BertCorbeau
F*ck cancer - RIP Fugu and Buffaloed
After some thought.
Pending UFA's who are gone:
Campbell
Mikheyev
Blackwell
Lyubushkin
I think Campbell will get a better offer from a more goalie-desperate team. I'm not opposed to bringing him back but I think Dubas and company will actively look for a more legitimate #1G.
Mikheyev will get a nice open market contract that the Leafs won't want to pony up for.
Blackwell is just typical league depth.
Boost is probably gone as I believe they'll want to give Liljegren a chance at a full-time role next year. That could change if Hollis traded.
Pending UFA's who I think will be re-signed:
Giordano
Spezza
The defense was noticeably steadier when Gio came on board and he made a formidable partner for Rielly.
I think the Leafs highly value Spezza still and will want him back. He still wants to be here.
Most likely to be traded:
Nylander
Kerfoot
Mrazek
Muzzin
Holl
I firmly believe that the Leafs are looking at a change in the core. And Nylander is the obvious best option.
Kerfoot is a useful utility player but is an easy cap casualty especially if the Leafs are higher on Robertson making the lineup next year.
Mrazek depends on what happens with his counterpart in net. If they get a legit #1 goalie, he's gone. I bet they give him another chance at a #1B otherwise.
I actually think it's more likely Muzzin retires as opposed to gets traded but he's an obvious name to shed cap.
Holl's name has been circulated a lot. Could be some good value on the market for him but at the same time he provides valuable RHD depth and was solid in the playoffs.
When all is said and done here is what I believe the pencilled in spots in the roster are heading into next season:
Bunting-Matthews-Marner
________ - Tavares - ________
Engvall - Kampf - Kase
Clifford - Spezza - Simmonds
Rielly - Brodie
Giordano - Liljegren
Sandin - Holl
Muzzin
________
________
The 4th line is just based on who's signed. I imagine some other depth players will be acquired.
Priorities for the off-season:
- Stabilize the goaltending
- A core shake up. I mean if they can add to the core without moving another body, great. But cap-wise I have a hard time seeing it happening, hence Nylander being moved.
- Find steady linemates for the second line that can get the most out of a declining Tavares
Pending UFA's who are gone:
Campbell
Mikheyev
Blackwell
Lyubushkin
I think Campbell will get a better offer from a more goalie-desperate team. I'm not opposed to bringing him back but I think Dubas and company will actively look for a more legitimate #1G.
Mikheyev will get a nice open market contract that the Leafs won't want to pony up for.
Blackwell is just typical league depth.
Boost is probably gone as I believe they'll want to give Liljegren a chance at a full-time role next year. That could change if Hollis traded.
Pending UFA's who I think will be re-signed:
Giordano
Spezza
The defense was noticeably steadier when Gio came on board and he made a formidable partner for Rielly.
I think the Leafs highly value Spezza still and will want him back. He still wants to be here.
Most likely to be traded:
Nylander
Kerfoot
Mrazek
Muzzin
Holl
I firmly believe that the Leafs are looking at a change in the core. And Nylander is the obvious best option.
Kerfoot is a useful utility player but is an easy cap casualty especially if the Leafs are higher on Robertson making the lineup next year.
Mrazek depends on what happens with his counterpart in net. If they get a legit #1 goalie, he's gone. I bet they give him another chance at a #1B otherwise.
I actually think it's more likely Muzzin retires as opposed to gets traded but he's an obvious name to shed cap.
Holl's name has been circulated a lot. Could be some good value on the market for him but at the same time he provides valuable RHD depth and was solid in the playoffs.
When all is said and done here is what I believe the pencilled in spots in the roster are heading into next season:
Bunting-Matthews-Marner
________ - Tavares - ________
Engvall - Kampf - Kase
Clifford - Spezza - Simmonds
Rielly - Brodie
Giordano - Liljegren
Sandin - Holl
Muzzin
________
________
The 4th line is just based on who's signed. I imagine some other depth players will be acquired.
Priorities for the off-season:
- Stabilize the goaltending
- A core shake up. I mean if they can add to the core without moving another body, great. But cap-wise I have a hard time seeing it happening, hence Nylander being moved.
- Find steady linemates for the second line that can get the most out of a declining Tavares
) and I don't think we have the guts to do it. Not only would it be expensive, but we would likely need to move Nylander or another big salary to make it happen. Dubas is too loyal to make that kind of move. Muzzin is the guy on defence that I could see us moving on from, but damn, how small of a defence are we willing to run?
