It's time to have the conversation.

[Gary Nylund]

We need guys getting quality minutes. Even many contenders don;t have D sitting out this good.

And I'm very happy indeed to be among those few contenders.

 

[Buds17]

This season is a different one in a couple of ways. Dubas typically doesn't look to acquire pending UFAs without a longer term piece also moving to the team in the trade. Any longer term add has expansion draft considerations attached now somewhere on the roster. Trading within the division might also be preferred due to the current situation. If so, that can either limit trading partners or at least delay matters until those teams feel they are out of contention. Injuries are also causing some lineup shuffling. We're probably still in wait and see mode.

 

[zeke]

Not a contender until they can win a playoff series. just the way it is.

Not a good way for any gm to evaluate his team.

There are many teams that have won a round that aren't contenders.

 

[zeke]

Team neds a 3rd line C. No star, just someone who can play minutes and be solid defensively.
.

We have one.

 

[BigBlu]

A time machine for Tavares.

 

[Critical13]

Not a good way for any gm to evaluate his team.

There are many teams that have won a round that aren't contenders.

Agreed, and I also think it's a fallacy to expect there to be a strong correlation between the potential between this year's team, and the results of last years team. We made some significant improvements, and have some cap space to make more.

 

[zeke]

It’s not the time for this thread for me. Keefe hasn’t even figured out his bottom 6 yet. If your bottom six is a question mark 25% in to the season then maybe thats where you focus.
There is questions that haven't answered themselves on the bottom 6 and depth. We could focus there for improvement.

Well, injuries might be making that look more complicated than it is.

When healthy, the 3rd line will be Kerfoot surrounded by 2 of Mikheyev, Thornton, Simmonds, or Robertson.

 

[zeke]

This is not a 5 game inspection of a player
( Kerfoot )
This is his play other than 5 games since he’s been here !
Oh and there’s also all the penalties he’s taken since he’s been here , there’s no way that a player with his speed and size should be taking them , and then add his lack of production and over all hockey sense .
He’s a solid 4 th liner in the NHL
We need a solid 3rd liner

Kerfoot produces at a 35pt pace in his 3rd line role, which is solid 3rd line production.

On top of being very good defensively.

 

[Teeder Keon]

Kerfoot produces at a 35pt pace in his 3rd line role, which is solid 3rd line production.

On top of being very good defensively.

Your opinion
My opinion
3.5 million for 35 points
And everything I pointed out
56 years of being a hockey fan / Leaf fan
Everything you pointed out
Well I guess we will have to leave it to the powers that be and public perception and his tenure with our team that In my opinion will end shortly or at the very most , the end of the year ...
Go Leafs Go

 

[Gary Nylund]

Agreed, and I also think it's a fallacy to expect there to be a strong correlation between the potential between this year's team, and the results of last years team. We made some significant improvements, and have some cap space to make more.

Uh-huh, I'll bet you're one of those people who also completely ignores what this team did in the 70's as if that has no relevance at all today.

 

[The Iceman]

It seems like it, but 2 injuries could stress that situation.

2 injuries and the name Marty can be seen in the rear view mirror. The zombie that can never be killed.

 

[zeke]

The two priorities for Dubas at the deadline seem pretty clear to me:

1. Top-2 line winger, primarily with speed and legit scoring talent, but preferably with toughness too.

2. Goaltending

 

[Teeder Keon]

The two priorities for Dubas at the deadline seem pretty clear to me:

1. Top-2 line winger, primarily with speed and legit scoring talent, but preferably with toughness too.

2. Goaltending

Is that Zamboni driver / Goalie available ?

 

[Crosscrease14]

Wouldn't mind Staal as a rental. Rakell would be great if the expansion draft wasn't looming. Leafs probably lose Holl instead of Dermott if they traded for Rakell so you'd have to factor that on top of the cost to acquire.

It might be a better idea to go with someone like Staal and maybe Watson or a similar role player to fill out the depth. You could probably acquire them without moving a first so it wouldn't mortgage the future.

So far the defence has been solid and I think we'll get even more from Sandin and hopefully Lily as time goes on.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Top priority is probably a top 6 LWer that can click with Tavares and Nylander to help them go.

After that an upgrade at #3C would be nice. Kerfoot is ok and we could do worse, but there's room for improvements.

I think that's it though. Wing depth is good, when healthy, the blue line is well rounded. Goaltending is fine.

 

[Critical13]

Kerfoot produces at a 35pt pace in his 3rd line role, which is solid 3rd line production.

On top of being very good defensively.

I would prefer a better 3rd line C, with Kerfoot on the wing if possible. I think he was better as a winger.

I've noticed he really can't control gaps at all, and loses puck battles down low. I prefer more winspan and strength at the C position. Can't argue his work ethic, though. The guy gives it everything every shift.

 

[willmma]

Much tougher?

TB vs DET/CHI/NSH: 7-0-0
TB vs DAL/CAR/CBJ/FLA: 1-1-1

True, but Boston is absolutely killing it.

PHI/WSH/NYI 5-1-1
PIT/NJ 3-0-1
BUF/NYR 0-0 <--- they haven't even played the weakest teams of the division.

Phili is the second best team and 4 of Phili's losses are from the Broons.

 

[Gary Nylund]

True, but Boston is absolutely killing it.

PHI/WSH/NYI 5-1-1
PIT/NJ 3-0-1
BUF/NYR 0-0 <--- they haven't even played the weakest teams of the division.

Phili is the second best team and 4 of Phili's losses are from the Broons.

Indeed! So glad we don't have to even think about facing them until round 3. I remember 2-3 years ago so many Leaf fans were super confident that the Bruins would fall off any day now cause they were getting too old. Oops.

 

[Dekes For Days]

I remember 2-3 years ago so many Leaf fans were super confident that the Bruins would fall off any day now cause they were getting too old. Oops.

I mean, they do have a lot of key pieces getting old. It helps to delay the decline when you find a #1D and one of the best goalscorers in the league with a 14th and 25th overall.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

The two priorities for Dubas at the deadline seem pretty clear to me:

1. Top-2 line winger, primarily with speed and legit scoring talent, but preferably with toughness too.

2. Goaltending

I don't know if goaltending is a concern, sure Freddy got off to a slow start but that's not new.

Now he's heating up, his save% is steadily improving that's also not new.

by the end of the season he will be between 917-920 save% again because that's what he is.

 

[Duffman955]

I dont see any team that's clearly better than our skaters

Looks like our Achilles is goaltending

 

[Judas Tavares]

As many have pointed out, a two-way 3LC would be huge. Someone who PKs and can win the important d zone draws.

The 2021 draft potentially being moved to 2022 is kind of a downer for me in terms of trades. With it being pushed back, it may seem more tempting to deal picks since it is so far away. But with the capabilities of our scouting staff, I'd caution trading too many picks. They have been very active in selecting 19 year olds and I feel they could really stand out in the 19 year old 2021 draft.

That being said, with 2020 draft having 12 picks plus the trade for Hallander, the cupboard has plenty of depth. And we are trying to win. I'd be fine with trading 2021 picks, but would hate to be that team that doesn't pick til the 4th. I would hope that we mix around the assets we trade, rather than trade from one pool (ex: bottom forward/defenceman + mid pick + decent prospect).

I would also hope to acquire assets with term, even if it does potentially screw around with the expansion list. Not sure I'd want to see top 5 prospects and 1st rounders go for a rental.

 

[Warden of the North]

More D.

I want to see the forwards healthy more, but possibly a third line C as well.

Assuming Jack comes back healthy, im fine with that tandem.

 

[ottomaddox]

The two priorities for Dubas at the deadline seem pretty clear to me:

1. Top-2 line winger, primarily with speed and legit scoring talent, but preferably with toughness too.

2. Goaltending

What is this? Did you just have a lobotomy?

 

[LFCTML]

the 3rd line will be fine by the playoffs. The biggest need is a 2nd line winger

A guy with 1 year left on his contract, acquired at the deadline, would be fine with me. I really think Robertson is going to be in that role full-time as soon as next year.