Should Toronto retool starting next year?

[Orfieus]

This all depends on Matthews, if he is unwilling to resign in the off-season Toronto has to try to trade him. I say try because starting next year he has an NMC and it is totally up to him if he leaves and where he goes.

But if AM doesn't resign and our new GM is able to trade both him and Marner (remember Marner also has an NMC starting next year) do we do what Calgary did and force the pieces to try to win a championship or use the returns to retool and come back stronger in 3-4yrs?

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[TorMapleJays]

Passed all tests.

Believe in the process.

Believe in the core.

We can and we will.

Run it back.

Learned from our mistakes.

Successful Road trip.

Respect in the handshake line.

 

[thewave]

If Matthews does not commit in principle, trade.
If Marner does not commit in principle with a wage freeze, trade.
If Nylander comes in at a reasonable cost, keep

The proceeds from Matthews and/or Marner should be able to get us some good top 6 players around JT's age as well as picks to use down the line. Running with the assumption JT is here to stay you could probably still have decent hockey around here. If Nylander stays that is.

Included in some of the above moves would be the opportunity to shore up the defense. Resign Sammy and keep going with Woll as well.

I think we have enough assets worth to do a quick rebuild and stay competitive for a few years and see what is on McDavid's mind.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I am not a fan of what I am seeing from Matthews. Don't care for any of the core 4. Not sure why we should bend over backwards for Matthews. If somebody tells me he is better than Draisaitl, I will laugh my ass off.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

me he is better than Draisaitl

Maybe McDavid wants to play the Draisaitl and stays in Edmonton to do so ?

I think Sammy goes to Edmonton next year and there’ll be a huge cup run.

 

[Shooter2x]

I'd run it around matthews-nylander, trade marner in a blockbuster for the best under 27 year old you can get and wait for McDavid

Oh and I love JT but age has caught up, we need that cap space to build around matthews nylander mcdavid new big 3.

 

[TMLAM34]

How many times can you run it back with the same group and expect different results?

 

[stats1]

How about blowing it up. How can you run it back with a bunch of losers. The effort level from Marner and Matthews is disgusting. f*** them both. Never seen Marner play that piss poor before. Dude’s head was in space the whole game

 

[BallardEra]

I'd look at trading for Tom Wilson from the Caps. He's UFA after next season.

 

[capfit9]

On May 7th, 2023, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares & William Nylander QUIT on the city of Toronto & on the logo.

 

[LeafsFan89]

I think the fundamental problem is a culture problem. I think the players have shown who they are in the playoffs and there is no coach or GM in the world that is going to change that. So I would trade Matthews, Marner, JT, etc and just accept the fact you're losing those trades and rebuild properly with players who have passion and determination.

The only core 4 player I would consider keeping is Nylander, only because he has consistently shown to elevate his game in the playoffs. But trade him if the deal is right.

 

[mjd1001]

I make calls on Matthews this offseason right away to guage interest. I'm not so sure the team is better with him (WITH what you will need to pay him) vs how good the team will be for what you can get back. I'm not sure, but I want to find out for sure what you can get back.

If the Leafs lose this in 4 (or even 5 games), you can trade him and get the least backlash from your fanbase.

In the last 5 seasons:
McDavid: 1.91 points per game in the playoffs (0.26 MORE than the reg season)
Draisaitl: 1.88 ppg in the playoffs (.42 MORE than the reg season)
Matthews: 1.06 ppg in the playffs (.16 LESS than the reg season)

Matthews is still good in the playoffs, but in 5 years there is little sign he is capable of elevating his game one more step up when the playoffs start.

 

[ShameOnYouZidlicky]

Matthews (w/ signed contract) to LAK for Byfield + Clarke

or

Marner for assets turned into a promising young D or G

or

Both

 

[stats1]

I’d move both to be honest. It’s not a coach problem or a GM problem it’s a culture problem. The room stinks of selfishness and failure. It’s time for this franchise to get some balls and start dictating terms instead of always giving in. If Matthews isn’t going to bend a bit on negotiations start making calls to teams. With Marner it’s just time to go, he talks a big game but always disappears in big games.

 

[Gallagbi]

Matthews (w/ signed contract) to LAK for Byfield + Clarke

Oof

 

[LeafsandSharksfan]

Probably too many moving parts to facilitate a Matthews trades before the NMC kicks in, especially if a decision has to be made regarding the GM, coach, etc.

Only way I see core four moves happening this year is if a Tkachuck situation comes up where a young elite player surprisingly becomes available.

The retool probably begins in earnest next year when Nylander doesn't re-sign.

 

[Trapper]

Who is going to retool?
That’s the first question. All the rest is just up in the air.

 

[hullsy47]

I am not a fan of what I am seeing from Matthews. Don't care for any of the core 4. Not sure why we should bend over backwards for Matthews. If somebody tells me he is better than Draisaitl, I will laugh my ass off.

No he is not worthy of the highest paid in hockey
Maybe u can fleece Arizona into taking him for Bedard if they win the lottery
Least Arizona makes the cap floor

 

[All Mod Cons]

It's too late.

 

[RayzorIsDull]

I think the fundamental problem is a culture problem. I think the players have shown who they are in the playoffs and there is no coach or GM in the world that is going to change that. So I would trade Matthews, Marner, JT, etc and just accept the fact you're losing those trades and rebuild properly with players who have passion and determination.

The only core 4 player I would consider keeping is Nylander, only because he has consistently shown to elevate his game in the playoffs. But trade him if the deal is right.

That doesn't make much sense. So what you're saying is the Leafs drafted the wrong players in Matthews/Marner take a loss and be crap again and just hope you nail future picks??

 

[LeafLoyalist]

If you were Mathews, and having to deal with all this disappointment the last 5 years, would you want to sign here for another 8 years? The media and reporters are cut throat when it gets bad, the fans can be relentless in a negative way. Yes, if they would ever win he would get so much glory, but it is really difficult to win in this league are you betting your hockey career on that? He's not a Toronto born like JT and Marner, even Willy understands what it is to be a TML, but Auston may not want that failure hanging over his hockey career if they don't succeed. He may very well opt to head to Cali or Vegas after his last year, not signing July 1st will cause a ripple effect all season, tough spot here for both sides.

 

[Rob Brown]

If you were Mathews, and having to deal with all this disappointment the last 5 years, would you want to sign here for another 8 years? The media and reporters are cut throat when it gets bad, the fans can be relentless in a negative way. Yes, if they would ever win he would get so much glory, but it is really difficult to win in this league are you betting your hockey career on that? He's not a Toronto born like JT and Marner, even Willy understands what it is to be a TML, but Auston may not want that failure hanging over his hockey career if they don't succeed. He may very well opt to head to Cali or Vegas after his last year, not signing July 1st will cause a ripple effect all season, tough spot here for both sides.

You'd think the opportunity for Matthews to become the best Leaf of all time would outweigh his fear of failing in this city.

 

[Burnie97]

Yes. Time to change it up. Too many gutless players in the playoffs.

 

[kevsh]

Soft (scratch that, aggressive) rebuild.
Not sure if possible while Tavares is under contract, so move what you can until he's off the books for NHL-ready and high compete players on solid contracts with term.

Of course the devil is in the details in regards to "move what you can", but for starters:
- Matthews is still the guy you build around, extend him but reasonable. If he wants McDavid money laugh then start making calls.
- Nylander is a symptom and he'll be a nightmare to re-sign after his (regular season) performance, easy call: Move him.
- Marner I would move. He's not a big game player, he's scared. He needs mental rehabilitation in an easier market. See if Columbus is interested Side note: I would make sure I make it known Mitch is on the block before starting AM negotiations so Auston sees we're serious. Maybe that pisses him off and he wants to walk, so be it.
- Other psychologically scarred players from all this losing should be moved out as well. If possible: Holl, Brodie, Kerfoot.
- McCabe, Lafferty, Jarnkrok and definitely Kampf stay. Doubtful ROR will re-sign, or at least to a reasonable deal. Acciari probably walks too. They've both seen enough.

Then it's just a matter of waiting out 2 years for Tavares to walk and freeing up enough space for some quality winners to surround Matthews with.

 

[LeafsFan89]

That doesn't make much sense. So what you're saying is the Leafs drafted the wrong players in Matthews/Marner take a loss and be crap again and just hope you nail future picks??

After the last 7 playoff rounds, do you have confidence that Matthews, Marner, JT, Willy are the ones to lead you to a championship?

I am not saying necessarily picks. I am saying you are going to lose those trades. But at this point, I am not confident that these two players are worth their next contracts (or even the current contracts).