Confirmed with Link: [TOR/COL] Nazem Kadri, Calle Rosen for Tyson Barrie (50% retain), Alex Kerfoot trade (continued)

[Isaac Nootin]

Certainly needed to be upgraded but he wasn't moved (unless I haven't seen that).

Was that announced or decided on here?

The one thing he was touted to be great at (face offs) Spezza is much better at.

Not to mention, not being a complete black hole on offence.

 

[BlueForever75]

Moore-Matthews-Nylander
Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Marchment/Augostino-Spezza-Michyelic

Reilly-Ceci
Muzzin-Barrie
Dermott-????

Andersen
Hutch

 

[ACC1224]

The one thing he was touted to be great at (face offs) Spezza is much better at.

Not to mention, not being a complete black hole on offence.

Agreed, that was a needed upgrade.

 

[al secord]

I agree, Spezza is going to have a pretty good year here. Great signing.

I'm trying to get my head around the new players and how they might fit in.
I thought Kerfoot was a winger but it seems he can play the middle.

The depth, along with Spezza give Babcock options. I'm sure when we need goals, Spezza's minutes will increase over 60 mins, but when we are defending a lead, Kerfoot/Shore/Agostino will be relied on more.

Spezza gives us someone who can actually consistently win a faceoff or two.

 

[Mess]

Is the thinking that Spezza takes Kadri's spot or Nylander?
(I'm sure it's been discussed but too many posts to catch up on.)

Plan seems to be Kerfoot as #3 and Spezza as #4 C next year as the current plan.

 

[rumman]

I read in the previous thread a post on how the fan's who thought the D was weak and Dubas stated it's underrated should be eating crow. If it was sooooo under rated why all the big changes on the D?

 

[ottomaddox]

Moore-Matthews-Nylander
Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Marchment/Augostino-Spezza-Michyelic

Reilly-Ceci
Muzzin-Barrie
Dermott-????

Andersen
Hutch

Moore on the top line?

 

[ChurchOfMatthews]

I read in the previous thread a post on how the fan's who thought the D was weak and Dubas stated it's underrated should be eating crow. If it was sooooo under rated why all the big changes on the D?

You get it.

 

[Cor]

I still can't believe this happened.

Tyson Barrie is f***ing awesome man

 

[BertCorbeau]

I'm not sure Babcock will trust Kerfoot at centre yet... And knowing Babcock this could be a likely reality given Hyman and Dermott's injuries:

Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Moore-Tavares-Marner
Kerfoot-Spezza-Kapanen
Petan-Gauthier-Shore

Rielly-Ceci
Muzzin-Barrie
Harpur-Marincin

This isn't my ideal line up but this is going off of what I know of Babs

 

[Cotton]

so pretty much just a right handed gardiner?

Better.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

My guess with current trades;

AJ-Matthews-Nylander
Hyman-JT-Marner (if it ain't broke?)
Kerfoot-Spezza-Kap (2 speedy wingers is key)
Mikheyev-Shore/Goat-Moore

Rielly-Barrie (offensive usage)
Muzzin-Ceci (more defensive usage)
Dermott-X (whomever wins it in camp)

 

[Leaf4Life79]

I can live with this. A right handed Gardiner without the brain farts.

Barrie is better then Gardiner. I am so happy with this trade!!!

 

[Gary Nylund]

I read in the previous thread a post on how the fan's who thought the D was weak and Dubas stated it's underrated should be eating crow. If it was sooooo under rated why all the big changes on the D?

1)
I'm pretty sure he said our D was underrated, not sooooo underrated.

2)
Underrated doesn't mean so good that it can't be better.

3)
The very idea that this quote from Dubas meant that he wouldn't try to improve our D was absurd from the get to, just mind blowing to me that there were people who actually believed this.

You're welcome.

 

[Leaf4Life79]

Barrie is better then Gardiner. I am so happy with this trade!!!

Rielly and Barrie our top pairing now.. WOOOO! SOLID! I am happy for Andsersen too!

All in all, I am very happy with what Dubas did !

 

[Martin Skoula]

I read in the previous thread a post on how the fan's who thought the D was weak and Dubas stated it's underrated should be eating crow. If it was sooooo under rated why all the big changes on the D?

We needed to move Zaitsev's salary and doing so left us with no RHD?

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Why would they put 7M Willy as the 3rd line C? That’s not smart.

If you roll your lines equally (which we know the coach does), it makes zero difference.

Doesn't mean that maximizes potential but ignoring how we have rolled for 3 years might mean it happens.

 

[nuck]

I agree, Spezza is going to have a pretty good year here. Great signing.

I'm trying to get my head around the new players and how they might fit in.
I thought Kerfoot was a winger but it seems he can play the middle.

Yes 56% on the dot last season but only 489 draws so looks like he only takes one side. May be some space for Spezza who shoots the other way.

 

[justafan22]

Johnston wrote today that Kadri nixed a three team trade this weekend.

Add that with the Brodie rumor from Bob and I wonder who the third team was

Maple Leafs' cap wizardry eases Marner contract challenge - Sportsnet.ca

 

[Suntouchable13]

If you roll your lines equally (which we know the coach does), it makes zero difference.

Doesn't mean that maximizes potential but ignoring how we have rolled for 3 years might mean it happens.

I disagree. He would still get the worst linemates. Won't maximize his production. It's a waste of talent.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

I agree, Spezza is going to have a pretty good year here. Great signing.

I'm trying to get my head around the new players and how they might fit in.
I thought Kerfoot was a winger but it seems he can play the middle.

Evidently Kerfoot can play any of the forward positions and played on the top line with Mack a bit as well as centering the 3rd line.

I doubt Babcock puts him at center though, seems a little small for a Babcock center.

 

[Bluelines]

Is the thinking that Spezza takes Kadri's spot or Nylander?
(I'm sure it's been discussed but too many posts to catch up on.)

It's reported that Spezza will be on the 4th line, with the ability to play up in the lineup on the wing on spot duty. He will take a lot of face-offs in our end and he will see time on the PK. I'm not sure if they have him slotted in as the #4 C or the 4 line winger. I suspect he will be a 20 point guy if he is playing 4th line.

 

[BertCorbeau]

One thing this trade opens up is the possibility of Nylander moving to centre and Bracco being called up.

Ultimately we might see these combinations up front:

Matthews-Bracco
Tavares-Marner
Nylander-Kapanen

 

[Bluelines]

Kerfoot seems to be the likely 3C.

I think he is better suited for the wing with the ability to play center, I think that is where they had him in Colorado.

 

[Cor]

CJ's article this morning seems to indicate that Rielly, Barrie, Muzzin and Dermott when healthy will make up the Leafs top 4. That makes me think TOR may look at trading Cody Ceci somewhere else for a cheaper bottom pairing D.