GDT: Trade and Free Agency Thread - 2021/22 PART II

[BertCorbeau]

Trading for DeBrusk wouldn't make much sense as he's already more expensive than any of the wingers he'd replace in the lineup. Don't mind him as a player otherwise.

Yep I’d consider him on a cheap deal next year if he’s not qualified

 

[Buds17]

Yep I’d consider him on a cheap deal next year if he’s not qualified

Sounds good. I wonder what a trade will look like if a team is going to acquire him "now" with no assurances of a return for next season?

 

[Torontonian]

If there's a forward to go after at the TDL that would help boost our roster, to me its Forsberg from Nashville. It's time to add a real forward to the mix come the TDL, not 3rd and 4th line players. The Kane idea is a non starter from the Leafs, too much of a distraction and cancer, Dubas and co would never allow someone like him to play on the Leafs.

 

[meefer]

Would Dvorak be worth a shot? @4.45M/ over this and the next 3 years, 25 years old (26 in Feb) he fits the age and length of term we're structured for. After having been through the ringer in Arizona and now Montreal, might his skills show more favorably wearing the blue and white? The Habs moved a 1st this year and a 2nd in '24 to get him. He's a proven .5/g scorer that has other attributes. From the Athletic his former coach Rick Tocchet discussed the player, What the Canadiens should expect from Christian Dvorak: Breaking down his game with former coach Rick Tocchet Highlights from the article...
*“He’s a really good 200-foot player, he plays his own end very well,” Tocchet said. “When he’s at his best, he scores goals around the net. If you watch a lot of his goals, it’s 15 feet out. He’s got that quick release, but he also gets a lot of rebounds and tip goals too. Those are important goals. Those are hard to find, those type of players that are willing to go into the paint, into the middle of the ice a lot.”
*It was mostly because Tocchet relied on Dvorak to be his trusted defensive centre. He knew that by having him take perhaps more faceoffs than his game could handle, Dvorak’s offence was likely to suffer.
*“But Divo, when I put him with Crouse and Pitlick, and when they were playing against (Nathan) MacKinnon, or if I put them against (Anze) Kopitar, those guys did really well, and I think Divo was a big part of that. He’s really good at going head-to-head against the other team’s top centres.
*

Faceoffs
SITUATION	CHRISTIAN DVORAK	CANADIENS BEST IN 20-21
5-on-5	51.9%	Danault, 56.2%
Power play	58.4%	Kotkaniemi, 58.3%
Penalty kill	49.4%	Evans, 43.7%
TOTAL	52.1%	Danault, 52.5%

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

*In all the games we watched from Dvorak, we can’t say there was an abundance of them (games where his defensive responsibilities were not large) where he had many puck touches. However, both Bergevin and Coyotes counterpart Bill Armstrong hinted at the quality of his linemates, and it likely had an effect on his puck possession numbers. It is important to know that Dvorak remains nonetheless capable of getting involved and doing what skills coach Darryl Belfry and analyst Jack Han call “multi-possession sequences.”
*However, it seems Dvorak would probably be better served with a puck-carrying winger who would better feed the transition.
*Last season, Dvorak scored eight of his 17 goals on the power play. His goals-for per 60 minutes suggests he could be a real power play threat, all the while playing a bumper position he had not played on a consistent basis until last year. “It’s an ever-growing kind of position for him,” Tocchet added. “But it’s something that I think he’s familiar with and he’s going to get better at.
*His relative stats suggest that, throughout the season, even when the PK struggled in the second half of the year, Dvorak was more effective than almost all of his teammates.
*
“There’s a lot of upside with Divo,” Tocchet said. “Two-way centremen that can give you offence and play defence are hard to find. The upside is tremendous for him.”
Projections from our colleague Dom Luszczyszyn suggest that Dvorak will perform as a top-six forward until the end of his contract.

Dvorak may be a player that Habs wish to keep as they try to move forward, or not. His value may have increased, or not. Not having seen the Habs play this year, I don't know. I just found Tocchet's analysis to be intriguing. Is he an upgrade on a Kerfoot? Would he make a capable/valuable addition at 3C (keeping K at wing with JT and Nylander) or can he slide to W with Matthews and Marner? I can't imagine the Habs holding much of his contract, so if desired how could a trade be made enticing for them? Would he be a good fit for the Leafs?

 

[Kiwi]

Would Dvorak be worth a shot? @4.45M/ over this and the next 3 years, 25 years old (26 in Feb) he fits the age and length of term we're structured for. After having been through the ringer in Arizona and now Montreal, might his skills show more favorably wearing the blue and white? The Habs moved a 1st this year and a 2nd in '24 to get him. He's a proven .5/g scorer that has other attributes. From the Athletic his former coach Rick Tocchet discussed the player, What the Canadiens should expect from Christian Dvorak: Breaking down his game with former coach Rick Tocchet Highlights from the article...
*“He’s a really good 200-foot player, he plays his own end very well,” Tocchet said. “When he’s at his best, he scores goals around the net. If you watch a lot of his goals, it’s 15 feet out. He’s got that quick release, but he also gets a lot of rebounds and tip goals too. Those are important goals. Those are hard to find, those type of players that are willing to go into the paint, into the middle of the ice a lot.”
*It was mostly because Tocchet relied on Dvorak to be his trusted defensive centre. He knew that by having him take perhaps more faceoffs than his game could handle, Dvorak’s offence was likely to suffer.
*“But Divo, when I put him with Crouse and Pitlick, and when they were playing against (Nathan) MacKinnon, or if I put them against (Anze) Kopitar, those guys did really well, and I think Divo was a big part of that. He’s really good at going head-to-head against the other team’s top centres.
*

Faceoffs
SITUATION	CHRISTIAN DVORAK	CANADIENS BEST IN 20-21
5-on-5	51.9%	Danault, 56.2%
Power play	58.4%	Kotkaniemi, 58.3%
Penalty kill	49.4%	Evans, 43.7%
TOTAL	52.1%	Danault, 52.5%

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

*In all the games we watched from Dvorak, we can’t say there was an abundance of them (games where his defensive responsibilities were not large) where he had many puck touches. However, both Bergevin and Coyotes counterpart Bill Armstrong hinted at the quality of his linemates, and it likely had an effect on his puck possession numbers. It is important to know that Dvorak remains nonetheless capable of getting involved and doing what skills coach Darryl Belfry and analyst Jack Han call “multi-possession sequences.”
*However, it seems Dvorak would probably be better served with a puck-carrying winger who would better feed the transition.
*Last season, Dvorak scored eight of his 17 goals on the power play. His goals-for per 60 minutes suggests he could be a real power play threat, all the while playing a bumper position he had not played on a consistent basis until last year. “It’s an ever-growing kind of position for him,” Tocchet added. “But it’s something that I think he’s familiar with and he’s going to get better at.
*His relative stats suggest that, throughout the season, even when the PK struggled in the second half of the year, Dvorak was more effective than almost all of his teammates.
*
“There’s a lot of upside with Divo,” Tocchet said. “Two-way centremen that can give you offence and play defence are hard to find. The upside is tremendous for him.”
Projections from our colleague Dom Luszczyszyn suggest that Dvorak will perform as a top-six forward until the end of his contract.

Dvorak may be a player that Habs wish to keep as they try to move forward, or not. His value may have increased, or not. Not having seen the Habs play this year, I don't know. I just found Tocchet's analysis to be intriguing. Is he an upgrade on a Kerfoot? Would he make a capable/valuable addition at 3C (keeping K at wing with JT and Nylander) or can he slide to W with Matthews and Marner? I can't imagine the Habs holding much of his contract, so if desired how could a trade be made enticing for them? Would he be a good fit for the Leafs?

Where's he going to play?

We already have two better top 6 centres, Kampf is our Matchup defensive center and Spezza on the 4th line

He's also going to play on the 2nd PP unit which will limit his ability to score

Kerfoot works because he's a good LW on the Tavares line who can cover center if needed, Dvorak isn't that either

I think we can use our resources better elsewhere

 

[OVO16]

My guess is that the trade deadline acquisition for the Leafs is most likely going to be a Top 4/5 Defenseman. Someone to solidify the defense instead of having Dermott/Liljegren rotate in and out every other game.

Ultimately, I don't see us spending assets on a Forward. We're gonna assume Mikheyev is our forward acquisition and hope our depth/chemistry does the job up front.

Especially after the Foligno debacle last season

 

[Kiwi]

My guess is that the trade deadline acquisition for the Leafs is most likely going to be a Top 4/5 Defenseman. Someone to solidify the defense instead of having Dermott/Liljegren rotate in and out every other game.

Ultimately, I don't see us spending assets on a Forward. We're gonna assume Mikheyev is our forward acquisition and hope our depth/chemistry does the job up front.

Especially after the Foligno debacle last season

The thing is Dermott and Liljegren are playing extremely well on the bottom pair by most advanced metrics

We just have more than 6 really good defenseman deserving of playing time right now

If we are getting a defenseman he needs to be better than Holl so it forces him to the bottom pair and the new guy improves the 2nd pair

It does however screw with the development of Liljegren especially who probably ends up back on the Marlies or sitting on his ass which isn't ideal

 

[Dragao6]

Hahaha....oh yeah, I do get that!!

I think we are in the serious diminishing returns stage here no matter where we look, and there is a possibility of upsetting the apple cart.

It's confusing to people that the Leafs have very little to fix.....it's not natural.

just curious…do you think the reaction on here would have been the same if this with Evander Kane would have happened when we were 2-4-1 early this season when everyone was losing their minds on the team and dubas??? Wasn’t that long ago

 

[ACC1224]

The thing is Dermott and Liljegren are playing extremely well on the bottom pair by most advanced metrics

We just have more than 6 really good defenseman deserving of playing time right now

If we are getting a defenseman he needs to be better than Holl so it forces him to the bottom pair and the new guy improves the 2nd pair

It does however screw with the development of Liljegren especially who probably ends up back on the Marlies or sitting on his ass which isn't ideal

Lillijgren is better than Holl right now, just run him beside Muzzin. May be a few growing pains for a couple weeks but the team will be better in the long run. It certainly won’t be worse in the short term.
Rielly Brodie
Muzzin Lily
Sandin Dermott

 

[ACC1224]

just curious…do you think the reaction on here would have been the same if this with Evander Kane would have happened when we were 2-4-1 early this season when everyone was losing their minds on the team and dubas??? Wasn’t that long ago

It would never be a good idea.

 

[kb]

just curious…do you think the reaction on here would have been the same if this with Evander Kane would have happened when we were 2-4-1 early this season when everyone was losing their minds on the team and dubas??? Wasn’t that long ago

There are 700 non-felon team destroyers playing in this league.

Pick one.

 

[TMLAM34]

If we’re looking to add a bigger name, JT Miller would be a good target. It won’t be cheap though, we’d probably have to start with a 1st, Amirov and Dermott. Salary retain on Miller as well.

 

[ACC1224]

If we’re looking to add a bigger name, JT Miller would be a good target. It won’t be cheap though, we’d probably have to start with a 1st, Amirov and Dermott. Salary retain on Miller as well.

Great target for sure, I'd also make a call on Josh Anderson. He would be a great fit.

 

[SprDaVE]

My guess is that the trade deadline acquisition for the Leafs is most likely going to be a Top 4/5 Defenseman. Someone to solidify the defense instead of having Dermott/Liljegren rotate in and out every other game.

Ultimately, I don't see us spending assets on a Forward. We're gonna assume Mikheyev is our forward acquisition and hope our depth/chemistry does the job up front.

Especially after the Foligno debacle last season

I don't really agree with this at all. This defence core has never been better and trying to spend assets to keep adding on it seems really weird, especially with Muzzin and Holl back to their expected levels. The odd man out does seem to be Dermott in the past couple weeks and maybe the Leafs look at finding a slightly cheaper bench warmer so that Liljegren can play every game... maybe.

I do agree that I don't see the Leafs making a huge move though. I like to talk about it, wonder and maybe look for options as an armchair GM but at the end of the day, it seems pretty unlikely with our cap restraints and the team being really good right now. When Mikheyev and Mrazek are back, things are going to get very tight cap wise, which is why the Holl/Dermott trade rumours popped up.

 

[Guy Boucher]

I don't really agree with this at all. This defence core has never been better and trying to spend assets to keep adding on it seems really weird, especially with Muzzin and Holl back to their expected levels. The odd man out does seem to be Dermott in the past couple weeks and maybe the Leafs look at finding a slightly cheaper bench warmer so that Liljegren can play every game... maybe.

I do agree that I don't see the Leafs making a huge move though. I like to talk about it, wonder and maybe look for options as an armchair GM but at the end of the day, it seems pretty unlikely with our cap restraints and the team being really good right now. When Mikheyev and Mrazek are back, things are going to get very tight cap wise, which is why the Holl/Dermott trade rumours popped up.

Holl has been flaming garbage for 2 playoffs in a row (the only two he's ever played!) and generally has dropped off in the second half of seasons. He looks more like he's treading water currently than driving play. I think it would be irresponsible to not try to upgrade on him at the deadline, or at least get some insurance for when he (inevitably) falls apart in the playoffs.

 

[SprDaVE]

Holl has been flaming garbage for 2 playoffs in a row (the only two he's ever played!) and generally has dropped off in the second half of seasons. He looks more like he's treading water currently than driving play. I think it would be irresponsible to not try to upgrade on him at the deadline, or at least get some insurance for when he (inevitably) falls apart in the playoffs.

Most of the players have been hot garbage last couple playoffs series? It seems like we need a lot of upgrades then. Our big problem in the playoffs has mostly been scoring goals and somewhat goaltending... not Justin Holl or even the defense.

Sure if you can find an upgrade on Holl that fits the cap structure and doesn't empty the cupboard... of course. I think we already have our insurance in Liljegren and Dermott did ok when Holl took a turn on the bench early in the season.

 

[Visnovsky]

Artyom Zub is on a pretty nice contract, he would be a great target for the second pairing. Connor Brown would also be a lovely addition, but a bit on the pricier side.

We would have to get rid of Holl and Ritchie though, and the latter especially might not be the most wanted piece at the moment. Minnesota would most likely be willing to trade for Holl.

 

[TheShape]

Great target for sure, I'd also make a call on Josh Anderson. He would be a great fit.

Hyman and Anderson signed identical deals. If Dubas didn’t give the contract to Hyman he won’t give it to Anderson.

 

[ACC1224]

Hyman and Anderson signed identical deals. If Dubas didn’t give the contract to Hyman he won’t give it to Anderson.

Anderson is 2 years younger and his deal expires 1 year sooner.

 

[VanW27]

Artyom Zub is on a pretty nice contract, he would be a great target for the second pairing. Connor Brown would also be a lovely addition, but a bit on the pricier side.

We would have to get rid of Holl and Ritchie though, and the latter especially might not be the most wanted piece at the moment. Minnesota would most likely be willing to trade for Holl.

Can't say I know a lot about Zub but his AAV is 2.5 while his real salary is 1.75 this year and 3.25 next year. Any trade with Ottawa you need to look at the money and with a bigger salary year next season Zub looks like a guy they might want to move.

Brown I doubt they have any interest in moving though. Great deal, important part of the team, hard worker, would take a huge overpay - Plus we can't afford him.

On a related note, Ritchie's real salary goes up next year too (1.7 this year, 3.3 next) contrary to the usual back diving contracts the Leafs tend to give out. He will be hard to move, and a team like Ottawa won't take him.

 

[Pinto]

Anderson is 2 years younger and his deal expires 1 year sooner.

He’s also not as good.

 

[ACC1224]

He’s also not as good.

Fair. Should be a cheap pick up then?

 

[kb]

Great target for sure, I'd also make a call on Josh Anderson. He would be a great fit.

Almost 6 years left on a $5.5 million/season contract for a 15-20 goal 3rd line RW - from a person who takes shots at Dubas?

 

[TMLAM34]

f*** trading with Ottawa, Montreal or Boston. I don’t want any of their shit.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Artyom Zub is on a pretty nice contract, he would be a great target for the second pairing. Connor Brown would also be a lovely addition, but a bit on the pricier side.

We would have to get rid of Holl and Ritchie though, and the latter especially might not be the most wanted piece at the moment. Minnesota would most likely be willing to trade for Holl.

Holl plays a much more defensive role than Zub does at this point... with 1.5x the PK time too.

The Leafs might as well just keep Holl. He is playing much better since getting scratched, and now just needs to put up some points. Besides, moving Holl and adding Zub still gives us 7 guys who need top 6 minutes.