GDT: Trade and Free agent Rumours thread | Chayka off-season edition

[NJG]

If we can get a third team involved, we can probably make this work without giving up too much.

 

[ER89]

Werenski immediately makes the leafs the favourite in the Atlantic.

Who do you think lands him

 

[Community]

Werenski isn't prime Bobby Orr or something. Yeah he's really good, but on a team like the Leafs as it is right now? He'll make the team better without making it a top contender. Werenski is the kind of move you make when you have a team like Colorado or Dallas or even the Sharks who have a good young team that's lacking a top Dman.

Chayka needs to put the brakes on thinking this team is a contender and do at least a significant retool so that we have long term success rather than short term mediocrity.

Let's pretend we landed Werenski for Knies + COL 1st (+ Danford if you want).

To address the remaining line-up holes, we have:
- More than 20 mill to spend in free agency
- OEL trade return
- Our 2nd round pick if we want to attempt an offersheet for a 4.5m center (e.g., Bourque or Hayton)
- A number of Marlies pushing for bottom 6 positions

Just as an example, the following team's goal totals for 2025-26 (including McKenna putting up 20 goals) would be top 10 in the league. If you account for a modest bounceback from Matthews (potting 45 goals) and an increase to Nylander's totals based on his 82 game pace, it would put us #1 in the league.

McKenna - Matthews - Nylander
Cowan - Tavares - Arvidsson
Tolvanen - Bourque - Robertson
Joshua - Quillan - Lorentz

Werenski - Raddysh
Rielly - Tanev
McCabe - Andrae
Stetcher

Stolarz
Hildeby

Even if we don't get bouncebacks from our top 2 guys so we end up with Nylander + Matthews stuck around 30g again, we would still be top 10 in the league.

We may see a decrease based on our vets playing worse, but we should also expect Cowan to improve on his 11 goals, I didn't count any goals for Quillan, and I fully expect our PP to be better.

If you dont see Borque as realistic, I didn't even use OEL in a trade so we could try to get somebody else with OEL + 2nd. There are only 2 guys over 30 years old in our entire top 9 with what should easily be the best Leafs defense in my lifetime. Also not up against the cap still most likely.

What are the holes in this lineup preventing it from being a contender? We have a franchise #1C, a franchise #1D, a 100pt winger, and another potential 100pt winger. Also have one of the best 2nd line Cs from last year and a deep defense. Not saying we're easy favourites, but there is definitely a path after adding Werenski (and making a few good UFA additions for depth) to put together a team that could win it all.

 

[Superstar]

Well that seems rather nonsensical.
Not sure I believe this one.

Sounds like insider insurance for getting it wrong, lol

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

Doesn't really matter though, as the player will waive for who he wants to waive for. Return is moot to the player holding the NMC.

Not really. If he was a pending UFA that might be true. He's signed for 2 more seasons. Columbus doesn't have to trade him. They can tell him, well I guess you're spending the next 2 years of your life and career in Columbus cause we're not trading you for pennies on the dollar.

 

[I am Canadian]

The way I look at the Knies situation is that the Leafs are screwed long term, cash is on these next 3-4 years.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Could Florida do Lundell + Luostarinen + Cali + 2x 2027 2nd Round Picks ?

Carolina could also make a big offer if they were interested in bettering that Cup winning roster...

Stankhoven + Nikishkin + Nadeau + 2027 1st Round Pick

 

[Superstar]

And CBJ still has him locked in for the upcoming season AND the one after.

Plenty of time to say 'f*** you, do better.'

...

I'd be rolling out a huge wagon for him if it was understood in principle he'd re-sign here (technically tampering but we all know they discuss this).

Think Nylander, Danford and the COL 1st, or Knies, Danford, Cowan, COL 1st and Hildeby. Add Z, still have Matthews, McKenna, JT and one of Knies or Willy up front.

Nylander is not waiving, and Knies, Danford, Cowan, Col 1st and the Beast is a ridiculous overpayment...might as well kiss playoffs goodbye because our forward group would look atrocious.

 

[meefer]

If it's 7M that Bob is looking for: 3 x 4M + structured bonuses to get to 7.5M (incentives and all). If he has belief in himself, prove it and we'll offer you the chance to be who you say you are.

Werenski for: Knies, Danford, Col 1st and Rielly...with the promise of resigning. I don't want to give up on TLK, we need C in a big way.

 

[Jozay]

Werenski tweet really makes it feel like if the Leafs could get him, he’d stay. Barring the team sucking ass.

 

[Menzinger]

I don't see how we get Werenski unless he forces his way here like Kawhi. It's going to take at least Knies + Andrae/Danford + Colorado 1st + Hildeby and that likely doesn't beat the Dallas offer.

The Dallas offer is meaningless now though, Werenski didn't hesitate to veto it.

 

[Kiwi]

I'm on the horns of a delema

The UFA period starts at 4am over here so its ******* early but I dont want to sleep while this Werenski ***? Is happening

Going to be a looong night

 

[cyris]

The Dallas offer is meaningless now though, Werenski didn't hesitate to veto it.

Yeah no one was topping the Dallas offer. But no one else has an expendable young legit top pairing D signed with term.
He was the only one available and Werenski doesn’t want to go there.

 

[Superstar]

If Werenski is coming, we need Olivier to come with him.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Nylander is not waiving, and Knies, Danford, Cowan, Col 1st and the Beast is a ridiculous overpayment...might as well kiss playoffs goodbye because our forward group would look atrocious.

There would have to be subsequent trades + free agent signings to help the forward group. No doubt about it.

 

[Rare Jewel]

I'm on the horns of a delema

The UFA period starts at 4am over here so its ******* early but I dont want to sleep while this Werenski ***? Is happening

Going to be a looong night

Nothing is going to happen overnight.

Tomorrow afternoon (our time) is when it'll hit the fan if it does.

So you should be good to get some rest before 4 a.m. your time.

 

[Superstar]

There would have to be subsequent trades + free agent signings to help the forward group. No doubt about it.

I could swallow one of Knies or Cowan, not both...man, if Chayka could pull it off without giving up Knies, that would be amazing.

 

[Carl Lindros]

Why are you bringing up a bunch of players with minimal upside, one of which being near the age of 30 while simultaneously limiting the Maple Leafs to "prospects ready to play"

Because Columbus' GM doesn't want futures, keep up buddy

 

[Leaf Rocket]

i just got into bed...i want a trade now.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[keonsbitterness]

i just got into bed...i want a trade now.

Uh-oh, LR is drunk again.

 

[Kiwi]

Knies being the base of our deal would be hard for Tampa to match wouldn't it?

They have burned through a lot of futures the last few years

 

[IrishInOntario]

I could swallow one of Knies or Cowan, not both...man, if Chayka could pull it off without giving up Knies, that would be amazing.

Just can't see a reality in whOch it's possible unless Knies is the centerpiece going the other way. He fits exactly what Columbus needs in return. Young, but NHL ready. An obvious fit in support of Fantili. Locked up for 5 more years, with no trade protection.

 

[supermann_98]

Kawai Tuesday
Werenski Wednesday

What will Thursday bring??

Mike Trout to the Blue Jays

 

[notDatsyuk]

Evander or Patrick lol?

Harry.