TDL wish list, who, what, how many?

[All Mod Cons]

I don't see how this team wins. They may entertain but I look at JT and the lack of depth and speed compared to these contenders. I just dont see it right now because the cap and depth needs sorted out.

Every move needs to be made with 2025-26 in mind. That's the first year we have a proper chance at a Cup (sans the all Canadian division year).

Problem is we have so few assets to help us build the team in time, we're going to have to rely on UFA buying, which is a precarious exercise.

 

[Maple Leaf]

ALL IN ALL ABOARD THIS IS IT THIS IS ALL YOY GET

 

[All Mod Cons]

I don't see how this team wins. They may entertain but I look at JT and the lack of depth and speed compared to these contenders. I just dont see it right now because the cap and depth needs sorted out.

Thinking about this more, it is quite crazy and incredibly frustrating how the rebuild went down.

The tear down was excellent. No complaints whatsoever. And they hit home runs on early early 1st round pick (not always the case).

They had prospects at all levels, youth and cap space. So much cap space to work with.

The incredibly frustrating part, and to be fair, there were some fans I saw here that could see what was coming, everything just happened 12 months too early. They just couldn't quite see it through to the full resolution.

Obviously we know now how it went down, but the Tavares signing had massive, cascading impacts on the team. And the same year, they traded for Muzzin. If they just could've held on for 12 more months, the outlook would've been so different.

We'd, I think most would agree, have gotten the big 3 at a reduced rate. How much? No one knows for sure. But there would've been a savings there.

Marleau could've just walked, amd we could've drafted a Jarvis or a Mercer. Not world beaters, but solid players that contribute.

We could have gotten a Pinto, Kalyiev, Tomasino with the Muzzin trade.

But more than that, Hyman could've been kept, and we could've traded for more players that had term. We seem to have been trading for rentals for the last few seasons and have very little of those guys still with the organization.

Nearly every trade had to have an additional draft pick thrown in because everything needed retention. All those extra picks add up.

And now, we have very little assets to work trades with. We may get some cheap impending UFAs, but we can't really bring anyone in with term.

It is really hard to envision how to turn this team into a true contender. We are just so thin at certain positions.

What could've been if we just decided to hold on for one more season.

 

[authentic]

I'm not saying we pay the price, but man a Tanev is exactly what we need. I'm happy with the forwards, a minute eating, tough as nails, poised D man, we look formidable.

Too late for that one now

 

[Maple Leaf]

Too late for that one now

tereverling needs to get it done

 

[DarkKnight]

Too late for that one now

Didn't like the price, but from a pure hockey sense that's too bad.

 

[Evilhomer]

Who knows, maybe he has a big deal up his sleeve.

 

[colchar]

Thinking about this more, it is quite crazy and incredibly frustrating how the rebuild went down.

The tear down was excellent. No complaints whatsoever. And they hit home runs on early early 1st round pick (not always the case).

They had prospects at all levels, youth and cap space. So much cap space to work with.

The incredibly frustrating part, and to be fair, there were some fans I saw here that could see what was coming, everything just happened 12 months too early. They just couldn't quite see it through to the full resolution.

Obviously we know now how it went down, but the Tavares signing had massive, cascading impacts on the team. And the same year, they traded for Muzzin. If they just could've held on for 12 more months, the outlook would've been so different.

We'd, I think most would agree, have gotten the big 3 at a reduced rate. How much? No one knows for sure. But there would've been a savings there.

Marleau could've just walked, amd we could've drafted a Jarvis or a Mercer. Not world beaters, but solid players that contribute.

We could have gotten a Pinto, Kalyiev, Tomasino with the Muzzin trade.

But more than that, Hyman could've been kept, and we could've traded for more players that had term. We seem to have been trading for rentals for the last few seasons and have very little of those guys still with the organization.

Nearly every trade had to have an additional draft pick thrown in because everything needed retention. All those extra picks add up.

And now, we have very little assets to work trades with. We may get some cheap impending UFAs, but we can't really bring anyone in with term.

It is really hard to envision how to turn this team into a true contender. We are just so thin at certain positions.

What could've been if we just decided to hold on for one more season.

Translation - thanks Dubas, you dumb-ass.

 

[therealkoho]

Haven't read through the full thread but I think they'd be best to try 1 stop shopping for 1 3/4 RD and a forward who can 2LW

Matt Boldy 7mAAV

Brock Faber upcoming RFA

To make it work with the money the Leafs would need them to take either Brodie or Bertuzzi + David Kampf

So Bert and Kampf or

TJ and Kampf

It's a big ask so a 1st for sure probably Niemela + Steeves + 3rd or Robertson



Boldy 34 16

Knies Domi Will

McMann 91 Jarnkrok

Gregor Holmberg Robertson/Reavo
Or
Gregor Holmberg Steeves/Reavo

 

[LeafEgo]

I think we've passed the stage of what we need to get, it's a right handed middle aged defenseman with term, ideally first line caliber, but if not available second line caliber. Hopefully big.

Forwards are set. There are ways to improve it but with our asset capital and gaps forget about it. And we played with six lefties on D last night.

Saros is the only exception here, don't bother with anything else.

 

[janesy12]

I think we've passed the stage of what we need to get, it's a right handed middle aged defenseman with term, ideally first line caliber, but if not available second line caliber. Hopefully big.

Forwards are set. There are ways to improve it but with our asset capital and gaps forget about it. And we played with six lefties on D last night.

Saros is the only exception here, don't bother with anything else.

Adam Larsson.

 

[Zybalto]

Florida -> coaching change
montreal -> Price and weird Canadian division
Dallas -> they were one of the cup favs that season btw....
Tampa -> vezina winner (Vasy), art ross winner (Kucherov), Norris winner (Hedman), Point -> up and coming star, committment to playing physical hockey

Throw in Blues for the same narrative:
Blues were down and out and all of a sudden there was a coaching change, Gloria song and they go on to win the cup

Caps:
Trotz changed the way they play, one of Trotz's quotes after the cup win:

"I told Ovi you play the way you wanna play when you have the puck; when you don't have the puck you play the way I tell you to play". Entire team bought in for the cup win.

its not as far fetched as some think. The goal is to give yourself the best chance in terms of roster make up and cap distribution

Florida: After barely making the playoffs because another team lost and down and getting crushed in the first round, they make a goalie change to their underperforming former Vezina-winning backup vet and proceeds to go on the playoff run of his life.

Difference = goaltending.


Montreal: Another former Vezina winner becomes another goalie of the playoffs as he carries his sad sack team to the finals. Monreal management self-immolates the following season not realizing it was Price that was the x-factor and thinking they acutal had a decent team and make all the wrong moves.

Difference = goaltending


Dallas: After losing their excellent starter in Bishop, it turns out that Khudobin (a friggin .930 "backup" in 24 games that season) was actually the right option in the playoffs and they roll to the finals.

Goaltending was defenitely one of the big differences.


Tampa: They dont win a thing without Vezina/Conn Smyth Vasy winning all those 1-0, 2-1 games.

Difference = Goaltending


Caps: The team goes down 2-0 to Columbus in the first round and looks to have yet another playoff disappointment coming so, in desperation, underperforming in the season Holtby replaces #1 Grubauer and holds the team together for a big double overtime 3-2 game 3 win and goes on the playoff run of his career and a cup.

Difference = Goaltending


....and of course the Blues:

Blues start season 7-9-3.
Berube takes over as coach and the team goes 9-10-1 his first 20 games.
Team has great defensive numbers but awful goaltending numbers so they make the change to AHL up and comer Binnington. (and since they were jockeying for 1st overall pick, who cares right)
Team goes from 30th in the league for Team save% to 1st the rest of the way, posts the best record in hockey and wins the cup.

Elite coaching!!!!!

(or was goaltending the difference?)

Great goaltending isnt the only thing of course but you absolutely need it in the playoffs and can you think of a series we've played where we even had the goaltending advantage? Can you think of a big save to win a game in a series since Belfour?


Toronto: 1st, Prospect, etc.

for

Nashville: Saros, Carrier


Now thats a trade I would like to see.

 

[Da Mash]

RHD to play with Reilly and a 2nd/3rd line Center to take Domi spot on the 2nd line. So we can keep Taveres on the 3rd line.

I’m not sold Domi can play well enough offensively or defesively to help the 2nd line enough for all those minutes IMHO

But I would be happy to stay pat if the prices are too high.....and they all seem to be at the TDL

 

[rumman]

Every move needs to be made with 2025-26 in mind. That's the first year we have a proper chance at a Cup (sans the all Canadian division year).

Problem is we have so few assets to help us build the team in time, we're going to have to rely on UFA buying, which is a precarious exercise.

I think your right about the 2025/2026 season being the most logical time for the Leafs to seriously contend for the cup barring injuries and such. We they once again overpay Marner, and if so will it affect how the remainder of the roster is filled out? One things certain they won’t make it easy on themselves, of I am certain……..

Translation - thanks Dubas, you dumb-ass.

Winner winner chicken dinner………

 

[leafs in five]

Every move needs to be made with 2025-26 in mind. That's the first year we have a proper chance at a Cup (sans the all Canadian division year).

Problem is we have so few assets to help us build the team in time, we're going to have to rely on UFA buying, which is a precarious exercise.

we have a "proper chance at the cup" every year

 

[leafs in five]

[looking at roster with a 26-year-old on pace for 70 goals] hopefully we write off the next 2 seasons and focus on 2025/26

 

[banks]

If Tanev only returned a 2nd and a B prospect, then I have hope that Tre can land some depth pieces for a 4th rounder or something.

I don't want them to go all-in unless it's for a long-term solution. Like Saros or something like that. Definitely not for rentals. Please don't trade Robertson or early picks for rentals.

 

[mclaren55]

Like Saros or something like that. Definitely not for rentals. Please don't trade Robertson or early picks for rentals.

I heard that Nash. isn't moving him now that they are in the playoff picture.

 

[banks]

I heard that Nash. isn't moving him now that they are in the playoff picture.

Probably true, and probably the right decision for NSH. I mentioned Saros mostly as an example. Just that big pieces like 1st rounders shouldn't be traded unless it's for a long term solution for the goaltending or a log-term partner for Rielly.

Please no expensive rentals.

 

[aingefan]

Kick tires on Nick Seeler.

Torts has reiterated the Flyers are still in a rebuild and I think Walker is outside that model. Seeler would seem to tick a lot of boxes in terms need and the type of asset outlay we should be looking at engaging in; Definitely don't need to move our 1st, and we shouldn't, barring an exceptional circumstance.

I know a couple of members have mentioned Rutta, but what about Emberson? Emberson's much younger, his cap hit is league minimum (I think) and he's got the best +/- on the Sharks...which is saying something.

Just thinking aloud, but would Robertson yield both? Plus a pick?

Speaking of using Robertson the right way...Has anyone brought up going after Blake Coleman?

I like all your targets, but wouldn’t move Nick yet at all.
He’s right where he should be now that he’s got some good health going on.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Well Tanev is gone and cost was not that much .. Tre?????????????????????????????????????????? .. Middleton and/or Borgen would help us out in playoffs .. Keefer can deploy 3 pairs with Rielly getting PP time .. Benoit - McCabe .. Brodie - Lily .. Rielly - Borgen .. it improves our chances but getting out of Atlantic is a much tougher group then any other division .. but at least we give ourselves a fighters chance and we keep our 2024 1st rounder .. as it stands today with Rielly - Brodie both Boston and Florida will kill that pair defensively on da forecheck and we are doomed for another 2st round exit guaranteed

 

[leafs in five]

any good twitter accounts for player scouting type reports? like for people who want to know how guys like Wennberg have performed this year

 

[banks]

I've always liked Matt Dumba. I wanted him instead of Klingberg in free agency. If he can come cheaper than Tanev, then I'd be fine sending a 3rd + 4th or a low level prospect.

Or how about some real dumpster diving for cheap?

Justin Schultz from Seattle?
Marc Staal from Philly?
I like the Nick Seeler suggestion from this thread.
Reunite with Calle Rosen?
Does Robert Hagg still play hockey?

 

[GoonieFace]

Well Tanev is gone and cost was not that much .. Tre?????????????????????????????????????????? .. Middleton and/or Borgen would help us out in playoffs .. Keefer can deploy 3 pairs with Rielly getting PP time .. Benoit - McCabe .. Brodie - Lily .. Rielly - Borgen .. it improves our chances but getting out of Atlantic is a much tougher group then any other division .. but at least we give ourselves a fighters chance and we keep our 2024 1st rounder .. as it stands today with Rielly - Brodie both Boston and Florida will kill that pair defensively on da forecheck and we are doomed for another 2st round exit guaranteed

Well, the leafs have no 2nd rd picks for the next 2 drafts and a 1st is too much for Tanev

 

[banks]

any good twitter accounts for player scouting type reports? like for people who want to know how guys like Wennberg have performed this year

I don't use twitter, and I can't offer a report on everyone. But Wennberg is what he's always been. A guy who takes pride and puts effort into his defensive game. He's responsible and sound, the definition of dependable.

But he refuses to shoot the puck. To the point of being maddening, he just doesn't shoot. That means he sometimes makes crazy pretty passing plays to a linemate that make you think he's a premier #2 center. But the long term reality is that he often kills his line by never shooting, and he can never be used on the powerplay.