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

[Peace Frog]

I understand the way you guys are thinking but what if Muzzin decides after say the next 15 games sitting that he's fine? And then if he's not satisfied with the team doctor's prognosis?

Not much he can do. He can be poopy pants, but at the end of the day, it’s the team’s decision that matters. In all honesty though, I don’t think it will be an issue. He’ll be out until the playoffs begin, or at least I hope he’s back then.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Our goaltending situation is not giving me confidence that we can get past the first round of the playoffs.

It's a shame, because we have a good enough team to advance this season if our goaltending holds up.

Tbh i don't expect the leafs to get better goaltending that their opponents in the playoffs. That's what happens when you only spend 6.7% of your cap on goalies. Ranked 26th in the league.

Edit:
Fun exercise, leafs ranked by cap hit spent on position:

Goalies: 26th in the league
Defense: 24th in the league
Forwards: 2nd in the league (3nd as Vegas LTIR is screwing things up)

If the leafs aren't putting up top end offense you can't really blame anyone else other than the forwards.

NHL Forward Spending - Cap

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Canucks fire sale. Curious, would you guys do this trade if offered:

Nylander
Kerfoot

for

JT Miller
Garland

 

[Griffin76]

Not much he can do. He can be poopy pants, but at the end of the day, it’s the team’s decision that matters. In all honesty though, I don’t think it will be an issue. He’ll be out until the playoffs begin, or at least I hope he’s back then.

But if he feels the team is doing wrong by him can he file a grievance with the PA? I'm just wondering if he sees the writing on the wall here and isn't going to be happy with fading off into the sunset while this team goes on a 5.6 million dollar shopping spree. The team could potentially be in a bad situation here.

 

[nuck]

I understand the way you guys are thinking but what if Muzzin decides after say the next 15 games sitting that he's fine? And then if he's not satisfied with the team doctor's prognosis?

I don't believe there is much chance of that. Players seem to do what they are told for IR with the exception of strange situations like with Eichel. Also you can't over rest a concussion victim, Lindros and Crosby taught the league that and its only gotten much more protective. Now if they tried to keep him out of playoff games I bet they would get a lot of pushback but this season you would think Muzz is a lot more worried about his long term career and health than a few meaningless regular season games.,

 

[Stigma]

To clarify, Valiquette doesn't work for the Rangers. He's an analyst for MSG Network (covers the Rangers) who also runs his own analytics site called Clear Sight Analytics. To further clarify, he listed Georgiev as one of many names who fit the criteria of a goaltender that would succeed as a starter in the Leafs current defensive system (other names were Holtby, Binnington and Varlamov).

There are multiple factors that determine how good of a fit a goalie could be in a certain system, like splits comparing a goalie's numbers with starter/tandem workloads, or high chance/low chance workloads.

Correct. My "works for the Rangers" comment was written quickly. I should have said "covers the Rangers".

 

[Peace Frog]

Tbh i don't expect the leafs to get better goaltending that their opponents in the playoffs. That's what happens when you only spend 6.7% of your cap on goalies. Ranked 26th in the league.

Even if they go out and get MAF, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be our saviour in net. It’s common knowledge that you can’t go far in the playoffs without solid goaltending, but I think Dubas is going to gamble on Campbell turning it around.
Soupy has been horribad for quite a while, but it’s better to go through it now than in a couple of months from now. He won’t have to be incredible in the playoffs; just dependable. I think he’ll be that for us when the time comes.
Hope Dubas goes big fish trolling this deadline and gets Chychrun. If he can bring in a big, strong LWer to get our second line going, that would be a real nice bonus. If he plays it conservatively and just does some minor tinkering with our lineup, I’ll be disappointed. But who knows, maybe a little tweak can end up making all the difference?

 

[nobody]

Canucks fire sale. Curious, would you guys do this trade if offered:

Nylander
Kerfoot

for

JT Miller
Garland

This is literally a lateral move for now and we're giving up Willy for a much older player who hits UFA a year/two earlier who will cost more money. If we're getting a guy like JT Miller, it will be to add him to the team for this year and next on top of who/what we already have. Kerfoot, I'm okay with moving for cap purposes.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Even if they go out and get MAF, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be our saviour in net. It’s common knowledge that you can’t go far in the playoffs without solid goaltending, but I think Dubas is going to gamble on Campbell turning it around.
Soupy has been horribad for quite a while, but it’s better to go through it now than in a couple of months from now. He won’t have to be incredible in the playoffs; just dependable. I think he’ll be that for us when the time comes.
Hope Dubas goes big fish trolling this deadline and gets Chychrun. If he can bring in a big, strong LWer to get our second line going, that would be a real nice bonus. If he plays it conservatively and just does some minor tinkering with our lineup, I’ll be disappointed. But who knows, maybe a little tweak can end up making all the difference?

I'm guessing the bed has been made so to speak for goalies this year, agreed Dubas likely stays the course.

I'm fine making big adds as long as they aren't rentals. Not much interest in a 1st++ for a rental again and then getting bounced first round. This is likely the hardest first round the leafs have had to face, I feel like spending big isn't a wise idea especially given the historical context of the leafs and the 1st round.

 

[Buds17]

Tbh i don't expect the leafs to get better goaltending that their opponents in the playoffs. That's what happens when you only spend 6.7% of your cap on goalies. Ranked 26th in the league.

I agree in that I don't think the team is built to win often on the backs of their goaltending (ex. scores of 1-0 and 2-1).

 

[Ziggdiezan]

I agree in that I don't think the team is built to win often on the backs of their goaltending (ex. scores of 1-0 and 2-1).

Yup exactly, they are structured to out score their opposition. If they only put up 1 or 2 goals, chances are they probably aren't going to win in the playoffs

 

[nuck]

Canucks fire sale. Curious, would you guys do this trade if offered:

Nylander
Kerfoot

for

JT Miller
Garland

If they had the space to possibly resign him I would consider it. JT is a better proven center than Willie and Connor is a little better than Kerf and signed to a decent deal. BUT in two years Miller will cost more than Nylander so he will walk and Willie will still be playing for Van. If Nylander had as many 2ndary assists as Miller he would be ahead on him in scoring, so there isn't much separation between them at all. If you move an asset like WN it should really get some talent with cost control coming back because that is the clubs biggest argument for breaking up the big 3. Someone who they wont have to re-up until 2025 would be a win but they can't take too big of a talent hit. Needs to be a multi player deal.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Everyone on the Canucks available asides from EP, Hughes, and Demko

That big offseason didn’t pan out

Can’t help but feel that Tanner Pearson might be an upgrade in physicality, size, and grit in the top 9 without sacrificing much offense.

On a good deal that is signed for two more years.

 

[Peace Frog]

I'm guessing the bed has been made so to speak for goalies this year, agreed Dubas likely stays the course.

I'm fine making big adds as long as they aren't rentals. Not much interest in a 1st++ for a rental again and then getting bounced first round. This is likely the hardest first round the leafs have had to face, I feel like spending big isn't a wise idea especially given the historical context of the leafs and the 1st round.

Oh for sure! I’m not wanting him to waste quality assets on a rental either. The Leafs have made us all jumpy about “going all in” for the playoff push, but it can’t stop Dubas from making big moves to give us the best chance to succeed this time around. I mean, imagine the Dubas trade deadline presser and him saying,” I could have made a couple of big moves today, but because we haven’t shown that we’re capable of getting past the first round, I decided to pass.” The internet would blow up!

No, we’re in win now mode still, but Kyle realizes that it’s important to do it right this time. He sees that we have the assets to make a big move or two, but he’s just going to make sure that it’s spent on players that aren’t going to walk away in the summer. Getting past the first round is absolutely imperative this time, but Dubas wants to have his additions here to build on whatever success we have in these playoffs.

 

[Buds17]

Canucks fire sale. Curious, would you guys do this trade if offered:

Nylander
Kerfoot

for

JT Miller
Garland

It's a tough trade to make over the longer run since it'd be more challenging to re-up Miller in comparison to Kerfoot (in the event the Leafs would want to proceed with the latter when that time arrives). Not sure I'd be enthusiastic enough about potentially trading Nylander for Garland (I do like Garland as a player and a contract though).

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Oh for sure! I’m not wanting him to waste quality assets on a rental either. The Leafs have made us all jumpy about “going all in” for the playoff push, but it can’t stop Dubas from making big moves to give us the best chance to succeed this time around. I mean, imagine the Dubas trade deadline presser and him saying,” I could have made a couple of big moves today, but because we haven’t shown that we’re capable of getting past the first round, I decided to pass.” The internet would blow up!

No, we’re in win now mode still, but Kyle realizes that it’s important to do it right this time. He sees that we have the assets to make a big move or two, but he’s just going to make sure that it’s spent on players that aren’t going to walk away in the summer. Getting past the first round is absolutely imperative this time, but Dubas wants to have his additions here to build on whatever success we have in these playoffs.

Let us hope so. I think he has learned from Foligno too but all that cap space available just for this season due to Muzzin LTIR could push him into doing some big rental adds. Hopefully if they are rentals there is an extension soon after or what not

 

[Leafs1991]

Ya I would love to add Miller and Garland but I refuse to give up Nylander.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

I don't know about Garland's underlying numbers but he always plays at 110%. All-out energy. It's a good trait to have in a player, especially one as skilled as him.

 

[Martin Skoula]

I don't know about Garland's underlying numbers but he always plays at 110%. All-out energy. It's a good trait to have in a player, especially one as skilled as him.

Doesn't translate well to the playoffs when everyone else starts going at 100%. Saw this with Hyman and Brown going invisible when their main strength gets washed out.

 

[Torontonian]

Is our 1st rounder even appealing to rebuilding teams if it's their young core players being traded away? Our pick will be high 20s up to 32. That's not very attractive for young players with term. The "+" will have to be pretty significant from us.

Hopefully we get some asking price updates soon.

The thing is, not many teams competing right now have their first, CAL/FLA/VGK/COL/CAR all traded their first round picks this year, I don't see bottom end teams trading their first round picks away, and I don't see many middle of the pact teams like the Ducks/Detriot/Islanders/Vancouver/Edm trading their first round picks away, means there are a handful of teams that would probably be comfortable trading their first.

Approaching the deadline, as I just mentioned many of the teams competing for the cup and have a shot at winning don't have their own first, Toronto has an advantage from now to the trade deadline and draft at acquiring players. I don't think trading a first is smart for one playoff run with one player unless its a Forsberg or Lindholm type player, true difference makers, other then that, the first round pick should be traded for two playoff runs with us.

What's interesting about the pending UFA route is Toronto suddenly finds themselves with 7m cap at the deadline if they decide to hold Muzzin out to the playoffs, (which they certainly should as other teams do the same to improve their roster) doesn't happen often and I believe Toronto needs to take advantage of that.

 

[Menzinger]

Canucks fire sale. Curious, would you guys do this trade if offered:

Nylander
Kerfoot

for

JT Miller
Garland

No. I'd offer a futures package for Miller though.

 

[Acesup]

you think Montreal is going to retain over 5 million per season long term on a Carey Price trade? And I shutter to even speculate what that would cost lol

They aren't getting rid of him for anything any other way. They have to take a hit. No one is paying 10 million a year for him. Give them some assets. As a rebuild team that should get it done.

 

[Clark4Ever]

They aren't getting rid of him for anything any other way. They have to take a hit. No one is paying 10 million a year for him. Give them some assets. As a rebuild team that should get it done.

On one hand, it's tempting. On the other hand, dealing for Price is risky on many levels. He's getting older, he hasn't played all season, he has several years remaining on his contract, and the assets we would have to give up would come back to haunt us, with our biggest rival no less.

I'd rather give up less and take a flyer on a pending UFA like Fleury that has a similar pedigree.

 

[Knies iT]

Doesn't translate well to the playoffs when everyone else starts going at 100%. Saw this with Hyman and Brown going invisible when their main strength gets washed out.

To be fair, Garland's main strength isn't just his tenacity. His skill level is multiple tiers above Hyman/Brown, the tenacity just compliments it.

Whether or not he can play like that when the whistles get swallowed is a different story, though. He gets abused enough as is in the regular season.

 

[Rude Dog]

I just don’t get the Fleury hype. Is he really an upgrade. The only player who can compete with the epic Leafs collapses is Fleury. Starting from the world juniors to last year against the Habs. He has a 911 save percentage. He would get roasted here for having those numbers. Use those assets on a D or forward. Jack will turn it around soon enough.