Confirmed with Link: [TOR/COL] F Denis Malgin for F Dryden Hunt

[Mess]

I suspect these boards have spent an exponentially longer time debating and thinking about Malgin than the entire Leafs front office has lol

100% correct.

Many Leaf fans wished Leafs management put MORE thought into their player personnel decisions.

Maybe Mason Marchment for Denis Malgin trade doesn't happen, if management could evaluate talent better and realize there is little value in acquiring a soft small 5-9 175 lbs player. Malgin has been a lightening rod for GM criticism ever since that very lopsided trade.

Remember after losing to TB last year, Leafs bringing in Denis Malgin and Adam Gaudette and Nicolas Aube-Kubel and selling that as rebuilding the bottom 6 replacing the likes of Jason Spezza, Ondrej Kase, Colin Blackwell and others departing etc was designed for team improvement,

So it does appear the fan base has a better grasp on talent level and impact than the GM does at times. That is why there is so much debate questioning questionable decisions.

 

[Dekes For Days]

To me, it looks like Dubas supporters are a little unsure of how to respond to the GM trading a player that was perceived to be such a pet project, who turned out not to be that important…

The only ones who have acted like Malgin was "important" and a "pet project" this whole time have been those who dislike Dubas. For everybody else, including probably Dubas, he was just potential NHL depth that we traded AHL depth for years ago. Which we've now traded for different NHL depth. I don't see anybody "unsure of how to respond". It's pretty straightforward.

 

[djdev]

honestly i think its a nothing trade, but i will like it more/less depending on who it pisses off here

 

[Leaf Fans]

honestly i think its a nothing trade, but i will like it more/less depending on who it pisses off here

I don't think it pisses off anyone.

 

[hamzarocks]

preseason legend, the new tyler ennis.

Tyler ennis had 17 goals with us

Dude was a good 4th liner

 

[Leafidelity]

preseason legend, the new tyler ennis.

Brandon Kozun

 

[hockeywiz542]

What the Maple Leafs get in trade for Dryden Hunt

The Maple Leafs made a minor move Monday, sending Denis Malgin to Colorado for Dryden Hunt. Here is what they're getting in their newest addition.

www.sportsnet.ca

TO TORONTO: DRYDEN HUNT

A 27-year-old left winger, Hunt has played 193 career NHL games, with his best season being 2021-22 with the New York Rangers when he scored six goals and 17 points in 76 games. At the AHL level, though, he's approached point-per-game numbers before.

Hunt was placed on waivers in October, and claimed by Colorado. He has one goal in 25 games with the Avalanche this season and a contract worth $762,500 against the cap that expires at the end of the season.

"I'm not the general manager so I don't make those decisions," Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said Monday. "From what I know of the player he's just a different type of player and just trying to change up the depth of our team a little bit.

"Guy plays hard. Pretty simple game. Physical and competitive. I think not a lot's happened for him offensively in the NHL, but he has scored and been a good player at the AHL level and protects the puck well and all those sorts of things."

Hunt isn't a game-changer on this Leafs roster, but he is a physical and "more traditional" option for a bottom-line role. Or, he may wind up on waivers again and possibly en route to the Marlies in the coming weeks.

From Jason Bukala: "We signed Hunt out of junior as a free agent when I was in Florida. To be honest, he was a darling of our analytics department at the time and they forecasted him to be an NHL scorer."

What Hunt provides now is a fourth-line/13th-forward role as a worker. He’s a character player who has never established himself as a consistent threat offensively, but he improved his skating over time and he empties the tank when his number is called.

Look for him to add some physical involvement to the Leafs roster. Not punishing, but enough to keep opponents on their toes. He can also penalty kill if required.

Hunt is a character person. A good teammate. Right now I see him pushing Zach Aston-Reese aside in the short term.

 

[Stephen]

The only ones who have acted like Malgin was "important" and a "pet project" this whole time have been those who dislike Dubas. For everybody else, including probably Dubas, he was just potential NHL depth that we traded AHL depth for years ago. Which we've now traded for different NHL depth. I don't see anybody "unsure of how to respond". It's pretty straightforward.

Yeah right Dekes. Fans labeling Dryden Hunt as a player for the boomers although acquired by Dubas by his own free will for his own design.

 

[Stephen]

honestly i think its a nothing trade, but i will like it more/less depending on who it pisses off here

Don't think the trade should piss off anybody, since Malgin was as unremarkable as they come and Hunt is a different depth piece.

 

[bossram]

I think it says something that COL, with a zillion injuries, don't actually want Hunt in their lineup.

 

[Stephen]

100% correct.

Many Leaf fans wished Leafs management put MORE thought into their player personnel decisions.

Maybe Mason Marchment for Denis Malgin trade doesn't happen, if management could evaluate talent better and realize there is little value in acquiring a soft small 5-9 175 lbs player. Malgin has been a lightening rod for GM criticism ever since that very lopsided trade.

Remember after losing to TB last year, Leafs bringing in Denis Malgin and Adam Gaudette and Nicolas Aube-Kubel and selling that as rebuilding the bottom 6 replacing the likes of Jason Spezza, Ondrej Kase, Colin Blackwell and others departing etc was designed for team improvement,

So it does appear the fan base has a better grasp on talent level and impact than the GM does at times. That is why there is so much debate questioning questionable decisions.

The original sin was the Marchment for Malgin trade, which was an unforced error and a blunder in terms of asset management and internal player assessment.

Other than that, Malgin's return was a nothing burger, just like his departure.

 

[Stephen]

I think it says something that COL, with a zillion injuries, don't actually want Hunt in their lineup.

It says as much as Arizona bailing on Conor Timmins in the midst of a Bedard tank campaign only for him to be a near PPG defensemen after a half dozen games.

Trades happen in pursuit of different fits, but nice try.

 

[supermann_98]

Anyone watch kyper and bourne today?

The first 3 or 4 minutes of the Stellick segment are hilarious

Cliff notes for those of us who aren't masochistic enough to enjoy kyper and bourne, much less Gord stellick?

 

[supermann_98]

Leafs plays the Avs on new year's eve.

Anyone know a good betting app that will allow me to bet Malgin scores a goal on December 31st?

I'd love to see the odds and probably drop at least $50 depending on the odds

 

[Leaf Fans]

I think it says something that COL, with a zillion injuries, don't actually want Hunt in their lineup.

One of the things it could say is that an offense minded forward is what they need over a defense first forward.

 

[LaPlante94]

I think it says something that COL, with a zillion injuries, don't actually want Hunt in their lineup.

Maybe they think Malgin is what they need in their top 6 while they have so many injuries and Hunt is another depth player who can play up and down the lineup like a majority of our depth players could for a short period of time if injuries happen. Pretty much a nothing trade. We get rid of someone who didn't provide the offence we were hoping for in our bottom 6 and getting a guy who defensively responsible and isn't afraid of contact if needed.

I do find it weird how Keefe healthy scratched Malgin after that stretch where Malgin was putting together some very good games and starting to get some chances consistently, even to the point where Keefe praised him for it.

 

[Jojalu]

I think it says something that COL, with a zillion injuries, don't actually want Hunt in their lineup.

It says more that they need scoring so they want to try Malgin.

Most likely neither would be in, nor will be in a healthy lineup.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Fans labeling Dryden Hunt as a player for the boomers although acquired by Dubas by his own free will for his own design.

One guy on twitter mentioned that Hunt's player type matches what the older demographic tends to call for. I'm not sure how you got from that to whatever it is you're trying to do here.

 

[Gallagbi]

We won this trade hands down. This is a charter guy who battles. Has great leadership skills and can play up and down the line up. I watched him a lot in Jr. He brings more to the table when games get tough then Malgin can.

Can he play RW?

 

[Jacquestrapless]

Where's that dude in the Timmins thread who melted down because Dubas traded size for skill ? Hopefully, this satiates them.

This dude also ain't from the soo, so we know Dubas is capable of going outside his comfort zone

 

[Stephen]

One guy on twitter mentioned that Hunt's player type matches what the older demographic tends to call for. I'm not sure how you got from that to whatever it is you're trying to do here.

What are we even arguing about? Seems like it's an open and shut case that Malgin's nothing special, didn't need to be here the first or second go round. Obviously Dubas didn't even value him that much relative to all the fans who thought otherwise.

 

[Dekes For Days]

What are we even arguing about? Seems like it's an open and shut case that Malgin's nothing special, didn't need to be here the first or second go round. Obviously Dubas didn't even value him that much relative to all the fans who thought otherwise.

Nobody ever said Malgin was "special", and no fans thought he was super valuable. He's NHL depth that we traded AHL depth for years ago, that we now traded for a different style of NHL depth.

 

[Stephen]

Nobody ever said Malgin was "special". He's NHL depth that we traded AHL depth for years ago, that we now traded for a different style of NHL depth.

Yes exactly. The original sin was the Dubas making an unforced error in evaluating and trading Mason Marchment for someone with low impact like Denis Malgin. Everything after that point is just 4th line level stuff and not a big deal.

 

[Leafsfan74]

One guy on twitter mentioned that Hunt's player type matches what the older demographic tends to call for. I'm not sure how you got from that to whatever it is you're trying to do here.

Probably guys over 60 who have seen 100s of playoff games and understand the difference between regular season hockey and playoff hockey. I'm not that old, but I've seen 40 years of hockey and for the last few years the absolute need to have a different breed of player who can perform dirty work, in particular in the playoffs is needed. They need physical, responsible character lines who play like a pack.

Of course there are a few Don Cherry types for which the game has passed them by, but I think they are the extreme. Most understand a need for balance in the bottom of the lineup. Balance that provides a different look and generates problems when scoring decreases and a battle in the clogged up playoffs.


Consider what Kane brought to the Oilers. We won't find a player like him especially with his scoring touch, but he brought game. His baggage made it a more difficult risk for the Leafs but he dominated for the Oilers. I use the Perry example, back to back finals on different teams and always causing trouble.

Hard, heavy forecheckers, especially as some of the Leaf forward vets have aged and have lost that physical edge. I'd still play Simmonds if needed though.

 

[Stephen]

Probably guys over 60 who have seen 100s of playoff games and understand the difference between regular season hockey and playoff hockey. I'm not that old, but I've seen 40 years of hockey and for the last few years the absolute need to have a different breed of player who can perform dirty work, in particular in the playoffs is needed. They need packed, responsible character lines who play like a pack.

Of course there are a few Don Cherry types for which the game has passed them by, but I think they are the extreme. Most understand a need for balance in the bottom of the lineup. Balance that provides a different look and generates problems when scoring decreases and a battle in the clogged up playoffs.


Consider what Kane brought to the Oilers. We won't find a player like him especially with his scoring touch, but he brought game. His baggage made it a more difficult risk for the Leafs but he dominated for the Oilers. I use the Perry example, back to back finals on different teams and always causing trouble.

Hard, heavy forecheckers, especially as some of the Leaf forward vets have aged and have lost that physical edge. I'd still play Simmonds if needed though.

What I find to be completely strange about that Tweet (which we are discussing) is the fact that it's a Dubas trade. But we have some made up "boomer" fan who gets singled out because some different player type was acquired. But yes, Hunt looks like the kind of player who can play the pack mentality game and augment some of the playstyle that's been going well during the win streak.