Trades and Free Agency - 2022-23 Season Edition

[Stephen]

We have the room for 1 Muzzin contract sized player. Horvat fits and maybe the Leafs should double down on their forwards so they can finally score goals in the post-season.

Don't forget Kerfoot's money comes off the books too, so $9.1 million is saved if Muzzin is LTIR'ed and Kerfoot goes away. Horvat could get some of that, and another defenseman the rest. If Murray goes away, the bulk of his money goes to Samsonov, etc. Horvat would be a luxury, but we kind of get a little closer to when we had Kadri.

 

[Amadeus]

We have the room for 1 Muzzin contract sized player. Horvat fits and maybe the Leafs should double down on their forwards so they can finally score goals in the post-season.

Need to be extremely selective with what type of player we acquire. What we are actually missing is someone who can play on our PP and garner enough attention to let players leave some space for Matthews and Marner. You either do that by acquiring a D-man that can rip it and score from the point or you do that by acquiring a shooter who can slot in on either wing and rip it.

Horvat doesn't do that for us.

We need to inject more options on our PP so teams can give Marner and Matthews space on the PP come playoff time.

 

[SprDaVE]

Need to be extremely selective with what type of player we acquire. What we are actually missing is someone who can play on our PP and garner enough attention to let players leave some space for Matthews and Marner. You either do that by acquiring a D-man that can rip it and score from the point or you do that by acquiring a shooter who can slot in on either wing and rip it.

Horvat doesn't do that for us.

We need to inject more options on our PP so teams can give Marner and Matthews space on the PP come playoff time.

A top pairing defenseman would also be really good, or at least someone that can take up Muzzins minutes.

The majority of games are played 5 on 5 though. Leafs had the best PP in the league last year, and they are on pace for at least a top 5 finish again. Not sure a defenseman that can "rip it" is really the one thing that changes anything.

 

[leafsfan5]

Also with the Blues struggling it might be good to keep tabs on ROR in that same light

No thanks for ROR

I’d take a long look at Tarasenko if he’s available, though. Another shooter would be nice

 

[Amadeus]

A top pairing defenseman would also be really good, or at least someone that can take up Muzzins minutes.

The majority of games are played 5 on 5 though. Leafs had the best PP in the league last year, and they are on pace for at least a top 5 finish again. Not sure a defenseman that can "rip it" is really the one thing that changes anything.

I agree that the majority of games are played 5 on 5 but in the playoffs, our PP has been pretty neutralized. There is a formula now on how to play us. Matthews is covered so he's unable to get space and get his shot off, and Marner is covered so he isn't able to pass it as openly. Playoffs are much different than the regular season and I think we need to really balance out our PP to give us that advantage in post season.

If we'll have a shot worth respecting from the point, that leaves more space open for the forwards to operate.

 

[Fogelhund]

Need to be extremely selective with what type of player we acquire. What we are actually missing is someone who can play on our PP and garner enough attention to let players leave some space for Matthews and Marner. You either do that by acquiring a D-man that can rip it and score from the point or you do that by acquiring a shooter who can slot in on either wing and rip it.

Horvat doesn't do that for us.

We need to inject more options on our PP so teams can give Marner and Matthews space on the PP come playoff time.

Is that really our biggest concern though, getting someone to play on our PP, which was the #1 unit in the league last year, and is quickly climbing the ranks this year? Horvat does have an excellent shot from the Bumper spot though, which is where Matty has been playing most of this year.

Depth in scoring, and quality goaltending seemed to be the biggest concerns from last playoffs. Horvat certainly would provide depth in scoring, is excellent on the draw, and certainly isn't small. It would give us arguably the best C depth in the league.

 

[Amadeus]

Is that really our biggest concern though, getting someone to play on our PP, which was the #1 unit in the league last year, and is quickly climbing the ranks this year? Horvat does have an excellent shot from the Bumper spot though, which is where Matty has been playing most of this year.

Depth in scoring, and quality goaltending seemed to be the biggest concerns from last playoffs. Horvat certainly would provide depth in scoring, is excellent on the draw, and certainly isn't small. It would give us arguably the best C depth in the league.

I really think it is. Our PP was extremely potent in the regular season last year but not in the playoffs.

If we can acquire a D-man that can play in the top 4 and play alongside Rielly on the top PP, that's a big win for us. I think that player is Jakob Chychrun.

He's got a howitzer of a slapshot and a very deadly wrister as well, and he can easily be inserted into our top 4 provided he's healthy.

 

[Fogelhund]

I really think it is. Our PP was extremely potent in the regular season last year but not in the playoffs.

If we can acquire a D-man that can play in the top 4 and play alongside Rielly on the top PP, that's a big win for us. I think that player is Jakob Chychrun.

He's got a howitzer of a slapshot and a very deadly wrister as well, and he can easily be inserted into our top 4 provided he's healthy.

I don't really think it's prudent to make decisions on 7 game sample sets, when you've got hundreds of games that show the opposite.

"provided he's healthy"... which hasn't been at all this year, and he's missed more hockey than Muzzin the last four years. That's a bad bet.

You want a PP shot... here he is..

 

[Ashdown2]

No thanks for ROR

I’d take a long look at Tarasenko if he’s available, though. Another shooter would be nice

yeah i have a feeling mangement will target a guy like O'Reilly or Tarasenko, depending on how the offense is looking by christmas. IMO both guys wouldnt be worth it because of the asking price/bidding war, but its a likely scenario

 

[arso40]

Need to be extremely selective with what type of player we acquire. What we are actually missing is someone who can play on our PP and garner enough attention to let players leave some space for Matthews and Marner. You either do that by acquiring a D-man that can rip it and score from the point or you do that by acquiring a shooter who can slot in on either wing and rip it.

Horvat doesn't do that for us.

We need to inject more options on our PP so teams can give Marner and Matthews space on the PP come playoff time.

Only problem is there’s only 5 guys on a power play and if it’s not a defencemen who are you suggesting comes off based on what you said it’s nylander since Tavares is the net front presence I don’t think there’s an upgrade on nylander at his number I would rather get a right shot defencemen that plays defence don’t let the string of games fool us into thinking that we don’t need one

 

[meefer]

While I'm all in favor of a Horvat or Timo Meier I'd suggest we wait a little while longer before making an offer for those types of players. Either would be a substantial investment, and potentially just rentals. Still, I'd love either, and would pull the trigger (if required/wanted) well before the TDL.

One trade I'd consider today would depend on how management/coaching values Wayne Simmonds. He's been a pro's pro, and if he can't play here, I'd look to Philly to see if there's interest. I think Torts would love to have Wayne's presence in the room. While doing well early, I'd attribute the Flyers start to Carter Hart. I don't think they're going to continue doing as well as they have. Let Simmonds finish where he had his glory days. With both teams being at 23/50, the swap has to be equal in the number of bodies, and for the Leafs, cap neutral.

To Phil: Simmonds, Benn, SDA
To Tor: Braun, one of Frost/Allison/Karzynski, Barratt

With 2 1sts next year, I think the Flyers are ok with dropping in the standings and increasing their returns with their picks. Braun is an upgrade on Benn, and could replace Holl. F/A/K aren't producing much, and SDA is proving to be more dangerous than Barratt in the AHL.

 

[Gabriel426]

Don't really understand why Rutherford has taken such an anti-Boudreau stance. Don't like him? Let him go. You're a president with a GM, go find a coach if you don't like his structure.

Think JR is prepping for Trotz, lol.

 

[Gabriel426]

If you really want a big trade, and take on some of their big contracts... Horvat, Demko and Ferland... have to move Murray and Kerfoot to them for contract considerations... I'm not sure the actual costs of such a deal, but it wouldn't be cheap, that's for sure.

Ferland is retired, and his contract goes to LTIR... but Vancouver has tried to move the contract before, to save money, and taking him on, might be attractive to Aquilini.

Demko hasn't had a great year, but their D is a complete tire fire, and a lot of what's been given up, hasn't been his fault. He is a very good goalie, and could be the solution we've been looking for. Of course, Horvat at 3C would give us a very deep team.

Getting Demko from Nucks would be a dream but doubt Nucks would trade him. Despite his current season, he is one of the untouchables. Unless Martin takes the #1 job.

Also with the Blues struggling it might be good to keep tabs on ROR in that same light

I would take ROR over Horvat as a rental.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

yeah i have a feeling mangement will target a guy like O'Reilly or Tarasenko, depending on how the offense is looking by christmas. IMO both guys wouldnt be worth it because of the asking price/bidding war, but its a likely scenario

You could in theory squeeze ROR and Tarasenko @50% by moving just Kerfoot and leave yourself $1.5M-$2M in cap space with Muzzin on LTIR.

Price would be insane but our offense would be ridiculous.

 

[TMLAM34]

I could see Horvat being an offseason UFA target, upgrade on Kerfoot. Not as a trade target though.

Horvat will probably get at least 7 million a year, how would we fit that in? Not to mention, his agent already mentioned how he thinks Horvat is a number 1 center in the league. Not against Horvat at all, he’d be a huge addition but him or Tavares would have to probably move to the wing.

 

[The Podium]

Dumba is a pending UFA, and while he’s not replacing Muzzin defensively he can add a level of physicality and a big shot from the point

Not a player I feel comfortable giving full term too though

 

[4thline]

I think we really need to wait and see what Liljegren and Robertson do with the season before considering major adds on d or the wing.

 

[TMLAM34]

I think we really need to wait and see what Liljegren and Robertson do with the season before considering major adds on d or the wing.

Starting to agree with this. Any major additions or trades probably should wait until the off-season after we see how this group performs one last time together in the playoffs potentially. Not to mention if they fail, I’d rather the new GM make any roster changes himself rather than Dubas. Adding guys like Robertson, Knies and Holmberg potentially the our lineup also helps with them being on their ELC.

 

[4thline]

Starting to agree with this. Any major additions or trades probably should wait until the off-season after we see how this group performs one last time together in the playoffs potentially. Not to mention if they fail, I’d rather the new GM make any roster changes himself rather than Dubas. Adding guys like Robertson, Knies and Holmberg potentially the our lineup also helps with them being on their ELC.

Sorry, that was unclear- I'm meaning moreso rental type discussions for this season. Those young guys solidifying their spots as top 6/4 respectively changes that equation. What we think we need now could be quite changed by the deadline

 

[andora]

Need a defenceman far more than a forward in my opinion - we have one all around dman and one budding all around dman - brodie needs support

Just think about playoffs and what you have watched over the years - can this d core sustain that war?

This is also an addition that needs to be done earlier than later - not a trade deadline price.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

If the Canucks go for a full rebuild there's a chance Demko could be availible. He'd cost a lot but with a tandem of Demko and Samsonov our goaltending would be top 3 to 5 in the league. I think it's the right move to become a true threat to win the cup.

 

[Fogelhund]

Getting Demko from Nucks would be a dream but doubt Nucks would trade him. Despite his current season, he is one of the untouchables. Unless Martin takes the #1 job.


I would take ROR over Horvat as a rental.

It really depends on how much Vancouver is actually going to tear things down. There very much appears to be a power struggle there, between JR and Aquilini, as to the future direction of the team. If they go for a full tear down, and rebuild, you really do have to wonder about who goes, and who stays. I mean, JR did say, they wanted to clear out big contracts, and Demko is one of those.

I haven't watched much of St. Louis this year, but what exactly is going on with RoR? Ten games, one assist, -12??? His skating isn't what it once was for sure, and St. Louis fans aren't very happy with his play.

Need a defenceman far more than a forward in my opinion - we have one all around dman and one budding all around dman - brodie needs support

Just think about playoffs and what you have watched over the years - can this d core sustain that war?

This is also an addition that needs to be done earlier than later - not a trade deadline price.

On the surface, I'd agree... that one physical, good defensively all round D... to replace Muzzin... but, we shall see what is available, how the season goes, and what our need really is. If a guy like Demko becomes available, does that change the narrative?

 

[andora]

It really depends on how much Vancouver is actually going to tear things down. There very much appears to be a power struggle there, between JR and Aquilini, as to the future direction of the team. If they go for a full tear down, and rebuild, you really do have to wonder about who goes, and who stays. I mean, JR did say, they wanted to clear out big contracts, and Demko is one of those.

I haven't watched much of St. Louis this year, but what exactly is going on with RoR? Ten games, one assist, -12??? His skating isn't what it once was for sure, and St. Louis fans aren't very happy with his play.



On the surface, I'd agree... that one physical, good defensively all round D... to replace Muzzin... but, we shall see what is available, how the season goes, and what our need really is. If a guy like Demko becomes available, does that change the narrative?

I dont see them blowing it up .. i think the only narrative in moving demko is created by fans and those that speculate over his hip injury history and the doom that he will fall hard and fast and get ahead of trading him

Their other goalies arent near enough to make a decision on about moving forward without demko

 

[SprDaVE]

I think we really need to wait and see what Liljegren and Robertson do with the season before considering major adds on d or the wing.

I think Knies could be a big wild card as well. I don't think he'll come in and be a superstar or anything but he could very well be that "free" deadline acquisition that just plays really well.

Robertson has been one of my fav prospects for awhile. Full stop. With that said, I would not be overly surprised if the Leafs sell relatively high on him if they are able to maybe acquire a legit top end player, whoever that is when the time comes. I'd be sad if they did but... a cup run is a cup run. It would have to be a really damn good player/return though.

 

[ULF_55]

I think Knies could be a big wild card as well. I don't think he'll come in and be a superstar or anything but he could very well be that "free" deadline acquisition that just plays really well.

Robertson has been one of my fav prospects for awhile. Full stop. With that said, I would not be surprised if the Leafs sell relatively high on him if they are able to maybe acquire a legit top end player, whoever that is when the time comes. I'd be shocked if they did but... a cup run is a cup run. It would have to be a really damn good player/return though.

Leafs should hold onto their future ELSC's.

At TDD see about a rental or two.

Going to need ELSC players next few years, and when the Cap has increased lock them in.