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

[acrobaticgoalie]

How about we target feisty players that are actually upgrades.

I would like that but those kinds of players usually come with a higher cap hit like a Konecny or come with a high asking price.

 

[hockeywiz542]

SIMMONS: Is Marc-Andre Fleury the answer in goal for the Leafs? | Toronto Sun

The Leafs are unfortunate victims of their own division. That’s their reality. They will almost certainly open the playoffs against either Tampa Bay or Florida. That means they would be facing Andrei Vasilevskiy or Sergei Bobrovsky in that omnipresent first round. You can’t have the Campbell who is currently playing for the Leafs in goal and have any realistic chance of winning against either of those teams and goaltenders.

The Campbell of his first half was elite. This Campbell is bottom-of-the-barrel NHL goalie. The truth of his abilities may be somewhere in between but it puts Campbell, goaltending coach Steve Briere, head coach Sheldon Keefe and general manager Kyle Dubas in a rather challenging position as the trade deadline approaches.

Can they find a way to fix Campbell as they have already done once? Or do they get in the Fleury bidding, assuming there is bidding, with interim general manager Kyle Davidson in Chicago?

And please don’t tell me the Leafs have Petr Mrazek ready to go if Campbell can’t be trusted. Mrazek is a bottom-half NHL goalie. Contending Carolina allowed him to walk away for nothing. He’s here filling up space on the roster and on the Leafs payroll. You can’t put Mrazek in any competition against Vasilevskiy or Bobrovsky and have any hope of success.

Fleury’s salary cap hit is $7 million for this season and that’s rich, even for just six weeks. With Jake Muzzin out on the long-term injured list, the Leafs would have to do some manoeuvring to bring Fleury in, but if not, what’s the alternative? What do the Leafs expect to happen in goal between now and the beginning of May when playoffs begin?

All of this is happening with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly having career years, playing the best they’ve ever played before. The Matthews-Marner combination along with Michael Bunting has been spectacular. Do you waste that kind of possibility because your goaltending doesn’t hold up?

Vasilevskiy has a 2.28 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. Bobrovsky has a rather high 2.63 GAA on the freewheeling Panthers, but a .915 save percentage and most impressively a 26-6-1 won-lost record. The Vezina favourite, Rangers’ Igor Shesterskin, has a 1.95 GAA and a .941 save percentage.

Campbell has a 23-8-4 won-lost record and even as his game has slipped, the Leafs are still playing .692 hockey on the season and will likely finish with more points than any Toronto team in history.

But when you break down the goals scored against Campbell in the second half of his season, the rebounds allowed, the mental mistakes made, the positioning, that kind of goaltending just isn’t good enough now — or at playoff time.

 

[Peace Frog]

I still think Chychrun is the absolute best acquisition we can make at the trade deadline (or earlier). There are people who say they wouldn’t give up some of our top prospects, like Knies or Niemela, but I don’t really see why we wouldn’t. Chychrun is only 23 years old and is already a very solid top 4 dman. We’d have him for a minimum of four playoff runs as well.

Imo, Chychrun is worth a 1st, a top prospect like Knies if we must and a young roster player (Dermott, for example). Knies is possibly going to be a solid top six player (who’s from Arizona, btw), but Chychrun is a big, solid dman that is an immediate upgrade for our D unit.

 

[SprDaVE]

I still think Chychrun is the absolute best acquisition we can make at the trade deadline (or earlier). There are people who say they wouldn’t give up some of our top prospects, like Knies or Niemela, but I don’t really see why we wouldn’t. Chychrun is only 23 years old and is already a very solid top 4 dman. We’d have him for a minimum of four playoff runs as well.

Imo, Chychrun is worth a 1st, a top prospect like Knies if we must and a young roster player (Dermott, for example). Knies is possibly going to be a solid top six player (who’s from Arizona, btw), but Chychrun is a big, solid dman that is an immediate upgrade for our D unit.

I don't think the problem is giving up Niemela or Knies, it's giving up Sandin or Liljegren for Chychrun.

 

[OVO16]

I dont see us beating Florida or Tampa. Our Skill level matches up with both of them but we're still losing in both the Goaltending and Physical department.

Our pure Raw Skill isn't gonna be enough to get out the 1st rd. Every single year its the same thing.

Dubas needs to add a Vet Goalie and some Feistier players at the deadline or its a wrap

 

[Peace Frog]

I don't think the problem is giving up Niemela or Knies, it's giving up Sandin or Liljegren for Chychrun.

I’d give up Liljegren in a deal for Chychrun.

 

[ToneDog]

I still think Chychrun is the absolute best acquisition we can make at the trade deadline (or earlier). There are people who say they wouldn’t give up some of our top prospects, like Knies or Niemela, but I don’t really see why we wouldn’t. Chychrun is only 23 years old and is already a very solid top 4 dman. We’d have him for a minimum of four playoff runs as well.

Imo, Chychrun is worth a 1st, a top prospect like Knies if we must and a young roster player (Dermott, for example). Knies is possibly going to be a solid top six player (who’s from Arizona, btw), but Chychrun is a big, solid dman that is an immediate upgrade for our D unit.

He may land in Florida and he might be a thorn in our side instead.

 

[Kiwi]

I’d give up Liljegren in a deal for Chychrun.

It's not Liljegren

It's Liljegren+Knies+1st

If Chychrun isn't a #1D were getting screwed

 

[LeafSteel]

It's not Liljegren

It's Liljegren+Knies+1st

If Chychrun isn't a #1D were getting screwed

Absolutely a no go for that package.

Knies doesn’t belong in any deal, and Liljegren is becoming what we have needed him to become. Both non starters for me.

 

[OVO16]

I'd def do a JT Miller deal with Liljegren being the main piece. Only problem is, I'm not willing to include any other of our top prospects along with him or our 1st.

A Package which includes JT Miller + Luke Schenn for Kerfoot + Liljegren + Lesser Prospect + Mid-Pick. Im ok with that.

 

[Leaffan1991]

I'm leaning more towards Chychrun than A forward. First round plus Lilly plus Robertson would probably do it.

 

[RebuildYear5]

*-Obviously adding Fleury increases our overall chances of winning a cup, regardless of his age he's still consistent & competitive.

Only issue I'm sure everyone knows is his 7M cap hit, unless Kyle can flip Mrazek.

Having Muzzin on LTIR helps, but only if he's out until the playoffs.

Just going to throw a deal out there assuming multiple teams have been calling on Fleury.

Fleury(50% retained)

Mrazek + 1st round pick(2023) + Low prospect

*-Now to assess that added grit/experience & depth needed for a long run.....if I was Kyle I'd be calling the Islanders.

Chara + Parise + Greene

3rd round pick(2023) + 6th or 7th round pick + Prospect

*- Another trade that could easily increase the chances of winning a cup would be adding another skilled vet in Burns....especially if someone gets injured.

Burns(%50 retained) + Bonino or Cogliano

1st round pick(2022) + 2nd round(2022) + low prospect

***If Muzzin is back before the playoffs we send down Liljegren, Robertson, Sandin, Clifford, Dermott....and trade or send down Lyubushkin...until game1, we can call them all back to our Taxi squad.

Projected Lineup:
*Taxi squad

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Mikheyev-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Kerfoot-Bonino or Cogliano
Parise-Spezza-Simmonds
*Robertson-*Kampf-*Kase

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Burns
Chara-Sandin
*Dermott-*Holl
*Greene

Fleury
Campbell

 

[SeaOfBlue]

*-Obviously adding Fleury increases our overall chances of winning a cup, regardless of his age he's still consistent & competitive.

Only issue I'm sure everyone knows is his 7M cap hit, unless Kyle can flip Mrazek.

Having Muzzin on LTIR helps, but only if he's out until the playoffs.

Just going to throw a deal out there assuming multiple teams have been calling on Fleury.

Fleury(50% retained)

Mrazek + 1st round pick(2023) + Low prospect

*-Now to assess that added grit/experience & depth needed for a long run.....if I was Kyle I'd be calling the Islanders.

Chara + Parise + Greene

3rd round pick(2023) + 6th or 7th round pick + Prospect

*- Another trade that could easily increase the chances of winning a cup would be adding another skilled vet in Burns....especially if someone gets injured.

Burns(%50 retained) + Bonino or Cogliano

1st round pick(2022) + 2nd round(2022) + low prospect

***If Muzzin is back before the playoffs we send down Liljegren, Robertson, Sandin, Clifford, Dermott....and trade or send down Lyubushkin...until game1, we can call them all back to our Taxi squad.

Projected Lineup:
*Taxi squad

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Mikheyev-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Kerfoot-Bonino or Cogliano
Parise-Spezza-Simmonds
*Robertson-*Kampf-*Kase

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Burns
Chara-Sandin
*Dermott-*Holl
*Greene

Fleury
Campbell

So let me get this straight. We are giving up a crap ton of picks and Mrazek for a bunch of over-the-hill veterans who are worse than the guys who are now on the outside of our lineup?

There is also no such thing as a taxi squad anymore, and even with Muzzin's LTIR, we don't have anywhere near the amount of cap needed to do these deals.

The only one the Leafs would even start to consider is the Fleury one, and I sincerely doubt the Leafs consider giving up a 1st round pick for him.

 

[meefer]

As outlines.

To Dallas: Nylander and Robertson
To Toronto: Gurianov, Klingberg, 1st and 3rd.
Contracts are close to a wash. Does Klingberg improve our D? Gurianov is not going to replace Nylander's numbers, but can he add enough to a faulty 2nd line while offering cap relief next year? Are the 1st and 3rd too much of an add, or not enough? How could they be used for other needs? Nylander is the best player, does Robertson attract enough desire for Dallas to bite?

To Montreal: Sandin (+?)
To Toronto: Romanov (+?)
A tough one for me: Sandin has more O upside, imo, where Romanov brings a better D presence and physicality. Both are RFA after this season, Sandin is 21, Romanov 22. Do these young defensemen better fit the need of the other teams? What might the 'adds' be? I don't know.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

Carson Soucy is the low cost high reward d we should be targeting. Hes physical, defends well, has great size, and has a good outlet pass. With all the attributes above he has an extra year on his deal, can play both sides and only has a cap hit of 2.75 million. His cost would be our late first or 2nd round pick and decent prospect like Abramov.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Chychrun played RD the other night, decent stats.

 

[Griffin76]

Chychrun played RD the other night, decent stats.

Played it yesterday too. Scored a goal. Roughed up Dubois. I think we can all appreciate that.

 

[Legion34]

Chychrun played RD the other night, decent stats.

that’s an odd choice? Correct? That would indicate to me that they are in talks with a team that wants to have a RD.

that would be us right? Who else really needs RD as bad?

florida has rd
Boston has rd
La needs left.
galaxy brain im sure but it’s an interesting move. Had he played rd at all i the nhl?

 

[Mickey Marner]

LD or RD, a good coach will get the right guys on the ice. Sergachev is technically Tampa's third pair LD and he plays 22:46.

 

[Cor]

that’s an odd choice? Correct? That would indicate to me that they are in talks with a team that wants to have a RD.

that would be us right? Who else really needs RD as bad?

florida has rd
Boston has rd
La needs left.
galaxy brain im sure but it’s an interesting move. Had he played rd at all i the nhl?

It definitely feels like a showcase move, yes.

Especially since ARI is arguably “deeper” at RD, than LD

 

[Legion34]

It definitely feels like a showcase move, yes.

Especially since ARI is arguably “deeper” at RD, than LD

Agreed. But showcase to who? Is there any other team that specifically “needs” a RHD to the extent that the leafs do? The leafs will be interested. Not sure who else would need him to be the right side.

 

[ToneDog]

Chychrun being able to play both sides allows him to cover for Muzzin until he returns and play the right side when Muzzin returns or allows Muzzin to play on our bottom pair. Guess it will come down to which of Sandin or Lily we have left after a trade for Chychrun.

 

[Jozay]

Agreed. But showcase to who? Is there any other team that specifically “needs” a RHD to the extent that the leafs do? The leafs will be interested. Not sure who else would need him to be the right side.

Theres plenty of teams that could use a top 4 D that can play the right side.

 

[ACC1224]

Agreed. But showcase to who? Is there any other team that specifically “needs” a RHD to the extent that the leafs do? The leafs will be interested. Not sure who else would need him to be the right side.

I imagine there are many teams interested. This isn't a typical deadline deal, even non playoff teams would be interested.

 

[Legion34]

I imagine there are many teams interested. This isn't a typical deadline deal, even non playoff teams would be interested.

sure but why move him now then. Makes no sense if they aren’t moving him with the idea of an extra playoff run?