Trades & Free Agency Thread: 2024-2025 - Deadline-ageddon

[Hotpot]

I think the challenge on Rantanen is the ask. He's turned down allegedly $12.5 mil x 8 from Carolina, and $11.5-12 from the Avalanche. He apparently is looking for between $13-14 mil. Would you be good with signing Rantanen for over $13 mil?

I'd sign him to 14 x 8.

 

[SprDaVE]

So we can fleece Carolina by get Rantanen (signed) for Cowan, then get Parayko for Knies.

Dreams aside, given the Leafs lack of assets, the GM needs to get creative.

That's a lot of wishful thinking first of all. Second, Treliving hasn't made a single impactful trade so far and we're thinking he'll pull off 2 huge trades like that before Friday. It's not happening.

Knies is developing into a big time power forward. He's cost controlled as well. If you want Parayko, go for him and forget adding the 12M+ winger.

 

[Americanadian]

Dewar, Reaves and Kampf should all be in the mix to be dumped. Dewar in particular has been such a let down this season, could head up on waivers if he doesn't wake up.

I wouldn’t lose sleep if they moved off Domi and Jarnkrok either. Jarnkrok is fine value for 2.1M in the regular season but he has such a long track record of doing nothing in the playoffs it’s impossible to ignore. Domi just isn’t a 3.75M player if he’s not with Matthews.

 

[Fogelhund]

I don't know if Dewar has gotten a completely fair shake. Injuries hasn't helped either.

I think Berube has a hard-on for Kampf. Im practically penciling in Kampf as a regular, along with the main guys. This is the way I see it if we potentially get Laughton or another center

------------------------------------

Knies - Mathews - Marner
Domi - Tavares - Nylander
McMann - Laughton - Jarnkrok
Lorentz - Kampf - *Paccioretty
*Holmberg
*Robertson
Dewar (traded)
Reaves (Maybe traded? Doubt real value)

Dewar only has 3 points in 30 games. He's our least productive forward, and we actually score more/60 when Reaves is on the ice, than Dewar. Now, I'd suggest Reaves hasn't had any more opportunity than Dewar has, and yet.. still more productive (very marginally though)

Steeves on the other hand, has two points in seven games, with basically the same opportunity.

On a team that needs depth scoring, there are a very areas we can improve, and I'd suggest that not playing Dewar or Reaves is a start in the right direction.

Lorentz Kampf Steeves is our best fourth line, with the current roster players available.

 

[hamzarocks]

If they offer Cozen and Tuch then maybe you think about dealing Knies.

Tuch is basically knies max ceiling version (65-75 pt player with a PWD esque game)

Not sure why they would deal him + Cozens for Knies

Realistically Knies if hes the best asset in a deal for a team like Sabres would be bringing quality youth assets that are unproven and for the future

Think

Knies + 2025 2nd for Quinn/Kulich+ Ostlund + 2026 Sabres top 5 protected 1st

If he is not the best player in a deal then it would be something like

Knies + Cowan for Rantanen type deal

 

[Fogelhund]

I'd sign him to 14 x 8.

For a player who has 6 points, in 11 games away from MacKinnon? Surely he is better than what he's shown... but that's a boat load for a guy, who doesn't appear to be the play driver.

So we can fleece Carolina by getting Rantanen (signed) for Cowan, then get Parayko for Knies.

Dreams aside, given the Leafs lack of assets, the GM needs to get creative.

At this juncture, Parayko isn't getting moved. The idea that anyone will fleece Carolina for Rantanen, is misguided at best. They might not get back what they sent for him, but the package would still be significant.

 

[Hotpot]

For a player who has 6 points, in 11 games away from MacKinnon? Surely he is better than what he's shown... but that's a boat load for a guy, who doesn't appear to be the play driver.


At this juncture, Parayko isn't getting moved. The idea that anyone will fleece Carolina for Rantanen, is misguided at best. They might not get back what they sent for him, but the package would still be significant.

Like people on this boards has kinda said. True power forwards are difficult to find, and with the contact shy players that the Leafs have, they are even more valuable.

 

[Fogelhund]

Like people on this boards has kinda said. True power forwards are difficult to find, and with the contact shy players that the Leafs have, they are even more valuable.

Rantanen is a big forward, but I wouldn't call him a power forward at all.

 

[Hotpot]

That's a lot of wishful thinking first of all. Second, Treliving hasn't made a single impactful trade so far and we're thinking he'll pull off 2 huge trades like that before Friday. It's not happening.

Knies is developing into a big time power forward. He's cost controlled as well. If you want Parayko, go for him and forget adding the 12M+ winger.

Yeah, that's why I think we'll be in for a disappointing trade deadline and if big trades do happen, I would be scared that we get fleeced (please don't trade the 2016 1st).

I wouldn't trade Knies for Parayko without knowing we have a replacement power forward coming to play with Matthews though. I think through the 4 nations, we've learned Matthews needs a power forward to be effective defensively.

 

[stats1]

Leafs are going to end up getting a guy like Kunin and calling it a day. Treliving is not a guy that makes big moves in season. He hasn’t even made a big trade in 2 years here. lol I’m not expecting much tbh

 

[thusk]

Agreed. Prices only go up. I think most of the time it’s a game of chicken. Nobody wants to move first.

not really how its working, they're not a lot of seller and team selling keeping price pretty high right now... team waiting in hope price goes down closer of deadline

 

[hullsy47]

I think the challenge on Rantanen is the ask. He's turned down allegedly $12.5 mil x 8 from Carolina, and $11.5-12 from the Avalanche. He apparently is looking for between $13-14 mil. Would you be good with signing Rantanen for over $13 mil?

I would hes a big boy like knies with hands like marner

 

[Fogelhund]

I would hes a big boy like knies with hands like marner

Big boy, but he doesn't play big like Knies does. He's not a true power forward.

 

[ITM]

Find another way to Rantanen other than Knies.

He's not meshing with Carolina, a better playoffs team than us and that's a red flag.

Knies on the other hand has now proven he can produce but more importantly, he is a controlled, drafted asset developed properly. Chemistry has a value that requires extreme evaluation before disruption. I value Knies more than Cowan, Minten and our 26 1st combined.

I would sooner trade Reilly for whatever assets could be had that improve our depth if I knew that an unsigned Rantanen was in hand for other assets not named Knies.

And if there isn't another way to an unsigned Rantanen, then we have to have the constitution to stand firm in the team we have who has gotten close with ROR and perhaps his ilk, and try to get other pieces with the means we have and not extend beyond them. It never works.

Our core has to lead and be the difference and no one piece is going to make THEM (Willy excluded naturally) do it.

 

[Torontonian]

Friedman on 32 thoughts:
- If Rantanen is available, the Leafs will be interested. Kept saying this is something you can't count Tre out of
- Poured cold water on Schenn, would love to have him but will be tough to acquire + STL is back in the playoff race
- Leafs will look for insurance on D
- said he would be "floored" if the leafs do not add a forward

I too will be floored if Toronto doesn't add a forward.... And so help me god on Friday evening If I hear from Treliving "We have our own deadline addition, by having Jankrok coming back".

 

[thewave]

Find another way to Rantanen other than Knies.

He's not meshing with Carolina, a better playoffs team than us and that's a red flag.

Knies on the other hand has now proven he can produce but more importantly, he is a controlled, drafted asset developed properly. Chemistry has a value that requires extreme evaluation before disruption. I value Knies more than Cowan, Minten and our 26 1st combined.

I would sooner trade Reilly for whatever assets could be had that improve our depth if I knew that an unsigned Rantanen was in hand for other assets not named Knies.

And if there isn't another way to an unsigned Rantanen, then we have to have the constitution to stand firm in the team we have who has gotten close with ROR and perhaps his ilk, and try to get other pieces with the means we have and not extend beyond them. It never works.

Our core has to lead and be the difference and no one piece is going to make THEM (Willy excluded naturally) do it.

100% with you on all of this. Knies is off the table but Rantanen Vs Marner is a heck of an internal competition for that spot.

 

[Schennanigans]

Is rants open to a short term deal? Trade for him if he’s open to a 14m 3 year deal. I wouldn’t trade knies in a deal for him. Only way I’m trading knies is a package for a #1-2 defender.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Cap/roster constructions says you can't do 3 wings making 11-14M in Rantanen, Marner and Nylander.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

There’s a lot of good players available but I’m trying to lower my expectation to 2 total trades:

To TOR: Geekie (50% retained)
To BOS: FLA 2025 2nd, Grebenkin

To CHI: 2026 1st, Domi, Robertson
To TOR: Murphy, Kurashev

Waive: Timmins, Reaves

Knies-Matthews-Marner
Kurashev-Geekie-Nylander
McMann-Tavares-Jarnkrok
Lorentz-Kampf-Holmberg
Pacioretty-Dewar

McCabe-Tanev
Rielly-Murphy
OEL-Myers
Benoit

This 23 man roster would leave the Leafs about $8000 under the cap.

In no world is there a serious playoff roster with Jarnkrok's name on it. We have enough playoff ghosts with the core 4.

 

[Hotpot]

Cap/roster constructions says you can't do 3 wings making 11-14M in Rantanen, Marner and Nylander.

Make that 4, the way Knies is playing

That's a lot of wishful thinking first of all. Second, Treliving hasn't made a single impactful trade so far and we're thinking he'll pull off 2 huge trades like that before Friday. It's not happening.

Knies is developing into a big time power forward. He's cost controlled as well. If you want Parayko, go for him and forget adding the 12M+ winger.

Are we sure Knies is cost controlled? The RFA deals we signed Matthews, Nylander and Marner to suggest otherwise...

 

[SprDaVE]

Are we sure Knies is cost controlled? The RFA deals we signed Matthews, Nylander and Marner to suggest otherwise...

He is? He's a RFA. So he can't really walk and the Leafs can figure out a course of action without any time restraints or a team sweeping in. Whether he gets a lot from the Leafs or is not really the point. If he asks too much this off-season then maybe you trade him I guess? You're suggesting trading Knies for essentially Rantanen, who is asking for well over 12M long-term... I don't think Knies will be a 12M player.

 

[Fogelhund]

In no world is there a serious playoff roster with Jarnkrok's name on it. We have enough playoff ghosts with the core 4.

I think the bigger issue is we could use his cap space. Jarnkrok isn't much of a playoff performer, in a middle six role, there is no question there, but he's still a far better player than Dewar or Reaves for example. Plus, in the past he's been a good PKer too.

I don't know how we could afford cap wise to have a fourth line of Lorentz/Kampf/Jarnkrok, and like you, I don't think he's been productive enough to be played above that.

 

[nuck]

Leafs are going to end up getting a guy like Kunin and calling it a day. Treliving is not a guy that makes big moves in season. He hasn’t even made a big trade in 2 years here. lol I’m not expecting much tbh

I don't think he had the option to make any changes in year 1 except trim around the edges. Big deals involve the NM boys and that requires presidential approval (and would still be hard as hell to do.) He traded big name players in Calgary when he saw a need but the real assets here are all locked up.

"Everything is on the table" doesn't seem to mean much to the existing group of regulars but I believe BS will allow any non regular to be moved to save his job/legacy and push for a real playoff run. Remember they don't have to fire Shanny, he expires this year. There is a big different between canning someone with years left paying out millions, and just saying seeya we need a new direction. It happened to Kyle right?

What can you get for Nicky Bobby and some maybe future NHLers and picks? The only thing that opens the door to a "big move" is probably Knies and if they think his 24% shooting percentage is sustainable he either stays or they will need to win a trade which is tough in a sellers market.

I would imagine they have a few offers out and the teams are just waiting to see if they can drive the price up. Stuff will happen. I don't have faith in Tre to make a gifted trade, I have faith on his need to do the obvious and trade assets while the window is wide open. IMO draft picks to 2027, every player not in the NHL, and Robertson are all out there. The underachieving vets aren't really assets except to balance the money so I don't count them as coin to spend. If you don't offer talent ready to step into the NHL now that limits the teams that are interested but there are deals to be made and the Prez is hearing footsteps

 

[WTFMAN99]

He is? He's a RFA. So he can't really walk and the Leafs can figure out a course of action without any time restraints or a team sweeping in. Whether he gets a lot from the Leafs or is not really the point. If he asks too much this off-season then maybe you trade him I guess? You're suggesting trading Knies for essentially Rantanen, who is asking for well over 12M long-term... I don't think Knies will be a 12M player.

Tuch and Knies are basically identical

Tuch signed in Oct of 18-19 season and

55 pts in 78PG or 58pts in 82GP pace (Knies pacing so far)
52 pts in 74 gp or 58 pts in 82gp pace (Tuch actual and pacing)

Tuch signed 5.83% cap hit on a 7 year deal

Knies on the same for a 95.5M cap is 5,567,650 - I would just bump it to 5.75M x 6-7 years

 

[Antropovsky]

If they offer Cozen and Tuch then maybe you think about dealing Knies.

Knies isn't even done his 2nd full NHL season and is one the best goal scorers in the league, has 23 goals and 40 points in 56 games. He's as untouchable as they come.