Trades and UFA’s - Trade Deadline Edition

[Gallagbi]

Any other good or plausible reason why Patrick Kane is rehabbing in Mississauga aside from the scenario he wants to be a Leaf and we're just waiting to get rid of Jarnkrok?

Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world...

Besides resources and media coverage? Tons of great training facilities in the area, still close to home and he gets all this media buzz without any announcement or even clearance to play. Im not sure that happens in Buffalo

 

[justashadowof]

Well I guess we've not sneaking Timmins through waivers after last night.

 

[Stephen]

Besides resources and media coverage? Tons of great training facilities in the area, still close to home and he gets all this media buzz without any announcement or even clearance to play. Im not sure that happens in Buffalo

Most likely answer. But just seems funny that a superstar athlete’s best bet is Mississauga or Buffalo in the end…

 

[Fogelhund]

To solve the current Cap issue, I would do the following.

1. Move Jarnkrok for some type of futures...
2. Sign Kane for $1.6 mil.
3. Sign Gregor for league min.
Run 21 man roster. Robertson on Marlies.

Platoon Timmins and Gio, to judge where both are at in the regular season. If Timmins can continue to produce, and provide adequate defense, it gives you options. Same with Gio.

You showcase Klingberg and put him in a position to put up a ton of points.

You wait and see which teams are struggling, and need players.... move Klingberg and use those assets to bring in a heavier, more defensive D man.

Too many steps, and well into fantasy world... but I think Timmins can provide the offense we thought we'd get from Klingberg, and I think it gives us the opportunity to find a physical D, with term from a team struggling.

 

[TMLAM34]

I hope Robertson doesn’t start with the Marlies just because he’s waiver exempt like last year. That’s only going to crush his confidence and make him want out.

He’s had some great looks in the two games he’s played, hasn’t gotten one past a goalie yet but it’ll come. His overall play has shown he belongs in the NHL IMO.

 

[Fogelhund]

I hope Robertson doesn’t start with the Marlies just because he’s waiver exempt like last year. That’s only going to crush his confidence and make him want out.

He’s had some great looks in the two games he’s played, hasn’t gotten one past a goalie yet but it’ll come. His overall play has shown he belongs in the NHL IMO.

I don't think putting him on the Marlies crushes his confidence at all. It all comes down to communication with the player. In some ways, it could increase his confidence. Go down, dominate, work on a few things, and then come up when there is opportunity. Positive talk with the coaching staff, and his overall positive attitude and drive, and he'll be fine.

 

[ACC1224]

I hope Robertson doesn’t start with the Marlies just because he’s waiver exempt like last year. That’s only going to crush his confidence and make him want out.

He’s had some great looks in the two games he’s played, hasn’t gotten one past a goalie yet but it’ll come. His overall play has shown he belongs in the NHL IMO.

He's a polarizing player.
Many see this great potential, others see a career AHLer who is going to be quickly passed by other prospects.

I've never been that impressed, love to be wrong.

 

[Stephen]

He's a polarizing player.
Many see this great potential, others see a career AHLer who is going to be quickly passed by other prospects.

I've never been that impressed, love to be wrong.

Me neither. Robertson hasn’t really been that impressive since graduating from the OHL, but has never been in any one place long enough or healthy enough to do anything or build career momentum. Think the key is for him to have an AHL runway and just build a recent resume and confidence as a platform for his next promotion. He’s NHLish now but has no defined role. And has been completely outscored by a guy like Easton Cowan. So it’s hard to give him a Top 6 or 9 role just cause we feel sorry for him.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I could see him signing for 2 million , then bonuses to push his value to 6 mil if he reaches them .

The problem with bonuses is that if he makes them they come out of next year's cap, when the raises for Matty and Willy start, and we're still stuck with the Albatross.

 

[VanW27]

I hope Robertson doesn’t start with the Marlies just because he’s waiver exempt like last year. That’s only going to crush his confidence and make him want out.

He’s had some great looks in the two games he’s played, hasn’t gotten one past a goalie yet but it’ll come. His overall play has shown he belongs in the NHL IMO.

I mean, this time a year ago he was "dominant" in the preseason and lost out on the final spot largely due to waiver eligibility to an equally "dominant" Malgin.

Then a few weeks go by, Malgin is dumped for an AHL grinder, Robbie looks lost when he does play then gets his season ended after 15 games by injury.

If last year didn't teach people how meaningless preseason is I don't think anything could. The NHLers are just going through the motions, young "hungry" players always look good.

 

[Sypher04]

I mean, this time a year ago he was "dominant" in the preseason and lost out on the final spot largely due to waiver eligibility to an equally "dominant" Malgin.

Then a few weeks go by, Malgin is dumped for an AHL grinder, Robbie looks lost when he does play then gets his season ended after 15 games by injury.

If last year didn't teach people how meaningless preseason is I don't think anything could. The NHLers are just going through the motions, young "hungry" players always look good.

He doesn’t have it all figured out, but he definitely didn’t look lost when he got called up last year. Not sure why you’re hell bent on being overly negative on him

 

[VanW27]

He doesn’t have it all figured out, but he definitely didn’t look lost when he got called up last year. Not sure why you’re hell bent on being overly negative on him

I certainly wouldn't say I'm "hell bent.." I'm just not a big believer in him. I've been wrong plenty times before, will be wrong plenty more times, and absolutely wish him the best and would be happy to be wrong in this case.

I dont believe he thinks the game well enough to be an impact player. If things go well, he adds some muscle, stays healthy I see a Andreas Johnsson type player. That's not a bad player, Andreas has scored 20G in the NHL, and if not for injuries and then Covid exacerbated Asthma issues derailing things for him, he probably would have cracked 20 a few more times in his career.

 

[TMLAM34]

He’s also not looked out of place in these pre-season games. He definitely hasn’t figured it all out but I’ve noticed he isn’t putting himself in bad spots nearly as much as he was in the past. Maybe the last injury was an eye opener for him.

 

[Fogelhund]

He’s also not looked out of place in these pre-season games. He definitely hasn’t figured it all out but I’ve noticed he isn’t putting himself in bad spots nearly as much as he was in the past. Maybe the last injury was an eye opener for him.

Or maybe it's just a small sample set. I'm a believer in Robertson, but I think it would be best for him to start with the Marlies, dominate, grow in confidence, and then come up when there is an opportunity. He's missed a lot of development time, and some consistent time with the Marlies should help him get back on track.

 

[ACC1224]

He’s also not looked out of place in these pre-season games. He definitely hasn’t figured it all out but I’ve noticed he isn’t putting himself in bad spots nearly as much as he was in the past. Maybe the last injury was an eye opener for him.

Shouldn't the bar be set a little higher than not looking out of place against prospects, minor leaguers and 1/2 speed NHLers?
He should be standing out in these games, IMO.

 

[kb]

Shouldn't the bar be set a little higher than not looking out of place against prospects, minor leaguers and 1/2 speed NHLers?
He should be standing out in these games, IMO.

Which is exactly what he did before suffering a severe season ending shoulder surgery.

Can't blame the kid for having a little rust early in camp

 

[notbias]

Me neither. Robertson hasn’t really been that impressive since graduating from the OHL, but has never been in any one place long enough or healthy enough to do anything or build career momentum. Think the key is for him to have an AHL runway and just build a recent resume and confidence as a platform for his next promotion. He’s NHLish now but has no defined role. And has been completely outscored by a guy like Easton Cowan. So it’s hard to give him a Top 6 or 9 role just cause we feel sorry for him.

PPG in the AHL at the age he did it (20) is very impressive, I am not sure what else he is supposed to do besides not get injured.

Robertson is only 22 (just turned 22).

He had the same PPG or better than Holtz (21), Drury (23), Neighbours (21), Foudy (23), Raty (20), Slafkovsky (19), Pelletier (22), Holloway (22), and McBain (23) in the NHL last year (only checked rookies).

I am not saying you are giving up on him, but lots are, and I just don't understand it.

 

[LeafChief]

Adding Kane would be so hot.

 

[The Podium]

I think Robertson still has a ton of potential, although I wouldn’t say he’s ready. He relatively dominated the AHL at his age but for a limited sample. He hasn’t really played any hockey in 3 years so ideally he should start with the Marlies. If he can get hot to start the year there then I’d think he could really build on that momentum as a mid season call up. I’d rather that than making the team out of camp only to play 3rd/4th line minutes in a limited offensive capacity and f*** his confidence when he’s not immediately producing.

 

[Stephen]

PPG in the AHL at the age he did it (20) is very impressive, I am not sure what else he is supposed to do besides not get injured.

Robertson is only 22 (just turned 22).

He had the same PPG or better than Holtz (21), Drury (23), Neighbours (21), Foudy (23), Raty (20), Slafkovsky (19), Pelletier (22), Holloway (22), and McBain (23) in the NHL last year (only checked rookies).

I am not saying you are giving up on him, but lots are, and I just don't understand it.

I’m not cheering against Robertson getting a chance with the Leafs at some point but I’m not that excited with what I’ve seen so far. Think his best chance is to do the development time in the AHL and bide his time for a good opportunity.

 

[Stephen]

I think Robertson still has a ton of potential, although I wouldn’t say he’s ready. He relatively dominated the AHL at his age but for a limited sample. He hasn’t really played any hockey in 3 years so ideally he should start with the Marlies. If he can get hot to start the year there then I’d think he could really build on that momentum as a mid season call up. I’d rather that than making the team out of camp only to play 3rd/4th line minutes in a limited offensive capacity and f*** his confidence when he’s not immediately producing.

I don’t want to do a Cowan vs Robertson flavour of the month comparison but I’ve noticed the puck follows Cowan around and he’s always in the mix making something happen since the rookie tournament. I think he has an innate high IQ and sense for the flow of the game.

Robertson in comparison has a lot of great skill components, a ridiculous shot and has a fantastic motor. But notice the way he’s always working harder and not smarter. Always pressing, chasing after the play and how the puck doesn’t seem to find him at the NHL level, never seems to be presenting as the pass target clean. Like there’s no chill in his game and his spacing and timing is always a little off.

 

[Leafs1991]

PPG in the AHL at the age he did it (20) is very impressive, I am not sure what else he is supposed to do besides not get injured.

Robertson is only 22 (just turned 22).

He had the same PPG or better than Holtz (21), Drury (23), Neighbours (21), Foudy (23), Raty (20), Slafkovsky (19), Pelletier (22), Holloway (22), and McBain (23) in the NHL last year (only checked rookies).

I am not saying you are giving up on him, but lots are, and I just don't understand it.

Some of the guys you mentioned have skill profiles and physical profiles that could result in them carving out a career even if it isn't top 6. While others in that list, are top 6 or bust, and that's how I feel about Robertson. He's a top 6 or bust kind of guy and he so far hasn't been consistent enough or healthy enough to show he can handle the NHL level of play. I hope he turns out but I have lost lots of hope at this point.

 

[rojac]

The problem with bonuses is that if he makes them they come out of next year's cap, when the raises for Matty and Willy start, and we're still stuck with the Albatross.

Kane is not eligible for a contract with bonuses. Yes, he turns 35 in November but even if he waits until after his birthday to sign, his deal would not be considered a 35+ contract. To be a 35+ contract, the player must be 35+ on June 30 of the calendar year that the contract kicks in.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Kane is not eligible for a contract with bonuses. Yes, he turns 35 in November but even if he waits until after his birthday to sign, his deal would not be considered a 35+ contract. To be a 35+ contract, the player must be 35+ on June 30 of the calendar year that the contract kicks in.

Probably true, but I'm not sure what it has to do with my comment. Maybe you should have replied to the same post I did.

 

[horner]

The problem with bonuses is that if he makes them they come out of next year's cap, when the raises for Matty and Willy start, and we're still stuck with the Albatross.

To me Kane isn't coming that was my point

His contract will bonus ladder.