Trades and Free Agency - 2022-23 Season Edition

[Magic Man]

I'm not a big fan of signing Jarnkrok for 4 years at 2.1M when you could have signed Max for 1 year at 2.1M. These are the type of decisions, like passing on Perry, trading Marchment for Malgin, trading Kadri for Kerfoot, giving Ritchie's ice to Engvall etc. are part of the reason we keep losing in the post season. Physicality is still a part of hockey and they are constantly undervaluing that intangible, almost overlooking it completely at times with their team building. That is a Dubas philosophy. I think as long as he is here that is going to hold the team back from being competitive in the playoffs. A team like Tampa or Boston would have signed Max over Jarnkrok to support their stars.

 

[SprDaVE]

I'm not a big fan of signing Jarnkrok for 4 years at 2.1M when you could have signed Max for 1 year at 2.1M. These are the type of decisions, like passing on Perry, trading Marchment for Malgin, trading Kadri for Kerfoot, giving Ritchie's ice to Engvall etc. are part of the reason we keep losing in the post season. Physicality is still a part of hockey and they are constantly undervaluing that intangible, almost overlooking it completely at times with their team building. That is a Dubas philosophy. I think as long as he is here that is going to hold the team back from being competitive in the playoffs. A team like Tampa or Boston would have signed Max over Jarnkrok to support their stars.

The myth that they overlook that part is wrong. They certainly don't lose because of physicality either, but generally speaking they've added plenty of physical players over the years. From Muzzin to Booch to Foligno to Simmonds to Clifford to Ritchie, etc. So they have made moves that doesn't upgrade the physicality, but they also have made moves that do. Complaining Ritchie lost his minutes is really something else because he was absolutely god awful. They skipped on Perry, reportedly, to sign Simmonds... another tough guy.

Domi is 100% not a physical player either, so that argument is really weird. He's a rat and he's not overly bad, but Jarnkrok is someone that plays a very good 2-way game and with a lot more intensity in puck battles.

It's mind boggling how many people can't let go of the Marchment for Malgin trade. It's blinding every assessment.

 

[TMLAM34]

Yeah, even though Jarnkrok hasn’t been great, I would still take him any day over Domi.

 

[stickty111]

I'm not a big fan of signing Jarnkrok for 4 years at 2.1M when you could have signed Max for 1 year at 2.1M. These are the type of decisions, like passing on Perry, trading Marchment for Malgin, trading Kadri for Kerfoot, giving Ritchie's ice to Engvall etc. are part of the reason we keep losing in the post season. Physicality is still a part of hockey and they are constantly undervaluing that intangible, almost overlooking it completely at times with their team building. That is a Dubas philosophy. I think as long as he is here that is going to hold the team back from being competitive in the playoffs. A team like Tampa or Boston would have signed Max over Jarnkrok to support their stars.

None of this is true. If anything going more physical has cost them.

 

[ACC1224]

I'm not a big fan of signing Jarnkrok for 4 years at 2.1M when you could have signed Max for 1 year at 2.1M. These are the type of decisions, like passing on Perry, trading Marchment for Malgin, trading Kadri for Kerfoot, giving Ritchie's ice to Engvall etc. are part of the reason we keep losing in the post season. Physicality is still a part of hockey and they are constantly undervaluing that intangible, almost overlooking it completely at times with their team building. That is a Dubas philosophy. I think as long as he is here that is going to hold the team back from being competitive in the playoffs. A team like Tampa or Boston would have signed Max over Jarnkrok to support their stars.

Why didn't they sign him then?
No team that thinks they can win would want this guy. He and his father have been run out of every town he's been in.

Dubas has made mistakes, no doubt. Not signing Domi isn't one of them.

 

[Magic Man]

The myth that they overlook that part is wrong. They certainly don't lose because of physicality either, but generally speaking they've added plenty of physical players over the years. From Muzzin to Booch to Foligno to Simmonds to Clifford to Ritchie, etc. So they have made moves that doesn't upgrade the physicality, but they also have made moves that do. Complaining Ritchie lost his minutes is really something else because he was absolutely god awful. They skipped on Perry, reportedly, to sign Simmonds... another tough guy.

Domi is 100% not a physical player either, so that argument is really weird. He's a rat and he's not overly bad, but Jarnkrok is someone that plays a very good 2-way game and with a lot more intensity in puck battles.

It's mind boggling how many people can't let go of the Marchment for Malgin trade. It's blinding every assessment.

They need team toughness. Having a couple energy players on line #4 is a good start and there are other physical players on the team. But, teams like Tampa and Boston consistently have it throughout the lineup, they target them in almost every transaction. I just see teams like that compiling groups of players who play with their heart on their sleeve and think if this team surrounded their star players the way they do with those player types they may start closing the game 7's out instead of dropping them by being harder on their opponents, through intimidation and mental warfare. They need more of that throughout the lineup.

Ritchie didn't mesh with the 1st line through the first 8 games and he got pushed aside pretty quickly when Bunting came in. Early in the season Engvall was seen as the odd man out and it didn't take him long to steal Ritchie's spot in the lineup. So far in his stint in Arizona Ritchie has 13 goals - 19 points - 86 hits in 30 games. It looks like they should have given Ritchie a longer leash in Toronto and not cast him aside so quickly.

Domi plays with an edge. You do seem to be right in the sense he doesn't throw many body checks. But, he fights and is always engaged similar to the way Bunting is

 

[LeafSteel]

Never been an advocate to bring Domi in.

Always heard he was an inconsistent d-bag in the room, and I loathe the idea of Tie Domi making a return to MLSE. It’s bad enough we have Paul Marner to contend with.

Just found it interesting as I had not heard of that previously.

 

[TMLAM34]

They need team toughness. Having a couple energy players on line #4 is a good start and there are other physical players on the team. But, teams like Tampa and Boston consistently have it throughout the lineup, they target them in almost every transaction. I just see teams like that compiling groups of players who play with their heart on their sleeve and think if this team surrounded their star players the way they do with those player types they may start closing the game 7's out instead of dropping them by being harder on their opponents, through intimidation and mental warfare. They need more of that throughout the lineup.

Ritchie didn't mesh with the 1st line through the first 8 games and he got pushed aside pretty quickly when Bunting came in. Early in the season Engvall was seen as the odd man out and it didn't take him long to steal Ritchie's spot in the lineup. So far in his stint in Arizona Ritchie has 13 goals - 19 points - 86 hits in 30 games. It looks like they should have given Ritchie a longer leash in Toronto and not cast him aside so quickly.

Domi plays with an edge. You do seem to be right in the sense he doesn't throw many body checks. But, he fights and is always engaged similar to the way Bunting is

I definitely don’t disagree with you when it comes to having tougher players throughout the lineup. However you do know that Boston let Ritchie walk right? Ritchie isn’t very good at playing the game of hockey. We need tougher players who actually can play the game.

 

[Magic Man]

Why didn't they sign him then?
No team that thinks they can win would want this guy. He and his father have been run out of every town he's been in.

Dubas has made mistakes, no doubt. Not signing Domi isn't one of them.

He may not have been willing to sign at a discount rate for them like he was willing to do for Toronto.

 

[TorMapleJays]

Why would we ever sign Simmonds over a guy who has won championships at every level he has played at, and is top 10 in active Stanley Cap playoff points…. In what world is Simmonds the choice over Perry? I wonder what was the deciding factor… political/religious beliefs? Corporate image? I don’t know but… I know Corey Perry is and always has been a better hockey player then Simmonds.

 

[TMLAM34]

One kid I’d love Dubas to go and save basically is Barrett Hayton. Bunting - Hayton - Steeves third line. Let’s see it!

 

[ACC1224]

He may not have been willing to sign at a discount rate for them like he was willing to do for Toronto.

Probably it.

Why would we ever sign Simmonds over a guy who has won championships at every level he has played at, and is top 10 in active Stanley Cap playoff points…. In what world is Simmonds the choice over Perry? I wonder what was the deciding factor… political/religious beliefs? Corporate image? I don’t know but… I know Corey Perry is and always has been a better hockey player then Simmonds.

It definitely had nothing to do with the last junior team he played for.

Perry should have been signed, 100%.

 

[SprDaVE]

They need team toughness. Having a couple energy players on line #4 is a good start and there are other physical players on the team. But, teams like Tampa and Boston consistently have it throughout the lineup, they target them in almost every transaction. I just see teams like that compiling groups of players who play with their heart on their sleeve and think if this team surrounded their star players the way they do with those player types they may start closing the game 7's out instead of dropping them by being harder on their opponents, through intimidation and mental warfare. They need more of that throughout the lineup.

Ritchie didn't mesh with the 1st line through the first 8 games and he got pushed aside pretty quickly when Bunting came in. Early in the season Engvall was seen as the odd man out and it didn't take him long to steal Ritchie's spot in the lineup. So far in his stint in Arizona Ritchie has 13 goals - 19 points - 86 hits in 30 games. It looks like they should have given Ritchie a longer leash in Toronto and not cast him aside so quickly.

Domi plays with an edge. You do seem to be right in the sense he doesn't throw many body checks. But, he fights and is always engaged similar to the way Bunting is

Team toughness comes from your star players. They've added plenty of complimentary players to round out the toughness overall.

Ritchie was tried in 3 different lines and roles, then he was waived. Nobody wanted him. He was a dump for another tough player that was OK for the most part.

Domi doesn't play with an edge at all. If he does, ZAR, NAK, Kampf and Bunting add plenty of edge then.

 

[cyris]

I definitely don’t disagree with you when it comes to having tougher players throughout the lineup. However you do know that Boston let Ritchie walk right? Ritchie isn’t very good at playing the game of hockey. We need tougher players who actually can play the game.

Adam Lowery is a guy I think could be a good fit in the bottom 6 if Winnipeg is out by the deadline.
Wouldn’t cost a fortune, lower cap hit than Kerfoot who he likely replaces after this season. Solid defensively and tough as hell.

Matthew Knies could also bring some of the same elements to the top 6.

 

[TMLAM34]

Adam Lowery is a guy I think could be a good fit in the bottom 6 if Winnipeg is out by the deadline.
Wouldn’t cost a fortune, lower cap hit than Kerfoot who he likely replaces after this season. Solid defensively and tough as hell.

Matthew Knies could also bring some of the same elements to the top 6.

Lowry is definitely a great option. I wonder what the asking price would be on someone like him.

 

[cyris]

Lowry is definitely a great option. I wonder what the asking price would be on someone like him.

He has a few years of term so it probably wouldn’t have the crazy rental price bump.

I think his value is probably around a 2nd and a good but not great prospect. Especially if Winnipeg starts looking at making major changes.

 

[TMLAM34]

He has a few years of term so it probably wouldn’t have the crazy rental price bump.

I think his value is probably around a 2nd and a good but not great prospect. Especially if Winnipeg starts looking at making major changes.

I wonder if something like Steeves and Ottawas 3rd rounder would do it.

 

[cyris]

I wonder if something like Steeves and Ottawas 3rd rounder would do it.

It’s really hard to say. At that point I guess all that would matter is if they really liked Steeves as a prospect and if they felt they had no better offers.
It also depends how motivated the Jets are to make a deal. One one side you have a core that just isn’t working but you also have time with Lowry as they would have 3 more years to move him.

 

[Warden of the North]

It is exceedingly frustrating that the Habs just randomly signed Xhekaj as a free agent. Exactly the player we need on our Dcore.

Sigh.

 

[Fogelhund]

Adam Lowery is a guy I think could be a good fit in the bottom 6 if Winnipeg is out by the deadline.
Wouldn’t cost a fortune, lower cap hit than Kerfoot who he likely replaces after this season. Solid defensively and tough as hell.

Matthew Knies could also bring some of the same elements to the top 6.

If Knies is ready to play for us, he probably slots in at 3LW for us in the playoffs this year... if he's ready.

We've got a long season, and plenty of time to look at our internal bottom six options. We have lots of options, including guys playing for the Marlies at the current time. Gaudette had a tremendous game last night, and has plenty of NHL experience, and certainly plays with some grit. Steeves, Anderson and Holmberg have also played extremely well. Holmberg I hope they leave down with the Marlies, until he really excels offensively though.

Lowry is an interesting name, depending on cost, and availability. Comtois, who is a LW, is a buy low candidate... if we feel like we could use another LW.

That being said, it wouldn't shock me if we had to use expendable assets on a backup goalie, and a top 4 RHD, to replace Murray and Muzzin, if they aren't going to come back.

Curtis Douglas isn't having a very good start to his Marlies season. He isn't looking very good at the AHL level this year, and while it's early, that doesn't look good for his future NHL potential. Let's hope he really picks it up.

 

[Fogelhund]

It is exceedingly frustrating that the Habs just randomly signed Xhekaj as a free agent. Exactly the player we need on our Dcore.

Sigh.

Nobody kid, working at Costco during the start of Covid, who was playing High School hockey a few years ago. Undrafted in the OHL, undrafted in the NHL, not very big... then grew and bloomed late. One heck of a story. I mean it's just luck, but you are right... why couldn't it happen to us?

We'd need the Right handed version of him.. but yes... we sure could use that.

 

[Dekes For Days]

In what world is Simmonds the choice over Perry?

It probably wasn't even really a choice between the two. Considering that Perry only signed right before the season started, 2 and a half months after FA and Simmonds signing, he probably initially overestimated his worth in the new Covid cap world, and by the time Perry came around, the Leafs already had Simmonds for that role.

Your perception of what he was at that point is also no doubt impacted by hindsight and his recent resurgence, because he was coming off two injury-filled seasons with bad production, and he looked pretty much done.

 

[Menzinger]

I'm not a big fan of signing Jarnkrok for 4 years at 2.1M when you could have signed Max for 1 year at 2.1M. These are the type of decisions, like passing on Perry, trading Marchment for Malgin, trading Kadri for Kerfoot, giving Ritchie's ice to Engvall etc. are part of the reason we keep losing in the post season. Physicality is still a part of hockey and they are constantly undervaluing that intangible, almost overlooking it completely at times with their team building. That is a Dubas philosophy. I think as long as he is here that is going to hold the team back from being competitive in the playoffs. A team like Tampa or Boston would have signed Max over Jarnkrok to support their stars.

Domi doesn't strike me as exactly a positive dressing room presence though. Physicality aside, he's earned awful lot of red flags during his fairly brief time in the NHL so far

 

[andora]

It probably wasn't even really a choice between the two. Considering that Perry only signed right before the season started, 2 and a half months after FA and Simmonds signing, he probably initially overestimated his worth in the new Covid cap world, and by the time Perry came around, the Leafs already had Simmonds for that role.

Your perception of what he was at that point is also no doubt impacted by hindsight and his recent resurgence, because he was coming off two injury-filled seasons with bad production, and he looked pretty much done.

Still a miss.. no matter how it is framed

Yes recent play helps get another contract and his was good. Were they worried about his injuries?.. that doesnt really align with who has been acquired since.

Still a miss.. and it is OK

 

[TMLAM34]

What are peoples thoughts on Jake McCabe? Defensive first type of dman, can kill penalties and play both sides. Still under contract past this season. Would be an upgrade over Holl and definitely available from Chicago.

Rielly - Liljegren/McCabe
Sandin - Brodie
Giordano - McCabe/Liljegren