GDT: Trade and Free Agency Thread

[Griffin76]

That makes us worse? Or at least pretty much the same we're at right now but with 1 less depth player. Stralman isn't as effective anymore last I checked.

With that said, I think Arizona is a perfect place to probably "dump" a player like Ritchie or Holl to clear cap space.

Maybe about the same or a little better I'm thinking. I don't know though. Crouse over Ritchie. Crouse has 4g and 4a in 16 and can skate. Has Stralman been worse than Holl has been this year? I haven't seen him so I don't know. I only put Engvall or Mikheyev because one will be redundant when Mikheyev returns and probably would need to move some more cap to get Stralman unless there could be retention. Plus Stralman could have a big effect on the young Swedes. That part could be the biggest factor.

 

[kb]

Thats a ridiculous overpay.

Holy hell....definitely. What happens in a year? You have nothing left, and no draft picks, while giving away valuable D depth and the Leafs top F prospect.

 

[Kurtz]

Our weakness is, and will continue to be secondary scoring.

That is what I look to boost prior to the deadline.

We have 7 quality NHL D-men, and I’d even argue Menell works as well if needed. Jack Campbell looks incredible and Mrazek will hopefully get to 100% before he comes back and finally be able to show what he can do.

Our top 6 looks great, as does the Kampf-Kase connection.

While Mikheyev will likely replace Engvall on that line soon enough, I think the ideal is finding someone with a bit of a scoring touch, but still has the defensive IQ.

Fourth line, can be whatever combination of Ritchie, Bunting, Spezza, Simmonds, Clifford, Semonyov that we want (one of the first two would be in the top 6)

I disagree with this. A top-4 rhd seems like a need, whereas more secondary scoring a luxury. While our top-4 carried us at the beginning of the season, our secondary scoring has joined the party over the last two weeks or so. Our top 2 lines are scoring just fine, our 3rd line will be a little more dangerous with Mickey replacing blackhole Engvall (and they're a great defensive matchup line anyway), and our 4th line I think has the capability to contribute offensively.

Meanwhile, with Holl struggling, we don't have a real shutdown defensive pairing, which is I think essential for the playoffs. Giving Lil a shot there might work but I think I would prefer not to have a rookie in such high leverage during the playoffs.

 

[Kurtz]

I would like to see them give Muzz and Lil some runway as a pairing first before exploring external options.

I'm fine with trying that but I like the Sandin-Lil pairing on the 3rd. Also even if that pairing works in the regular season, I'd be hesitant to use lil in a shutdown role in the playoffs due to how green he is. We saw the costly rookie mistakes Sandin made in the playoffs last year.

 

[kb]

I'm fine with trying that but I like the Sandin-Lil pairing on the 3rd. Also even if that pairing works in the regular season, I'd be hesitant to use lil in a shutdown role in the playoffs due to how green he is. We saw the costly rookie mistakes Sandin made in the playoffs last year.

I don't necessarily disagree with your premise. And I like Sandin-Lily too.

I was more thinking that Holl would look much better on the third pair, and that Lily deserves to play.

Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Liljegren
Sandin - Holl

I would roll with that, but switch it up as needed. Then re-evaluate in the new year. I just think that Liljegren can be that Top-4 RHD that we need, and if not....we would know from his play that he's not ready yet.

Then we can see where the Leafs need tweaking closer to the deadline. Right now the D is ahead of the scoring, so if I was making a significant addition, it would probably be up front, and look for a vet 5-6-7D

But one injury could make all this moot. lol

 

[WTFMAN99]

Leafs could probably use a top 6 LW and someone to play on the 2nd pairing with Muzzin maybe, I have never been a big Holl guy.

Ilya Lybushkin would be a sneaky good add.

 

[hockeynorth]

Leafs could probably use a top 6 LW and someone to play on the 2nd pairing with Muzzin maybe, I have never been a big Holl guy.

Ilya Lybushkin would be a sneaky good add.

Lyubushkin is a 7th dman

 

[WTFMAN99]

Lyubushkin is a 7th dman

He's played every game

 

[zeke]

I disagree with this. A top-4 rhd seems like a need, whereas more secondary scoring a luxury. While our top-4 carried us at the beginning of the season, our secondary scoring has joined the party over the last two weeks or so. Our top 2 lines are scoring just fine, our 3rd line will be a little more dangerous with Mickey replacing blackhole Engvall (and they're a great defensive matchup line anyway), and our 4th line I think has the capability to contribute offensively.

Meanwhile, with Holl struggling, we don't have a real shutdown defensive pairing, which is I think essential for the playoffs. Giving Lil a shot there might work but I think I would prefer not to have a rookie in such high leverage during the playoffs.

Holl's looking back to his old self since coming back in imo. Great game from him tonight.

 

[Dekes For Days]

The games were televised. That’s the evidence that our chances lacked traffic.

The games were televised, and we were all able to see that's not what happened.

 

[SprDaVE]

He's played every game

Not sure if playing every game for the Coyotes means much... have you seen that team?

Lyub seems like a fine bottom pairing guy though.

 

[4thline]

Brown or Zucker. 1st+ (Abbrusezze?), small add to get a bit of retention (million ish) from them. 2nd to Arizona for max retention.
Brown at 1.35 for this and next, move Willy to LW
OR
Zucker at 2.25 for this year and next

 

[SprDaVE]

Brown or Zucker. 1st+ (Abbrusezze?), small add to get a bit of retention (million ish) from them. 2nd to Arizona for max retention.
Brown at 1.35 for this and next, move Willy to LW
OR
Zucker at 2.25 for this year and next

Connor Brown would be great back here. He got into a tough situation his last season here under Babcock. I live in Ottawa and they are very high on him so seems unlikely they trade him anytime soon. Either way, he's definitely among my top targets if at all available. He can play LW as well.

Zucker would be ok but hasn't been overly great last few seasons. At 50%+ retention, he'd be a good upgrade from what we have. The assets needed for that seems way too much for a meh player.

My LW targets that wouldn't require massive retention but would still be LW upgrades:

Brown, Kubalik, Hintz, Fabbri, Pearson and Dzingel. List might change depending on selling teams and what not.

 

[4thline]

Connor Brown would be great back here. He got into a tough situation his last season here under Babcock. I live in Ottawa and they are very high on him so seems unlikely they trade him anytime soon. Either way, he's definitely among my top targets if at all available. He can play LW as well.

Zucker would be ok but hasn't been overly great last few seasons. At 50%+ retention, he'd be a good upgrade from what we have. The assets needed for that seems way too much for a meh player.

My LW targets that wouldn't require massive retention but would still be LW upgrades:

Brown, Kubalik, Hintz, Fabbri, Pearson and Dzingel. List might change depending on selling teams and what not.

I like Brown, Hintz, Pearson off that list, but I think that Hintz expiring to RFA makes it unlikely (or at least extremely expensive). I'd like Pearson but two extra years makes retention unlikely. Personally I think that the sweetspot is 1 additional year, final cap hit no more than ~2m, and as much retention as feasibly possible (definitely make use of Arizona if they're still in that game.) Don't really have an appetite for a rental or someone needing a major raise.

Threading the needle on the right rental + 1 with retention presents a unique opportunity to both strengthen the team for two years AND alleviate next seasons cap crunch. Otherwise I don't think it's worth the assets.

Disagree on Zucker, @ ~2m even if he's "just" a 20/20 guy that's huge in our top 6 next season.
Aiming a little lower Blueger could be a darkhorse target with major cap benefits.

 

[VanW27]

Connor Brown would be great back here. He got into a tough situation his last season here under Babcock. I live in Ottawa and they are very high on him so seems unlikely they trade him anytime soon. Either way, he's definitely among my top targets if at all available. He can play LW as well.

Zucker would be ok but hasn't been overly great last few seasons. At 50%+ retention, he'd be a good upgrade from what we have. The assets needed for that seems way too much for a meh player.

My LW targets that wouldn't require massive retention but would still be LW upgrades:

Brown, Kubalik, Hintz, Fabbri, Pearson and Dzingel. List might change depending on selling teams and what not.

Hard to see Ottawa trading Brown for anything other than a massive overpayment.

Extreme hard worker, great defensively and on the PK, second on the team in scoring by a single point to the 8.2 million dollar man Brady Tkachuk each of the last 2 years. Great contract and good guy Brown will almost certainly take another team friendly deal because that's what he does.

 

[Americanadian]

I like Brown, Hintz, Pearson off that list, but I think that Hintz expiring to RFA makes it unlikely (or at least extremely expensive). I'd like Pearson but two extra years makes retention unlikely. Personally I think that the sweetspot is 1 additional year, final cap hit no more than ~2m, and as much retention as feasibly possible (definitely make use of Arizona if they're still in that game.) Don't really have an appetite for a rental or someone needing a major raise.

Threading the needle on the right rental + 1 with retention presents a unique opportunity to both strengthen the team for two years AND alleviate next seasons cap crunch. Otherwise I don't think it's worth the assets.

Disagree on Zucker, @ ~2m even if he's "just" a 20/20 guy that's huge in our top 6 next season.
Aiming a little lower Blueger could be a darkhorse target with major cap benefits.

Hintz for Robertson base would be good.

 

[Fogelhund]

Not sure if playing every game for the Coyotes means much... have you seen that team?

Lyub seems like a fine bottom pairing guy though.

Which I think is the point... he's a fine bottom pairing guy. You pick up a guy like him, probably only if you move Holl, and are looking for a 6/7 guy, and this one provides size and some physicality. I'm good with that, save a little cap, and open up some flexibility for next year too.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

Hintz for Robertson base would be good.

For Hintz of last year maybe. Not the way he's playing this year with heavy o-zone starts for just 1.5 years of control.

 

[hockeynorth]

Completely of the opinion that as of now our healthy lines should be

Ritchie-Matthews-Nylander
Kerfoot-Tavares-Marner
Mikheyev-Kampf-Kase
Bunting-Spezza-Simmonds
Engvall

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Liljegren

Campbell
Mrazek

However I want to see a different dman take Holl's place for the playoffs, ideally a Manson type to just add a bit more nastiness, or even Dumba/Severson if their teams would move them so that we could get two runs with them. I also wouldn't mind acquiring a scoring winger like Perron or Pavelski to slot in and bump Simmonds or Spezza from the healthy lineup.

 

[Fogelhund]

Completely of the opinion that as of now our healthy lines should be

Ritchie-Matthews-Nylander
Kerfoot-Tavares-Marner
Mikheyev-Kampf-Kase
Bunting-Spezza-Simmonds
Engvall

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Liljegren

Campbell
Mrazek

However I want to see a different dman take Holl's place for the playoffs, ideally a Manson type to just add a bit more nastiness, or even Dumba/Severson if their teams would move them so that we could get two runs with them. I also wouldn't mind acquiring a scoring winger like Perron or Pavelski to slot in and bump Simmonds or Spezza from the healthy lineup.

The challenge is going to be, can Ritchie work out there long-term.

I doubt that Dumba, or Severson will be available, and the cost to get the would be prohibitive, in a manner that we can get two runs with them... as we'd have to either move Nylander, or have them at 50%.

Similar type of style as a Manson, not as good as Dumba/Severson, would be Chiarot. He's a UFA, and the cost of him at 50% shouldn't be through the roof. Holl + second maybe... or a little cheaper still is Lyubushkin, who can play the heavy game.

If you want a forward, who has some grit and size, maybe JT Miller at 50%... it would cost quite a bit, but he'd be a nice addition.... Ritchie goes the other way, plus picks/prospects

 

[hamzarocks]

For Hintz of last year maybe. Not the way he's playing this year with heavy o-zone starts for just 1.5 years of control.

Robertson missing most the year doesn't help increase his value either

He's worth around the 15th to 20th pick in the 1st round imo similar to Amirov at the moment

I never believed Hintz was a ppg center better than established 1Cs/former 1Cs playing wing like JT, Stamkos, Giroux, Seguin, etc.

Still he's better than he has been so far. Been unlucky with a low OISH% and should have another couple of points.

Hintz is 25 and entering his prime. He's from the 2015 draft class same as Marner. He should be a 50-60 point player consistently for the next half decade

Hintz with an extension for Robertson + 2nd is a fair deal for me

 

[Twine Tickler]

I would love to bring Brown back. Dubas doesn't typically go for guys that are pure rental (Muzz in 2019, Campbell in 2020). Last year was the one exception because of the expansion.

Brown being back with the Leafs would make me smile ear to ear though. Even if it were just for the remainder of the year. I'd imagine he's looking for a big ticket after this year, but you never know. Maybe the appeal of winning at home might change his mind and take a hometown discount. One can dream I guess

 

[Maplebeasts]

Completely of the opinion that as of now our healthy lines should be

Ritchie-Matthews-Nylander
Kerfoot-Tavares-Marner
Mikheyev-Kampf-Kase
Bunting-Spezza-Simmonds
Engvall

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Liljegren

Campbell
Mrazek

However I want to see a different dman take Holl's place for the playoffs, ideally a Manson type to just add a bit more nastiness, or even Dumba/Severson if their teams would move them so that we could get two runs with them. I also wouldn't mind acquiring a scoring winger like Perron or Pavelski to slot in and bump Simmonds or Spezza from the healthy lineup.

I agree Holl should be replaced, but please, please not with Josh Manson. He's not doing bad this season but for the last few years has some truly ugly advanced stats. I don't trust in his ability to play top 4 without getting caved in at all. There is a massive disconnect for whatever reason between what people think he is and what he actually is.

 

[zeke]

Since Holl came back into the lineup 5 games ago:

Rielly-Brodie: 86:37, 55.8xgf%, 65.5gf%
Muzzin-Holl: 82:37, 56.5xgf%, 69.0gf%

Sandin-Lilly: 25:28, 59.0xgf%, 100.0gf%
Sandin-Dermy: 24:43, 55.0xgf%, ----gf%
Dermy-Lilly: 12:58, 21.8xgf%, 00.0gf%

Looks like Holl (and the Muzz-Holl shutdown matchup pairing) is back in business.

I say we leave our excellent blueline alone.

 

[cookie]

With the kind of microscope the Canucks are under, you'd think a panic trade would be in the works

Also with Holl's underperformance - man's been battling a flu or something along those lines and deserves some time to get up to speed.