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

[ULF_55]

The only time you get to trade for a player, that might upgrade one of your positions, without huge trade capital, is when teams are cap dumping. There are a number of players out there, that might get moved, to create cap space for their team. Kreider, Marchment, E. Kane are rumoured to be such players. They are all hard to play against, though each has it's warts.

Not every player that Florida has is hard to play against either... they just have enough of it, and team cohesion. Also the margin isn't a huge gulf... we took them to game seven... we might be the only team in the NHL to accomplish that this year. I'm not saying we don't need changes, and we were terrible in games 5 and 7... but then, the Edmonton result was terrible in Game three as well.

Marner has no grit. Robertson has grit for his size.. but he's too small to be impactful grit. Domi can get involved after the whistle, but he isn't a forechecking guy, rarely hits. Kampf isn't gritty, Jarnkrok isn't gritty.

We need to replace these guys with a combination of Speed, Grit, physicality and talent.

One of the amazing things about both Florida, and to a lesser extent... Edmonton, is they've taken cast off players, and made them useful. Quite a few on Florida, Klingberg for example on Edmonton... even Evander Kane was a castoff, nobody wanted anything to do with.

I take a chance on Comtois for that reason. 6'2" 210... go play a heavy game, work hard, strong work ethic and you might get off the fourth line... He's got some talent, but lost some drive along the way... maybe a second chance in the NHL gets it back, with a strong message of... this is how you are going to play.

Maybe J. Toews is another guy... he wants a second chance to play more... 4C type.

Take a look at the way that the way Seth Jones is playing.. he's been tremendous for Florida... a player almost nobody would touch based on his salary, and underperformance on a bad team. How many people would gladly take Seth Jones at $7 mil now, over Rielly?!!!!

You can look at a Buffalo, and point at Krebs... a guy who I think is going to be much better if moved.

We've heard there are teams that want to dump players for peanuts, but ... all it takes is for another team to have extra almonds.

The old saying taking a knife to a gunfight, but

versus

 

[Fogelhund]

Countdown to Free Agent Frenzy: Max Pacioretty eyeing return to Toronto Maple Leafs? | TSN

Larry Brooks of the New York Post writes that it "seems inevitable" that the New York Rangers will trade restricted free agent K'Andre Miller this month.

www.tsn.ca

Miller set for split from Rangers?

Larry Brooks of the New York Post(opens in a new tab) writes that it "seems inevitable" that the New York Rangers will trade restricted free agent K'Andre Miller this month.

Citing several sources, Brooks reports that Miller is expected to be targeted with an offer sheet if he remains with the Rangers on July 1, which would likely carry a salary in the $6 million to $7 million range on a term of five or more years. An offer sheet of that value would force the signing team to give the Rangers their first- and third-round picks in 2026 if New York elected not to match.

Brooks also reports that forward Alexis Lafrenière is "surely available," though it's unclear whether the Rangers are shopping the winger or simply taking calls. If the Rangers fail to get to a defenceman back in a Miller trade, Brooks believes Lafrenière could used as fodder to help fill that hole.

Miller, 25, is arbitration-eligible this summer after carrying a cap hit of $3.87 million this year in the last of a two-year deal. He posted seven goals and 27 points in 74 games while averaging 21:57 of ice time.

Selected 22nd overall in the 2018 draft, Miller has 36 goals and 132 points in 368 career games, all with the Rangers.

Lafrenière, who was selected first overall in the 2020 draft, is about to enter the first of a seven-year contract that runs through the 2031-32 season at a cap hit of $7.45 million.

The 23-year-old winger posted 17 goals and 45 points in 82 games this season, taking a step back from his career-best 28 goals and 57 points in 82 games last year. He carried a cap hit of $2.33 million in each of the past two years.

Per Puckpedia, the Rangers have $8.4 million in projected cap space this summer with 19 players under contract. Miller is among the team's seven pending restricted free agents, a list that also includes Arthur Kaliyev, Will Cuylle and Matt Rempe.

It's pretty hard as a Leafs fan to look at this and not say... Hey, we'll take Miller... his 25 5v5 points are only one shy of Rielly's.... if they want to dump Kreider... Kreider + Miller for Rielly + ??

Laf is a tough one... he should eventually be better, but you don't want to pay a guy $7.45 mil, for 40-50 points in production either.

 

[Fogelhund]

You go with player even if they are not as good

if bennett marchand doesn't work...

Can look at guy like ehlers or Smith or lesser option like Dvorak or Frederick

Or just watching on market for a trade

You're better do anything sometime than make a desesperate move you will regret the second you doing it

They currently have just Matthews as a true C signed.... Ok..Domi and Laughton can sub it, but the reality is, they need to sign at least two true C's.... so, they'll need to do something, doing nothing isn't an option here.

 

[Folignos Helmet]

Rangers are really into Gavrikov, but if he resigns, could you tempt the Rags with McCabe, to get something from the Zibanejad, Kreider, K.Miller pile?

He's a beauty, but he might be the best chip to go for a 2C somewhere.
McCabe and McMann for Zibanejad, Rags are also looking to shed cap, or maybe that package to Calgary for Kadri and then look to fill the LD spot elsewhere with more of a puck mover to play with Tanev.

One other guy I wouldnt mind taking a flyer on for cheap is Kotkaniemi, who might get bought out, or traded with retention. Doesnt fit Rod's style, but he has size and speed and i think could unlock some offence elsewhere and shed the contract expectations. He always played hard against us, could be a buy low 4C option.

If you believe rumours, moving towards below, with that 2C standing out like a sore thumb.
Knies - Matthews - Domi
McMann - 2C - Willie
Laughton - JT - Cowan
Patches - 4C - 4RW
Holmberg

 

[Tony Romo]

It's pretty hard as a Leafs fan to look at this and not say... Hey, we'll take Miller... his 25 5v5 points are only one shy of Rielly's.... if they want to dump Kreider... Kreider + Miller for Rielly + ??

Laf is a tough one... he should eventually be better, but you don't want to pay a guy $7.45 mil, for 40-50 points in production either.

I'm curious to what the ask for Laf is.

 

[ULF_55]

It's pretty hard as a Leafs fan to look at this and not say... Hey, we'll take Miller... his 25 5v5 points are only one shy of Rielly's.... if they want to dump Kreider... Kreider + Miller for Rielly + ??

Laf is a tough one... he should eventually be better, but you don't want to pay a guy $7.45 mil, for 40-50 points in production either.

Yeah, nothing wrong with dreaming that Rielly waives and the Rangers want to take a worse players to save some Cap.

Lafreniere seems like one of those moves that end up with a "didn't work out here" times 2.

 

[Fogelhund]

I'm curious to what the ask for Laf is.

He fits the underperformer, who you take on and becomes a good player elsewhere.... or not.. LOL

He's the type of player that Florida has successfully taken a risk on.

 

[Americanadian]

I'm curious to what the ask for Laf is.

I can see Carolina swapping Svech for him.

 

[rumman]

It's pretty hard as a Leafs fan to look at this and not say... Hey, we'll take Miller... his 25 5v5 points are only one shy of Rielly's.... if they want to dump Kreider... Kreider + Miller for Rielly + ??

Laf is a tough one... he should eventually be better, but you don't want to pay a guy $7.45 mil, for 40-50 points in production either.

Miller and Kreider for Mo would be a absolute steal, I'd be open to adding to that deal just to get rid of Mo..........

 

[Tony Romo]

He fits the underperformer, who you take on and becomes a good player elsewhere.... or not.. LOL

He's the type of player that Florida has successfully taken a risk on.

I'd be all for the leafs taking a shot at him to be honest. that's why I'd be curious.

I've said it before and it's all hindsight but it really sucks we traded a lot of our assets for Carlo/Laughton with what is potentially available this offseason.

 

[rumman]

I'd be all for the leafs taking a shot at him to be honest. that's why I'd be curious.

I've said it before and it's all hindsight but it really sucks we traded a lot of our assets for Carlo/Laughton with what is potentially available this offseason.

that's Bubbles for yeah, one step forward, one steps back.............

 

[Fogelhund]

We know the Rangers are looking at a Culture change as well. I think any quality GM is going to call, and ask who they are moving and why. You've got guys like Kreider and Zibanejed who won't have much positive value, if any... then guys like Miller and Lafreniere who should have some pretty good value. What is their appetite to package no value, with value, to get what (??) back... and what is the plan... rebuild in trades, UFA?? For the Rangers that is... But a good GM makes the call.

 

[WTFMAN99]

We know the Rangers are looking at a Culture change as well. I think any quality GM is going to call, and ask who they are moving and why. You've got guys like Kreider and Zibanejed who won't have much positive value, if any... then guys like Miller and Lafreniere who should have some pretty good value. What is their appetite to package no value, with value, to get what (??) back... and what is the plan... rebuild in trades, UFA?? For the Rangers that is... But a good GM makes the call.

If Zibby was a real low price, like Domi+ than I would inquire but I heard to watch Minnesota on Zibby.

Trochek would interest me along with Schneider but I doubt they move either of these 2.

Lafreniere? I wonder if Montreal gets silly.

 

[thusk]

I also don't think we need to do some crazy over correction when it comes to grit.. Realistically we lost to Florida because our big guys didn't show up. They didn't out tough us, they didn't out grit us. They were deeper and had more people score.

Outside of the Carolina series Tkachuk has been basically a no show, but he can get away with it because Floridas 3rd line and Bennett are going crazy. build the deepest/best team possible. Don't focus on one specific talent.

Gritty is like the last thing I would think of when it comes to Patrick Kane but when the lights for bright he was a f***ing demon

They had game where Florida completly outplayed Toronto in 1v1 battle like at 80%... that's what i called be out grit

Grit is more about work than physical game or anything else

They currently have just Matthews as a true C signed.... Ok..Domi and Laughton can sub it, but the reality is, they need to sign at least two true C's.... so, they'll need to do something, doing nothing isn't an option here.

Chance of JT resigning are pretty high

 

[ULF_55]

I'd be all for the leafs taking a shot at him to be honest. that's why I'd be curious.

I've said it before and it's all hindsight but it really sucks we traded a lot of our assets for Carlo/Laughton with what is potentially available this offseason.

Laughton and Cowan for Lafreniere?

Almost no Cap cost for Lafreniere who might be a cost/Cap casualty?

Sure if they want any other Leafs' scrubs.

 

[Fogelhund]

They had game where Florida completly outplayed Toronto in 1v1 battle like at 80%... that's what i called be out grit

Grit is more about work than physical game or anything else


Chance of JT resigning are pretty high

Math says... then you need to sign at least one....

 

[ULF_55]

Math says... then you need to sign at least one....

Dvorak and Tavares stays 2nd. line.

I don't see that as progress though, still no scoring in the bottom 6.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Looking a round the league at some trade candidates...I don't think Montreal has any issue with Alex Newhook but would you roll the dice on a guy like Kirby Dach?

Schmaltz is probably not a centre option but could be a wing option? His contract is back loaded and they've been open to moving him for a while.

William Karlsson is someone I like still if he's available.

Ryan Hartman? Wonder if Minnesota would make a move.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

Leafs trade Matthews, Rielly
Rangers trade Miller, Fox, Lafrenniere

Leafs trade Robertson, Kampf, Jarnkrok for picks

Leafs sign Bennett $8x6
Leafs sign Boeser $8x6
Leafs sign Knies $6x6

Laffrenier(7.5)/Miller(8)/Nylander(11.5)
Knies(6)/Bennett(8)/McMann(1.25)
Domi(3.75)/Tavares(5)/Boeser(8)
Chump(1)/Chump(1)/Chump(1)

OEL(3.5)/Fox(9.5)
McCabe(4.5)/Tanev(4.5)
Benoit(1.5)/Carlo(3.5)

Stolarz(2.5)
Woll(3.5)

Total = 95

 

[Fogelhund]

Just my opinion...,

Kreider had a bad year last year, injury related... He's likely to rebound this coming season. He's a big guy, and hard to play against. He's a pretty good skater as well.

If the Rangers are moving him, and the cost isn't high... I'd go for him for sure.

Laf... he's going to cost a lot... and I don't think we can afford that.

We are shopping at the discount shop this offseason... it's just what it is.

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

Evander Kane... maybe available, some say no.... I'd go for him if he's available. If he's not.. it's the other Kane for me.

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

Does Anderson get bought out? If yes... you offer him a contract.

Knies Matthews Kane (E. or P.?)
Kreider Granlund Nylander
McMann Tavares Anderson
Laughton Krebs Jeannot
Comtois Holmberg

 

[Fogelhund]

Playoff Goals.

Sam Bennett, 2025 -> 14
Mitch Marner, career --> 13

 

[WTFMAN99]

Playoff Goals.

Sam Bennett, 2025 -> 14
Mitch Marner, career --> 13

Too many people on this board....

 

[ACC1224]

Playoff Goals.

Sam Bennett, 2025 -> 14
Mitch Marner, career --> 13

About the 50th time this stat has been posted and it still amazes me how many consider Marner as a goal scorer.

 

[rumman]

Leafs trade Matthews, Rielly
Rangers trade Miller, Fox, Lafrenniere

Leafs trade Robertson, Kampf, Jarnkrok for picks

Leafs sign Bennett $8x6
Leafs sign Boeser $8x6
Leafs sign Knies $6x6

Laffrenier(7.5)/Miller(8)/Nylander(11.5)
Knies(6)/Bennett(8)/McMann(1.25)
Domi(3.75)/Tavares(5)/Boeser(8)
Chump(1)/Chump(1)/Chump(1)

OEL(3.5)/Fox(9.5)
McCabe(4.5)/Tanev(4.5)
Benoit(1.5)/Carlo(3.5)

Stolarz(2.5)
Woll(3.5)

Total = 95

I’d trade Mathews for that return, I doubt he has another impactful season……

 

[Martin Skoula]

You’d be hard pressed to find a data centered person who thinks Kyle Dubas did a good job.

Are you telling me Lyubushkin Foligno and Ritchie aren’t analytics guys???