Post Deadline Transactions and Signings

[Stephen]

How exactly? He hits people. That is it. He has been awful outside of that, and he barely even plays (for good reason).

At this point he has been closer go a waste of a 3rd round pick than someone the Leafs should be wanting to bring back.

Lyubushkin was bad too but at least he played big minutes once in a while.

Sometimes role players are better sticking to their role, in Luke Schenn's case, to hit people. Like Brady Tkachuk repeatedly on Saturday night vs Ottawa, though they do need to work out the puck retrievals with him out there because his 5 man units seem to go into puck watching siege mode - which you can't pin on Schenn alone.

Nick Kypreos made an interesting point about Aston-Reese, Thornton and Spezza last week. And that is one of the issues with the Leafs and the 4th line (aka role players) is they have guys who play on that line but aren't always committed to that role and will do a little bit of this and that and cheat for some offense. Obviously it's a bonus if you can get extra production, but sometimes the cost is you get more careless minutes when you need safety or energy. Sometimes the meat and potatoes alone is fine.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Sometimes role players are better sticking to their role, in Luke Schenn's case, to hit people.

Nobody has an issue with Schenn hitting people. The issue is he needs to do more than just that.

Nick Kypreos made an interesting point about Aston-Reese, Thornton and Spezza last week. And that is one of the issues with the Leafs and the 4th line (aka role players) is they have guys who play on that line but aren't always committed to that role and will do a little bit of this and that and cheat for some offense.

Putting aside inaccuracies about the other players you named, are you seriously taking the position that Zach Aston-Reese... cheats for offense? What?

 

[WTFMAN99]

Sometimes role players are better sticking to their role, in Luke Schenn's case, to hit people. Like Brady Tkachuk repeatedly on Saturday night vs Ottawa, though they do need to work out the puck retrievals with him out there because his 5 man units seem to go into puck watching siege mode - which you can't pin on Schenn alone.

Nick Kypreos made an interesting point about Aston-Reese, Thornton and Spezza last week. And that is one of the issues with the Leafs and the 4th line (aka role players) is they have guys who play on that line but aren't always committed to that role and will do a little bit of this and that and cheat for some offense. Obviously it's a bonus if you can get extra production, but sometimes the cost is you get more careless minutes when you need safety or energy. Sometimes the meat and potatoes alone is fine.

ZAR/Kefoot-Kampf-Acciari seems like it would know the job is to eat minutes, keep things low event and finish some checks.

 

[Gabriel426]

Sometimes role players are better sticking to their role, in Luke Schenn's case, to hit people. Like Brady Tkachuk repeatedly on Saturday night vs Ottawa, though they do need to work out the puck retrievals with him out there because his 5 man units seem to go into puck watching siege mode - which you can't pin on Schenn alone.

Nick Kypreos made an interesting point about Aston-Reese, Thornton and Spezza last week. And that is one of the issues with the Leafs and the 4th line (aka role players) is they have guys who play on that line but aren't always committed to that role and will do a little bit of this and that and cheat for some offense. Obviously it's a bonus if you can get extra production, but sometimes the cost is you get more careless minutes when you need safety or energy. Sometimes the meat and potatoes alone is fine.

I would go further by stating there is a role for each players on the team. And if the players can fulfill those roles. For example, AM, MM, Willie and JT roles are to score goals and play against opposing top lines around 44mins/game.

 

[TML Dynasty]

If we aren’t resigning Sammy. And we agree the Murray experiment is over, who are some realistic Goalie targets? With Woll as backup.

Willing to go big here if it shores up that position.

(Willing to rethink Sammy if he kicks arse in these playoffs)

 

[TMLAM34]

If we aren’t resigning Sammy. And we agree the Murray experiment is over, who are some realistic Goalie targets? With Woll as backup.

Willing to go big here if it shores up that position.

(Willing to rethink Sammy if he kicks arse in these playoffs)

Unless Samsonov is a complete disaster in the playoffs, I don’t see why we’d need to go out and acquire another goalie? Recently turned 26, former 1st round draft pick, RFA at the end of the season, good potential, seems to enjoy the pressure of playing in Toronto, probably wouldn’t break the bank to re-sign and seems like all his teammates really enjoy his presence in the locker room.

I fully expect a Samsonov - Woll tandem next season, which I’m totally fine with.

 

[Gallagbi]

If we aren’t resigning Sammy. And we agree the Murray experiment is over, who are some realistic Goalie targets? With Woll as backup.

Willing to go big here if it shores up that position.

(Willing to rethink Sammy if he kicks arse in these playoffs)

I expect Sammy back, but Korpisalo would be the FA option and not many others. You could likely buy low on some guys having down years like Markstrom, Demko, etc. But availability would vary and its risky.

I do wonder if a first round exit would open up a deal with NSH around Saros for Nylander or Marner then building out either side from there

 

[Buds17]

If we aren’t resigning Sammy. And we agree the Murray experiment is over, who are some realistic Goalie targets? With Woll as backup.

Willing to go big here if it shores up that position.

(Willing to rethink Sammy if he kicks arse in these playoffs)

I'm slowly warming to a Samsonov-Woll combination for next season. It's still too early though at this point. Samsonov unfortunately won't be besting his career high in GP. It's also tough to know how many games Woll might be good for. Finally, we'll have to see what happens with Murray.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Unless Samsonov absolutely bombs...it's Samsonov-Woll next year.

If he fails spectacularly, then I am probably calling Nashville for Saros.

 

[mydnyte]

If we aren’t resigning Sammy. And we agree the Murray experiment is over, who are some realistic Goalie targets? With Woll as backup.

Willing to go big here if it shores up that position.

(Willing to rethink Sammy if he kicks arse in these playoffs)

realistically, unless you try to trade for Hart, there are NONE worthy until the 25 UFA class.

 

[mydnyte]

Seriously, it is pure delusion to believe Bunts is ahead of even half of these names

he's younger and should come cheaper than most of them, and has produced well for what he brings.
many 'bigger names' but on the wrong side of 30

If you watch Lafferty live, you will see that he does a lot of off camera stuff that bugs the crap out of other teams.
Also, I still don’t think Keefe is clear in what he is asking Lafferty to do on the ice due to ROR being injured and always playing with 11/7. Of all the new additions, it seems like Keefe is just throwing Lafferty out there and see where he sticks.

i watched a bunch of Chicago games, and Lafferty was usually very noticeable, on the Leafs, he really hasnt been, or has been for not being noticeable

 

[WTFMAN99]

he's younger and should come cheaper than most of them, and has produced well for what he brings.
many 'bigger names' but on the wrong side of 30


i watched a bunch of Chicago games, and Lafferty was usually very noticeable, on the Leafs, he really hasnt been, or has been for not being noticeable

Lafferty hasn't quite looked like the Chicago one yet but I thought there were signs last night in Columbus.

 

[LaPlante94]

he's younger and should come cheaper than most of them, and has produced well for what he brings.
many 'bigger names' but on the wrong side of 30


i watched a bunch of Chicago games, and Lafferty was usually very noticeable, on the Leafs, he really hasnt been, or has been for not being noticeable

What makes you noticeable to people on these forums? Actually curious because I see this said a lot, especially when it comes to 4th line/bottom 6 players who aren't expected to score 20+ goals since we can't really afford those kind of depth players. I watch the games and I see Lafferty and his line usually doing well and getting offensive zone time and cycling the puck and has a shift where his line gets hemmed in but our best players do as well. Has put up more points than Malgin and Anderson in the same amount of games and even fewer than Malgin and people on these forums seemed to love them.

 

[Gabriel426]

he's younger and should come cheaper than most of them, and has produced well for what he brings.
many 'bigger names' but on the wrong side of 30


i watched a bunch of Chicago games, and Lafferty was usually very noticeable, on the Leafs, he really hasnt been, or has been for not being noticeable

Lafferty hasn't quite looked like the Chicago one yet but I thought there were signs last night in Columbus.

I think Keefe still trying to find out where Lafferty fits best. He should on the 3rd line but then Keefe doesn’t know what the role of the 3rd line.
Ever since TDL the only player that settled in is Calle on the first line with AM and MM.
JT and Willie should be separate but if you put ROR-JT-Kerfoot/Bunting on a line, that’s not maximizing ROR as JT is not really that great against opposing top line.
While Willie excel in a quick North and South game and Lafferty would be great with him but Bunting can’t be a LW bc his style doesn’t mix well with Willie.
Then there is Kerfoot who got good skills but seem to be lost in the lineup bc he offers nothing special or just not anything specific.

If I am Keefe I would do the followings:

Bunting-AM-Calle
Kerfoot-ROR-MM(shut down line)
JT-Lafferty-Willie(against opposing 3rd line)
ZAR-Kampf-Acciari

 

[andora]

I think Keefe still trying to find out where Lafferty fits best. He should on the 3rd line but then Keefe doesn’t know what the role of the 3rd line.
Ever since TDL the only player that settled in is Calle on the first line with AM and MM.
JT and Willie should be separate but if you put ROR-JT-Kerfoot/Bunting on a line, that’s not maximizing ROR as JT is not really that great against opposing top line.
While Willie excel in a quick North and South game and Lafferty would be great with him but Bunting can’t be a LW bc his style doesn’t mix well with Willie.
Then there is Kerfoot who got good skills but seem to be lost in the lineup bc he offers nothing special or just not anything specific.

If I am Keefe I would do the followings:

Bunting-AM-Calle
Kerfoot-ROR-MM(shut down line)
JT-Lafferty-Willie(against opposing 3rd line)
ZAR-Kampf-Acciari

Thats a nice spin on the lines

 

[WTFMAN99]

I think Keefe still trying to find out where Lafferty fits best. He should on the 3rd line but then Keefe doesn’t know what the role of the 3rd line.
Ever since TDL the only player that settled in is Calle on the first line with AM and MM.
JT and Willie should be separate but if you put ROR-JT-Kerfoot/Bunting on a line, that’s not maximizing ROR as JT is not really that great against opposing top line.
While Willie excel in a quick North and South game and Lafferty would be great with him but Bunting can’t be a LW bc his style doesn’t mix well with Willie.
Then there is Kerfoot who got good skills but seem to be lost in the lineup bc he offers nothing special or just not anything specific.

If I am Keefe I would do the followings:

Bunting-AM-Calle
Kerfoot-ROR-MM(shut down line)
JT-Lafferty-Willie(against opposing 3rd line)
ZAR-Kampf-Acciari

So you have arguably the best goal scorer (when healthy) on your team but you're not putting one of the 2 best passers on the team on his wing?

That's a no from me.

 

[Gabriel426]

So you have arguably the best goal scorer (when healthy) on your team but you're not putting one of the 2 best passers on the team on his wing?

That's a no from me.

Why does the best passer needs to pair with the best goal scorer?

Also, we had been doing that for the past 3 seasons and we know what happened at the end.

Reason to put MM with ROR is bc MM is the best Defensive winger on the team, having those two together will form a true shutdown line with Kerfoot against opposing top teams.

In a way, my lines would not only spread the offense it will also spread the defense.

 

[Menzinger]

Even if Samsonov has a so-so playoffs (in the worst case scenario), I'd still be surprised if the leafs fully moved on. At the very least they'd probably just get him on another 1 year deal

 

[Gabriel426]

I expect Sammy back, but Korpisalo would be the FA option and not many others. You could likely buy low on some guys having down years like Markstrom, Demko, etc. But availability would vary and its risky.

I do wonder if a first round exit would open up a deal with NSH around Saros for Nylander or Marner then building out either side from there

I really hope it wont be a 1st round exit but if that happens.
I can see Helle coming over from the Jets. Don't know who is going the other way though.

 

[ACC1224]

Even if Samsonov has a so-so playoffs (in the worst case scenario), I'd still be surprised if the leafs fully moved on. At the very least they'd probably just get him on another 1 year deal

I don’t think anyone would be against a Samsonov/Woll tandem here next year.
Give it another year to see if either can turn into a legit #1.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Why does the best passer needs to pair with the best goal scorer?

Also, we had been doing that for the past 3 seasons and we know what happened at the end.

Reason to put MM with ROR is bc MM is the best Defensive winger on the team, having those two together will form a true shutdown line with Kerfoot against opposing top teams.

In a way, my lines would not only spread the offense it will also spread the defense.

The best goal scorer will get higher quality chances to finish if he's playing with one of the 2 best passers.

 

[hockeywiz542]

LeBrun: Jarmo Kekalainen on a 'horrible' Blue Jackets season and the one thing that'd make it all worth it

In an exclusive with The Athletic, the Blue Jackets GM talks willingness to deal a first-round pick, being "Bad for Bedard" and more.

theathletic.com

Whether it’s with Bedard or any of the other talented prospects in the top group, the Jackets are hoping to bounce back quickly and be competitive as soon as next season. It’s easy to forget Columbus was a surprising 10th in the Eastern Conference a year ago with 81 points, and that’s before they added Gaudreau.

That’s also why that Kings’ first-round pick — acquired by the Blue Jackets in the Vladislav Gavrikov/Joonas Korpisalo deal to L.A. — is very much in play this offseason if it fetches a piece that helps Columbus now.

“Oh, 100 percent,” Kekalainen said. “That’s the mindset that we’re going to take. We lost a real good defenceman in that deal who is UFA and wanted to see what that market brings along. So we’re looking to replace him. We already have three or four defensive prospects that are probably a little bit away … and defense is such a tough position to crack at a young age. So we want to explore every opportunity to replace Gavrikov with that pick."

“But it has to be the right piece.”

Someone who fits now but also over the coming years. It makes sense, then, that Kekalainen tried to get into the Jakob Chychrun sweepstakes before the blueliner was dealt to Ottawa. Chychrun fit the mold of the young defenseman Columbus would be looking for.

So the Jackets will go shopping this summer. And what’s interesting about the Kings’ first-round pick being in play, is that you also have Blues GM Doug Armstrong already saying he would be open to moving his two late first-round picks, acquired from the Rangers and Maple Leafs, if it helps St. Louis trade for immediate help. And you have Montreal, which might listen on the Florida pick it owns if it helps get into the type of deal the Canadiens made for Kirby Dach a year ago. There are a few other teams who could move picks near the bottom, too.

The mid to bottom half of the first round might have some fireworks come draft week in Nashville.

And throw in the salary cap probably only going up $1 million again this summer. “Some teams are going to be jammed and will have to make moves in order to fit under the cap,” added Kekalainen.

“And we’re in a great situation where we have lots of (cap) room. We can add something that we really need. So we’ll see what June brings.”

 

[Gabriel426]

The best goal scorer will get higher quality chances to finish if he's playing with one of the 2 best passers.

That’s why they are on the PP.

Also I think best goal scorer can score regardless and from a team perspective having the best passer playing on another line will create matchup problems for the other team.

 

[WTFMAN99]

That’s why they are on the PP.

Also I think best goal scorer can score regardless and from a team perspective having the best passer playing on another line will create matchup problems for the other team.

I'd rather just ensure our best player will have the best chances available to them.

I don't think we agree on deployment but that's okay.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Capfriendly has us with 162k in cap room right now with ROR activated and Simmonds and Abruzzese sent down. Will need to make another roster move to add Knies to the lineup in a couple of days. Murray to LTIR?