Trades and Free Agency 2021 | Any day now?

[ACC1224]

Two trades. I'd be happy with either and very happy with both. Cap neutral.

To Columbus: Andersen (FA), Kerfoot, Holl, Amirov.
To Toronto: Merzlikins, Savard, Jenner @50% retention.

I think Andersen is burned out in Toronto, he might revive in Columbus - less exposure - and will likely not command a high salary next year. He and Korpisalo should suffice. Holl offers Columbus a solid 2nd RD, cheaper than Savard (who if they wish to re-sign is a FA after this year), while Kukan is solid as a 3rd RD. Kerfoot is not Jenner, but does the inclusion of Amirov close the deal? Does Amirov become the 1st or 2nd best prospect in a Blue Jacket prospect pool that Wheeler ranks as 27th in the league?

Does Toronto believe they can move forward with Merzlikins and Campbell in net? There wouldn't be a lot of experience between the pipes.

To Nashville: Vesey, Engvall, 2nd this year, 3rd next year.
To Toronto: Granlund at 43% retained.

Per Vingan, the Athletic's Pred reporter, two comparable trades to indicate Granlund's value:

PLAYER	ACQUIRING TEAM	RETURN
Gustav Nyquist	SJS	2019 2nd, 2020 conditional 3rd
Mats Zuccarello	DAL	2019 conditional 2nd, 2020 conditional 3rd

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

With Engvall pacing Haula (a FA this year) I'd think he'd be considered a useful replacement candidate being 5 years younger and .5M cheaper. Vesey is the cost of doing business and getting a player and 2 picks for an expiring contract. Adding a 2nd and 3rd to the 17th ranked prospect pool (Wheeler) would help the cause.

Hyman Matthews Marner
Granlund Tavares Nylander
Mikheyev Jenner Simmonds
Thornton/Boyd Boyd/Thornton Spezza
Petan, Barabanov, Robertson, Galchenyuk (would Robertson look good beside Jumbo and Spezza?)

Muzz TJ
Rielly Savard
Dermott Bogo
Lehtonen, Liljegren, Sandin

Merz/Campbell
Hutch

That’s a lot of turnover in the dressing room, removing some popular guys.

 

[TopProspect91]

To all those saying to trade Andersen this year, keep dreaming. No chance they move Freddy unless we were out of the playoff picture. Plus, Campbell can easily step in, once healthy.

 

[hockeynorth]

It's Taylor Hall day!

 

[Fogelhund]

Granted Roberson is more productive than Comtois was at his age in the AHL, Comtois has already successfully taken the NHL step. He's already top-6 PWF LW, a rarity. I'd say based on value right now Comtois > Robertson based on that, but sure Robertson could have a slightly higher ceiling. Either way I don't see Robertson + 1st for Comtois as too far off, which makes me think Rackell + Grant for Kerfoot and Vesey is not appealing from Anaheim's perspective. I'd suggest this would need to include one of Lilly or Sandin to make this deal happen.

Who knows exactly what "real" value is. I think that the real value, is somewhere between what I've suggested, and what you've suggested. Is Rakell worth a first on his own? I don't know... But if Ducks are dealing, I'm asking what the price would be.... again, shame about the expansion draft, as there is the possibility of a really good hockey deal there, that could benefit us. Ducks have full right to get max value, but potentially losing Rakell to the expansion draft makes this very difficult.

 

[LeafParade]

That’s a lot of turnover in the dressing room, removing some popular guys.

I would make a simpler deal with Anderson going somewhere, and the Leafs getting Elvis from Columbus. Elvis is exempt from the Expansion draft.

 

[BlueForever75]

It wouldnt surprise me if a deal transpired today. It is the right timing.

Today or tomorrow a deal happens, I call it based on Friedman's thoughts.

 

[SprDaVE]

A lot of wishful thinking here that the Leafs will trade Andersen? I thought there was a legitimate rumour about it. Are we really expecting the Leafs as a playoff contender to trade their #1 goaltender because of some struggles?

I was all for it over the last off-season but... it's too late now.

 

[hockeynorth]

A lot of wishful thinking here that the Leafs will trade Andersen? I thought there was a legitimate rumour about it. Are we really expecting the Leafs as a playoff contender to trade their #1 goaltender because of some struggles?

I was all for it over the last off-season but... it's too late now.

I highly highly doubt they actually do it

But I doubt Freddy is back next year

 

[rojac]

I don't buy that the Leafs are likely to make a move soon because of the "5 games in two weeks" bit. The only way that logic makes sense to me is if the Leafs are moving out a big piece that the incoming piece needs to replace. In that case, you would definitely want to minimize the number of games that the incoming piece misses. However, if the deal is picks and small pieces for a piece that complements the current line-up, that incoming piece is probably more for the playoffs than the regular season anyway. So, how much does it matter if they miss 7 or 8 games instead of 5?

 

[hockeynorth]

I don't buy that the Leafs are likely to make a move soon because of the "5 games in two weeks" bit. The only way that logic makes sense to me is if the Leafs are moving out a big piece that the incoming piece needs to replace. In that case, you would definitely want to minimize the number of games that the incoming piece misses. However, if the deal is picks and small pieces for a piece that complements the current line-up, that incoming piece is probably more for the playoffs than the regular season anyway. So, how much does it matter if they miss 7 or 8 games instead of 5?

If it's going to be someone from an American team or we're moving out a roster player, it'll happen in this window, otherwise I suspect we're a few weeks away still

 

[stickty111]

A lot of wishful thinking here that the Leafs will trade Andersen? I thought there was a legitimate rumour about it. Are we really expecting the Leafs as a playoff contender to trade their #1 goaltender because of some struggles?

I was all for it over the last off-season but... it's too late now.

The issue is Leafs have seen Freddy's movie before and it isn't pretty. If we go into this stretch run and Freddy falters again, there is going to be some deserved heat coming Dubas's way.
No guarantees Jack will be healthy too.

 

[ER89]

Guys I would like to target: Gibson, FF, Granlund, Rakell, Staal. In that order.

 

[rojac]

If it's going to be someone from an American team or we're moving out a roster player, it'll happen in this window, otherwise I suspect we're a few weeks away still

So, why do you think those 2 or 3 extra games are important? Because that's the difference between making a deal during the "5 games in two weeks" window and making a deal pretty much any time up to the deadline.

 

[Pinto]

If Dallas is considering tapping out on a bad luck season, I'd go after Khudobin. Two more years on the deal, all at 3.33m. Gets us a bit of cap space, cost certainty, and a guy who can get it done in the playoffs. Fred goes there in the deal, retained to match Khudobin's salary. 1st round pick and whatever B or so prospect they want.

God help the team that tries out Buffalo goalies. Pay up for a good player, goalies can make or break a season, especially in the post season. We only get one shot, so pay to get the right guy.

I couldn’t agree more. I think we need to move on from Freddy as well but these posts pining for guys like Ullmark, Vanecek and Elvis to replace him make me laugh.

Just an example but I’d rather pay out the ass and get a guy like Gibson and KNOW we have a top goaltender instead of trying to get crafty with all these moves and be having this same conversation year after year.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I couldn’t agree more. I think we need to move on from Freddy as well but these posts pining for guys like Ullmark, Vanecek and Elvis to replace him make me laugh.

Just an example but I’d rather pay out the ass and get a guy like Gibson and KNOW we have a top goaltender instead of trying to get crafty with all these moves and be having this same conversation year after year.

We can't afford Gibson, and Gibson has been brutal the past few years too, even when you consider he has been playing on Anaheim.

Obviously the Leafs need to have a lot of faith in Campbell if they move Andersen, but if Andersen is not the answer, there are not many alternatives out there. That does not mean they should not consider those alternatives, because Andersen has been dragging us down for two years now, and at this point, even a guy like Ullmark may be an upgrade.

 

[TheShape]

The issue is Leafs have seen Freddy's movie before and it isn't pretty. If we go into this stretch run and Freddy falters again, there is going to be some deserved heat coming Dubas's way.
No guarantees Jack will be healthy too.

I don’t disagree but we aren’t moving Andersen mid season, time to do it was last off season and that ship has sailed. It’s my only issue with Dubas’ off season, albeit it’s a big one.

Campbell is the better goalie at this point, IF he can stay healthy the #1 spot is his.

 

[stickty111]

I don’t disagree but we aren’t moving Andersen mid season, time to do it was last off season and that ship has sailed. It’s my only issue with Dubas’ off season, albeit it’s a big one.

Campbell is the better goalie at this point, IF he can stay healthy the #1 spot is his.

Any reason we can't movd him though? Actually curious.

 

[hockeynorth]

So, why do you think those 2 or 3 extra games are important? Because that's the difference between making a deal during the "5 games in two weeks" window and making a deal pretty much any time up to the deadline.

Just to maximize value, that's also like ~4-5.5% of the total season and about 10% of the remaining season

 

[Jozay]

A lot of wishful thinking here that the Leafs will trade Andersen? I thought there was a legitimate rumour about it. Are we really expecting the Leafs as a playoff contender to trade their #1 goaltender because of some struggles?

I was all for it over the last off-season but... it's too late now.

Yeah, dont think it will happen.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I don’t disagree but we aren’t moving Andersen mid season, time to do it was last off season and that ship has sailed. It’s my only issue with Dubas’ off season, albeit it’s a big one.

Campbell is the better goalie at this point, IF he can stay healthy the #1 spot is his.

The problem is who do you get to replace Andersen in the offseason? He had a rough regular season, but so did the entire team, and then while he was outgoalied again in the playoffs, he was still mostly good. It would be easier to replace him if there were clear replacements, but there were no clear replacements. Markstrom and Holtby have been sucking too, and pretty much the rest of the options are the same as the ones we can get right now (Kuemper, Ullmark, etc.).

 

[TheShape]

Any reason we can't movd him though? Actually curious.

#1 goalies are rarely moved mid season, especially to a contender. It’s too much of a crapshoot given the position. 2 week quarantine, expansion draft, Andersen’s also a UFA so I don’t see much appeal for the acquiring team. Freddie makes 1m in real dollars this season and there was no takers. I could be wrong here but that’s just my view on it.

Campbell is the safety net.

 

[Kiwi]

A lot of wishful thinking here that the Leafs will trade Andersen? I thought there was a legitimate rumour about it. Are we really expecting the Leafs as a playoff contender to trade their #1 goaltender because of some struggles?

I was all for it over the last off-season but... it's too late now.

I think a couple of seasons of noticable decline in play goes beyond "some struggles"

We aren't winning much if he plays like this, in fact I doubt you can get out of the 1st round

Unless he goes on a heater I'd be running Campbell when he's ready and be looking for some sort of insurance policy if at all possible

 

[TheShape]

The problem is who do you get to replace Andersen in the offseason? He had a rough regular season, but so did the entire team, and then while he was outgoalied again in the playoffs, he was still mostly good. It would be easier to replace him if there were clear replacements, but there were no clear replacements. Markstrom and Holtby have been sucking too, and pretty much the rest of the options are the same as the ones we can get right now (Kuemper, Ullmark, etc.).

Depending on the price I’d target Kuemper after the expansion draft. One year prove it deal 1A,1B with Campbell.

Apparently Dubas offered Markstrom a contract last summer which tells me he was ready to move from Andersen if an upgrade was there.

The problem with Freddy is mentally he’s gone, there’s no recovering him.

 

[SprDaVE]

I think a couple of seasons of noticable decline in play goes beyond "some struggles"

We aren't winning much if he plays like this, in fact I doubt you can get out of the 1st round

Unless he goes on a heater I'd be running Campbell when he's ready and be looking for some sort of insurance policy if at all possible

I completely agree but it's too late to make that kind of change. I do think Campbell should be made the starter but he can't stay healthy... so we're pretty much stuck with Andersen. His value is close to zero and there isn't much better available for a reasonable price. The time to trade him was in the off-season.

The other thing about Andersen is that he's extremely well liked in the dressing room. I don't think it would go over well for team chemistry and what not going into the playoffs.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

#1 goalies are rarely moved mid season, especially to a contender. It’s too much of a crapshoot given the position. 2 week quarantine, expansion draft, Andersen’s also a UFA so I don’t see much appeal for the acquiring team. Freddie makes 1m in real dollars this season and there was no takers. I could be wrong here but that’s just my view on it.

Campbell is the safety net.

Robin Lehner was, so it is possible. If teams need a goalie, then Andersen is a great bet to take. No need to worry about protecting him, he can maybe find his game with a new team and goalie coach, etc.

If the Leafs make him available, there are likely going to be teams calling for him. I don't think the Leafs really made him available in the past.