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

[Tony Romo]

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

Whew. That team is going to be good next year. Wonder if they get Kaprizov figured out this offseason as well

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

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.

Get rid of Shanny and Marner and the team will be totally fine. I’m much more positive about the future than when Dubas was here.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

If Treveling’s first move was to trade Marner for Tanev, I’d say he knocked it out of the park. So I don’t mind much that Marner is walking for nothing. Top 10 winger for a top 10 defenseman.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

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.

Bingo.

You don't see baseball players avoiding New York or LA. You don't see basketball players avoiding LA. If the Cowboys weren't owned by a senile python-blood-drinker and his nepo baby you'd see every free agent under the sun BEG to wear that jersey. Huge markets like Philadelphia are highly desirable destinations right now in the NFL. You don't see NCAA football players avoiding Alabama, OSU, Georgia, Texas, Notre Dame, etc.

Big-time players, REAL dogs, WANT those eyes on them. They WANT that pressure. They WANT that attention. Because they know that winning there will make them heroes, legends and social media superhumans.

This market isn't too harsh on players; Montreal is WAY harsher than Toronto for example. Leafs fans are FAR too forgiving, if anything. The big dogs want to win where winning is biggest. Period.

 

[Tony Romo]

best case scenario is Marner decides to go to a cash strapped team like Vegas, were we actually have to do a S&T but I'll assume that won't happen.

Vegas is in desperate need of elite wingers, especially with Stone being injured. Something like Wild Bill + another piece could work.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Off-season plan. For forwards, let Mitch walk. John can walk to if he wants a penny more than $5 million. Or let him f*** off anyway I don’t care. Sign Jeannot and Frederic to beef up the bottom six. Try to sign that Russian phenomenon Shabanov to potentially boost top six scoring, he'll have to sign an ELC and I know he's small but this team is desperate for young and cheap talent. Don’t use any of the $12-13 million designated for Mitch on anyone. Save it in case McDavid looks like he’s going to test the free agent waters in 2026.

Try to dump Jarnkrok. Domi as well. Kampf too why not. Re-sign Lorentz. Robertson I’m unsure of but I’m not against bringing him back on the cheap again. Oh and sign Knies of course. 8 year term, don’t care about the money. With Mitch leaving we won’t be boxed in and no offer-sheets will scare us. Cowan will get a full year with the team.

Knies-Matthews-Nylander
Shabanov-Tavares-Cowan
McMann-Laughton-Robertson
Jeannot-Frederic-Lorentz


Defence, well we’re pretty much locked in there. I’d try to get a RHD with some offensive flair. Don’t really care if it pushes Benoit out. Would be willing to move Rielly but he’s not gonna waive his NMC. The biggest and best name is Ekblad, but I doubt he'd want to join this shitshow, but on the off-chance he would I would use Marner's money on him, forget what I previously said. Orlov is available too, wouldn't mind trying to snipe him from Carolina. He's nearly 34 but given the age of everyone else on the blueline I don't think it matters. After those two it's a real dearth of available talent in UFA.

Knowing Treliving he'll probably sign Gavrikov to join the rest of the giants we have. He'll be overpaid for sure and I'd really rather someone that has a proper offensive game. We could try to pull off our own version of the Toews deal but that's unlikely. I think ultimately the defence will be the same as it was going into this years playoffs.

McCabe-Tanev
Rielly-Carlo
Benoit-OEL


Goaltending has no reason to change.

Stolarz
Woll

 

[hamzarocks]

Funny enough, that's almost exactly what I posted in March... with names put in place.

Knies Granlund Nylander
Ehlers Byfield Boeser
McMann Tavares Cowan/Steeves/Greentree
Lorentz Laughton Sherwood
Holmberg

McCabe Tanev
Provorov Carlo
OEL Clarke
Benoit

I really dont want to see Tavares the worse playoff performer of the core 5 with his terrible 31 pts in 49 games back on this team if we move 34, 44 and 16

Besides him I like the team. Though i will admit I don't think that team beats Flordia again but it'll be a clean slate team that will be easier to cheer for.

 

[Menzinger]

The only way to potentially get some value for Marner in a. Sign and trade is agree to pay a huge bonus in year one so the Leafs eat a huge chunk of real money.

I'd want at least a 1st in return which means it probably won't happen

 

[Rare Jewel]

Off-season plan. For forwards, let Mitch walk. John can walk to if he wants a penny more than $5 million. Or let him f*** off anyway I don’t care. Sign Jeannot and Frederic to beef up the bottom six. Try to sign that Russian phenomenon Shabanov to potentially boost top six scoring, he'll have to sign an ELC and I know he's small but this team is desperate for young and cheap talent. Don’t use any of the $12-13 million designated for Mitch on anyone. Save it in case McDavid looks like he’s going to test the free agent waters in 2026.

Try to dump Jarnkrok. Domi as well. Kampf too why not. Re-sign Lorentz. Robertson I’m unsure of but I’m not against bringing him back on the cheap again. Oh and sign Knies of course. 8 year term, don’t care about the money. With Mitch leaving we won’t be boxed in and no offer-sheets will scare us. Cowan will get a full year with the team.

Knies-Matthews-Nylander
Shabanov-Tavares-Cowan
McMann-Laughton-Robertson
Jeannot-Frederic-Lorentz


Defence, well we’re pretty much locked in there. I’d try to get a RHD with some offensive flair. Don’t really care if it pushes Benoit out. Would be willing to move Rielly but he’s not gonna waive his NMC. The biggest and best name is Ekblad, but I doubt he'd want to join this shitshow, but on the off-chance he would I would use Marner's money on him, forget what I previously said. Orlov is available too, wouldn't mind trying to snipe him from Carolina. He's nearly 34 but given the age of everyone else on the blueline I don't think it matters. After those two it's a real dearth of available talent in UFA.

Knowing Treliving he'll probably sign Gavrikov to join the rest of the giants we have. He'll be overpaid for sure and I'd really rather someone that has a proper offensive game. We could try to pull off our own version of the Toews deal but that's unlikely. I think ultimately the defence will be the same as it was going into this years playoffs.

McCabe-Tanev
Rielly-Carlo
Benoit-OEL


Goaltending has no reason to change.

Stolarz
Woll

4 of the 5 coming back, two rookies are in the top 6, and the same unproductive Dcore.

I don't mean to be a dick, but can't see how this better in any way and is more likely to not beat Florida.

 

[hamzarocks]

4 of the 5 coming back, two rookies are in the top 6, and the same unproductive Dcore.

I don't mean to be a dick, but can't see how this better in any way and is more likely to not beat Florida.

Its not that's a WC team if Wings and Sabres continue to choke and we are healthy

If we have injuries and those teams figure something out then its a 9th to 11th place team in the east

 

[Rare Jewel]

The only way to potentially get some value for Marner in a. Sign and trade is agree to pay a huge bonus in year one so the Leafs eat a huge chunk of real money.

I'd want at least a 1st in return which means it probably won't happen

Ferris' MO is taking the player to free agency, so it would be difficult.

The only bit of leverage the Leafs have is the 8th year they could offer prior to the trade.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

4 of the 5 coming back, two rookies are in the top 6, and the same unproductive Dcore.

I don't mean to be a dick, but can't see how this better in any way and is more likely to not beat Florida.

First of all I didn't say it was better. As far as I'm concerned next year is a transitional one. We have to accept that there are no real assets we have to make a tangible trade for a difference maker. Any new guys would need to come internally or signed. The free agent class is weak.

There are no good centre free agents, and I don't want that head-hunter Bennett. He wouldn't want to come here and he wouldn't be as effective. If it's not Tavares it's someone over the hill or someone who isn't as effective. Maybe Duchene but he's the same age as John, To me that's a lateral move at best since his playoff numbers are really poor. He's faster and strong on faceoffs, but is that enough?

I listed some defensemen to go after, but again they (ie Ekblad) either won't want to come here or they don't fit Treliving's and Berube's idea of a defenseman. Those two seem allergic to any defenseman that isn't a lumbering bruiser. And besides Provorov and Orlov, there's no real offensive stud to speak of. We also can't offersheet anyone, and again at best we have what will be a low 2nd as the best asset we can deal. I only didn't put a name there because I honestly can't decide which one I'd pick. The only guy I'd sign with no hesitation is Ekblad and again, I doubt he signs here. Every other defenseman on the market has too many question marks.

Next year is all about seeing how this team does without Mitch and the negative aura that surrounds him. And seeing how Matthews looks after he has whatever surgery he needs to fix himself. Is losing Mitch addition by subtraction or will this team crumble without him? Is Matthews ever going to be a 50+ goal man again or is he a diminished version of himself? How much longer can our old D-Corps play at a high level?

These are all questions that need answering. And if it turns out this team does indeed suck ass and is like an A3 seed or a WC team then you can start approaching guys about waiving their NMCs/NTCs and trying to re-acquire our picks and doing a tank and draft rebuild again.

 

[Rare Jewel]

There are no good centre free agents, and I don't want that head-hunter Bennett. He wouldn't want to come here and he wouldn't be as effective. If it's not Tavares it's someone over the hill or someone who isn't as effective. Maybe Duchene but he's the same age as John, To me that's a lateral move at best since his playoff numbers are really poor. He's faster and strong on faceoffs, but is that enough?

I think it's widely known that Duchene has very little interest in coming back to Canada. Supposedly, it's only tax-free party towns for him.

Not necessarily the guy I'd want to bring into the situation.

Next year is all about seeing how this team does without Mitch and the negative aura that surrounds him. And seeing how Matthews looks after he has whatever surgery he needs to fix himself. Is losing Mitch addition by subtraction or will this team crumble without him? Is Matthews ever going to be a 50+ goal man again or is he a diminished version of himself? How much longer can our old D-Corps play at a high level?

I don't really feel like one player leaving will move the needle.

I know it's difficult to find solutions, especially in free agency, but that team there is a worse version of what is there right now.

These are all questions that need answering. And if it turns out this team does indeed suck ass and is like an A3 seed or a WC team then you can start approaching guys about waiving their NMCs/NTCs and trying to re-acquire our picks and doing a tank and draft rebuild again.

See, I'd be doing that this summer.

 

[TheShape]

I resent this core so much at this point I can't even stand the sight of them. I don't want to see a comeback, I just want them gone. Extremely unlikable group. But I resent MLSE 10x more for enabling these guys and allowing the situation to reach this point.

The fans deserve better than this.

 

[Buds17]

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

Going home! Probably can't compete with that then.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Off-season plan. For forwards, let Mitch walk. John can walk to if he wants a penny more than $5 million. Or let him f*** off anyway I don’t care. Sign Jeannot and Frederic to beef up the bottom six. Try to sign that Russian phenomenon Shabanov to potentially boost top six scoring, he'll have to sign an ELC and I know he's small but this team is desperate for young and cheap talent. Don’t use any of the $12-13 million designated for Mitch on anyone. Save it in case McDavid looks like he’s going to test the free agent waters in 2026.

Try to dump Jarnkrok. Domi as well. Kampf too why not. Re-sign Lorentz. Robertson I’m unsure of but I’m not against bringing him back on the cheap again. Oh and sign Knies of course. 8 year term, don’t care about the money. With Mitch leaving we won’t be boxed in and no offer-sheets will scare us. Cowan will get a full year with the team.

Knies-Matthews-Nylander
Shabanov-Tavares-Cowan
McMann-Laughton-Robertson
Jeannot-Frederic-Lorentz


Defence, well we’re pretty much locked in there. I’d try to get a RHD with some offensive flair. Don’t really care if it pushes Benoit out. Would be willing to move Rielly but he’s not gonna waive his NMC. The biggest and best name is Ekblad, but I doubt he'd want to join this shitshow, but on the off-chance he would I would use Marner's money on him, forget what I previously said. Orlov is available too, wouldn't mind trying to snipe him from Carolina. He's nearly 34 but given the age of everyone else on the blueline I don't think it matters. After those two it's a real dearth of available talent in UFA.

Knowing Treliving he'll probably sign Gavrikov to join the rest of the giants we have. He'll be overpaid for sure and I'd really rather someone that has a proper offensive game. We could try to pull off our own version of the Toews deal but that's unlikely. I think ultimately the defence will be the same as it was going into this years playoffs.

McCabe-Tanev
Rielly-Carlo
Benoit-OEL


Goaltending has no reason to change.

Stolarz
Woll

Great post. I agree with most of this tbh, though I'm more in the Tavares-GTFO camp than the whatever camp and I rhink Cowan needs AHL time. We don't have our 1sts and we can't burn it down. We have to at least pretend to compete for the next few years.

After Tanev is done, Rielly has completely fallen off and we get our 1sts back, time to set almost all of it on fire and dance on the ashes.

Barring an utter miracle, enough is enough.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

I resent this core so much at this point I can't even stand the sight of them. I don't want to see a comeback, I just want them gone. Extremely unlikable group. But I resent MLSE 10x more for enabling these guys and allowing the situation to reach this point.

The fans deserve better than this.

Preach brother, I hate all of them too.

But it didn't have to be this way. Shanahan and ownership, more than anything else, made them this way.

 

[Legion34]

Because we won’t trade Matthews

Knies. Matthews.
———/. Tavares. Nylander
Mcmann. Laughton. Domi

Players will stay clear from Toronto this summer as UFAs. I remember a few reporters last summer that some guys refused to go to Toronto when the whole Marner thing was going on.

It’s going to be worse now.

They will either have to overpay or be passed over

Like who?

Toronto signed multiple ufas. Tanev/lorentz/stolarz Oel.

I don’t see who they would have been in the market for? Montour Skej Stephenson etc got a tax free 6-8.5 all out of our price range e

 

[hamzarocks]

Ignoring reality and team needs and NMCs for a moment or two, which of these below Auston Matthews trades would leafs fans do?

1. To Caps for Dylan Strome + Ryan Leonard/Cole Hutson + 2026 top 10 protected 1st

2. To Kraken for Shane Wright + Jani Nyman + 2026 top 10 protected 1st

3. To Kings for Byfield + Clarke + 2026 2nd

4. To the Wild for Jonas Brodin + JEK + 2026 top 10 protected 1st

5. To the Ducks for Mason Mactavish + Tristan Laneau + 2026 top 10 protected 1st

6. To Stars for Jason Robertson + Bischell + 2026 2nd

Are any of the above trades we could make and retool the roster out of?

 

[Perratrooper]

Ignoring reality and team needs and NMCs for a moment or two, which of these below Auston Matthews trades would leafs fans do?

1. To Caps for Dylan Strome + Ryan Leonard/Lane Hutson + 2026 top 10 protected 1st

2. To Kraken for Shane Wright + Jani Nyman + 2026 top 10 protected 1st

3. To Kings for Byfield + Clarke + 2026 2nd

4. To the Wild for Jonas Brodin + JEK + 2026 top 10 protected 1st

5. To the Ducks for Mason Mactavish + Tristan Laneau + 2026 top 10 protected 1st

6. To Stars for Jason Robertson + Bischell + 2026 2nd

Are any of the above trades we could make and retool the roster out of?

If Colorado could throw a hat in the ring for AM34 (given they are one of the closer hockey states to Arizona).

Necas+Girard+Colton ($15.5m in cap)

 

[hamzarocks]

If Colorado could throw a hat in the ring for AM34 (given they are one of the closer hockey states to Arizona).

Necas+Girard+Colton ($15.5m in cap)

I mean its a sold offer but id hate to see Matthews get gifted Mackinnon and Makar who'd save his ass and get him a cup.

A lot of fans here wont like it though since Girards reputation is down and his size might concern some people, but its a good retool trade offer

 

[Perratrooper]

I mean its a sold offer but id hate to see Matthews get gifted Mackinnon and Makar who'd save his ass and get him a cup.

A lot of fans here wont like it though since Girards reputation is down and his size might concern some people, but its a good retool trade offer

I’d be fine with replacing him with a different player (Coyle?) if the Leafs would consider him instead.

 

[hamzarocks]

I’d be fine with replacing him with a different player (Coyle?) if the Leafs would consider him instead.

Id prefer Girard to Coyle for sure. Younger, higher upside and less risk of consistent downplay

I doubt matthews actually gets dealt but this retool type trade could work if we want to build around Nylander.

Leafs would let marner & tavares walk, trade Rielly for best futures package and sign Bennett + ehlers + 1 of Orlov/Gavrikov/Provorov for around 23)M (9M + 8M + 7M)

The team would be pretty deep at that point

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Ignoring reality and team needs and NMCs for a moment or two, which of these below Auston Matthews trades would leafs fans do?

1. To Caps for Dylan Strome + Ryan Leonard/Lane Hutson + 2026 top 10 protected 1st

2. To Kraken for Shane Wright + Jani Nyman + 2026 top 10 protected 1st

3. To Kings for Byfield + Clarke + 2026 2nd

4. To the Wild for Jonas Brodin + JEK + 2026 top 10 protected 1st

5. To the Ducks for Mason Mactavish + Tristan Laneau + 2026 top 10 protected 1st

6. To Stars for Jason Robertson + Bischell + 2026 2nd

Are any of the above trades we could make and retool the roster out of?

I'd be legitimately shocked if anyone offers something like these for Auston Matthews and his contract. The Seattle trade doesn't do much for me because I'm not much of a Wright fan (but getting Mr ManPurse off this team would probably make it worth it nonetheless) but some of the others are very pro-Leafs.

Also, not to be a dick but in trade 1 you mean Cole Hutson, not Lane. Pending his new contract, Lane's trade value far exceeds anyone on this team.

 

[hamzarocks]

I'd be legitimately shocked if anyone offers something like these for Auston Matthews and his contract. The Seattle trade doesn't do much for me because I'm not much of a Wright fan (but getting Mr ManPurse off this team would probably make it worth it nonetheless) but some of the others are very pro-Leafs.

Also, not to be a dick but in trade 1 you mean Cole Hutson, not Lane. Pending his new contract, Lane's trade value far exceeds anyone on this team.

Yes you are right I meant Cole Hutson and not Lane.

Lane Hutson after his rookie year will be worth too much for Habs to deal