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

[Tufted Titmouse]

I will buy into the Ritchie hype if he does it in meaningful games. We, as fans, always get hyped by these garbage time game hot streaks players put up.

 

[Maplebeasts]

Leafs need to clear cap and have some useful players they can move.
Kerfoot to Dallas for 2022 2nd and 2023 3rd, Muzzin to LA for a 2022 3rd,
Mrazek 1 mill retained to Buffalo for a 5th in 2023,
Holl to Winnipeg for a 2022 3rd.
Leafs add 1 2nd, 3 3rds, 1 5th.
Leafs also gain approximately 13.9 mill in cap space.

Seeing what guys like Hagel and Chiarot got with Chiarot being a rental I don't know why management would be satisfied with anything less than a late first for Kerfoot. He's a better player than either of them.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Seeing what guys like Hagel and Chiarot got with Chiarot being a rental I don't know why management would be satisfied with anything less than a late first for Kerfoot. He's a better player than either of them.

Even Holl only getting a 3rd is crap. I don't see why the Leafs would ever consider moving him for that little.

 

[Maplebeasts]

Even Holl only getting a 3rd is crap. I don't see why the Leafs would ever consider moving him for that little.

Very true. I don't like Holl's game but he is objectively at least a fringe top 4 defenseman with a tiny cap hit.

 

[4thline]

I mean the Ritchie situation is likely a good lesson it's not overly a big deal. It cost the Leafs a conditional pick (but they also got back a useful piece in the deal).

All it takes is one other interested party for a deal to happen

That got us Boosh.

Ritchie was an our money for their money cash swap that freed up cap space for us and got them a player they wanted.

Looking at the cost of D rentals this year anything other conclusion is pure cognitive dissonance to avoid being wrong about the cost of moving Ritchie

 

[LeafChief]

Some posters will simply be negative no matter what. This team as of this moment is very good.

 

[Dreakmur]

Some posters will simply be negative no matter what. This team as of this moment is very good.

That’s life. Some people will be negative regardless. Some people will be positive regardless. Most people are on the middle somewhere.

 

[Cor]

Some posters will simply be negative no matter what. This team as of this moment is very good.

It’s wild how some act tbh

Even during a what, 12-1-1 stretch or whatever we are on, these people can’t sit back and say “yeah, there’s a lot of good things about this team - we are pretty good”.

Gio, Lyub, Kampf, keeping Engvall when virtually everyone wanted him gone (myself included). Ditto Mikheyev. Kase, even though he’s been hurt recently. Colin Blackwell was such a great pick up. Spezza is Spezza. Simmonds has looked so much better this year than last.

Our depth, in my opinion, looks better than it has entering the playoffs IMO. They add offense seemingly at the right times. They are all great defensively. There’s some grit there as well in Blackwell, Simmonds.

And Bunting…. Bunting was a HOME RUN, and we don’t yell about it enough. Dubas managed to sign a 25 goal, 60 point forward for NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND. Not just this year, NEXT YEAR TOO.

Yet there’s some who f***ing bitch and moan about Petr Mrazek.

And it’s funny, most of these people still talk about Nick Ritchie like it was some tragic signing and we had to pay to offload him (even though Lyub has been well worth the conditional 3rd himself) when most of these people were the ones yelling to sign Nick Ritchie in the off-season and were most excited to get him.

Like, I’m one who can say it. I was wanting to sign Mrazek. He was my top choice, with the second being Halak. Both have been bad this year lol. Thankfully, hes on a contract that can easily be bought out. Perhaps Dubas can facilitate a Ritchie type trade with Mrazek too?

Who knows, thats an off-season thing and I’m certainly not going to sit here and bitch about it during a great stretch of hockey as we head into the playoffs.

 

[ACC1224]

That’s life. Some people will be negative regardless. Some people will be positive regardless. Most people are on the middle somewhere.

IMO it’s ok to point out some perceived flaws even if the team is very good. Part of being a fan.

 

[ToneDog]

STL reporter says Binnington has been playing better. Maybe he can be an option if Soup walks, STL retains 25% and we can dump Mrazek.

Blues also have Lindgren who has been playing well in the AHL and is 5-0-0 with the Blues this year.

 

[Americanadian]

Next years lines could look something like this in a perfect world:

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Robertson-Tavares-x
Engvall-Kerfoot-Nylander
x-Kampf-Anderson

Rielly-Brodie
Giordano-Liljegren
Sandin-Lyubushkin

Possible linemates for Tavares in UFA: Marchment, Niederreiter, Burakovsky
Possible linemates for Kampf in UFA: Aston-Reese, Raffl, Larsson, Blackwell

 

[SprDaVE]

I love Giordano and I think he's a good player but he's going to be 39 years old next season. I don't think it's wise to put our eggs into the Gio basket as a consistent top 4 defenseman. That seems like a recipe for something to go really wrong.

I think Muzzin is here to stay but in a perfect world, I do think the Leafs could benefit from his cap space (and picks) in order to promote Sandin. I'd say it wouldn't be super hard to keep the defensive core intact if the Leafs can peddle Kerfoot for picks/prospects. I'd keep Holl over Boosch but if Boosch can re-sign for cheap, maybe getting value for Holl could be ok.

For my money, this is how I see next season shaping up (depth chart, not really combo lines):

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Robertson - Tavares - Nylander
Engvall - Kampf - Kase
Steeves - Douglas - Simmonds

Abruzzese - Holmberg - Anderson

Needs: Center signing/trade to compete/push down Douglas and Kampf. It's high risk to go with a lot of young options but I think they'll be too good to demote.

Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Liljegren
Giordano - Sandin
Holl - Boosch

Needs: Better depth from Marlies

 

[BertCorbeau]

I definitely would want Goo back especially if he signs for cheap.

Personally I’d look to move on from Muzzin and replace that vet presence with Gio.

Muzzin has eluded to thinking about his health and life after hockey. A bit cryptic, but maybe nagging injuries I’ve the years are catching up with him and he will LTIR retire?

I’m hoping to re-signing Boosh if it’s cheap too but I wouldn’t be opposed to a UFA alternative.

Rielly-Boosh
Gio-Lily
Sandin-Brodie
Holl

Bring in some additional depth and lean on the development of guys like Kral on the Marlies.

Add at the deadline if needed.

 

[Americanadian]

I love Giordano and I think he's a good player but he's going to be 39 years old next season. I don't think it's wise to put our eggs into the Gio basket as a consistent top 4 defenseman. That seems like a recipe for something to go really wrong.

I think Muzzin is here to stay but in a perfect world, I do think the Leafs could benefit from his cap space (and picks) in order to promote Sandin. I'd say it wouldn't be super hard to keep the defensive core intact if the Leafs can peddle Kerfoot for picks/prospects. I'd keep Holl over Boosch but if Boosch can re-sign for cheap, maybe getting value for Holl could be ok.

For my money, this is how I see next season shaping up (depth chart, not really combo lines):

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Robertson - Tavares - Nylander
Engvall - Kampf - Kase
Steeves - Douglas - Simmonds
Anderson

Needs: Center signing/trade to compete/push down Douglas and Kampf. It's high risk to go with a lot of young options but I think they'll be too good to demote. Abruzzese is also a strong possibility of making it.

Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Liljegren
Giordano - Sandin
Holl - Boosch

Needs: Better depth from Marlies

I think Gio has been better than Muzzin this season and I wouldn't be surprised if Muzz never plays again. I also don't think Sandin plays well on the right. The Leafs would also probably be best served maximizing the value of Holl in the off season and getting a decent return in this market. He could probably fetch a prospect/pick out of MIN/NSH.

 

[Americanadian]

I definitely would want Goo back especially if he signs for cheap.

Personally I’d look to move on from Muzzin and replace that vet presence with Gio.

Muzzin has eluded to thinking about his health and life after hockey. A bit cryptic, but maybe nagging injuries I’ve the years are catching up with him and he will LTIR retire?

I’m hoping to re-signing Boosh if it’s cheap too but I wouldn’t be opposed to a UFA alternative.

Rielly-Boosh
Gio-Lily
Sandin-Brodie
Holl

Bring in some additional depth and lean on the development of guys like Kral on the Marlies.

Add at the deadline if needed.

The only depth D signing that looks interesting/cheap to me right now is Austin Strand.

 

[SprDaVE]

I think Gio has been better than Muzzin this season and I wouldn't be surprised if Muzz never plays again. I also don't think Sandin plays well on the right. The Leafs would also probably be best served maximizing the value of Holl in the off season and getting a decent return in this market. He could probably fetch a prospect/pick out of MIN/NSH.

Gio has been better but like we saw with Muzzin, sometimes things can go sideways with 1 injury. Age regression is very real as well. Sandin can do ok on the right, he's definitely better on the left I agree.

I definitely would want Goo back especially if he signs for cheap.

Personally I’d look to move on from Muzzin and replace that vet presence with Gio.

Muzzin has eluded to thinking about his health and life after hockey. A bit cryptic, but maybe nagging injuries I’ve the years are catching up with him and he will LTIR retire?

I can see Muzzin going on LTIR eventually but right now it seems like he wants to play. Maybe that changes for next season.

I'm not the highest on Sandin as a long-term option. I think he's really good in his current role but his lack of speed and recent injuries make me really nervous about his potential. Losing Muzzin to go with Giordano is also another move that would make me very nervous.

If Muzzin LTIR's or is traded, which I can't see happening, then I think the Leafs will use that money to find a replacement. Giordano is probably not going to be around for a long-time, so I would think the idea would be to run it back to what we currently have with Rielly, <Muzzin replacement>, Giordano and Sandin as LHDs. A full season always see's a lot of injuries, sometimes long-term. Depth is key... never underestimate it.

 

[Americanadian]

If Muzzin LTIR's or is traded, which I can't see happening, then I think the Leafs will use that money to find a replacement. Giordano is probably not going to be around for a long-time, so I would think the idea would be to run it back to what we currently have with Rielly, <Muzzin replacement>, Giordano and Sandin as LHDs. A full season always see's a lot of injuries, sometimes long-term. Depth is key... never underestimate it.

I would like to see them run Rielly/Gio/Sandin on the left for the first half of the season and address it at the deadline if needed. I would hate to see Sandin not play because they have 4 NHL caliber LHD (5 if you include Brodie).

 

[SprDaVE]

I would like to see them run Rielly/Gio/Sandin on the left for the first half of the season and address it at the deadline if needed. I would hate to see Sandin not play because they have 4 NHL caliber LHD (5 if you include Brodie).

That's fair. I don't even mind shedding away Muzzin to promote Giordano for the year, and then hopefully Sandin develops into a top 4 regular. Keefe and the Leafs are very high on Sandin, so I'm sure this is something likely to happen.

It just feels like an awful risk to expect Giordano to keep his play up in a promotion as he gets older and closer to retirement. Right now he seems like in a perfect spot of playing softer minutes and dominating them.

 

[Dreakmur]

IMO it’s ok to point out some perceived flaws even if the team is very good. Part of being a fan.

No team is perfect.

 

[Dreakmur]

I would like to see them run Rielly/Gio/Sandin on the left for the first half of the season and address it at the deadline if needed. I would hate to see Sandin not play because they have 4 NHL caliber LHD (5 if you include Brodie).

Sandin needs some AHL time. Even if Muzzin doesn’t go, I’d rather dress Holl and swap Brodie to left than use Sandin.

 

[Fogelhund]

I would like to see them run Rielly/Gio/Sandin on the left for the first half of the season and address it at the deadline if needed. I would hate to see Sandin not play because they have 4 NHL caliber LHD (5 if you include Brodie).

Rielly Brodie
Gio Liljegren
Sandin Lyubushkin

This would be my preference to start the season, if Muzzin can't come back healthy. As you say, address depth later in the season if necessary... If Myers does get bought out, then I can see signing him cheaply for depth too, hoping we can rehab some value, if only depth there.

 

[Americanadian]

Rielly Brodie
Gio Liljegren
Sandin Lyubushkin

This would be my preference to start the season, if Muzzin can't come back healthy. As you say, address depth later in the season if necessary... If Myers does get bought out, then I can see signing him cheaply for depth too, hoping we can rehab some value, if only depth there.

This seems like a cheap/effective D core for next season and potentially the next 2.

Gio 750k-1.5M
Lyubushkin 1.5Mx3 (Hakanpaa deal)
Liljegren 3.5Mx6 (M. Petterson full deal)
Sandin 1-1.5M (no clue on this one)

That's 19.5-20.5M for the top 6.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Quick Shifts: Can the Maple Leafs afford to keep Ilya Mikheyev? - Sportsnet.ca

The late-blooming 27-year-old can hang in the top six or boost the bottom six of a contender. He’s a hard worker who can pinch in on a power play and absolutely improve a penalty kill, threatening to score shorthanded.

“He’s one of those guys who every team needs,” boasts Milstein, Mikheyev’s agent. Maybe he’s selling, but he’s not wrong. “He’s just taken his game to the next level.”

Mikheyev’s shooting percentage has doubled from 6.5 to 13.4 year over year, and it’s not just good fortune.

The affable Russian his teammate call “Mickey” is driving to the blue paint, confidently putting himself in better spots before he pulls the trigger – or dekes a hapless netminder forehand-backhand.

“He’s so fast and explosive. He gets a step on you, he’s gone,” Auston Matthews says. “When he comes down on you with that much speed, as a goalie it’s hard to anticipate what he’s gonna do.”

So, what could the impending unrestricted free agent be worth?

Barclay Goodrow scored eight goals and 26 points in 70 games in 2019-20. Blake Coleman scored 22 goals and 36 points in 2018-19. The former signed for six years and $21.85 million as a UFA, the latter for six years and $29.4 million.

On the open market, Mikheyev’s value should fall between $4 million and $5 million annually. Perhaps he’d take a shade less to remain in Toronto or join another legitimate contender.

“He’s going to be OK financially, no matter what,” Milstein says. “He’s just entering his prime.”

His teammates tend to concur.

“The confidence continues to build,” says John Tavares, Mikheyev’s current centreman. “How hard he competes, how driven he is, it’s tremendous to see.”

The elephant in the room is Mikheyev’s reported trade request over the summer.

In speaking with Milstein Friday evening, however, the notion that Mikheyev was ever unsatisfied with the Leafs organization is shot down.

“I don't believe he was ever dissatisfied with the team,” Milstein says. “If anything, he was dissatisfied with his own game. It wasn't with the team.”

So, he likes being a Maple Leaf, then?

“It was never a question,” Milstein replies.

 

[SHANNYPLAN]

Leafs - Kings
Brendan Lemieux & 2nd
for
Jake Muzzin (if healthy)

Leafs - Devils
Mackenzie Blackwood & Miles Wood
for
Petr Mrazek, Justin Holl & 1st

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Wood - - Tavares - - Nylander
Mikheyev - Kampf - Engvall
Lemieux - Douglas - Blackwell

Rielly - Boosh
Sandin - Brodie
Giordano - Liljigren

Campbell
Blackwood

 

[Nylanderthal]

Leafs - Kings
Brendan Lemieux & 2nd
for
Jake Muzzin (if healthy)

Leafs - Devils
Mackenzie Blackwood & Miles Wood
for
Petr Mrazek, Justin Holl & 1st

Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Wood - - Tavares - - Nylander
Mikheyev - Kampf - Engvall
Lemieux - Douglas - Blackwell

Rielly - Boosh
Sandin - Brodie
Giordano - Liljigren

Campbell
Blackwood

Holy crap, Shannyplan you did it! Obviously Kerfoot moves as well, but overall I don’t hate it! Way to go!
Devils probably want more maybe kerf goes in that deal. Overall solid