Trade and Free Agency Thread - 2021/22 - Post Deadline

[Stephen]

If I'm paying my goalie 1.65m and he goes up against a 9.5m goalie I expect their goalie to be better. If I pay 4 forwards half the cap, I expect them to be the difference. Not my 1.65m goalie. If 16,34,88 and 91 did their jobs and scored 2 more lousy goals, they would have won. The truth is they have not been able to do it for the last 3 years.

The thing is Dubas hit a grand slam with the Jack Campbell trade/re-signing but his cap structure is so bad elsewhere that even completely winning the lottery isn't enough and we need to squeeze more out of a $1.6 million goalie. But that window has passed now, and they need to look at making an meaningful investment in that key position.

He's overvalued our scoring advantage up front and continues to be handcuffed.

 

[ToneDog]

The thing is Dubas hit a grand slam with the Jack Campbell trade/re-signing but his cap structure is so bad elsewhere that even completely winning the lottery isn't enough and we need to squeeze more out of a $1.6 million goalie. But that window has passed now, and they need to look at making an meaningful investment in that key position.

He's overvalued our scoring advantage up front and continues to be handcuffed.

This 10000% and as a result he has to dump non-core players when their contracts are up and and find replacements at a fraction of the cost. It is not a winning recipe unless the big 4 can dominate and they have not.

 

[Buds17]

But goaltending is one area where they can't emulate Tampa.

At best, in this scenario, I think by the TDL should be able to pull of their version of the Kuemper trade and probably add 1 or 2 forwards.

Seems crazy that a team with Matthews, Tavares, Marner and Nylander would need to further bolster that area. Still, I'd have to agree with at least adding whatever you can, whenever you can. I just don't know about trying to pull through with less proven or potentially questionable goaltending.

 

[HomelessPepper]

Seems to be a lot of talk about the 4th line, but I think the focus needs to be on the middle six. Let Nylander and Tavares run separate lines and give them some wingers - guys like Paul, Rodrigues, even Kessel if we can get him on a nice discount.

Robertson - Matthews - Marner
Paul (3M?) - Nylander - Rodrigues (3.5M?)
Bunting - Tavares - Kessel (3M?)
Abruzzese - Steeves - Douglas

If necessary, upgrade the 4th line at the deadline.
You could also rotate the young guys with Robertson, give them all a chance to make an impact.

We would have enough to get a 4-5M goalie, or run Husso (3M?) + Comrie (2M?)

 

[ULF_55]

Seems to be a lot of talk about the 4th line, but I think the focus needs to be on the middle six. Let Nylander and Tavares run separate lines and give them some wingers - guys like Paul, Rodrigues, even Kessel if we can get him on a nice discount.

Robertson - Matthews - Marner
Paul (3M?) - Nylander - Rodrigues (3.5M?)
Bunting - Tavares - Kessel (3M?)
Abruzzese - Steeves - Douglas

If necessary, upgrade the 4th line at the deadline.
You could also rotate the young guys with Robertson, give them all a chance to make an impact.

We would have enough to get a 4-5M goalie, or run Husso (3M?) + Comrie (2M?)

I like your idea.

Not sure about Robertson on the 1st. line, but the players you have I think could make an effective forward line-up.

 

[HomelessPepper]

I like your idea.

Not sure about Robertson on the 1st. line, but the players you have I think could make an effective forward line-up.

The theory there is, Matthews and Marner should be able to be effective with nearly anybody. So I wanted to give Bunting to one of the middle 6 lines.

 

[LeafChief]

Kessel back for a year between 1-2 mill for the nostalgia. Would be hilarious to see people freak out.
He put up 52 points last year on a dog shit team. Sign him for half the price of Kerfoot and shit Kerfoot out for futures.

Also - I think I'm in the split Matthews/Marner next season camp. They're both more than capable of carrying a line and Marner reignites Tavares.

 

[Avilaj07]

With Vancouver looking to retool with only EP, Demko, Hughes and Horvat remaining. There's definitely a hockey deal there to be made.

To Toronto-
J.T Miller
Conor Garland
Tanner Pearson

To Vancouver-
William Nylander
Rasmus Sandin
Alex Kerfoot

 

[ULF_55]

Seems to be a lot of talk about the 4th line, but I think the focus needs to be on the middle six. Let Nylander and Tavares run separate lines and give them some wingers - guys like Paul, Rodrigues, even Kessel if we can get him on a nice discount.

Robertson - Matthews - Marner
Paul (3M?) - Nylander - Rodrigues (3.5M?)
Bunting - Tavares - Kessel (3M?)
Abruzzese - Steeves - Douglas

If necessary, upgrade the 4th line at the deadline.
You could also rotate the young guys with Robertson, give them all a chance to make an impact.

We would have enough to get a 4-5M goalie, or run Husso (3M?) + Comrie (2M?)

Buntin - Matthews - marner
Steves/Seeney/McMann-Tavares-Kessel
Paulish - Nylander-Rodriguesish
Engvall-Douglas-Simmonds

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

Saw a Twitter suggestion that Zach Aston-Reese could be an interesting target for the Leafs. Was described as being Kampf like in terms of defensive impact . Also plays with an aggressive play style

Zar should be a top priority, perfect 4th liner.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

4th liners like ZAR, Acciari and Lazar should be targeted. Tenacious quick skaters that finish their checks (and more importantly can take a shift in the playoffs). Simmonds can be kept around in a rotation on the 4th line to keep everyone fresh but as we have seen, he has no role in the playoffs.

Thats my ideal 4th line. Hope dubas signs all 3.

 

[Dreakmur]

Seems to be a lot of talk about the 4th line, but I think the focus needs to be on the middle six. Let Nylander and Tavares run separate lines and give them some wingers - guys like Paul, Rodrigues, even Kessel if we can get him on a nice discount.

Robertson - Matthews - Marner
Paul (3M?) - Nylander - Rodrigues (3.5M?)
Bunting - Tavares - Kessel (3M?)
Abruzzese - Steeves - Douglas

If necessary, upgrade the 4th line at the deadline.
You could also rotate the young guys with Robertson, give them all a chance to make an impact.

We would have enough to get a 4-5M goalie, or run Husso (3M?) + Comrie (2M?)

After watching these play-offs, Dubas' plan cannot possibly be to make our team smaller, softer, and worse defensively.

 

[Gabriel426]

I don't think he'd be dumb enough to go with 2 3rd stringers. He's gonna find a decent #1G with a decent AAV. Someone like Blackwood IMO. He can then keep Mrazek as his backup if he can't find a suitable taker IMO.

I hope so. The thing is he might think he is outsmarting everyone.

 

[Gabriel426]

With Vancouver looking to retool with only EP, Demko, Hughes and Horvat remaining. There's definitely a hockey deal there to be made.

To Toronto-
J.T Miller
Conor Garland
Tanner Pearson

To Vancouver-
William Nylander
Rasmus Sandin
Alex Kerfoot

No to Garland.
Also, Nucks is retooling bc of the country club atmosphere in the dressing room, which means players they are trading away would most likely have those attitudes, do we really want them on the Leafs?

 

[SeaOfBlue]

4th liners like ZAR, Acciari and Lazar should be targeted. Tenacious quick skaters that finish their checks (and more importantly can take a shift in the playoffs). Simmonds can be kept around in a rotation on the 4th line to keep everyone fresh but as we have seen, he has no role in the playoffs.

I still think those guys would be more for the shutdown line with Engvall and Kampf. Nico Sturm is another guy like those guys too, but he is more of a pure center and we already have Kampf.

Doing that would allow for Kase to move to another line (namely a bottom 6 offensive line) if he is still here. That does somewhat impact Anderson, who seems like the most natural fit for 4RW, but the more I run through the options on the UFA market though, the more I am thinking that the Leafs may be better off just using Joey Anderson on the 2nd line with Tavares and Nylander next year anyways.

Anderson has never played LW and his NHL experience is limited, but I am fine with taking that risk because Anderson, stylistically, is arguably as good of a fit for Nylander and Tavares as you are going to find (and Anderson can always move to LW; Hyman did the same thing when he first came up from the AHL). Maybe he won't be the absolute best player to put in that spot vs. a guy like Niederreiter, but he is only making 750k and I think the more important thing for that spot is finding the kind of guy who can compliment both Nylander and Tavares, not much unlike Bunting last year.

You may need to pay some guys more than I have listed, and you can swap ZAR with a Lazar or Acciari or whoever else you feel like fits on that 3rd line, but you will certainly have more than 5 mill to play with to find a goalie and that is without moving Mrazek. Even if Anderson, Mrazek, and Dronov suck, since those are probably the largest risks relative to role, that is still a very competitive roster and you have plenty of insurance waiting in the wings at all three positions.

 

[HomelessPepper]

After watching these play-offs, Dubas' plan cannot possibly be to make our team smaller, softer, and worse defensively.

I know, I know, no Lazar. *sigh* I just couldn't fit him in...

 

[LeafSteel]

Are you suggesting the Leafs lost to David Ayres because they're defense wasn;t good enough?

If you're basis of what is good defending is whether or not a team can defend in a one-in-every 3-5 season situation, that seems pretty ridiculous.

I read your entire post and all of it lacked substance.

At least he's consistent.....

 

[Dreakmur]

I know, I know, no Lazar. *sigh* I just couldn't fit him in...

And inexplicably dropped David Kampf.

Engvall and Kerfoot are both apparently gone for no return. I'd trade them both too, but it would be for different kinds of players.

Phil Kessel and Evan Rodrigues are not the kinds of middle 6 players we need to add. I can see giving Robertson a shot on the 4th line, but that's about all he's earned. There's no place for Abruzzese or Steeves.

 

[Brobust]

This 10000% and as a result he has to dump non-core players when their contracts are up and and find replacements at a fraction of the cost. It is not a winning recipe unless the big 4 can dominate and they have not.

He's succeeded fairly well. But the stars haven't overcome their demons.

You feel bad for the guy, because his thinking and process is correct. But the product is tainted somewhere that not's measurable.

 

[HockeyVirus]

Oilers deal

Holl for Pulj.

See if we can get his potential out and cap should be the same

 

[123offtheglass]

If there's a good deal for a solid #1 goaltender (or with immediate upside/potential), I'd hope they take it.

It'd much easier for them to fill a hole up the lineup than one or two in net mid-season. This offseason is the time to lock in their goaltending tandem.

 

[stickty111]

There is too much riding on this season that Dubas will take a risk with 2 unproven goalies. I think the play is swing with Gibson or if possible Helle

 

[Martin Skoula]

He's succeeded fairly well. But the stars haven't overcome their demons.

You feel bad for the guy, because his thinking and process is correct. But the product is tainted somewhere that not's measurable.

The process is good for building up a large pool of valuable assets but you need a Burke/Rutherford type to actually put all those assets into getting guys that win because of unmeasurable/non-process reasons. Someone willing to lose a Tom Wilson trade in the short run because of the trickle down effects he'd have on the rest of the lineup in the longrun.

 

[Brobust]

The process is good for building up a large pool of valuable assets but you need a Burke/Rutherford type to actually put all those assets into getting guys that win because of unmeasurable/non-process reasons. Someone willing to lose a Tom Wilson trade in the short run because of the trickle down effects he'd have on the rest of the lineup in the longrun.

I'm at the point where I'm not sure that such a trade will even work.

We've spent years talking about defence and the team has a good defence supported by an elite 2-way first line and one of the best defensive 3rd lines in the league. Didn't matter, they still lost.

Now, we think a gritty guy in the top 6 will fix everything. But they've had Hyman in the top 6 forever and he sucked during the playoffs.

 

[ULF_55]

Other teams seem to have more courage to use Leaf draft picks in NHL.

Get someone behind the bench who can put the supposedly superior players into a cohesive unit where everyone is held to the highest standards and treated equally.