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

[Fogelhund]

My off season wishes:
Marner, Tavares, Lorentz leave via free agency
Kampf Jarnkrok Reilly Robertson are traded

Sign: P. Kane, Granlund, Marchand, Fabbro, Mangiapane, Mantha, Tanev and Jeannot

Knies Matthews Kane
Mantha Granlund Nylander
Marchand Laughton Mangiapane
Jeannot Quillan/Haymes Tanev
McMann, Holmberg

McCabe Tanev
OEL Carlo
Benoit Fabbro
Myers

Stolarz
Woll

I think that's a much better playoff team

That's a nice forward group, it's a D that can't move the puck very well though.

 

[ULF_55]

You're in a way better spot if he's able to play 3C and can find someone for 2C. Adds a lot more depth to the 3rd line if you can play Tavares there.

Hard to fill the spot though with someone thats a 2nd line C.

True, but is there any 2nd. line center available in free agency.

Anyone can make fantasy trades, but almost all are unrealistic and include waiving NMC's and ...

Tavares will most likely sign under market rate to stay in Toronto. He'll sign a contract that can be bought out, and perhaps like Tanev expects not to see the end of the contract on the ice. If projections are correct, Cap increases might make those buyouts less painful.

IMO, top end players are not going to be signed by the Leafs this off-season.

In free agency landing a couple of these may be more reasonable, and this really puts the pressure on the Leafs PRO-Scouts to do their jobs, or be flushed due to incompetence.

 

[MarMarSab3]

That's a nice forward group, it's a D that can't move the puck very well though.

I'll agree in that it doesn't have that prototypical puck moving defenseman however they do have high IQ and we've seen this year that those quick one two passes are more effective than trying to skate the puck out at times. But absolutely would love to see a Josh Morrissey or Shea Theodore in there

 

[The Shadow]

No, we need to move on.

The core itself needs to be broken up, at least 2 of the 5 need to be changed out for the change to feel meaningful.

Marner is walking and then you're choosing 1 more of Matthews, 88, JT or Rielly.

Matthews and 88 have been re-signed by Tree, recently too.

So JT that just scored 38 goals or Rielly? Rielly was mostly bad this year. Easy choice for me.

Agreed. It’s time to bring in new energy and get that past history of failure out of the room.

This is sports. Players are moved regularly when they can’t get the job done

 

[WTFMAN99]

Agreed. It’s time to bring in new energy and get that past history of failure out of the room.

This is sports. Players are moved regularly when they can’t get the job done

Yes and that's what makes the whole not moving off the core thing even sillier. Why did it need to be this specific mix of players? Why could management not make a change? Teams without these "special" players were winning playoff series/beating us/winning cups.

 

[Torontonian]

True, but is there any 2nd. line center available in free agency.

Anyone can make fantasy trades, but almost all are unrealistic and include waiving NMC's and ...

Tavares will most likely sign under market rate to stay in Toronto. He'll sign a contract that can be bought out, and perhaps like Tanev expects not to see the end of the contract on the ice. If projections are correct, Cap increases might make those buyouts less painful.

IMO, top end players are not going to be signed by the Leafs this off-season.

In free agency landing a couple of these may be more reasonable, and this really puts the pressure on the Leafs PRO-Scouts to due their jobs, or be flushed due to incompetence.

View attachment 1041051

You probably have 2 or 3 legitimate options for the FA's to play 2nd line center.. Duchane (34 & probably not coming here), Bennett (whose probably going to command way to much money), Nelson (33 years old). There all older players that you probably shouldn't be throwing term & money at, and in Bennett case $. I'd stay away from the one hit wonders of the world like Donato & Suter.

Toronto is truly not in a good spot to be replacing important roster players in FA this year. Especially when you traded all your draft capital away. They have a 2nd round pick in 2025 & a 2nd round pick in 2027, Danforth & Cowan as trade chips..

 

[Malachi Crunch]

Mitch not going to a Canadian team. This can help with our fantasy sign and trades. LOL

MSN

 

[Americanadian]

Yes and that's what makes the whole not moving off the core thing even sillier. Why did it need to be this specific mix of players? Why could management not make a change? Teams without these "special" players were winning playoff series/beating us/winning cups.

Since Matthews/Nylander/Marner entered the league, a team has won the cup every season without either of those 3 on the roster. Yet Shanahan insisted keeping them was the only way to win.

 

[Rare Jewel]

It's only going to be Mitch, isn't it?

 

[mapleleafs34]

I like the idea of adding Kane as a Marner replacement. 1 year deal. Keeps our cap open for next offseason to potentially add McDavid or a higher end UFA.

 

[Skullz]

I would take a healthy run at Ehlers - I love the idea of him on a line with Nylander. Really gives the two of the a terrific complement and allows them to create and burn teams off the rush and in transition - which we desperately need more. Nylander and McMann were great together, Ehlers that much more so.

Mangiapaine is an intriguing buy low candidate. Adds scoring to the bottom six.

I’d be interested in kicking tires on Connor Brown - if he were cheap. Maybe a more physical Jarnkrok replacement.

I’d love to a Center but need to be wary of overpaying for marginal talent. Trade might be the better route.

Also regarding Ekblad: I’d worry he gets overpaid quite a bit. Fabbro is really interesting at a cheaper deal though.

 

[Avilaj07]

It's only going to be Mitch, isn't it?

I don't think so. I think there's a very good chance they look to move on from Rielly. While he does have a NMC. I think if Treliving were to approach him, Mo would work with them to find a team he's willing to move to. The fact they're not comfortable with him on the PP, and we all know he's our worst defensemen by far defensively.

 

[ULF_55]

You probably have 2 or 3 legitimate options for the FA's to play 2nd line center.. Duchane (34 & probably not coming here), Bennett (whose probably going to command way to much money), Nelson (33 years old). There all older players that you probably shouldn't be throwing term & money at, and in Bennett case $. I'd stay away from the one hit wonders of the world like Donato & Suter.

Toronto is truly not in a good spot to be replacing important roster players in FA this year. Especially when you traded all your draft capital away. They have a 2nd round pick in 2025 & a 2nd round pick in 2027, Danforth & Cowan as trade chips..

As I've suggested, Middle 6 R'Us, are the players the Leafs will be shopping.

Heck, did Tavares and Nylander even have a good middle 6 player all season?

 

[TheGreenTBer]

It's only going to be Mitch, isn't it?

I think Rielly ends up being bought out next offseason. Unless Vancouver does us a solid I don't think he's tradeable considering the NMC.

Tavares probably comes back on a short-term deal. Matthews and Nylander unlikely to move unless they ask out.

If I were a betting man it would be us losing Marner for nothing and the already confirmed departure of Shanahan as the major subtractions. Could be worse I guess? At least Shanahan is gone.

 

[WTFMAN99]

If they only move off 1 guy from the core and it's Marner, I probably won't bother watching much, if at all this season, similar to the 1.5 years after the MTL series we lost.

Free time in the evenings is at a premium and if I don't believe in the group, I would find something else to do with my time. Does MLSE care what I think? No lol.

I'd need to see 2 (ideally Marner & Rielly) out the door to make me feel like they made a change.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

If they only move off 1 guy from the core and it's Marner, I probably won't bother watching much, if at all this season, similar to the 1.5 years after the MTL series we lost.

Free time in the evenings is at a premium and if I don't believe in the group, I would find something else to do with my time. Does MLSE care what I think? No lol.

I'd need to see 2 (ideally Marner & Rielly) out the door to make me feel like they made a change.

If we can somehow trade Rielly without taking too much bad money in return that would be ideal, but given his NMC and lack of suitors it's probably a tall order.

Vancouver maybe? I don't know.

 

[ULF_55]

I don't think so. I think there's a very good chance they look to move on from Rielly. While he does have a NMC. I think if Treliving were to approach him, Mo would work with them to find a team he's willing to move to. The fact they're not comfortable with him on the PP, and we all know he's our worst defensemen by far defensively.

I'm not sure they even approach Rielly about it?

I tend to avoid, "I'm buying a $2mm house because I think my lottery ticket is going to land." scenarios.

Cody Ceci is playing 21 minutes a game for Dallas in the playoffs and played 20 minutes a night during the regular season, but for Leafs fans he was trash.

I think the problem is the Leafs coaching has been suspect.

 

[Rare Jewel]

I think Rielly ends up being bought out next offseason. Unless Vancouver does us a solid I don't think he's tradeable considering the NMC.

Tavares probably comes back on a short-term deal. Matthews and Nylander unlikely to move unless they ask out.

If I were a betting man it would be us losing Marner for nothing and the already confirmed departure of Shanahan as thr major subtraction. Could be worse I guess? At least Shanahan is gone.

I hope that the talk of re-signing him is more out of politeness and respect, but Tavares has to go as well, even more so than Rielly IMO. One of them is actually a noticeably better performer in the playoffs, which is the real issue.

Also, I shudder to think of the defence without its most mobile/productive player, faults and all.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I'm not sure they even approach Rielly about it?

I tend to avoid, "I'm buying a $2mm house because I think my lottery ticket is going to land." scenarios.

Cody Ceci is playing 21 minutes a game for Dallas in the playoffs and played 20 minutes a night during the regular season, but for Leafs fans he was trash.

I think the problem is the Leafs coaching has been suspect.

Rielly's been mediocre under a few coaches now, some years the offense outweighed the bad but it hasn't most years.

 

[Americanadian]

I'm not sure they even approach Rielly about it?

I tend to avoid, "I'm buying a $2mm house because I think my lottery ticket is going to land." scenarios.

Cody Ceci is playing 21 minutes a game for Dallas in the playoffs and played 20 minutes a night during the regular season, but for Leafs fans he was trash.

I think the problem is the Leafs coaching has been suspect.

Ceci was a cap dump 9 months ago. He's 3rd in TOI on Dallas because the only NHL caliber defenseman below him is Lyubushkin and Heiskanen who just came off a 4 month injury.

Rielly has never been good defensively at the NHL level. His NHL qualities were always elite skating and good puck distribution. His high end skating speed is still there but he used it about 30% less this season. His puck distribution was a negative on the Leafs PP and they were forced to run 5 forwards this year. He's not a 7.5M player if he's not getting PP points.

 

[Rare Jewel]

If they only move off 1 guy from the core and it's Marner, I probably won't bother watching much, if at all this season, similar to the 1.5 years after the MTL series we lost.

Free time in the evenings is at a premium and if I don't believe in the group, I would find something else to do with my time. Does MLSE care what I think? No lol.

I'd need to see 2 (ideally Marner & Rielly) out the door to make me feel like they made a change.

I care.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Rielly for Debrusk. Get it done.

 

[ULF_55]

Rielly's been mediocre under a few coaches now, some years the offense outweighed the bad but it hasn't most years.

I won't debate that, never been a huge fan of his game.

Doesn't change reality though.

I could envision them quietly ask him if he's interested in moving.

In a fantasy world he agrees to go to Vancouver in return for Hronek or Marcus Pettersson as I don't expect the Canucks take him without return salary.

Need agreement from Rielly, and a willing dance partner ... what's in it for those 2 parties?

If there was no NMC, you open many more options, but 5 more years of Rielly's life.

 

[ULF_55]

Ceci was a cap dump 9 months ago. He's 3rd in TOI on Dallas because the only NHL caliber defenseman below him is Lyubushkin and Heiskanen who just came off a 4 month injury.

Rielly has never been good defensively at the NHL level. His NHL qualities were always elite skating and good puck distribution. His high end skating speed is still there but he used it about 30% less this season. His puck distribution was a negative on the Leafs PP and they were forced to run 5 forwards this year. He's not a 7.5M player if he's not getting PP points.

And yet Ceci is playing in the conference final. He played over 20 minutes the other night against the Oilers.

Rielly just has to get someone to untie the fridge he's strapped to his back.

 

[Avilaj07]

I'm not sure they even approach Rielly about it?

I tend to avoid, "I'm buying a $2mm house because I think my lottery ticket is going to land." scenarios.

Cody Ceci is playing 21 minutes a game for Dallas in the playoffs and played 20 minutes a night during the regular season, but for Leafs fans he was trash.

I think the problem is the Leafs coaching has been suspect.

You can't blame the coaches for Rielly, sorry. It's been how many years that we've tried to find him a partner? We literally got Tanev for him who's top 5 in next defensive defensemen in the game, and even Tanev couldn't save Rielly. He's had 1 great year and has been on the down swing the last 3 years.