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

[rumman]

To get Reilly to waive you're sending him to a destination of his choice. Which likely isn't very many. Vancouver maybe.

No harm in asking, I think Mo knows he hasn’t been adding value to the team, a change of scenery might do him as much good as the Leafs……..

 

[rumman]

Sure. But if he calls the bluff, a buyout hurts the team more than it helps. There's a decade of cap penalty as a result

Steep price to pay, but I wouldn’t abandon the idea altogether……..

 

[rumman]

Was one of the few I thought played hard regardless of situation.

Solid 4th liner. Will come cheap.

I like him as a depth player.


But to your point, keeping him or not isn't a huge factor either way.

I was happy with Lorentz’s play last season, he’s cheap and competes, two things the core don’t do……..

 

[rumman]

As much as it goes against the "change things up", I think you have to be a little objective here, and ask yourself -- If John Tavares is willing to stay for $5-$6m, and any similar levle of player is going to cost you $8m+; you have to bring him back.

That being said, one thing that was painfully obvious, is that the Leafs need 3 competent lines, and another centre who can be a matchup guy simialr to how Florida has Barkov/Lundell.

To me, the framework you're looking at is something like this:
Knies-Matthews-Domi
______-______-Nylander
McMann-Tavares-Cowan
Lorentz-Laughton-Jarnkrok

Obviously the bigger challenge will be the centre... and they'll be times when Tavares/Nylander play together, and they'll be times when they don't.

It's certainly time to move on from Nick Robertson... likely David Kampf as well... and maybe Calle Jarnkrok or Pontus Holmberg.

Out of the core guys JT is the one I would get rid of last, but as much as I want to see 34, 16, 88, and 44 playing elsewhere I know it will never happen, so let 91 and 16 walk, deal with the rest through attrition…….

 

[meefer]

We would need to get a 1st round pick, somehow, but I'd offer up to 7M to offer sheet Ryan McCleod out of Buffalo. His skating and defensive awareness would make him a suitable C for Nylander; the Nylander who disappeared and in part helped contribute to JT's lack of success against Florida. JT doesn't have the ability to cover up for Willy when Willy's head ain't in the game.

 

[Americanadian]

We would need to get a 1st round pick, somehow, but I'd offer up to 7M to offer sheet Ryan McCleod out of Buffalo. His skating and defensive awareness would make him a suitable C for Nylander; the Nylander who disappeared and in part helped contribute to JT's lack of success against Florida. JT doesn't have the ability to cover up for Willy when Willy's head ain't in the game.

The Oilers traded him away at 2.1M for a prospect while they’re trying to win a cup. I’d be very skeptical about paying up 7M for him.

 

[Malachi Crunch]

I think you've gotta try to take a similar approach to Florida... who's their 2nd line centre? Lundell? Bennett? Kind of neither and both at the same time. Lundell seems to be a little more geared towards a matchup against a top player, Bennett more of just a prick.

With Matthews, they've got a centre who, like Barkov, can matchup against pretty much anyone. Tavares, at this point really more of an offensive guy that you want to insulate a bit with his lack of speed... but produces at a much higher rate than either Bennett/Lundell.

I think they've gotta find a Lundell-type. Somebody who can be put in a shutdown role with the right wingers, but could also have Nylander put on his line to spread the offence out over 3.

Ultimatlely, I think there's a world where you're happy with something that looks like this:

Knies-Matthews-Domi
"Somebody Gritty with Skill" - "Somebody like Lundell" - Nylander
McMann-Tavares-Cowan
Lorentz-Laughton-Jarnkrok or Holmberg

In theory, you should be able to get those positions with $12m, but this is going to be an interesting year from a UFA standpoint.

Here's an idea: try to get Frederick Gaudreau from the Wild.

Gaudreau is an underrated 3C. He's a 15-20 goal, 35–40 point guy. Ideal for 3C. He's fast, forechecks and battles well on the boards. Supposedly, he's a leader type in the dressing room too.

Why him? Tons of rumours that Brock Nelson wants to go to the Wild. If he does, you have Rossi, Nelson, Eriksson-Ek, Trenin and Gaudreau at C. Trenin is a 4C, which leaves Gaudreau as, potentially, the odd man out (unless they choose to trade Rossi....I'd be in on him too).

I don't know what we give up for Gaudreau. I don't think it would be something too significant.

 

[aingefan]

Benoit earned a shot to play on the bottom pairing for sure but you always need 8 defenseman in training camp ready to go. Injuries can pile up. I would probably move him to a #7 role in this scenario.

I would look at moving OEL before Benoit though, just based on age and style. I do like OEL at his cap hit and role.

Yeah, I hear you about Benoit.
My overarching thought is that there’s lotsa left D (I think 10-11 spc’s on LD’s in the system give or take Kokkonen), not as many right D, and there could be more puck movement mixed in.
A LD out-Fabbro in balances out the handedness and puck movement issues pretty efficiently and simply.
Unless there’s some silly-can’t refuse offer on Jake, keep him.
I picked Benoit because he might have a lil inflated value right now after the playoffs, but really I think you can move any one of OEL, Benoit or Reilly to achieve that balance and maybe pick up a helpful piece for the forward group or asset pool.
Pros and cons to moving any of the three, but there's depth there.
Regarding depth to start next season, I think Myers-Rifai are fine slotted as 7-8.
I might inflate internal guys, but watching plenty of Marlies, I think any of their top 4-5 D could hold down NHL jobs as 7-8’s at least.

 

[SprDaVE]

I don’t know why there’s so much interest in casting aside Bobby McMann.
.42pp, goal heavy - needed, fast - needed, strong on the forecheck/physical - needed. Low salary - needed.
First go round in the playoffs.

Makes no sense to me either.

 

[SprDaVE]

As much as it goes against the "change things up", I think you have to be a little objective here, and ask yourself -- If John Tavares is willing to stay for $5-$6m, and any similar levle of player is going to cost you $8m+; you have to bring him back.

That being said, one thing that was painfully obvious, is that the Leafs need 3 competent lines, and another centre who can be a matchup guy simialr to how Florida has Barkov/Lundell.

To me, the framework you're looking at is something like this:
Knies-Matthews-Domi
______-______-Nylander
McMann-Tavares-Cowan
Lorentz-Laughton-Jarnkrok

Obviously the bigger challenge will be the centre... and they'll be times when Tavares/Nylander play together, and they'll be times when they don't.

It's certainly time to move on from Nick Robertson... likely David Kampf as well... and maybe Calle Jarnkrok or Pontus Holmberg.

Part of the Panthers is their coaching but also their team buying. Their 3rd line would be considered "soft" by the majority of people here. They are puck possession beasts. It's the one line that truly killed the Leafs. Adding Marchand to that line has fit very well, but it's been incredibly good for awhile now.

Not sure you'll replicate it but the Leafs should definitely dial back the "dump dump dump hit hit hit punch punch punch", and look at making their bottom 2 lines being able to have the puck more and generate shots for instead of just doing cardio in the defensive zone and chipping pucks everywhere with no purpose.

The bittersweet thing with Marner likely walking is that we now have the cap to really elevate the quality of the lines that suffered this year. They gotta get it right.

 

[The Shadow]

Bring in killers. Guys that will do anything to win

Marchand would be a key target for me

As well as Toews (provided he’s capable of playing again)

Marner can walk and use that money wisely

 

[SprDaVE]

 

[WillNy29]

wow Marner was f***ing shit that series...definitely put a drag on his Centers numbers as he usually does in the playoffs

 

[SprDaVE]

wow Marner was f***ing shit that series...definitely put a drag on his Centers numbers as he usually does in the playoffs

He had his moments, especially on the PK and all that, but yeah... definitely need a ton more from a guy looking at a record level contract. It's pretty how far he is from Matthews and Knies, who was not even 100% for the last 2 games.

 

[WillNy29]

He had his moments, especially on the PK and all that, but yeah... definitely need a ton more from a guy looking at a record level contract.

He was good on the PK in my opinion but dude you're a top line RW you cant be that bad offensively. It's the same issue that happens every time gets put on a line with matthews. Teams take away the goal scoring center because they never have to worry about the RW scoring goals. Montreal did that in 2021 as well. If you go back to the Boston series the games 2 and 7 Matthews was really good with Bert and Domi he took on that chippy attitude of the line and won a game by himself and then assisted on the go ahead goal in game 7 for willy.

I watched this same scenario happen in the Washington series and the tampa series we won, Marner separated from matthews made a big difference on how Matthews produced.

 

[weems]

Some team should get Kesselring from Utah before he really breaks out.

25yo, 6'5, 215 RHD who has offensive ability

Late in the season when both Durzi and Marino returned to the lineup, he was seeing some 3rd pairing minutes.

This guy finished 9th in the entire league in primary assists 5v5 by defencemen.

He only makes 1.4 million next season.

 

[ACC1224]

He had his moments, especially on the PK and all that, but yeah... definitely need a ton more from a guy looking at a record level contract. It's pretty how far he is from Matthews and Knies, who was not even 100% for the last 2 games.

How could one player be so far separated from his linemates?

 

[SprDaVE]

How could one player be so far separated from his linemates?

Seems obvious? Probably just played like crap and the other 2 did a lot of work. It kind of matches what we all saw.

 

[4thline]

How could one player be so far separated from his linemates?

They were getting the puck to the net without him touching it- cycle plays, rebounds etc. He still lead the team in chance assists- he just was absolutely a ghost at getting to the net himself.

 

[RomanianLeafs]

68

 

[ACC1224]

Seems obvious? Probably just played like crap and the other 2 did a lot of work. It kind of matches what we all saw.

I'm not defending what was posted, I don't understand it and was hoping to.
Lines have no bearing on it?

 

[ACC1224]

They were getting the puck to the net without him touching it- cycle plays, rebounds etc. He still lead the team in chance assists- he just was absolutely a ghost at getting to the net himself.

Thanks.

 

[SprDaVE]

Some team should get Kesselring from Utah before he really breaks out.

25yo, 6'5, 215 RHD who has offensive ability

Late in the season when both Durzi and Marino returned to the lineup, he was seeing some 3rd pairing minutes.

This guy finished 9th in the entire league in primary assists 5v5 by defencemen.

He only makes 1.4 million next season.

View attachment 1040493

I think they'll keep him and dump Durzi or someone else. Durzi is basically like Ghost. Has good skill and skating but it's rough defensively. They know what they have with Kesselring.

 

[weems]

I think they'll keep him and dump Durzi or someone else. Durzi is basically like Ghost. Has good skill and skating but it's rough defensively. They know what they have with Kesselring.

That's most likely true was just interesting to see his icetime take a nice hit once those other two returned.

I think his icetimes per month were 19:49 (NOV), 18:53 (DEC), 18:39 (JAN), 19:04 (FEB), 15:18 (MAR), 14:39 (APR), 16:45 (MAY).

Maybe this is where some team steps in and offers something that is seen as a overpay but very quickly looks like a steal when he gets more time and exposure.

 

[SprDaVE]

That's most likely true was just interesting to see his icetime take a nice hit once those other two returned.

I think his icetimes per month were 19:49 (NOV), 18:53 (DEC), 18:39 (JAN), 19:04 (FEB), 15:18 (MAR), 14:39 (APR), 16:45 (MAY).

Maybe this is where some team steps in and offers something that is seen as a overpay but very quickly looks like a steal when he gets more time and exposure.

This is why scouting and analytics can get you some underappreciated players from other teams/systems. The Leafs without a lot of available assets need to be smart but aggressive in that market. If someone like Kesselring is remotely available, you probably make it happen.