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

[SeaOfBlue]

Engvall to McLeod doesn’t really move the needle much if at all. Dermott and a later pick in the 2023 draft would probably get it done if Dermott alone doesn’t. New Jersey’s defence is a disaster.

I would do Michael McLeod for Travis Dermott straight up.

The only problem is, while their defense is bad right now, they do have a number of promising LD prospects coming up and recently paid a 3rd for Siegenthaler. Do they really need another one? Especially at the cost of a guy who could be a good 3C for them in the near future?

Maybe we could do Dermott to a team like MTL or Detroit, who could use him, and then whatever futures we get can go towards a guy like McLeod if New Jersey has any appetite to move him.

McLeod would be a nice fit for our bottom 6, and fits what Dubas would want to do at a TDL.

 

[ShaneFalco]

because when they toss out the rule book in the playoffs, our soft players get manhandled on a per shift basis, and Simmonds can only deter so much playing 4-6 mins and then Muzzin gets hurt again.

I was being facetious and you're right - missing a piece or 2 for playoff hockey

 

[Stephen]

Willy needs to be a play driver to reach his max potential. With JT and behind Matthews/Marner, he's a 3rd/4th wheel and just fades into the background too much. If he realizes that he can absolutely be a menace on top of what Matthews/Marner do, we'd be unstoppable. But we very rarely have both of those lines clicking at the same time.

I agree. I think the first step is to divorce him from Tavares because often they don’t play at the same pace or rhythm and are headed in opposite career trajectories. Then give him the reigns to just be The Man on his own line.

 

[TMLAM34]

So you think shooting at 20% this year isn't anything of note?

I definitely expect his shooting percentage to drop. But I also definitely expect his overall game to continue to develop considering this is only his second NHL season. Bunting is putting up quite a season for himself playing along side Matthews and Marner. I would expect very similar contribution from Hagel playing along side Tavares and Nylander. That on top of having him signed for another two seasons at 1.5 million is worth giving up at least the 1st round draft pick.

 

[showtime8]

If he's actually available and we could somehow make it work, Hampus Lindholm is the guy to get. He opens the potential D pairings to any number of combinations and puts our D on par with anyone. He'd be expensive but he could be the difference.

I don't think that he would be the most expensive deadline rental, but it would definitely cost the Leafs a bit. Maybe Dermott, Niemala

Does that addition change what you do for the rest of the back end? That would basically leave you with Sandin-Holl, Muzzin-Lindholm, Rielly- Brodie. Is that enough? Moving Holl to the 3rd defensive pair, gives him a lower amount of even strength minutes and is probably more advantageous for the Leafs system.

 

[mydnyte]

So you think shooting at 20% this year isn't anything of note?

the only think of note, is that its not sustainable, last season it was under 10%
as a comparison, Matthews has one of the highest shooting percentage in the league, and he averages 16.2.

 

[leafsfan5]

Hagel makes sense as the kind of player to acquire, cheap and on contract for a few years after this (though idk where we'd play him, try him on line 2? Throw him on the 3rd?)

But holy hell that price is insane, no way we should pay that. Chicago is acting like he's Blake Coleman

 

[TMLAM34]

I would do Michael McLeod for Travis Dermott straight up.

The only problem is, while their defense is bad right now, they do have a number of promising LD prospects coming up and recently paid a 3rd for Siegenthaler. Do they really need another one? Especially at the cost of a guy who could be a good 3C for them in the near future?

Maybe we could do Dermott to a team like MTL or Detroit, who could use him, and then whatever futures we get can go towards a guy like McLeod if New Jersey has any appetite to move him.

McLeod would be a nice fit for our bottom 6, and fits what Dubas would want to do at a TDL.

Dermott is young, can play both sides and maybe just needs a change of scenery to develop into the second pairing dman he’s got the tools for. I wouldn’t be surprised if New Jersey had interest in him. Maybe we have to attach a draft pick from next year.

Kerfoot - McLeod - Kase

Could be a real solid third line.

 

[nobody]

I agree. I think the first step is to divorce him from Tavares because often they don’t play at the same pace or rhythm and are headed in opposite career trajectories. Then give him the reigns to just be The Man on his own line.

I know it's not going to be received well by people and we'd hear a lot of stupid jokes about it but TBH, the best thing the Leafs can do for Willy is to make him a full-time C and slot him in as our 3C. JT needs to run his own line and is totally capable of doing it with more veteran players who can also slow the pace down and play his brand of gritty hockey.

Bunting - Matthews - Marner --> 18-20 mins/game
Spezza - JT - Simmonds --> 15-17 mins/game
Kerfoot/Nylander - Nylander/Kerfoot - Mikheyev --> 15-17 mins/game
Engvall - Kampf - Kase --> 12-14 mins/game


The top line remains the same. Second-line is our veteran line 3rd line consists of guys who like to play a little more gritty/heavier game. There is plenty of skill, play-making, and shooting ability on that line. The third line is what we saw in the playoffs last year with Kerf/Nylander who both have great chemistry together. Having another speedy guy like Mikky there gives them another puck carrying option and also a good defensive presence. The fourth line remains one of our most effective lines and shutdown lines. Ice time might get spread out a little more but I think overall these lines are a hell of a lot more balanced.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Dermott is young, can play both sides and maybe just needs a change of scenery to develop into the second pairing dman he’s got the tools for. I wouldn’t be surprised if New Jersey had interest in him. Maybe we have to attach a draft pick from next year.

Kerfoot - McLeod - Kase

Could be a real solid third line.

They have some good RD coming up too though, plus Hamilton who is a long term fixture in their top 4 RD.

I am not saying he wouldn't be a terrible fit, but I think they need McLeod more than Dermott.

 

[showtime8]

He's a borderline elite defensive player that can chip in offense at a 3rd line rate. How could that not make a difference in the playoffs?

He's got 1 assist in 10 playoff games over the past 2 years.

Defensively he helps, but isn't that what the 3rd line is for?

 

[Maplebeasts]

Trade for Crouse and Manson

Bunting Matthews Nylander
Crouse Tavares Marner
Mikheyev Kerfoot Kase
Engvall/Simmonds Kampf Spezza/Simmonds

Rielly Brodie
Sandin Manson
Muzzin Liljegren
Dermott/Holl

Campbell
Mrazek

Thats a Stanley cup winning team

We want to upgrade not downgrade. I only like Crouse as a bottom sixer but don't think he can hang anywhere above that. This is the first season he hasn't been unplayable at the NHL level. Manson is honestly just a horrific defenseman. He's toughness at the expense of getting shelled 5 on 5. Really none of the D available outside of Klingberg are an upgrade and all of them are very, very ovepriced if the reported asks are close.

 

[Stephen]

I know it's not going to be received well by people and we'd hear a lot of stupid jokes about it but TBH, the best thing the Leafs can do for Willy is to make him a full-time C and slot him in as our 3C. JT needs to run his own line and is totally capable of doing it with more veteran players who can also slow the pace down and play his brand of gritty hockey.

Bunting - Matthews - Marner --> 18-20 mins/game
Spezza - JT - Simmonds --> 15-17 mins/game
Kerfoot/Nylander - Nylander/Kerfoot - Mikheyev --> 15-17 mins/game
Engvall - Kampf - Kase --> 12-14 mins/game


The top line remains the same. Second-line is our veteran line 3rd line consists of guys who like to play a little more gritty/heavier game. There is plenty of skill, play-making, and shooting ability on that line. The third line is what we saw in the playoffs last year with Kerf/Nylander who both have great chemistry together. Having another speedy guy like Mikky there gives them another puck carrying option and also a good defensive presence. The fourth line remains one of our most effective lines and shutdown lines. Ice time might get spread out a little more but I think overall these lines are a hell of a lot more balanced.

Yeah. I agree I would say to be fair to both you just label them the 2A and 2B line and give each of them similar ice time. Tavares can get the head to head matchups and Nylander can focus on building his offensive game.

 

[Smif]

So far I'm quite firmly in the "hold" position on trades as I haven't seen a player listed that really puts us over the top. With the exception of moving Ritchie out for anything and bringing in a Schenn type as a 6/7 dman for insurance.

I think the biggest improvement this team needs is a mix-up of different wingers on our 2nd line.

 

[Nylanderthal]

I truly don't think the current GM and President care about that right now, It's one of those situations where the next person can worry about that, Dubas himself has pushed all his chips to the middle of the table and is willing to get fired over this core.

Dubas and Shanny number one worry right now is getting results out of this group or they lose there job, if they have a chance to trade a first for results now, there going to do it.

There’s literally no reason to think this is the case at all.

 

[PROUD PAPA]

I don't think that he would be the most expensive deadline rental, but it would definitely cost the Leafs a bit. Maybe Dermott, Niemala

Does that addition change what you do for the rest of the back end? That would basically leave you with Sandin-Holl, Muzzin-Lindholm, Rielly- Brodie. Is that enough? Moving Holl to the 3rd defensive pair, gives him a lower amount of even strength minutes and is probably more advantageous for the Leafs system.

That's the most likely sets if we could manage to get Lindholm. He'd help with the PK and actually has more offense to his game but Anaheim has more options for offense from the blueline so Lindholm does the heavy lifting. As far as would he be enough, probably enough to where we wouldn't be underdogs to anyone regardless of how far we advance. Ideally if we got him and added a nastier individual like maybe Chiarot (i wouldn't pay a 1st for him) or similar player we shouldn't have much to worry about.

 

[Morgs]

He's got 1 assist in 10 playoff games over the past 2 years.

Defensively he helps, but isn't that what the 3rd line is for?

As opposed to 4th lines which are offensive juggernauts? He actually makes the Spezza/Simmonds line not completely useless like they were before he rejoined the line.

 

[Nylanderthal]

I want to reward this team with a deadline acquisition, but not at the expense of a 1st round pick or a top prospect for a player that's not moving the needle. If the defenseman is a marginal upgrade on Justin Holl, how can we possibly justify the price of a top prospect or a 1st?

If Philly wants a 2nd for Braun just give it to them.

I’d take Braun and a bunch of throwaway contracts to clear their decks for other trades for Ritchie + a 2nd/3rd/B prospect whatever is the reasonable middle ground

 

[ACC1224]

He's got 1 assist in 10 playoff games over the past 2 years.

Defensively he helps, but isn't that what the 3rd line is for?

Yeah Engvall is certainly a player that could be upgraded. Perhaps if they find a replacement for Kerfoot on the 2nd line that will push Engvall out of the lineup as Kerfoot moves down.
Removing him isn't as urgent as Holl but it certainly wouldn't hurt.

 

[Magic Man]

Ok good

But who is #1, 2 and 3 on our list

I would say Josh Manson (50% retained), Scott Mayfield and Luke Schenn rank pretty high on the want list heading into the deadline.

 

[ShaneFalco]

As opposed to 4th lines which are offensive juggernauts? He actually makes the Spezza/Simmonds line not completely useless like they were before he rejoined the line.

This is true. He doesn't use his size as much as I'd like but he's fast and versatile

 

[showtime8]

As opposed to 4th lines which are offensive juggernauts? He actually makes the Spezza/Simmonds line not completely useless like they were before he rejoined the line.

Okay, but the point that you made was that he was elite defensively and could chip in on the offense in the playoffs. 1 assist is not chipping in. Spezza had 3 goals and 2 assists in 7 games last off-season. That's chipping in.

 

[showtime8]

Yeah Engvall is certainly a player that could be upgraded. Perhaps if they find a replacement for Kerfoot on the 2nd line that will push Engvall out of the lineup as Kerfoot moves down.
Removing him isn't as urgent as Holl but it certainly wouldn't hurt.

Yeah, it's not a requirement that they keep Engvall in the line-up because I really don't mind him on the 4th
line. And there are more pressing needs in the line-up currently.

There's a hit in the Columbus series that Clifford put on Kukan that really changed the way the game was played from the Leafs. I don't need Engvall to do this, but this absolutely changes the way defensemen play going back in for the puck.

 

[X66]

Engvall is not going anywhere IMO.

He's turned into quite the player, he's on pace for over 30 points as well on strictly bottom 6 duty...

He's great defensively and great on the penalty kill.

The line-up also takes a massive hit speed wise when he's out.

My only gripe with him is that he has the Kapanen tunnel visions at time, but he's improved on that a lot this year.

 

[Stephen]

I would do Michael McLeod for Travis Dermott straight up.

The only problem is, while their defense is bad right now, they do have a number of promising LD prospects coming up and recently paid a 3rd for Siegenthaler. Do they really need another one? Especially at the cost of a guy who could be a good 3C for them in the near future?

Maybe we could do Dermott to a team like MTL or Detroit, who could use him, and then whatever futures we get can go towards a guy like McLeod if New Jersey has any appetite to move him.

McLeod would be a nice fit for our bottom 6, and fits what Dubas would want to do at a TDL.

Michael McLeod is a 23 year old kid who has been playing on a tire fire lottery team in New Jersey. Is he really the right add for a specific playoff type role in the very short term? If the theme of the season is building championship habits I’m not you’re going to get someone who is up to speed for that job.