Confirmed with Link: [TOR/PIT] RW Kapanen, D Lindgren, LW Aberg for '20 1st(15th), LW Rodrigues, C Hallander, D Warsofsky

[Gary Nylund]

Dubas' desperation, survival-mode moves are most definitely coming.

Let's just hope it doesn't involve another 1st round pick and further mortgage the future in order to salvage his career and reputation in the NHL.

In fact if I was Shanahan, I'd block any move centered around 1st/2nd round draft picks.

Why let this guy borrow from the Leafs' future to fix mistakes he himself created?

You understand that he just traded FOR a 1st round pick right?

Strange timing for this post.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Dubas' desperation, survival-mode moves are most definitely coming.

Except there's really nothing that suggests Dubas is desperate, or in survival mode.

 

[Mess]

Dubas' desperation, survival-mode moves are most definitely coming.

Let's just hope it doesn't involve another 1st round pick and further mortgage the future in order to salvage his career and reputation in the NHL.

I think if one was asked to pick the under/over that this pick will be dealt for help for next year the odds would be on the over. IMO

I agree with some of the rumours circulating that Leafs would be willing to shop AJ/Kerfoot + 1st (2020 or 2021) + prospect for top 4 Dman.

Dubas understands the gravity of his situation, and its a reason why during the playoffs, he is already busy making moves like this one getting out in front of other GMs for next year, while strong teams are still deciding who is winning this year's Cup. Call it urgency or call it desperation, but this move based on timing alone stresses the importance and is just a precursor of more to come to reshape next years team that needs to show positive results.

 

[kb]

Except there's really nothing that suggests Dubas is desperate, or in survival mode.

Exactly. He's just doing what most GM's are doing. Making a slight course correction now that the cap is flat. There are many teams in far worse shape. And the nice thing is, the teams that are still playing are essentially shut out from making any deals. Striking this early is key.

 

[acrobaticgoalie]

The Pens moved closer to a Cup run via this trade and the Leafs further away as Kapanen is the best player in this trade and the only real NHL ready to contribute now.

However now the key is what will Leafs do with that new Kapanen cap space, his roster replacement and what becomes of that draft pick and if its reinvested in the present or the future.

Dubas confirmed with Elliote Friedman that the pick is in play for the right deal, so now we wait and see what Kyle has in mind to improve the current roster.

We don't know if our roster will be weaker yet if he isn't done making moves. If he uses that cap space and signs a steady D man like Demelo, are we still worse? Especially if Robertson can step right in and replace Kap's 40ish points

 

[aingefan]

I think if one was asked to pick the under/over that this pick will be dealt for help for next year the odds would be on the over. IMO

I agree with some of the rumours circulating that Leafs would be willing to shop AJ/Kerfoot + 1st (2020 or 2021) + prospect for top 4 Dman.

Dubas understands the gravity of his situation, and its a reason why during the playoffs, he is already busy making moves like this one getting out in front of other GMs for next year, while strong teams are still deciding who is winning this year's Cup. Call it urgency or call it desperation, but this move based on timing alone stresses the importance and is just a precursor of more to come to reshape next years team that needs to show positive results.

Or it’s strategic; clearing cap while other teams are not, before there’s nowhere else to clear it.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Exactly. He's just doing what most GM's are doing. Making a slight course correction now that the cap is flat. There are many teams in far worse shape. And the nice thing is, the teams that are still playing are essentially shut out from making any deals. Striking this early is key.

That's an interesting wrinkle for sure.

 

[aingefan]

We don't know if our roster will be weaker yet if he isn't done making moves. If he uses that cap space and signs a steady D man like Demelo, are we still worse? Especially if Robertson can step right in and replace Kap's 40ish points

Well said.
I flip flop on NickRob, about whether to let him dominate junior and round out his game and grow; or maximize his ELC right away. Maybe a year in the third/fourth line helps him prep for a top two-line role the following year?
I do think a line of him, Kerfoot and Hyman would be tough to play against, and plenty productive.

 

[Mess]

We don't know if our roster will be weaker yet if he isn't done making moves. If he uses that cap space and signs a steady D man like Demelo, are we still worse? Especially if Robertson can step right in and replace Kap's 40ish points

That was my point on how he uses the cap space still unallocated at present will be key, and who takes Kapanen's roster spot and able to score 20+ goals in a secondary bottom 6 role will decide if this trade is 1 step back, but then 2 steps forward.

Step #1 .. Create cap space and acquire assets with trade value.
Step #2 .. TBD

Still too early to call until we see what comes next.

 

[stickty111]

Except there's really nothing that suggests Dubas is desperate, or in survival mode.

Exactly. He's just doing what most GM's are doing. Making a slight course correction now that the cap is flat. There are many teams in far worse shape. And the nice thing is, the teams that are still playing are essentially shut out from making any deals. Striking this early is key.

If anything based on this deal, the desperation came from Rutherfod, and Dubas took advantage.

 

[Bomber0104]

You understand that he just traded FOR a 1st round pick right?

Strange timing for this post.

Sounds like Kapanen wasn't worth krap as far as getting the elusive RH defenceman back in return.

So he's loading up a 1st to package with other roster/prospect/future assets to get it, likely.

Exactly the type of move a desperate GM who's one more failed season away from getting fired would do, IMO.

 

[4thline]

You understand that he just traded FOR a 1st round pick right?

Strange timing for this post.

Make moves for future: "Bad glasses man spoiling window!"
Make moves for now: "Bad glasses man desperate! Mortgaging future!"
Make moves that balance both: "Bad glasses man bad!"

 

[Gary Nylund]

Sounds like Kapanen wasn't worth krap as far as getting the elusive RH defenceman back in return.

So he's loading up a 1st to package with other roster/prospect/future assets to get it, likely.

Exactly the type of move a desperate GM who's one more failed season away from getting fired would do, IMO.

Sounds like you just want to interpret everything Dubas does in a negative way.

 

[Its not your fault]

You understand that he just traded FOR a 1st round pick right?

Strange timing for this post.

Think this is one of those Opportunities to use Okay Boomer. Not that I'm a fan of it. Lol

 

[Stephen]

I think if one was asked to pick the under/over that this pick will be dealt for help for next year the odds would be on the over. IMO

I agree with some of the rumours circulating that Leafs would be willing to shop AJ/Kerfoot + 1st (2020 or 2021) + prospect for top 4 Dman.

Dubas understands the gravity of his situation, and its a reason why during the playoffs, he is already busy making moves like this one getting out in front of other GMs for next year, while strong teams are still deciding who is winning this year's Cup. Call it urgency or call it desperation, but this move based on timing alone stresses the importance and is just a precursor of more to come to reshape next years team that needs to show positive results.

I see it differently. If MLSE brought me in to replace Dubas, a cap clearing move involving Kapanen definitely would have been one my first moves. I was back and forth on which one of Kap, AJ or Kerfoot needed to go first, and I'm not decided on how many of them, but here we are.

The idea would be to turn 3 players making $9.0 million + in a third line into a pile of futures assets, prospects and picks, and the Hallander and a first exceeds my expectations.

I would probably prefer to hang onto the pick and complete the purge. Then spend the money on the UFA market to take advantage of the flat cap, but this is the direction I think we need to be going in.

 

[Stephen]

Sounds like Kapanen wasn't worth krap as far as getting the elusive RH defenceman back in return.

So he's loading up a 1st to package with other roster/prospect/future assets to get it, likely.

Exactly the type of move a desperate GM who's one more failed season away from getting fired would do, IMO.

I think that's okay though. The picks and prospects is more flexible currency that you can offer a rebuilding team as opposed to trying to find a narrow match with another team in contending status that wants a RW. Dubas should have gone this route with Kadri and gone shopping for the myriad D that was traded for picks and prospects throughout the season.

 

[Bomber0104]

I think that's okay though. The picks and prospects is more flexible currency that you can offer a rebuilding team as opposed to trying to find a narrow match with another team in contending status that wants a RW. Dubas should have gone this route with Kadri and gone shopping for the myriad D that was traded for picks and prospects throughout the season.

I'm on the opposite side of this flat-cap/COVID fallout economic outlook.

It isn't the teams that are loaded with $10 million+ players that are going to succeed (not that it has in a rising cap world either..), but rather the teams with the most productive ELC/post-COVID RFA contracts will rule the day.

A 1st round pick is going to help to that end in 2-3 years time.

Not so much another team's castoff defenceman that we're literally going to spend all our spare roster/prospect/future assets on...

 

[Stephen]

I'm on the opposite side of this flat-cap/COVID fallout economic outlook.

It isn't the teams that are loaded with $10 million+ players that are going to succeed, but rather the teams with the most productive ELC/post-COVID RFA contracts will rule the day.

A 1st round pick is going to help to that end in 2-3 years time.

Not so much a package for some other team's castoff defenceman that we're literally going to spend all our spare roster/prospect/future assets on.

My thought process is most teams in the league are struggling with the flat cap. There aren’t a lot of unicorn teams that are both big market and have very little cap commitments which leaves very little room for new free agents to be signed at contract values we’re used to seeing. That and a number of teams which are reportedly going to be cutting salary, etc. and you’re looking at a market that won’t be free agent friendly.

In these uncertain times, I think this means that for the majority of the next three free agent classes players won’t be getting the AAV’s that they initially wanted. Which means we can get better, cheaper players to fill out the roster than we currently have. Which means we should dump pre-existing contracts for very ordinary players like Kapanen.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Think this is one of those Opportunities to use Okay Boomer. Not that I'm a fan of it. Lol

I hate that expression.
I think I'm a boomer myself (just squeak in at the end).
Sometimes I feel like saying it myself. LOL.

 

[Bomber0104]

My thought process is most teams in the league are struggling with the flat cap. There aren’t a lot of unicorn teams that are both big market and have very little cap commitments which leaves very little room for new free agents to be signed at contract values we’re used to seeing. That and a number of teams which are reportedly going to be cutting salary, etc. and you’re looking at a market that won’t be free agent friendly.

In these uncertain times, I think this means that for the majority of the next three free agent classes players won’t be getting the AAV’s that they initially wanted. Which means we can get better, cheaper players to fill out the roster than we currently have. Which means we should dump pre-existing contracts for very ordinary players like Kapanen.

Dumping at least two of Kapanen/Johnsson/Kerfoot was always the obvious move.

It's the next one that concerns me.

The safest IMO would be to re-stock some picks with the proceeds from these trades to allow the team to hopefully come out of the flat cap with contributing ELC's, and dip into the free-agent market where possible..

If UFA contracts are taking a hit this off-season then we may as well get in on it.

I'm sorry but I don't believe this roster/core has deserved a golden parachute.

They've got everything they wanted so far out of this organization with those contracts.

 

[Stephen]

Dumping at least two of Kapanen/Johnsson/Kerfoot was always the obvious move.

It's the next one that concerns me.

The safest IMO would be to re-stock some picks with the proceeds from these trades to allow the team to hopefully come out of the flat cap with contributing ELC's, and dip into the free-agent market where possible..

If UFA contracts are taking a hit this off-season then we may as well get in on it.

I'm sorry but I don't believe this roster/core has deserved a golden parachute.

They've got everything they wanted so far out of this organization with those contracts.

I’m gong to wait and see what the next steps are. And in terms of dismantling the core I don’t think that happens until the next offseason if we see no real progress.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I think we should trade him too because he is 0-8 when it counts - loser. Classic can't win da big one type to me. But at 1M for last year da deal better be minimum another 2020 1st rounder which we lost for Freddy plus a lower cost NHL defender or a great d prospect or a lower cost 3C.

His value is high for that reason alone and he is a good goalie.
Kappy was a great deal for the Pens too. His actual money is $2,450,000 for the next two seasons for Pittsburgh
Freddy can get you a roster player back with term possibly. We going with Campbell if he moves. I don’t know. I’m seeing we will have to put that goalie cap hit right back in mix if he’s moved. Maybe they want to let Campbell be #1 and then we need another good backup again. Its a tricky road to navigate.

 

[Mess]

I see it differently. If MLSE brought me in to replace Dubas, a cap clearing move involving Kapanen definitely would have been one my first moves. I was back and forth on which one of Kap, AJ or Kerfoot needed to go first, and I'm not decided on how many of them, but here we are.

The idea would be to turn 3 players making $9.0 million + in a third line into a pile of futures assets, prospects and picks, and the Hallander and a first exceeds my expectations.

I would probably prefer to hang onto the pick and complete the purge. Then spend the money on the UFA market to take advantage of the flat cap, but this is the direction I think we need to be going in.

I agree I would also be moving out Leafs overpaid and under-productive 3rd line to recapture cap space, but more importantly swap out those non physical skating players and replace them with more hard working blue collar players at less cost and then use the cap space to improve the team around them. That is with the qualifier that you still want to stick with 1/2 cap on just 4 forwards. You could deal Marner/Nylander for cap space and/or highend Dman also and reallocate and move cap money but this seems to be against Dubas strategy.

I see this trade as Dubas couldn't trade Kapanen straight up for a top 4 Dman say Brett Pesce (level) that he liked and so he will attempt to do it in a 2 step trade..

1 ) Step 1: Trade Kapanen for picks and prospects and then
2) Step 2: Use those assets in addition to roster players and new cap space to build up and trade for that top 4 dman ie AJ + 1st + futures for top 4 dman say Colton Parayko.
3) If Step #2 is not available then continue to deal the middle away AJ/Kerfoot for futures and cap space and pursue UFA like Pietrangelo. (However there is no guarantees with UFAs).

In a cap world then high draft picks and cheap ELC contracts are vital to long-term sustainable success as your feeder system to surround your stars on big $$ cap contracts, so recapturing the lost pick via Marleau and basically moving back 2 spots from #13 to #15 is a move in the right direction for the future and I like. However when you consider the GM needs results in the present the motivation is more likely to mortgage the future for the present and we have seen Dubas is not afraid to deal high picks to fuel the current team.

 

[3headeddragon]

I think if one was asked to pick the under/over that this pick will be dealt for help for next year the odds would be on the over. IMO

I agree with some of the rumours circulating that Leafs would be willing to shop AJ/Kerfoot + 1st (2020 or 2021) + prospect for top 4 Dman.

Dubas understands the gravity of his situation, and its a reason why during the playoffs, he is already busy making moves like this one getting out in front of other GMs for next year, while strong teams are still deciding who is winning this year's Cup. Call it urgency or call it desperation, but this move based on timing alone stresses the importance and is just a precursor of more to come to reshape next years team that needs to show positive results.

Are you sure it wasn't Rutherford operating in desperation and Dubas going holy shit this deal is to good pass up.

A lot of assumptions and speculations on what someone you don't know is thinking or feeling.

I agree the pick gets traded though, my prediction is on the draft floor.

 

[Stephen]

I agree I would also be moving out Leafs overpaid and under-productive 3rd line to recapture cap space, but more importantly swap out those non physical skating players and replace them with more hard working blue collar players at less cost and then use the cap space to improve the team around them. That is with the qualifier that you still want to stick with 1/2 cap on just 4 forwards. You could deal Marner/Nylander for cap space and/or highend Dman also and reallocate and move cap money but this seems to be against Dubas strategy.

I see this trade as Dubas couldn't trade Kapanen straight up for a top 4 Dman say Brett Pesce (level) that he liked and so he will attempt to do it in a 2 step trade..

1 ) Step 1: Trade Kapanen for picks and prospects and then
2) Step 2: Use those assets in addition to roster players and new cap space to build up and trade for that top 4 dman ie AJ + 1st + futures for top 4 dman say Colton Parayko.
3) If Step #2 is not available then continue to deal the middle away AJ/Kerfoot for futures and cap space and pursue UFA like Pietrangelo. (However there is no guarantees with UFAs).

In a cap world then high draft picks and cheap ELC contracts are vital to long-term sustainable success as your feeder system to surround your stars on big $$ cap contracts, so recapturing the lost pick via Marleau and basically moving back 2 spots from #13 to #15 is a move in the right direction for the future and I like. However when you consider the GM needs results in the present the motivation is more likely to mortgage the future for the present and we have seen Dubas is not afraid to deal high picks to fuel the current team.

I think they need to go out and spend some of the cap space on guys like Corey Perry to upgrade the bottom 6, backfill a depth defenseman or two and then try to make a bigger trade or sign a UFA defenseman. Really depends on what the market looks like in terms of depressed salaries, unqualified RFAs and other budget cutting moves teams will be engaged in.

Futures are always the most valuable commodity so it’s good that we have more of that now and we can be flexible in any direction.