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

[TMLAM34]

If people were mad about Marner disappearing during important moments, they're gonna hate Boeser.

I don’t think anyone would compare the two, Marner is the far better player. However, we’ll need to replace his offensive production and at least Boeser brings a few different elements we need in terms of size, ability to go into corners and the net, a shot, etc. The UFA group isn’t exactly that great this year.

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

I don’t think anyone would compare the two, Marner is the far better player. However, we’ll need to replace his offensive production and at least Boeser brings a few different elements we need in terms of size, ability to go into corners and the net, a shot, etc. The UFA group isn’t exactly that great this year.

I think Matthews requires a winger who is more of a playmaker. Boeser is a sniper/finisher who works best with a playmaking center, which Matthews really isn't. Also, despite his size Boeser does not really play a heavy game. His 76 hits last year was a career high, and they were still fewer than either Tavares or Nick Robertson.

I'd prefer to sign Marchand or Kane to play that spot on a short deal.

 

[Tony Romo]

Could it be there management teams are doing a good job? Why is this only an issue in the NHL?

They are doing a good job. But when there's a hard cap, paying Reinhart 2m less than Nylander makes a difference.

It also is only an issue in the NHL, as in other leagues it seems star players gravitate towards big markets and get paid significantly more. College athletes now a days are almost getting McDavid money. Yet alone a 8th man in the NBA.

NHL players have also spoken about the tax differences

 

[shortfuze]

When you watch Edmonton’s stars you realize how far ahead they are to ours. Look who won them game 1 in OT

Where were our top guys in OT for their big moments ?

The bigger the stage the better they get. Our players do the opposite. We really have zero chance against a team like this. Our core guys are a joke


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what a shock. the best player and generational talent and a top 3-4 player in the league are better than torontos players. theyre pretty much better than any top duo on any team. those 2 players should be that much better if they want to carry that title. its the rest of the team you need to contain.

 

[TMLAM34]

I think Matthews requires a winger who is more of a playmaker. Boeser is a sniper/finisher who works best with a playmaking center, which Matthews really isn't. Also, despite his size Boeser does not really play a heavy game. His 76 hits last year was a career high, and they were still fewer than either Tavares or Nick Robertson.

I'd prefer to sign Marchand or Kane to play that spot on a short deal.

That was exactly my initial stance at first. However someone else mentioned that the size, puck retrieval, ability to shoot, ability to cycle the puck, win board battles and go to the net from all 3 of them that it could work. Not to mention, we just had one of the best shooters and one of the best playmakers together and it didn’t work to the point people were begging to split Matthews and Marner on separate lines.

 

[58 Years No Cup]

View attachment 1044664

I wonder how much this article cost?

 

[rumman]

I wonder how much this article cost?

I can’t wait until this turd is officially gone, they won’t get rid of all the problem players (core) but the more the better……..

 

[LeafChief]

I've seen some people mentioning Toews. I just don't see the fit when you have Laughton locked in at 4C. He also hasn't played in 2 years.

I guess it doesn't hurt to try if he's coming it around league min? Maybe he and Tavares can make 2/3 of the 3rd line with them sharing centre ice duties?

I don't know.

 

[rumman]

I've seen some people mentioning Toews. I just don't see the fit when you have Laughton locked in at 4C. He also hasn't played in 2 years.

I guess it doesn't hurt to try if he's coming it around league min? Maybe he and Tavares can make 2/3 of the 3rd line with them sharing centre ice duties?

I don't know.

Toews wouldn’t be slotted in the 4th line C position imo, third line is where he would thrive at least until we see if he can gandles the number Two line C duties. Yeah I know JT is slotted fir the 3rd C, but Toews eill be cheater and he’s a winner…….

 

[TMLAM34]

I've seen some people mentioning Toews. I just don't see the fit when you have Laughton locked in at 4C. He also hasn't played in 2 years.

I guess it doesn't hurt to try if he's coming it around league min? Maybe he and Tavares can make 2/3 of the 3rd line with them sharing centre ice duties?

I don't know.

I wonder if the game plan is to give Laughton a bigger role, possibly 3rd line LW?

 

[Fogelhund]

I think Matthews requires a winger who is more of a playmaker. Boeser is a sniper/finisher who works best with a playmaking center, which Matthews really isn't. Also, despite his size Boeser does not really play a heavy game. His 76 hits last year was a career high, and they were still fewer than either Tavares or Nick Robertson.

I'd prefer to sign Marchand or Kane to play that spot on a short deal.

I'm with you on putting someone with the last name Kane beside Matthews.

Patrick Kane is the type of playmaker that you would think should excel with Matthews. He has all of the attributes of Marner, though he's clearly nowhere near as good at this stage of his career. However, Kane has been through the playoffs, and could end up being better for us there, plus will cost around a third of what Marner does, so we'd have room to upgrade other areas of the lineup.

Now, I think Evander Kane might work there too.... Sure, he isn't really a setup guy, but a line with Knies, Matthews and Kane is a pretty heavy line, that would do great board work, and every one of them is a threat to score. It's going to open the ice up for all three of them. Nobody could focus on Matthews, as the other two are a threat as well. Plus, with Evander Kane on his line, nobody is going to screw with Matthews going forward.

I am really looking forward to this season, and look forward to being whelmed... I'm not sure yet if that's going to be over, or under.

 

[SprDaVE]

If we bought him out in the summer of 2026 would the cap hits change?

He would have 4 years left so 8 year buyout. I think a buyout pay 2/3rds of remaining AAV for Rielly since he's older than 26

He would be left with 6M salary per year for 4 years so 24M total.

If we bought out then, i think we would incur on avg 2M per year over 8 years for total of 16M.

It would be more sensible to wait another year and give him another shot to bounce back. If he's back to being a good top pairing D, then we either keep him another year or two for contention or deal him at a surplus trade.

If he sucks, then 2M AAV would give us 4M - 5.5M savings from 2026-2027 to 2029-2030 and only 2M-3M dead cap hit when the cap will be 120M+ range at which point a 1% dead cap hit doesn't sting

It does slightly but hardly better. It should be a completely last resort situation. We're nowhere near that level of desperation.

2026-27 $3,500,000
2027-28 $3,500,000
2028-29 $3,500,000
2029-30 $3,500,000
2030-31 $2,000,000
2031-32 $2,000,000
2032-33 $2,000,000
2033-34 $2,000,000

 

[Fogelhund]

I've seen some people mentioning Toews. I just don't see the fit when you have Laughton locked in at 4C. He also hasn't played in 2 years.

I guess it doesn't hurt to try if he's coming it around league min? Maybe he and Tavares can make 2/3 of the 3rd line with them sharing centre ice duties?

I don't know.

Laughton is more effective at wing, than C... he played 4C, because he was better than our other options.... I also think this premise that he is "locked-in" is false... I don't recall anyone on the team saying... Laughton is our 4C next year.... A real C on the 4th line, allows us to use Laughton more to his strengths.

 

[The Shadow]

I would love to never see Rielly wearing a leaf jersey ever again

 

[mydnyte]

Could it be there management teams are doing a good job? Why is this only an issue in the NHL?

it makes it easy for management when the player can take a lower contract and make as much in those States.
Tkachuk at 9.5 vs 12
Rantanen signed in Dallas for 12, and would have been 13.5 if Marner waived is the rumor?

as for the last part, Canada has 1 team in the NBA (luxury tax) and 1 team in MLB (no cap) ...not the same.

if the NHL had a luxury tax system, the Leafs would just blow past the cap and be in luxury tax position and sign whomever they wanted.
i.e. Treliving was after Montour but, ran out of cash in the bidding, and the same with Roy, just to name 2, NBA system, we'd have signed them.

 

[mydnyte]

When you watch Edmonton’s stars you realize how far ahead they are to ours. Look who won them game 1 in OT

Where were our top guys in OT for their big moments ?

The bigger the stage the better they get. Our players do the opposite. We really have zero chance against a team like this. Our core guys are a joke


View attachment 1046194

Everyone on the Oilers is a product of McDavid ...nobody else makes that pass and draws all the player to them.
McDavid = Oilers success, without him, they may not make the playoffs.

 

[Fogelhund]

And therein lies the rub - not easy to get an acceptable replacement.

Our D corps is pretty solid. The fragility of the system is that we only have one offensive piece, whom can transition, maintain offensive pressure, and support superstars against top competition - even in the playoffs. Warts aside.

If we had a second one, you could take a gamble on trying to select the 'next' Ghost - scramble mid season if it doesn't work out.

But given our contending status, and our current crop, we can only replace Rielly with a known commodity, like Ghost, otherwise you are taking on too much risk for a top contending team.

The only reason we are one step away from making sense of a Rielly move is because Tre secured a 3rd top-4 d man in Carlo. But that last step is tricky.

I think it's important to give Villeneuve some opportunity this coming year. He's played that role quite well with the Marlies, so it's time to see if he can transition to the NHL. He's cheap, and will be for a number of years here... I mean, give the guy an three year extension at a buriable amount, so he's got guaranteed dollars and let him run with it. Best case scenario... his game transitions (with some mistakes) and he is an effective Puck moving D... If Rielly falters further, we have ONE internal solution, that allows us to take a bit of a gamble as you say.. and move on from Rielly. Worst case scenario... he doesn't excel, and we bury his contract, with no negative to the team.

 

[Fogelhund]

When you watch Edmonton’s stars you realize how far ahead they are to ours. Look who won them game 1 in OT

Where were our top guys in OT for their big moments ?

The bigger the stage the better they get. Our players do the opposite. We really have zero chance against a team like this. Our core guys are a joke


View attachment 1046194

It's a long series, so let's see how this plays out. Keep in mind, our stars showed up in game 1 against Florida, and we didn't even have to go to OT.

It's just game one, let's see if their stars can actually close something out too...

---------------------

Having said all of this... I fully agree that our stars lack the close out capability, to raise the level of their game... but one win by the Oilers, isn't proof of their ability to close it out... Happy to change this viewpoint, if they go on to win this... which I hope they do.

 

[Duffman955]

The more I look at it, the more it looks like this group of UFAs is completely garbage.

With the cap going up, this trash is going to get paid

 

[Fogelhund]

The more I look at it, the more it looks like this group of UFAs is completely garbage.

With the cap going up, this trash is going to get paid

This group of UFA's... is about the same as any other group of UFA's.... Many get signed before they even get there, and will again next year too. Marner is the biggest name to hit UFA in years, and there are plenty of other quality players available as well.

But, you are right, UFA day craziness, and extra cap will result in people getting overpaid.. but that is what always happens.

 

[Duffman955]

This group of UFA's... is about the same as any other group of UFA's.... Many get signed before they even get there, and will again next year too. Marner is the biggest name to hit UFA in years, and there are plenty of other quality players available as well.

But, you are right, UFA day craziness, and extra cap will result in people getting overpaid.. but that is what always happens.

Who would you be your prime targets?

 

[Fogelhund]

Who would you be your prime targets?

2C options Granlund, Bennett, Tavares, Karlsson
3C options Tavares, Bjugstad, Domi, Dvorak, Duchene, Suter, Donato
Wingers... P. Kane, Ehlers, 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 (if bought out), Sherwood, Holmberg, Steeves, Connor Brown
4th line C options - Toews, Quillan, Holmberg, Krebs, Laughton, Haymes, Kampf

There are a lot of options there, who could adequately fill roles. My hope is that Tre gets on this early, and fills a spot or two with some trades before July 1st. Teams looking to dump a player, like Evander Kane... because they'll need the cap. Marchment and Karlsson also fall into that category.

 

[TMLAM34]

This group of UFA's... is about the same as any other group of UFA's.... Many get signed before they even get there, and will again next year too. Marner is the biggest name to hit UFA in years, and there are plenty of other quality players available as well.

But, you are right, UFA day craziness, and extra cap will result in people getting overpaid.. but that is what always happens.

I think it’ll be a great opportunity to reconstruct our bottom six with. I look at a guy like Raddysh, Ontario boy, lengthy, shoots right, skating has definitely improved from what I remember it being, etc for a 3rd line gig. I would expect Laughton to move to the wing so I would look at a guy like Lazar who would come cheap and was plagued with injuries last season but he can definitely be an effective 4th liner, good in the face off circle, shoots right and plays with an edge. There might also be some familiarity with Tre, he played in Calgary years ago but I’m not 100% on that. Robinson would be a low key sneaky good pickup IMO, he is coming off a pretty good year but someone who can play 4th line and kill penalties.

Laughton - ________ - Raddysh
Robinson - Lazar - ________

That makeup is already completely different than what we’ve seen these past couple years. You have lefties and righties, size, physicality, speed, players who can contribute on the PK so we’re not so heavily relying on our top players on the PK, etc.

 

[Malachi Crunch]

2C options Granlund, Bennett, Tavares, Karlsson
3C options Tavares, Bjugstad, Domi, Dvorak, Duchene, Suter, Donato
Wingers... P. Kane, Ehlers, 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 (if bought out), Sherwood, Holmberg, Steeves, Connor Brown
4th line C options - Toews, Quillan, Holmberg, Krebs, Laughton, Haymes, Kampf

There are a lot of options there, who could adequately fill roles. My hope is that Tre gets on this early, and fills a spot or two with some trades before July 1st. Teams looking to dump a player, like Evander Kane... because they'll need the cap. Marchment and Karlsson also fall into that category.

 

[The Shadow]

Everyone on the Oilers is a product of McDavid ...nobody else makes that pass and draws all the player to them.
McDavid = Oilers success, without him, they may not make the playoffs.

It’s too bad that our player that makes more than him can’t do anything like it in the playoffs