Sixeightfivethirteen
Registered User
- May 12, 2017
- 3
- 2
Looking to open the discussion around Utah using their upcoming UFA centerman Nick Bjugstad to shore up their backend for the coming years. Ideally turning it into a bigger deal to shift some short term pieces into long term pieces (or other short term pieces that get flipped for futures). Toronto's new GM Brad Treliving is a big fan of size, and Toronto reportedly needs a 3C, and they have 8 NHL D signed for this year. Here's my first crack at a framework for a trade.
Utah Gets
Timothy Liljegren
Nick Robertson
Cale Jarnkrok
Connor Dewar or Connor Timmins
Toronto Gets:
Nick Bjugstad
Michael Kesselring
Jack McBain
Why I think Utah does this:
- Robertson is high-end scoring talent on a very cheap deal. With Utah he can have the runway with a new franchise to turn into the top 6 scoring winger he's projected to be without being stuck behind the Leafs' winger depth (especially with the latest on Pacioretty expecting to sign there). He could be bridged or signed semi-long term depending on his season this year.
- Liljegren is an upgrade on Kesselring in most ways other than size. He might be the odd man out in Toronto's updated backend, and might be available to make room for the upcoming Jake McCabe extension.
- Jarnkrok I expect to be flipped at this or next year's TDL for ~3rd (maybe a 2nd if retained?). He plays on both special teams and can play all three forward positions. Good stable player to have on the team.
- Connor Dewar is a nice cheap 4th liner with upside that can play center or wing. Connor Timmins is cheap depth that has a bit more offensive flair than most 6/7 Dmen. Both Connors are RFAs at the end of their contracts.
Why I think Utah might hesitate:
- Bjugstad might get more if traded at the deadline.
- Kesselring might show more upside than he has so far, and some fans really like him.
- Liljegren's progress has slowed under Keefe, and he might be damaged goods at this point and never be more than a decent 4/5 Dman.
- The team's average height goes down by probably 6".
Why I think Toronto does this:
- Bjugstad is everything they have been begging for in a 3C forever. He solves most of their lineup issues himself with things falling in place around him.
- Robertson has asked for a trade and clearly wants to go somewhere with long term potential (rumour is he signed to make a trade easier).
- Lilly hasn't quite put it all together yet with the Leafs, and with Toronto's updated backend, making room for the upcoming Jake McCabe extension and getting back a lesser Dman who can still play would be key to not undercut the progress they've made this offseason in building their backend.
- It's outside their division and more importantly with someone they aren't likely to face in the playoffs any time soon so they don't get burned by the media.
- McBain is a younger version of Reaves they could play without worrying about mileage taking him out for the playoffs.
- The trade moves out a body to make room for their roster crunch, and shifts the cap around a bit to better structure the team.
Why I think Toronto might hesitate:
- Robertson is cheap. Like really cheap. Having a potential 20+ goal / 40+ point scoring winger for $875k is a no brainer for them to hang on to.
- Despite Keefe's shirt leash, Liljegren has indeed been their best young defensemen for a while now, with the old regime choosing to keep him over a more offensively gifted Rasmus Sandin. With 2 more years on a relatively cheap contract (2x $3M vs. Sandin's 5x $4.6M) they've recently committed to keeping him in the fold.
- Toronto would be giving up a lot of secured value for temporary help with their current needs. They could instead just wait and look to add at the TDL when more options open up.
I tried not to include the minutia of picks or minor prospects (Abruzzesse or Raty), because a few nickels to a dime on the edges of a $10 deal doesn't mean too much in the grand scheme. What do you all think? Who adds, if anything? Who says no (and why is it always both teams lol)? What other pieces would you swap in or out?
Cheers!
Utah Gets
Timothy Liljegren
Nick Robertson
Cale Jarnkrok
Connor Dewar or Connor Timmins
Toronto Gets:
Nick Bjugstad
Michael Kesselring
Jack McBain
Why I think Utah does this:
- Robertson is high-end scoring talent on a very cheap deal. With Utah he can have the runway with a new franchise to turn into the top 6 scoring winger he's projected to be without being stuck behind the Leafs' winger depth (especially with the latest on Pacioretty expecting to sign there). He could be bridged or signed semi-long term depending on his season this year.
- Liljegren is an upgrade on Kesselring in most ways other than size. He might be the odd man out in Toronto's updated backend, and might be available to make room for the upcoming Jake McCabe extension.
- Jarnkrok I expect to be flipped at this or next year's TDL for ~3rd (maybe a 2nd if retained?). He plays on both special teams and can play all three forward positions. Good stable player to have on the team.
- Connor Dewar is a nice cheap 4th liner with upside that can play center or wing. Connor Timmins is cheap depth that has a bit more offensive flair than most 6/7 Dmen. Both Connors are RFAs at the end of their contracts.
Why I think Utah might hesitate:
- Bjugstad might get more if traded at the deadline.
- Kesselring might show more upside than he has so far, and some fans really like him.
- Liljegren's progress has slowed under Keefe, and he might be damaged goods at this point and never be more than a decent 4/5 Dman.
- The team's average height goes down by probably 6".
Why I think Toronto does this:
- Bjugstad is everything they have been begging for in a 3C forever. He solves most of their lineup issues himself with things falling in place around him.
- Robertson has asked for a trade and clearly wants to go somewhere with long term potential (rumour is he signed to make a trade easier).
- Lilly hasn't quite put it all together yet with the Leafs, and with Toronto's updated backend, making room for the upcoming Jake McCabe extension and getting back a lesser Dman who can still play would be key to not undercut the progress they've made this offseason in building their backend.
- It's outside their division and more importantly with someone they aren't likely to face in the playoffs any time soon so they don't get burned by the media.
- McBain is a younger version of Reaves they could play without worrying about mileage taking him out for the playoffs.
- The trade moves out a body to make room for their roster crunch, and shifts the cap around a bit to better structure the team.
Why I think Toronto might hesitate:
- Robertson is cheap. Like really cheap. Having a potential 20+ goal / 40+ point scoring winger for $875k is a no brainer for them to hang on to.
- Despite Keefe's shirt leash, Liljegren has indeed been their best young defensemen for a while now, with the old regime choosing to keep him over a more offensively gifted Rasmus Sandin. With 2 more years on a relatively cheap contract (2x $3M vs. Sandin's 5x $4.6M) they've recently committed to keeping him in the fold.
- Toronto would be giving up a lot of secured value for temporary help with their current needs. They could instead just wait and look to add at the TDL when more options open up.
I tried not to include the minutia of picks or minor prospects (Abruzzesse or Raty), because a few nickels to a dime on the edges of a $10 deal doesn't mean too much in the grand scheme. What do you all think? Who adds, if anything? Who says no (and why is it always both teams lol)? What other pieces would you swap in or out?
Cheers!