Trades and Free Agency - 2022 Off-season

[stickty111]

 

[CupcakeSprinkles]

I am not picking on your line-up specifically, but it is the latest example of a line-up that I think has a major flaw.

Kampf is a very strong checking centre and he needs to be part of a checking line, putting him with Simmonds or Robertson just doesnt make sense to me and I think makes the line fairly useless, Kampf does not provide offense and Simmonds and Robertson should not be on a checking line. I think we need to think about the purpose of each line if we want to achieve balance and depth. With no trades or signings, I like something like:

Bunting/Matthews/Nylander
Robertson/Tavares/Marner
Engvall/Kampf/Jarnkrok
NAK/Kerfoot/????

??? = Simmonds, Malgin, Anderson, or Gaudette

Personally, I'm in the camp that David Kampf is a 4th line centre and more offense needs to come out of that 3rd line. I don't view the third line as "checking" etc. It's just needs to be a strong two-way line.

 

[Fogelhund]

I think creating a bottom six with identity and purpose is far more useful for us.

I think a Kampf-led checking line with Engvall and Jarnkrok and fourth line that crashes and can chip in the odd goal will make this a much better team. I like a fourth line of NAK, Kerfoot and Anderson. Even better would be trading Kerfoot an bringing in Rodrigues and ZAR to join NAK on the fourth.

Kessel has to be in the top six to be valuable. I would rather see those minutes go to Robertson with a longer leash this year.

Bunting / Matthews / Nylander
Robertson / Tavares / Marner

I think Phil doesn't bring what we need...unless we don't want to gamble on Robertson and can sign Phil for Robertson money.

This whole bottom six with "identity" is massively overrated.

You want a team that can win.. that's it. You want a collection of players, who can help you win. Phil has won before, and he can bring scoring, far more than Rodrigues or ZAR. Personally, I think we should be going after Rodrigues too (I'd have him as a pickup ahead of Phil in priority). Ideally I'd add Stastny to the roster, if the ask wasn't too big... but that requires a set of dominoes that is unlikely.

If Leafs management truly believes that Robertson is ready, than sure, go with it... they are in a far better position than I to judge. From what I see, I think he's a Marlies at the start of the year, who might force his way onto the lineup. But, kids a super hard worker, with a ton of desire, so maybe I'm wrong. If Robertson is not ready, one thing we absolutely need, is more timely scoring.. especially in the playoffs, and Phil has done that many times, and there really isn't anyone else in our price bracket who could.

We talk about ZAR, Rodrigues, Stastny, Kessel... all guys who bring something that this team could use.. some different things too... but we don't know what their demands are, whether they are interested in playing here.. and so on... All four could be good adds, in their own way...

 

[WestCoastLeafs]

IMO Kessel won't go anywhere without a verbal guarantee that he'll be in the lineup every night, and I don't think we give him that. So seems like a non-starter to me.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Personally, I'm in the camp that David Kampf is a 4th line centre and more offense needs to come out of that 3rd line. I don't view the third line as "checking" etc. It's just needs to be a strong two-way line.

The 3rd line was used as a checking line almost all season last year so I would expect it to continue.

If the 2nd line has Tavares and Nylander than its going to be sheltered as it was last year. You really need the 3rd line to be strong defensively first and foremost to take the tough zone starts and matchups.

 

[4thline]

The more I think about it the less I'm interested in any forward add that isn't a Kerfoot/Jarncrok level player.
Between Robertson/Steeves/Anderson/Holmberg/Abruzzese/Malgin/Gaudette I'm liking the idea of having the two remaining roster spots "there for the taking"

 

[MAB1]

IMO Kessel won't go anywhere without a verbal guarantee that he'll be in the lineup every night, and I don't think we give him that. So seems like a non-starter to me.

Kessel's averaged 56 points over the past 2 seasons playing on an Arizona team devoid of any talent. Bunting as a 26 year old put up 63 points (65 point pace) last season riding shotgun to Matthews-Marner. The last time Kessel played on a team with actual star forwards, he was a 80-90 point winger. Would he be that now? Probably not but he's probably in between that and his Arizona production in a top 6 role meaning you could potentially have a 60-70 point forward.

The Leafs are not in a position to be scoffing at that if the price is affordable.

 

[Mickey Marner]

IMO Kessel won't go anywhere without a verbal guarantee that he'll be in the lineup every night, and I don't think we give him that. So seems like a non-starter to me.

This is a good point. He's probably more interested in that ironman streak than anything else. It's no coincidence that two of the softest players ever, Yandle and Kessel, are #1 & 2 all-time on the consecutive games played list.

 

[conFABulator]

Personally, I'm in the camp that David Kampf is a 4th line centre and more offense needs to come out of that 3rd line. I don't view the third line as "checking" etc. It's just needs to be a strong two-way line.

Done properly I would like to see us have two top lines and two bottoms... I could just as easily have put Kampf's line listed fourth here.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

The more I think about it the less I'm interested in any forward add that isn't a Kerfoot/Jarncrok level player.
Between Robertson/Steeves/Anderson/Holmberg/Abruzzese/Malgin/Gaudette I'm liking the idea of having the two remaining roster spots "there for the taking"

I like Willy. But I'm more than OK with downgrading in the skill dept. To add someone to work their ass off on JTs wing.

 

[zeke]

Personally, I'm in the camp that David Kampf is a 4th line centre and more offense needs to come out of that 3rd line. I don't view the third line as "checking" etc. It's just needs to be a strong two-way line.

Personally I'm of the view that the 3rd and 4th lines should both be good lines with one's strength being Offense and the other's Defense, and which is used more being determined by Game situation.

 

[conFABulator]

This whole bottom six with "identity" is massively overrated.

You want a team that can win.. that's it. You want a collection of players, who can help you win. Phil has won before, and he can bring scoring, far more than Rodrigues or ZAR. Personally, I think we should be going after Rodrigues too (I'd have him as a pickup ahead of Phil in priority). Ideally I'd add Stastny to the roster, if the ask wasn't too big... but that requires a set of dominoes that is unlikely.

If Leafs management truly believes that Robertson is ready, than sure, go with it... they are in a far better position than I to judge. From what I see, I think he's a Marlies at the start of the year, who might force his way onto the lineup. But, kids a super hard worker, with a ton of desire, so maybe I'm wrong. If Robertson is not ready, one thing we absolutely need, is more timely scoring.. especially in the playoffs, and Phil has done that many times, and there really isn't anyone else in our price bracket who could.

We talk about ZAR, Rodrigues, Stastny, Kessel... all guys who bring something that this team could use.. some different things too... but we don't know what their demands are, whether they are interested in playing here.. and so on... All four could be good adds, in their own way...

I really don't understand how identity can be over rated. Maybe substitute "purpose" in for identity?

Obviously we don't know how ready Robertson is, but I would like to try him and find out. As you said, hard working with desire...a very strong AHL finish and it solves a need for us if he is ready.

If not, we trade or juggle or see if Knies is the answer later in the season.

I am not sure he is ready but want him to get the shot and not be blocked by a signed VET that is no more of a sure thing.

 

[DraftSchmaft]

kessel kampf jankrok engvall kubel aston reese sounds like a cup winning bottom 6 to me. Gives perspective on cap space not being the main issue for this team. Ensemble choices were just mediocre.

Kerfoot doesn't seem necessary at all with that bottom 6.

Not sure where Malgin fits tbh I guess training camp will decide

 

[Fogelhund]

If not, we trade or juggle or see if Knies is the answer later in the season.

I am not sure he is ready but want him to get the shot and not be blocked by a signed VET that is no more of a sure thing.

A vet, putting up approx .8 ppg last year, on a team devoid of offense, has the same chance as being successful as a kid right out of NCAA in your viewpoint? I mean, that's exactly what you've said... "no more of a sure thing"....

 

[LeafChief]

Something I saw proposed in another thread is giving Bunting to the 2nd line.

Robertson - Matthews - Marner
Bunting - Tavares - Nylander

Marner and Matthews carried around the corpse of Thornton and actually had him playing around a point per game through the first 15 or so games of that season. People that watched Robertson in the AHL last year understand how good he can be. Throw him to the wolves and see how he does.

kessel kampf jankrok engvall kubel aston reese sounds like a cup winning bottom 6 to me. Gives perspective on cap space not being the main issue for this team. Ensemble choices were just mediocre.

Kerfoot doesn't seem necessary at all with that bottom 6.

Not sure where Malgin fits tbh I guess training camp will decide

I like it. How would you set up the lines?

 

[jaric1862]

Just as the third like does, the Leafs need to make a fourth line they can bury in the defensive zone.

If Robertson is able to make the team out of camp

Then a

XXX-Jarnkrok-N.A.K line would fit the bill (Idk who the LW would be)

 

[conFABulator]

A vet, putting up approx .8 ppg last year, on a team devoid of offense, has the same chance as being successful as a kid right out of NCAA in your viewpoint? I mean, that's exactly what you've said... "no more of a sure thing"....

I guess it depends on what you are measuring as successful.

Are we building a hockey team or drafting a hockey pool. I think Phil is pretty one dimensional and we don't lack that dimension. He brings no defensive game or physical element to the team. Knies and Robertson could bring both, certainly more than Phil does.

Phil got 0.8 pts per game...he also got six even strength goals in 82 games.

I also don't like the distraction factor. He has a history with this city that could be an issue, he also has an iron man streak that could be an issue. We want to be able to sit Phil when he needs to be sat and we don't need a circus around that.

 

[nuck]

IMO Kessel won't go anywhere without a verbal guarantee that he'll be in the lineup every night, and I don't think we give him that. So seems like a non-starter to me.

I don't think he can make that stipulation at this point in his career. Only a club with no forward depth could consider that and I dont see him wanting to go to another doormat

 

[meefer]

To Arizona: Engvall 2.25m x 1
To Toronto: Crouse 2.5-2.75m(?) he's an RFA
An add here or there to balance, but these are the two primary pieces.

To Montreal: Muzzin 5.65m x 2 and would have to waive his no trade clause
To Toronto: Anderson 5.5m x 5 and is he a bum or a playa?
Montreal could use the stabilizing force of Muzz, while escaping 5 years of Anderson being overpaid. Does Toronto see last year as the real Anderson, or a blip.

To New Jersey: Kerfoot 3.5m
To Toronto: McLeod .975k + 3rd in /24
I can't see much of a debate that Kerfoot has outperformed McLeod. The cap savings and the 3rd help Toronto sign Sandin @ 1.5-1.75m

Cap/Players out: 11.4M/3
Cap/Players in: 10.975M/4
.425k savings

Bunting Matthews Nylander
Robertson Tavares Marner
Crouse McLeod/Kamph Anderson
Jarnkrok McLeod/Kamph NAK

And then...looking into McLeod an article/tweet from yesterday saying he is one of the players on the junior squad that has yet to comment. I've lost interest in trying to spin this. That inquiry makes me ill.

 

[zeke]

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Kadri to NYI is a sad timeline

 

[Kurtz]

Kadri to NYI is a sad timeline

I think it's a false rumour...I don't really see the fit there. Not enough cap and they already have pretty good first and second line centres.

If Lou is sitting on a signed contract, I'd be more inclined to bet that it's Klingberg. They need a good puck-moving dman the most.

 

[Budz]

Phil Kessel at a low cap hit would be a very efficient infusion of offence and experience.

Comparing him at a low hit to Tavares at 11 and then calling everyone else idiots? Bold lack of self awareness.

What I am saying is fan base is all over or our PPG captain and highly performing Nylander.

These people are going to love watching out of shape Phil not back check and have his line destroyed by hard working lines. Then stuff it off in post game presser, because he does not care.

I think the guy is a dick. I would not want him anywhere near our team.

 

[Fogelhund]

To Arizona: Engvall 2.25m x 1
To Toronto: Crouse 2.5-2.75m(?) he's an RFA
An add here or there to balance, but these are the two primary pieces.

To Montreal: Muzzin 5.65m x 2 and would have to waive his no trade clause
To Toronto: Anderson 5.5m x 5 and is he a bum or a playa?
Montreal could use the stabilizing force of Muzz, while escaping 5 years of Anderson being overpaid. Does Toronto see last year as the real Anderson, or a blip.

To New Jersey: Kerfoot 3.5m
To Toronto: McLeod .975k + 3rd in /24
I can't see much of a debate that Kerfoot has outperformed McLeod. The cap savings and the 3rd help Toronto sign Sandin @ 1.5-1.75m

Cap/Players out: 11.4M/3
Cap/Players in: 10.975M/4
.425k savings

Bunting Matthews Nylander
Robertson Tavares Marner
Crouse McLeod/Kamph Anderson
Jarnkrok McLeod/Kamph NAK

And then...looking into McLeod an article/tweet from yesterday saying he is one of the players on the junior squad that has yet to comment. I've lost interest in trying to spin this. That inquiry makes me ill.

I don't see Arizona making that deal, unless the add is significant. Crouse will come in at $3 - $3.25 (Closest recent comparable might be Jordan Greenway at $3 mil.)

Not a fan of Anderson at all, so me personally would pass.

I'd love to add McLeod the player... but the World Junior problem is significant.

 

[LeafSteel]

What I am saying is fan base is all over or our PPG captain and highly performing Nylander.

These people are going to love watching out of shape Phil not back check and have his line destroyed by hard working lines. Then stuff it off in post game presser, because he does not care.

I think the guy is a dick. I would not want him anywhere near our team.

Debatably interesting and completely useless fact:

"Kessel", in Arabic, means "lazy".

True story.