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

[A1LeafNation]

Wonder if the Coyotes are open to trading Vejmelka.

 

[Nylanderthal]

Rielly-Brodie
Gio-Liljegren
Sandin-Lyubushkin

That d-core is not bad and very cost effective but we are betting on a 38/39-year old Gio to not fall off a cliff. If the Leafs are trading Muzzin I think they need to acquire at least one more top-4 d-man.

I think they look at Philippe Myers once Nashville buys him out for that sweet cap bonus he would give them next season to fit forsbergs new deal under, that group of 7 plus a FA signing like Seeler and a push from a marlie like Kral or Rubins should be good enough and if not you go shopping as the TDL approaches to fill the hole.

It'll be interesting to see if Kuzmenko is interested in the Leafs at all. He would be an excellent fit for either of our 2nd or 3rd line, which would be a guaranteed spot for him. Maybe he doesn't replace the defensive game or the speed that Mikheyev provides (he is more of a cycle player who can shoot and move the puck well), but Kerfoot wasn't a PKer until we made him a PKer and he turned into a top notch PKer. I think Kuzmenko can play a style that makes him an effective PKer, assuming he has good enough skating ability on the rush, and that will get him more minutes (he can also lead the 2PP of course).



Dan Milstein is his client, and he knows how well we treat our Russians. Must also be attractive to see that his Russian clients are able to quickly cash in soon after playing on this team (Zaitsev, Mikheyev, Barabanov, etc.)

It’s important to keep giving these guys opportunities to succeed and if it’s not with us then to find a team where they can, one day we’ll unearth a panarin type find, in the meantime it’s a great way to supplement depth with some over age cheaper talent

 

[WTFMAN99]

I’d rather focus on how a 115pt team gets over the hump of breaking through playoff struggles and how good the future success will be as opposed to bathe in any past glory, semi recent or ancient. This place is called hockey’s futures after all.

Make changes to the core and maybe coaching. The core is consistent in the failures, you've seen enough to know it doesn't work.

Raptors fired a coach of the year, traded a big core piece and they had deep playoff runs. We have zero tangible success to show for it.

 

[Legion34]

They were legal under the CBA.

I'd rather be able to talk about a cup a decade ago rather then fantasize about one 21 year years before I was alive.

Do you actually talk about a cup a decade ago? Who cares?

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Rielly-Brodie
Gio-Liljegren
Sandin-Lyubushkin

That d-core is not bad and very cost effective but we are betting on a 38/39-year old Gio to not fall off a cliff. If the Leafs are trading Muzzin I think they need to acquire at least one more top-4 d-man.

I don't think Muzzin goes anywhere, and I think it makes more sense if you have Gio and Muzzin rotating anyways. That may not be a possibility, who knows, but that would be the ideal.

Muzzin has to agree to waive this year, and I don't think that happens personally.

I am okay with Lyubushkin if he comes 500k cheaper than Holl and Holl picks up a big return, but it is a downgrade. Perhaps a downgrade which can be worthwhile given Holl is in a contract year and it would be the #6 spot. I would also add a guy like Myers if he becomes available and have him as primary Marlies depth (although someone may claim him if we try to slip him through).

 

[A1LeafNation]

Make changes to the core and maybe coaching. The core is consistent in the failures, you've seen enough to know it doesn't work.

Raptors fired a coach of the year, traded a big core piece and they had deep playoff runs. We have zero tangible success to show for it.

Casey was more like Babcock and Keefe is more like Nurse though.

Elephant in the room is Tavares and the other question is Campbell good enough.

Nylander Matthews Rielly and Marner are good enough to keep moving forward.

 

[Nylanderthal]

Make changes to the core and maybe coaching. The core is consistent in the failures, you've seen enough to know it doesn't work.

Raptors fired a coach of the year, traded a big core piece and they had deep playoff runs. We have zero tangible success to show for it.

If you read my recent post history you’ll see I’m definitely on board with exploring the coaching situation, that has more to do with the possible candidates available today than it has to do with Keefe’s perceived shortcomings though, and as far as the roster goes…. I mean I’ve listed lots of guys on this team who’s money can be redistributed to change the make up of the team, and I’d be all ears on a major trade, everyone loves a blockbuster… I’ve just yet to hear any sort of proposal where a core piece moves and the team is better next season, the kawhi deal was a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Raps. You know what once in a lifetime means right? Those deals aren’t out there every year, our long term core just all finished a series where they all were ppg including the D man. It wasn’t the core that cost them, it was getting SFA from the bottom 6 and having the second best goalie, again.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Do you actually talk about a cup a decade ago? Who cares?

When you get to see a championship, you'll understand.

Casey was more like Babcock and Keefe is more like Nurse though.

Elephant in the room is Tavares and the other question is Campbell good enough.

Nylander Matthews Rielly and Marner are good enough to keep moving forward.

Keefe hasn't had the impact of Nurse though, I would still like a different view.

If given my way, JT isn't here and maybe not even 88.

The reality is I don't think Dubas makes the difficult decision and tells JT we wanna move on. Of the 4, 88 is still the most likely to be moved. 88 and JT do not have chemistry together, it is what it is.

 

[SprDaVE]

Bryan Rust might be my favourite player to chase if he makes it to UFA. I doubt he does... but if he does, he'd be near the top of my list.

 

[A1LeafNation]

When you get to see a championship, you'll understand.



Keefe hasn't had the impact of Nurse though, I would still like a different view.

If given my way, JT isn't here and maybe not even 88.

The reality is I don't think Dubas makes the difficult decision and tells JT we wanna move on. Of the 4, 88 is still the most likely to be moved. 88 and JT do not have chemistry together, it is what it is.

I'd argue the Leafs defence changed dramatically since Keefe took over, and it is harder to make a noticeable impact when coaching 23 guys instead of 10 in the NBA.

I'd be willing to give Keefe another look.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I think they look at Philippe Myers once Nashville buys him out for that sweet cap bonus he would give them next season to fit forsbergs new deal under, that group of 7 plus a FA signing like Seeler and a push from a marlie like Kral or Rubins should be good enough and if not you go shopping as the TDL approaches to fill the hole.


It’s important to keep giving these guys opportunities to succeed and if it’s not with us then to find a team where they can, one day we’ll unearth a panarin type find, in the meantime it’s a great way to supplement depth with some over age cheaper talent

The only thing would be a guy like Myers would ideally be on the Marlies, as Marlies depth, rather than a true #7 and Myers may not clear waivers if he has a cheaper deal (even if we give him a nice 2 year, one-way deal with a bit extra but fully-buriable money, which we absolutely can).

I would also look at a guy like Josh Brown, Matt Benning, Troy Stetcher for the same thing. Benning and Stetcher were connected here for a while, and would be excellent fit as depth guys.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Bryan Rust might be my favourite player to chase if he makes it to UFA. I doubt he does... but if he does, he'd be near the top of my list.

He's one of my top choices, lives around the net and has stepped up in big moments.

I'd argue the Leafs defence changed dramatically since Keefe took over, and it is harder to make a noticeable impact when coaching 23 guys instead of 10 in the NBA.

I'd be willing to give Keefe another look.

It's changed for the better, but we floundered against the lesser lights in the league. Strategy to beat the Leafs hasn't changed in elimination games. Clog the neutral zone.

 

[Dreakmur]

Rielly-Brodie
Gio-Liljegren
Sandin-Lyubushkin

That d-core is not bad and very cost effective but we are betting on a 38/39-year old Gio to not fall off a cliff. If the Leafs are trading Muzzin I think they need to acquire at least one more top-4 d-man.

That d core is slower and softer than the one we just list with.

 

[Nylanderthal]

He's one of my top choices, lives around the net and has stepped up in big moments.



It's changed for the better, but we floundered against the lesser lights in the league. Strategy to beat the Leafs hasn't changed in elimination games. Clog the neutral zone.

Having just watched 5 game 7’s this weekend that was literally the strategy against everyone, win or lose, including torontos. The only goals toronto gave up were off two harmless rushes cause the goalies a stiff

 

[WTFMAN99]

Having just watched 5 game 7’s this weekend that was literally the strategy against everyone, win or lose, including torontos. The only goals toronto gave up were off two harmless rushes cause the goalies a stiff

Outside of the CBJ series, you can make a case we've had the lesser goalie name in every series we've been in.

Andersen wasn't far off Rask but didn't really handle the big moments well.

 

[Nylanderthal]

Outside of the CBJ series, you can make a case we've had the lesser goalie name in every series we've been in.

Andersen wasn't far off Rask but didn't really handle the big moments well.

Even against Columbus they had the weaker goaltending, names be damned.

 

[Martin Skoula]

He's one of my top choices, lives around the net and has stepped up in big moments.



It's changed for the better, but we floundered against the lesser lights in the league. Strategy to beat the Leafs hasn't changed in elimination games. Clog the neutral zone.

Why does no one clog the zone against us 4 games in a row and sweep us? I keep hearing about how obvious and easy it is to beat us but it keeps coming down to the wire every time, do teams just forget to do the secret plan?

 

[Skullz]

Why would we shift Tavares to wing? his defensive reliability and faceoff skill is a constant in his game.

Friedman apparently said it would be considered in off season.

 

[Zero1]

I don't think Muzzin goes anywhere, and I think it makes more sense if you have Gio and Muzzin rotating anyways. That may not be a possibility, who knows, but that would be the ideal.

Muzzin has to agree to waive this year, and I don't think that happens personally.

I am okay with Lyubushkin if he comes 500k cheaper than Holl and Holl picks up a big return, but it is a downgrade. Perhaps a downgrade which can be worthwhile given Holl is in a contract year and it would be the #6 spot. I would also add a guy like Myers if he becomes available and have him as primary Marlies depth (although someone may claim him if we try to slip him through).

I don’t think Muzzin goes anywhere either and I don’t see Gio/Lyubushkin re-signing to be 7-8 d-men when other teams can give them a permanent spot in the lineup.

Honestly if teams are overpaying for guys like Keith/Hamonic, I think the Leafs could get a great return for Muzzin if he waived the NTC.

 

[Nylanderthal]

That d core is slower and softer than the one we just list with.

Sandin isn’t Any softer or slower than Holl and you can expect Liljegren to take a step forward, which would mean with maturity more toughness, he’s shown early on he’s not afraid of being pushed around. If neither take that step part way through the season you go trade for a D man when one comes up, maybe part of the restructuring is sandin + + for chychrun.
I still think Holl and Muzz have to go and allow the two kids to take on full time roles, or at least have the opportunity to do so

 

[Kiwi]

I wouldn't let Engvall go. 15 goals in his role and minutes is pretty damn good for his first full season. I just don't see how Campbell walks either but I know the Leafs love Kuemper, so maybe they wait for that to shake out.

To be honest, the UFA market is pretty average this off-season. There are decent amount of forwards to target that would fit well but the defensemen list is pretty awful so I don't think trading Holl would be wise either unless the return is too good.

Clifford and Simmonds are spare parts for sure.

If the Leafs don't believe in their young players, they should trade them for value before they lose their waiver exemption or bomb their values. This is the window. Time to get aggressive.

I'm willing to keep Engvall but at our price, I can accept "fair" for both sides but I wouldn't be willing to overpay to keep him

Campbell hasn't proven he's a good starter yet so I'm not willing to give him starter money, if somebody else wants to so be it but I'm not comfortable taking on that kind of risk

I'd keep whoever I can get cheaper between Gio and Holl, I think Rielly, Muzzin, Brodie and Holl/Gio is a solid group when you add Liljegren and Sandin to it then some cheap depth

I'd like a couple of bigger cycling wingers for Tavares then build an offensive 3rd line around Nylander but that would be tight money wise

 

[Legion34]

When you get to see a championship, you'll understand.



Keefe hasn't had the impact of Nurse though, I would still like a different view.

If given my way, JT isn't here and maybe not even 88.

The reality is I don't think Dubas makes the difficult decision and tells JT we wanna move on. Of the 4, 88 is still the most likely to be moved. 88 and JT do not have chemistry together, it is what it is.

I have.

Raptors won. Doesn’t help. Jays won twice. Empty buildings and fire everyone.

Doesn’t help

 

[Stephen]

I'd really look into trying to bring in a young center for next season, even if it's going to be expensive

Somebody who hasn't broken out yet but has upside ideally

I haven't really looked around the league at who could be available but I see that and goaltending as our biggest needs

The defense looks good with young guys coming and we have a ton of high upside forwards but it would be nice to have a more offensively gifted 3C that could slot into 2C if Tavares starts struggling and needs to go onto the wing

I wonder if Nolan Patrick is a viable reclamation project? Vegas will definitely be throwing out the baby with the bath water this summer.

 

[showtime8]

I'm willing to keep Engvall but at our price, I can accept "fair" for both sides but I wouldn't be willing to overpay to keep him

Campbell hasn't proven he's a good starter yet so I'm not willing to give him starter money, if somebody else wants to so be it but I'm not comfortable taking on that kind of risk

I'd keep whoever I can get cheaper between Gio and Holl, I think Rielly, Muzzin, Brodie and Holl/Gio is a solid group when you add Liljegren and Sandin to it then some cheap depth

I'd like a couple of bigger cycling wingers for Tavares then build an offensive 3rd line around Nylander but that would be tight money wise

I think that Engvall is traded at some point this off-season and there's a couple reasons for that.

Even though he skates well, he's not physical and I think the Leafs try to revamp the mentality of the 3rd line. I really think you can find a lot of players to score 15 goals in a 3rd line role. Kase played 50 games and scored 14 goals.

 

[Stephen]

When you get to see a championship, you'll understand.



Keefe hasn't had the impact of Nurse though, I would still like a different view.

If given my way, JT isn't here and maybe not even 88.

The reality is I don't think Dubas makes the difficult decision and tells JT we wanna move on. Of the 4, 88 is still the most likely to be moved. 88 and JT do not have chemistry together, it is what it is.

Moving Nylander before JT would be the coward’s way out. Nylander is flawed but he’s an elite talent in the upswing. Tavares is just going to slowly or quickly get worse over the next 3 years. Being able to stick handle around Tavares would preserve the window of contention for a long while. Whereas moving Nylander in the next 2 will likely result in the downgrade of the team unless we get young bluechippers back.