Leafs Offseason: Alot of big decisions, 17 key ones [Dubas(gone), Matthews, Marner, Nylander are biggies]

[SprDaVE]

The Leafs like to follow things up by taking a step back.
For the next GM let’s get someone with less experience.
For no playoff success in 7 years, let’s pay the core guys more.
Leafs gonna Leaf.

Experience is pretty overrated. You want head GM experience? Look at the list. They are all there for a reason. There ain't much quality unless you want someone like Peter Chiarelli running your team. You want AGM experience? The list gets longer but it's not head GM experience, right?

Spezza is probably way too green for a lot of different reasons but I hope he'll stick around the Leafs management in some way moving forward because he seems to be a good bet in the future.

Everytime I ask for names and examples of experienced GMs to hire, nobody says any names. It's just pointing and criticizing.

 

[kevsh]

I've been as vocal about "Tavares will never waive" as anyone, for all the same reasons (he's from Toronto, young family, dream to play for the Leafs, etc.) but something did occur to me that possibly, very remotely could get him to change his mind.

First, he has two years left on his deal then he's a free agent again. And it's that last part that's key: Unless Toronto re-signs him or he retires, he's moving to another city in two years anyway.

If Dubas (the GM at least for now) has a talk with Johnny and basically says he's not a part of team's new, improved vision (fast, aggressive, low cap hit energy guys, for example) and so it's a given he won't be getting an offer in two years, maybe with the right trade partner he considers it.

There still are two huge blocks to that: What team will take his contract on, even for two years and among that very small list, will he be willing to go to any of them (maybe better put, either of them or that one team)? Huge long shot, but I mostly buy into the concept that any player, any contract is tradeable as we've seen many times already. and any player is willing to waive under the right circumstances.

 

[Tak7]

Nylander is being shopped ?

Much easier to shop him if he's tearing it up against B-tier competition at the World Championships..

 

[hockeywiz542]

The Leafs have acres of cap space, even before moving a star. But what do they do with it?

This is going to be a truly fascinating offseason in Toronto. Buckle up.

theathletic.com

There’s a ton going on with the Maple Leafs right now, so much so that it’s hard to know where to begin dissecting their offseason.

A lot of attention is, understandably, on what’s happening at the GM position with Kyle Dubas. The only update I have at this point is that Dubas has met with ownership to try and hammer out an extension, but it remains to be seen if the family reasons he cited on Monday impact those conversations.

It’s possible we get a resolution on that front in the next few days, and if we do, we’ll be back with more analysis of the front office situation.

.............

1. They need another winger to play in the top six, unless you’re excited about more of Calle Jarnkrok there. This is the role vacated by Michael Bunting, who is almost definitely moving on, as outlined here.

2. They have to shift John Tavares over to the wing after his performance down the middle in the playoffs, which was another exclamation point on his limitations there.

3. Tavares to the middle, combined with Ryan O’Reilly, David Kampf and Noel Acciari all going UFA, means there’s a big chasm at the center position on this roster. If (or, realistically, when) you’re trading one of the big-name wingers, you’re going to need someone who can play down the middle coming back.

4. The Leafs need another top four defenseman, too. And it’s worth debating whether Mark Giordano should be in the top six at this point, given he’ll need a helluva lot more load management next season.

5. Joseph Woll absolutely earned the backup role. And the Leafs wisely signed him for a bargain prior to his breakout season.

Assuming the salary cap rises by only $1 million (which is not guaranteed at this point), this Leafs roster is just shy of $20 million under the salary cap, with 15 players signed: eight forwards, six defensemen and one goaltender.

.................

That said, what I find fascinating about the challenge here for the Leafs GM in the coming weeks is that the canvas is somewhat blank. If they move one of their big-ticket players, they could be reshuffling close to 40 percent of their cap allocation in a single offseason. They are not, as has been the case in the past, capped out.

The trick, however, is going to be doing all that shuffling while keeping this a contending, 110-point team next season. And, more importantly, evolving them into a contending team that performs more convincingly in the postseason.

As I said off the top, there’s a long way to go here, and the biggest questions revolve around Dubas’ future and moving out top-end talent. But even down the roster there are some intriguing questions that need to be addressed. And some of the most important openings in the lineup are directly related to the big swing transactions they’ll need to attempt in the next six weeks.

It almost goes without saying at this point, but this is going to be a truly fascinating offseason in Toronto. Buckle up.

Hopefully that all makes sense.

 

[Notsince67]

The business part is his job lol

Which is why it's insane if he takes the fall for Dubas's inability to get the job done.

He also is most likely why the organization is run so well away from the hockey ops stuff because that's literally his job

In

Nothing against Spezza, but how about someone with experience……….

What does shanny really do than schmooze and lobby the NHL poorly about officiating and player safety? The business side is handled by the egg heads and the Leafs are already swimming in cash. He has zero to do with any game playing dynamic other than being the boss of the GM.

 

[Zero1]

What possible Marner, Nylander trades could look like for Maple Leafs

If the Maple Leafs do decide to alter their core with a trade, Mitch Marner and William Nylander appear to be the most likely candidates. Ryan Dixon proposes a trade for each player to better understand what the return for Toronto could look like.

www.sportsnet.ca

Vancouver Canucks get: William Nylander, Timothy Liljegren
Toronto Maple Leafs get: J.T. Miller
Chicago Blackhawks get: Matt Murray, 2023 Canucks 4th, 2024 Leafs 4th

Why the Leafs do it: Because last year — especially the beginning of it — was so miserable for both Miller and the Canucks, it’s easy to forget what kind of player he is. A late-bloomer offensively, Miller has 299 points in 283 games with the Canucks since being traded there as a 26-year-old in 2019. He’s gotten outer-rim Selke consideration in past seasons and, with his heavy frame, plays a two-way, grinding style that lends itself well to the playoffs.

Yes, he’s just coming on to a seven-year contract that counts $8 million against the cap annually, but that’s not a massive concern for a squad that’s trying to win the Cup RIGHT NOW. Miller just turned 30, can play both wing and centre and soon enough Nylander will be making more than $8 million annually. Shedding Murray’s salary opens the door to bringing back Ilya Samsonov without too much trouble and you might still save a nickel or two against the cap.

Los Angeles Kings get: Mitch Marner
Toronto Maple Leafs get: Quinton Byfield, Sean Durzi, Jordan Spence, 2024 top-10 protected 1st

Why the Leafs do it: It’s kind of the new Sundin-for-Clark! Byfield is a six-foot-five centre still on his entry-level deal after being drafted second overall in 2020. The NHL results haven’t come just yet for the GTA guy, but it’s safe to assume better days are ahead — maybe as early as next year. Byfield can apprentice behind No. 1 C Auston Matthews and John Tavares can move permanently to wing.

Durzi is a 24-year-old, right-shot defenceman who was previously part of the Leafs organization until he was sent to L.A. in the 2019 deadline deal that landed Jake Muzzin. He’s just coming into his own and is under team control as an RFA in 2024. Spence is a smart — if not big — two-way defenceman whose done very well in the American Hockey League and is likely ready to step into the big time. Like Durzi, he shoots right.

This swap would save the Leafs an enormous amount of money against the cap, especially before Byfield is due a new contract in 2024-25. They’d also have a second 2024 first-rounder to leverage for more help between now and the trade deadline.

Both these trades suck man.

If these are the offers they can get then they’ll have no choice but to ride it out until JT’s contract is off the books.

The Leafs have such a short window to find the right deals for these guys because of the stupid ass NMC.

 

[Trapper]

Experience is pretty overrated. You want head GM experience? Look at the list. They are all there for a reason. There ain't much quality unless you want someone like Peter Chiarelli running your team. You want AGM experience? The list gets longer but it's not head GM experience, right?

Spezza is probably way too green for a lot of different reasons but I hope he'll stick around the Leafs management in some way moving forward because he seems to be a good bet in the future.

Everytime I ask for names and examples of experienced GMs to hire, nobody says any names. It's just pointing and criticizing.

We had an experienced GM. We let him go and never gave him the chance to finish what he started. Right at the most crucial time in our team history.

 

[United35]

I've been as vocal about "Tavares will never waive" as anyone, for all the same reasons (he's from Toronto, young family, dream to play for the Leafs, etc.) but something did occur to me that possibly, very remotely could get him to change his mind.

First, he has two years left on his deal then he's a free agent again. And it's that last part that's key: Unless Toronto re-signs him or he retires, he's moving to another city in two years anyway.

If Dubas (the GM at least for now) has a talk with Johnny and basically says he's not a part of team's new, improved vision (fast, aggressive, low cap hit energy guys, for example) and so it's a given he won't be getting an offer in two years, maybe with the right trade partner he considers it.

There still are two huge blocks to that: What team will take his contract on, even for two years and among that very small list, will he be willing to go to any of them (maybe better put, either of them or that one team)? Huge long shot, but I mostly buy into the concept that any player, any contract is tradeable as we've seen many times already. and any player is willing to waive under the right circumstances.

It’s only two more years, as bad as his contract is, we don’t have many horrific deals in place.

There are many teams with numerous players that have bad deals. Thankfully in 2 years we’re 11 million free and clear.

I never liked the Marleau trade, took away all our leverage and cost us a 1st. The overrating of cap space at times is crazy. It’s important, but when you’re moving assets to create space to go and throw it away it’s ridiculous.

 

[SprDaVE]

We had an experienced GM. We let him go and never gave him the chance to finish what he started. Right at the most crucial time in our team history.

Ah yes... Lamoriello would have made it better, of course. Or was that Brian Burke that you meant?

What I'm asking though are current available GMs with the experience that would make you satisfied to turn things around? Or is the loss of Lamoriello forever tainting our ability of finding a proper replacement?

 

[Trapper]

Ah yes... Lamoriello would have made it better, of course. Or was that Brian Burke?

What I'm asking though are current available GMs with the experience that would make you satisfied to turn things around? Or is the loss of Lamoriello forever tainting our ability of finding a proper replacement?

I don’t know what Lou would have done. That’s the point. He could have screwed it 6 ways to Sunday.
Let’s see, as it stands now, we don’t know if we have a GM. We don’t know if we have a coach. Everyone is going to have a NMC. Everyone will be looking to get paid more.
We have made it to the 2nd round once in 7 years and only won a single game.
We probably have to spend a 1st round pick to get rid of another goalie. Is that about right?
Friggin Lou…

 

[SprDaVE]

I don’t know what Lou would have done. That’s the point. He could have screwed it 6 ways to Sunday.
Let’s see, as it stands now, we don’t know if we have a GM. We don’t know if we have a coach. Everyone is going to have a NMC. Everyone will be looking to get paid more.
We have made it to the 2nd round once in 7 years and only won a single game.
We probably have to spend a 1st round pick to get rid of another goalie. Is that about right?

We know Lamoriello would have screwed it up. Just look at the state of the Islanders.

So you can't answer my simple question of coming up with a short list of experienced GMs that you would be satisfied turning this franchise into a cup winner. But... let's make sure they are experienced 100% though.

 

[Trapper]

We know Lamoriello would have screwed it up. Just look at the state of the Islanders.

So you can't answer my simple question of coming up with a short list of experienced GMs that you would be satisfied turning this franchise into a cup winner. But... let's make sure they experienced 100% though.

You want your question answered go look around the league and see who has been a AGM for 4-5 years with good teams. I told you we had the experience, not my fault you didn’t like it.

 

[SprDaVE]

You want your question answered go look around the league and see who has been a AGM for 4-5 years with good teams. I told you we had the experience, not my fault you didn’t like it.

And what I'm saying is that his experience didn't matter to the Islanders. It didn't matter to the Leafs while he was here either. You just choose to ignore his recent performance and results.

 

[Squiffy]

I don’t know what Lou would have done. That’s the point. He could have screwed it 6 ways to Sunday.
Let’s see, as it stands now, we don’t know if we have a GM. We don’t know if we have a coach. Everyone is going to have a NMC. Everyone will be looking to get paid more.
We have made it to the 2nd round once in 7 years and only won a single game.
We probably have to spend a 1st round pick to get rid of another goalie. Is that about right?
Friggin Lou…

I wouldn't spend a thing to get rid of Murray. Just play him regularly until he's on the LTIR. So like a week.

 

[rumman]

And what I'm saying is that his experience didn't matter to the Islanders. It didn't matter to the Leafs while he was here either. You just choose to ignore his recent performance and results.

how many playoff wins does Dubas have under his belt compared to Lou's tenure with the Islanders?

 

[Trapper]

I wouldn't spend a thing to get rid of Murray. Just play him regularly until he's on the LTIR. So like a week.

Are you able to start Woll in the minors next year?
Are you signing Samsonov? You probably don’t start the year with 3 goalies on the final roster.

 

[Notsince67]

Both these trades suck man.

If these are the offers they can get then they’ll have no choice but to ride it out until JT’s contract is off the books.

The Leafs have such a short window to find the right deals for these guys because of the stupid ass NMC.

I agree. Not sure why Quinn Hughes hasn't come up in anyone's trade proposals. Everyone treating this as a fire sale instead of a proper quid pro quo.

 

[Squiffy]

Are you able to start Woll in the minors next year?
Are you signing Samsonov? You probably don’t start the year with 3 goalies on the final roster.

No, Woll needs waivers next year. Yes, three, someone is getting injured soon enough. To the benefit of 24-25. Probably unlikely, there's a reason I don't GM a NHL team. Don't like either option of spending assets to ditch him or buying out and having $2m on cap 24-25.

Maybe someone takes him if we retain half of what's left for the season.

 

[nuck]

Sportsnet says the Flames have talked to over 25 candidates for their GM job. How is that for a wide net? Sounds like they want to fill it by June 1st. I perceive a lack of similar urgency in Toronto

 

[justashadowof]

Are you able to start Woll in the minors next year?
Are you signing Samsonov? You probably don’t start the year with 3 goalies on the final roster.

There's no better 3rd goalie to carry on an opening night roster than one making league minimum (Woll). 3 goalies is not a problem to open a season. The Leafs probably will need 3 goalies regardless of the presence of Murray and/or Samsonov because Woll is also an uncertainty himself in terms of health and performance.

 

[crowsnestmcgee]

trade marner fire keefe... that's it

 

[Rare Jewel]

My god that is horrifyingly bad

I mean not really though.

Liljegren is the catch, but JT Miller is the best player in the trade and plays center if need be. There are only about 10 players who've outscored Miller over the few seasons and does bring those extra ingredients that people seem to like.

A deal involving Miller is likely the closest thing the Leafs can do to finding their own "Tkachuk" deal

You also lose the Murray contract which frees up 4.6 for the next two seasons.

 

[rumman]

Are you able to start Woll in the minors next year?
Are you signing Samsonov? You probably don’t start the year with 3 goalies on the final roster.

Robidas Island........

 

[Trapper]

Robidas Island........

That Island must be getting full and soon sink like Atlantis. 300 years from now Robot Lupul will lead the attack against humanity.

 

[rumman]

That Island must be getting full and soon sink like Atlantis. 300 years from now Robot Lupul will lead the attack against humanity.

if Robidas Island is too crowded, how about the island of misfit toys????????