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

[TheDoldrums]

Amirov is no longer an option for deadline moves. This leaves us with 3 prospects that move the needle and I really don't want to deal Knies or Niemela.

I think Robertson is the piece that will go if we make a big deal.

 

[kb]

Yup Halak's makes sense but he would have to make it through waivers. You could put Mrazek on waivers if you thought Halak > Mrazek.

Yup you can definitely dump Kerfoot's money but I prefer to add to Kefoot rather than replace. Kefoot allows you to move Willie down and Kase up. Willie and Kampf most likely does not work.

Yeah - I get that. I was thinking redundancy at LW as Robertson is now knocking on the door, plus trading Kerfoot/Dermott makes Miller easy to fit in even over 50% retention without Kerfoot. I think Miller playing with JT and WN will make that line as deadly as line 1.

I definitely move Mrazek, as there is chatter that there is a market for him somehow.

But I still look for one more D add.....

 

[ToneDog]

Amirov is no longer an option for deadline moves. This leaves us with 3 prospects that move the needle and I really don't want to deal Knies or Niemela.

I think Robertson is the piece that will go if we make a big deal.

If Dallas become sellers maybe they would be willing to overpay to unite the Robertson brothers. Not sure if they have a solid LWer they would be willing to part with. Perhaps we could also include a swap of Mrazek for Holtby now that Ottenger is the #1 there.

 

[kb]

Amirov is no longer an option for deadline moves. This leaves us with 3 prospects that move the needle and I really don't want to deal Knies or Niemela.

I think Robertson is the piece that will go if we make a big deal.

Holy crap!!! Just saw that!

Wow.

 

[ACC1224]

Amirov is no longer an option for deadline moves. This leaves us with 3 prospects that move the needle and I really don't want to deal Knies or Niemela.

I think Robertson is the piece that will go if we make a big deal.

I think that's always been the case.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Amirov is no longer an option for deadline moves. This leaves us with 3 prospects that move the needle and I really don't want to deal Knies or Niemela.

I think Robertson is the piece that will go if we make a big deal.

Terrible news, hopefully it is benign

 

[Legion34]

Terrible news, hopefully it is benign

he apparently is doing chemo so I’m guessing not. Poor kid

 

[Ziggdiezan]

he apparently is doing chemo so I’m guessing not. Poor kid

Jeez that is not good. The fact he is still skating 3 times a week makes me think they caught it fast and it hasn't spread so they arent doing the really high dosage cocktails that wipe you out tiredness wise

 

[dubplatepressure]

Amirov is no longer an option for deadline moves. This leaves us with 3 prospects that move the needle and I really don't want to deal Knies or Niemela.

I think Robertson is the piece that will go if we make a big deal.

I started writing a reply then part way through questioned my own views on this... really tough call between Robertson and Niemela. Robertson is more NHL ready IMO and is likely to play NHL minutes next year, whereas Topi is at least another year away from cracking the roster. I also question if Niemela can transfer his game to the NHL. Who's a decent recent comparable? Juuso Valimaki maybe but he's MUCH larger and the frame translates much better. Eric Brannstrom? Really tough call. I see a lot of Kevin Fiala in Robertson, potential to slot into a top-9 LW role next year. He could easily be that "solution" we need on the left side or at least help in that area.

 

[geo25]

I don't think the value is off base here in any way. Very well laid out.

I think the major issue at play is the Leafs appetite to deplete their prospect pool. I do feel most fanbases are sleeping on Niemela, who at one point this season was leading the Liiga in scoring as a 19 year old D-man, and is also the reigning defenseman of the tournament at the WJC. He was actually known more for his defensive acumen and positioning before his breakout as a PMD. Amirov has had a difficult season, but his skillset is that of a left shot Nylander, but with the ability to get under opponents skin.

Now having said that - I would do it for a retained Miller. The Leafs need to take advantage of their window.

Now the secondary issue is at G, and you guys have Halak with DiPietro waiting in the wings.....any ideas on the appetite to move him, and cost?

My proposal.

1st, Amirov or Niemela, Dermott, Kerfoot for Miller + Halak (50% retention). (Kerfoot can be flipped for a 2nd+ due to his contract structure).

The working theory here is the return becomes the equivalent of 2 firsts, a youngish D who is blocked here but can play both sides, and a top-6 roster player, or whatever Kerfoot can be turned into.

The importance to the Leafs is that is much easier to fit under the cap in than doing Miller @ 50% for all futures, and for the Canucks there is no retention (dead cap) and they get a player who can step in and do Miller's role, or be flipped himself. Either way, it beats retention.

Regardless of what we do or get I (personally) am convinced our core is seriously flawed. I also contend their are too many holes to fill & wasting precious prospects/future elc's is a very bad idea. Furthermore, I am not convinced Keefe (or Dubas..."we can do it") is the man to lead us to a cup. Regular season is fine....playoffs...as we have seen, not so much.
I think we should keep all our promising projects & see what we can do with what we have because come April I'm fairly certain we'll be talking about new mgmt/coach etc etc...Dubas really backed himself into a corner & selling the farm to attempt to save his hide might set us back big time. Just my 2 cents...

 

[kb]

Regardless of what we do or get I (personally) am convinced our core is seriously flawed. I also contend their are too many holes to fill & wasting precious prospects/future elc's is a very bad idea. Furthermore, I am not convinced Keefe (or Dubas..."we can do it") is the man to lead us to a cup. Regular season is fine....playoffs...as we have seen, not so much.
I think we should keep all our promising projects & see what we can do with what we have because come April I'm fairly certain we'll be talking about new mgmt/coach etc etc...Dubas really backed himself into a corner & selling the farm to attempt to save his hide might set us back big time. Just my 2 cents...

That's not how it works.

You build a prospect pool for 2 reasons. One to use it on the ice, and secondly to use it as chips to acquire players.

This is not a "flawed team". This is a strong team that needs the right additions to push it over the top.

 

[geo25]

That's not how it works.

You build a prospect pool for 2 reasons. One to use it on the ice, and secondly to use it as chips to acquire players.

This is not a "flawed team". This is a strong team that needs the right additions to push it over the top.

Lets agree to disagree & compare notes in April....If I'm wrong I'll humbly apologize!

 

[Magic Man]

Amirov is no longer an option for deadline moves. This leaves us with 3 prospects that move the needle and I really don't want to deal Knies or Niemela.

I think Robertson is the piece that will go if we make a big deal.

I think that's always been the case.

I feel like Robertson is the last one I'd trade. I keep looking at Jason Robertson, who is flying under the radar a bit and he was a star right away. They were both drafted in the 2nd rd. Jason put up 47 points in 60 games in his only year in the AHL. Robertson has 7 in 7 this season. In Nicks 19 year old season he put up 16 points in 21 games. Jason went on to put up seasons of 45 in 51 games and now 46 in 41 games. Obviously, they're not the same person, Nick is undersized and has struggled with injuries in his pro career.

But, I can't help but think he could walk onto the team next year or the year after and do what Jason is doing. Then, the Leafs would look at it almost instantly and hate it. There will be a spot in the top-6 when Kerfoot is traded this summer, Bunting only has one extra year, Amirov is out indefinitely. He has a clear path to success here.

 

[ACC1224]

I feel like Robertson is the last one I'd trade. I keep looking at Jason Robertson, who is flying under the radar a bit and he was a star right away. They were both drafted in the 2nd rd. Jason put up 47 points in 60 games in his only year in the AHL. Robertson has 7 in 7 this season. In Nicks 19 year old season he put up 16 points in 21 games. Jason went on to put up seasons of 45 in 51 games and now 46 in 41 games. Obviously, they're not the same person, Nick is undersized and has struggled with injuries in his pro career.

But, I can't help but think he could walk onto the team next year or the year after and do what Jason is doing. Then, the Leafs would look at it almost instantly and hate it. There will be a spot in the top-6 when Kerfoot is traded this summer, Bunting only has one extra year, Amirov is out indefinitely. He has a clear path to success here.

I wasn't criticizing him, btw. I think he would have good value and teams would want him. That's why I would expect him to be included.

 

[TheDoldrums]

I feel like Robertson is the last one I'd trade. I keep looking at Jason Robertson, who is flying under the radar a bit and he was a star right away. They were both drafted in the 2nd rd. Jason put up 47 points in 60 games in his only year in the AHL. Robertson has 7 in 7 this season. In Nicks 19 year old season he put up 16 points in 21 games. Jason went on to put up seasons of 45 in 51 games and now 46 in 41 games. Obviously, they're not the same person, Nick is undersized and has struggled with injuries in his pro career.

But, I can't help but think he could walk onto the team next year or the year after and do what Jason is doing. Then, the Leafs would look at it almost instantly and hate it. There will be a spot in the top-6 when Kerfoot is traded this summer, Bunting only has one extra year, Amirov is out indefinitely. He has a clear path to success here.

I just think Knies and Niemela have the potential to be more important for the long-term. Knies size in combination with his skill makes him a rarity in our organization and we're eternally looking for long-term RHD solutions.

I'm a huge fan of Jason but in my admittedly limited viewings of Robertson with the Marlies he doesn't really strike me as a guy who will drive play like his brother does. He has a great shot and works hard but I haven't seen the hockey sense that is evident in Jason that makes others better. I'm totally fine with keeping Nick and still think he'll be a middle 6 supporting winger someday, but imo he has the least upside of those three prospects. Though there is certainly something to be said about him being closer to helping now.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Heavy D atop TSN's latest trade bait list - TSN.ca

If early indications are to be trusted, we could be headed for a run on defencemen before the NHL’s March 21 trade deadline.

Six of the top nine players on TSN’s latest Trade Bait board are blueliners – and that doesn’t include Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim’s potential unrestricted free agent who would rank as the No. 1 rental defenceman if he goes to market.

The top defencemen listed are No. 1 Jakob Chychrun (Arizona), No. 2 Ben Chiarot (Montreal), No. 5 John Klingberg (Dallas), No. 6 Mark Giordano (Seattle), No. 7 Justin Braun (Philadelphia) and No. 9 Colin Miller (Buffalo).

Lindholm is lower at No. 15 on the Trade Bait list because it is far from certain he will be dealt. Talks have begun between management and the 28-year-old career-long Duck, who is in his ninth NHL season.

Among the more intriguing rearguards on the TSN Trade Bait board is No. 44-ranked Zdeno Chara, with the 44-year-old set to become the all-time leader in defenceman games played Thursday in San Jose. Chara and Chris Chelios are currently tied at 1,651 games.

The Rangers’ Alexandar Georgiev is the highest-ranked goalie at No. 8, the first of four goalies on the list. Two Stanley Cup-winning netminders are close behind: No. 13 Marc-Andre Fleury (Chicago) and No. 19 Braden Holtby (Dallas).

Toronto’s first-round pick and Arizona’s cap space are the only non-players in the top 50.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

That's not how it works.

You build a prospect pool for 2 reasons. One to use it on the ice, and secondly to use it as chips to acquire players.

This is not a "flawed team". This is a strong team that needs the right additions to push it over the top.

Exactly my thought.

The thing is, I am not really sure if there are any moves out there that are really worth our time/assets to push us over the top.

I am looking at that trade board, for example, and other than maybe a guy like Giordano if we need to replace Muzzin, all I am seeing are a bunch of guys who are priced a lot higher than they are worth to our Cup chances. Even the ones with term... I don't see them moving the needle anywhere.

I am still trying to see if we can find a 4th liner, but at this point, Joey Anderson or Nick Robertson may be our best bet to upgrade there.

 

[Magic Man]

Heavy D atop TSN's latest trade bait list - TSN.ca

If early indications are to be trusted, we could be headed for a run on defencemen before the NHL’s March 21 trade deadline.

Six of the top nine players on TSN’s latest Trade Bait board are blueliners – and that doesn’t include Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim’s potential unrestricted free agent who would rank as the No. 1 rental defenceman if he goes to market.

The top defencemen listed are No. 1 Jakob Chychrun (Arizona), No. 2 Ben Chiarot (Montreal), No. 5 John Klingberg (Dallas), No. 6 Mark Giordano (Seattle), No. 7 Justin Braun (Philadelphia) and No. 9 Colin Miller (Buffalo).

Lindholm is lower at No. 15 on the Trade Bait list because it is far from certain he will be dealt. Talks have begun between management and the 28-year-old career-long Duck, who is in his ninth NHL season.

Among the more intriguing rearguards on the TSN Trade Bait board is No. 44-ranked Zdeno Chara, with the 44-year-old set to become the all-time leader in defenceman games played Thursday in San Jose. Chara and Chris Chelios are currently tied at 1,651 games.

The Rangers’ Alexandar Georgiev is the highest-ranked goalie at No. 8, the first of four goalies on the list. Two Stanley Cup-winning netminders are close behind: No. 13 Marc-Andre Fleury (Chicago) and No. 19 Braden Holtby (Dallas).

Toronto’s first-round pick and Arizona’s cap space are the only non-players in the top 50.

Why would only Toronto's first round pick be on the trade bait board? There are other teams with 1st rounders that could parlay them. I don't think the Leafs have to move it. They have already made a move with Lyubushkin and are 8 deep on defense depending on Muzzin's health.

 

[zeke]

Why would only Toronto's first round pick be on the trade bait board? .

leafs obsession, of course.

and people still try to deny it. funny.

 

[ToneDog]

So if Nylander and Tavares and Kampf don't work and you do not want to break up Marner/Matty how about a blockbuster with our buddy Rutherford??

Nylander + Robertson + Mrazek + 1st for TJ Miller, Brock Boeser and Jaro Halak.

Bunting Matty Marner
Miller JT Boeser
Mik Kerfoot Kase
Engvall Kampf Spezza

 

[ACC1224]

So if Nylander and Tavares and Kampf don't work and you do not want to break up Marner/Matty how about a blockbuster with our buddy Rutherford??

Nylander + Robertson + Mrazek + 1st for TJ Miller, Brock Boeser and Jaro Halak.

Bunting Matty Marner
Miller JT Boeser
Mik Kerfoot Kase
Engvall Kampf Spezza

Do it.

 

[ChuckWoods]

With Ritchie gone now, who I personally thought was a goner that weekend for Braun (with retention and a pick), I think we see this team really start to chum the waters now with their futures.

For the first time in a while, Georgiev may seem like a point of interest, with the Leafs maybe looking to move on from Mrazek.

Outside of the generic names posted everywhere, Connor Murphy comes to mind as he has been a keen target of past.

 

[ACC1224]

With Ritchie gone now, who I personally thought was a goner that weekend for Braun (with retention and a pick), I think we see this team really start to chum the waters now with their futures.

For the first time in a while, Georgiev may seem like a point of interest, with the Leafs maybe looking to move on from Mrazek.

Outside of the generic names posted everywhere, Connor Murphy comes to mind as he has been a keen target of past.

Thanks Chuck.
I wondered if they would circle back to Georgiev at some point.

 

[Fogelhund]

With Ritchie gone now, who I personally thought was a goner that weekend for Braun (with retention and a pick), I think we see this team really start to chum the waters now with their futures.

For the first time in a while, Georgiev may seem like a point of interest, with the Leafs maybe looking to move on from Mrazek.

Outside of the generic names posted everywhere, Connor Murphy comes to mind as he has been a keen target of past.

Just my thoughts, but with Muzzin down, I wonder if it's actually a LD they go after, if he's down for long.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

With Ritchie gone now, who I personally thought was a goner that weekend for Braun (with retention and a pick), I think we see this team really start to chum the waters now with their futures.

For the first time in a while, Georgiev may seem like a point of interest, with the Leafs maybe looking to move on from Mrazek.

Outside of the generic names posted everywhere, Connor Murphy comes to mind as he has been a keen target of past.

Seems odd that the Leafs would target a guy like Georgiev. At his peak he was a solid 1B but that peak was like 4 years ago and has been only downhill since then. Seems like a downgrade on what we already have.

Connor Murphy doesn't really make sense either. A 2nd pairing RD making 4.4 mill when we have Liljegren coming up, Holl already signed for next year, and much larger holes (i.e. starting goalie) to fill with a decent, but not abundant, amount of cap space? Shouldn't we be going after a LD, if we are adding anyone on defense at all? Sandin and Dermott looked really good last night, but we already have one of Holl, Liljegren, or Lyubushkin sitting on any given night.