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

[Dreakmur]

He's also entering his 34 year season, makes 6M+ and had 8 assists in 68 games

8 assists along with 22 goals.

He is a waste of cap space over a younger UFA with higher offensive potential.

To sign a potential 30+ goal-scoerer, and almost guaranteed 20+ goal-scorer, you're paying more than 6.5 million on the UFA market.

The leafs still have assets of value

Woll
FLO 2nd
Robertson
Cowan
Danford
Carlo/OEL/Benoit

So they have a couple assets... most of which shouldn't be moved.

Woll would need to be replaced, which wouldn't be free.
Cowan and Danford should not be traded.
All 3 of those defensemen would need to be replaced if traded, which would cost other assets.

Basically, we have Robertson, Holmberg, and a couple of non-1st-round picks.

Leafs should be creative and see if a younger player with less risk is available.

Yes they should, but that still costs assets.

The upside of Kreider is reduced by him not being on PP1 next year.

That's why he's likely to be cheap.

Even if he doesn't rebound, he's likely the 3rd best LWer we've had in the cap era (behind Knies and Hyman)

 

[Menzinger]

Tres going to get the opportunity to make a big pitch

Is Laughton’s value really at its highest right now after he came to a playoff team and was determined to be a 4C and proceeded to put up no offense and got caved in defensively?

Id think this value is still probably high enough to the GMs who value those type of vets. I don't think his play with the Leafs was enough to tank his reputation

 

[hamzarocks]

8 assists along with 22 goals.



To sign a potential 30+ goal-scoerer, and almost guaranteed 20+ goal-scorer, you're paying more than 6.5 million on the UFA market.



So they have a couple assets... most of which shouldn't be moved.

Woll would need to be replaced, which wouldn't be free.
Cowan and Danford should not be traded.
All 3 of those defensemen would need to be replaced if traded, which would cost other assets.

Basically, we have Robertson, Holmberg, and a couple of non-1st-round picks.



Yes they should, but that still costs assets.



That's why he's likely to be cheap.

Even if he doesn't rebound, he's likely the 3rd best LWer we've had in the cap era (behind Knies and Hyman)

Fair points I guess we'll see what the team ultimately goes with

There have been some good suggestions here on these boards for moves which could make sense.

I played around on puckpedia and built the below team:

Can sub out pius super at 4M for Kreider with 1.5M retained for a 2nd if that makes the team deeper

@Americanadian suggested the Holmberg+Benoit deal and I think he mentioned targeting Barron as an OFD who could break out for us.

If we can add Elers, Kane, Dvorak as new UFAs

Kreider, Colton, and Barron as trade targets

And then dump Kampf + Krok + sign Tavares the team could be interesting to run for next 2 playoff runs

 

[Apex Predator]

Tres going to get the opportunity to make a big pitch

Put your phone away Tre!!

 

[thusk]

Fair points I guess we'll see what the team ultimately goes with

There have been some good suggestions here on these boards for moves which could make sense.

I played around on puckpedia and built the below team:

Can sub out pius super at 4M for Kreider with 1.5M retained for a 2nd if that makes the team deeper

@Americanadian suggested the Holmberg+Benoit deal and I think he mentioned targeting Barron as an OFD who could break out for us.

If we can add Elers, Kane, Dvorak as new UFAs

Kreider, Colton, and Barron as trade targets

And then dump Kampf + Krok + sign Tavares the team could be interesting to run for next 2 playoff runs

1-any interest in suter

2- Kane already said by the past he would never play in Toronro

3-Ehlers had huge health issues... he had 1 healthy season in last 7 years, and he didn't really deliver ib playoff

4- Knies will cost much more than 4,5M... It will be closer of 2X this price than what what you said

 

[Americanadian]

Id think this value is still probably high enough to the GMs who value those type of vets. I don't think his play with the Leafs was enough to tank his reputation

I fully agree that he didn't tank his reputation but I also don't think you're getting back the same value you gave up for him if you trade him today.

 

[hamzarocks]

1-any interest in suter

2- Kane already said by the past he would never play in Toronro

3-Ehlers had huge health issues... he had 1 healthy season in last 7 years, and he didn't really deliver ib playoff

4- Knies will cost much more than 4,5M... It will be closer of 2X this price than what what you said

I'm bridging Knies

He wont get overpaid at 8-9M on 8 year deal

Give him 4-5M for 3 years and show he's a core piece

 

[Torontonian]

Tres going to get the opportunity to make a big pitch

Truly worried about what this team is going to do in free agency. Downward swing incoming if they are planning on building there team in FA.

Potentially needing to fill:

Top 6 RW.
Top 6 C
Top 6 LW

Throwing term and money at average players to fill big holes doesn't seem like a winning play.

 

[Folignos Helmet]

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 a 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.

It would be amazing to have a prospect elevate above expectations for once in a long time. We have had guys taken after round two make lineups but to become a solid contributor would be a nice bonus for a change. McMann is one example but not a pick.
We also have a bunch of other d on one way deals who probably won’t play much Weber Rifai etc.

 

[seanlinden]

1-The best player are not necessairly the best teammate. Pascal Dupuis was not a 1st line player but he was bringing exactly what Crosby needed. What Nylander need is guy who will bring what he's not bring to be complementary player... work, Grit, physical play, defensive play... keep thing simple and that's exactly what laughton bring. So no alone Laughton is not a top 6 player but i can easily see him like a pretty good complementary guy to play with Nylander. You add Bennett, you got 2 player who will do the hard work and bring the puck back on Nylander stick, that's what you want especially in playoff.

Nylander does need a guy with a little bit of skill / touch to produce at the levels he needs to. One of his best linemates (in a 3rd line capacity) was Alex Kerfoot. For him to produce in a 2nd-line capacity, he needs somebody like Kerfoot, but better.

If we could find ourselves an Anton Lundell, that'd be perfect. Elias Lindholm would make a lot of sense. Maybe it's Pius Suter.

Ultimately, I think they need to align their middle 6 with some flexibility...

The ability to go Tavares-Nylander if they need a goal. The ability to go "Lindholm-Jarnkrok" matching up against another team's best. The ability to go Lindholm-Nylander and Tavares-Cowan on perhaps a nightly basis for some balance to their lineup.

 

[Kiwi]

Tres going to get the opportunity to make a big pitch



Id think this value is still probably high enough to the GMs who value those type of vets. I don't think his play with the Leafs was enough to tank his reputation

That's a big pitch alright

Seems like a lot of coin for a guy with ok points totals and a lot of intangibles

Scares the crap out of me honestly

 

[The Shadow]

That's a big pitch alright

Seems like a lot of coin for a guy with ok points totals and a lot of intangibles

Scares the crap out of me honestly

If the team believes they are close to getting over that hump then Bennett would be a big part of that

In 3-4 years $10 million a year won’t look nearly as high and he is your second line Center. That’s probably good value for a second line Center

 

[Kiwi]

If the team believes they are close to getting over that hump then Bennett would be a big part of that

In 3-4 years $10 million a year won’t look nearly as high and he is your second line Center. That’s probably good value for a second line Center

He's about to turn 29, plays a style that probably won't age well and at his best is a 50 point player

All for the low low price of 10M? That isn't pretty reading

 

[The Shadow]

He's about to turn 29, plays a style that probably won't age well and at his best is a 50 point player

All for the low low price of 10M? That isn't pretty reading

I agree it’s a steep price. They are far better to find the next Bennett somehow. Florida got him for scraps and he was on a very low cap but contract

The issue is where is the next Reinhart or Bennett

 

[TMLAM34]

10 million for Bennett is pretty wild… Not sure if I would want to pay him that kind of money, even with the cap going up…

Since a few around here crushed my McLeod dream, I would turn to Columbus and look at Sillinger. Something around Woll for Sillinger and then sign Vladar in free agency. I’m warming up to the idea of a Rielly for Kreider deal. Second line, Kreider - Sillinger - Nylander

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Yup, I said it. And I know I'm in the minority and I don't care.

Now personally I think he's going home to Winnipeg.

But I think the Leafs need to bring him in.

I know he's been off for 2 years, I don't care, I know he's 37, I don't care, I know he's not 2013 Towes, I don't care.

There has been a lot of talk about changing the DNAespecially at forward, and when people say that what they actually mean is the top 6.

This forward group needs an overhaul and that includes the bottom 6.

You want to talk about changing the DNA you need to bring in people that bring in winning credibility and Towes brings that.

Get rid of Kampf any way you have to and bring Towes in to replace him.

He's not 2013 Towes I don't expect to be, but even after 2 years away he's a cheap upgrade on David Kampf.

This team has A LOT of work to do up front and this should be a piece.

 

[rumman]

Curious if Tre circles back to some of his older players. Andrew Mangiapane could be an interesting add the Leafs need a guy to drive offense for the third line.



I'd be very interested. But not sure what the Leafs could offer. Cowan + (not sure what the + would be). I'd imagine other teams got that offer beat.

Why are the Rangers interested in moving him?

 

[Confucius]

Yup, I said it. And I know I'm in the minority and I don't care.

Now personally I think he's going home to Winnipeg.

But I think the Leafs need to bring him in.

I know he's been off for 2 years, I don't care, I know he's 37, I don't care, I know he's not 2013 Towes, I don't care.

There has been a lot of talk about changing the DNAespecially at forward, and when people say that what they actually mean is the top 6.

This forward group needs an overhaul and that includes the bottom 6.

You want to talk about changing the DNA you need to bring in people that bring in winning credibility and Towes brings that.

Get rid of Kampf any way you have to and bring Towes in to replace him.

He's not 2013 Towes I don't expect to be, but even after 2 years away he's a cheap upgrade on David Kampf.

This team has A LOT of work to do up front and this should be a piece.

So you want To go back to bringing back dinosaurs. Toews is even beyond the victory lap farewell tour season.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

So you want To go back to bringing back dinosaurs. Toews is even beyond the victory lap farewell tour season.

I want Tre to continue to upgrade the team, and even at 37 and 2 years away I fully believe Towes is a better player then David Kampf.

That's what it is.

Towes is better.

 

[Confucius]

I want Tre to continue to upgrade the team, and even at 37 and 2 years away I fully believe Towes is a better player then David Kampf.

That's what it is.

Towes is better.

The man had long term covid and probably still isn’t 100% even for a normal 37 year old. I strongly doubt he is better than Kampf today

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

The man had long term covid and probably still isn’t 100% even for a normal 37 year old. I strongly doubt he is better than Kampf today

I don't, not for 1 second.

And even if I'm wrong having David Kampf off the team is still a good thing.

 

[thewave]

The man had long term covid and probably still isn’t 100% even for a normal 37 year old. I strongly doubt he is better than Kampf today

Toronto traditional overpay of aging all star that will not have the jam to help in the playoffs.

I feel like this has happened before so many times I have lost count.

 

[Torontonian]

That's a big pitch alright

Seems like a lot of coin for a guy with ok points totals and a lot of intangibles

Scares the crap out of me honestly

It should. Spending big coin on UFAS to build your team isn't ideal. Toronto then has to hit on every single UFA signing or else they are in trouble.

If the team believes they are close to getting over that hump then Bennett would be a big part of that

In 3-4 years $10 million a year won’t look nearly as high and he is your second line Center. That’s probably good value for a second line Center

The problem is Toronto realistically has to fill out an entire 2nd line (or at the very least add a top 6 C and top 6 LW..) & reshape their 3rd line.. A lot to ask for when you need to do it FA.

 

[Gaberd2608]

It should. Spending big coin on UFAS to build your team isn't ideal. Toronto then has to hit on every single UFA signing or else they are in trouble.


The problem is Toronto realistically has to fill out an entire 2nd line (or at the very least add a top 6 C and top 6 LW..) & reshape their 3rd line.. A lot to ask for when you need to do it FA.

I feel like Granlund will be better value and more of a traditional 2c. I think he and Nylander would be ok together.

I'd take my chances with Ehlers if money was ok if not kick tires on Boeser.

 

[thusk]

I'm bridging Knies

He wont get overpaid at 8-9M on 8 year deal

Give him 4-5M for 3 years and show he's a core piece

Slafkovsky is a worst player in every part of the game and he got 7,6M for 8 so yeah for at 8 years deal, he will probably hit 8M +

If he sign under that price, it will be a friendly deal

Nylander does need a guy with a little bit of skill / touch to produce at the levels he needs to. One of his best linemates (in a 3rd line capacity) was Alex Kerfoot. For him to produce in a 2nd-line capacity, he needs somebody like Kerfoot, but better.

If we could find ourselves an Anton Lundell, that'd be perfect. Elias Lindholm would make a lot of sense. Maybe it's Pius Suter.

Ultimately, I think they need to align their middle 6 with some flexibility...

The ability to go Tavares-Nylander if they need a goal. The ability to go "Lindholm-Jarnkrok" matching up against another team's best. The ability to go Lindholm-Nylander and Tavares-Cowan on perhaps a nightly basis for some balance to their lineup.

playing with kerfoot worked during like 4-5 game in carreer?!?! Kerfoot and Nylander overal together was not pretty good. sorry but Pacioretty had an higher impact for Nylander than kerfoot because of his physical play and because patch created space for Nylander but that line was too at risk defensively ( why they came back often with holmberg).

Nylander need player who will create space for him and how you doint it is by winning 1v1 battle and playing physical. Going to the net and keep D with them, screen the goalie. Nylander is a peripheric player, he need player who can go in dirty area and get the job done. Maybe Lindholm but come with NMC


Pius Suter is a worst player than kerfoot, don't producing more, worst defensively, less physical and softer than Kerfoot. I don't see at all where he should improve the leafs come playoff, sorry