Trades and Free Agency 2021 | Trade Deadline 6 weeks away

[SoftDumpNtheCorner88]

I am just not sure Eric Staal is even a big upgrade for us.

I like the idea of a bonafide top 6 winger that can defend more than Eric Staal.

Eric Staal would just have to be better than Engvall... And I know he's been good and recently against Edmonton.. but Eric f***in Staal is definitely an upgrade over Engvall... There's no question about that.

Skill and experience with also the leadership he can bring. It's a question of who can play better at 3C against the same competition. Staal is better.. he's on a bad team right now playing 2C, and before that he's still been pretty consistent as a 2C for Minny.. not his former star status form but so wasn't Thornton on the Sharks but look how his skill and all star status/experience has effected Matthews and Marner on the first line. You put Eric Staal on his childhood favorite team.. playing a third line role with the expectations of shutting down players... And chipping in as a bonus, also Playing on the 2nd PP with JT and Willy.. I can't see how he can't have a good season.

Come on... If Thornton and Spezza are excelling in there roles while everyone said they wouldn't... You cannot convince me that Eric Staal playing a 3C role with 2 really good defensive puck retrievers won't make him shine and at the LEAST be an upgrade over Engvall... Seriously.

I hope I'm not coming off offensive either, I don't mean to be.. but just last month we were talking about Engvall being invisible.. I'm happy for Engvall but having him center the 4th line... Playing the same role with Spezza and maybe even Soup if Simmonds comes back and bumps soup down the line up.. we then have 2 good proven shut down lines.

Hyman-Staal-simmonds/kerfoot
Soup - Engvall - Spezza

To me Staal is the guy that we should target as he fits like a glove... We don't need to give up too much.. he fits in our cap and he fits in our roster mold of skill/experience/leadership/locker room guy. And he's still younger than Spezza and Thornton.

You can even slot him with JT and Willy just to see what happens..

Staal-JT-Nylander
You can't do that with Engvall and believe you'd see the same result.

Think about it.

 

[Kiwi]

I'm starting to wonder what we need if our new checking line is for real and Simmonds and Matthews are fit

Thornton Matthews Marner
Nylander Tavares Kerfoot
Hyman Engvall Mikheyev

Simmonds isn't in the top 9, if he makes it Kerfoot may not make the top 9

I want to push hard this season because I like this team but what are we looking for?

Somebody that can play Center or Wing? A depth defenseman? Goaltender insurance?

Where are these people going to play if we're fit?

 

[WTFMAN99]

I'm starting to wonder what we need if our new checking line is for real and Simmonds and Matthews are fit

Thornton Matthews Marner
Nylander Tavares Kerfoot
Hyman Engvall Mikheyev

Simmonds isn't in the top 9, if he makes it Kerfoot may not make the top 9

I want to push hard this season because I like this team but what are we looking for?

Somebody that can play Center or Wing? A depth defenseman? Goaltender insurance?

Where are these people going to play if we're fit?

Wild card is JT & 88, if they can click.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

He's struggling like the rest of the team but I'm still on the Pearson train if we can get him at a decent price.

Thornton Matthews Marner
Pearson Tavares Nylander
Mikheyev Engvall Hyman
Simmonds Kerfoot Spezza

Lots of options you can try with that group. Keefe could swap Marner/Nylander to spread things out. He could put Hyman back in the top 6 very easily. He could also move Kerfoot into Engvall's spot on the 3rd line if they start to struggle. As well, he could move Simmonds or Kerfoot into the top 9 on the wing if someone isn't going. So many options.

 

[BlueForever75]

Nylander and Tavares should no longer play together.

 

[SprDaVE]

He's struggling like the rest of the team but I'm still on the Pearson train if we can get him at a decent price.

Thornton Matthews Marner
Pearson Tavares Nylander
Mikheyev Engvall Hyman
Simmonds Kerfoot Spezza

Lots of options you can try with that group. Keefe could swap Marner/Nylander to spread things out. He could put Hyman back in the top 6 very easily. He could also move Kerfoot into Engvall's spot on the 3rd line if they start to struggle. As well, he could move Simmonds or Kerfoot into the top 9 on the wing if someone isn't going. So many options.

I was high on Pearson earlier. I still think he'd fit in well. Just think a capable center is probably a little more of a need.

 

[Kiwi]

Wild card is JT & 88, if they can click.

They don't even need to

I like Matthews and Marner together but I do think spreading our best talent over 2 lines rather than 1 is a perfectly justifiable decision

 

[WTFMAN99]

They don't even need to

I like Matthews and Marner together but I do think spreading our best talent over 2 lines rather than 1 is a perfectly justifiable decision

How about hiding Nylander on the 3rd line like Pittsburgh did with Kessel?

Thornton-Matthews-Marner
Kerfoot-JT-Hyman
88-Staal-Simmonds
Engvall-Spezza-Soup

It's such a complete line up

 

[Jozay]

I'm starting to wonder what we need if our new checking line is for real and Simmonds and Matthews are fit

Thornton Matthews Marner
Nylander Tavares Kerfoot
Hyman Engvall Mikheyev

Simmonds isn't in the top 9, if he makes it Kerfoot may not make the top 9

I want to push hard this season because I like this team but what are we looking for?

Somebody that can play Center or Wing? A depth defenseman? Goaltender insurance?

Where are these people going to play if we're fit?

Should be looking for a legitimate difference maker, winger or center. Just get a real difference maker.

This is their best chance to get to a cup final, all the chips should be pushed into the middle of the table now.

Figure the rest out later. Injuries are inevitable, so im sure stuff will open up.

 

[Kiwi]

How about hiding Nylander on the 3rd line like Pittsburgh did with Kessel?

Thornton-Matthews-Marner
Kerfoot-JT-Hyman
88-Staal-Simmonds
Engvall-Spezza-Soup

It's such a complete line up

I want to see that new matchup line continue to play together

If they can shut down good competition for 15 minutes a night it's a game changer

 

[Kiwi]

Should be looking for a legitimate difference maker, winger or center. Just get a real difference maker.

This is their best chance to get to a cup final, all the chips should be pushed into the middle of the table now.

Figure the rest out later. Injuries are inevitable, so im sure stuff will open up.

Difference makers cost a ton to aquire

I'm not sure thinning the prospect pool and potentially upsetting the balance of the team is a great idea right now

 

[Jozay]

Difference makers cost a ton to aquire

I'm not sure thinning the prospect pool and potentially upsetting the balance of the team is a great idea right now

Pay the price, imo.

Dermott could be dangled, multiple firsts, some other prospects.

This opportunity is way too good to pass up.

 

[BertCorbeau]

TBH they could do nothing at the deadline, keep their assets, and I'd be fairly content with the roster going forward.

Sometimes doing nothing can be the best thing, especially if the prices are high. Would rather Dubas stand pat than make a trade for a marginal upgrade and pay a big price. We're sitting in a good spot for patience.

 

[Duke16]

TBH they could do nothing at the deadline, keep their assets, and I'd be fairly content with the roster going forward.

Sometimes doing nothing can be the best thing, especially if the prices are high. Would rather Dubas stand pat than make a trade for a marginal upgrade and pay a big price. We're sitting in a good spot for patience.

I'm with you here.

And if they do add, a rental F may make sense because of the lower cost to acquire and expansion implications.

I'm still very interested in Granlund, and if it works, treat it like how we all envision Hyman playing out - don't protect him and then try to work something out after July 1st.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Also worth noting the Leafs already don't have a 3rd rounder or a 7th rounder in this year's draft

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Pay the price, imo.

Dermott could be dangled, multiple firsts, some other prospects.

This opportunity is way too good to pass up.

What is your definition of a difference maker, because there are not even that many on the market based on my definition.

I don't think this team really needs a difference maker anyways. Ideally we can find a versatile 3C. Not a difference maker, but that is really the only hole the Leafs have unless we create one with another trade. The only difference maker that would make sense would be a goalie, and I don't think there are many out there on the market right now.

 

[ToneDog]

Pay the price, imo.

Dermott could be dangled, multiple firsts, some other prospects.

This opportunity is way too good to pass up.

Problem is division winners will have no idea how good they are because they will not have played the other 3. So you are kind of going into the TDL "blind". They will push some of their chips in but I doubt they push all their chips in.

 

[LeafParade]

I'm starting to wonder what we need if our new checking line is for real and Simmonds and Matthews are fit

Thornton Matthews Marner
Nylander Tavares Kerfoot
Hyman Engvall Mikheyev

Simmonds isn't in the top 9, if he makes it Kerfoot may not make the top 9

I want to push hard this season because I like this team but what are we looking for?

Somebody that can play Center or Wing? A depth defenseman? Goaltender insurance?

Where are these people going to play if we're fit?

I want to see that lineup for a few games.
If it works, it looks like Simmonds/Boyd/Spezza is your 4th line.

Any additional forwards bumps someone out of the lineup and pushes players down to the 4th line. It would have to be a significant player to be worthwhile. Barabanov is your 13th forward and Vecey is on the taxi squad.

So I am not sure what the Leafs are trading for... because the D looks good too.

 

[Kiwi]

Pay the price, imo.

Dermott could be dangled, multiple firsts, some other prospects.

This opportunity is way too good to pass up.

Dermott is on the roster and looks like he's cemented himself in the top 6 do I doubt they move him in season and trading 1st rounders into the future can bite you in the ass

Some of our worst ever trades were doing that

 

[LeafParade]

Dermott is on the roster and looks like he's cemented himself in the top 6 do I doubt they move him in season and trading 1st rounders into the future can bite you in the ass

Some of our worst ever trades were doing that

I don't see game changers on the trade market but that can change as teams fall out of contention.

 

[Sypher04]

I agree with the sentiment that standing pat and not spending assets to upgrade the roster may not be the wrong avenue to take.
I won't be upset if we do make a move, but I really don't feel like we have any compelling weakness that needs to be addressed.
Any adds we get are more going to be of the luxury variety and those are hard to work, especially so knowing that there is an expansion draft looming.

 

[Leaffan1991]

I would target Boone Jenner. Kerfoot for Jenner swap would work I think.

Thornton Matthews Nylander
Jenner Tavares Marner
Mik Engvall Hyman
Simmonds Boyd Spezza

or if Engvall stops working as 3C Jenner slides into that 3C spot and Simmonds moves up to second line

 

[Rude Dog]

Stall or Granlund would be really nice additions. But adding another game breaker like Forsberg in the top 6 makes a huge statement to the entire NHL. No idea how they would make it work but that is my dream acquisition. And a shooting coach for my boy Mikey

 

[TheDoldrums]

I really don't see massive improvements with forward or defensemen upgrades. I think we're already solid and we have prospects good enough to play that are already being blocked.

I really think the best move we could make would be to get better in net while securing our starting goalie for next year. I don't have much interest in re-signing Freddy after his heavy workloads for us and think we can do better at the position. Trading Freddy for Darcy Kuemper gives us an upgrade and another year under contract at a slightly cheaper price.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I want to see that new matchup line continue to play together

If they can shut down good competition for 15 minutes a night it's a game changer

2 wild cards there, if this version of Engvall can show up every night, the Leafs are golden.

If Soup can finish just a touch more in the latter half of the season, it would be huge.