Confirmed with Link: Leafs have acquired D Mark Giordano (50% retained) and F Colin Blackwell for 2nd, 2nd, 3rd

[JKG33]

Engvall - Kampf - Mikheyev
Kerfoot - Spezza - Kase
Simmonds

We could add Abruzzese, Holmberg, Robertson, Anderson, Steeves, Knies, McBain, etc. as possibilities in there too. Dubas will probably see what we can do in that department to open up the contracts to add some of those guys. Meyers is another guy we could add, but I don't think he is eligible for the playoffs here.

What exactly is wrong with that bottom 6? The main concern for me is whether Blackwell can play in that top 6 well enough. If he can... Our forwards are more than good for the playoffs.

It is goaltending that is concerning. Sateri is good in Europe, but was meh in North America. Adding Giordano was pretty much the last thing we needed.

Kase's health is a huge question mark. The problem is that's Kerfoot and a lot of 4th liners in the bottom six. Tampa's 3rd line was practically a 2nd line the last few years. This team needs a Jordan Staal type to truly be competitive.

I'd like to see what Knies can do, but relying on a college kid to come in and produce right away is sketchy

 

[supermann_98]

I can accept 2nd & 3rd, but not 2 2nd rounders

I'm just happy no prospects were traded and we got to keep our first

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[djdev]

Agreed, but I mean look at that 4th line?

Kerfoot is on pace for like 60 points this year. Kase is over a 0.5 PPG player.

These guys are closer to 2nd line guys than 4th line guys. Spezza and Simmonds are not ideal, but one of them will be in our lineup for specific reasons (Simmonds for grit; Spezza for FO/PP).

yep, this guy says he watches the team then says that our bottom 6 "needs alot of work" whole thing is fishy lol

 

[Nylanderthal]

I'll never understand why 'fans' that seem to hate the owners/players/management so much still invest so much of their personal time whining about said team on the internet.

It’s a weird Toronto fascination with blaming the GM/coach rather than holding the guys on the ice accountable. It’s fookin bizzare

 

[hamzarocks]

No argument there.

Bottom 6 is good if Blackwell fits on L2

Kerfoot, Mikheyev, Engvall, Kampf are nice bottom 6 players. If Kase is healthy another quality bottom 6 guy.

Really only 1 slot that could use an upgrade.

Simmonds/Clifford should not be playing playoff games and Spezza probably shouldn't either but atleast he has some upside to his game

Ideally could get a big bodied forechecker who can skate and keep up with pace of play of some skilled players in that group

 

[LeafChief]

This trade is eerily similar to the Leetch trade from yesteryear. Leetch was pretty good for us from what I recall, and technically should’ve been a Leaf for another year if not for the lockout.

Leetch was fantastic with the Leafs. Like you said, the lockout stole an extra year of him from us.

 

[BertCorbeau]

It’s a weird Toronto fascination with blaming the GM/coach rather than holding the guys on the ice accountable. It’s fookin bizzare

if Mrazek did his job in the last month and a half, it would be a different tone around here

 

[IrishInOntario]

The Lindholm trade looks like shit compared to this. Giordano has been better this year, they got a decent forward, and didn't have to give up a first round pick

I actually think both trades are good for both teams. Lindholm will only look better and better playing in that Boston defensive system and he's 28 years old. Boston is expecting (reasonably) about 6 years of high level play from Hampshire, where as I think the Leafs would be thrilled if they got 1.5 years from Giordano.

Very different deals, IMO. Hard to compare them directly, given a multitude of factors.

 

[JKG33]

yep, this guy says he watches the team then says that our bottom 6 "needs alot of work" whole thing is fishy lol

Guys like Kerfoot and Kase (if he's even healthy) are doing well now, but will be outmatched in the playoffs.

 

[LeafChief]

Bottom 6 is good if Blackwell fits on L2

Kerfoot, Mikheyev, Engvall, Kampf are nice bottom 6 players. If Kase is healthy another quality bottom 6 guy.

Really only 1 slot that could use an upgrade.

Simmonds/Clifford should not be playing playoff games and Spezza probably shouldn't either but atleast he has some upside to his game

Ideally could get a big bodied forechecker who can skate and keep up with pace of play of some skilled players in that group

Agreed. We have good players in the bottom 6 but I wouldn't hate to see the deck chairs re-arranged a bit to see some bigger bodies that can skate brought it. Simmonds/Clifford are pretty much done/ineffective at this point.

 

[GrizzLeaf]

Mrazek would have to go the other way. Cap works if that happens.

Mrazek was waived early this afternoon. His contract no longer counts against the cap

 

[al secord]

The only jester around is Dubas, and how he spins another first round exit

How is this troll still in here ?

 

[slozo]

Gio is a perfect fit for what the Leafs most desperately needed - a top 4 D who can be trusted, brings some offense, grit and defensive acumen and most of all - experience. Will be getting second pairing minutes at most, and be playing behind a much better team, so I think he'll look much better than in Seattle where he was top pair.

Blackwell . . . don't know him, let's see . . . very short but a solid 190 lbs guy who is another late bloomer trying to find his way in the show. Has upside, especially playing with more talent/offense here, and gives us depth.

Sounds great! Price for this was (xDermottx) plus two 2nds? I think that's more than fair, considering a couple of the overpayments for D that have already happened, so it's a 2 thumbs up from me!

Didn't realize the Dermott trade was a different one for a third rounder . . . so essentially we got Gio at half retained, plus Blackwell, for two seconds?!? Do I have that right? THAT my friends is AMAZING.

 

[JKG33]

I'll never understand why 'fans' that seem to hate the owners/players/management so much still invest so much of their personal time whining about said team on the internet.

I was a fan of this team before Dubas, and I'll still be after.

It’s a weird Toronto fascination with blaming the GM/coach rather than holding the guys on the ice accountable. It’s fookin bizzare

Its almost like management is in charge for bringing in said players

 

[Nylanderthal]

Leetch was fantastic with the Leafs. Like you said, the lockout stole an extra year of him from us.

That lockout absolutely gutted the team of any hopes of competing for a long time. Leetch was fantastic and would’ve been a massive boon to the theoretical 2004-05 team

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

I actually think both trades are good for both teams. Lindholm will only look better and better playing in that Boston defensive system and he's 28 years old. Boston is expecting (reasonably) about 6 years of high level play from Hampshire, where as I think the Leafs would be thrilled if they got 1.5 years from Giordano.

Very different deals, IMO. Hard to compare them directly, given a multitude of factors.

I'm sure you are right that Lindholm will look a lot better with Boston's system and all the good two way players they have, but that's true for most players they could have gotten. Paying a premium for Lindholm because you expect him to be carried by their system just doesn't seem worth it

 

[BertCorbeau]

Wonder if Gio would re-sign for cheap too… might be some sneaky extra value.

Overall I like the addition. Adds some solid veteran play, particularly in the absence of Muzzin who is looking like he’ll be gone for awhile. Has chemistry with Brodie with gives the Leafs a couple of looks in the top 4.

Also the cheapest big splash in the division. Not crazy about giving up the picks but moving Dermott helps and they do have to make a play to go for it.

I’ll be more encouraged if they do something on the goaltending front though. This is all for shit if they have a sieve in net.

 

[djdev]

Guys like Kerfoot and Kase (if he's even healthy) are doing well now, but will be outmatched in the playoffs.

lol kerfoot was probably our 2nd best forward last playoffs behind willy..so how and why did you come to this conclusion? because it isnt based off stats or facts.

 

[LeafChief]

I was a fan of this team before Dubas, and I'll still be after.



Its almost like management is in charge for bringing in said players

So you're not currently a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs?

 

[Gallagbi]

Mrazek was waived early this afternoon. His contract no longer counts against the cap

It does, but we get 1.25m in relief when he's demoted

 

[Isaac Nootin]

Guys like Kerfoot and Kase (if he's even healthy) are doing well now, but will be outmatched in the playoffs.

Did you watch last year's playoffs? Kerfoot was one of the best Leafs.

 

[cyris]

Mrazek was waived early this afternoon. His contract no longer counts against the cap

That isn’t how it works. most of his contact still does. Only about 1.25m of his contract comes of the cap if he is in the AHL

 

[the squared circle]

It’s a weird Toronto fascination with blaming the GM/coach rather than holding the guys on the ice accountable. It’s fookin bizzare

Can the guy who put these guys on the ice not be held accountable?

 

[joepeps]

Mrazek was waived early this afternoon. His contract no longer counts against the cap

yes it does lol.. only like a mil and a bit comes off.