Roster Building/Team Building/Future Trade/Drafting thread.

[colchar]

Stolarz is signed for next year.

Yeah, I know but they need a solid third guy.

 

[WilliamInLondon]

1) Sign Knies to either $7.5M x 8 or $5M x 2. Assume it's the latter ($25M left)
2) RFAs: Re-sign Robertson to a $1.1M x 2, Holmberg to $1M x 1 ($22.9M left)
3) Own UFAs: Re-sign Lorentz to $1M ($21.8M left), and let Marner, Tavares, and Pacioretty hit the open market ($21.9M left)

Knies Matthews __________
McMann _______ Nylander
Jarnkrok Domi Robertson
Holmberg Laughton Lorentz
Extras: Kampf

McCabe Tanev
Rielly Carlo
Benoit/OEL/Myers

Woll
Stolarz

- Throw Quillan, Cowan into the mix as the 13th forward (or causes one of the above to sub out from the starting roster). But neither of whom would occupy a blank. Ideally it'd be Quillan unless Cowan cracks the Top 9.
- Evaluate Niemala or Kokkonen for depth as 6th defenceman

- Assume that a max of 2 out of 4 would make the roster, which gets you to 21 + 2 blanks.

4) UFA Signings
- Bring back Tavares on $5M x 3 or $8.5M x 1. I'd prefer the latter, but I assume he'll take the former. If Tavares signs elsewhere, I'd offer $4.0M x 3 or $6.0M X 1 to Matt Duchene.
- Sign Patrick Kane to $5M x 1
- Sign Vladislav Gavrikov to $6.5M X 6 ($2M left)

2025-2026 Lineup
Knies Matthews Kane
McMann Tavares/Duchene Nylander
Cowan Domi Robertson
Holmberg Laughton Jarnkrok

Extra: Kampf (rotated in, which works with $2M left in capspace)

McCabe Gavrikov
Rielly Carlo
OEL Tanev

Extras: Benoit, Myers

Stolarz
Woll

I think with the lineup, that's at minimum a wildcard or 3rd in division team next season. Competitive enough to do some damage next season with a bit of upside due to an improved defensive corps, growth from Knies, Cowan, and Woll. More importantly, it preserves cap space for next summer. Currently, there's $43M of 2026-2027 cap space. The above gets you to about $28M available to spend when someone like McDavid could somehow become available lol. If not McDavid, it's still a stronger UFA class to spend your money on if you do intend to stay competitive with Matthew and Nylander in their primes.

At least one or two of Panarin, Eichel, Kaprizov, Makar, Connor, and Kempe will likely hit UFA along with a number of secondary role players to round out the team.

 

[Thornbury]

Yeah, I know but they need a solid third guy.

I disagree. I think at some point they have to see what they have in Hildeby and AA, to prepare for the end of Stolarz's deal after next season. Outside of Knies, and maybe Robertson, they currently have zero youth on the team.

 

[Thornbury]

1) Sign Knies to either $7.5M x 8 or $5M x 2. Assume it's the latter ($25M left)
2) RFAs: Re-sign Robertson to a $1.1M x 2, Holmberg to $1M x 1 ($22.9M left)
3) Own UFAs: Re-sign Lorentz to $1M ($21.8M left), and let Marner, Tavares, and Pacioretty hit the open market ($21.9M left)

Knies Matthews __________
McMann _______ Nylander
Jarnkrok Domi Robertson
Holmberg Laughton Lorentz
Extras: Kampf

McCabe Tanev
Rielly Carlo
Benoit/OEL/Myers

Woll
Stolarz

- Throw Quillan, Cowan into the mix as the 13th forward (or causes one of the above to sub out from the starting roster). But neither of whom would occupy a blank. Ideally it'd be Quillan unless Cowan cracks the Top 9.
- Evaluate Niemala or Kokkonen for depth as 6th defenceman

- Assume that a max of 2 out of 4 would make the roster, which gets you to 21 + 2 blanks.

4) UFA Signings
- Bring back Tavares on $5M x 3 or $8.5M x 1. I'd prefer the latter, but I assume he'll take the former. If Tavares signs elsewhere, I'd offer $4.0M x 3 or $6.0M X 1 to Matt Duchene.
- Sign Patrick Kane to $5M x 1
- Sign Vladislav Gavrikov to $6.5M X 6 ($2M left)

2025-2026 Lineup
Knies Matthews Kane
McMann Tavares/Duchene Nylander
Cowan Domi Robertson
Holmberg Laughton Jarnkrok

Extra: Kampf (rotated in, which works with $2M left in capspace)

McCabe Gavrikov
Rielly Carlo
OEL Tanev

Extras: Benoit, Myers

Stolarz
Woll

I think with the lineup, that's at minimum a wildcard or 3rd in division team next season. Competitive enough to do some damage next season with a bit of upside due to an improved defensive corps, growth from Knies, Cowan, and Woll. More importantly, it preserves cap space for next summer. Currently, there's $43M of 2026-2027 cap space. The above gets you to about $28M available to spend when someone like McDavid could somehow become available lol. If not McDavid, it's still a stronger UFA class to spend your money on if you do intend to stay competitive with Matthew and Nylander in their primes.

At least one or two of Panarin, Eichel, Kaprizov, Makar, Connor, and Kempe will likely hit UFA along with a number of secondary role players to round out the team.

I have to say that Benoit has made a believer of me given his play late in the season and of course the playoffs. I love him and OEL as a 3rd pair you can play in any situation. Who knew we'd see Benoit make the odd end to end rush?

 

[Voodoo Child]

Yeah, I know but they need a solid third guy.

I think at this point Wollarz is a solid enough 1-2 tandem you have to hope Hildeby can grow into that role as a guy who can play 5-8 games a year; soft games, 3 in 4 nights type of things and go from there, pretty much the role Woll had during the Covid years. In an ideal world after next year Woll is a true-blue #1 55-60 game starter.

Lost in the shuffle is not just Knies-Marner but McCabe and Woll have new deals kicking in next year too.

Mitch is obviously the big ? here, but assuming he walks...

1. Ideally you bridge Knies like 6x3 but I have no problem giving him 8x8, big piece of the future, he's gonna be a 30-40-70 guy next year maybe more.

2. I again maintain than when JT handed over the C he folded in a deal for himself. 3 years is ideal, 7 is fine, but I could be convinced 4 years for 6.

3. I'd give Holmberg and Lorentz light bumps, maybe 1.1 or so. Lorentz is a big body, fast, strong on the boards and clutch, Holmberg couldnt finish a 6 word puzzle but goes to the hard areas and has a good 200 foot game. MaxPac is welcome back at league min.

4. Nicky Bobby...I just don't see the benefit, for us or him, of keeping him around. Let him go get 25 goals next year for Anaheim or Nashville - if he had have done it this year yeah but he didn't. Or, he can take 895k to go play with his brother in Dallas but honestly he's too small, too streaky and too unfocused for me to think he's anything but Europe-bound in 2-3 years.

5. Jarnkrok and Kampf for anything you can get. Jarnkrok was injured a lot and has his role but Kampf at 2.4 is a mil too much. Haakanpa and Myers can go, frees up 2.5.

As for who I'd target again that all depends on Mitch.

Maybe Faksa at 3C, Ehlers if Mitch goes would be a score but they couldn't afford them both. Reilly Smith at RW isn't bad - local boy, wont get his current ticket, middle 6 numbers, champion and defensively sound, and on D no one jumps out at me except Fabbro and Gavrikov, who I doubt we could afford.

 

[123offtheglass]

With Patches' performance bonus ($626,230) & starting from here, they'd have $26,232,771 with 5-7 contracts to add to the active roster.

Knies & possibly Marner/Tavares would eat up close to all of their cap space.

Love Lorentz, hopefully he's back on the cheap. For RFA's, Holmberg (more likely) & Robertson would be nice to have back if cheap. Hopefully Robertson is happy where's he's at but Leafs should no way be attached to either; I do like both.

Running it back with minor subtractions/additions then reloading at the next TDL, you could ice an even better team than they have now... but it all really hinges on what happens tonight & Marners camp.

Brandon Tanev would be nice for their checking line & PK, while moving out at least one of Jarnkrok/Kampf. Might even come home on a reasonable contract to play with his brother.

Cody Glass probably won't get qualified (2.5m) so he could be a cheap pickup, youngish two-way right shot center with some size who might have some untapped potential.

 

[Malachi Crunch]

It depends on what happens, to be honest. If we're done tonight vs going to the Stanley Cup final completely changes my focus.

That said, say Mitch walks (looks likely), I would maybe look into trading Rielly to get a solid winger (or C) instead of going to free agency. I would then try to sign Provorov to fill Rielly's shoes.

If Rielly accepted a trade to the Rangers, would love Laf or Kreider or a few others.

If it's only Vancouver for Rielly then maybe Debrusk? Or, if we're looking for a high end 3C, Pius Suter or Filip Chytil.

Also, I'm 100% bringing Patches back on league minimum. I don't care if he's injured for half the year....that man is all heart and a factor in the playoffs.

 

[DarkKnight]

Three times a charm!

 

[Fogelhund]

The bar for most was win two rounds... if they manage to pull this off tonight, are we on the run it back, because they have proven to be winners? What's the bar now?

 

[ACC1224]

The bar for most was win two rounds... if they manage to pull this off tonight, are we on the run it back, because they have proven to be winners? What's the bar now?

They’ve already shown enough this season to run it back.

 

[thewave]

They’ve already shown enough this season to run it back.

No. This is where make the final tweaks like taking an expensive soft perimeter player making 11m and getting a couple gutsy players with a history of playoff performances. Look a Laughton. He has actually stabilized us quite a bit.

If they hit the finals sure. Convincing ECF, maybe

 

[Rare Jewel]

The bar for most was win two rounds... if they manage to pull this off tonight, are we on the run it back, because they have proven to be winners? What's the bar now?

Let's see how today goes. For me, it was getting to the 3rd round and being competitive, not necessarily winning that round.

Also, bringing them back still has economic/cap implications, irrespective of the result.

 

[Avilaj07]

Let Marner walk

Resign Tavares 3 yrs x 5.5 million

Trade away Kampf, Jarnkrok and Domi

Sign Bennett 7 yrs x 7 million
Sign Marchand 3 yrs x 3 million
Sign Tanev 4 yrs x 1.5 million
Sign Kane 2 yrs x 2.5 million
Sign Dvorak 3 yrs x 4 million

Knies-Matthews-Kane
Bennett-Tavares-Nylander
Marchand-Dvorak-Mcmann
Lorentz-Laughton-Tanev

 

[Tony Romo]

marchand is gonna be at least 2m+ more than 3m.

 

[andora]

Let Marner walk

Resign Tavares 3 yrs x 5.5 million

Trade away Kampf, Jarnkrok and Domi

Sign Bennett 7 yrs x 7 million
Sign Marchand 3 yrs x 3 million
Sign Tanev 4 yrs x 1.5 million
Sign Kane 2 yrs x 2.5 million
Sign Dvorak 3 yrs x 4 million

Knies-Matthews-Kane
Bennett-Tavares-Nylander
Marchand-Dvorak-Mcmann
Lorentz-Laughton-Tanev

Tanev unless dirt cheap is broke
Bennett and marchand will make more
Kane is a loser
Dvorak meh

 

[aingefan]

I’ve hopped on board the Mangiapane train.
Local, familiarity with the GM.
And his advanced stats are strong year over year.
LW has a lot of options, but he could be a good one. Knies/Mangiapane/McMann is a good trio on that flank.

 

[Dreakmur]

The bar for most was win two rounds... if they manage to pull this off tonight, are we on the run it back, because they have proven to be winners? What's the bar now?

We could win the cup and we should still let Marner walk. We’re winning despite the cap makeup, not because of it.

 

[Dreakmur]

I’ve hopped on board the Mangiapane train.
Local, familiarity with the GM.
And his advanced stats are strong year over year.
LW has a lot of options, but he could be a good one. Knies/Mangiapane/McMann is a good trio on that flank.

May as well keep Nick Robertson…

We either need a legit top-6 offensive creator or a top-9 physical presence.

Top of my list right now is a short term contract for Jamie Benn, assuming he becomes a UFA.

 

[aingefan]

May as well keep Nick Robertson…

We either need a legit top-6 offensive creator or a top-9 physical presence.

Top of my list right now is a short term contract for Jamie Benn, assuming he becomes a UFA.

I’m fine with that too.
Not sure why Benn would test FA.

 

[sxvnert]

Knies Matthews Domi
Ehlers Gourde Nylander
Crouse Tavares Laughton
Loretnz Bjugstad Tanev
Pacioretty
Trade: McMann ($1,350,000), Jarnkrok ($2,100,000), Kampf ($2,400,000), Robertson (RFA), Holmberg (RFA)

Tanev McCabe
OEL Carlo
Benoit #6
Trade: Rielly ($7,500,000)

Stolarz
Woll
#3 (Reimer)

 

[Rare Jewel]

Knies Matthews Domi
Ehlers Gourde Nylander
Crouse Tavares Laughton
Loretnz Bjugstad Tanev
Pacioretty
Trade: McMann ($1,350,000), Jarnkrok ($2,100,000), Kampf ($2,400,000), Robertson (RFA), Holmberg (RFA)

Tanev McCabe
OEL Carlo
Benoit #6
Trade: Rielly ($7,500,000)

Stolarz
Woll
#3 (Reimer)

"With the 5th overall pick, the Boston Bruins select..."

 

[Dreakmur]

I’m fine with that too.
Not sure why Benn would test FA.

How much money does Benn want? He likely can’t get much in Dallas.

Dallas has Johnston’s, Rantanen’s, and Ottinger’s contracts kicking in next year.

 

[TMLAM34]

To Toronto: Alexis Lafreniere + 2025 2nd Rounder
To Rangers: Morgan Rielly + Easton Cowan

To Toronto: Conor Garland
To Vancouver: Max Domi + Nick Robertson

Out: Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf


UFA Signings:
Ivan Provorov
Yanni Gourde
Taylor Raddysh
Justin Brazeau


Knies (8) - Matthews (13.25) - Nylander (11.5)
Lafreniere(7.45) - Tavares(5.5) - Garland(4.95)
McMann(1.35) - Gourde(4.25) - Raddysh(2.75)
Lorentz (1.25) - Laughton (1.5)- Brazeau (1.25)

Provorov (6.5) - Carlo (3.49)
McCabe (4.51) - Tanev (4.5)
Benoit (1.35) - Ekman Larsson (3.5)
Myers (0.85)

Stolarz (2.5) - Woll (3.67)


Total: 93.87, leaves enough to pay Pacioretty’s bonus and Reaves after being waived.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Let Marner walk

Resign Tavares 3 yrs x 5.5 million

Trade away Kampf, Jarnkrok and Domi

Sign Bennett 7 yrs x 7 million
Sign Marchand 3 yrs x 3 million
Sign Tanev 4 yrs x 1.5 million
Sign Kane 2 yrs x 2.5 million
Sign Dvorak 3 yrs x 4 million

Knies-Matthews-Kane
Bennett-Tavares-Nylander
Marchand-Dvorak-Mcmann
Lorentz-Laughton-Tanev

How about they win the Cup and re-sign everyone?!

I would accept that without a moments delay.

 

[sxvnert]

"With the 5th overall pick, the Boston Bruins select..."

Unlike Burke, Tre top 10 protected it.