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

[WTFMAN99]

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.

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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.

I've liked Kesselring going back to last year.

He has a surprisingly heavy shot, he can fight...as I type this...he actually kind of reminds me of Mackenzie Weegar, I don't know if he will reach those heights as far as a top pairing guy but stylistically, I got those vibes....off only a few games but I liked what I saw.

I have no idea what Utah would want from us, apparently they want some size to offset some of their smaller skilled guys. Would a guy like McMann appeal to them? They have Maveric Lamoureux knocking at the door on RD.

 

[WillNy29]

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.

you know he's going to Florida, its what they do.

They keep replacing their aging trash with younger players that aren't necessarily highly thought of or have fallen out of favour and then when those players break out or correct back to the mean everyone goes surprised pikachu face:

Sam Bennet
Sam Reinhart
Seth Jones
Niko Mikkola or whatever
Gustav Forsling
Brendan Montour
OEL

list goes on and on

 

[Rare Jewel]

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 is very much needed on the back end here, particularly on the PP.

 

[Xanner]

Here is my super cool plan, first draft...

Try to convince Marner to sign between 12-12.75, trade Nylander, Sign Tavares to a team friendly deal (6 years for 3.75 or 4), and for gods sake, split Matthews and Marner, they can carry their own lines.

Knies - Matthews - (anyone)
(Anyone) - Tavares - Marner

The bottom six has to be completely revamped save for a few players, replace them with big harder to play against players.

Domi - (New player) - (New player)
Mcmann - Laughton - (New player)

Move on from, Jarnkrok, Kampf, Holmberg, Lorentz, Robertson (if your not going to use him trade him), see if Cowan is ready to go, if he is stick him on the third line.

D looks good for the next few years, id move on from Reilly just to really change the core up.

McCabe - Tanev
(New player) - Carlo
Benoit - OEL

Goalies are set

Whatever you get back from Rielly and Nylander you can use to get to complete the roster, preferably with players who can perform in the playoffs to surround Matthews and Marner with. Any UFA's you sign unless they are at the top of the board id sign to 1 year deals if possible, the 2026 UFA class is looking really nice.

I'd do this with the understanding that i'm taking a huge leap of faith on Marner, i'm a huge Nylander fan (and i know he was the best of the bunch in the playoffs) but i believe Marner can be more then what he has shown, but i believe this risk to be worth it, Marner is an amazing player.

The new core would be, Matthews, Marner, Knies and hopefully a new defensemen, maybe Ekblad. This plan also works with Nylander instead of Marner with the difference being that we wouldn't have the assets we would get from a Nylander trade but I'm fine with either.

 

[Duffman955]

If Tavares takes a reduced role, we need another C that can put up points and take tough defensive minutes.

Out of UFAs there's very few players that fit that bill.

- Bennet?
- Suter
- Nelson
- Granlund?
- Gourde

 

[WTFMAN99]

If Tavares takes a reduced role, we need another C that can put up points and take tough defensive minutes.

Out of UFAs there's very few players that fit that bill.

- Bennet?
- Suter
- Nelson
- Granlund?
- Gourde

Suter and Gourde can but they're smaller guys

Granlund has C/W versatility - my top choice.

Don't think Bennett will be a Leaf.

 

[Rare Jewel]

I've liked Kesselring going back to last year.

He has a surprisingly heavy shot, he can fight...as I type this...he actually kind of reminds me of Mackenzie Weegar, I don't know if he will reach those heights as far as a top pairing guy but stylistically, I got those vibes....off only a few games but I liked what I saw.

I have no idea what Utah would want from us, apparently they want some size to offset some of their smaller skilled guys. Would a guy like McMann appeal to them? They have Maveric Lamoureux knocking at the door on RD.

He's certainly an interesting player, but the problem is cost. He's popped already. They need to find the next Kovacevic or Kesselring before they hit that point.

They've got Villeneuve sitting here in our own farm team, and I'm hopeful he can at least be one of the 6-8 next year.

 

[OVO16]

Marner Gone
Pacioretty Gone
Lorentz Gone
Kampf Dumped/Traded
Jarnkrok dumped/Traded
Tavares Re-Signed
Nick Robertson for Mason Marchment 1 for 1 (Dallas needs to salary dump)

Sign Brock Nelson
Sign Andrew Mangiapane
Sign Tanner Jeannot

Matthew Knies - Auston Matthews - William Nylander
Brock Nelson - John Tavares - Mason Marchment
Bobby McMann - Max Domi - Andrew Mangiapane
Tanner Jeannot - Scott Laughton - Holmberg/Cowan/Quillan

 

[WTFMAN99]

He's certainly an interesting player, but the problem is cost. He's popped already. They need to find the next Kovacevic or Kesselring before they hit that point.

They've got Villeneuve sitting here in our own farm team, and I'm hopeful he can at least be one of the 6-8 next year.

I'd love for him to get a real look in training camp.

 

[dubplatepressure]

I shudder at the prices this year considering it will be a seller's market. IMO we're better off reserving a ton of cap space, going low-buy on a few solid reclamation projects, and going hard at FA next year when the golden crop is available.

 

[SprDaVE]

I shudder at the prices this year considering it will be a seller's market. IMO we're better off reserving a ton of cap space, going low-buy on a few solid reclamation projects, and going hard at FA next year when the golden crop is available.

The market will not look anywhere the same next year. The majority of the good players will get locked up and/or traded well before July 1st. You always want to be cautious with overspending in free agency every year regardless.

The Leafs should hopefully, in the first time in over a decade or something like that, be able to accrue cap space. But they will 100% use the majority of their cap space... and they will need to.

 

[Fogelhund]

I get the desire to get bigger, and tougher, and overall I think that is a wise move. We also need to get faster, which might no always be compatible with bigger and tougher... you need balance, just the right balance.

Marchment is below average in skating speed.. maybe one of the reasons he struggles to put up points in the playoffs.
Brock Nelson is above average.. 62% Good, not great.
Tanner Jeannot is above average 66%... better
Granlund is right at average.
Keifer Sherwood is well above average... not big, but physical, and provides depth scoring.
Ehlers is 95th percentile, so very quick.

I think it's best to look at balance... adding quickness.... adding overall size (but not at every spot)... adding physicality. Looking for guys who battle.

 

[Americanadian]

I can't shake the feeling of Marner ending up in Vegas and signing just above the Rantanen deal on a sign and trade. His agent will have Dreger tweeting that 12.5M in a no-tax state is the highest take home money in the league. Vegas can't help themselves anytime a star becomes available.

Marner signed to 12.5Mx8 to VGK for Karlsson makes sense. That's probably the best piece the Leafs could pull in a sign and trade for a UFA and Karlsson solves a short-term need for the Leafs. VGK would need to clear cap space which is why I think they'd move off Karlsson.

Dreger speculated a lot of what I said here on yesterday’s overdrive. He said that his top destination for Marner is Vegas and then he speculated a sign and trade and that they’d need to move out money to make it work.

Dreger is about as connected to Marner as it gets.

 

[Rare Jewel]

I'd love for him to get a real look in training camp.

At least, I want to get a look at him, which he should have gotten this year.

But similar to Kesselring outside of the organization. I've always had an eye for Regula, who's now in Edmonton. He's had some injury issues, but could be a sneaky pick if you can get him.

 

[Rare Jewel]

Dreger speculated a lot of what I said here on yesterday’s overdrive. He said that his top destination for Marner is Vegas and then he speculated a sign and trade and that they’d need to move out money to make it work.

Dreger is about as connected to Marner as it gets.

Interesting...

That may be the only way they could beat out Chicago or Carolina.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Dreger speculated a lot of what I said here on yesterday’s overdrive. He said that his top destination for Marner is Vegas and then he speculated a sign and trade and that they’d need to move out money to make it work.

Dreger is about as connected to Marner as it gets.

What available assets does Vegas have that would actually be of interest to Toronto at this time?

 

[WTFMAN99]

Dreger speculated a lot of what I said here on yesterday’s overdrive. He said that his top destination for Marner is Vegas and then he speculated a sign and trade and that they’d need to move out money to make it work.

Dreger is about as connected to Marner as it gets.

Guentzel's rights snagged a 3rd round pick....

So is that a separate transaction for them to clear cap space or would they send an asset that has a salary attached to it for an 8 year Marner?

Hague? Korczak? W.Karlsson?

 

[thomast]

Leafs should try to acquire Granlund for cheap. He is a hard working warrior and can set up Matthews with his playmaking ability. Granlund can run #2 PP effectively. Potential low-risk, high-reward signing.

 

[Tony Romo]

What available assets does Vegas have that would actually be of interest to Toronto at this time?

Uh, I guess WK, Howden. Maybe Theodore or AP?

 

[SprDaVE]

Dreger speculated a lot of what I said here on yesterday’s overdrive. He said that his top destination for Marner is Vegas and then he speculated a sign and trade and that they’d need to move out money to make it work.

Dreger is about as connected to Marner as it gets.

This is just my speculation with zero inside information, assuming Marner wants the 13M+ that LeBrun says he wants/will get, I think Anaheim is probably a spot he'd be happy with. New coach, a warm climate that he can relocate to far away from everything, he loves boating and all that jazz too. They have a lot of upcoming talent that he can help build towards being a great team. The 40M of cap space helps to make it work.

Vegas is always in those kind of players so it wouldn't shock me anymore... but adding a 12M+ player on top of what they have, and Eichel being a pending UFA next season... yeesh. Maybe he takes less to go there though.

 

[Duffman955]

Dreger speculated a lot of what I said here on yesterday’s overdrive. He said that his top destination for Marner is Vegas and then he speculated a sign and trade and that they’d need to move out money to make it work.

Dreger is about as connected to Marner as it gets.

It allows him to get the 8 year deal.

What would we get back?

 

[WTFMAN99]

This is just my speculation with zero inside information, assuming Marner wants the 13M+ that LeBrun says he wants/will get, I think Anaheim is probably a spot he'd be happy with. New coach, a warm climate that he can relocate to far away from everything, he loves boating and all that jazz too. They have a lot of upcoming talent that he can help build towards being a great team. The 40M of cap space helps to make it work.

Vegas is always in those kind of players so it wouldn't shock me anymore... but adding a 12M+ player on top of what they have, and Eichel being a pending UFA next season... yeesh. Maybe he takes less to go there though.

Vegas vs California taxation system is quite the difference like maybe Vegas gives you 12M and Anaheim offers you 13M...you net way more in Vegas and competitive sooner.

I thought about Seattle too for Marner...perfect spot, you're anonymous, no expectations or pressure and can get paid.

I'd prefer to try to get an asset for Marner though, 8th year is to his benefit as well as it could represent another 10-13M in cash.

 

[Rare Jewel]

Uh, I guess WK, Howden. Maybe Theodore or AP?

Howden is Manitoban; he's not going anywhere. lol

Roy, however... Hague would pique Berube's interest, for better or worse.

 

[Fogelhund]

Dreger speculated a lot of what I said here on yesterday’s overdrive. He said that his top destination for Marner is Vegas and then he speculated a sign and trade and that they’d need to move out money to make it work.

Dreger is about as connected to Marner as it gets.

I suspect that they'd try and move out Karlsson, as his production no longer justifies his cap, and they can be pretty ruthless.

Would you trade them for Brett Howden, if Marner would accept, a sign and trade deal, so they could get him for eight years?

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Howden is Manitoban; he's not going anywhere. lol

Roy, however... Hague would pique Berube's interest, for better or worse.

If we are forced to take salary back to do Vegas and Marner a solid, we better as shit get something better than Hague.