Trade and Free Agency Thread - 2022 - Off-season

[aingefan]

I feel like that probably changes if he has a clear spot (ie. Muzzin moved). I can see why he wouldn't be inclined to go cheap if he's not going to be put in a good position to earn much of a raise on the next one. At the end of the day, he doesn't really have bargaining power to demand to much more than Liljegren. I could see like $1.6-7M or so at most and only cause he made the league sooner and is still younger/in a similar spot

Oh sure, that’s a fair point and I get it from his perspective, but I get it from the team perspective too.
I was more extolling Lili’s virtue more than anything.
I like Sandin as a player, am happy enough if he stays and forces the issue but if there’s a deal for a similar aged potential 2C or G (or RD of a different mold), then those are better and more important fits moving forward.
(Which was my perspective prior to these media speculations)

 

[Dreakmur]

Well you'll need a 4th line that can chip in some offense then. Because come playoff time you can't count on Kampf to get you a whole lot

Games 5-7 our depth had 0 goals

That's why I want the bottom 6 rebuilt. Kampf was the only guy who was not a problem at all.

 

[namttebih]

Is there any situation where we acquire P. Kane at 50%?

 

[Auston 316]

I don’t think max domi is who you think he is, dudes the definition of a problem child and a headcase. He’s a known floater and a MAGAbro & kkkonvoy supporter. I don’t think he’s the kind of guy this management group would want to bring into the room. Especially with how dogshit of a player he actually is most of the time

The horror.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

No chance we find a better player with such limited cap space. He probably doesn't score at an ideal 3rd line pace, but he's elite defensively.

We could pick up Johan Larsson who is equal defensively to kampf with more offense as 3c for probably 1.7 x 2. He was injured last year or he probably gets close to 3.

 

[Dreakmur]

We could pick up Johan Larsson who is equal defensively to kampf with more offense as 3c for probably 1.7 x 2. He was injured last year or he probably gets close to 3.

Larsson would be fine for the 4th line, but he's not as good as Kampf.

 

[Americanadian]

Any good 3C options?

I prefer Kampf as 4c, don't think he can provide the consistent offense you need from the third line

Evan Rodrigues.

 

[deprw]

I dunno, seems unrealistic to expect Toronto-Tampa comparisons to be flattering for the Leafs when the Lightning were this close to winning 3x straight Stanley Cups.

I think at the moment you should be asking as GM will this helps us winning the next one? In player quality they lost their #2 defenseman for nothing (or cap dump), so probably then answer for the season 2022-2023 is it doesn't help.

Same thing applies here, if we trade Tavares or Muzzin. Does it help or not? We're not in immediate cap trouble, which is good planning from our front office. We can make calculated decisions without being forced to dump our #2 D or #2 C.

It's positive thing not negative.

 

[justashadowof]

How is Engvall the wrong talent mix?

He provides good depth offense, he is strong on the PK and in his own end, he is big and fast with good reach... He is exactly the kind of guy our bottom 6 (and especially our shutdown line) needs with Mikheyev leaving.

Kase is fine when he is in the lineup, but he can't stay healthy and he does not provide the defensive value. He would be a solid fit for an offensive bottom 6 line and as someone who can step up into the top 6 on occasion, but shutdown line >>> offensive 4th line and we have a bunch of prospects who are more likely to replace Kase than Engvall right now.

On a team that's butter soft and physically easy to play against, your role players have got to be way harder than this gentle giant. We've seen the sort of embarrassing "toughness" Clifford and Simmonds provided in the 2022 playoffs. The Leafs need a role player in Engvall's spot who provides some prickle to the lineup while doing some substantive heavy lifting as a defensive player as well. The Leafs will continue to lose 1st round playoff series if they don't start making life difficult for their opponent's defensemen.

I prefer Kase (at a low price) because he's brave, competitive and spirited. Yes, there's a strong chance he'll get injured, that's the reason for the big discount.

 

[dubplatepressure]

I don’t think max domi is who you think he is, dudes the definition of a problem child and a headcase. He’s a known floater and a MAGAbro & kkkonvoy supporter. I don’t think he’s the kind of guy this management group would want to bring into the room. Especially with how dogshit of a player he actually is most of the time

Always the least liked player in the dressing room. Buyer beware.

 

[justashadowof]

I don’t think max domi is who you think he is, dudes the definition of a problem child and a headcase. He’s a known floater and a MAGAbro & kkkonvoy supporter. I don’t think he’s the kind of guy this management group would want to bring into the room. Especially with how dogshit of a player he actually is most of the time

Now I'm really hoping he definitely signs here just to witness the meltdowns.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

Jarnkrok, Namestnikov, Deslauriers, Lazar, and Blackwell, are all names I like in our middle/bottom 6.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

Kid can't skate or stay healthy. That's not the Leafs fault.

The only reason people were fawning over him was because he was literally the only D besides Holl who actually came through the system and wasn't a bust (Dermott). If he was any where else the tune would be very different. I really don't think he will ever be more than a 30pt PP specialist type that is slow and mostly 3rd pair. Speed is a real problem for him besides his obvious size issue.

 

[Morgs]

For the love of f*** if Pulju goes for a reasonable price and we don't get him... it's going to be a bad day. He's one of the best play driving W both ways in the NHL and made McD/Drai significantly better. The production may never be elite, but there's a reason why people have been fawning over guys like Nichushkin for years. Edmonton gonna Edmonton tho.

I'd legit do Sandin for him, but I'm not certain he should cost that much.

 

[ULF_55]

Again, that speaks to terrible advice when you want to move on and your competition is someone is someone who is basically on a league minimum deal and will be 39 by opening day.

He needs to elevate his play.

Maybe he just needs a fresh start.
We really don't know what goes on in the room.
He has options, he isn't under contract so he could go play in Europe.
If he's unhappy he should move.
He's a human being first, and happiness is key.

This reads like a player who doesn't trust his management. Management takes care of the team, players take care of themselves.

Reports: RFA Rasmus Sandin concerned about role on Leafs' blue line; contract talks quiet with Jack Campbell; Toronto interested in Ville Husso

In the first edition of Leafs Links to kick off the silly season, the insiders provide the latest on Jack Campbell, Ilya Mikheyev, the Leafs’ uncertain goaltending situation, Rasmus Sandin, Claude Giroux, and Nazem Kadri. Friedman on the latest with Campbell, Sandin, and a possible Leafs...

mapleleafshotstove.com

I think they are considering some things. I think Dubas is trying to keep a lid on it. The Sandin situation — nobody will tell me exactly what they think the outcome is going to be here, but there is no doubt in my mind that Toronto is in a situation that they did not expect they would be in.

I think they felt they would be able to get Sandin signed, and they would tell him that if he plays well enough, there is going to be a spot for him. I think Sandin is resisting that right now. I think he is taking a look at what is going on with the blue line and saying, “There is not really a spot for me here.” Whether he is right or wrong about this, he doesn’t feel that it is set up for him to have a fair shot at his strong side on the roster.

I think Toronto has tried to convince him otherwise, but at this point in time, he is not convinced. I don’t know if that means they are going to trade him. I don’t think that is the preferred outcome here, but I think, at the very least, what it’s done is made them think whether they are going to have to do something they didn’t initially think they were going to have to do.

 

[SprDaVE]

For the love of f*** if Pulju goes for a reasonable price and we don't get him... it's going to be a bad day. He's one of the best play driving W both ways in the NHL and made McD/Drai significantly better. The production may never be elite, but there's a reason why people have been fawning over guys like Nichushkin for years. Edmonton gonna Edmonton tho.

I'd legit do Sandin for him, but I'm not certain he should cost that much.

I think he'd be a good target but I struggle to find a trade that works. We're not good trading partners. And I think he might be hard to re-sign.

 

[Nylander88]

No chance we find a better player with such limited cap space. He probably doesn't score at an ideal 3rd line pace, but he's elite defensively.

We have a better offensive player already in the lineup. Kerfoot.
Matthews, Tavares, Kerfoot, Kampf down the middle I have no issue with. Add some intensity and pace to their wings

 

[TMLAM34]

I’d be willing to even include Robertson in a deal for Puljujarvi. He should definitely be a target to acquire if he’s available.

 

[TheDoldrums]

I am curious on how he molds the bottom 6 this year and who he plans on targeting, ZAR, Deslauries and Nichushkin are the type of players I like to hear the Leafs are interested in, although with Nichushkin, if he's looking for Hyman type money, then I don't think that's doable.

Nichushkin is a far, far better player than Hyman. I had no interest in Hymans contract but would happily give Nuke $5.5 and find a way to make it work. I expect he'll get bigger offers than that.

But I think he's the one guy Colorado is prioritizing and I would expect him to prefer staying there unless he's really blown away by an offer.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

On a team that's butter soft and physically easy to play against, your role players have got to be way harder than this gentle giant. We've seen the sort of embarrassing "toughness" Clifford and Simmonds provided in the 2022 playoffs. The Leafs need a role player in Engvall's spot who provides some prickle to the lineup while doing some substantive heavy lifting as a defensive player as well. The Leafs will continue to lose 1st round playoff series if they don't start making life difficult for their opponent's defensemen.

I prefer Kase (at a low price) because he's brave, competitive and spirited. Yes, there's a strong chance he'll get injured, that's the reason for the big discount.

I would say that having that bringing a very good defensive player who can bring 35 points at a likely very reasonable price is more important that getting a guy with prickle. The Leafs are not losing because they lack prickle and this is the same pitfall in thinking that has contributed to a lack of scoring depth... Which has killed us a whole lot more than a lack of physicality.

If Engvall brings what he brought last year, with a little bit more consistent goal scoring (especially in the playoffs), we have about as good of a bottom 6 piece as you can hope for out of what he should realistically cost.

 

[justashadowof]

Maybe he just needs a fresh start.
We really don't know what goes on in the room.
He has options, he isn't under contract so he could go play in Europe.
If he's unhappy he should move.
He's a human being first, and happiness is key.

This reads like a player who doesn't trust his management. Management takes care of the team, players take care of themselves.

Reports: RFA Rasmus Sandin concerned about role on Leafs' blue line; contract talks quiet with Jack Campbell; Toronto interested in Ville Husso

In the first edition of Leafs Links to kick off the silly season, the insiders provide the latest on Jack Campbell, Ilya Mikheyev, the Leafs’ uncertain goaltending situation, Rasmus Sandin, Claude Giroux, and Nazem Kadri. Friedman on the latest with Campbell, Sandin, and a possible Leafs...

mapleleafshotstove.com

We know Sandin is more of a confident/cocky type of personality. Judging by his teammates' rare strong reaction that night he got knee-on-kneed, he doesn't seem unpopular in the room. The coach seems to use him a lot when he's available. This may be mostly a depth chart situation.

 

[justashadowof]

I would say that having that bringing a very good defensive player who can bring 35 points at a likely very reasonable price is more important that getting a guy with prickle. The Leafs are not losing because they lack prickle and this is the same pitfall in thinking that has contributed to a lack of scoring depth... Which has killed us a whole lot more than a lack of physicality.

If Engvall brings what he brought last year, with a little bit more consistent goal scoring (especially in the playoffs), we have about as good of a bottom 6 piece as you can hope for out of what he should realistically cost.

Engvall hasn't scored a goal in the 17 NHL playoff games. What scoring depth is that?

For the record I don't hate Engvall. I just think he'd be more suited to playing on a 2nd line with PP minutes on a lesser club.

 

[Legion34]

Jarnkrok, Namestnikov, Deslauriers, Lazar, and Blackwell, are all names I like in our middle/bottom 6.

Victor rask would be another for a defensive shutdown player.

Vagner/stats as cheap leaders.

Toronto has plenty of options.

 

[Magic Man]

Since it is going to likely be Rielly - Muzzin - Gio down the left side, that leaves a couple openings on the right side. The simple fix is putting Sandin on the right side next to a one of the quality vets, just like Liljegren will be insulated. But, I understand his concern with Holl and Lyubushkin lurking over his shoulder. He does need to play and not be blocked out by depth players. If they're going to do that, they should trade him before his value drops.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Engvall hasn't scored a goal in the 17 NHL playoff games. What scoring depth is that?

For the record I don't hate Engvall. I just think he'd be more suited to playing on a 2nd line with PP minutes on a lesser club.

He has developed into more of a defensive player, which you also need in your bottom 6 more than prickle. Obviously, I'd still like some goal scoring out of him too, especially since he has shown he is capable of doing so in the regular season, but he has also not really been given opportunities to score either (80%+ defensive zone starts and practically zero powerplay time in the playoffs). Which is fine, but for what he was expected to do (play shutdown minutes) and what we need (a shutdown bottom 6 line of some sort), he fills the role extremely well and with Mikheyev now gone, it is that much more important.

Even replacing a 40 point secondary offensive piece would have been harder, but Kase can't even stay healthy enough to reach those paces so it becomes much easier to choose between the two. He too had the same stat-line as Engvall in the playoffs (3 assists, zero goals and only has 2 playoff goals in 30+ career playoff games).

I personally feel like both are going to be kept, with Kase being on a 4th line which is meant to go all-out and provide as much offense as reasonably possible with 10-12 minutes a night and Engvall becoming a full time member of the shutdown line with Kampf. I would prioritize Engvall over Kase though.