Trade and Free Agency Discussion Thread - 2021 Season Edition

[hockeynorth]

Any reason they'd move him?

Doubtful, they seem to love him over there

 

[Leaffan1991]

There is no way the Sens move Paul

 

[BertCorbeau]

Forget Bennett or Virtanen, Nick Paul is who we should trade for. 6'4 230, 1.35 AAV this year and next, physical, can skate, fight, kill penalties etc. Plus he's already in Ontario, so he shouldn't need to quarantine at all if we time the trade right.

I'd gladly give up a 2nd+ for him.

Why does Ottawa trade him though? He's become a fan fave and is playing well.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Tanner Pearson would be a good pickup though. Nice third line upgrade over Vesey, and can slide up to play with JT and Nylander.

 

[ToneDog]

Tanner Pearson would be a good pickup though. Nice third line upgrade over Vesey, and can slide up to play with JT and Nylander.

Gonna cost you a lot more than Bennett or Virtanen.

 

[hockeynorth]

Gonna cost you a lot more than Bennett or Virtanen.

That's okay, I think if we seriously want to go for it, he's who we need to bring in as a rental.

Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Pearson-Tavares-Nylander
Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Simmonds
Robertson-Thornton-Spezza

is the lineup I'd want to go into the playoffs with.

 

[LeafChief]

Sam Bennett would very quickly become a Hyman clone if we were able to acquire him. Throw him on the wing with Tavares and Nylander and let him do for them what Hyman does for Matthews and Marner. Would be a perfect compliment for the top 6.

 

[Mickey Marner]

Any reason they'd move him?

I doubt they want to move him, but he could get a Barclay Goodrow return at the deadline. I'd much rather pay up for the perfect guy than hope Bennett or Virtanen are the answer.

We'd probably have to pay deadline price, but it's worth it, IMO, when we're in a good position to make a conference final run.

2nd + second tier prospect like Hallander or Abaramov would probably be the cost, but they might want to holdout for our first.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Bennett
Virtanen
Paul
C. Brown
Pearson
Leivo
Motte

^ all options that wouldn't require quarantine

Leafs should consider Logan Brown, if Ottawa is still considering moving him and is willing to move him to us.

He's not overly physical and not much of a scorer, but could be a nice complimentary piece and has a ton of size which he does use along the boards and in front of the net if we use him on the wing (which is where I think he ends up).

 

[hockeynorth]

Leafs should consider Logan Brown, if Ottawa is still considering moving him and is willing to move him to us.

He's not overly physical and not much of a scorer, but could be a nice complimentary piece and has a ton of size which he does use along the boards and in front of the net if we use him on the wing (which is where I think he ends up).

Totally agree, I think he'd look good with Kerfoot and Mikheyev today. The price might suck though

 

[WTFMAN99]

I doubt they want to move him, but he could get a Barclay Goodrow return at the deadline. I'd much rather pay up for the perfect guy than hope Bennett or Virtanen are the answer.

We'd probably have to pay deadline price, but it's worth it, IMO, when we're in a good position to make a conference final run.

2nd + second tier prospect like Hallander or Abaramov would probably be the cost, but they might want to holdout for our first.

As much as I can appreciate what that type of player can bring, that price is a bit too steep at this point. We don't look like Tampa does and just need to sprinkle a couple things in still.

 

[7even]

I have zero interest in Bennett but I think Virtanen would actually be a strong fit for this team.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Totally agree, I think he'd look good with Kerfoot and Mikheyev today. The price might suck though

I don't think they can command much more than what the Rangers received for Lias Andersson (late 2nd round pick), and he is expansion eligible so... He is not getting that much in return.

Joey Anderson for Logan Brown would be a fair swap if they like Anderson. I like Anderson too, but Logan Brown could compete for a similar type role and has more upside, but less physicality (despite being 6'6"). Same age, both expansion eligible, both eligible for waivers next year, but it gives Ottawa a guy who is more likely to crack their lineup since he is a better fit for lower lines right now. Joey Anderson may have an inside track to replacing Simmonds though.

Engvall for Brown could also be a possibility. I'd put any prospect outside of our top 2 tiers (which is probably our top 8 prospects or so) on the table as well. I would not give up our 1st or 2nd, but would give up any of our 4th-6th round picks this year and maybe our 3rd round pick or later in any other years, but I would rather give them prospects than picks (and I think they'd prefer guys who are closer to the NHL anyways).

We can probably figure out some kind of package which makes sense for both teams, even though we are rivals and they probably don't want to see Brown turn out here.

 

[ToneDog]

I don't think they can command much more than what the Rangers received for Lias Andersson (late 2nd round pick), and he is expansion eligible so... He is not getting that much in return.

Joey Anderson for Logan Brown would be a fair swap if they like Anderson. I like Anderson too, but Logan Brown could compete for a similar type role and has more upside, but less physicality (despite being 6'6"). Same age, both expansion eligible, both eligible for waivers next year, but it gives Ottawa a guy who is more likely to crack their lineup since he is a better fit for lower lines right now. Joey Anderson may have an inside track to replacing Simmonds though.

Engvall for Brown could also be a possibility. I'd put any prospect outside of our top 2 tiers (which is probably our top 8 prospects or so) on the table as well. I would not give up our 1st or 2nd, but would give up any of our 4th-6th round picks this year and maybe our 3rd round pick or later in any other years, but I would rather give them prospects than picks (and I think they'd prefer guys who are closer to the NHL anyways).

We can probably figure out some kind of package which makes sense for both teams, even though we are rivals and they probably don't want to see Brown turn out here.

Unless the Sens has given up on Brown why would they move him for spare parts?

 

[The Podium]

Bennett vs. Virtanen
Pros and Cons

Bennett
Pros: C/W provides some versatility to cover for injuries, some history of playoff production
Cons: QO of 2.5 mill make him an unlikely sign this offseason so he essentially is a 1 year rental.

Virtanen
Pros: Likely cheaper to acquire, flashes of top 6 potential last season, history of solid depth scoring, signed for 2 years so 50% retention saves us the QO problem
Cons: When hes bad hes bad, dumb, playoff no-show

 

[LeafChief]

Unless the Sens has given up on Brown why would they move him for spare parts?

Probably because Logan Brown is also 'spare parts' at this point.

 

[ToneDog]

Probably because Logan Brown is also 'spare parts' at this point.

I would do Engvall or Anderson for Brown in a heartbeat which makes me think that even though Sens would move him, one of those two won't be enough.

 

[LeafChief]

I would do Engvall or Anderson for Brown in a heartbeat which makes me think that even though Sens would move him, one of those two won't be enough.

Brown has the draft pedigree attached to his name. Fanbases latch onto those players.

 

[SoftDumpNtheCorner88]

No interest in Virtanen at all.
Bennett interests me more

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Bennett vs. Virtanen
Pros and Cons

Bennett
Pros: C/W provides some versatility to cover for injuries, some history of playoff production
Cons: QO of 2.5 mill make him an unlikely sign this offseason so he essentially is a 1 year rental.

Virtanen
Pros: Likely cheaper to acquire, flashes of top 6 potential last season, history of solid depth scoring, signed for 2 years so 50% retention saves us the QO problem
Cons: When hes bad hes bad, dumb, playoff no-show

TBH it sounds like they'd be worth the same amount, which is not a lot.

If the price even begins with anything more valuable than Engvall and minor additions for either (with full retention no less), then there is no deal to be had. The Leafs have enough depth that they should not be forced to make a move. Especially with Robertson and Thornton likely coming back in the next week or two and forcing guys like Petan and Simmonds' replacement (Anderson, Engvall, Barabanov, etc.) out of the lineup despite playing well enough to stay in the lineup.

I suggested Logan Brown because he at least still has some youth and upside on his side in terms of his offensive ability and IQ, while also being big, a capable tight-area player, and defensively capable. He shouldn't cost a lot to acquire, and he allows us to send him on and off the taxi/AHL squad for the rest of this year without worrying about waivers, so if we want to rotate him with a guy like Spezza, it is really easy to do so. If Bennett or Virtanen suck, we are pretty much having to gift them playing opportunities because we can't afford to healthy scratch them and waiving them would be a complete waste of assets.

Of course, Logan Brown was also rumoured to be available a month ago, although it was stated that Ottawa was not overly motivated to move him, which does make some sense for a 22 year old former 11th overall pick who still has waiver exemption.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Bennett vs. Virtanen
Pros and Cons

Bennett
Pros: C/W provides some versatility to cover for injuries, some history of playoff production
Cons: QO of 2.5 mill make him an unlikely sign this offseason so he essentially is a 1 year rental.

Virtanen
Pros: Likely cheaper to acquire, flashes of top 6 potential last season, history of solid depth scoring, signed for 2 years so 50% retention saves us the QO problem
Cons: When hes bad hes bad, dumb, playoff no-show

I could see Bennett staying if the fit is right.

Always the option to not qualify and negotiate a different contract too.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Probably because Logan Brown is also 'spare parts' at this point.

He's a little bit better than spare parts (like he is not a guy you can just sign in UFA every year or anything), but he is not getting a 2nd round pick or anything like that in return.

He's in semi-valuable prospect + 3rd/4th round pick territory, or Engvall/Anderson + Rasanen/Greenway territory.

 

[ToneDog]

Brown has the draft pedigree attached to his name. Fanbases latch onto those players.

Agreed but Engvall and Anderson do not move the needle much IMO. Also why would Sens want to deal with Leafs unless we overpay ??

 

[showtime8]

If the Leafs are looking for a 3rd/4th line winger with some physicality, I'd be trying to acquire Nicolas Deslauriers from Anaheim.

I know that we're throwing around names like Virtanen and Bennett because it's been reported that they're available and it would make sense for them this season because of quarantine issues.

But with the style of hockey in the playoffs and the depth in the organization having similar type players, a swap of Engvall for Deslauriers might make sense. The Leafs could call up guys that can skate and provide what Engvall does. I don't think they could find another guy like Deslauriers.

The difference between Virtanen/Bennett and Deslauriers is the cap hit and that's important for the Leafs moving forward. You also have another year of Deslauriers at 1mill next season.

 

[ToneDog]

TBH it sounds like they'd be worth the same amount, which is not a lot.

If the price even begins with anything more valuable than Engvall and minor additions for either (with full retention no less), then there is no deal to be had. The Leafs have enough depth that they should not be forced to make a move. Especially with Robertson and Thornton likely coming back in the next week or two and forcing guys like Petan and Simmonds' replacement (Anderson, Engvall, Barabanov, etc.) out of the lineup despite playing well enough to stay in the lineup.

I suggested Logan Brown because he at least still has some youth and upside on his side in terms of his offensive ability and IQ, while also being big, a capable tight-area player, and defensively capable. He shouldn't cost a lot to acquire, and he allows us to send him on and off the taxi/AHL squad for the rest of this year without worrying about waivers, so if we want to rotate him with a guy like Spezza, it is really easy to do so. If Bennett or Virtanen suck, we are pretty much having to gift them playing opportunities because we can't afford to healthy scratch them and waiving them would be a complete waste of assets.

Of course, Logan Brown was also rumoured to be available a month ago, although it was stated that Ottawa was not overly motivated to move him, which does make some sense for a 22 year old former 11th overall pick who still has waiver exemption.

Doug Armstrong was asked how he decides who to pick for Team Canada. He included that he looks at past playoff performances because he wants players who have been through the battles and he can count on to show up. Bennett is closer to that than Brown but I would definitely be interested in Brown on the cheap.