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

[Tony Romo]

With all the toxicity that's followed the team this year, UFA's aren't going to be looking at this as a desirable location.
Wouldn't surprise me at all if we start to see a fall off in the standings as early as next year.

this narrative needs to stop. jesus christ, only in the leafs market this is an issue. Big markets in other cities? no problem, here? huge problem.

 

[Americanadian]

My current off-season:

Marner sign and trade to VGK (12.5Mx8) for Karlsson

VGK loves acquiring star players. They will be disappointed after another early exit and will need to clear cap space for Marner, hence Karlsson coming back. Leafs pick up strong C depth.

McMann to Dallas for Marchment

Dallas can't currently afford to bring back Benn, Duchene, Dadonov or Granlund unless they clear cap space. It is likely they need to move out Dumba AND Marchment. Dallas does right by Marchment, given the circumstances when he signed, and returns him home to Toronto. Marchment's wife is also local to Toronto.

Woll+FLA 2nd to Philly for Tippett

Philly is desperate for a goalie, Toronto could use the size and speed on the wing. Tippett would immediately be Toronto's fastest player. Philly is also flush with RS wingers so they may be more likely to move one to bring in a long-term goalie. Woll is good but not necessary in Toronto.

Kampf to LAK for future considerations

LAK had no fourth line in the playoffs this year. Kampf can anchor their 4th line for the next 2 seasons. They will have some cap space and can easily absorb Kampf's contract.

Jarnkrok to PIT for future considerations

Hoping that Dubas is willing to bring his guy in.

UFA:

Vladar 1.4Mx1 - I would prefer Alex Lyon but I'm just assuming Tre goes out and signs his guy to be back up Stolarz.

Lorentz 1.35Mx3 - Good 4LW who played really well with Laughton.

Tavares 6Mx2 - I am assuming he would sign this. I don't know that for a fact. I don't want to bring him back but there's basically no other C's available that could come close to replacing his production, especially at the price point I believe he'll come in at. He moves to the wing when McDavid signs in 2026.

Bastian 1.35Mx2 - Good 4RW with size who's underlying numbers have been positive. Very physical. Kitchener guy.

RFA:

Knies 6.5Mx3 - Bridge deal. He can probably command 9M+ on a long-term deal. His value is at it's highest right now. Giving him a bridge until Matthews deal is over is the best way to challenge for a cup. Pay him whatever he's worth when Matthews deal comes off the books.

Holmberg 1Mx2 - Useful player on L4.

Notably not moved:

Domi - My gut tells me he isn't traded although I hope he gets moved. He is in cap dump territory and I'm not sure if Treliving admits his mistake so quickly.

Rielly - I would love to see him traded but I don't see any logical fits.

Matthews - I always thought a move to Dallas for Johnston++ would make sense but they don't have the cap space anymore with Rantanen signing there. I also see a logical fit with LAK for Byfield++ but they just don't have enough quality pieces to make a deal work. I don't see any other trades that make sense for both teams.

Roster:

Knies-Matthews-Tippett
Marchment-Karlsson-Nylander
Domi-Tavares-Cowan
Lorentz-Laughton-Bastian
Holmberg

McCabe-Tanev
Rielly-Carlo
OEL-Benoit
Myers

Stolarz
Vladar

Cap hit including Pacioretty's bonus overage, Reaves and Benning: 94.23M.

Edit: I forgot Robertson - I'd have him battle for a 3rd line wing spot with Cowan and if he doesn't win the spot: waive him.

 

[ACC1224]

this narrative needs to stop. jesus christ, only in the leafs market this is an issue. Big markets in other cities? no problem, here? huge problem.

I can't speak for other markets but the fan base is special, no doubt.

 

[Americanadian]

I haven’t watched any Red Wing games, do you know if they’ve tried Edvinsson - Seider together? That just seems like it has the potential and tools to be such a deadly top pair in the making.

I barely watch them but I live in the Detroit area so I talk to a few people that watch every game. The pairing doesn't work that well - probably because they're both so young and don't cover well defensively for each other. They could easily grow into a strong pairing but it appears the vision is they both anchor their own pairing.

 

[Tony Romo]

I can speak for other markets but the fan base is special, no doubt.

We are basically the same fan base as the Red Sox, Yankees, Knicks, Lakers etc.

We have retired numbers and build statues for people who didn't make a stanley cup or win individual awards. Fans went crazy the first time this core made it to the second round.

Those Sundin teams didn't win anything, but they were loved because they tried hard every series.

 

[Torontonian]

I mean yeah that goes for anyone. The whole team outside of a few have been underwhelming in terms of goal scoring, McMann included. Doesn't mean he's now fodder though. Even if he's not scoring, he's been hitting and involved as a depth player.

If Marner does walk, Domi becomes a top 6 RW for me. Chuck Kampf for anything you can get. Jarnkrok Im 50/50 on but just dump him too. This is how I see the holes in terms of depth chart (not really line combinations). Ideally you push down Holmberg to a depth/winger role.

Knies - Matthews - Nylander
XXX - xxx (JT?) - Domi
McMann - Laughton - XXX (Jarnkrok?)
XXX (Lorentz?) - XXX - XXX
Holmberg

Prospects/young players in the mix -- Quillan and Cowan... woof

The problem is going to be, filling holes via free agency is legit the worst thing you do, Toronto is going to have to potentially fill, 1RW/2C/2LW all in free agency. (This is why my preference is probably keep JT, still serviceable as 2c or ideally 3C),

The names in FA aren't the worst, but when u have to give term and dollars to 32 year olds, you are going to be in trouble.

 

[TMLAM34]

I barely watch them but I live in the Detroit area so I talk to a few people that watch every game. The pairing doesn't work that well - probably because they're both so young and don't cover well defensively for each other. They could easily grow into a strong pairing but it appears the vision is they both anchor their own pairing.

Makes sense. I’m in the Windsor area, but haven’t had any interest in really following the Wings. However that might change is this organization brings the same core back for the 26492037th time lol…

 

[WTFMAN99]

I can't speak for other markets but the fan base is special, no doubt.

I have to disagree.

Rantanen was apparently willing to sign here as one of his few teams

Matthews and McCabe chose to extend (as Americans)

Stolarz wanted to come here (how much pressure is there here as a goalie?)

Tanev was one of the top defenseman - he signed here

JT was the premium UFA not so long ago - he signed here.

OEL was a veteran guy that had buyout money coming and off of a Stanley Cup...he still chose Toronto

I don't think anyone has looked at us and said "Oh no, not Toronto"

Laughton waived to come here

 

[ACC1224]

I have to disagree.

Rantanen was apparently willing to sign here as one of his few teams

Matthews and McCabe chose to extend (as Americans)

Stolarz wanted to come here (how much pressure is there here as a goalie?)

Tanev was one of the top defenseman - he signed here

JT was the premium UFA not so long ago - he signed here.

OEL was a veteran guy that had buyout money coming and off of a Stanley Cup...he still chose Toronto

I don't think anyone has looked at us and said "Oh no, not Toronto"

Laughton waived to come here

I meant for top UFA's going forward.

 

[Zero1]

It's always dangerous to do that because the UFA class in 2026 will also be vastly different. Players re-sign with teams, they get traded and it becomes another similar situation. This time last year this UFA class seemed strong too. The cap going up means teams will keep having a little more money too.

Free agency is where a lot of teams kill their cap management and then their competitive window. So you always need to be cautious.

That’s fair but I think it would be a mistake signing a guy like Ehlers for term when he’s also a no show in the playoffs. Might be easier to swallow since he’ll probably be making less than $8 mill AAV.

I want Sam Bennett long term but it’s very unlikely he leaves the Panthers.

 

[Tony Romo]

I meant for top UFA's going forward.

Rantanen was going to be the best UFA this year and he was willing to sign here.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I meant for top UFA's going forward.

Nah, we'll be fine.

Vegas gets the Vegas discount and trades guys out within a couple of years...guys still sign there.

I think the organization still does a fantastic job of shielding players from the outside noise but if you go looking for it on social media, you're nuts.

 

[keonsbitterness]

His greatest sin was not trading Marner, so I agree there. But it was his first season, that would’ve been extremely bold…I kind of want to give him a pass on that.

Dealing Marner or Matthews wasn't an option for Tre. Shanahan called the core after Dubas was fired and told them they wouldn't be traded.

 

[ACC1224]

Nah, we'll be fine.

Vegas gets the Vegas discount and trades guys out within a couple of years...guys still sign there.

I think the organization still does a fantastic job of shielding players from the outside noise but if you go looking for it on social media, you're nuts.

Yeah not referring to the organization but the public in general.

 

[Americanadian]

I meant for top UFA's going forward.

Every insider in the game, including Bob Mckenzie, was reporting that Toronto was one of two teams that Ratanen would sign with 2 months ago.

 

[Tony Romo]

Every insider in the game, including Bob Mckenzie, was reporting that Toronto was one of two teams that Ratanen would sign with 2 months ago.

nah, it wasn't going to happen! We are a little hard on players that get paid the most but don't win!

 

[ACC1224]

Rantanen was going to be the best UFA this year and he was willing to sign here.

Maybe he was, not sure. He won't be now at any rate.

 

[Tony Romo]

Maybe he was, not sure. He won't be now at any rate.

There's no maybe, everyone and their mother was reporting it. It was here or Dallas basically.

 

[Americanadian]

nah, it wasn't going to happen! We are a little hard on players that get paid the most but don't win!

He was almost a Leaf until he logged onto HFboards.

 

[ACC1224]

There's no maybe, everyone and their mother was reporting it. It was here or Dallas basically.

I haven't seen that, not saying it's not true. The player has said this or it's just speculation?

 

[SprDaVE]

That’s fair but I think it would be a mistake signing a guy like Ehlers for term when he’s also a no show in the playoffs. Might be easier to swallow since he’ll probably be making less than $8 mill AAV.

I want Sam Bennett long term but it’s very unlikely he leaves the Panthers.

Im in the same boat for Ehlers. But even then the "no show" has 3 goals and 5 points in 6 games for the Jets so far. He missed the first few games with an injury. Like you said, at least he wouldn't be making over 11M.

Florida has 19M of cap space and all their important pieces locked up outside of Ekblad, who might also re-up around the same mark he just made. Yeah, I doubt he leaves. No state tax and a buy in attitude has them in a great place for a long time.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Im in the same boat for Ehlers. But even then the "no show" has 3 goals and 5 points in 6 games for the Jets so far. He missed the first few games with an injury. Like you said, at least he wouldn't be making over 11M.

Florida has 19M of cap space and all their important pieces locked up outside of Ekblad, who might also re-up around the same mark he just made. Yeah I doubt we see him move.

Bennett and Ekblad likely re-signed in Florida.

I think Saskomevich or whatever is the only notable RFA

 

[Tony Romo]

what’s everyone’s thoughts on Boeser?

 

[TMLAM34]

what’s everyone’s thoughts on Boeser?

Rumour has it he’s signing in Minnesota. Same as Nelson.

 

[TMLAM34]

Would love to get rid of Domi, Jarnkrok, Kampf and Reaves.

Sign Gourde, Raddysh and Brazeau.

McMann - Gourde - Raddysh
Lorentz - Laughton - Brazeau