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

[Skullz]

Probably mentioned already, but Friedman said late last week he doesn't think we're done with college FAs.

I would love TJ Hughes.

 

[Menzinger]

Probably mentioned already, but Friedman said late last week he doesn't think we're done with college FAs.

The more the merrier

 

[Zonk]

I was surprised to see that Toronto traded Nick Robertson to Los Angeles.
Then I saw that it was the Blue Jays and the Dodgers. I had no idea that the Blue Jays had a pitcher named Nick Robertson.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Interesting you cite Domi, as his contract is the one I would look at as a comparable.

Say 3-4 years at $4m? I think that could turn into a very good signing if Donato’s improvement is for real.

All indications that they are, and that he made significant adjustments in the offseason that would have one believe that while the shooting percentage isn’t realistic, the work ethic will continue to.

Most likely resigns with Chicago, but he’s the kind of Center I would have looked at with the assets used for Laughton, admittedly knowing that Donato is a UFA.

I just couldn’t see the Leafs making that trade without knowing they could extend Donato first.

Cheers

Chicago has to decide if they're keeping Nazar or Bedard at wing or centre

They have other guys in the system and likely adding this off-season too.

I think Donato is likely in the 5x5 range because teams need centres.

The more the merrier

Didn't we sign a guy to an AHL contract over the weekend? Still more?

 

[ULF_55]

The more the merrier

NHL College Free Agent Tracker For 2025: Who Has Signed So Far - FloHockey

As the college hockey season ends, many NHL teams are starting to sign undrafted NCAA free agents. Chris Peters tracks all of the latest signings.

www.flohockey.tv

 

[WTFMAN99]

The more the merrier

View attachment 1004650

NHL College Free Agent Tracker For 2025: Who Has Signed So Far - FloHockey

As the college hockey season ends, many NHL teams are starting to sign undrafted NCAA free agents. Chris Peters tracks all of the latest signings.

www.flohockey.tv

Talking with some people, Eernisse may have an easy time transitioning because he's fast and physical, he's a 4th liner and basically can likely do that role right now.

He just needs to be okay defensively.

 

[ULF_55]

Talking with some people, Eernisse may have an easy time transitioning because he's fast and physical, he's a 4th liner and basically can likely do that role right now.

He just needs to be okay defensively.

Top Undrafted College Free Agents For The NHL In 2025 - FloHockey

In a relatively weak crop of college free agents, NHL teams still have a few players to choose from to help their organizations in the near future.

www.flohockey.tv

Jack Stockfish, C, Holy Cross​

A 6-foot-4, right-shot center will always get some added attention, but Stockfish also has two strong collegiate seasons under his belt at Holy Cross and was a productive junior player as well including a 50-point campaign in the CCHL. Stockfish has enough skill to provide some scoring depth and the compete that NHL teams could view for a player down their lineup. Buzz has grown around Stockfish all year and in a lighter crop of free agents, he may be more sought after in this particular market. He’s also only 22, which gives him a bit more developmental runway than some of his fellow free agents.

Joshua Eernisse, C/W, Michigan​

NHL teams have been kicking around on Eernisse since his freshman season at St. Thomas. After he moved to Michigan, he’s had plenty of eyes on him yet. He doesn’t really score, but that’s not why teams would be signing him. He’s 6-foot-3 freight train of a skater who is good on the forecheck and wins a lot of battles with his strength. He’d be a fourth-line, energy, grinder kind of player. Which is why he might have among the best chance of this free agent class to find a regular NHL role. The lack of production and puck skills would be more limiting if he didn’t have pro size and a high-end compete level that can make him a bear to play against.

T.J. Hughes, C, Michigan​

No matter where he has been or at what level, Hughes has always put up points. He has good quickness and skill and seems to process the game at a fairly high pace. His hand skills allow him to make his fair share of plays and he can get behind defenders. He has 122 points in 116 games for Michigan over the last three seasons. To be completely honest, Hughes has an outside NHL chance but it's a chance. I think he’d instantly make an AHL team better with a chance to grow into a scoring depth option down the road. He’s basically been a top-six forward exclusively over the last four years, but I have a harder time seeing him in that role at the NHL level. I do think he has enough talent to be a valuable asset for an organization as a call-up option down the road.

Jack Stockfish​

Right Wing -- shoots R
Born Sep 30 2002 -- North Bay, ONT
[22 yrs. ago]
Height 6.04 -- Weight 215 [193 cm/98 kg]

Joshua Eernisse​

Forward -- shoots R
Born Dec 31 2001 -- Apple Valley, MN
[23 yrs. ago]
Height 6.02 -- Weight 205 [188 cm/93 kg]

T.J. Hughes​

Forward -- shoots R
Born Nov 9 2001 -- Hamilton, ONT
[23 yrs. ago]
Height 6.00 -- Weight 185 [183 cm/84 kg]

 

[TMLAM34]

TJ Hughes would be a nice signing as well and then I’d say we’ve had a very successful NCAA signing spree.

 

[LaPlante94]

Top Undrafted College Free Agents For The NHL In 2025 - FloHockey

In a relatively weak crop of college free agents, NHL teams still have a few players to choose from to help their organizations in the near future.

www.flohockey.tv

Jack Stockfish, C, Holy Cross​

A 6-foot-4, right-shot center will always get some added attention, but Stockfish also has two strong collegiate seasons under his belt at Holy Cross and was a productive junior player as well including a 50-point campaign in the CCHL. Stockfish has enough skill to provide some scoring depth and the compete that NHL teams could view for a player down their lineup. Buzz has grown around Stockfish all year and in a lighter crop of free agents, he may be more sought after in this particular market. He’s also only 22, which gives him a bit more developmental runway than some of his fellow free agents.

Joshua Eernisse, C/W, Michigan​

NHL teams have been kicking around on Eernisse since his freshman season at St. Thomas. After he moved to Michigan, he’s had plenty of eyes on him yet. He doesn’t really score, but that’s not why teams would be signing him. He’s 6-foot-3 freight train of a skater who is good on the forecheck and wins a lot of battles with his strength. He’d be a fourth-line, energy, grinder kind of player. Which is why he might have among the best chance of this free agent class to find a regular NHL role. The lack of production and puck skills would be more limiting if he didn’t have pro size and a high-end compete level that can make him a bear to play against.

T.J. Hughes, C, Michigan​

No matter where he has been or at what level, Hughes has always put up points. He has good quickness and skill and seems to process the game at a fairly high pace. His hand skills allow him to make his fair share of plays and he can get behind defenders. He has 122 points in 116 games for Michigan over the last three seasons. To be completely honest, Hughes has an outside NHL chance but it's a chance. I think he’d instantly make an AHL team better with a chance to grow into a scoring depth option down the road. He’s basically been a top-six forward exclusively over the last four years, but I have a harder time seeing him in that role at the NHL level. I do think he has enough talent to be a valuable asset for an organization as a call-up option down the road.

Jack Stockfish​

Right Wing -- shoots R
Born Sep 30 2002 -- North Bay, ONT
[22 yrs. ago]
Height 6.04 -- Weight 215 [193 cm/98 kg]

Joshua Eernisse​

Forward -- shoots R
Born Dec 31 2001 -- Apple Valley, MN
[23 yrs. ago]
Height 6.02 -- Weight 205 [188 cm/93 kg]

T.J. Hughes​

Forward -- shoots R
Born Nov 9 2001 -- Hamilton, ONT
[23 yrs. ago]
Height 6.00 -- Weight 185 [183 cm/84 kg]

Eernisse is 6'2 205? I swear when I watched some Michigan games he looked huge.

 

[horner]

It's amazing how Florida rebuild there defense
Forslling was a waiver pick up Jan 9 2021
Montour picked up for a 3rd pick in 2021
Mikkola signed as a FA 2023

We need to look for players that are on bad teams forslling and Montour examples

Forsling we could have picked him up before Florida the previous season he played for Chicago.

So many missed opportunities Mr. Dubas

 

[Da Mash]

Well we could have had Kovacevic for a song and a dance from habs and Tre looked away from a RHD who can log 20 mins a game.

It’s just not Dubas

But we end up wasting cap dollars on a big D with bad knees or players who supposedly are good in locker room but fail miserably at playing hockey

 

[aingefan]

TJ Hughes would be a nice signing as well and then I’d say we’ve had a very successful NCAA signing spree.

This has to be the most attractive opportunity for UDFA players in the core four era.
Competitive team plus opportunity.
There may be third and fourth line jobs open next year.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Well we could have had Kovacevic for a song and a dance from habs and Tre looked away from a RHD who can log 20 mins a game.

It’s just not Dubas

But we end up wasting cap dollars on a big D with bad knees or players who supposedly are good in locker room but fail miserably at playing hockey

I don't think the Habs and Leafs make for traditional trading partners.

 

[SprDaVE]

Well we could have had Kovacevic for a song and a dance from habs and Tre looked away from a RHD who can log 20 mins a game.

It’s just not Dubas

But we end up wasting cap dollars on a big D with bad knees or players who supposedly are good in locker room but fail miserably at playing hockey

The biggest miss by far was Walman being literally given away WITH A PICK to the Sharks. I would have given them a pick for Walman quite easily. Having him over OEL would have been a huge net positive.

Kovacevic should have been a big time target too though.

 

[SprDaVE]

It's amazing how Florida rebuild there defense
Forslling was a waiver pick up Jan 9 2021
Montour picked up for a 3rd pick in 2021
Mikkola signed as a FA 2023

We need to look for players that are on bad teams forslling and Montour examples

Forsling we could have picked him up before Florida the previous season he played for Chicago.

So many missed opportunities Mr. Dubas

I will say their top end forward core makes up for a very average defensive core with a really good goaltender. Not sure I'd say they have a good defensive core right now, especially compared to last season, but over the last few years they definitely found some gems for very cheap.. Mikkola went from struggling or average bottom pairing quality to a very good mid-pair defenseman for pretty cheap.

 

[TheShape]

The biggest miss by far was Walman being literally given away WITH A PICK to the Sharks. I would have given them a pick for Walman quite easily. Having him over OEL would have been a huge net positive.

Kovacevic should have been a big time target too though.

The whole league would have. When I saw that trade by Yzerman I was convinced Walman was a locker room cancer or something and DET wanted him gone at all costs (possible). I don't even believe there were feelers out on Walman, it was such a truly head scratcher of a trade.

I would've loved to been a fly on the wall during that trade call between Yzerman/Grier.

 

[nuck]

Well we could have had Kovacevic for a song and a dance from habs and Tre looked away from a RHD who can log 20 mins a game.

It’s just not Dubas

But we end up wasting cap dollars on a big D with bad knees or players who supposedly are good in locker room but fail miserably at playing hockey

I think thats more on the pro scouts of which the Leafs have a battalion. The Jets waived him and the mighty Habs defense didn't need him so he becomes a win for NJ. If he looked that good some other club would have ponied up more than a 4th right, or more likely they just don't let him go. Dubas had the same pro scouts, (maybe fewer) so he wasn't making all the calls solo either.

 

[horner]

Well we could have had Kovacevic for a song and a dance from habs and Tre looked away from a RHD who can log 20 mins a game.

It’s just not Dubas

But we end up wasting cap dollars on a big D with bad knees or players who supposedly are good in locker room but fail miserably at playing hockey

The one reason I wanted Montour because he had a bomb of a shot which we have never had

Forslling didn't realize he was so good offensively

 

[Legion34]

If Marner wants out. And he kind of seems to. I said from last year force a trade but ok.

Best we can do is hope to try to use the 8th year….. maybe get a team he wants to go to to drop salary back our way.

I still don’t understand how pending ufa rantanen is worth 1,1,3,3 stankoven and 3 months later Marner is worth like a 3rd for his rights. It’s so drastic.

If he does leave. I think we just try to load up a deal for a year and hope 2026 better players shake free (eichel kaprizov Connor. McDavid. Etc are all up.

We have 13 to spend. Why not try to either load up JT for a year to lower his cap. Or try to get someone like Kane/duchene/benn for a year.

Instead of Ehlers at like 9 x7.

That way we have marners 13 plus 9 so 22 million to spend in next years ufa. For stolarz and a top line player

 

[Menzinger]

If Marner wants out. And he kind of seems to. I said from last year force a trade but ok.

Best we can do is hope to try to use the 8th year….. maybe get a team he wants to go to to drop salary back our way.

I still don’t understand how pending ufa rantanen is worth 1,1,3,3 stankoven and 3 months later Marner is worth like a 3rd for his rights. It’s so drastic.

If he does leave. I think we just try to load up a deal for a year and hope 2026 better players shake free (eichel kaprizov Connor. McDavid. Etc are all up.

We have 13 to spend. Why not try to either load up JT for a year to lower his cap. Or try to get someone like Kane/duchene/benn for a year.

Instead of Ehlers at like 9 x7.

That way we have marners 13 plus 9 so 22 million to spend in next years ufa. For stolarz and a top line player

If Marner does walk, they absolutely should prioritize capspace for summer of 2026. Where there are a number of more attractive candidates including McDavid (a Willy-Matthews-McDavid three headed monster, even if it's just a season, would be unstoppable)

In the meantime they can just try and get a few 1 year contracts like they did during Tres first off-season

 

[Legion34]

If Marner does walk, they absolutely should prioritize capspace for summer of 2026. Where there are a number of more attractive candidates including McDavid (a Willy-Matthews-McDavid three headed monster, even if it's just a season, would be unstoppable)

In the meantime they can just try and get a few 1 year contracts like they did during Tres first off-season

If Bennett would come I would take him. But I would go full 8 years on knies,

And then try to get like Tavares/kane/benn on 1 year deals. Then try to lower cap hit later.

Like in theory if we have nothing to spend it on. Why not try to give Tavares 10 x1 then getting his next 2 years cheap?

1 year of Kane could take marners spot.

 

[Menzinger]

If Bennett would come I would take him. But I would go full 8 years on knies,

And then try to get like Tavares/kane/benn on 1 year deals. Then try to lower cap hit later.

Like in theory if we have nothing to spend it on. Why not try to give Tavares 10 x1 then getting his next 2 years cheap?

1 year of Kane could take marners spot.

I hope they lock Knies up too. Even if they extend Mitch, I'd like an 8 year deal. Strikes me as an opportunity to get a guy on a good deal before he fully breaks out

 

[Sypher04]

Knies for 8 years if the AAV ask is reasonable but if not priority has to be protecting our cap space the next 3 years, so you bridge him most likely.

No real downside as he’d still be an RFA after a 2-3 year bridge deal.

 

[Legion34]

I hope they lock Knies up too. Even if they extend Mitch, I'd like an 8 year deal. Strikes me as an opportunity to get a guy on a good deal before he fully breaks out.

Agreed. I just don’t see how that works.

With 26 million to spend.

13 for Marner.
6 for JT.
Then 7 for knies? Maybe I guess? But seems light if he gets to 30 goals.

 

[I am Canadian]

Marner 12m x 3/4
Knies 4.75x 2/3