Trades & Free Agency Thread: 2024-2025 Season Edition

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I'd rather pay a little more and see if they can land a 2nd. line center with term.

Two reasons:
  1. Matthews on again off again health issues dating back to last year's playoffs.
  2. Leverage on the Tavares re-sign.

If all they can muster is a 3rd. line center I'm not sure I'd worry about term so much. In the summer there will likely be better options for that position, maybe even Minten?
If you want a 2nd line center with term it's going to cost a lot more, unless the guy is ****
 
Disagree wholeheartedly

The data doesn't care, pretty much matches up with what the eye test shows.


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If you want a 2nd line center with term it's going to cost a lot more, unless the guy is ****

Yep.

But I'd rather have a p***k capable of playing the 2nd. line than a k***y playing the 3rd. line.

Going forward, beyond this year, looks like the team needs 1 top pairing defender and a 2nd. line center.
 
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I don’t understand the interest some have in Strome. Is he really an upgrade over Domi? His offensive numbers are similar, and while he’s a capable player, he comes with two years left on his deal after this season, which isn’t exactly a selling point in my opinion.

Wouldn’t Michael Backlund be the better target for several reasons? He has less term remaining, which keeps flexibility intact. He also seems like a stronger fit—his even-strength performance and possession stats are better, and as a playmaker, he could complement Nylander’s sniping ability perfectly.

Am I missing something about Strome, or is Backlund the clear better option here? Curious to hear other perspectives.
 
A 3rd d line C who is still young and can be our 2nd line C of the future with JT moving to 3rd when he slows Down on his next contract would be my target.

I’d be looking for a top 4 RHD on the same team to try and package them both in 1 deal.

1st, Robertson, Cowan + would be my starting point.
 
A 3rd d line C who is still young and can be our 2nd line C of the future with JT moving to 3rd when he slows Down on his next contract would be my target.

I’d be looking for a top 4 RHD on the same team to try and package them both in 1 deal.

1st, Robertson, Cowan + would be my starting point.
I agree with the needs and would pay that same price for the right guys. Do you have anyone in mind? Any target team? These trades might be tricky to pull off in-season.

Frost and Drysdale from Philadelphia? Are they good enough now? Are we offering enough? Too much?

Sillinger and Fabbro from Columbus?

I like the idea in theory and agree with the needs. It might be easier in two deals?

I would also throw in Holmberg, Steeves, Niemela in these deals for sure
 
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I agree with the needs and would pay that same price for the right guys. Do you have anyone in mind? Any target team? These trades might be tricky to pull off in-season.

Frost and Drysdale from Philadelphia? Are they good enough now? Are we offering enough? Too much?

Sillinger and Fabbro from Columbus?

I like the idea in theory and agree with the needs. It might be easier in two deals?

I would also throw in Holmberg, Steeves, Niemela in these deals for sure
Only reason I said same team is becuse once you move Cowan + in the first deal the added extras may not be enough to get the second target but 1st, Cowan and Robertson is a pretty big package to start with. At least I’d hope.

As for who, that’s a tough one. I wouldn’t know who’s actually available but those are all good suggestions you’ve provided so far.

Drysdale would be great. Think Mo, Tanev, McCabe, OEL and Drysdale. Pretty sweet top 5.
 
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I don’t understand the interest some have in Strome. Is he really an upgrade over Domi? His offensive numbers are similar, and while he’s a capable player, he comes with two years left on his deal after this season, which isn’t exactly a selling point in my opinion.

Wouldn’t Michael Backlund be the better target for several reasons? He has less term remaining, which keeps flexibility intact. He also seems like a stronger fit—his even-strength performance and possession stats are better, and as a playmaker, he could complement Nylander’s sniping ability perfectly.

Am I missing something about Strome, or is Backlund the clear better option here? Curious to hear other perspectives.

Exactly leafs need to find good complementary piece and its something some people don't look at all. Just watch crap team and shoot guy who have or had good stats as target but doesn't really know whst he will bring new to the team.

100% agree than Backlund would be a better fit with leafs and i never understood buzz around Strome
 
Exactly leafs need to find good complementary piece and its something some people don't look at all. Just watch crap team and shoot guy who have or had good stats as target but doesn't really know whst he will bring new to the team.

100% agree than Backlund would be a better fit with leafs and i never understood buzz around Strome

Yeah, the more I think about it the more I like Granlund for this team. I also think this could be a "quarter for two dimes and a nickel" scenario. Meaning, I would not overpay and would be comfortable walking away if the bidding got silly.

Holmberg, Steeves and Niemela for Granlund at 50% retained.

I think that is a pretty good return for SJ and I don't believe anyone should be giving up a 1st for him, so three young pieces with upside and at least two of them are NHL ready.

Knies Matthews Domi
Pacioretty Tavares Marner
McMann Granlund Nylander
Lorentz Kampf Dewar
Robertson

If Matthews is out of the line up:

Pacioretty Tavares Marner
Knies Granlund Nylander
McMann Domi Robertson
Lorentz Kampf Dewar
Jarnkrok

I would also be open to moving Kampf. Would Kampf and B prospect or a pick get you Gourde? Say Hirvonen? Webber?
 
Yeah, the more I think about it the more I like Granlund for this team. I also think this could be a "quarter for two dimes and a nickel" scenario. Meaning, I would not overpay and would be comfortable walking away if the bidding got silly.

Holmberg, Steeves and Niemela for Granlund at 50% retained.

I think that is a pretty good return for SJ and I don't believe anyone should be giving up a 1st for him, so three young pieces with upside and at least two of them are NHL ready.
This is wild. Granlund will be the highest producing UFA C (available) this deadline. I agree he’s not worth a 1st but you think the winning offer will be a AAAA player in Steeves who passed through waivers, a 25 year old tweener in Holmberg, and a 22 year old RD who’s a long shot to be an NHL regular. SJ also can’t retain so you’d have to send picks to a 3rd team.

I imagine a Granlund trade will look like the Tanev trade last year (2nd+B prospect).
I would also be open to moving Kampf. Would Kampf and B prospect or a pick get you Gourde? Say Hirvonen? Webber?
Seattle is going to accept an overpaid 4C and either a undersized, underproducing 23 year old or a project 24 year old that was acquired for a 6th last year for a playoff warrior 3C.

A Gourde trade also probably resembles the Tanev trade last year.
 
Yeah, the more I think about it the more I like Granlund for this team. I also think this could be a "quarter for two dimes and a nickel" scenario. Meaning, I would not overpay and would be comfortable walking away if the bidding got silly.

Holmberg, Steeves and Niemela for Granlund at 50% retained.

I think that is a pretty good return for SJ and I don't believe anyone should be giving up a 1st for him, so three young pieces with upside and at least two of them are NHL ready.

Knies Matthews Domi
Pacioretty Tavares Marner
McMann Granlund Nylander
Lorentz Kampf Dewar
Robertson

If Matthews is out of the line up:

Pacioretty Tavares Marner
Knies Granlund Nylander
McMann Domi Robertson
Lorentz Kampf Dewar
Jarnkrok

I would also be open to moving Kampf. Would Kampf and B prospect or a pick get you Gourde? Say Hirvonen? Webber?

1- Personally i don't see Granlund as a fit, likr i said earlier in an other post, leafs need someone as 3C who can bring emotion and energy to the game when team goes wrong, not a guy who will follow the rest of the group. Why i see player like Backlund/ Gourde and cie as a better fit for what leafs need. They are not as much skilled but they bring that part of the game

2- If you want value, you need to give value...

3- SJ already retaining on Burns, Karlsson and Hertl... So they can't retain on Granlund
 
This is wild. Granlund will be the highest producing UFA C (available) this deadline. I agree he’s not worth a 1st but you think the winning offer will be a AAAA player in Steeves who passed through waivers, a 25 year old tweener in Holmberg, and a 22 year old RD who’s a long shot to be an NHL regular. SJ also can’t retain so you’d have to send picks to a 3rd team.

I imagine a Granlund trade will look like the Tanev trade last year (2nd+B prospect).

Seattle is going to accept an overpaid 4C and either a undersized, underproducing 23 year old or a project 24 year old that was acquired for a 6th last year for a playoff warrior 3C.

A Gourde trade also probably resembles the Tanev trade last year.

You might be right, but I’m laying out what I’d offer and hoping it’s competitive. We’re in a position where we don’t need to overpay for modest TDL upgrades. The key is knowing our limits rather than outbidding desperate teams.

Granlund, Gourde, and Domi have comparable production over the past three years. Domi is the cheapest, but Granlund’s been the most productive this season—helped by over 21 minutes a night and 3+ on the PP. Adjust his even-strength production to Domi’s minutes, and he’s scoring at a similar rate. Gourde’s also comparable, plus he adds PK and defensive value.

We have to evaluate how these players fit in our lineup: what minutes they’ll play, who they bump, and the real net gain they bring. Is 18 games of Granlund (plus playoffs) worth three young, cost-controlled players? Steeves, for example, is NHL-ready but stuck behind our depth. Someone else may outbid us, and I’d be fine offering a 2nd and a B prospect, but my proposal feels stronger. I forgot SJ had no remaining retention slots. I’d throw in a 4th to solve it.

For Gourde, he’s a bottom-six C and pending UFA. He has two Cups, but that means little to Seattle if they’re out. They might value a cheaper replacement for the next couple of years plus another asset. Our picks may not carry the same weight as others, but I don’t think my offers are far off from fair value.

Ultimately, we need to set our price and not buckle to their asking price.
 
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They don't need a 3rd. line center, they need another 2nd. line center.

If it is a 3rd. line center then a rental is fine 'cuz he won't be needed next year.

Leafs need 3 lines capable of scoring as every playoffs have proven, and a 3rd. line center isn't going to be bringing offense or he'd be on the 2nd. line.

actual 3C from team who won cup

Lundell
Karlsson
Compher
Gourde x2
Bozak
Eller
Bonino x2
kruger


3C last 10 year.

Outside Karlsson, they was all clear 3C who get between 30 to 50 pts/season... and all those these got a least 3 producing line

Get 3 line producing doesn't mean you need a 60-70 pts C on a 3rd...
 
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The league looks wide open.
With the way Tanev plays, his age, OEL's age, I would guess we will get two really good seasons out of these two but after that it might get sketchy.
You could argue we're one strong trade from being as good as any team in the league.
I think we should be aggressive this year in improving our team.
 
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