GDT: Trades & Free Agency -- Off-season edition

[TimeZone]

Upgrade the the D, that' will allow to leafs foward to be able to take more risk in the offensive end because your D will be able to follow the game and make the play when you need it. If you're starting to pressure more and taking more risk, you will put d under pressure and force them to make mistake and that's will create offensive... but you need d who able to deal with it.

If you're trying to overcome your lack of quality of your D by overdefending and taking minimum of risk because your D group is not good enough to defend off the rush. Keefe system had been pretty great to hide leafs defensive issues but his system at the same time broke leafs offensive. The fact keefe had been able to hide it doesn't mean the problem is not there anymore. The problem just pop up in a different way but still the same.

Upgrade the D group will just help Toronto group to make their work in the offensive side.

The issue is we haven't produced enough goals, point blank.

I'm not looking for a Defender to suddenly come in and break that issue, I'm looking at our buttersoft 44 million "big four" to step up and produce goals when we need them most.

Marner should be absolutely gone, if we do well in a return we will be in a good position to build a proper team when JT's 11 million comes off the books.

Unless there's drastic change with the forward group I have absolutely zero interest in watching this team light it up in the regular season only to take perimeter muffins from the halfwall with Marner being more interested doing figurines to avoid contact than actually trying to put the puck in the net.

The team is a f***ing embarrassment as things stand, getting beat by very, very mediocre Bruins team in 2024 is just laughable.

 

[ULF_55]

I keep hearing this argument over and over, but shouldn’t a 11mil player be able to drive his own line? If they can’t drive their own line they shouldn’t be paid as elite talent imo…….

Are you referring to the $6.9mm player?

People keep lumping in the 6.9 guy with the double digits. I think it is just brainwashing by the social media, where if you keep repeating the same misinformation people believe it.

AI will take care of that ... it lies better.

 

[Trapper]

Dreger on the radio this morning:

-Necar is almost certainly going to be moved. Wants a bigger role on a new team.
-Mike Yeo is going to Ottawa
-The picture of Marner and Berube that circulated last week - it didn't actually happen on that day. It was taken just days after Berube was hired. He met up with a numbers of players to introduce himself and Mitch was one of them. Nothing more to that pic.

We need a 2C.
Yes please.

 

[mydnyte]

The issue is we haven't produced enough goals, point blank.

I'm not looking for a Defender to suddenly come in and break that issue, I'm looking at our buttersoft 44 million "big four" to step up and produce goals when we need them most.

Marner should be absolutely gone, if we do well in a return we will be in a good position to build a proper team when JT's 11 million comes off the books.

Unless there's drastic change with the forward group I have absolutely zero interest in watching this team light it up in the regular season only to take perimeter muffins from the halfwall with Marner being more interested doing figurines to avoid contact than actually trying to put the puck in the net.

The team is a f***ing embarrassment as things stand, getting beat by very, very mediocre Bruins team in 2024 is just laughable.

this is still a coaching issue...if the coach is preaching you need to get in the goalies face, and crash the crease, but the goalie has some of the best legwork in the league, you can never beat him in that tight.
players need to be in front of the net, but OUTSIDE the crease where they may have an actual chance of getting to a rebound, or a deflection not just hitting the goalie because you are much too close to him.
and seriously, any time a player does the skate past and around the net, i'd fine them $1000/per instance ...stop start drills are to make you able to stop in front of or next to the net, not do a fly by, and then not be in position to get the puck or a rebound, because you have already skated past the net.

Marner isnt the issue, as much as how he was used. he's our 2nd best overall player, and you'll lose any trade you make.

the forward group wasnt the issue either, its how they were lined up, and the bad system they were using, but, the defense was pathetic, and that is where all the $$ should go to bring in at least 2 top 4 RHD-men, that can break the cycle (which they sucked at) clear the zone (which they sucked at), and contribute to the offense (which they sucked at)

 

[Captain Crunch]

expectations are one thing... Marner is a 99 top 3 RWer in the NHL
I'd expect an Owen Power 1 for 1 not a prospect from the KHL regardless of his hype.
yes, my expectations are sky high, as Marner is a 'star' player

Marner is a star “regular season” player, who can also put up some points in the playoffs. However, if you look more closely, how many of his playoff points come in crucial situations, and how does his point totals go the longer a series goes on?

 

[ACC1224]

Are you referring to the $6.9mm player?

People keep lumping in the 6.9 guy with the double digits. I think it is just brainwashing by the social media, where if you keep repeating the same misinformation people believe it.

AI will take care of that ... it lies better.

Who's the 6.9 guy?

 

[ToneDog]

Dreger on the radio this morning:

-Necar is almost certainly going to be moved. Wants a bigger role on a new team.
-Mike Yeo is going to Ottawa
-The picture of Marner and Berube that circulated last week - it didn't actually happen on that day. It was taken just days after Berube was hired. He met up with a numbers of players to introduce himself and Mitch was one of them. Nothing more to that pic.

Necas may want more than Lindholm. I like him but his father might be another guy we might want to avoid.

 

[TMLAM34]

Necas is not a center, he sucks at faceoffs. You’re better off playing Nylander there if you want to acquire Necas to be our second line center.

 

[Fogelhund]

A single owner with deep pockets would really help imo, this media conglomerate is as bad or worse than the Harold Ballard era………

Or make it much worse…. Like the Ballard era , or everything Senators.

 

[mydnyte]

Upgrade the the D, that' will allow to leafs foward to be able to take more risk in the offensive end because your D will be able to follow the game and make the play when you need it. If you're starting to pressure more and taking more risk, you will put d under pressure and force them to make mistake and that's will create offensive... but you need d who able to deal with it.

If you're trying to overcome your lack of quality of your D by overdefending and taking minimum of risk because your D group is not good enough to defend off the rush. Keefe system had been pretty great to hide leafs defensive issues but his system at the same time broke leafs offensive. The fact keefe had been able to hide it doesn't mean the problem is not there anymore. The problem just pop up in a different way but still the same.

Upgrade the D group will just help Toronto group to make their work in the offensive side.

agree with most, but, the D we bring in need to be able to help contribute on offense too.
Skjei is far and away the best 2-way defender available, and he'd drop Rielly to 2nd pairing.
Walker is the most likely 'affordable' offensive RHD (great skater), while league min $$ Chatfield had 8 goals last season (15 mins a night) I'd love to take a flyer on him for the bottom pairing.
I'd also like to target Roy as he can chip in and has some toughness ...i think Montour will be far out of our price range (and perhaps Skjei also)

ideally, but unrealistic
Skjei - Walker
Rielly - Roy
McCabe - Chatfiled
...we can keep or trade the rest Lili, Benoit

more likely, and possible (and still a huge upgrade over last season)
Rielly - Roy
McCabe - Walker/Carrier
Benoit - Lili/Chatfield

 

[Trapper]

Necas is not a center, he sucks at faceoffs. You’re better off playing Nylander there if you want to acquire Necas to be our second line center.

If he’s not a C, then we can still offer him a bigger role on RW (if the price is right) and look to acquire a 2C.

 

[Americanadian]

Outside of a Marner deal (which I have proposed a few) there are a few trades that make sense to me for this off-season:

To STL: Woll
To TOR: Binnington

Leafs swap their promising, yet injury prone goalie for a proven starter with cup pedigree alongside the new coach. I'm a big believer in Woll but if you sign a Brossoit or Stolarz at 2.5-3M to back him up there is a good chance you need another goalie for 20 games. Binnington is local to Toronto, Woll local to St. Louis. Woll fits STL timeline better than Binnington. Binnington provides the Leafs with more stability and provides the coach with an immediate option he can trust.

To PHI: Liljegren
To TOR: Cates

Assuming the Leafs go shopping at RHD, Liljegren probably isnt going to play top 4 but he will probably get top 4 money (3-4M) in arbitration. Leafs trade a player who presumably won’t fit their cap structure for a buy low C candidate. Cates had a rough season but still put up elite defensive impacts. He is 1 year removed from a 38 point rookie season where he finished 1 spot behind Matthews in selke voting. Both players are the same age. Leafs can play Cates between Nylander and Knies as the defensive conscience for that line with some offensive pop as shown last season.

To NSH: Robertson, Jarnkrok
To TOR: Tomasino

Robertson for Tomasino makes sense as a base although the value favors the center. Leafs add Jarnkrok who Trotz would presumably want and most likely doesn’t fit the Leafs cap structure next season. Tomasino, like Cates, is a buy low C target but with higher boom/bust potential.

 

[TMLAM34]

When it comes to Liljegren, I would do something like this.

To Toronto: Jack McBain + COL 3rd Rounder
To Utah: Timothy Liljegren + VAN 5th Rounder

 

[Americanadian]

When it comes to Liljegren, I would do something like this.

To Toronto: Jack McBain + COL 3rd Rounder
To Utah: Timothy Liljegren + VAN 5th Rounder

If McBain for Liljegren was available I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'm not sure it's available though.

 

[Tony Romo]

Only teams like VGK and TB are allowed to make ruthless business decisions going forward. The Leafs can and will win the cup on goodwill.

Do you mind sharing when VGK or TB asked a player to waive a NMC 8 months after giving them Max term and a NMC clause?


Cause I may have missed those.

 

[Americanadian]

Do you mind sharing when VGK or TB asked a player to waive a NMC 8 months after giving them Max term and a NMC clause?


Cause I may have missed those.

I didn't say they did. I said they make ruthless business decisions. Which they do.

 

[Kiwi]

Spending upwards to 25m if they traded Kampf and Jankrok in free agency scares me.

This UFA crop has some quality players at least.

If Toronto can come out of free agency with 2 dman and a middle six forward again like Domin/ Ardvisson etc it will be a good off season.

The problem is even if the guys we get are very good at the start of these contracts chances are they won't be pleasant towards the end

I mean look at JT, he's been pretty good value for us but eventually it bites you in the ass

 

[TMLAM34]

If McBain for Liljegren was available I'd do it in a heartbeat. I'm not sure it's available though.

I think Toronto fans really overrate McBain because he’s big and physical. Arizona has decent depth down the middle, Cooley, Geekie, Hayton, Bjugstad, Kerfoot and McBain while the only defenceman they have signed to a contract is Weber (lol). Their blueline is awful and definitely an area they need and will improve on. Swapping their 4th line 12 minute a night physical center for a right handed defenceman who’s only a year older than McBain and logged almost 20 minutes a night on a contender is something I definitely see them willing to do.

 

[TMLAM34]

If he’s not a C, then we can still offer him a bigger role on RW (if the price is right) and look to acquire a 2C.

I’m not saying Necas is a bad player, he’s a good player with more to show but he’s more of what we already have. Offence only and not physical at all. Isn’t that what we’re trying to change from?

 

[Americanadian]

I think Toronto fans really overrate McBain because he’s big and physical. Arizona has decent depth down the middle, Cooley, Geekie, Hayton, Bjugstad, Kerfoot and McBain while the only defenceman they have signed to a contract is Weber (lol). Their blueline is awful and definitely an area they need and will improve on. Swapping their 4th line 12 minute a night physical center for a right handed defenceman who’s only a year older than McBain and logged almost 20 minutes a night on a contender is something I definitely see them willing to do.

You are absolutely correct regarding him being overrated but I don't think it's unique to Toronto. I am solely going off feedback I read from their fans and he seems pretty universally overrated. Physical C's are becoming more sparse by the day and U25 physical C's are almost non-existent. I think Utah would prioritize him over Kerfoot and Bjugstad and I don't believe Geekie will be in Utah next season. Cooley-Geekie-Hayton-McBain is a really solid 1-4C and they are all 24 or under. I can see the appeal in trying to keep that group together for 5-8 years.

I also view Liljegren as a square peg looking for a round hole. He will be paid as a 4D in arbitration but I'm not sure if he's going to be a NHL 4D. Utah would be able to absorb that excess cap hit though if they value the player. In a vacuum I think the trade favors Utah.

FWIW regarding McBain and Liljegren - below are the underlying for the four C's I think Toronto should target this off-season and the four 3RD I think they should look at.

With NHL average goals above replacement (GAR) this season being 3.9.

 

[Trapper]

I’m not saying Necas is a bad player, he’s a good player with more to show but he’s more of what we already have. Offence only and not physical at all. Isn’t that what we’re trying to change from?

If that’s the scouting report/bio on the player then you are 100% correct.
We need skill with playoff orientated style.

 

[rumman]

Or make it much worse…. Like the Ballard era , or everything Senators.

Aways s possibility, but a owner that loves hockey has to be better than a conglomerate that sees nothing but dollar signs…….

 

[Fogelhund]

Aways s possibility, but a owner that loves hockey has to be better than a conglomerate that sees nothing but dollar signs…….

It does not.... ownership isn't the problem. The problem is having bet on elite highly paid talents, who don't know how to win when it counts. That's it.

""

 

[JKG33]

To STL: Woll
To TOR: Binnington

Leafs swap their promising, yet injury prone goalie for a proven starter with cup pedigree alongside the new coach. I'm a big believer in Woll but if you sign a Brossoit or Stolarz at 2.5-3M to back him up there is a good chance you need another goalie for 20 games. Binnington is local to Toronto, Woll local to St. Louis. Woll fits STL timeline better than Binnington. Binnington provides the Leafs with more stability and provides the coach with an immediate option he can trust.

I love Woll, he's an extremely talented goalie, but he holds about 0 value to a team like St. Louis. They have their heir in Hofer, and teams rarely go with two inexperienced young goalies. Woll is older sure, but he's not reliable enough to "insulate" a younger goalie. They'd be looking to bring in a reliable vet to pair with Hofer.

I'd still love to get Binnington, but for the Leafs I'd love to partner him with Woll. Lightens Woll's workload in hopes he can stay healthy, and basically guarantees good goaltending every night between the two.

 

[TMLAM34]

You are absolutely correct regarding him being overrated but I don't think it's unique to Toronto. I am solely going off feedback I read from their fans and he seems pretty universally overrated. Physical C's are becoming more sparse by the day and U25 physical C's are almost non-existent. I think Utah would prioritize him over Kerfoot and Bjugstad and I don't believe Geekie will be in Utah next season. Cooley-Geekie-Hayton-McBain is a really solid 1-4C and they are all 24 or under. I can see the appeal in trying to keep that group together for 5-8 years.

I also view Liljegren as a square peg looking for a round hole. He will be paid as a 4D in arbitration but I'm not sure if he's going to be a NHL 4D. Utah would be able to absorb that excess cap hit though if they value the player. In a vacuum I think the trade favors Utah.

FWIW regarding McBain and Liljegren - below are the underlying for the four C's I think Toronto should target this off-season and the four 3RD I think they should look at.

View attachment 877847
View attachment 877845

With NHL average goals above replacement (GAR) this season being 3.9.

Drury is another solid option. Even though this is probably unrealistic, I’ve thought about Carolina being a landing spot for Marner. Both teams seem like they can’t get over the hump so a major change could really spark both teams. Something around Marner for Svechnikov and then if we could get Drury included in the deal if Liljegren is involved too wouldn’t be bad.