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

[SprDaVE]

Just looking at shooting talent above average and all the names make sense but Kuzmenko's name was a surprise.

Is this guy any good?

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He was fantastic for the Kings, especially in the playoffs. He had some dominating shifts. He's been struggling with consistency but the guy does have high end potential to be a really good offensive producer. I'd have interest.

 

[SprDaVE]

What is Mcmann's potential? Has he reached ceiling? I struggle to keep him in my lineups as Id love to upgrade but if he's going to improve Id hate to lose the cap savings by keeping him.

Domi too? Im not sure theres a better fit for his cap hit.

McMann is what is he. He's 29 years old, not sure there is more to his game than that. A speedy forechecking forward that can chip in offensively. He's a 1.3M cap hit right now and just had a very good 20 goal season. You keep him 100%. I don't understand why people want him gone... it makes literally no sense to me.

 

[TML Dynasty]

McMann is what is he. He's 29 years old, not sure there is more to his game than that. A speedy forechecking forward that can chip in offensively. He's a 1.3M cap hit right now and just had a very good 20 goal season. You keep him 100%. I don't understand why people want him gone... it makes literally no sense to me.

Certainly dont want him gone, more: its a clear area we could upgrade. He seemed to be a filler on the top lines not someone I was excited to see there. But yeah that cap hit is damn appealing

 

[Fogelhund]

What is Mcmann's potential? Has he reached ceiling? I struggle to keep him in my lineups as Id love to upgrade but if he's going to improve Id hate to lose the cap savings by keeping him.

Domi too? Im not sure theres a better fit for his cap hit.

I think what we saw in the regular season, that's his potential. This was his FIRST NHL playoffs, so I think he's got the capability to learn how to compete a little there... I think he can be more like the regular season version, in the playoffs.

I agree with you, that for their contracts, it will be difficult to replace both McMann AND Domi, with the upcoming Cap increase, for the dollars that will be given out. That is... value for the dollar.

 

[Americanadian]

McMann is what is he. He's 29 years old, not sure there is more to his game than that. A speedy forechecking forward that can chip in offensively. He's a 1.3M cap hit right now and just had a very good 20 goal season. You keep him 100%. I don't understand why people want him gone... it makes literally no sense to me.

He is one of the few trade able assets on the Leafs with value. He is a streaky passenger on the top 2 lines or a ghost on the 3rd line. Capitalize on the asset while he's cheap before he goes to UFA and gets the Dakota Joshua contract. There are teams that will be tight to the cap who will value him like Dallas, Colorado, Vegas and NJ.

 

[Stringer Bell]

McMann is perfect for the third line. I think the whole second line needs to be revamped unfortunately. I don't know how you do that though.

Ideally you push McMann, Tavares and Domi down to the third line. That's not a great line or a defensively aware line, but all I really mean is that those three players should be playing on the third line going forward. If you elevate Nylander to the first line with Knies and Matthews that leaves a full vacant second line.

I'm speaking ideally of course. Because most likely you'll see a couple of those players on the second line, but if you do...we're not a deep team.

Can a full second line be acquired through free agency?

Robertson is gone, but for what? Hopefully a forward in the same boat as him where we take a risk to see if there is some upside. Otherwise a 3rd round pick doesn't help us much. A 2nd could be hard to get for him, and the only way that pick helps us next year is if we flip it with some other picks that might help us land a second line winger. A defenseman won't help us next year.

Thoughts?

 

[Americanadian]

Domi too? Im not sure theres a better fit for his cap hit.

Domi is probably the worst defensive forward we've seen on the Leafs in the Matthews era. He's scored 17 goals in 154 games for Toronto. He's paid 3.75M. If he's not straddled next to Matthews, which Berube doesn't seem to want to do, then he's very easily replaceable at that cap hit.

 

[SprDaVE]

Certainly dont want him gone, more: its a clear area we could upgrade. He seemed to be a filler on the top lines not someone I was excited to see there. But yeah that cap hit is damn appealing

You won't find a 20 goal scorer very easily or a player with his skillset at that price. Yeah of course if any significant upgrade is good and anyone is tradeable under the right circumstances.

He is one of the few trade able assets on the Leafs with value. He is a streaky passenger on the top 2 lines or a ghost on the 3rd line. Capitalize on the asset while he's cheap before he goes to UFA and gets the Dakota Joshua contract. There are teams that will be tight to the cap who will value him like Dallas, Colorado, Vegas and NJ.

He is an asset, but one that fits what we need more of. The Leafs are in the same boat as those teams in some way and need to add more efficient players, not less.

And no, Marchment is not a better player for 3M more on cap. And then any other player those teams would offer would not add more efficiency either.

Making a trade for the sake of one is what I would classify trading McMann at this point. It would have to be for a significant player with term.

 

[Americanadian]

He is an asset, but one that fits what we need more of. The Leafs are in the same boat as those teams in some way and need to add more efficient players, not less.

We need less players that disappear in the playoffs, not more. The Leafs will also have a ton of cap space, assuming Marner walks out the door and Tavares comes back between 4-5M. There aren't enough good free agents out there for them to have to worry about maximizing efficiency.

And no, Marchment is not a better player for 3M more on cap. And then any other player those teams would offer would not add more efficiency either.

I have shifted away from Marchment after he put up 2 points in 10 playoff games after I proposed McMann for Marchment. I just proposed Mercer for Woll+McMann which for me is the exact type of upside move the Leafs need to make to even try to contend with Florida.

 

[TML Dynasty]

McMann is perfect for the third line. I think the whole second line needs to be revamped unfortunately. I don't know how you do that though.

Ideally you push McMann, Tavares and Domi down to the third line. That's not a great line or a defensively aware line, but all I really mean is that those three players should be playing on the third line going forward. If you elevate Nylander to the first line with Knies and Matthews that leaves a full vacant second line.

I'm speaking ideally of course. Because most likely you'll see a couple of those players on the second line, but if you do...we're not a deep team.

Can a full second line be acquired through free agency?

Robertson is gone, but for what? Hopefully a forward in the same boat as him where we take a risk to see if there is some upside. Otherwise a 3rd round pick doesn't help us much. A 2nd could be hard to get for him, and the only way that pick helps us next year is if we flip it with some other picks that might help us land a second line winger. A defenseman won't help us next year.

Thoughts?

If we rolled with:

Knies - Matthews - Domi
_____ - ______ - Nylander
______ - Tavares - _____

Cowan gets a chance at a spot
SuprDaVE has me thinking McMann stays too, prob 3rd line?

Makes 2C the big hole. Someone picked specifically to bring the best out of Willy.

Are we comfortable with that top line?

 

[Fogelhund]

With it seeming unlikely that Marner will accept a sign and trade, I've pivoted how my "mock" roster looks like.... it's not going to be easy to build a team.

Knies Matthews P. Kane
E. Kane/Marchment Bennett/Granlund Nylander
McMann Tavares Domi
Laughton Krebs Cowan/Sherwood/Jeannot/Anderson (post buyout)


Options
Middle six wingers... Steeves, Cowan, Reichel, Marchment, Crouse, Domi, Robertson, Patches, Bjugstand, Saad, McMann, Mantha, Connor Brown, Mangiapane. E. Kane
Wingers line 4 +13th forward Lorentz, Jeannot, Comtois, Tanev, Bastian, Koepke, Eyssimont, Anderson, Sherwood, Holmberg, Steeves, Connor Brown
4th line C options - Toews, Quillan, Holmberg, Krebs, Laughton, Haymes, Kampf

 

[SprDaVE]

We need less players that disappear in the playoffs, not more.

I have shifted away from Marchment after he put up 2 points in 10 playoff games after I proposed McMann for Marchment. I just proposed Mercer for Woll+McMann which for me is the exact type of upside move the Leafs need to make to even try to contend with Florida.

He played his first playoffs this year and he's paid relative to his role. He was our top hitting forward and still got some of his typical breakways and in close chances. He just didn't capitalize. I have a ton more patience for a player struggling to produce at a 1.3M cap hit while still doing other things like getting chances and being physical.

Woll + McMann for Mercer is making a trade for the sake of one. It just removes 2 very good assets to get one that doesn't move the needle at all. Mercer is good but funny enough, similar output for 3M more on the cap and losing out on a good goaltender locked up.

 

[Fogelhund]

We need less players that disappear in the playoffs, not more. The Leafs will also have a ton of cap space, assuming Marner walks out the door and Tavares comes back between 4-5M. There aren't enough good free agents out there for them to have to worry about maximizing efficiency.

I have shifted away from Marchment after he put up 2 points in 10 playoff games after I proposed McMann for Marchment. I just proposed Mercer for Woll+McMann which for me is the exact type of upside move the Leafs need to make to even try to contend with Florida.

It was McMann's first playoffs, on a team that didn't score much anywhere in the depth... perhaps we need to relax just a little here? Show some patience, and maybe next year he'll do something in his second playoffs.. you aren't getting a better piece for the same cap hit, I can guarantee you that.

 

[Americanadian]

I think what we saw in the regular season, that's his potential. This was his FIRST NHL playoffs, so I think he's got the capability to learn how to compete a little there... I think he can be more like the regular season version, in the playoffs.

It was McMann's first playoffs, on a team that didn't score much anywhere in the depth... perhaps we need to relax just a little here? Show some patience, and maybe next year he'll do something in his second playoffs.. you aren't getting a better piece for the same cap hit, I can guarantee you that.

Look at McMann's playoff history at every level. He has always underproduced in the playoffs relative to his regular season performances.

I agree you won't get a better player for 1.35M but can you get a better player? He will only be making 1.35M for one more season then he'll be at 3M+. The Leafs likely won't be desperate for cap space this summer.

He played his first playoffs this year and he's paid relative to his role. He was our top hitting forward and still got some of his typical breakways and in close chances. He just didn't capitalize. I have a ton more patience for a player struggling to produce at a 1.3M cap hit while still doing other things like getting chances and being physical.

Woll + McMann for Mercer is making a trade for the sake of one. It just removes 2 very good assets to get one that doesn't move the needle at all. Mercer is good but funny enough, similar McMann output for 3M more on the cap...

Mercer is also 23 with a 27G/56P season. He has significantly more upside. He also scores goals in the playoffs.

 

[Fogelhund]

Look at McMann's playoff history at every level. He has always underproduced in the playoffs relative to his regular season performances.

I agree you won't get a better player for 1.35M but can you get a better player? He will only be making 1.35M for one more season then he'll be at 3M+. The Leafs likely won't be desperate for cap space this summer.

He's played SIX playoff games, outside of this year, since 2016... you can't be serious with this comment.

 

[Americanadian]

He's played SIX playoff games, outside of this year, since 2016... you can't be serious with this comment.

I like how you cut off the 22 playoff games he played prior to 2016 for some reason. If you have a history of underperforming in the playoffs at every level, maybe that's just who you are. Why would we ignore his history?

 

[rumman]

What is Mcmann's potential? Has he reached ceiling? I struggle to keep him in my lineups as Id love to upgrade but if he's going to improve Id hate to lose the cap savings by keeping him.

Domi too? Im not sure theres a better fit for his cap hit.

He’s playing too high in the lineup, 3rd/4th line fodder at best…….

 

[weems]

I really like Bennett as a player.
I know he's about to get paid alot and that he's a dirty player but this guy turns into a machine in the playoffs.
When I watch these Florida games, he routinely looks like one of the best players on the ice and is consistently impacting the game.
I could see a scenario where we sign him, he underperforms in the regular season but then really turns it up once the postseason starts.

Would be a very polarizing signing but I think I'd be in favour of it as long as it's not some disastrous contract (which some are projecting).

AFP analytics right now projects six years 6.6 per but that doesn't seem realistic.

 

[Menzinger]

Woll is probably the biggest question mark in terms of roster players who may have interesting trade value. But assuming Marner still walks, I'd be wary of breaking up the teams goaltending depth.



This is an opportunity Tre should look to take advantage of.

Kampf, Robertson, Jarnkrok - could be means of getting rid of them. I'd also would love to find a way to get Tuch

 

[Menzinger]

I really like Bennett as a player.
I know he's about to get paid alot and that he's a dirty player but this guy turns into a machine in the playoffs.
When I watch these Florida games, he routinely looks like one of the best players on the ice and is consistently impacting the game.
I could see a scenario where we sign him, he underperforms in the regular season but then really turns it up once the postseason starts.

Would be a very polarizing signing but I think I'd be in favour of it as long as it's not some disastrous contract (which some are projecting).

AFP analytics right now projects 6 years 6.6 per but that doesn't seem realistic.

If they signed him and won a cup in the next 2-3 seasons it would be absolutely worth it regardless of what happens the rest

But he seems headed to 8+ mil. And that's David Clarkson level territory in terms of contract toxicity

 

[rumman]

Woll is probably the biggest question mark in terms of roster players who may have interesting trade value. But assuming Marner still walks, I'd be wary of breaking up the teams goaltending depth.



This is an opportunity Tre should look to take advantage of.

Kampf, Robertson, Jarnkrok - could be means of getting rid of them. I'd also would love to find a way to get Tuch

I wish Thompson was one of the disgruntled, that guy’s a keeper……

 

[Americanadian]

If they signed him and won a cup in the next 2-3 seasons it would be absolutely worth it regardless of what happens the rest

But he seems headed to 8+ mil. And that's David Clarkson level territory in terms of contract toxicity

After the Matthews contract expires will it really matter? They have no picks and one enticing prospect. They’ll likely be rebuilding anyway.

 

[rumman]

If they signed him and won a cup in the next 2-3 seasons it would be absolutely worth it regardless of what happens the rest

But he seems headed to 8+ mil. And that's David Clarkson level territory in terms of contract toxicity

They need to find the NEXT Bennetts, Ekblads, Wilsons et al…….

 

[Roo]

Why would Bennett sign here? He's already in a really good spot. I assume if he can make a lot more money? If that's the case, and he's leaving a tax free state, its going to take major overpayment to land him. I dont think that makes sense.

 

[Fogelhund]

I like how you cut off the 22 playoff games he played prior to 2016 for some reason. If you have a history of underperforming in the playoffs at every level, maybe that's just who you are. Why would we ignore his history?

A decade ago man... like serious?

Can you please tell me anything about the circumstances? You are jumping to conclusions about something you know nothing about... with a known late blooming player. Tell me about those games... how did he look? Was he injured? What was his usage? This is some grade A, extrapolate from stats, a decade old, that you know nothing about.

McMann was 6'0 - 160lbs in the AJHL... he is 6'2" 209lbs... do you think maybe his late physical development had something to do with that?

This is comical.