tank, we can’t justify being “half-pregnant” like last year with the troops we have this year.

O'Reilly supposedly has an unofficial NM but if the Berube connection was a positive one then maybe. Trotz is being a cheerleader right now but I think he has to make a decision on the season pretty quick and he won't be able to move the other two veteran deals.

 

[AnomX]

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[Maple Leaf]

HOLES In this team for sure they need to go all in get rid of cowan for sure and the firsts and the women and children too

 

[Smif]

C's and D's are expensive..If we need scoring we should target a winger, they're affordable.

 

[banks]

I'd be all-in without the slightest hesitation.

I don't get why everyone is so desperate for a #2C, though. Tavares more than fills that for this season, and we have players in the system that can be a good 3 and 4. I don't think C is a significant problem.

I'd be aiming for a winger who can also play C as an insurance move. Someone like Granlund would be perfect.

And I'd be trying to find a top pair defenceman, preferable someone with term who can stabilise Rielly a bit. This is the best the blueline has ever looked in this era. But adding a top guy to pair with Mo would make it one of the best in the league.

 

[All Mod Cons]

I think even if they don’t go “all in “ and go out first round there will be hell to pay.
They can only have so many BS pressers about how they aren’t there just to sell jerseys and lessons learned.
Its conference final or clean house

I don't think it'll change anything. They can keep doing this for years longer.

 

[PeE eL DuBoiS]

You would generally "go for it" at the TDL when you're in a top team planning to compete for the cup. But the top players on the Leafs haven't shown the ability to consistently play good playoff hockey. Sure, give them a little more help via 1 or 2 depth players. But our top guys need to show up or no amount of TDL help is going to suffice. And if this core isn't able to get over the hump together, do we really want to be throwing 1st round picks out? Unless it's for multi-years on a good contract, I say no - not for rental(s).

 

[Racer88]

I don't think it'll change anything. They can keep doing this for years longer.

Sadly you are probably right but I keep hoping for success or clean house

 

[Budz]

I wish we could figure a way to do Miller. I just don’t think Van wants futures.


Miller
Cheap contract xxx

For

Domi
Kampf
Minten
Jarnkrok (LTIR)
Robbie
2026 first

 

[LeafsNet]

I recall posting in this topic how they should stay pat and run with the guys they got. I’ve since reconsidered.

They need a special teams magician to salvage this sinkhole of a powerplay. They go into the playoffs with this PP, it’s gonna be a short run. You can guarantee that.

In the playoffs last year, the Leafs were 1 for 21 in the series against the Bruins. That pretty much sealed the deal.

 

[Kurtz]

I don't think you'll find a centre out there better than JT to push JT to 3C. O'Reilly and Nelson are the best centres potentially on the market, and they're not beter than JT. JT Miller would be about it but probably not realistic.

 

[NJG]

My top two targets would be Kadri & Toffoli at 50% retained salary or more if you involve other teams, and possibly another right-handed top four d-man.