Trades and Free Agency - 2022-23 Season Edition

[ULF_55]

I don't think he has the mind for the game to consistently create on his own, his wheelhouse is keeping skilled plays alive or finishing them off and his line hasn't been able to make those plays happen regularly.

True enough.

He had good hands, even back in viewings from the Coyotes, he looked like in tight, and on a quick developing play he could finish.

His line needs to be better for him to be better.

 

[Martin Skoula]

True enough.

He had good hands, even back in viewings from the Coyotes, he looked like in tight, and on a quick developing play he could finish.

His line needs to be better for him to be better.

Imo he has the same kind of head for the game as a Kessel or Bozak, they're very clever inside of individual plays but aren't high IQ in a macro sense of being able to control the game's tempo and breaking down defenses.

 

[SprDaVE]

Did a quick look on cap-friendly for some goalies that might be attainable. Seeing as Matt Murray was described as "ways away" by Keefe just a couple days ago, and Samsonov has a knee injury which could be anywhere from day to day, to months long absence.

Aaron Dell (SJS) - Dell has had NHL success in the past, but recent seasons haven't been kind. Solid first 3 games to start off the year in the AHL, and was previously signed by the Leafs before being claimed off waivers at the end of camp. James Reimer certainly one of the most stable options, and would cost more. - and no, SJS won't trade Reimer, he's currently the Sharks starter.

Michael Hutchinson (VGK) -

Anton Khudobin (DAL) - It's worth mentioning, in case DAL/TOR got a third team involved, but straight up likely isn't an option. Even if Dallas retained 50%, Khudobin would carry a cap hit of $1.667M, which isn't buriable when/if both Samsonov & Murray are healthy again. However, Khudobin has NHL experience, and is only 2 seasons removed from elite quality play. Would need to have double retention to be an option

Joonas Korpisalo (CBJ) - It's been a while since Korpisalo's 15-16 rookie season where he put up a .920 sv% in 31 appearances. At this point, he's a mid to low end backup. A pending UFA, and Columbus clearly running with Elvis/Tarasov as their tandem, Columbus likely would be okay allowing Korpisalo to get an opportunity elsewhere. It's not a great solution, but might be one of the more likely ones.

Cory Schneider (NYI) - This one is a bit of a whacky scenario to imagine, however Schneider had an extremely strong season in the AHL last year, and is off to a good start this year. There's obvious health concerns, and the Islanders GM isn't one for moving players to give them opportunities elsewhere - but it's not the biggest stretch in the world.

Louis Domingue (NYR) - For most of his career he's been a solid backup goalie. He's nothing special and can turn out .880 performances just as often as .910 performances. However he has a track record at the NHL level, which is what the Leafs need,

Dustin Tokarski (PIT) - Tokarski spent the last 2 seasons being second in command to Craig Anderson in Buffalo. This season through his first 6 games, he has a .945 for Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate.

Malcolm Subban (BUF) - Not much to say really. Subban is just okay. He was okay in Vegas, and okay in Chicago. He's likely fourth on the depth chart in Buffalo.

Magnus Hellberg (OTT) - Ottawa claimed Hellberg off of waivers earlier this year due to Cam Talbot going down with an injury. With Talbot back, the Leafs/Sens could hook up on another trade. With Artem Zub slated to possibly return next week anyway, Ottawa will likely be placing Hellberg on waivers regardless.

The timing was off and we had 2 healthy goaltenders at the time but the Leafs really missed the Adin Hill giveaway.

Not sure any of these goaltenders really are an upgrade on Kallgren. I don't think the Leafs will have both their goaltenders on IR long-term either, but if they are then they should probably aim higher. The Leafs might as well just roll the dice on Kallgren and Petruzzelli.

Hellberg would be ok from waivers but with the 50 limit after Petruzzelli, can't really do that. Korpisalo might be ok if given away, he has been awful though so that's a lot of risk for the reward.

 

[Americanadian]

The timing was off and we had 2 healthy goaltenders at the time but the Leafs really missed the Adin Hill giveaway.

He was available all summer. He could have been brought in instead of Murray or Samsonov at any point.

 

[LeafChief]

I'd like to see Steeves get a shot. Engvall needs to figure it out or get moved.

 

[Judas Tavares]

Would really love to see a trade for Horvat. We would be so strong down the middle and he would be another great option to add to Kampf for the PK. Would even let the team spread things out, maybe trying Nylander with him if the Nylander-Tavares pairing goes cold again.

The issue is, he is a rental and there's no chance the team could re-sign him. Thus, he would be a very expensive rental. Don't want to see this team spend even more than they already have on rentals. This group needs to figure it out before there is a continued amount of high spend resulting in nothing.

 

[Fogelhund]

I'd like to see Steeves get a shot. Engvall needs to figure it out or get moved.

Steeves, Anderson, Gaudette, Abruzzese are all playing well for the Marlies at the moment and should be in consideration at some point. We have plenty of forward depth at the moment, for injury or lack of performance replacement.

Would really love to see a trade for Horvat. We would be so strong down the middle and he would be another great option to add to Kampf for the PK. Would even let the team spread things out, maybe trying Nylander with him if the Nylander-Tavares pairing goes cold again.

The issue is, he is a rental and there's no chance the team could re-sign him. Thus, he would be a very expensive rental. Don't want to see this team spend even more than they already have on rentals. This group needs to figure it out before there is a continued amount of high spend resulting in nothing.

I think we need to really establish what our needs are, before we use up our trade currency. It might be a C, or a RHD in the Muzzin style, or it might turn out we need a goalie of injury issues persist.

I get the want, but I think we should be patient until such time as the true need identifies itself.

 

[justashadowof]

I'd like to see Steeves get a shot. Engvall needs to figure it out or get moved.

It was one thing when Pierre Engvall was paid like a marginal player. Now that he's making $2.25M for reaching/lunging and turning away from finishing his check, I'm developing a real dislike for the player. Who has delivered less? Engvall's 1g 0a in 11 games compared to Aube-Kubel's 0g0a in 6 games?

 

[Cor]

The timing was off and we had 2 healthy goaltenders at the time but the Leafs really missed the Adin Hill giveaway.

Not sure any of these goaltenders really are an upgrade on Kallgren. I don't think the Leafs will have both their goaltenders on IR long-term either, but if they are then they should probably aim higher. The Leafs might as well just roll the dice on Kallgren and Petruzzelli.

Hellberg would be ok from waivers but with the 50 limit after Petruzzelli, can't really do that. Korpisalo might be ok if given away, he has been awful though so that's a lot of risk for the reward.

I think if the Leafs make a move, it’s an AHL forward for the goalie type of move.

I wouldn’t be surprised if a Hellberg for Joey Anderson type trade happens for example.

CBJ could consider a d-man (Benn, Mete, Dahlstrom?) for Korpisalo I think

 

[ER89]

He's a free agent next year. A winger also. Not A C like eichel who got three 1st round picks or less

RFA. Saying it as a free agent is disingenuous and he's not getting much more than he is now.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I think if the Leafs make a move, it’s an AHL forward for the goalie type of move.

I wouldn’t be surprised if a Hellberg for Joey Anderson type trade happens for example.

CBJ could consider a d-man (Benn, Mete, Dahlstrom?) for Korpisalo I think

I don't think the Leafs are overly motivated to move Anderson right now, even for a goalie.

He may end up being a factor for our NHL team at some point this year.


G Joonas Korpisalo


G Erik Kallgren
LW Pavel Gogolev

That is a fair swap. CBJ saves real money, which should be the main value they get out of Korpisalo at this point. Kallgren is a better fit as a #3 for them and they lack forward prospects for the Monsters right now so Gogolev could be a decent reclamation project for them. They have plenty of contract room so they wouldn't care about taking the extra contract.

Leafs get a more experienced, but also more expensive, #3 goalie while opening up a contract spot for this year and next. If Korpisalo does well enough with us and everyone becomes healthy enough later on, we could possibly flip him for a pick at the TDL.

 

[uncleben]

I don't think the Leafs are overly motivated to move Anderson right now, even for a goalie.

He may end up being a factor for our NHL team at some point this year.


G Joonas Korpisalo


G Erik Kallgren
LW Pavel Gogolev

That is a fair swap. CBJ saves real money, which should be the main value they get out of Korpisalo at this point. Kallgren is a better fit as a #3 for them and they lack forward prospects for the Monsters right now so Gogolev could be a decent reclamation project for them. They have plenty of contract room so they wouldn't care about taking the extra contract.

Leafs get a more experienced, but also more expensive, #3 goalie while opening up a contract spot for this year and next.

I like it in theory, but Korpi makes almost twice as much as Kallgren, and really hasn't putting up good NHL numbers in a while

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I like it in theory, but Korpi makes almost twice as much as Kallgren, and really hasn't putting up good NHL numbers in a while

Clearly the Leafs would have to like Korpisalo as a goalie and that he can bounce back in Toronto.

We also have to remember that this is mostly just a temporary solution. Worst case, he has to be buried for a small cap hit and it is not like Kallgren or Gogolev are huge losses. Wouldn't be surprised if we non-tender Kallgren at the end of the year to give him a chance elsewhere anyways, and Gogolev hasn't been trusted since losing his AHL job in the middle of last year.

 

[Stephen]

I like it in theory, but Korpi makes almost twice as much as Kallgren, and really hasn't putting up good NHL numbers in a while

Korpisalo makes $1.3 million and is a UFA so I think that's about going rate for a pro goalie with positive NHL experience in the past. I think you'd want a Samsonov-Korpisalo duo with Kallgren in the wings though, but have no idea what price CBJ would want. (Assuming Murray is basically a write off).

 

[TheShape]

Said it in the summer and I'll say it again: I don't understand how Dubas and this management group weren't all over a guy like Dominik Kubalik. Top 6 winger sitting there had for a 2.5m cap hit. Would've complimented Tavares perfectly. 30 goal scorer two years ago I believe so the potential is there.

14 pts in 11 games. Stevie Y knows what's up.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Yeah not big on Korpisalo .. Folks remember his one great playoff run (his only playoff appearance), but his regular season stats are not that good:

He's had a sub .900 save percentage and GAA above 3 since the 2020/21 season (0.887 SV%).

He had one nice year with a .911 SV% in 2019/20 .. And his rookie season .920 in 2015/16

But between those two seasons he was sub .900. Also his career highs for games played: 37, 33, and then 31.

Basically he's struggled to be a decent goalie in a backup 1B role .. on teams that have generally been more defensive minded.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Said it in the summer and I'll say it again: I don't understand how Dubas and this management group weren't all over a guy like Dominik Kubalik. Top 6 winger sitting there had for a 2.5m cap hit. Would've complimented Tavares perfectly. 30 goal scorer two years ago I believe so the potential is there.

14 pts in 11 games. Stevie Y knows what's up.

I was big on him as well .. thought it was a missed opportunity. He's got some size and physicality too.

 

[TheShape]

I was big on him as well .. thought it was a missed opportunity. He's got some size and physicality too.

It's another big swing and a miss when you consider we're paying Engvall the same amount, who at no point will ever reach that top 6 ceiling.

 

[BertCorbeau]

It's another big swing and a miss when you consider we're paying Engvall the same amount, who at no point will ever reach that top 6 ceiling.

I was thinking more that they could trade Kerfoot, in lieu of signing Jarnkrok, and use that money for a guy like Kubalik.

Engvall provides some game breaking speed, and some size. He also did get 15 goals, 35 points without PP time last year so there is some decent depth offense there. And he PK's (Kubalik doesn't).

 

[The Podium]

Said it in the summer and I'll say it again: I don't understand how Dubas and this management group weren't all over a guy like Dominik Kubalik. Top 6 winger sitting there had for a 2.5m cap hit. Would've complimented Tavares perfectly. 30 goal scorer two years ago I believe so the potential is there.

14 pts in 11 games. Stevie Y knows what's up.

Players have to want to sign deals…. It’s possible Kubalik didn’t want to come to Toronto/Canada

 

[Martin Skoula]

Steeves, Anderson, Gaudette, Abruzzese are all playing well for the Marlies at the moment and should be in consideration at some point. We have plenty of forward depth at the moment, for injury or lack of performance replacement.


I think we need to really establish what our needs are, before we use up our trade currency. It might be a C, or a RHD in the Muzzin style, or it might turn out we need a goalie of injury issues persist.

I get the want, but I think we should be patient until such time as the true need identifies itself.

We should also be thinking of consolidating some of the NHL depth into picks/cap space for the deadline. Our competition spent the majority of their liquid assets last deadline and 2023 picks are much higher value than the 22s were, if there was ever a year to be a major player in the rental market it's this year.

Ideally for pieces that would be good for a playoff run and could give us options to pivot if things go south and we need a core trade (Kane, Horvat, Meier)

 

[TheShape]

I was thinking more that they could trade Kerfoot, in lieu of signing Jarnkrok, and use that money for a guy like Kubalik.

Engvall provides some game breaking speed, and some size. He also did get 15 goals, 35 points without PP time last year so there is some decent depth offense there. And he PK's (Kubalik doesn't).

It's just a given that Kerfoot should have been moved by now so I didn't feel the need to repeat myself. And I agree, Jarnkrok is the insurance there.

Engvall is a fine player at 1.4 or whatever he was on but once you near double his cap hit he's suddenly not worth the price. The team is in dire need of secondary scoring more than another PKer. Engvall, Kerfoot, Kampf, Jarnkrok it's just all more of the same profile.

Players have to want to sign deals…. It’s possible Kubalik didn’t want to come to Toronto/Canada

For sure but we'll never know that, or maybe the scouts just didn't rate the player over what was already had in house.

 

[4thline]

Would really love to see a trade for Horvat. We would be so strong down the middle and he would be another great option to add to Kampf for the PK. Would even let the team spread things out, maybe trying Nylander with him if the Nylander-Tavares pairing goes cold again.

The issue is, he is a rental and there's no chance the team could re-sign him. Thus, he would be a very expensive rental. Don't want to see this team spend even more than they already have on rentals. This group needs to figure it out before there is a continued amount of high spend resulting in nothing.

I agree on the C front, but would like to aim a little smaller. Thinking Acciari or Eller, add some playoff weight, a lot of stability down the middle and free us up to use the wingers as we see fit. Hard to build a line that's a liability with that C corp.

 

[willmma]

I've heard several people say the Leafs should trade for Reimer. Here is a list of all goalies who are under 37 years old, played at least 4 games this season and are posting .900%+ save percentage

Adin Hill looks good to me.

Who do you like?

 

[francis246]

I've heard several people say the Leafs should trade for Reimer. Here is a list of all goalies who are under 37 years old, played at least 4 games this season and are posting .900%+ save percentage

View attachment 604281

Adin Hill looks good to me.

Who do you like?

Vegas isn’t going to trade him with the goalie injuries they have. I think Riemer would be the most cost effective and a guy who’s played in this market, had some success and isn’t afraid to be here. He’s probably the right guy to get