Roster Building XXVI: Picking Our Teeth Off the Ice

[chaz4hockey]

Guys, go out and get you a girl that wants you like @TheReelChuckFletcher wants pros to like one year contracts.

I appreciate you taking the steps to put a lineup together (and therein comes the comments).

Boeser is an interesting case and when I read the Canuck/other sites that know him, they are very critical re: his skating/compete. Plus, they project that he will decline over time (particularly given his injuries to-date) and are not bullish on retaining him.

If they are right, I'm not sure that would make him the right player to sign long term.

Unfortunately, the '25 and '26 free agent class is not stellar for probable player availability. Perhaps explains why they made a couple of big splashes the last couple of years at TDL.

btw: I'd make a play for Pasta from the B's and would give up picks and some young non-Nikishin/Morrow/Nadeau assets.

 

[CanesFanBudMan]

Offer sheet Mason Mctavish at 1x6.8

 

[Chrispy]

Offer sheet Mason Mctavish at 1x6.8

The Ducks have $39M in cap space. They have no reason not to match this even if it's an overpayment.

 

[WreckingCrew]

View attachment 994735View attachment 994737View attachment 994738

Grubs is garbage, if we're taking him there is no 1st, that's more like Grubs + McCann + prospect <> future considerations...I'd take Spencer Martin on that contract before Grubs. Also, easy pass on Lindholm even getting a 1st & 2nd back in exchange for middling prospect (no way in HELL I include Blake), he is proving this year he just ain't it, he has 1G-5A more than lamented KK for $3M more per year in perpetuity.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

The more I think about it, the more likely I think it is that Marner is the one who takes them up on this opportunity. A 2-year deal for Marner gives him another UFA shot in 27-28 when the cap has gone from $95.5M this in 25-26 to $113.5M in 27-28 and more teams may have space to bid for him.

And Marner will be 30 at that point, so while Carolina may not be interested in locking him up long-term at that age, someone will be.

Would I rather have Bennett or Ehlers signed long-term? Yes. But if that's not possible, or the crazy idea of in addition to a long-term F signing, getting Marner for a couple of years would certainly be a boon for the short-term.

Marner isn't signing a two year deal with a team he doesn't know. This is his big money UFA deal... not to say we will definitely go 7-8 years but you have to get more than 2 years guaranteed. Injury or down years in a new system would be too much of a risk to leave 10s of millions of dollars on the table.

He's not a player that even wants to leave Toronto. I highly doubt he just suddenly decides that he wants to team hop mid career without having won anything.

 

[CanesFanBudMan]

Not saying it can’t be don’t but if they want to keep Marner they will have to fit him Knies and 3 other forwards into ~ 27 million dollars

 

[htdoc]

Not to mention Toronto’s D core is still not right and they have been complaining bout that for a while…. So they may want to do something with it as well.. they will struggle to fit everyone and not have a top heavy team again…. Same issue Colorado was fighting.. needed more depth and balance…. If Marner holds them over a barrel for 14+ on a 5 year deal, do they give in or let him walk?

If he stinks it up in the playoffs again this year, I think they push hard to get Marner at a better price. But I still see them trying to keep him because the UFA pool isn’t looking so deep this year with signings already weakening it..

I still don’t see how Marner leaves Toronto unless Toronto specifically wants to move on….

I think we have the crazy amount of cap space to offer another orlov like deal on steroids to someone to ensure stability as we transition with new kids… but not sure they do it just for the sake of doing it……

Going to be interesting times this summer…

 

[TheBigLetowski]

Some "X" Caniacs have mentioned that Marner "contemplated" coming to Carolina before refusing to waive. I can't find anything that mentions that. Any reasoning behind that?

 

[chaz4hockey]

Not to mention Toronto’s D core is still not right and they have been complaining bout that for a while…. So they may want to do something with it as well.. they will struggle to fit everyone and not have a top heavy team again…. Same issue Colorado was fighting.. needed more depth and balance…. If Marner holds them over a barrel for 14+ on a 5 year deal, do they give in or let him walk?

If he stinks it up in the playoffs again this year, I think they push hard to get Marner at a better price. But I still see them trying to keep him because the UFA pool isn’t looking so deep this year with signings already weakening it..

I still don’t see how Marner leaves Toronto unless Toronto specifically wants to move on….

I think we have the crazy amount of cap space to offer another orlov like deal on steroids to someone to ensure stability as we transition with new kids… but not sure they do it just for the sake of doing it……

Going to be interesting times this summer…

When I see Colorado's revamped lineup it sure looks like they could have a 2-3 year SC run. Their O is off the charts good/deep and with Makar and Toews on D more than capable to hold scoring down. They are my favorites with Jets and then Dallas behind them. Oilers won't make it to the Finals this year again.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

When I see Colorado's revamped lineup it sure looks like they could have a 2-3 year SC run. Their O is off the charts good/deep and with Makar and Toews on D more than capable to hold scoring down. They are my favorites with Jets and then Dallas behind them. Oilers won't make it to the Finals this year again.

If the Canes play their offseason correctly, they'll compete pretty evenly with Colorado, Florida, Vegas, Tampa, and Dallas for the crown. Arguably we're a Cup Finals darkhorse even now. Add $35M in players and we could be at that top echelon very soon.

 

[Horatio Cane]

Some "X" Caniacs have mentioned that Marner "contemplated" coming to Carolina before refusing to waive. I can't find anything that mentions that. Any reasoning behind that?

I listen to the Toronto radio shows almost daily. I can't remember who said it, but was mentioned that Marner didn't give his answer on the no-move until the following day.

 

[TheBigLetowski]

I listen to the Toronto radio shows almost daily. I can't remember who said it, but was mentioned that Marner didn't give his answer on the no-move until the following day.

interesting.....

 

[MinJaBen]

If the Canes play their offseason correctly, they'll compete pretty evenly with Colorado, Florida, Vegas, Tampa, and Dallas for the crown. Arguably we're a Cup Finals darkhorse even now. Add $35M in players and we could be at that top echelon very soon.

This of course assumes there are players worth paying that to that are better than who they replace already on the team. In Rod’s system. They may just not be available.

 

[spockBokk]

Some "X" Caniacs have mentioned that Marner "contemplated" coming to Carolina before refusing to waive. I can't find anything that mentions that. Any reasoning behind that?

I listen to the Toronto radio shows almost daily. I can't remember who said it, but was mentioned that Marner didn't give his answer on the no-move until the following day.

https://torontosun.com/sports/simmons-says-mitch-marners-actions-do-not-match-his-words-on-staying-a-leaf

“Slept on it”

I still see zero chance he comes to CAR in ufa, but wouldn’t mind to be totally wrong on that. I think he re-signs in TOR or goes to the Rangers/Kings/random large market….

Ehlers seems much more “gettable”, cheaper and LW which works out better for the current roster construction. Getting Ehlers would also leave more cap room to absorb a high-end C’s salary via trade. I’d be over the moon for them to sign Marner, but think theyd have to offer $14M x 7 at least vs the $8M-9M or so I think Ehlers will get.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

https://torontosun.com/sports/simmons-says-mitch-marners-actions-do-not-match-his-words-on-staying-a-leaf

“Slept on it”

I still see zero chance he comes to CAR in ufa, but wouldn’t mind to be totally wrong on that. I think he re-signs in TOR or goes to the Rangers/Kings/random large market….

Ehlers seems much more “gettable”, cheaper and LW which works out better for the current roster construction. Getting Ehlers would also leave more cap room to absorb a high-end C’s salary via trade. I’d be over the moon for them to sign Marner, but think theyd have to offer $14M x 7 at least vs the $8M-9M or so I think Ehlers will get.

I think Marner re-signs in Toronto. I think Ehlers will either stay in Winnipeg or go to Carolina.

 

[CanesFanBudMan]

There is no way ehlers is worth his next contract

 

[Blueline Bomber]

I listen to the Toronto radio shows almost daily. I can't remember who said it, but was mentioned that Marner didn't give his answer on the no-move until the following day.

I mentioned it around the deadline, but from what I was told by sources I trust, Mariner’s agent made it clear to Carolina that they were interested in finishing this year with Toronto, but to “check back again in the summer.”

Mariner’s a hometown boy. He likely wants nothing more than to win the Cup with Toronto. So there was almost no chance we could have gotten him to waive at the deadline. And that’s also why I have serious doubts he’ll be open to signing elsewhere in the summer. Toronto would have to offer him significantly less than other clubs for him to leave, and I don’t see that happening.

 

[chaz4hockey]

I mentioned it around the deadline, but from what I was told by sources I trust, Mariner’s agent made it clear to Carolina that they were interested in finishing this year with Toronto, but to “check back again in the summer.”

Mariner’s a hometown boy. He likely wants nothing more than to win the Cup with Toronto. So there was almost no chance we could have gotten him to waive at the deadline. And that’s also why I have serious doubts he’ll be open to signing elsewhere in the summer. Toronto would have to offer him significantly less than other clubs for him to leave, and I don’t see that happening.

Question of course is whether check back in the summer so you can set a stalking horse price for my client or would there be real interest?

I'm with you though....he is tied into the Toronto market and for him to leave would be unexpected.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

Not to mention Toronto’s D core is still not right and they have been complaining bout that for a while…. So they may want to do something with it as well.. they will struggle to fit everyone and not have a top heavy team again…. Same issue Colorado was fighting.. needed more depth and balance…. If Marner holds them over a barrel for 14+ on a 5 year deal, do they give in or let him walk?

If he stinks it up in the playoffs again this year, I think they push hard to get Marner at a better price. But I still see them trying to keep him because the UFA pool isn’t looking so deep this year with signings already weakening it..

I still don’t see how Marner leaves Toronto unless Toronto specifically wants to move on….

I think we have the crazy amount of cap space to offer another orlov like deal on steroids to someone to ensure stability as we transition with new kids… but not sure they do it just for the sake of doing it……

Going to be interesting times this summer…

No - Torontos D core is very much set for the next few years

Rielly, Tanev, OEL, McCabe, Carlo

Carlo has 2 more years and the rest have 3 or more. They would only be tinkering on D for their 6th man and they seem fine with Benoit for the most part.

Their D isn’t spectacular by any means but that is a solid group and they are all on good value contracts.

Marner isn’t getting more than Matthews from Toronto at $13.5. There’s just no way. If he stays then he’ll get $12.5-13 range.

Tavares likely re-signs in the 4 x $6-7m range.

Knies probably takes a bridge deal. I don’t think Leafs can lock him up on a 6-8 year deal and I doubt he wants to do that. Probably something in the 2-3 year range.

 

[Nikishin al Gaib]

I mentioned it around the deadline, but from what I was told by sources I trust, Mariner’s agent made it clear to Carolina that they were interested in finishing this year with Toronto, but to “check back again in the summer.”

Mariner’s a hometown boy. He likely wants nothing more than to win the Cup with Toronto. So there was almost no chance we could have gotten him to waive at the deadline. And that’s also why I have serious doubts he’ll be open to signing elsewhere in the summer. Toronto would have to offer him significantly less than other clubs for him to leave, and I don’t see that happening.

Yeah and realistically, I don't think Marner is going to get the same deal from Toronto that he would from Carolina, and his agent knows this. They have $10m less in cap space with more players to sign, 3 RFAs looking for decent raises, and Marner and Tavares to bring back. Something has to give, and I'm not sure they're in a spot to pay a premium price for a winger right now.

 

[Chrispy]

Yeah and realistically, I don't think Marner is going to get the same deal from Toronto that he would from Carolina, and his agent knows this. They have $10m less in cap space with more players to sign, 3 RFAs looking for decent raises, and Marner and Tavares to bring back. Something has to give, and I'm not sure they're in a spot to pay a premium price for a winger right now.

Marner is definitely the priority over Tavares. At 34, Tavares may stay in Toronto for a lower amount but he won't be their priority.

If Toronto does make Marner fit Tavares is a good short-term target for Carolina.

 

[CandyCanes]

I wonder if we’re the team that throws Toronto a 3rd round pick for Marner’s rights to give him an 8 year deal.

 

[Chrispy]

I wonder if we’re the team that throws Toronto a 3rd round pick for Marner’s rights to give him an 8 year deal.

Would have to be a trade-and-sign now for 8 years and Toronto doesn't have the cap space to give Marner a raise.

 

[Nikishin al Gaib]

I wonder if we’re the team that throws Toronto a 3rd round pick for Marner’s rights to give him an 8 year deal.

Kind of what I was thinking as well.

I mean pure numbers, Toronto is kind of boned when it comes to the Cap right now. Yes, they have $27m in Cap Space, but even if they bring back Marner at what will probably be around $13m per year, you're talking about $14m to bring back 6 forwards, including Knies who is coming off a ELC and will demand a lot more.

And if they're hoping to improve the defense at all, they're going to need to spend more there as well, as outside of Reilly, everyone on defense costs about $3.5m per year.

I mean they cannot bring back Marner and Tavares, one has to go. And bringing back either of them will still create big holes elsewhere on the roster.