Proposal: Leafs need a top 4 (or top pair) dman

[meefer]

Theres no more time needed. There wasnt a week ago. We need a top 4 dman

Ok, find me one that doesn't create another need in our line-up. Who replaces JVR if we trade him? Send Gards somewhere and who do we have at the ready to eat up his minutes? A package deal...ya, we've got prospects, but you can't tear down what you've just started to build to fill one gap (IMHO). Look, I want Lindholm, Trouba would be nice, Tanev too, but we're dressing 6 rookies (7?), and we don't really have a grasp on how this team is going to jell. To suggest there's no more time needed suggests to me that a move needs to be made for the sake of a move. Why is no more time needed? We're not winning the cup this year. We're not going to destroy the young as things move forward 20/30 games. We will, however, have a better understanding of what we have as a team, what other teams needs are, what those teams players are proving to be this year and how we can best acquire them. Patience...it can be a friend.

 

[bobermay]

Ok, find me one that doesn't create another need in our line-up. Who replaces JVR if we trade him? Send Gards somewhere and who do we have at the ready to eat up his minutes? A package deal...ya, we've got prospects, but you can't tear down what you've just started to build to fill one gap (IMHO). Look, I want Lindholm, Trouba would be nice, Tanev too, but we're dressing 6 rookies (7?), and we don't really have a grasp on how this team is going to jell. To suggest there's no more time needed suggests to me that a move needs to be made for the sake of a move. Why is no more time needed? We're not winning the cup this year. We're not going to destroy the young as things move forward 20/30 games. We will, however, have a better understanding of what we have as a team, what other teams needs are, what those teams players are proving to be this year and how we can best acquire them. Patience...it can be a friend.

I think trading JVR for a top 4 dman would be filling a larger whole than the one its creating.

 

[Pyrophorus]

How is Ottawa arguable? It's over twice as far away.....

I used Toronto as my starting point, he Toronto was closest to Detroit,
he explained it was around the US cities.

 

[scan15*]

Ok, find me one that doesn't create another need in our line-up. Who replaces JVR if we trade him? Send Gards somewhere and who do we have at the ready to eat up his minutes? A package deal...ya, we've got prospects, but you can't tear down what you've just started to build to fill one gap (IMHO). Look, I want Lindholm, Trouba would be nice, Tanev too, but we're dressing 6 rookies (7?), and we don't really have a grasp on how this team is going to jell. To suggest there's no more time needed suggests to me that a move needs to be made for the sake of a move. Why is no more time needed? We're not winning the cup this year. We're not going to destroy the young as things move forward 20/30 games. We will, however, have a better understanding of what we have as a team, what other teams needs are, what those teams players are proving to be this year and how we can best acquire them. Patience...it can be a friend.

Marincin would be a fine replacement for Gardiner on the 2nd pair. I know his errors tend to be very visible and that's the most we remember of him because the rest of his game is very quiet but statistically, he's capable of being a good 2nd pair defenseman.

Even if Marincin is unable to fill that role, it shouldn't be too hard to find a 2nd pair guy in free agency. Demers, Hamhuis etc can be found every July 1st and the rate for them is between $4-5 million.

 

[Figgy44]

Haaaaaaaaaaave you heard of my good friend, Mr Dennis Wideman?

Hey... where are you going?

 

[cupcrazyman]

We need a top 4 without giving up a top 4 dman.That makes zero sense.

-RHD stay at home guy with grit (not a goon)
-2nd pairing power play guy

 

[voxel]

This makes absolutely zero sense for the Leafs, In what world would Lou ever retain half of JVR's salary plus take on a dump of a salary as Stoner's. Even with JVR full salary Anaheim is still shedding around $3 million here way more then enough to afford decent deals to both Rakell and Lindholm.

Top 4 dman > winger

More importantly JVR is UFA at the end of next season and honestly he's pretty overrated. I think the Ducks can do better.

 

[Dustin]

Top 4 dman > winger

More importantly JVR is UFA at the end of next season and honestly he's pretty overrated. I think the Ducks can do better.

So since we're dealing in absolutes I guess Chicago will take Hunwick for Kane than. I mean as you said Dman > Winger......

 

[voxel]

So since we're dealing in absolutes I guess Chicago will take Hunwick for Kane than. I mean as you said Dman > Winger......

No wonder the Leafs will be bottom feeders with Hunwick in the top 4

 

[buttman*]

Only untouchables on the Leafs should be Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Reilly and the first round pick.

 

[Dustin]

No wonder the Leafs will be bottom feeders with Hunwick in the top 4

No wonder Anaheim will lose Lindholm and Rakell paying Fowler and Kesler their money......

Oh and nice deflection on your absolutely absurd comment.

 

[TorontoTrades]

Really don't see Leafs chasing anyone too soon.

Maybe JVR later in the year if they don't plan on trying to resign him.

But we're months away from Leafs making a significant move IMO. They're going to see what they have and see how they improve together

 

[TorontoTrades]

Only untouchables on the Leafs should be Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Reilly and the first round pick.

Absolutely.

Gardiner is close as well if he maintains or improves his play.

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

Only untouchables on the Leafs should be Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Reilly and the first round pick.

As it should be, Just like Larkin would be with Detroit.

 

[lifelonghockeyfan]

Let's be realistic about the Leaf defence. Last year the Leaf defence was NOT 30th place bad.
Goal scoring and goaltending was worse. Then near the TDL, Phanuef and Polak were traded and the Leafs used the only players they had to fill there spots, and inexperienced guys at that.

This year.....Gardiner and Rielly are NHL regulars, Zaitsev might be the better than any Leaf Dman this season. Carrick looks like an NHL Dman.
After that the Leafs have depend on Hunwick, Marincin, Polak and Corrado to take up the other minutes.

So lets not get all crazy on guys like Fowler or Stoner. Before the expansion draft the Leafs can figure out some expansion protection lists and maybe get a good DMan on a team that can't protect them.
In the mean time, play who you got and with improved offence and hopefully better goaltending the team will improve.
On most teams the 5,6,7 Dmen aren't game changers either.

 

[Pi]

Only untouchables on the Leafs should be Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Reilly and the first round pick.

First round pick isn't an untouchable for me if we get a great player. I'd trade it ++ for Lindholm and not worry even if we give up a lottery pick. It wouldn't be like the Kessel trade where he's the only good player we had on our roster.

 

[LondonKendrick]

3 way, JVR to Ducks, Trouba to Leafs and Fowler to Peg. Leafs can eat a 1.5 on JVR to get deal done.

Gardiner isn't a trading chip, his speed makes him the perfect 2nd pair blueliner for this young Leaf team.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

3 way, JVR to Ducks, Trouba to Leafs and Fowler to Peg. Leafs can eat a 1.5 on JVR to get deal done.

Gardiner isn't a trading chip, his speed makes him the perfect 2nd pair blueliner for this young Leaf team.

I'd have a hard time giving Trouba more money that Rielly which I'm sure he wants.

 

[Incetardis]

How about we just wait and see what we have this year instead? We're definitely lacking at least 1 probably 2 more D to play in our top 4 but why not let the likes of Zaitsev, Marincin, and Carrack play for a bit before overpaying for a select few players who would be an obvious upgrade. This years all about development and I'm good with that.

 

[Pi]

I'd have a hard time giving Trouba more money that Rielly which I'm sure he wants.

He just wants to play RD which is wide open for him in Toronto.

 

[Warden of the North]

I think trading JVR for a top 4 dman would be filling a larger whole than the one its creating.

I agree with this.

 

[Hunter368]

If Chevy changes his ask (for trouba) to BPA (b/c lhd is a big need anymore b/c of Josh play or no lhd is available), Leafs have the high end young forward assets to get it done.

 

[The Thin White Duke]

If Chevy changes his ask (for trouba) to BPA (b/c lhd is a big need anymore b/c of Josh play or no lhd is available), Leafs have the high end young forward assets to get it done.

None of the big 3 would be available if that's what you're getting at.

 

[Mitchy]

Hell no to JVR for Fowler. Not the type of d-man we need and at the very least, wouldn't give up JVR for him.

 

[Bust]

If Hunwick is out for a substantial amount of time i think the Leafs should target Despres from ANA.
TOR and ANA deal with each other frequently, ANA is tight to the cap and TOR is in need of some bodies on the right side defense. Despres is also 25 and fits right in with the leafs timeline.
Not 100% sure of TOR's cap situation though. (i miss cap geek )