Trade Deadline day approaches (quarantine reduced)

[Kiwi]

Hoffman is all offense and terrible D. Not a fit in our system.

If that's how he plays I wouldn't want a bar of him

If we're buying we need to get somebody the coach can trust in tight games and defending leads

 

[Cor]

Schwartz is the Blues UFA who I would want

 

[BertCorbeau]

Schwartz is the Blues UFA who I would want

Yeah I like this

 

[kb]

Hopefully Nylander is on his way out...

Give it up.

 

[kb]

Hayes was asking Button if the Leafs shouldn't be looking for a centre replacement in case Tavares or Matthews goes down because then Engvall is our #2 Centre. Before my point, I'll say that A) if any team loses one of their top centres they're in massive trouble and really no trade could prep a team for that, and B) the Leafs have Kerfoot and Spezza that can regularly play centre along with Engvall, and if push comes to shove Nylander could move there as well.

The obvious move would be to trade for a middle six forward who can play centre as well as wing, which I'm sure the Leafs are taking into consideration on their forward search, but one angle I'd look at is the overall impact Matthews and Tavares have on the game in terms of raw talent and pedigree. Matthews is obviously an upper echelon player, but Tavares despite having a "down" season still contributes far more to this team than raw points. If the Leafs wanted to buy insurance in case either of them went down, the best target would be a guy who has shown he can play at an elite game changing level, and that's Taylor Hall.

Obviously Hall isn't a centre, but it's arguable his overall impact on the game when he's at his best is as close as a winger could get to impacting a game like a true #1 C. In this case the Leafs would likely be losing Kerfoot in a trade to make the money work so he'd be out as a centre option (unless Andersen and his cap hit are moved, or he's LTIR'd). In a worst case Ontario scenario where one of our top C's goes down, we could be looking at:

Galchenyuk-Matthews/Tavares-Marner
Hall-Nylander-Mikheyev
Hyman-Engvall-Simmonds
Thornton-Spezza-Petan/Agostino/Barabanov/Whoever

But again, no team plans to have one of their top centres get knocked out for a long time in the playoffs. Just some food for thought.

Hayes is a moron who needs to put down the Elmer's Paste he keeps eating.

 

[OVO16]

Thank god we're not in on Hall.

 

[LeafSteel]

Would love nothing more than to see Boston overpay for Hall. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone....

Hoping they start by offering a 1st.....

 

[zeke]

LeBrun: Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas on his needs and priorities ahead of the trade deadline - The Athletic

There are two areas that have been portrayed as needs for the Maple Leafs over the past several weeks:

1. A second-line winger to play with John Tavares and William Nylander.

2. An upgrade in goal because of the health concerns with Frederik Andersen and, to some degree, Jack Campbell.

On topic No. 1, the reclamation project that is Alex Galchenyuk has returned encouraging results so far. So it may be that Dubas has already made his move for a second-line forward.

“I think the emergence of Galchenyuk playing with John and William, both in terms of the fact he’s produced a little bit but in terms of how hard he’s playing and the effectiveness that he’s brought to the group, I think certainly reduces the urgency,” Dubas said.

“But with all that said, if we can do something that we think is going to be a good fit in the locker room and on the ice, I think we would still very openly explore that.’’

The translation there for me is perhaps the Maple Leafs are looking more for a top-9 forward type. Someone who can play up and down the lineup, who has some of those playoff intangibles you can never have enough of, a little bite to their game, hard on the puck, maybe some playoff experience, a guy who fits in nicely with existing group.

For me, Nick Foligno or Kyle Palmieri would be the high-end versions of that. Scott Laughton maybe a cheaper model.

Either way, while Galchenyuk has helped fill that void on the second line, you get the sense Dubas still wants to perhaps add a forward to the group, if he can.

On topic No. 2, well, there’s been a lot said in the Toronto market by media and fans about the potential need to add insurance in goal because of Andersen’s prolonged absence and Campbell’s own issues between starts at times this season.

But I don’t get the sense that’s a priority item for Dubas.

“Jack has obviously played excellent goal for us and has been outstanding,” Dubas said of Campbell, who sports a perfect 9-0 record on the season. “A great story. He’s an incredibly hard worker and a talented person who has put it all together and has everyone rooting for him because of his character and who he is as a teammate and a person.

“(Michael Hutchinson) has come in and played solid hockey for us as well,’’ Dubas said of his No. 3 goalie. “So we’re very happy with him.’’

Dubas also made the point of saying the Leafs are developing three young goalies in Joseph Woll, Ian Scott and Veini Vehvilainen.

“So though I appreciate the anxiety and the consternation because of the position that it is, I think what we’re going to do in the coming days is continue to see where Fred is at,” Dubas said. “We don’t expect that it’s going to be anything that is long-term, and use all the time that we have up to the deadline to continue to evaluate that. And then roll from there.’’

"Oh hey fellow GMs I actually don't even need your guys all that much"

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

I wouldn't mind a top 6 LW but Alex Galchenyuk has been better than advertised.
games: 9 points:4 hits:12 All in 12:25 of play. I would like a big upgrade if we do get a top 6 LW like Forsberg or Schwartz. Could spread the talent like crazy.

 

[SprDaVE]

Definitely sounds like the Leafs will go for something a lot less "sexy" than anticipated. I was fully expecting a Hall or Granlund + Ekholm level trade a couple weeks ago.

I think Iafallo fits the bill a lot right now. Middle line player that is affordable and plays a very similar Hyman game.

 

[Marshy]

"Oh hey fellow GMs I actually don't even need your guys all that much"

Ya exactly what I was thinking. Knock them down a peg or two on their inflated asks.

 

[DougGilmour93]

Give it up.

He needs to go. Part of the problem. Too much money tied up in those 4 forwards, and he’s easily the worst.
He shows up every, 7 games. Invisible the rest. If you can’t see that, I feel sorry for you.

 

[Marshy]

Would love nothing more than to see Boston overpay for Hall. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone....

Hoping they start by offering a 1st.....

Yup. Get two birds stoned at once.

 

[ShaneFalco]

He needs to go. Part of the problem. Too much money tied up in those 4 forwards, and he’s easily the worst.
He shows up every, 7 games. Invisible the rest. If you can’t see that, I feel sorry for you.

Give it up

 

[Sypher04]

He needs to go. Part of the problem. Too much money tied up in those 4 forwards, and he’s easily the worst.
He shows up every, 7 games. Invisible the rest. If you can’t see that, I feel sorry for you.

Suddenly I wish this side had downvote options.

 

[meefer]

Whatever direction Dubas takes, I'm of the opinion that his starting point begins with confident knowledge of Andersen's health.

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Galchenyuk-Tavares-Nylander
Forsberg-Engvall-Mikheyev
Thornton/Brooks-Spezza-Simmonds

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Holl
Oleksiak-Bogosian

Campbell
Andersen/Hutch

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Matthews/Marner and Tavares/Nylander both generate a lot of chances. It's up to Dubas to decide if he wants the best possible addition to take advantage of that and finish as many plays as possible (Palmieri or Iafallo) or someone who can help them create even more (Hall). The only real wrong move would be to not make any top 6 upgrades at all

 

[Iapyi]

Any thoughts on guys that are more likely to be moved?

I have no idea as to the likelihood to be moved but some possibles.

I've always liked Brandon Sutter and feel he's gotten a bum rap a lot but his contract expires after this year and I think he'd be an upgrade for us. Quite versatile and while he may not have the sandpaper I think we need he is very effective and not soft. Big? with Vancouver's Covid situation.

I'd love a Tyler Bertuzzi and his aggressiveness, it's exactly what we need as far as I'm concerned though his current injury status makes him a huge question mark. He is back skating but back injuries are tricky and risky. He is an RFA next year after going to arbitration last year.

Palmieri would be a nice addition.

Nick Foligno would be a nice addition.

There really isn't a whole lot of options. I think we need some more grit.

 

[Fogelhund]

He needs to go. Part of the problem. Too much money tied up in those 4 forwards, and he’s easily the worst.
He shows up every, 7 games. Invisible the rest. If you can’t see that, I feel sorry for you.

Ridiculous.

 

[Iapyi]

Schwartz is the Blues UFA who I would want

Schwartz would be an amazing addition but I really really don't see the Blues not considering him a core piece who they fully intend to re-sign.

 

[Iapyi]

Schwartz is the Blues UFA who I would want

Schwartz would be an amazing addition but I really really don't see the Blues not considering him a core piece who they fully intend to re-sign.

 

[DougGilmour93]

Ridiculous.

I agree, Nylander is ridiculous. Horribly inconsistent. Not worth the cap space. I’d recommend a hockey trade.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

So if we do bring in a forward who comes out? Galchenyuk deserves a spot in the lineup even if we do bring someone in.

 

[Le Cobra]

Less than a week from now our team will look significantly different and playoff ready. After the Spezza and Galchenyuk deals, I trust Dubas