GDT: Trade and Free agent rumours thread | Post Trade Deadline Edition

[BayStBullies]

Every time I visit this forum, my wish continues unanswered to see mock trades and rumours split into separate threads.

 

[Taylor Halls Teeth]

Is Matthews realistically going to waive for Utah? It is the former Arizona franchise, so maybe that matters to him. But otherwise it's a small market (I think he likes big cities, some celebrity status, etc), not a contender, has state tax, not considered one of the top places to live, etc.

Like I'm assuming he'll have a list of ~2-3 teams he's willing to waive for, maybe ~5 if we're lucky. Seems unlikely Utah would be on that short list.

West makes sense.. He grew up in Scottsdale and Phoenix is a small big city. SLC is not out of the question unless his GF is a city mouse. He has a Keller connection there. SJ and Anaheim would have an allure to a lot of people. Dallas too. The east is more a question mark. Would he even have interest in living in a larger more industrial city?

 

[Buckley]

West makes sense.. He grew up in Scottsdale and Phoenix is a small big city. SLC is not out of the question unless his GF is a city mouse. He has a Keller connection there. SJ and Anaheim would have an allure to a lot of people. Dallas too. The east is more a question mark. Would he even have interest in living in a larger more industrial city?

Having lived in the area, I can promise that no one has ever been allured by San Jose. Orange County maybe, but not San Jose.

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

I still can't get behind trading Knies unless its for a massive overpay. Rinzal doesn't really move the needle for me. He's good, but not physical enough for someone his size. He's like Brandon Carlo with a bit more offense.

What's the proposal? Knies for Rinzal + 4th + prospect?

It's fair value. But we need slightly more than fair value given we have no reason to move Knies, he's not even in his prime, he's proven, and signed long term.

I'd be more focused on moving Matthews if he doesn’t give us any assurances.

 

[IrishInOntario]

I love Knies, but this is something you have to consider. Especially since he already has some injury and concussion concerns too, as much as we want to ignore those.



It could be viewed as

Out:

- Knies ($7.75 million cap hit)

In:

- Sam Rinzel (6'4" RD)
- #4 overall (Stenberg has been there in some recent mocks)
- Hawks prospect
- $7.75 million cap space (Raddysh/Rasmus Andersson?)

If a team is serious about retooling and not rebuilding, this would be a great start.

My thing is that you have $22+ million in cap space without moving your 23 year old unicorn who is locked up at a good price for the foreseeable future. If you need more than $22 million to sign free agents how about starting with:

Morgan Rielly (32): $7.5 million
Max Domi (31): $3.75 million
Dakota Joshua (29): $3.25 million
Jake McCabe (32): $4.51 million
Brandon Carlo (29): $4.1 million
OEL (34): $3.5 million
Joseph Woll (27) $3.7 million
Simon Benoit (27) $1.35 million

If you need $30 million in cap space, start by trading some of those assets. Sure you won't get the same return you'd get for Knies, but several of those guys would return meaningful picks, prospects or younger players, while freeing up cap space.

Why would you trade 23 year old Knies, who along with 20 year old Cowan and 18 year old Mckenna, represent the possible next wave of core forwards for 10+ years?

Move a couple pieces listed above, get to $32'ish million in cap space and you could bring in...

Via Free Agency
Darren Raddysh ($7.5-$8.0 million)
Rasmus Andersson ($7.5-$8.0 million)
Eeli Tolvanen ($4.0-4.5 million)

Via Trade
Collin Graf ($4.5-$5.0 million)
Barrett Hayton ($5.0-5.5 million)
Olen Zellwegger ($3.0-$3.5 million)

For argument sake, let's say you move Rielly, Carlo, Benoit and Woll (along with Robertson and Maccelli as RFA's and draft picks), freeing up a further $16.5'ish million. Now you could have something like the following roster, with additional cap room to spend.

McKenna-Matthews-Nylander
Knies-Hayton-Graf
Cowan-Tavares-Tolvanen
Lorentz-Domi-Joshua
Quillan / Haymes

McCabe-Raddysh
OEL-Andersson
Zellwegger-Tanev
Villeneuve

Stolarz
Hildeby

That group is back to being a playoff team, IMO, is overall younger, with nearly $10 million in additional cap space available and more assets to sell at the trade deadline (McCabe, OEL, Joshua, Domi) if it doesn't work out. It also allows the likes of Danford, Villeneuve, Chadwick, Luc-Koblar, Hopkins, Nansi and whoever Toronto picks this year beyond Mckenna to continue to develop into future ELC candidates to help the big squad.

 

[dubplatepressure]

My thing is that you have $22 million in cap space without moving your 23 year old unicorn who is locked up at a good price for the foreseeable future. If you need more than $22 million to sign free agents how about starting with:

Morgan Rielly (32): $7.5 million
Max Domi (31): $3.75 million
Dakota Joshua (29): $3.25 million
Jake McCabe (32): $4.5 million
Brandon Carlo (29): $4.1 million
OEL (34): $3.5 million
Joseph Woll (27) $3.7 million
Simon Benoit (27) $1.35 million

If you need $30 million in cap space, start by trading some of those assets. Sure you won't get the same return you'd get for Knies, but several of those guys would return meaningful picks and prospects, while freeing up cap space.

Why would you trade 23 year old Knies, who along with 20 year old Cowan and 18 year old Mckenna, represent the possible next wave of core forwards for 10+ years?

Move a couple pieces listed above, get to $32'ish million in cap space and you could bring in...

Via Free Agency
Darren Raddysh ($7.5-$8.0 million)
Rasmus Andersson ($7.5-$8.0 million)
Eeli Tolvanen ($4.0-4.5 million)

Via Trade
Collin Graf ($4.5-$5.0 million)
Barrett Hayton ($5.0-5.5 million)
Olen Zellwegger ($3.0-$3.5 million)

For argument sake, let's say you move Rielly, Carlo, Benoit and Woll (along with Robertson and Maccelli as RFA's and draft picks , freeing up a further $16.5'ish million. Now you could have to the following roster, with additional cap room to spend.

McKenna-Matthews-Nylander
Knies-Hayton-Graf
Cowan-Tavares-Tolvanen
Lorentz-Domi-Joshua

McCabe-Raddysh
OEL-Andersson
Zellwegger-Tanev

Stolarz
Hildeby

That group just is back to being a playoff team, IMO, is overall younger, with nearly $10 million in additional cap space available and more assets to sell at the trade deadline (McCabe, OEL, Joshua, Domi) if it doesn't work out. It also allows the likes of Danford, Villeneuve, Chadwick, Luc-Koblar, Hopkins, Nansi and whoever Toronto picks this year beyond Mckenna to continue to develop into future ELC candidates to help the big squad.

You won't have any chance at rebalancing your roster with the likes of those players though... perhaps Rielly for Graf, Woll for Zellwegger, maybe. As much as it hurts to move Knies, if you can get into the top-5 for him this year, PLUS a big young D with top-pairing potential in Rinzel, PLUS a solid albiet lesser prospect or player back, AND save $7.5M on the cap, all in a single swoop, then this team is almost forced into doing it. That is if they are hell-bent on keeping AM34 happy and the team in a contending window.

The alternative is to trade Nylander or AM34 and keep Knies, but I get the sense that both Treliving and now Chayka would rather move Knies (just a hunch). perhaps its because its easier to deal with and drive prices up on teams where you don't have to worry about NTCs.

 

[IrishInOntario]

You won't have any chance at rebalancing your roster with the likes of those players though... perhaps Rielly for Graf, Woll for Zellwegger, maybe. As much as it hurts to move Knies, if you can get into the top-5 for him this year, PLUS a big young D with top-pairing potential in Rinzel, PLUS a solid albiet lesser prospect or player back, AND save $7.5M on the cap, all in a single swoop, then this team is almost forced into doing it. That is if they are hell-bent on keeping AM34 happy and the team in a contending window.

The alternative is to trade Nylander or AM34 and keep Knies, but I get the sense that both Treliving and now Chayka would rather move Knies (just a hunch). perhaps its because its easier to deal with and drive prices up on teams where you don't have to worry about NTCs.

People keep alluding to not being able to balance the team out, but I demonstrated how you do it. You sign a couple quality 30 year old F/A D-men that are proven producers in Raddysh and Andersson and they'll give you 4+ years of high end play before entering their declines, time that you spend building up their replacements through drafting, developing and continuing to look for opportunities to find FA D-men and trade opportunities beyond this cycle.

Let's say you do something like this...

To San Jose
Morgan Rielly
Pick or prospect if required

To Toronto
Collin Graf
Pick or prospect if required

To Anaheim
Joseph Woll
Pick or prospect if required

To Toronto
Olen Zellwegger
Pick or prospect if required

To Utah
Brandon Carlo
Nick Robertson

To Toronto
Barrett Hayton
Pick or prospect if required

Do you not find a potential D-core of the following to be better balanced?

McCabe / Raddysh
OEL / Andersson
Zellwegger / Tanev
Villeneuve/ Danford

Is it perfect in a single cycle? No. But should it be a tangible upgrade from where it was? Yes. While featuring a top 12 forward group of something like...

Mckenna-Matthews-Nylander
Knies-Hayton-Graf
Cowan-Tavares-Tolvanen
Lorentz-Domi-Joshua

With $10 million'ish in additional cap space available to use wisely, and a salary cap in 2027 that is expected to rise significantly again.

Why do we have to buy lottery tickets in the likes of names like Rinzel, Carels and Voerhoeff via trading Knies and hoping draft picks and prospects work out, when there is money available to be spent on proven players that are in their same prime years as Matthews and Nylander, and will be starting their decline when Knies is 28, Mckenna is 23 and Cowan is 25, in time for them those guys to become the new core forwards along with what comes in behind them.

 

[LaPlante94]

Ideally a return of top end prospects that fit the age group and development path of McKenna, Cowan.
Utah has prospects like Iginla, Desnoyers, etc. Just go sign UFAs for right away.

Got those guys in Utah and the 19th pick. Nashville has Surin, Martin, Fink, Reid, Moldendyk and the 12th pick. Seattle has Catton, Wright, O'Brien and the 7th pick. Dallas the best of both worlds. Johnston, Seguin as a cap dump so they can pay Robertson, Harley and their 2027 1st round pick over there that I know of. Leach would also know their prospects better than anyone. I'm sure I'm missing names but just going off names I remember.

I still don't get how Matthews would want to leave with McKenna coming here though, but can't afford another Marner situation.

 

[dubplatepressure]

People keep alluding to not being able to balance the team out, but I demonstrated how you do it. You sign a couple quality 30 year old F/A D-men that are proven producers in Raddysh and Andersson and they'll give you 4+ years of high end play before entering their declines, time that you spend building up their replacements through drafting, developing and continuing to look for opportunities to find FA D-men and trade opportunities beyond this cycle.

Let's say you do something like this...

To San Jose
Morgan Rielly
Pick or prospect if required

To Toronto
Collin Graf
Pick or prospect if required

To Anaheim
Joseph Woll
Pick or prospect if required

To Toronto
Olen Zellwegger
Pick or prospect if required

To Utah
Brandon Carlo
Nick Robertson

To Toronto
Barrett Hayton
Pick or prospect if required

Do you not find a potential D-core of the following to be better balanced?

McCabe / Raddysh
OEL / Andersson
Zellwegger / Tanev
Villeneuve/ Danford

Is it perfect in a single cycle? No. But should it be a tangible upgrade from where it was? Yes. While featuring a top 12 forward group of something like...

Mckenna-Matthews-Nylander
Knies-Hayton-Graf
Cowan-Tavares-Tolvanen
Lorentz-Domi-Joshua

With $10 million'ish in additional cap space available to use wisely, and a salary cap in 2027 that is expected to rise significantly again.

I agree - Graf for Rielly, Woll for Zellweger, sure. IMO the assumption we're landing BOTH of the only top-pairing D in this UFA class is very ... optimistic. Even 1 would help though, and we'll have the cap space for it. If you can somehow swing Hayton out of Utah even better. I do agree you don't need to chop Knies to make reasonably meaningful changes, but the return carries the highest upside.

 

[IrishInOntario]

I agree - Graf for Rielly, Woll for Zellweger, sure. IMO the assumption we're landing BOTH of the only top-pairing D in this UFA class is very ... optimistic. Even 1 would help though, and we'll have the cap space for it. If you can somehow swing Hayton out of Utah even better. I do agree you don't need to chop Knies to make reasonably meaningful changes, but the return carries the highest upside.

High upside, but also extremely high risk. None of those 18 year lottery tickets are anything close to a "sure thing", nor will they meaningfully help you until at least 3 years from now... And you will have traded a 23 year, cost controlled sure thing that is burgeoning into a complete stud.

I understand where you are coming from and I also get that it's not easy to land two top free agent D-men in one cycle. I simply think that exploring that route, while getting 4+ good years out of those guys (should you land them) and making a strategic trade for the likes of a Zellwegger, Mateychuk or Nemec, etc... While Villeneuve, Chadwick and Danford continue to cook, is preferable in my mind. Meanwhile, beyond Mckenna I'd take a couple defensemen high in the 2027 draft with your 2nd and 3rd round picks if there is anyone available that you like. I'd also consider a D-man with Colorado's 1st round pick next year... Within two years you might be able to add 3-4 relatively high ends defensive prospects to further bolster the D-core, with the idea of having those guys ready to contribute around the time that McKenna, Cowan and Knies are coming into their prime years.

Alternatively Columbus needs a goalie. Werenski is 28 and will be blocking the likes of a Mateychuk for the foreseeable future. Maybe you can send a package of Woll, Carlo and draft picks their way and pull a guy like that out of their system and forget about a Zellwegger.

Imagine a world where you can sign Raddysh and Andersson in free agency and make a trade such as the following:

To Columbus
Joseph Woll
Brandon Carlo
2027 1st Round Pick

To Toronto
Denton Mateychuk

McCabe / Raddysh
Mateychuk / Andersson
OEL / Tanev
Villeneuve / Danford

I know I'm shooting for the moon here, but something like that feels like a big upgrade to me.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Auston Matthews and agent set to meet with Maple Leafs | NHL.com

The NHL Tonight crew discuss the news that Auston Matthew and his agent are set to meet with the Maple Leafs within the coming weeks

www.nhl.com

Here is a detailed summary of this NHL Tonight discussion regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs' off-season outlook and the state of the Atlantic Division:

The Auston Matthews Meeting

• The Report: NHL Network insider Dave Pagnotta reports that Auston Matthews and his agent, Judd Moldaver, are scheduled to meet with the new Maple Leafs leadership—specifically Mats Sundin and John Chayka—in the coming weeks.

• The Objective: Bruce Boudreau believes the primary goal for management is to gauge Matthews' commitment by asking him directly if he still wants to be a Maple Leaf.

• Management’s Pitch: The panel suggests management needs to present a clear "plan" to Matthews. This includes reassuring him that they will add the necessary support pieces to help him win, especially following the departure of Mitch Marner.

• Two-Way Street: Ken Daneyko emphasizes that the relationship must be mutual. While Matthews has been "fully vested," the meeting will determine if he feels he needs a change of scenery or if he is bought into the "new direction" under Chayka and Sundin.

Roster Needs and Strategy

• Defense: Boudreau identifies a lack of mobility and puck-moving ability on the blue line. He believes the Leafs specifically need younger defensemen who can transition the puck effectively.

• Bottom-Six Depth: A recurring criticism of the Leafs has been the lack of a strong third and fourth line. Boudreau notes that while the team has the financial resources, they have yet to build a bottom six capable of supporting their star power.

• The "Number One" Factor: It is noted that Toronto has the first overall pick, providing them with an elite asset that is cost-controlled, which is a major advantage for their rebuild/retool.

• Proximity to Success: Despite recent struggles, Boudreau reminds the panel that it was only two years ago that Toronto finished first in the Atlantic Division, suggesting they aren't as far off as some might think.

The "Juggernaut" Atlantic Division

• Competitive Balance: Ken Daneyko argues that the NHL is currently defined by extreme parity. Outside of a few teams like Colorado, Carolina, and Minnesota, there is very little separation between the remaining 25 teams.

• Division Strength: The panel agrees that the Atlantic Division is the best in hockey from top to bottom.

• The Contenders: Florida is expected to return to form once healthy; Boston shows no signs of slowing down; Buffalo is rising; and teams like Detroit and Ottawa remain dangerous.

• The Challenge: Boudreau points out the absurdity of the division's depth by asking who the "weak sister" (eighth-place team) even is, noting that even a team like Toronto could find themselves in a dogfight just to stay relevant in such a crowded field.

Conclusion on Depth

• The discussion concludes with the sentiment that while star power is common across the league, the teams that separate themselves are those that successfully build depth and a reliable bottom six. This remains the primary hurdle for the Chayka-led front office.

 

[Jacquestrapless]

Thoughts on Pavel Regenda?

26 years old LW/RW, 6'4 216lbs 10 points in 24 Games

soon to be Group 6 UFA

He is supposed to play power forward type game

 

[I am Canadian]

Thoughts on Pavel Regenda?

26 years old LW/RW, 6'4 216lbs 10 points in 24 Games

soon to be Group 6 UFA

He is supposed to play power forward type game

Never heard of him.

I am asking for the 8th season in a row to create a cycle line with JT.

_______ - Tavares - Joshua

Maybe this guy can play a grind style with them

 

[Rare Jewel]

Thoughts on Pavel Regenda?

26 years old LW/RW, 6'4 216lbs 10 points in 24 Games

soon to be Group 6 UFA

He is supposed to play power forward type game

In the JVR sense.

Net front, decent hands. Don't know where we would put him, though

 

[Warrior16]

Robertson for Casey
Carlo for Zellweger
Stolarz for Hayton
Trade
OEL/Rielly/Benoit/Lorentz/Maccelli
Sign Raddysh/Mikheyev/Kapanen/Oleksiak


McKenna - Matthews - Nylander
Knies - Tavares - Cowan
Mikheyev - Hayton - Kapanen
Joshua - Quillan - Domi
*Haymes

McCabe - Raddysh
Zellweger - Tanev
Oleksiak - Casey
*Villeneuve

Woll
Hildeby

 

[Stephen]

I love Knies, but this is something you have to consider. Especially since he already has some injury and concussion concerns too, as much as we want to ignore those.



It could be viewed as

Out:

- Knies ($7.75 million cap hit)

In:

- Sam Rinzel (6'4" RD)
- #4 overall (Stenberg has been there in some recent mocks)
- Hawks prospect
- $7.75 million cap space (Raddysh/Rasmus Andersson?)

If a team is serious about retooling and not rebuilding, this would be a great start.

Knies for Rinzel, 4OA and another prospect would be quite the insane package. You could potentially be locking up Rinzel and Verhoeff/Reid and suddenly have the problem of two stud RHD to build around, or Stenberg/Malhotra.

But Knies is also our second most important player under 25 and can be captain of the Maple Leafs one day.

 

[Martin Skoula]

Knies for Rinzel, 4OA and another prospect would be quite the insane package. You could potentially be locking up Rinzel and Verhoeff/Reid and suddenly have the problem of two stud RHD to build around, or Stenberg/Malhotra.

But Knies is also our second most important player under 25 and can be captain of the Maple Leafs one day.

You’d have to do some extra jumping through hoops to get the other picks but if you can get Verhoeff or whichever D with the highest pick and get Belchetz or Hemming to replace the power forward hole it’s a lot more palatable. Belchetz in particular feels like the kind of inefficiency Chayka would key in on, if he didn’t break his clavicle and have 0 playoff games to judge him on, he’s probably going in the Martone slot and not in a range we can move to.

 

[ULF_55]

Knies for Rinzel, 4OA and another prospect would be quite the insane package. You could potentially be locking up Rinzel and Verhoeff/Reid and suddenly have the problem of two stud RHD to build around, or Stenberg/Malhotra.

But Knies is also our second most important player under 25 and can be captain of the Maple Leafs one day.

Not sure I see it.
'A' yes.

Maybe if Matthews wasn't around he'd step forward?

 

[kb]

Knies for Rinzel, 4OA and another prospect would be quite the insane package. You could potentially be locking up Rinzel and Verhoeff/Reid and suddenly have the problem of two stud RHD to build around, or Stenberg/Malhotra.

But Knies is also our second most important player under 25 and can be captain of the Maple Leafs one day.

It boils down to whom you believe will have the greater impact on the team in their respective roles/minutes.

A power forward LW who plays 19-21 minutes, or a Top 4(2?) D who plays 21-25 minutes? Once you weigh in who has more effect on the game score/outcome, that becomes the determining factor for who is more important.

 

[Stephen]

It boils down to whom you believe will have the greater impact on the team in their respective roles/minutes.

A power forward LW who plays 19-21 minutes, or a Top 4(2?) D who plays 21-25 minutes? Once you weigh in who has more effect on the game score/outcome, that becomes the determining factor for who is more important.

The guy I really would be asking for is Anton Frondell, their 3OA center from last year on the premise that the Hawks are the ones doing the calling so why not order the prime rib.

All these other pieces are wonderful but I'm also suspicious of the package Chicago is willing to fork over. All these years later their rebuild just looks so thin but they're willing to cough up so much?

 

[Leaf Rocket]

It boils down to whom you believe will have the greater impact on the team in their respective roles/minutes.

A power forward LW who plays 19-21 minutes, or a Top 4(2?) D who plays 21-25 minutes? Once you weigh in who has more effect on the game score/outcome, that becomes the determining factor for who is more important.

Honestly... I believe we are going to be utilizing our goalie depth as a way to fill the gaps we are massively missing more than Knies. No player is untradeable; it just seems like it has to be something big and then some to make it work.

 

[BertCorbeau]

I think it depends a lot on how that conversation with Matthews goes. If Matthews is on board, Knies would be more valuable in a shorter retool.

Trading him is a long build route. You can’t expect the young d-men or other forwards from this class to step in and be impactful right away.

And then at that point, if Matthews isn’t on board you’re probably better trading him pre draft for a better haul and keeping Knies as a core piece.

I’m not a fan of moving Knies but I understand the temptation of an overpay

 

[Buds17]

Honestly... I believe we are going to be utilizing our goalie depth as a way to fill the gaps we are massively missing more than Knies. No player is untradeable; it just seems like it has to be something big and then some to make it work.

While moving a goalie will not bring back the immediate quality of a Knies trade return, this is still the path I prefer the team to take since they figure to be less diminished by dealing from the depth in net.

 

[BertCorbeau]

While moving a goalie will not bring back the immediate quality of a Knies trade return, this is still the path I prefer the team to take since they figure to be less diminished by dealing from the depth in net.

IIRC Hildeby is waiver exempt next year so a move looks probable

Goalies won’t return much but the UFA market doesn’t scream quality. Older guys like Bob, Talbot, and Andersen are there (may retire too).

Woll-Hildeby-AA is nice younger depth to have

 

[Community]

While moving a goalie will not bring back the immediate quality of a Knies trade return, this is still the path I prefer the team to take since they figure to be less diminished by dealing from the depth in net.

Yeah, I think trading Knies or Cowan could be on the table for the right trade, but neither would be the first few options explored.

I see a COL 1st + Stolarz + Dman (Carlo?) trade being looked at to try and bring back a better quality dman.

Harley and Fox are both being thrown around in trade proposals/rumours recently... If we are targeting a player like that, I can't imagine we would be able to get them without stsrting with one of Cowan/Knies though.