31 Thoughts: With Stanley Cup awarded, NHL faces new questions - Sportsnet.ca
29. Nikita Soshnikov has two goals and 11 points in seven games for KHL Salavat Yulaev. He’s a free agent next summer. Someone’s going to try to bring him back.
Trade and Free Agency Discussion Thread - Don't Expect More Augmenting
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29. Nikita Soshnikov has two goals and 11 points in seven games for KHL Salavat Yulaev. He’s a free agent next summer. Someone’s going to try to bring him back.
nuck
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He missed his last year with the Blues from concussions so he would be a UFA now. Assuming you think the injuries are behind him I am not sure he has the NHL package. Maybe a bit small to play that kind of physical game in the NHL. Remember he was offensively good in the K at 21 as well but we didn't see him bring much over but the hitting.
With concussion issues over a couple of seasons he doesn't seem like a player you could bet much on. Having said that, around the injuries he didn't really get a big opportunity on the club because they had wingers hanging from the rafters in 17-18, and a lot more physical players.
Certainly the current lack of spine makes his physicality more valuable than it was on his the 2017 Leaf club. Vesey may have taken his opportunity this year but with another healthy and productive season in the K I wouldn't be against him getting another look. After 7g and 17p in 19 games with the Marlies they gave him 30 minutes TOI and dealt him. He may have something to offer that they don't currently have.
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cookie
Fresh From The Oven
Most common linemate for Soshnikov during 5v5 was Matt Martin, almost double the TOI of Nazem Kadri (who was #2); of the 3 years spent with the Leafs, he accrued less than an hour's worth of PP time. His zone starts were primarily defensive when he got the chance to play, which was basically 11 minutes a night. No wonder he didn't play well here. I would love to see him play for the Leafs with Babcock having hit the road.
He also had concussion problems while he was here and as we saw with Reimer it takes a few years sometimes to get things right again.
Martin Skoula
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I like him as a cheap short term Kapanen replacement. Give him some PP2 minutes and the occasional shift with the top-6 so he can sucker someone else into paying him 4x4.
SeaOfBlue
The Passion That Unites Us All
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Because I'm bored.
To Toronto: Toews (50% retained)
To Chicago: Kerfoot, Holl, Sandin, 1st and 2nd in '21 (I'd add another pick to this if needed)
Mikheyev Matthews Marner
Nylander Tavares Hyman
Vesey Toews Simmonds
Barabanov Thornton Spezza
Robertson Engvall Anderson/Boyd
Rielly Brodie
Muzzin Dermott/Lehtonen
D/L Bogosian
Rosen/Liljegren/Marincin/???
To Toronto: Toews (50% retained)
To Chicago: Kerfoot, Holl, Sandin, 1st and 2nd in '21 (I'd add another pick to this if needed)
Mikheyev Matthews Marner
Nylander Tavares Hyman
Vesey Toews Simmonds
Barabanov Thornton Spezza
Robertson Engvall Anderson/Boyd
Rielly Brodie
Muzzin Dermott/Lehtonen
D/L Bogosian
Rosen/Liljegren/Marincin/???
LaPlante94
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- Apr 12, 2011
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Kinda hope we make an attempt. Miss Soshnikov and would love to see him play under this system and possibly in a 3rd line role at the very least with some PP2 time.
justashadowof
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- Aug 15, 2020
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Soshnikov got an NHL opportunity in St. Louis too. Let's not forget that. I was real high on him working out because he had some talent along with a real competitive streak. He was just too slight to go around banging into people.
1st, 2nd, top 4 defenseman and a top prospect for a 3rd line center seems a bit much no?
Maplebeasts
I See Demons!!!!!
I would totally bring back Soshnikov on a cheap deal, especially if Vesey flames out. I really liked his game the first time he was here. Some nice puck skills and a sneaky good wrist shot.
SeaOfBlue
The Passion That Unites Us All
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Most likely Vesey is not going to be back regardless of how he does. If he does very well, he likely prices himself out. If he sucks, we have younger guys to try out. Really, he has to be mediocre and want to take a discount to stay here beyond this year, and TBH, one year is more than fine for Vesey.
Mickey Marner
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Soshnikov is 27, this probably his career season. Paying premium for a re-tread is bad business. We're better off finding an ELC eligible Russian who hasn't broken out due to opportunity.
Can you think of a team that would have a better group of Cs in today's game. I can't. Matthews down for 10-15 games and he's replaced by Tavares and then Toews, followed by Thornton, this is a special group. Toews, a former Selke winner, playing with Hyman and... do you not have a shutdown line? Also capable of 45-50 points on the 3rd line. And his PK abilities. For 3 years. Really, how do you say no?
It's not the give, it's the get. Toews with whomever, on the 3rd line, is that not a shutdown opportunity with some offensive threat? Jonathan Toews on the Leafs would offer us the strongest group of C in the NHL, hands down. Matthews, Tavares, Toews, Thornton: each C makes his line mates better.
I don't know, but Chicago receiving 2 players they can immediately inject into their lineup, 2 first rounders (Sandin being considered a 1st) and a sweetener? Isn't it within the realms of consideration? Our forward group would be gosh darn sexy.
kb
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Man Bear Pig
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If we're using up a bunch of good assets, why not actually use them on a need, like another dman. Center is already a strength for this team. And Toews isnt worth that type of package anymore. Hes still a good player, but not who I'd move out all my top assets to acquire.
Fogelhund
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It's an interesting thought, that much is for certain. It's a lot of assets to give up, for what would be your 3C, and it's a lot of cap to tie up, in your 3C. I mean, he's a fantastic defensive player, and has been a leader all his career too. He's great in the dot, great on the PK, so it would make for a pretty fantastic addition. I think it's an overpay, and I'd hate to give up on Sandin, and two first round picks. I also hate that we've given up our defensive depth too.. but then the cap....
Thinking along a similar vein... trading for Bergeron would make for a great 3C too... I'm not really sure what Boston is up to this offseason, and I can't imagine they'd make that trade with us, but Bergeron at 50% is a much nice cap fit.
Interesting out of the box thinking, and it would make for a great defensive addition, great leadership too.... Just a lot to give up, and a lot of cap to tie up.
- Sep 8, 2004
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do you seriously think any team would retain 5.25 million for 3 years on a player that is still a top Center in the league, captain of his team, and the most important player on his team (Kane may score more points, but, Toews is more important, like Marner vs Mathews).
Fair comment, thank you. But I'd ask that you consider that:
1) Most consider C to be the most important position you can fill.
2) Worth can be considered in a number of ways. One way, which is how I am suggesting, is that it provides the Leafs with a superiority beyond just the value of the player.
3) With Toews, there is no weakness in the Leafs F grouping. There can be two superior offensive lines, a strong defensive line, and a quality 4th line. No other team in the league would be able to match what we could offer.
4) The deal is advantageous to us regarding Cap compliance. We'd be able to accrue money that could be spent at the deadline.
5) Any injury, any (!), at C is covered more than any other team in the league.
6) Our D corp is not affected by this consideration this year. Sandin would be, at best, our 3rd LD. Dermott/Lehtonen adequately fill that position this year and next.
7) At some point you have to make a choice as to whether this is a good time to go for a game changing decision. It's perfectly arguable to view Toews as a player not capable of moving the needle sufficiently to make this type of move. I see it as a golden opportunity. Your 3rd line is strengthened, your PK is strengthened, your C depth is strengthened, your playoff experience is strengthened, your motivation is recognized, your most talented group is/approaching their most productive years, your D is stronger than it has been in years, you've got a 2 year window with the same players (minus replaceable players)...send a message. Tell this group you believe in their abilities and give them the push by saying 'fellas, we can do this'. See: Raptors, Kwai Leonard.
8) Matthews, Tavares, Toews, Thornton, and the options that follow.
I want a Cup. A two year window of this potential group is better than anything I've seen since the 60s. At least consider it, before dismissing it with bland "it's a waste, plain and simple".
As a 60 point player, who is immediately being replaced by two players who can achieve close to his numbers, while offering the equivalent of two first round picks (and Sandin being considered as a high first rounder) + a 2nd, yes, I'd pursue it. Especially when Chicago is moving in the direction they've stated. Perhaps Toews can realize more of a return, their interests would be best served to investigate that. But, it would be in our interest to see if we could make such a deal. Why would one not try?
Martin Skoula
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You're giving up more than half of our tradeable assets for a guy who would be playing 15 minutes a night with Vesey and Simmonds. In those 15 minutes a night with those wingers, how many more goals does Towes score/prevent over Kerfoot? Maybe a net +5-10 goals on the year?
Our 3C has a very low ceiling, your best case is that whoever it is can play some PK minutes and fill in on PP2 sometimes while going even at even strength. Towes can do that but so can Kerfoot and a handful of still unsigned UFAs like Soderberg/Haula.
This is killing a fly with a shotgun, you can get someone who can do 99% of the job 2020 Towes can in those minutes for less than the biggest trade return since the salary cap.
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