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

[SprDaVE]

This playoff series shows how Kampf really isn’t missed in this lineup

He's basically a min league level player making premium 4th line money. Crazy they didn't dump him last off-season.

 

[SprDaVE]

Rielly getting traded is as likely as Nylander, Marner and Matthews getting traded anytime sooon. It's not happening, especially not with Treliving at the helm.

Full NMC and a baby on the way with someone from the GTA. He's been a warrior here for a long time and doesn't really have an anchor of a contract. I think he's earned a shot at bouncing back anyway.

 

[LeafSteel]

Seattle is close enough to his home city of Vancouver

Rielly (2-2.5m retained - 5yrs left) for Jamie Oleksiak (1yr @ $4,600,000)

McCabe Tanev
OEL Carlo
Oleksiak Benoit

We don’t need LHD.

If you are trading with Seattle, you are trying to get any of what we need:

2LW
2/3 C
3RHD

If you move Rielly, your LHD is set with:

McCabe
OEL
Benoit

Chase guys like McCann, Wright, and Larrson rather than a redundant and over priced piece like Oleksiak.

 

[ashs]

Laughtons love for the game and the team is refreshing. He's a keeper.

 

[ACC1224]

Rielly getting traded is as likely as Nylander, Marner and Matthews getting traded anytime sooon. It's not happening, especially not with Treliving at the helm.

Full NMC and a baby on the way with someone from the GTA. He's been a warrior here for a long time and doesn't really have an anchor of a contract. I think he's earned a shot at bouncing back anyway.

I don't think he's moving either but just a little correction. His wifes not from the GTA, Windsor I believe.

 

[nuck]

His contractual status is part of it, and I've in the past thought that moving one will change the feel, but really, I'm not convinced of it now.

If they do fumble the series, I don't think change should be locked behind "oh this player has NMC, so he can't go" and "this one's contract is up."

More like what can they do with $13M to spend on something other than a single forward? Other teams are winning Cups without three all-star forwards. Its just not a formula in a cap world, especially where you gave everyone a range topping deal with a no move.

The logic of letting go of one of them is clear and Marner won't return value but he is the one guy who's permission you don't require. Plus they are already married long term to another star winger. And if he really thinks he's is a $13M player I strongly wish Tre would grow a pair and let him take his 27 goal ass somewhere else.

Moving Matty requires a new #1 C so who is that? Scoring wingers are the easiest thing to find in FA every year. They got scalped on the Willie deal but he is still tradeable. I just don't think he waives.

There are a bunch of moving parts so I would agree Marner shouldn't be automatic if he is asking for reasonable money but that starts and ends with Nylander or Matthews waiving. In Matty's case he has to bring a quality center back and will Tre seize up because he doesn't feel he is getting equal value in return?

If they don't get past Florida I just hope one of these guys joins Shanny out the door. Nothing personal but the experiment can't continue forever right?

 

[4thline]

Leafs paid a 1st rounder for that advantage (Laughton).

Worth it though. Laughton elevated Lorentz & Jarnkrok to form a fourth line with a purpose vs a collection of misfits would dont fit on any other line (which is what the third line has become).

Next summer the entire third line needs to be reworked.

They're essentially equal by ice-time, with Lorentz-Laughton-Jarncrok giving us the safer, more impactful, and more versatile minutes. I'd say they're the de facto 3rd line. The only reason the Domi line is at all considered the 3rd line is because of his cap hit- he and that line are essentially playing the same sheltered, tertiary offense role as Spezza led 4th lines of the past.

 

[Tony Romo]

IF Marner walks, you probably just Put Domi and then you don't have to worry about if he fits or not. Also some GMs just have their guys and Max could be Brads guy.

Knies - Matthews - Domi

Which would then make it interesting on what you want to do with Kampf. You can keep Kampf, hopefully sign someone like Tanev and do the following:

Lorentz - Kampf - Tanev

You trade Jarnkrok, maybe someone like Robertson and use the salary to upgrade your W2 and your wingers on the third line.

Knies - Matthews - Domi
FA/Trade - Tavares - Nylander
FA - Laughton - FA/Trade/Cowan?
Lorentz - Kampf - Tanev

 

[Avilaj07]

If Hughes does leave Vancouver, you got to assume Vancouver gets a haul back and they could use some of those assets to obtain Rielly. I would actually prefer picks and prospects and then sign Ekblad .

Mccabe-Tanev
OEL-Ekblad
Benoit-Carlo

Now that's a hell of a defensive unit. All big bodies that can skate and move the puck.

 

[barilko05]

If Hughes does leave Vancouver, you got to assume Vancouver gets a haul back and they could use some of those assets to obtain Rielly. I would actually prefer picks and prospects and then sign Ekblad .

Mccabe-Tanev
OEL-Ekblad
Benoit-Carlo

Now that's a hell of a defensive unit. All big bodies that can skate and move the puck.

Ick! I wouldn't touch Ekblad with a ten foot Sherwood. Would want WAY too much $$...injury prone...and is now a question mark if his "ahem" SUPPLEMENT regime has now been derailed and he loses major body mass because of it. Also, why would you shuffle OEL and Benoit? They've been a great bottom pair. You need an offensive D to replace Rielly to play with Carlo. That's what we don't have. A point threat that can move the puck and is somewhat solid defensively. We've got enough D first guys. We need some "O" from the back end. Maybe Mo can be that guy again, but I don't think so.

 

[nuck]

If Hughes does leave Vancouver, you got to assume Vancouver gets a haul back and they could use some of those assets to obtain Rielly. I would actually prefer picks and prospects and then sign Ekblad .

Mccabe-Tanev
OEL-Ekblad
Benoit-Carlo

Now that's a hell of a defensive unit. All big bodies that can skate and move the puck.

In a couple of years when Tanev falls off a cliff maybe but right now Carlo would be wasted wasted in 3rd pairing minutes. Reilly to anywhere because decent LD for under $6M are not rare.

 

[SprDaVE]

IF Marner walks, you probably just Put Domi and then you don't have to worry about if he fits or not. Also some GMs just have their guys and Max could be Brads guy.

Knies - Matthews - Domi

Which would then make it interesting on what you want to do with Kampf. You can keep Kampf, hopefully sign someone like Tanev and do the following:

Lorentz - Kampf - Tanev

You trade Jarnkrok, maybe someone like Robertson and use the salary to upgrade your W2 and your wingers on the third line.

Knies - Matthews - Domi
FA/Trade - Tavares - Nylander
FA - Laughton - FA/Trade/Cowan?
Lorentz - Kampf - Tanev

There's a zero percent change that I keep Kampf regardless. I think you cut out some of the dead weight and he's part of that to me. Free agency might look at a little different by the time it comes around but right now if Marner leaves for a paycheck and a new shot, I think you go hard after Nelson or Bennett for a center boost probably someone like Ehlers or Mangiapane for a top6 LW. And then target players like Dvorak, Kunin, Gourde, Kuraly and Bjugstad for bottom 6 C and look at players like Jeannott, Bastian, Tanev and Appleton maybe for a physical/forechecking boost. Obviously can't sign everyone but depending on priorities and Marner/JT/Knies, you go down the list.

Leafs could probably put Marners money into a combo of Bennett/Nelson + Ehlers, and probably still have money to chase another good UFA or two with the cap space they already have which is obviously dependant on JT/Knies cap hits.

 

[Tony Romo]

There's a zero percent change that I keep Kampf regardless. I think you cut out some of the dead weight and he's part of that to me. Free agency might look at a little different by the time it comes around but right now if Marner leaves for a paycheck and a new shot, I think you go hard after Nelson or Bennett for a center boost probably someone like Ehlers or Mangiapane for a top6 LW. And then target players like Dvorak, Kunin, Gourde, Kuraly and Bjugstad for bottom 6 C and look at players like Jeannott, Bastian, Tanev and Appleton maybe for a physical/forechecking boost. Obviously can't sign everyone but depending on priorities and Marner/JT/Knies, you go down the list.

Leafs could probably put Marners money into a combo of Bennett/Nelson + Ehlers, and probably still have money to chase another good UFA or two with the cap space they already have which is obviously dependant on JT/Knies cap hits.

If I was a betting man, I'd put pretty good odds on our 4th line being something like Lorentz - Kunin - Tanev next offseason.

The one thing that is underrated is that if Marner does walk the leafs will have a lot of cap flexibility, so they can look to acquire players on teams that have a cap crunch. Someone earlier used Marchnment as an example. Sometimes we see players go for cheap because teams just need to get rid of them.

 

[sxvnert]

They're essentially equal by ice-time, with Lorentz-Laughton-Jarncrok giving us the safer, more impactful, and more versatile minutes. I'd say they're the de facto 3rd line. The only reason the Domi line is at all considered the 3rd line is because of his cap hit- he and that line are essentially playing the same sheltered, tertiary offense role as Spezza led 4th lines of the past.

Unfortunately they dont produce enough to be considered a legit third line. If they could upgrade Jarnkrok with a bit more skill (Cowan) then it could work.

 

[LeafEgo]

IF Marner walks, you probably just Put Domi and then you don't have to worry about if he fits or not. Also some GMs just have their guys and Max could be Brads guy.

Knies - Matthews - Domi

Which would then make it interesting on what you want to do with Kampf. You can keep Kampf, hopefully sign someone like Tanev and do the following:

Lorentz - Kampf - Tanev

You trade Jarnkrok, maybe someone like Robertson and use the salary to upgrade your W2 and your wingers on the third line.

Knies - Matthews - Domi
FA/Trade - Tavares - Nylander
FA - Laughton - FA/Trade/Cowan?
Lorentz - Kampf - Tanev

Just go:

Knies-Matty-Domi
McMann-JT-Willy

Lorentz-Lotty-Jarn

And spend the 10M+ on trying to create the best 3rd line in the league. If Cowan is ready then you're really cooking.

No gaps top to bottom. If you can replace Rielly with an appropriate offensive D you're set but that whole thing could be tricky.

 

[sxvnert]

Just go:

Knies-Matty-Domi
McMann-JT-Willy

Lorentz-Lotty-Jarn

And spend the 10M+ on trying to create the best 3rd line in the league. If Cowan is ready then you're really cooking.

No gaps top to bottom. If you can replace Rielly with an appropriate offensive D you're set but that whole thing could be tricky.

A legit third line could easily tip the balance in the leafs favour in the post season. I would gladly overpay for Bennett.

 

[Kiwi]

When I work the figures I end up with about 10M once I've resigned the guys I want to keep (Tavares, Knies, Lorentz)
I like Robertson but I don't think management is as keen so he either goes for a mid round pick or another guy in the same situation but a different position (ie a struggling center)

I think Domi works if he fills the RW hole Marner leaves, he's not as good obviously but he will pass the puck to the other two which is what I want

Knies Matthew's Domi

I like the Tavares, Nylander McMann line but I've got 12-13M to spend so I'm looking for a top 6LW and I'm willing to spend up to 8M for him, does that get us a 60 point guy like Ehlers? It should do

I'd keep the Jarnkrok Laughton Lorentz line together so that's good

Now I'm looking for a good experienced 3C I can blood a young guy with, I'm thinking Gourde 5M over a couple of years so

McMann Gourde (young guy like Cowan, Steeves etc)

We need to start developing some young guys and bring them through and that 3rd line has a good mix of offense, defense and experience to help that

I would keep everything else pretty much as it is

This would be my idea if Marner decided to walk this off-season

 

[SprDaVE]

When I work the figures I end up with about 10M once I've resigned the guys I want to keep (Tavares, Knies, Lorentz)
I like Robertson but I don't think management is as keen so he either goes for a mid round pick or another guy in the same situation but a different position (ie a struggling center)

I think Domi works if he fills the RW hole Marner leaves, he's not as good obviously but he will pass the puck to the other two which is what I want

Knies Matthew's Domi

I like the Tavares, Nylander McMann line but I've got 12-13M to spend so I'm looking for a top 6LW and I'm willing to spend up to 8M for him, does that get us a 60 point guy like Ehlers? It should do

I'd keep the Jarnkrok Laughton Lorentz line together so that's good

Now I'm looking for a good experienced 3C I can blood a young guy with, I'm thinking Gourde 5M over a couple of years so

McMann Gourde (young guy like Cowan, Steeves etc)

We need to start developing some young guys and bring them through and that 3rd line has a good mix of offense, defense and experience to help that

I would keep everything else pretty much as it is

This would be my idea if Marner decided to walk this off-season

I'd be shocked if the Leafs bring back Robertson. I think the relationship is done. Seems like the Leafs/Berube can't quite give him enough leash. He needs a new spot.

Gourde to me makes sense. He's small but gives the Leafs puck possession, defensive play and tenacity. With that said, he's been awful offensively and giving him 5M for a few years would be very risky. He had 1 goal in 21 games for the Lightning, 7 total goals the entire season and only 1 assist in 5 games in the playoffs.

 

[Kiwi]

I'd be shocked if the Leafs bring back Robertson. I think the relationship is done. Seems like the Leafs/Berube can't quite give him enough leash. He needs a new spot.

Gourde to me makes sense. He's small but gives the Leafs puck possession, defensive play and tenacity. With that said, he's been awful offensively and giving him 5M for a few years would be very risky. He had 1 goal in 21 games for the Lightning, 7 total goals the entire season and only 1 assist in 5 games in the playoffs.

Gourde had about half a point per game with the Kraken and 14 points in 21 games with the Lightning, a lot of assists it looks like

He's good defensively so you can use him in tough situations and if McMann can continue to put up 20 odd goals a year and you can get 15-20 out of the other guy even if you only get 10 goals out of Gourde it's a huge improvement on what we're running

Robertson is a waste, he's capable of 20 goals plus but we won't be patient enough to get it, he had a brutal start to the season and was still our 7th best goal scorer

 

[SprDaVE]

Gourde had about half a point per game with the Kraken and 14 points in 21 games with the Lightning, a lot of assists it looks like

He's good defensively so you can use him in tough situations and if McMann can continue to put up 20 odd goals a year and you can get 15-20 out of the other guy even if you only get 10 goals out of Gourde it's a huge improvement on what we're running

Robertson is a waste, he's capable of 20 goals plus but we won't be patient enough to get it, he had a brutal start to the season and was still our 7th best goal scorer

Fair point, assists matter, but he's turning 34 years old. I like Gourde a lot but at 5M, I'd pass I think. For that you'd need at least a 15-20 goal scorer. Too expensive for a player his ilk and age. We already have Domi who doesn't score making a good chunk of change. 1 goal in 26 games with the Lightning is rough, but he did create goals so that counts.

 

[Jacquestrapless]

Robertson for a 2nd this draft.

A 2nd 2025 is moved for a 2026 2nd + 4th to be used at the TDL

Kampf, Jarnkrok, Reaves moved in off-season for late picks

 

[Kiwi]

Fair point, assists matter, but he's turning 34 years old. I like Gourde a lot but at 5M, I'd pass I think. For that you'd need at least a 15-20 goal scorer. Too expensive for a player his ilk and age. We already have Domi who doesn't score making a good chunk of change. 1 goal in 26 games with the Lightning is rough, but he did create goals so that counts.

With the center market being what it is I don't know how much choice we're going to have, the trade market will be tough and guys like Bennett are going to make some serious money imo

We need good enough but it fits a budget, I've seen some names I like but it's tough finding good 2way 3rd line centers right now

 

[TMLAM34]

I don't think he's moving either but just a little correction. His wifes not from the GTA, Windsor I believe.

Detroit sounds like a good trading partner than… Rielly - Holl reunite!!! Lol

 

[aingefan]

With the center market being what it is I don't know how much choice we're going to have, the trade market will be tough and guys like Bennett are going to make some serious money imo

We need good enough but it fits a budget, I've seen some names I like but it's tough finding good 2way 3rd line centers right now

No matter what, teams are gonna have to strike fast and probably be ready to overpay more than ever, there’s a lot of money kicking around.
And the FA pool isn’t that deep.

https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/cap/_/year/2025/sort/cap_maximum_space2

Suggests to me that there’s gonna be few bargains at the end, and probably fewer opportunities to even trade for ‘cap dumps’ because of how much money is kicking around.

 

[Legion34]

If we are signing Marner (big if)
We will have no room for Kampf/jarncrock/robertson is going to want out.

So hopefully we get some mid-late round picks back 3-5s. To replenish for 2025-2026. If all 3 are gone we have 31 million to spend on

——- Matthews. Nylander
——- —————- —————
Mcmann. Laughton. Domi.
————. ————— ————

Lots of things you can do.
Knies is a must (5-8 depending on term)
Tavares would be 5-7 depending term
Marner probably 13.

Hope to get your 4th line for 3 million.
Maybe quillan/haymes/cowan step up.
Holmberg for a million or less?
Would Lorentz take 1?