There is only so much cap hit and Toronto doesn't need more scoring

[Gallagbi]

Spezza is one of our top 5v5 point producers. Why not give him a try on the top 6? I don’t understand why Keefe hasn’t even tried it, yet has let Thornton try it for months.

He had Spezza with Marner and Matthews last week. Big problem with him, like Simmonds, is the fact they are RWers.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

He had Spezza with Marner and Matthews last week. Big problem with him, like Simmonds, is the fact they are RWers.

Nylander-Tavares-Spezza? Idk.

Id like to se that one have a try.

 

[Gallagbi]

Nylander-Tavares-Spezza? Idk.

Id like to se that one have a try.

He'd have to be with Nylander, since Marner struggles on the left so much. Even then Nylander hasn't played much on the left, I just think it's less of an issue for him than Marner.

 

[Hockey Crazy]

I'd love a 3C but are there any decent ones out there on a selling team?

 

[seanlinden]

I'm skeptical that Taylor Hall could jump onto a moving train like a Stanley Cup contender and thrive. He hasn't had much team success ever so I don't know if he has a foundation of "championship" habits and the three teams he's been on the past two years have struggled to get things going with him in a lead role. I guess you could say he could be our Phil Kessel, but I'm not super enthusiastic about the prospects of him coming here and being the missing piece. Might be worthwhile to bring in next offseason as a reclamation though.

There likely is something to be said about this "characteristic" and Taylor Hall.

It is shocking, to an extent. The guy has been in the league 11 years now, he's made the playoffs in 2 of them. Thus summer, teams were "concerned" about whether he's really a player you can win with, so instead of joining up with a team like Colorado to prove that he can, he signs a 1 year deal in Buffalo at big money, to prove that he can be "the #2 guy' on a team... obviously it didn't work out very well.

That being said, as ridiculous as it sounds, I think they have "bigger fish to fry"... notably, they have to figure out:

1. How do you get more goals out of John Tavares?

2. What do Matthews & Marner need on their wing to be able to produce at the level of McDavid-Draisaitl?

2a. If Matthews & Marner aren't going to produce at that level together, do they need to be split up and potentially spread the offence over 3 lines?

3. What the heck is the "purpose" of their 3rd line? Is it to grind? agitate? is it to be another potent offensive unit making matchups impossible? Right now it just seems to be a collection of parts to "stash" pieces for the top 2 lines.

 

[The Apologist]

Nylander - Matthews - Marner
Galchenyuk - Tavares - Hyman
Mik - Granlund - Simmonds
Thornton - Engvall - Spezza

Ekholm - Brodie
Reilly - Bogo
Muzzin - Holl

Campbell
Andersen

Mitch and Hyman swapped and me likey.

 

[Its not your fault]

He'd have to be with Nylander, since Marner struggles on the left so much. Even then Nylander hasn't played much on the left, I just think it's less of an issue for him than Marner.

Why couldn't Spezza try the left. Being Center its hardly that hard of an adjustment when you had his elite gifts.

 

[Gallagbi]

Why couldn't Spezza try the left. Being Center its hardly that hard of an adjustment when you had his elite gifts.

He could certainly try, but it'd be a big adjustment for him IMO, especially having to do so much on his backhand with a lot less time and space than he's used to.

 

[cupcrazyman]

Looks like he just lost 15 large

 

[BlueBaron]

We need an elite penalty killer and 2 more spare goalies apparently.......

 

[BlueBaron]

100% disagree. Taylor Hall would be a top 1-6 forward on this team most nights, if you can get that for a 1st round pick imo you do it. Nobody wins a cup while being conservative and planning for the future.
It was lack of top 6 scoring at 5v5 that sunk us last year, not needing a better 3rd line center or more checkers. Pitt's last 2 cup winning seasons would be absolute disasters if you looked at their personnel moves not knowing they won the cup.

Its not just a pick though. Too many cap acrobatics to realistically pull off.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

1 big fast strong forechecking winger who can play PK and play on 2nd or 3rd lines in a tough trap type game
1 more defensive defender who we can insert with injuries
1 more goaler who can help us if soupy goes down again

 

[al secord]

Capft Shmapft

 

[banks]

A goalie about as good as Aaron Dell would be good to add right about now. And I'd love a forward like Palmieri.

No need for Hall.

 

[zeke]

To BUF: Andersen, 1st round pick, 2nd round pick, C prospect
To TOR: Hall (50%), Ullmark (50%)

 

[francis246]

If Taylor Hall is available for anything less than a first, you have to add him. You can never have too much goal scoring. It’s how you win at the end of the day. You have to out score your opponents. Move Kerfoot and a 2nd and a b level prospect if you have to in order to make the cap work.

 

[francis246]

To BUF: Andersen, 1st round pick, 2nd round pick, C prospect
To TOR: Hall (50%), Ullmark (50%)

why would you move a first for Taylor Hall when you don’t have to? Wait it out, hall will go for 2nd rounders

 

[Cotton]

Taylor Hall, if he plays like he gives a shit, would be a nice get.

Add Boone Jenner and a goaltender to the wish list.

 

[Leafsfan74]

why would you move a first for Taylor Hall when you don’t have to? Wait it out, hall will go for 2nd rounders

2nd round AND Sabres would have to eat salary.

If I am the Leafs, I target teams looking for a true rebuild and negotiate my 1st, 2nd and 3rd Rounders, elite prospects in exchange for Cap absorption/rental players.

This cannot be as easy as it sounds, as teams also want to address costs in a lower than normal revenue environment.