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

[ULF_55]

Why is everyone not available to improve the overall team?

1. Do you mean, why not move out everyone / anyone you want off the team?
2. Or do you mean, why not sign everyone / anyone you want on the team?

 

[Fogelhund]

Thats a fair assessment. I just think though for a #6 I'd gladly take that kind of liability to keep some toughness in the lineup but I get completely why you'd want to upgrade.

Ekblad I'd happily add even without moving out Rielly. Obviously would be good to move him, but simply adding Ekblad gives you so much depth.. you can afford to spend less on forwards because that team would be elite defensively. But its probably a moot point, I doubt Ekblad has interest.

The conversation on Clarke would be a short one. Knies 1 for 1 or GTFO lol.

Now if thats the type of D man you want, Spence is a poor man's Clarke and sounds like he's very available. He's probably someone that would need to be babysat so that'd unfortunately mean breaking up McCabe/Tanev. But Spence probably wouldnt cost much more than a 2nd if the Leafs want to continue to bleed draft picks.

A bigger trade I could see is Rielly with maybe about a million or two retained (if he'd agree) for Moore+Spence. Rielly could have more offensive freedom next to Doughty who's losing his touch offensively but is still very good at defence. For Toronto, Moore is the type of value you want next to Matthews (Moore-Matthews-Domi ?) yet LA seems interested in upgrading via UFA.

I agree Ekblad would be nice...

But if you assume we sign Knies at $7.2, move Kampf, Jarnkrok and Reaves.

Meaning our signed forwards are Knies, Nylander, Matthews, Domi, McMann and Laughton., that leaves $17.4 mil, to fill seven spots really. Two C's needed... It just doesn't work at all.

Given Rielly just isn't getting moved... I'm kind of in the camp of giving Villeneuve a shot, given he had a tremendous year with the Marlies, and worrying about it later, if that doesn't work out. I like to promote from the system, and give guys a shot. 40 points in 55 games, and a plus 17, on a mediocre Marlies team, who wasn't good defensively overall, is a pretty strong result. He had almost double the production Niemela had, who was second in points. It's cheap, and if it doesn't work out, there is plenty of time to address the need before, or at the deadline. We simply aren't going to fill all of the holes in the offseason, or in Free Agency...

 

[TMLAM34]

I know a lot of us have Domi playing with Knies and Matthews but I’m not sure Berube really wants that.

Others have mentioned Kane, but at that point I honestly think I might prefer just putting Domi there. I get Kane has won in the past and knows what it takes, but this isn’t the same Kane anymore at his age. At least Domi can help stand up and protect Matthews if needed along with Knies while providing that elite playmaking ability.

There really isn’t any ideal fits from this years UFA pool. Boeser could be interesting but all signs point to him signing in Minnesota or somewhere in the States.

We might need to look at the trade route, but with very limited assets, who are some players that could fit on that line? Could Nick Schmaltz be an option? Playmaker, right handed, rumoured to be available, 5.85 is a reasonable cap hit, good speed, okay defensively just not very physical. Knies - Matthews - Schmaltz.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Countdown to Free Agent Frenzy: Marner decision could extend to mid-July | TSN

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger told TSN Radio 1050's First Up on Tuesday that he believes Mitch Marner's camp is expected to review their offers and visit cities with the hope of inking a new contract by the middle of July.

www.tsn.ca

 

[Americanadian]

1. Do you mean, why not move out everyone / anyone you want off the team?
2. Or do you mean, why not sign everyone / anyone you want on the team?

I mean that every player should be available for trades that make sense.

 

[thusk]

Again - as I just stated, you’re going from 909 sv% to 901. That’s a difference of 8 goals every 1000 shots.

I’m a huge McCabe fan but I’m also not locked into the idea that any player on the team is untouchable. I completely disagree that the difference between McCabe and Walman is larger than the difference between McMann and Rust as I proposed.

okay look higher than the stats...go in playoff and Stolarz struggling or get hurt again, do you really trust Talbot? seriously? Playoff matter for leafs nothing else and if Stolarz doesn't resign, who will be leafs starter in 2 year?

Matthews the salary he's paid should not need to play with player to carry him but be able to carry the guy around him. So his line should be as good with a mcmann than a rust b3caus3 h3's the guy driving his line and every NHL superstars doing it...If he can't, leafs are in serious trouble whatever what...

The impact for the leafs between switch of mccabe vs Walman vs impact of switch mcmann vs rust to play with play with Matthews... yeah the switch of mccabe vs walman would be worst than the positive impact to get a 3rd wheel to play with matthews

 

[mydnyte]

The right move is upgrading one of the weaker links, not moving out one of the better D.

Benoit is easily the weakest of our D, so if you are looking to make the team better... that's the guy. He'd be a good #7D.

call the habs and see if they would deal Xhekaj for hometown boy Benoit.
Xhekaj was not on the initial lineup for the playoffs until it got more physical.
I like his toughness and we dont have any violent players on the roster.

but, we'd still need to move Rielly and pick up Fabbro/Ekblad to make my D scenario work

 

[Fogelhund]

call the habs and see if they would deal Xhekaj for hometown boy Benoit.
Xhekaj was not on the initial lineup for the playoffs until it got more physical.
I like his toughness and we dont have any violent players on the roster.

but, we'd still need to move Rielly and pick up Fabbro/Ekblad to make my D scenario work

We need to improve our puck moving... that doesn't achieve said goal.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Wonder what Reilly Smith's projected contract is and do we want him?

 

[mydnyte]

We need to improve our puck moving... that doesn't achieve said goal.

having the opponent afraid to go after the puck helps move it too.
Benoit isnt scary, and cant move the puck either.
at least Xhekaj will put fear into anyone going after the puck and rush them

 

[Fogelhund]

Wonder what Reilly Smith's projected contract is and do we want him?

I'm not sure, a below average skater, non-physical winger is high on our needs list.

 

[JKG33]

I agree Ekblad would be nice...

But if you assume we sign Knies at $7.2, move Kampf, Jarnkrok and Reaves.

Meaning our signed forwards are Knies, Nylander, Matthews, Domi, McMann and Laughton., that leaves $17.4 mil, to fill seven spots really. Two C's needed... It just doesn't work at all.

Given Rielly just isn't getting moved... I'm kind of in the camp of giving Villeneuve a shot, given he had a tremendous year with the Marlies, and worrying about it later, if that doesn't work out. I like to promote from the system, and give guys a shot. 40 points in 55 games, and a plus 17, on a mediocre Marlies team, who wasn't good defensively overall, is a pretty strong result. He had almost double the production Niemela had, who was second in points. It's cheap, and if it doesn't work out, there is plenty of time to address the need before, or at the deadline. We simply aren't going to fill all of the holes in the offseason, or in Free Agency...

I'm of the belief that it's put up time for Nylander and Matthews. They've got the salaries, they can carry some cheaper players while the majority of remaining money is spent on defence.

But I mean yea sure. If stylistically thats a guy you want to bring up, or even rotate in/out with Benoit thats as good an idea as any. I'm very fine with minimal changes to the defence.

I know a lot of us have Domi playing with Knies and Matthews but I’m not sure Berube really wants that.

Others have mentioned Kane, but at that point I honestly think I might prefer just putting Domi there. I get Kane has won in the past and knows what it takes, but this isn’t the same Kane anymore at his age. At least Domi can help stand up and protect Matthews if needed along with Knies while providing that elite playmaking ability.

There really isn’t any ideal fits from this years UFA pool. Boeser could be interesting but all signs point to him signing in Minnesota or somewhere in the States.

We might need to look at the trade route, but with very limited assets, who are some players that could fit on that line? Could Nick Schmaltz be an option? Playmaker, right handed, rumoured to be available, 5.85 is a reasonable cap hit, good speed, okay defensively just not very physical. Knies - Matthews - Schmaltz.

When the team is as cap and asset poor as it is currently, Domi basically has to be on a line with Matthews. Its just a matter of who's on the other wing. I'd like to see another more bargain bin type there, to allow Knies to play with Nylander which let's you have a cheaper C on that line. Its all about depth.

Regarding Boeser, I dont think he'd come to Toronto either. But even if he did, a right shot sniper archetype isnt whats needed. Because you're not going to play a shooter with Matthews, and both Boeser and Nylander are right shots. So the option becomes Boeser on his own line which I dont think theres enough talent to spread on 3 scoring lines, or stack Matthews and Nylander together which would really f*** the rest of the lineup.

The issue with trading for someone like Schmaltz is Utah wants to get better. The Leafs have nothing reasonable that helps them accomplish that. You need to target guys like Marchment or Coyle, who are on cap strapped teams.

okay look higher than the stats...go in playoff and Stolarz struggling or get hurt again, do you really trust Talbot? seriously? Playoff matter for leafs nothing else and if Stolarz doesn't resign, who will be leafs starter in 2 year?

This. Couldn't agree more.

Matthews the salary he's paid should not need to play with player to carry him but be able to carry the guy around him. So his line should be as good with a mcmann than a rust b3caus3 h3's the guy driving his line and every NHL superstars doing it...If he can't, leafs are in serious trouble whatever what...

Also this. Its about time they earn their pay and carry their own lines.

The impact for the leafs between switch of mccabe vs Walman vs impact of switch mcmann vs rust to play with play with Matthews... yeah the switch of mccabe vs walman would be worst than the positive impact to get a 3rd wheel to play with matthews

Also agree. Walman is a flashy player but when the going gets tough he gets stupid. Theres a reason so many teams have given up on him despite the talent

 

[Americanadian]

okay look higher than the stats...go in playoff and Stolarz struggling or get hurt again, do you really trust Talbot? seriously? Playoff matter for leafs nothing else and if Stolarz doesn't resign, who will be leafs starter in 2 year?

That’s true, luckily they have Woll to step in in the playoffs and win!

Matthews the salary he's paid should not need to play with player to carry him but be able to carry the guy around him. So his line should be as good with a mcmann than a rust b3caus3 h3's the guy driving his line and every NHL superstars doing it...If he can't, leafs are in serious trouble whatever what...

Tell Berube to play him with Tavares.

The impact for the leafs between switch of mccabe vs Walman vs impact of switch mcmann vs rust to play with play with Matthews... yeah the switch of mccabe vs walman would be worst than the positive impact to get a 3rd wheel to play with matthews

I completely disagree.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I'm not sure, a below average skater, non-physical winger is high on our needs list.

Not so physical but PKs, plays both wings and I don't think he's below average, average would be more appropriate but he's 34, 1-2 years tops.

 

[Fogelhund]

I'm of the belief that it's put up time for Nylander and Matthews. They've got the salaries, they can carry some cheaper players while the majority of remaining money is spent on defence.

If Matthews isn't healthy, and near his best, does any of this matter anyway? It doesn't matter who we get, who we surround them with.

 

[Fogelhund]

Not so physical but PKs, plays both wings and I don't think he's below average, average would be more appropriate but he's 34, 1-2 years tops.

He's slow. We need to get faster... and more physical... or both. He's neither.

NHL EDGE Puck and Player Tracking Statistics - Skaters

NHL EDGE Puck and Player Tracking Statistics for skaters including skating speed, skating distance, shot speed, shot location, and zone time.

edge.nhl.com

 

[WTFMAN99]

He's slow. We need to get faster... and more physical... or both. He's neither.

NHL EDGE Puck and Player Tracking Statistics - Skaters

NHL EDGE Puck and Player Tracking Statistics for skaters including skating speed, skating distance, shot speed, shot location, and zone time.

edge.nhl.com

I'm not saying I don't believe some of this data but this would lead me to believe that JT is a better skater than Smith, that cannot be right lol.

 

[Fogelhund]

Maple Leafs' Possible Trade Replacements for Mitch Marner - The Hockey Writers Toronto Maple Leafs Latest News, Analysis & More

Examining players that the Toronto Maple Leafs could look to target via trade in order to replace Mitch Marner.

thehockeywriters.com

It's an article.

 

[JKG33]

If Matthews isn't healthy, and near his best, does any of this matter anyway? It doesn't matter who we get, who we surround them with.

It really doesnt. Which is why I'm ready to write-off the whole thing for 2027-28 when they actually have a 1st again.

Just like everything else this organization's done the last 9 years, the timing sucks. We're 2-3 years late (if not more) with moving on from Marner. Had it been done then, they'd not only have gotten assets for him, but that $10m in open space would've gone a lot further than it will this offseason with the rising cap. Just a masterclass in mismanagement by Shanahan and Dubas

 

[Fogelhund]

I'm not saying I don't believe some of this data but this would lead me to believe that JT is a better skater than Smith, that cannot be right lol.

What this doesn't measure is acceleration... JT doesn't have the best first few steps, so he falls behind, but his top speed isn't bad at all.

I can't comment on Smith's acceleration.

 

[WTFMAN99]

What this doesn't measure is acceleration... JT doesn't have the best first few steps, so he falls behind, but his top speed isn't bad at all.

I can't comment on Smith's acceleration.

I was looking at some of the highlights this year and from the playoffs for Smith, still has some hands and speed looks okay.

He was on their 3rd line with Karlsson and I believe Barbashev joined half way through the Oilers series.

 

[Fogelhund]

It really doesnt. Which is why I'm ready to write-off the whole thing for 2027-28 when they actually have a 1st again.

Just like everything else this organization's done the last 9 years, the timing sucks. We're 2-3 years late (if not more) with moving on from Marner. Had it been done then, they'd not only have gotten assets for him, but that $10m in open space would've gone a lot further than it will this offseason with the rising cap. Just a masterclass in mismanagement by Shanahan and Dubas

For the record, I had proposed Marner to Seattle, for Wright, Bjork and 2024 1st last offseason, before trade protection kicked in. I had hoped to select Sam Dickinson, who actually went two spots later.

Seattle lacked, and still lacks elite offensive talent, and that would have been a positive move for them. I had thought Wright should emerge as a reasonable 2C in time, would be an adequate 3C for last year, and would benefit from being taught by Tavares and Matthews. As it turns out, Wright had a pretty good year, and is now trending in the "Wright" direction.

Bjork as a fill in at RW, and extra body they didn't need, and helped with their cap.

The first... Sam Dickinson... well, I mean that would have answered all of the puck moving needs going forward, wouldn't it? In a redraft, would he be top three?

It would have reset our cap, given a future 2C, and a future elite puck moving D.... Agree with you on mismanagement.

 

[ULF_55]

I mean that every player should be available for trades that make sense.

I won't disagree at all.

I'd be willing to trade Matthews for McDavid.
I'd be willing to trade Nylander for Pastrnak.
I'd be willing to trade Knies for Makar.
...


But trading a player to a team he has on his NTC, can be done only if the player agrees. If he doesn't have a NMC he can be waived, and his Cap is reduced by around $1mm.

Obviously, you know one cannot have it both ways.

If the team and player agree to terms both the player and the team have to honour the terms of the contract.

If the team can punish the player for not waiving it opens up Matthews refusing to report to camp because he wants a trade to the NameTheTeam.
That is fair right?

If Rielly wants to go play for the NameTheTeam and there is a good deal to make, trade away. You can ask, like they did with marner. Player can say no, and everyone moves on. We can whinge about it as fans that is our right and privilege.

Of course, we live in fantasy here where we can force players to waive, and teams like Vegas like Leafs crappy assets because they want to sign marner and no other team in the league will offer better assets for Karlsson than Robertson, McMann and a 1st. in 2028.

So yes, every player is available to be traded within the rules / laws permitted.

 

[Torontonian]

I proposed Talbot who was perfectly fine last season. Are you losing a significant amount of games going from 909 sv% to 901 for 25-30 games?

Talbot might be okay, kind of band aid solution with him being 38 years old in July. I also think goaltenders value aren't really there anymore.

Ullmark got traded for a 1st + Korpisalo + 4th line winger. - I'd say he's better then Woll.

Askarov got a 1st round pick - potential is higher then Wolls I'd say.

Wedgewood went for nothing

Blackwood went for a 2nd round pick

Markstrom went for a 1st round pick - Probably same as Woll

 

[Americanadian]

Talbot might be okay, kind of band aid solution with him being 38 years old in July. I also think goaltenders value aren't really there anymore.

Ullmark got traded for a 1st + Korpisalo + 4th line winger. - I'd say he's better then Woll.

Askarov got a 1st round pick - potential is higher then Wolls I'd say.

Wedgewood went for nothing

Blackwood went for a 2nd round pick

Markstrom went for a 1st round pick - Probably same as Woll

Did you see the original proposed trade?