Re-tooling For One More Run With This Core

[The Masters]

Yup. Starting July 1, 2023: Player submits a 10 team no trade list.

if its 10 teams not bad then but Dubas gotta stop giving these away like they fkin candy.

 

[ULF_55]

Adam Fox isn't that big is he? 5'11", 181 lbs.
At age 20/21 he was putting up 8 goals and 49 points in college.
Isn't the fastest player out there.

Chris Kreider at 18 put up 15 goals and 23 points in college.
He skates extremely well.

Two players like that for the Leafs would be huge.

 

[Dreakmur]

Adam Fox isn't that big is he? 5'11", 181 lbs.
At age 20/21 he was putting up 8 goals and 49 points in college.
Isn't the fastest player out there.

Chris Kreider at 18 put up 15 goals and 23 points in college.
He skates extremely well.

Two players like that for the Leafs would be huge.

So we just need to add a 52 goal scorer and also the first ever Norris winning defenseman in franchise history? That would be huge!

 

[ULF_55]

So we just need to add a 52 goal scorer and also the first ever Norris winning defenseman in franchise history? That would be huge!

Knies 15 goals as an 18 year old in college?
Doesn't even have to be a Norris winner, Salming never won the Norris.
To me the Norris is one of the flakiest trophies, should be two. A best defenseman and most offensive defenseman.

 

[capfit9]

if its 10 teams not bad then but Dubas gotta stop giving these away like they fkin candy.

Add Holl, Mrazek and Kerfoot to that list

 

[Nylanderthal]

Leafiest thing ever, oh look the team that beat us beat someone else worse so we’re all good then. We need an intervention. We did this last year too and that team just won the lottery this year, so who cares.

You expect Tampa to be in the bedard sweepstakes? Is Tampa losing Vasi, Hedman kuch & stamkos

 

[Divine]

You expect Tampa to be in the bedard sweepstakes? Is Tampa losing Vasi, Hedman kuch & stamkos

Wouldn't mind the Leafs winning Bedard. He's looking like a young Crosby.

 

[ULF_55]

I'm guessing there is a divide in the fan base.

Some think this team is extremely close, and should be in the finals with better officiating.
That portion should only be looking for a minor tweak to any team that should be in the finals.

Others think a major change is needed, as the team continues to fail when challenged in the post season.
That portion should be expecting much more turnover. If your top paid players continue to fail, and the team is restricted to making major changes due to their allocation of Cap, you're not left with many options but to cut into those blocking the ability to make a major change. Trading Kerfoot isn't a major change.

 

[ULF_55]

Wouldn't mind the Leafs winning Bedard. He's looking like a young Crosby.

I could see the only way that would happen is the offer a re-signed Matthews to the team that drafted Bedard.

So Bedard or 26 year old Matthews?

A young Crosby or prime age Matthews?

That would give two more runs with this current core.

Of course by then maybe Matthews isn't worth a young Crosby?

 

[Racer88]

I could see the only way that would happen is the offer a re-signed Matthews to the team that drafted Bedard.

So Bedard or 26 year old Matthews?

A young Crosby or prime age Matthews?

That would give two more runs with this current core.

Of course by then maybe Matthews isn't worth a young Crosby?

Matthews isn’t even close to a young Crosby

 

[613Leafer]

Knies 15 goals as an 18 year old in college?
Doesn't even have to be a Norris winner, Salming never won the Norris.
To me the Norris is one of the flakiest trophies, should be two. A best defenseman and most offensive defenseman.

We can split hairs about the Norris all day long. At the end of the day, we could clearly benefit from having a bona fide elite #1D, whether it's a Norris winning one like Hedman, or a someone who never won it like a prime Shea Weber. We haven't had that since Salming, and it's generally a requirement to winning the Cup (subject to the odd exception).

 

[ULF_55]

We can split hairs about the Norris all day long. At the end of the day, we could clearly benefit from having a bona fide elite #1D, whether it's a Norris winning one like Hedman, or a someone who never won it like a prime Shea Weber. We haven't had that since Salming, and it's generally a requirement to winning the Cup (subject to the odd exception).

Yes, and the coach has to have confidence in grooming the assets he has, not hide behind semi reliable over 25 year olds who are never going to be that.

I don't think Leafs know what they have other than middle pair veterans.

 

[Stephen]

I'm guessing there is a divide in the fan base.

Some think this team is extremely close, and should be in the finals with better officiating.
That portion should only be looking for a minor tweak to any team that should be in the finals.

Others think a major change is needed, as the team continues to fail when challenged in the post season.
That portion should be expecting much more turnover. If your top paid players continue to fail, and the team is restricted to making major changes due to their allocation of Cap, you're not left with many options but to cut into those blocking the ability to make a major change. Trading Kerfoot isn't a major change.

The tricky thing about “being close” is even if the Leafs were actually close to going on a Stanley Cup run had they beaten Tampa, they can’t actually run back the same team due to cap. So they actually need to make a new round of bets that not only gets them back to 2022 but also an upgrade to get over that hump.

The big X Factor here is how many other teams take big steps backwards due to their own cap crunches next year, and does Toronto get better by not losing as many key pieces as teams like Colorado,
Florida, Carolina and Tampa? It’s tough!

 

[ULF_55]

The tricky thing about “being close” is even if the Leafs were actually close to going on a Stanley Cup run had they beaten Tampa, they can’t actually run back the same team due to cap. So they actually need to make a new round of bets that not only gets them back to 2022 but also an upgrade to get over that hump.

Toronto has to prove they have a superior scouting system.

At this point it looks mediocre at best.

ELC players for 1st. 2nd. round picks isn't anything to chest thump over.

I think the only thing that could give them that push is superior drafting.
Ligtning aren't winning without their 58th. overall pick.
Then look at the 3rd. round pick Point.

 

[Trapper]

Best to move Muzz and his cap hit before he further declines. Holl should be gone as well.

If you move Muzzin, you better acquire a Parayko or this D will be softer than last year (which would be quite an accomplishment).

I agree and have said as much.
I would move Muzzin and Nylander for a different core/team dynamic. A different look and intensity.

 

[NewEraGM]

Leafs D without Muzzin will be the softest in the league…
Reilly, Brodie, Liljegren, Sandin, Boosh, Holl is not very good

 

[ULF_55]

I agree and have said as much.
I would move Muzzin and Nylander for a different core/team dynamic. A different look and intensity.

Bo Horvat.

 

[Trapper]

Bo Horvat.

Very good choice. That’s exactly the type of player for the core I’d be looking for.
Add a RHD for Rielly and a stable goaltender and you’ve changed the dynamic.

 

[Divine]

I could see the only way that would happen is the offer a re-signed Matthews to the team that drafted Bedard.

So Bedard or 26 year old Matthews?

A young Crosby or prime age Matthews?

That would give two more runs with this current core.

Of course by then maybe Matthews isn't worth a young Crosby?

I'd honestly consider trading Matthews 1:1 for Bedard, but I am not sure I'd commit to it yet.

1.) He's 5'9, I know the game is changing but what superstar is that small? He's only 16 and has room to grow.

2.) No one knows if he pans out, if you trade him and he ends up being a RNH or current Lafreniere, you'll be fired.

However, if he lives up to the hype... you got a Bedard on an ELC with 8M more in cap space to go for the cup and it also extends your window.

The numbers he's putting up at 16 is unreal, better than McDavid at that same age. However, because he's so small, there's a huge asterik on if it will translate to the NHL. Smaller players look way better against teenagers than NHL players.

However, in 2 games in the WJC he put up 5 points, that's more than McDavid put up in the whole tournament as a 16 year old.

On the flip side, you have players like Tavares who absolutely dominated junior, were breaking Gretzky's scoring records and haven't lived up to the hype. Yeah, Tavares was a franchise player but he was getting the junior hype of a Crosby or McDavid.

 

[ULF_55]

I'd honestly consider trading Matthews 1:1 for Bedard, but I am not sure I'd commit to it yet.

1.) He's 5'9, I know the game is changing but what superstar is that small? He's only 16 and has room to grow.

2.) No one knows if he pans out, if you trade him and he ends up being a RNH or current Lafreniere, you'll be fired.

However, if he lives up to the hype... you got a Bedard on an ELC with 8M more in cap space to go for the cup and it also extends your window.

The numbers he's putting up at 16 is unreal, better than McDavid at that same age. However, because he's so small, there's a huge asterik on if it will translate to the NHL. Smaller players look way better against teenagers than NHL players.

However, in 2 games in the WJC he put up 5 points, that's more than McDavid put up in the whole tournament as a 16 year old.

On the flip side, you have players like Tavares who absolutely dominated junior, were breaking Gretzky's scoring records and haven't lived up to the hype. Yeah, Tavares was a franchise player but he was getting the junior hype of a Crosby or McDavid.

I think we are hoping Matthews gives us a good reason to think this is questionable.

 

[Kryten]

Bo Horvat.

Canucks probably wont want Muzzin because of his age and already having Hughes and OEL on the left side. Horvat and 50% Myers for Nylander and Liljegren is a package Id want as a Canucks fan. That saves you cap space and adds a big strong RD, a point producing Horvat. Gives the Canucks more Swedes and the option to keep Miller. Or you wait a year and hope to sign him as a UFA bidding against all the other teams

 

[ULF_55]

Canucks probably wont want Muzzin because of his age and already having Hughes and OEL on the left side. Horvat and 50% Myers for Nylander and Liljegren is a package Id want as a Canucks fan. That saves you cap space and adds a big strong RD, a point producing Horvat. Gives the Canucks more Swedes and the option to keep Miller. Or you wait a year and hope to sign him as a UFA bidding against all the other teams

Yeah, I was thinking Nylander - Horvat was the centerpiece of the deal.

Other pieces could be used to make it bigger.

 

[arso40]

Yeah, I was thinking Nylander - Horvat was the centerpiece of the deal.

Other pieces could be used to make it bigger.

How about no nylander is one of the pieces I wouldn’t trade he’s on a value deal and I’m sure he’ll resign for another value deal that runs through his prime

 

[ULF_55]

How about no nylander is one of the pieces I wouldn’t trade he’s on a value deal and I’m sure he’ll resign for another value deal that runs through his prime

I don't disagree.

But if I were looking for something in return for him it wouldn't be some scrap heap 3rd. liners.

 

[Trapper]

How about no nylander is one of the pieces I wouldn’t trade he’s on a value deal and I’m sure he’ll resign for another value deal that runs through his prime

Nylander has 2 years left on his deal until he is UFA. This team still hasn’t even won a round.
If we kept getting knocked out in the 3rd round, I’d be more on board with your statement.
I wouldn’t want to deal with him UFA. What are you going to pay him next? 9 mil? We can’t do that. We have to deal with Matthews at the same time. Paying these guys again to take up more than half the cap isn’t good.