Roster Building XXVI: Picking Our Teeth Off the Ice

[SvechneJerk]

I can see pros and cons to getting Marner but would be all-in if Tulsky and Co think he's a fit. There was a quote I saw from the 4 Nations where Marner talked about how shocking it was that Crosby could keep the team calm and positive no matter the situation. I think it's painfully obvious that the Leafs are mentally weak and don't have the leadership to overcome difficult circumstances under pressure. I could absolutely see him flourishing here under Rod, Staal, Aho, Martinook, Slavin, etc, etc.

I think the fact that Tulsky wanted Marner in the Rantanen trade talks is the proof they see a fit here.

 

[Stickpucker]

I’m torn on Marner now. Obviously, he’s quite good defensively and we do need a talented Top 6 forward. And there’s the chance that he’s simply burned out on being a Leaf and that would explain his performance (or lack thereof) in the playoffs this year.

On the other hand, if this is what we should expect normally from his playoff performances, absolutely do not give him $13 million. Sign two guys for 6.5 that give a damn.

My guess is the borg will still want him based on the rumors around trying to trade Rantanen for him.

Now if they value him at the same contract or not....who knows? I'd guess he's worth at least 1.5m less than Rantanen in their giant excel doc.

 

[Stickpucker]

I think the fact that Tulsky wanted Marner in the Rantanen trade talks is the proof they see a fit here.

Jinx

 

[Chrispy]

My guess is the borg will still want him based on the rumors around trying to trade Rantanen for him.

Now if they value him at the same contract or not....who knows? I'd guess he's worth at least 1.5m less than Rantanen in their giant excel doc.

I think they will make an offer, but I do wonder if Marner wants to go to a winner or just go to the biggest check he can get. If it's the second, he'll end up in Anaheim or Chicago or Utah where they are likely to offer more than Tulsky calculates Marner as being worth.

But I can see them chasing one of Boeser or Ehlers rather than getting into a bidding war for Marner.

For 2C, Bennett would be a top target if he gets to July 1, but will he? Do they check in on Tavares rather than Marner?

 

[User13452]

Canes have tons of cap space a good prospect pool and a ton of draft picks. That’s not something the remaining 5 teams can say pretty impressive they’re set up for success for years to come

 

[Borsig]

Just dont trade our future away. We could possibly be on the cusp of a dynasty.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

I think they will make an offer, but I do wonder if Marner wants to go to a winner or just go to the biggest check he can get. If it's the second, he'll end up in Anaheim or Chicago or Utah where they are likely to offer more than Tulsky calculates Marner as being worth.

But I can see them chasing one of Boeser or Ehlers rather than getting into a bidding war for Marner.

For 2C, Bennett would be a top target if he gets to July 1, but will he? Do they check in on Tavares rather than Marner?

My prediction is that Marner will either remain a Leaf or come to us. If he doesn't, the Canes will set their sights on Boeser, Nelson, Duchene, Giroux, and Marchand. I also predict that, much to the dismay of some people worried about blocking Scott Morrow, one of Burns or Orlov will re-sign, meaning that Morrow must prove his mettle to become an NHL defenseman next season

 

[chaz4hockey]

Besides the joy felt by our fanbase, Dundon's playoff revenue now has reached 7 guaranteed games. LY, it was estimated that the Rangers earned $50M for their 10 playoff home games.

Thus, even if Canes revenues are 15% less per game than Rangers, it's still yields an estimated $30M in additional revenue for Dundon (certainly making the Canes nicely profitable).

It sure gives TD more incentive to continue to spend to the cap.

 

[Nikishin al Gaib]

I do wonder if Marner wants to go to a winner or just go to the biggest check he can get.

After all this is playing out like it is in Toronto this week, I wouldn't be surprised if he wants to go to a contender and set the table to be a key piece in a long run of success as a lasting 'f*** you' to the media in Toronto who is tripping over themselves to personally throw him under the bus.

 

[Chrispy]

My prediction is that Marner will either remain a Leaf or come to us. If he doesn't, the Canes will set their sights on Boeser, Nelson, Duchene, Giroux, and Marchand. I also predict that, much to the dismay of some people worried about blocking Scott Morrow, one of Burns or Orlov will re-sign, meaning that Morrow must prove his mettle to become an NHL defenseman next season

I think Tulsky will look to upgrade via a trade before re-signing Orlov (I don't think it's Burns even if he's a righty.)

Slavin-XXX
Nikishin-Chatfield
Ghost-Walker

Even assuming Morrow is back in Chicago, there's only room for one unless one of Walker or Ghost goes the other way in a trade. Given each have a 15 team NTC, there's some restriction in moving either one.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

I think Tulsky will look to upgrade via a trade before re-signing Orlov (I don't think it's Burns even if he's a righty.)

Slavin-XXX
Nikishin-Chatfield
Ghost-Walker

Even assuming Morrow is back in Chicago, there's only room for one unless one of Walker or Ghost goes the other way in a trade. Given each have a 15 team NTC, there's some restriction in moving either one.

If the Canes are going to use high trade assets, a long-term 2C solution makes far more sense than at RD. Unlike our defensive group, our center crop in the farm is quite barren outside of Robidas, who's more of a bottom-six piece.

 

[Nikishin al Gaib]

If the Canes are going to use high trade assets, a long-term 2C solution makes far more sense than at RD. Unlike our defensive group, our center crop in the farm is quite barren outside of Robidas, who's more of a bottom-six piece.

I mean Pettersson for a prospect and at least some of the picks we got for Rantanen should be on the table, no?

 

[Ole Gil]

I think they will make an offer, but I do wonder if Marner wants to go to a winner or just go to the biggest check he can get. If it's the second, he'll end up in Anaheim or Chicago or Utah where they are likely to offer more than Tulsky calculates Marner as being worth.

But I can see them chasing one of Boeser or Ehlers rather than getting into a bidding war for Marner.

For 2C, Bennett would be a top target if he gets to July 1, but will he? Do they check in on Tavares rather than Marner?

Usually, it's a bit of both with the biggest check they can get from a winner. Nobody is trying to go to Utah for 7 years for an 100 million instead of a perennial winner for 97 million.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

I mean Pettersson for a prospect and at least some of the picks we got for Rantanen should be on the table, no?

100%. I would go in that direction. Even Horvat would be an excellent fit if Pettersson is not available, though he'd be more of a medium-term solution.

 

[bleedgreen]

I think they will make an offer, but I do wonder if Marner wants to go to a winner or just go to the biggest check he can get. If it's the second, he'll end up in Anaheim or Chicago or Utah where they are likely to offer more than Tulsky calculates Marner as being worth.

But I can see them chasing one of Boeser or Ehlers rather than getting into a bidding war for Marner.

For 2C, Bennett would be a top target if he gets to July 1, but will he? Do they check in on Tavares rather than Marner?

I think Tavares makes far more sense than Marner. Cheaper and at a position of need, experienced to balance out our new lean to the younger guys. Still productive and would play Rod’s way.

Bennett is a really good fit too, though I’d worry about injuries the way he plays.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

I mean Pettersson for a prospect and at least some of the picks we got for Rantanen should be on the table, no?

I think it's on the table but personally at this point I don't think I'd want to take that risk any more. 15G/45P in 64 games and -10 while having a near $12M cap hit locked in for 7 years... Awfully risky, even with the cap going up and our great cap situation. Would rather keep pursuing other options to solve our 2C problem long term with more certainty.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

I think Tavares makes far more sense than Marner. Cheaper and at a position of need, experienced to balance out our new lean to the younger guys. Still productive and would play Rod’s way.

Bennett is a really good fit too, though I’d worry about injuries the way he plays.

Tavares would also be another dabble into the Old Guy Without a Cup string of acquisitions that have been very successful for us (see Burns, maybe a little bit for Taylor Hall, though he hasn't quite hit the OGWAC threshold yet IMO).

 

[ONO94]

Ok - hear me out - Morgan Geekie as 2c - he has been trending up since he got to Boston and maybe he is not a fluke but someone who had evolved...EDIT - sorry, thought he was a UFA this year and not next... my bad

And I like the Tavares short term plan but I don't think they make Canes PJs in his size.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Ok - hear me out - Morgan Geekie as 2c - he has been trending up since he got to Boston and maybe he is not a fluke but someone who had evolved...EDIT - sorry, thought he was a UFA this year and not next... my bad

And I like the Tavares short term plan but I don't think they make Canes PJs in his size.

If B's are in full tank mode, maybe they would move Geekie for picks.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Geekie strikes me as a guy who has a one off career year and will never even come close to reaching that level again. I like him but view him as a 3rd liner at best and would pass on adding him even if he were a UFA

 

[WreckingCrew]

Geekie strikes me as a guy who has a one off career year and will never even come close to reaching that level again. I like him but view him as a 3rd liner at best and would pass on adding him even if he were a UFA

Riley Nash put up 15G - 41 PTS with Boston 2 yrs after leaving Carolina, then plummeted back to Earth. I do think Geekie is better, maybe a 2C/3C tweener

 

[spockBokk]

Walker’s emergence makes me think he’s destined for a bigger role next season. I could definitely see him taking over Burns’ spot next to Slavin.

Considering that RBA was OK with Gostisbehere-Walker as a 3rd pair all season and he was reluctantly OK with playing Nikishin with Gostisbehere in a high stakes playoff game, I don’t think its completely out of the question that Gostisbehere-Morrow is a thing next season. In fact, I think that’s how they start out.

On the other hand, I wouldn’t be too surprised if they used Morrow as a chip to bring in a higher end Burns replacement, but I feel like it’s more likely he’s a roster player next year vs not. If they do end up keeping Morrow, a capable 7D is a must.

Out of Burns and Orlov, I find it much more likely they’d opt for signing Orlov, but don’t think either of them are around next season.

Still don’t see a chance that Marner comes to CAR, but would love to be proven wrong. One of Ehlers/Boeser/Bennett/Nelson seems much
more likely and also a significant trade addition, I still like Pettersson if the price is right.

 

[DaveG]

I think Tavares makes far more sense than Marner. Cheaper and at a position of need, experienced to balance out our new lean to the younger guys. Still productive and would play Rod’s way.

Bennett is a really good fit too, though I’d worry about injuries the way he plays.

his injuries or his opponents injuries?

no seriously though, I actually would worry about availability, but more from suspensions due to the way he plays and the fact that he'd be moving away from the Campbells protection.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

Walker’s emergence makes me think he’s destined for a bigger role next season. I could definitely see him taking over Burns’ spot next to Slavin.

Considering that RBA was OK with Gostisbehere-Walker as a 3rd pair all season and he was reluctantly OK with playing Nikishin with Gostisbehere in a high stakes playoff game, I don’t think its completely out of the question that Gostisbehere-Morrow is a thing next season. In fact, I think that’s how they start out.

On the other hand, I wouldn’t be too surprised if they used Morrow as a chip to bring in a higher end Burns replacement, but I feel like it’s more likely he’s a roster player next year vs not. If they do end up keeping Morrow, a capable 7D is a must.

Out of Burns and Orlov, I find it much more likely they’d opt for signing Orlov, but don’t think either of them are around next season.

Still don’t see a chance that Marner comes to CAR, but would love to be proven wrong. One of Ehlers/Boeser/Bennett/Nelson seems much
more likely and also a significant trade addition, I still like Pettersson if the price is right.

There are solid arguments to keep either Burns or Orlov for one season if the team doesn't quite think that Morrow is ready to be handed a top-6 slot and if they think that Nikishin needs more veteran leadership. We're not a team that just hands out minutes to young guys unless they 100% prove themselves worthy (as was the case with Blake this season).

 

[spockBokk]

There are solid arguments to keep either Burns or Orlov for one season if the team doesn't quite think that Morrow is ready to be handed a top-6 slot and if they think that Nikishin needs more veteran leadership. We're not a team that just hands out minutes to young guys unless they 100% prove themselves worthy (as was the case with Blake this season).

Thing is, I think Morrow has proven himself at least as a 3rd pairing option. I don’t see the point in sending him back down to the minors if they think he’s truly a future piece of the core. I say let him learn on the job skating 12-15mins a night with PP2 duty.

I’d much prefer they do that than bring back either Orlov or Burns. Either play Morrow, or use him as a chip to bring in a top another top 4 RD.