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

[ACC1224]

Nicolas Mattinen was a banger of a draft pick too.

Not to mention all of the scouts he brought with him from London. I seem to remember you being a big fan of Hunter. Seems he was doing the same thing.

More a fan of his prospect reputation, seemed like a good hire at the time.
I don't think many have high expectations for late round picks like Mattinen.

 

[Americanadian]

Nicolas Mattinen was a banger of a draft pick too.

I get that you're trying to bash Hunter's draft picks and his track record speaks for itself in terms of bad drafting at the NHL level but commenting on a 6th round pick is a bit of a reach. The only player taken after Mattinen to play more than 10 games (6 seasons post draft) is Jeremy Davies.

 

[LeafChief]

More a fan of his prospect reputation, seemed like a good hire at the time.
I don't think many have high expectations for late round picks like Mattinen.

Quite an eye for talent that man had. I can see why you were so impressed. That Korshkov pick is my favourite.

Maple Leafs: Mark Hunter’s Sorry and Pathetic Drafting Legacy

Maple Leafs: Mark Hunter's Sorry and Pathetic Drafting Legacy. The Leafs ex-assistant GM was in charge of drafting and he completely blew it.

editorinleaf.com

Also had a good eye for scouts.

Maple Leafs scout charged with DUI after golf cart incident at amusement park

Lindsay Hofford facing five charges in Western New York.

www.thestar.com

You must have a pretty good eye yourself.

I'll give him credit, he does a very good job with the London Knights where he can pay players under the table to accept NCAA offers until the Knights draft them. Not being sarcastic at all when I say I wish the Leafs were able to pull shit like this but unfortunately they can't so Hunter's biggest asset wasn't even something the Leafs could use.

I get that you're trying to bash Hunter's draft picks and his track record speaks for itself in terms of bad drafting at the NHL level but commenting on a 6th round pick is a bit of a reach. The only player taken after Mattinen to play more than 10 games (6 seasons post draft) is Jeremy Davies.

Did you not list Mac Hollowell on page 189 re: your case against too many Soo players?

I'm not a supporter of any GM to be honest. I couldn't care less if the GM was an anonymous person, as long as the team wins. I just find the hypocrisy (and sometimes stupidity) posted in here fascinating.

 

[Americanadian]

Did you not list Mac Hollowell on page 189 re: your case against too many Soo players?

I never stated that Dubas brings in too many Soo players. I did list all the Soo players he has brought in though while stating the narrative is hyperbole in the same post.

But...

Because you want to compare the two. Hollowell was drafted 2 years later (2018) and there were 4 players drafted after him that have played 10+ games and 2 that have played 100+ (Kurashev, Sharangovich). Give this draft class an additional 2 years to mature and that number will grow. Two Leafs draftees will reach that 10 games threshold over the next 2 years (Holmberg, Kral).

 

[ACC1224]

Quite an eye for talent that man had. I can see why you were so impressed. That Korshkov pick is my favourite.

Maple Leafs: Mark Hunter’s Sorry and Pathetic Drafting Legacy

Maple Leafs: Mark Hunter's Sorry and Pathetic Drafting Legacy. The Leafs ex-assistant GM was in charge of drafting and he completely blew it.

editorinleaf.com

Also had a good eye for scouts.

Maple Leafs scout charged with DUI after golf cart incident at amusement park

Lindsay Hofford facing five charges in Western New York.

www.thestar.com

You must have a pretty good eye yourself.

I'll give him credit, he does a very good job with the London Knights where he can pay players under the table to accept NCAA offers until the Knights draft them. Not being sarcastic at all when I say I wish the Leafs were able to pull shit like this but unfortunately they can't so Hunter's biggest asset wasn't even something the Leafs could use.


Did you not list Mac Hollowell on page 189 re: your case against too many Soo players?

I'm not a supporter of any GM to be honest. I couldn't care less if the GM was an anonymous person, as long as the team wins. I just find the hypocrisy (and sometimes stupidity) posted in here fascinating.

His reputation preceded his work here. Maybe you've forgotten but many were excited when he was brought in for that very reason.
I don't recall saying I was impressed by him although he did build some impressive teams in London.

Lindsay Hofford is another very good hockey man.
His Pro Hockey Development camp is pretty well known. Graduated a lot of good players. I know some guys who coached there.

Pro Hockey Development Group : Website by RAMP InterActive

Website by RAMPInterActive.com

www.prohoc.com

I believe Hofford is still with the Coyotes.

 

[kb]

Nicolas Mattinen was a banger of a draft pick too.

Not to mention all of the scouts he brought with him from London. I seem to remember you being a big fan of Hunter. Seems he was doing the same thing.

In the NHL he couldn't just slide a pile of money to the family for them to request being drafted by or traded to the Leafs like he routinely does for the Knights.

 

[SprDaVE]

SJS are bound to trade one of their goaltenders this off-season after acquiring Kahkonen at the deadline. Reimer seems the likely one traded away due to his age and what not but he was their #1 last year and he did very well.

I wonder if the Leafs could pry Adin Hill away, which I think fits what the Leafs might be looking for. I don't think he's a starter right now by any means because of his low workload but I also don't think he'd cost a lot to acquire. I could see him being the next Kuemper.

 

[MarMarSab3]

SJS are bound to trade one of their goaltenders this off-season after acquiring Kahkonen at the deadline. Reimer seems the likely one traded away due to his age and what not but he was their #1 last year and he did very well.

I wonder if the Leafs could pry Adin Hill away, which I think fits what the Leafs might be looking for. I don't think he's a starter by any means because of his low workload but I also don't think he'd cost a lot to acquire. I could see him being the next Kuemper.

I've even asking for Hill for about 3 years now, I can see the kid being a good #1

 

[SprDaVE]

This is a good visual of the available goaltenders through free agency or trade. (From reddit MyLeafsAccount)

 

[ACC1224]

Throw the Brinks truck at Kuemper.

 

[Gretzkys99Problems]

I like the idea of giving Comrie a bit of leash in a 1a/1b scenario. Not sure who I'd be pairing him with, be it Mrzaek or another new goaltender.

 

[supermann_98]

I mean, he specifically sought out Campbell, so it seems a bit stupid to call it 'luck'. Campbell had pedigree and had a really good 2019 season with LA, there was definitely thought given to that transaction. Plus there was the Soo connection, it's not like Campbell was a random throw-in.

You say it’s stupid I say it was stupidly lucky then, Dubas was going after Campbell to be our backup because of his mishandling of the backup position to begin with. Losing McElhiney and replacing him with Hutchinson, Sparks, Kaskisuo, Rittich, and now our buddy Mrazek

Dubas wouldn’t know a good goalie if it ran him over with their car, and the guys he’s drafted have all been underwhelming or complete nobodies: Aktyamov, Peksa, Bouthilier

The juries still out on Kallgren, Petruzelli, and McKay … but I’m not at all surprised to hear he’s kicking the tires on Matt Murray, Dubas’ handling of our goalie situation and “eye” for picking complete bumbs has been spectacular.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Casey DeSmith would seem intriguing as a platoon option, never been a full time starter but has had good SV% in every season averaging like ~25 games.

But does he has some off ice stuff that was controversial? I have a vague recollection of something.

 

[SprDaVE]

I like the idea of giving Comrie a bit of leash in a 1a/1b scenario. Not sure who I'd be pairing him with, be it Mrzaek or another new goaltender.

I wouldn't go out of my way to sign him. I'd be wary of him being able to reproduce those numbers but at the same time, could be an interesting signing. I hope a team doesn't overpay.

The amount of times he was on waivers over the last couple years and then having that kind of season is really something though.

 

[SprDaVE]

Casey DeSmith would seem intriguing as a platoon option, never been a full time starter but has had good SV% in every season averaging like ~25 games.

But does he has some off ice stuff that was controversial? I have a vague recollection of something.

In September 2014, DeSmith was arrested for assaulting a woman who either was or had formerly been his girlfriend. He was suspended from the team immediately after his arrest, and he eventually was permanently dismissed.[6][7][8]

DeSmith accepted a plea bargain on December 4, 2014. He pleaded not guilty to all charges against him (including domestic abuse) with the exception of a single count of disorderly conduct. Under New Hampshire law, "disorderly conduct" is considered a violation rather than a misdemeanor.[9] He was sentenced to a $124 fine and twelve months of probation.[9] He also signed a diversion agreement that included community service, which would lead to all charges being formally dismissed after twelve months. DeSmith met the terms of his plea bargain and stayed out of further trouble. He was never reinstated as a UNH Wildcats hockey player (although he continued to be enrolled as a student), and he did not play anywhere else all season.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

SJS are bound to trade one of their goaltenders this off-season after acquiring Kahkonen at the deadline. Reimer seems the likely one traded away due to his age and what not but he was their #1 last year and he did very well.

I wonder if the Leafs could pry Adin Hill away, which I think fits what the Leafs might be looking for. I don't think he's a starter right now by any means because of his low workload but I also don't think he'd cost a lot to acquire. I could see him being the next Kuemper.

I would say Reimer is the one they trade. I find it hard to believe they invest a 2nd in Hill only to dump him a year later.

However, he is a pending UFA a year from now and I am not sure the Leafs would see him as a starter more than a backup.

 

[Martin Skoula]

I get that you're trying to bash Hunter's draft picks and his track record speaks for itself in terms of bad drafting at the NHL level but commenting on a 6th round pick is a bit of a reach. The only player taken after Mattinen to play more than 10 games (6 seasons post draft) is Jeremy Davies.

You would hope that a "safe" "high floor" pick could at least stick in a pro league somewhere. Drafting guys in the mid-late rounds and having them fail to make the NHL is expected, but so is them looking professionally viable at some point.

 

[Nylanderthal]

LOL

I'm sure they used NHL connections only in their first few seasons.

Does it matter where the connection happened? The person is the person. The player they can scout, but they have the inside line on the person and the fit.

NHL executives worth their salt are simply hatched into existence with a decade experience, didn’t you know?

 

[Americanadian]

I would say Reimer is the one they trade. I find it hard to believe they invest a 2nd in Hill only to dump him a year later.

However, he is a pending UFA a year from now and I am not sure the Leafs would see him as a starter more than a backup.

Hill has actually put up better GSAx per game than Campbell over the last 3 years (his entire tenure with Toronto). He might be a good buy low candidate coming off what looks like a down year by SV%.

 

[ACC1224]

Hill has actually put up better GSAx per game than Campbell over the last 3 years (his entire tenure with Toronto). He might be a good buy low candidate coming off what looks like a down year by SV%.

Weren't the Leafs tied to Hill in the past or was that just people proposing it here?

 

[Americanadian]

Weren't the Leafs tied to Hill in the past or was that just people proposing it here?

I don't recall any connection.

You would hope that a "safe" "high floor" pick could at least stick in a pro league somewhere. Drafting guys in the mid-late rounds and having them fail to make the NHL is expected, but so is them looking professionally viable at some point.

The point I am trying to make is that Mattinen is not the hill to die on when it comes to Mark Hunter. He made far more egregious picks in his tenure with the Leafs. If you look at all the picks around Mattinen they are in the ECHL or AHL or the lower Euro leagues. Mattinen probably could have stuck in the AHL after putting up 3 points in 8 games but it looks like he's pursuing a degree which is probably smarter than playing in the AHL for 6-8 years at 90k/year.

 

[LeafChief]

I don't recall any connection.


The point I am trying to make is that Mattinen is not the hill to die on when it comes to Mark Hunter. He made far more egregious picks in his tenure with the Leafs. If you look at all the picks around Mattinen they are in the ECHL or AHL or the lower Euro leagues. Mattinen probably could have stuck in the AHL after putting up 3 points in 8 games but it looks like he's pursuing a degree which is probably smarter than playing in the AHL for 6-8 years at 90k/year.

Mattinen was used as the example because the discussion revolved around executives making picks from the junior team they were once affiliated with.

I agree - there were far worse picks than this one. Korshkov is egregious.

 

[stickty111]

You say it’s stupid I say it was stupidly lucky then, Dubas was going after Campbell to be our backup because of his mishandling of the backup position to begin with. Losing McElhiney and replacing him with Hutchinson, Sparks, Kaskisuo, Rittich, and now our buddy Mrazek

Dubas wouldn’t know a good goalie if it ran him over with their car, and the guys he’s drafted have all been underwhelming or complete nobodies: Aktyamov, Peksa, Bouthilier

The juries still out on Kallgren, Petruzelli, and McKay … but I’m not at all surprised to hear he’s kicking the tires on Matt Murray, Dubas’ handling of our goalie situation and “eye” for picking complete bumbs has been spectacular.

 

[stickty111]

The stint in the NHL just showed how overrated Hunter was. His expertise in his scouting lead to poor results and ended up costing us better players. Almost all his picks made no progress.

 

[ACC1224]

Mattinen was used as the example because the discussion revolved around executives making picks from the junior team they were once affiliated with.

I agree - there were far worse picks than this one. Korshkov is egregious.

Yeah Hunter didn't work out so well, I don't imagine anyone thinking differently.
Hopefully whoever fell for his expertise and hired him has been removed before they did any further damage.