How aggressive should the Leafs be at the deadline? Whimper or All In?

[ToneDog]

Which is why Kyper will never be a GM. This short term solution thing is why were are 8 years in with out a 2nd round win and an empty prospect cupboard. It's hard to be patient when everyone is telling you you are doing the wrong thing but the right thing is to be patient. We lost Hyman and then what were are we looking for, a power forward that will crash the net (Knies), now that we have Knies we are looking to trade him for a one year rental? then next year we will be looking for Knies. Fixing one problem by creating another is not a way to run a team.

The move makes a ton of sense if they want to go all in. I would not for various reasons. Acquiring Ranta does give you option to sign MR or MM or both. It makes great conversation and talk radio.

 

[thewave]

The move makes a ton of sense if they want to go all in. I would not for various reasons. Acquiring Ranta does give you option to sign MR or MM or both. It makes great conversation and talk radio.

They could watch MR and MM compete for the contract offer I guess.

It's MLSE. They could make a show, who wants to be a Maple Leaf

 

[ToneDog]

They could watch MR and MM compete for the contract offer I guess.

It's MLSE. They could make a show, who wants to be a Maple Leaf

Exactly what they discussed with Kyper this morning.

 

[GoonieFace]

Exactly what they discussed with Kyper this morning.

Seems more like Kyper trying to drum up interest for the trade deadline show, which is usually a non event. Would be fun at least, but I don’t see it

 

[PROUD PAPA]

Agreed, but it's pointless unless there is some red meat intensity in our star players.

And that's been the problem from day one, which is so disheartening when they literally have had front row seats to watch two highly-skilled divisional rivals flop in the playoffs until their stars "got it" and started to play nasty. Both teams turned around and went on to Cup wins that next season.

You would have thought our guys saw that and thought "okay, now we know what we have to do". But nope, instead I think their arrogance and/or simply their refusal to do what it takes to win has led them to inherit the much deserved "prima donna" tags.

And they've never shown any sign that they're ever going to (or even want to) change that. Unless, they do, they're never winning anything.

Nailed it. I honestly don't understand how anyone still cannot recognize the problem. I get the desire to hope and dream, we all do it, but dismissing this issue or believing it's significance can be offset by a tdl deal or two is a place i can no longer visit.

 

[Racer88]

Nailed it. I honestly don't understand how anyone still cannot recognize the problem. I get the desire to hope and dream, we all do it, but dismissing this issue or believing it's significance can be offset by a tdl deal or two is a place i can no longer visit.

Yup and the cores supporters will trot out some lame stats about how the stars were awesome in the playoffs and it’s all the fault of the low paid players, bad luck, Covid and a “bad moon rising”

 

[Phion Keneuf]

All in. Lets go.

 

[ToneDog]

Nailed it. I honestly don't understand how anyone still cannot recognize the problem. I get the desire to hope and dream, we all do it, but dismissing this issue or believing it's significance can be offset by a tdl deal or two is a place i can no longer visit.

It's not about winning, it is about being entertaining and selling jerseys. Bunkis and BNS were talking about Vlady and his ask for $585mx13 and they said they would pay him because he is a great player but he also puts fans in the seats and the kids all want his jersey. The guy who is picked off 2nd base in a must win game when the team could not muster a run wants $585m. Sure, have another hamburger.

Marner is the same. Can't win a big playoff game but is entertaining, kids love him and buy his jersey.

 

[Jojalu]

Yup and the cores supporters will trot out some lame stats about how the stars were awesome in the playoffs and it’s all the fault of the low paid players, bad luck, Covid and a “bad moon rising”

I would say everyone is in full agreement that the Leafs PP/PK has been the #1 issue no?

Which would fall on the core's shoulders as they do most of the heavy lifting on both.

If the PP was just average, the Leafs would have won a couple more rounds in the past few years

 

[ULF_55]

As long as our superstars keep going MIA in the Playoffs, it really doesn´t matter what we do in this trade deadline.
We´re just putting lipstick on an old pig.

So Leafs should see if one of the Core will waive and go to somewhere like Florida, Edmonton, Washington?

Leafs could retain 50%

marner for Protas, 1st. and 2nd. 2025?

Leafs go shopping in the summer.


I'd rather the Leafs empty the cupboard and get the best available with term.

Getting depth just seems like a "we tried" ...

 

[ToneDog]

I think it was Kyper who asked, if Matthews is this tired or injured after the 4 Nations, how is he going to get through 4 rounds of the playoff grind. Sorry, but I'm done mortgaging the future to help them get over the hump unless it is for a stud young dman like Dobson. If the a-holes wanted/needed help, they should have taken less money.

 

[Leafsfan74]

No overpayment for rentals.

Quite frankly, it may not be popular but if the choices are between overpayment for rentals and doing nothing at all, hell, even SELLING, I would choose the latter.

Regardless of which direction they choose, and I highly recommend NOT getting a high priced rental; this playoff NEEDS to be the last dance for this team if they can't make the Finals. Shed big salary and bring in players with a long track record of playoff success. Stop overpaying players for doing well during shinny hockey but nothing when it matters.

Even to type on this forum makes me feel filthy at times, "so there is a chance!" a la Dumb and Dumber. Man am I dumb.

 

[djdev]

if im TRE im walking straight into that dressing room and telling these guys that its their turn to help themselves. then i go out and trade for schenn(luke not brayden) again and be done.

 

[Leafs87]

If we’re talking rentals, I’d say whimper if we’re talking pieces that stay beyond the playoffs, more aggressive but not all in.

 

[Visnovsky]

As far as I recall, Treliving is known for not spending at the deadline - which makes me think that the Leafs will not be splurging.

Another thing that comes to mind, has there been a Stanley Cup winning team, that really went for it at the deadline in the year they won?

 

[Hellcat]

Does it make you a GM?

Kidding.

Come on My Dude. He is saying "a scenario like...". These conversations are not done with any weight. Jeff Marek and Friedman used to throw musings like this on an hourly basis. Marek even one time suggesting last year a 10 player trade in the works between TOR and CGY ("like the Gilmour trade").

Never? The first step in being a GM is not spitballing fun trades on a podcast.

I'm the greatest Arm Chair GM ever ...

As far as I recall, Treliving is known for not spending at the deadline - which makes me think that the Leafs will not be splurging.

Another thing that comes to mind, has there been a Stanley Cup winning team, that really went for it at the deadline in the year they won?

That is what Calgary fans say but then again did they ever really have a competitive team? One good year, one bad, one good, one bad .... Not sure he ever had a team in Calgary with the talent, owners, management Toronto has.

 

[HockeyVirus]

We have to be realistic here. Our prospect pool is bottom 5 and we have no first this year and likely no 2nd after the TDL. Our window is realistically 3 years after this as Matthews is walking after that.

All our D are signed for their prime years being these years and likely boat anchors after.
We have no prospects who are close to a star who impacts the roster.

In 3-4 years this team is headed for a long rebuild whether they want it or not. Hopefully they don't start trading unprotected firsts again trying to pretend they aren't a bottom feeder.

So with all that said, go all in on pieces in their primes for the next 3-4 years. If we lose Marner, we get closer to being a bottom feeder even faster which to me makes this year the year.

 

[thewave]

We have to be realistic here. Our prospect pool is bottom 5 and we have no first this year and likely no 2nd after the TDL. Our window is realistically 3 years after this as Matthews is walking after that.

All our D are signed for their prime years being these years and likely boat anchors after.
We have no prospects who are close to a star who impacts the roster.

In 3-4 years this team is headed for a long rebuild whether they want it or not. Hopefully they don't start trading unprotected firsts again trying to pretend they aren't a bottom feeder.

So with all that said, go all in on pieces in their primes for the next 3-4 years. If we lose Marner, we get closer to being a bottom feeder even faster which to me makes this year the year.

You win the prize. You nailed it.