Trades & Free Agency Thread: 2024-2025 Season Edition

[1specter]

I don't believe it is all or nothing for him.

If he's offered 4*8mm in Pittsburgh(or another team) and 2*6mm in Toronto I doubt he turns down the Penguins.

He's not going anywhere else, book it.

 

[dubplatepressure]

I don't believe it is all or nothing for him.

If he's offered 4*8mm in Pittsburgh(or another team) and 2*6mm in Toronto I doubt he turns down the Penguins.

I think he'd easily turn that down.

 

[ULF_55]

I think he'd easily turn that down.

My guess money is still a factor, and again I'm saying re-sign him to as low as he'll go.

But I'm not counting on him being the 2nd. line center they need through 2027-2028 Leafs run.

Leafs don't have a potential 2nd. line center for the next 3 years in the system.

 

[Puckstuff]

I don't think that's unfair. I don't rate Danford as much, and a 3C at $2.5 million for the next two years is reasonable enough.

Edit... my bad, I was thinking of Webber, not Danford... ya, I'm not doing two firsts.... I'd give up Webber and a 1st... maybe Danford and Robertson... but not Danford and a 1st. That's too rich.

Pageau at 2.5 m for 2 years is ridiculous value. Anytime you’re getting surplus value, the price is higher. Pageau is very, very good defensively as well. Perfect piece imo.

 

[SprDaVE]

The asset/trade value from a rival fans perspective is always so much higher than the actual value. Never take their opinion on the matter and go for recent examples. The Leafs paid a 1st and a 2nd to get McCabe for 2 and a half seasons at 50% and he was far more valuable. They also even got Lafferty, who had a career season and wasn't even a pending UFA.

Pageau at 50% should be decently valuable, but there's no way it's that much. That's crazy to me. Let someone else pay that.

 

[ULF_55]

Pageau at 2.5 m for 2 years is ridiculous value. Anytime you’re getting surplus value, the price is higher. Pageau is very, very good defensively as well. Perfect piece imo.

Where is he going to play?

He's 7th. for even strength TOI/g for forwards on the 2nd. worst team in the east.

Retaining on that contract should be expected without a sweetener.

 

[Americanadian]

I think the reality is for a team like Utah, is that they look at their immense depth, and say to themselves -- they're interested in quantity for quality where they're trading the quantity.

I'm sure McBain's available, but he's probably available, amongst other guys, for a JT Miller, Elias Pettersson, Dylan Cozens type; maybe a greater focus on the blueline.

You look at the Leafs, the players from their roster that would potentially be on the way out are Robertson, Dewar, Kampf, etc.... none of these are overly appearling to Utah.

The Leafs trade chips are the likes of Cowan, Minten, Grebenkin, draft picks... and Utah has a ton of those already.

I completely agree.

 

[Torontonian]

My guess money is still a factor, and again I'm saying re-sign him to as low as he'll go.

But I'm not counting on him being the 2nd. line center they need through 2027-2028 Leafs run.

Leafs don't have a potential 2nd. line center for the next 3 years in the system.

While I don't think he's going to sign something on the low like 2 years @ 2m, I highly doubt money is going to be a massive factor here, he's made $110 million dollars playing so far. If Leafs give him a fair offer of 5ish mill, that would be good enough.

Family and Winning are going to be the two driving factors for JT. Both of which Toronto leads the way in.

 

[Fogelhund]

Where is he going to play?

He's 7th. for even strength TOI/g for forwards on the 2nd. worst team in the east.

Retaining on that contract should be expected without a sweetener.

NHL Player Statistics -Advanced Stats 2024-2025

Scoring Leaders, Expected Goals, Player Stats

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Points per 60, 6th best forward on the Islanders 5v5.
Goals per 60, 4th best forward on the Islanders 5v5

His goals per 60, is below that of Robertson... despite Robertson's struggles at times.
His points per 60, would be 8th on the team.

He's a true C, and has a lot of qualities we'd want from a C. C's are going to be in demand, so we'd need to pay fairly.

Pageau - 0.82G/60 1.75 Pts/60 32 years old, $5 mil contract Anders Lee, Horvat, Barzal Solid linemates... should be better
Frost 0.81 G/60 1.61 Pts/60 25 years old $2.1 mil contract Michkov, Tippett, Laughton, Konecny
Krebs 0.52 G/60 1.41 Pts/60 23 years old $1.345 mil contract He's played with trash linemates this year... Kulich, Lafferty (3 points), Malenstyn, Benson, NAK.


If you are looking for P/60 type guys.... you end up looking at C's.

Strome is at 1.94 Pts/60... but honestly, I think he's being carried by his linemates, that are both more productive than him... plus cap hit.
Cozens is at 1.92, but the cost is really going to hurt, and the cap hit pretty severe... but I do like the age.
McBain is at 1.90... though he's playing wing, with Guenther and Cooley, so his stats are likely inflated, and he'd be hard to get... love the player though, with expectations his points are inflated.
Brock Nelson, is below Pageau in P/60 at 1.73 and goals at 0.71/60
Gourde is 1.69/60 and 0.52/60 (Tanev, Kartye mostly... so not the most offensive guys)
Bjugstad is 1.49 and 0.5
Minten 1.45 and 0.97
Laughton has been very productive, but has been moved to wing. 0.73 2.2...plays the right way, isn't good defensively.

Of course there is more to consider than just points and goals per 60, but I think I've covered many of the players we've discussed. A bunch of options... some vets.. some younger players with control and cheaper contracts. I guess everyone has their bias. The old guys aren't going to be moving to 2C, if Tavares declines... they are what they are. McBain is a 3C at best, if you move him back to that. Krebs is a gamble he can be what he was drafted as. Frost at best, is a lower end 2C so far in his career, but he's not old.

There are plenty of options there... but none of these guys are as productive as McMann-Domi-Robertson together... the questions are, is that sustainable in anyway, and can Robertson play playoff hockey? Will the trio be good enough defensively, and how would a C replacement help there?

Do we want a solution that could move up to 2C in the future? That's Frost or Krebs as the only guys with that potential.

Cozens would be a 2C... but plenty of questions as to how we'd get that done. Right handed which is nice.

Strome is 2C material, but I'm just not a fan... though he is a right handed C, which we lack.

 

[aingefan]

NHL Player Statistics -Advanced Stats 2024-2025

Scoring Leaders, Expected Goals, Player Stats

moneypuck.com

Points per 60, 6th best forward on the Islanders 5v5.
Goals per 60, 4th best forward on the Islanders 5v5

His goals per 60, is below that of Robertson... despite Robertson's struggles at times.
His points per 60, would be 8th on the team.

He's a true C, and has a lot of qualities we'd want from a C. C's are going to be in demand, so we'd need to pay fairly.

Pageau - 0.82G/60 1.75 Pts/60 32 years old, $5 mil contract Anders Lee, Horvat, Barzal Solid linemates... should be better
Frost 0.81 G/60 1.61 Pts/60 25 years old $2.1 mil contract Michkov, Tippett, Laughton, Konecny
Krebs 0.52 G/60 1.41 Pts/60 23 years old $1.345 mil contract He's played with trash linemates this year... Kulich, Lafferty (3 points), Malenstyn, Benson, NAK.


If you are looking for P/60 type guys.... you end up looking at C's.

Strome is at 1.94 Pts/60... but honestly, I think he's being carried by his linemates, that are both more productive than him... plus cap hit.
Cozens is at 1.92, but the cost is really going to hurt, and the cap hit pretty severe... but I do like the age.
McBain is at 1.90... though he's playing wing, with Guenther and Cooley, so his stats are likely inflated, and he'd be hard to get... love the player though, with expectations his points are inflated.
Brock Nelson, is below Pageau in P/60 at 1.73 and goals at 0.71/60
Gourde is 1.69/60 and 0.52/60 (Tanev, Kartye mostly... so not the most offensive guys)
Bjugstad is 1.49 and 0.5
Minten 1.45 and 0.97
Laughton has been very productive, but has been moved to wing. 0.73 2.2...plays the right way, isn't good defensively.

Of course there is more to consider than just points and goals per 60, but I think I've covered many of the players we've discussed. A bunch of options... some vets.. some younger players with control and cheaper contracts. I guess everyone has their bias. The old guys aren't going to be moving to 2C, if Tavares declines... they are what they are. McBain is a 3C at best, if you move him back to that. Krebs is a gamble he can be what he was drafted as. Frost at best, is a lower end 2C so far in his career, but he's not old.

There are plenty of options there... but none of these guys are as productive as McMann-Domi-Robertson together... the questions are, is that sustainable in anyway, and can Robertson play playoff hockey? Will the trio be good enough defensively, and how would a C replacement help there?

Do we want a solution that could move up to 2C in the future? That's Frost or Krebs as the only guys with that potential.

Cozens would be a 2C... but plenty of questions as to how we'd get that done. Right handed which is nice.

Strome is 2C material, but I'm just not a fan... though he is a right handed C, which we lack.

I do love the thought of NickRob with a RH C, if he’d ever get some burn at his natural position.

 

[Fogelhund]

I do love the thought of NickRob with a RH C, if he’d ever get some burn at his natural position.

Sure... but if we bring in a 3C... NickRob won't be in the lineup over McMann, Patches, or Domi.

 

[ULF_55]

NHL Player Statistics -Advanced Stats 2024-2025

Scoring Leaders, Expected Goals, Player Stats

moneypuck.com

Points per 60, 6th best forward on the Islanders 5v5.
Goals per 60, 4th best forward on the Islanders 5v5

His goals per 60, is below that of Robertson... despite Robertson's struggles at times.
His points per 60, would be 8th on the team.

He's a true C, and has a lot of qualities we'd want from a C. C's are going to be in demand, so we'd need to pay fairly.

Pageau - 0.82G/60 1.75 Pts/60 32 years old, $5 mil contract Anders Lee, Horvat, Barzal Solid linemates... should be better
Frost 0.81 G/60 1.61 Pts/60 25 years old $2.1 mil contract Michkov, Tippett, Laughton, Konecny
Krebs 0.52 G/60 1.41 Pts/60 23 years old $1.345 mil contract He's played with trash linemates this year... Kulich, Lafferty (3 points), Malenstyn, Benson, NAK.


If you are looking for P/60 type guys.... you end up looking at C's.

Strome is at 1.94 Pts/60... but honestly, I think he's being carried by his linemates, that are both more productive than him... plus cap hit.
Cozens is at 1.92, but the cost is really going to hurt, and the cap hit pretty severe... but I do like the age.
McBain is at 1.90... though he's playing wing, with Guenther and Cooley, so his stats are likely inflated, and he'd be hard to get... love the player though, with expectations his points are inflated.
Brock Nelson, is below Pageau in P/60 at 1.73 and goals at 0.71/60
Gourde is 1.69/60 and 0.52/60 (Tanev, Kartye mostly... so not the most offensive guys)
Bjugstad is 1.49 and 0.5
Minten 1.45 and 0.97
Laughton has been very productive, but has been moved to wing. 0.73 2.2...plays the right way, isn't good defensively.

Of course there is more to consider than just points and goals per 60, but I think I've covered many of the players we've discussed. A bunch of options... some vets.. some younger players with control and cheaper contracts. I guess everyone has their bias. The old guys aren't going to be moving to 2C, if Tavares declines... they are what they are. McBain is a 3C at best, if you move him back to that. Krebs is a gamble he can be what he was drafted as. Frost at best, is a lower end 2C so far in his career, but he's not old.

There are plenty of options there... but none of these guys are as productive as McMann-Domi-Robertson together... the questions are, is that sustainable in anyway, and can Robertson play playoff hockey? Will the trio be good enough defensively, and how would a C replacement help there?

Do we want a solution that could move up to 2C in the future? That's Frost or Krebs as the only guys with that potential.

Cozens would be a 2C... but plenty of questions as to how we'd get that done. Right handed which is nice.

Strome is 2C material, but I'm just not a fan... though he is a right handed C, which we lack.

Remember when Phaneuf was shopped around the league for Leafs traded for him?
Correct. He wasn't shopped around according to GM's at the time who said after the trade that they wished they knew he was available.

Treliving has to be the action, not the reaction as in the Gaudreau and Tkachuk scenarios in Calgary.

Again, the goal isn't to replace Tavares this year, but if Tavares is still a PPG player at age 36 I'd be extremely surprised.

Domi is not the answer to very many questions, and is on pace for 34 points.

Minten is not projected to be a 2nd. line center, replacing an aging Tavares.

Maybe they see Krebs projecting upward, I don't know.
Maybe there is a McTavish available. They can't be afraid and let Matthews' contract expire without going all in.

 

[Fogelhund]

Domi has 8 points in the last 12 games though... it's been working with Robertson and McMann.... I don't expect that pace to continue, but if did.... would we need a replacement on that line?

Robertson 8 in 12.
McMann 10 in 12.

 

[SprDaVE]

Domi has 8 points in the last 12 games though... it's been working with Robertson and McMann.... I don't expect that pace to continue, but if did.... would we need a replacement on that line?

Robertson 8 in 12.
McMann 10 in 12.

I think ideally you trade Robertson, push Domi to RW and find a center that goes with McMann/Pacioretty? Robertson still wants to be traded and I'm not sure he's scoring enough to make a huge difference compared to acquiring a PK/faceoff guy that can chip in similar offense.

 

[Kiwi]

Domi has 8 points in the last 12 games though... it's been working with Robertson and McMann.... I don't expect that pace to continue, but if did.... would we need a replacement on that line?

Robertson 8 in 12.
McMann 10 in 12.

It would be nice to have a 3C you can trust in tough defensive situations

Domi has been much improved lately but he's not exactly trustworthy defensively

 

[Smif]

He checks most of the things they want. It all comes down to price of acquisition and the Flyers wanting to sell. I assume most teams what he's about at this stage.

Is he good on the dot and defensively as a 3C or would he be a winger with us?

 

[SprDaVE]

Is he good on the dot and defensively as a 3C or would he be a winger with us?

EDIT: I thought you meant Frost, so this is for him--> Statistically, 2nd most faceoffs taken on the flyers and just under 51% in wins this season. He was 3rd last year. I'd say he's firmly a center.

As for Laughton, he's been a mix of LW and C. I'd have some doubts but I think he'd be better than Domi and other options we currently have.

 

[Fogelhund]

It would be nice to have a 3C you can trust in tough defensive situations

Domi has been much improved lately but he's not exactly trustworthy defensively

Does every C need to be a guy you trust in tough defensive situations though? Kampf you can. Tavares has been used more in the D zone.

I don't disagree with the assessment of Domi, but then bringing in a C, has to be a decent upgrade over Robertson for example, as he's likely the guy going out, while Domi is still likely on that line.

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

Laughton isn't very good defensively... I don't know that he's a solution. Torts has lost faith in him, as a checking line C.

Flyers 2023-24 Player Grades: Scott Laughton - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

In this edition of our Philadelphia Flyers 2023-24 player grading series, we look at forward Scott Laughton.

thehockeywriters.com

Defensively, Laughton was one of the worst players in the league. Out of the NHL’s 182 skaters who had at least 1,000 minutes of ice time, Laughton was 169th in expected goals percentage (xGF%) at 43.1 percent. Furthermore, he ranked 141st in expected goals against per 60 (xGA/60) at 3.23. Combining putrid on-ice defense with below-average offense hurt the entire team.

 

[aingefan]

Sure... but if we bring in a 3C... NickRob won't be in the lineup over McMann, Patches, or Domi.

Yeah, I know….too many bodies over there on the left side.

I’m not advocating for this kinda move, I wanna see him here long term, but I wonder what kinda C you could get for Matthew Knies straight up. Thought experiment.

 

[aingefan]

It would be nice to have a 3C you can trust in tough defensive situations

Domi has been much improved lately but he's not exactly trustworthy defensively

Ya…when he extended after his nice run on 34’s right wing, I thought he could be very good value. As a Swiss Army knife….it’s not bad value, but not what I hoped.
I hoped 34, 16 and 88 would be driving their own lines.

 

[Kiwi]

Does every C need to be a guy you trust in tough defensive situations though? Kampf you can. Tavares has been used more in the D zone.

I don't disagree with the assessment of Domi, but then bringing in a C, has to be a decent upgrade over Robertson for example, as he's likely the guy going out, while Domi is still likely on that line.

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

Laughton isn't very good defensively... I don't know that he's a solution. Torts has lost faith in him, as a checking line C.

Flyers 2023-24 Player Grades: Scott Laughton - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

In this edition of our Philadelphia Flyers 2023-24 player grading series, we look at forward Scott Laughton.

thehockeywriters.com

Defensively, Laughton was one of the worst players in the league. Out of the NHL’s 182 skaters who had at least 1,000 minutes of ice time, Laughton was 169th in expected goals percentage (xGF%) at 43.1 percent. Furthermore, he ranked 141st in expected goals against per 60 (xGA/60) at 3.23. Combining putrid on-ice defense with below-average offense hurt the entire team.


View attachment 958268

I'm not a fan of getting Laughton, there's a bunch of guys I'd prefer over him as a 3C

If Tavares has Nylander on his wing I'd prefer he get more starts in the OZ, bottom 6 does the dirty work and the top 6 get the better attacking situations is my preferred setup

 

[WTFMAN99]

In light of the Vatrano contract, I would present this to Marner...

13M x 8

11.93M x 8
1.07M per year deferred.
Full NMC
93% of his contract is in signing bonuses (I believe that is the most as you need to pay minimum salary)

Total compensation (without factoring in endorsements he can get here) would be 104M

I don't think any other team can do the signing bonuses we can and to match the aav, another team would need to do 14.85M x 7 years...I don't see that happening.

Marner gets the money he wants but he has to just defer a bit...

Vatrano, McCabe and Jarvis have...I suspect this will be the new thing in the league until the next CBA closes this loophole.

 

[ACC1224]

In light of the Vatrano contract, I would present this to Marner...

13M x 8

11.93M x 8
1.07M per year deferred.
Full NMC
93% of his contract is in signing bonuses (I believe that is the most as you need to pay minimum salary)

Total compensation (without factoring in endorsements he can get here) would be 104M

I don't think any other team can do the signing bonuses we can and to match the aav, another team would need to do 14.85M x 7 years...I don't see that happening.

Marner gets the money he wants but he has to just defer a bit...

Vatrano, McCabe and Jarvis have...I suspect this will be the new thing in the league until the next CBA closes this loophole.

So after the 8th year is complete he would receive a lump sum of 1.07 x 8 ?

 

[TMLAM34]

If you’re going for a center, I feel like you have to go all in on someone who will be here for the foreseeable future. Cozens would be my guy, I think a change of scenery would do him well. Cowan, 2026 1st ++ whatever it takes to get it done.

 

[Gabriel426]

In light of the Vatrano contract, I would present this to Marner...

13M x 8

11.93M x 8
1.07M per year deferred.
Full NMC
93% of his contract is in signing bonuses (I believe that is the most as you need to pay minimum salary)

Total compensation (without factoring in endorsements he can get here) would be 104M

I don't think any other team can do the signing bonuses we can and to match the aav, another team would need to do 14.85M x 7 years...I don't see that happening.

Marner gets the money he wants but he has to just defer a bit...

Vatrano, McCabe and Jarvis have...I suspect this will be the new thing in the league until the next CBA closes this loophole.

Why 13mil though?
Also thought you can deferred up to 25% of the contract.

In light of the Vatrano contract, I would present this to Marner...

13M x 8

11.93M x 8
1.07M per year deferred.
Full NMC
93% of his contract is in signing bonuses (I believe that is the most as you need to pay minimum salary)

Total compensation (without factoring in endorsements he can get here) would be 104M

I don't think any other team can do the signing bonuses we can and to match the aav, another team would need to do 14.85M x 7 years...I don't see that happening.

Marner gets the money he wants but he has to just defer a bit...

Vatrano, McCabe and Jarvis have...I suspect this will be the new thing in the league until the next CBA closes this loophole.

Why would CBA closes this loophole.
Players getting paid more.
Owners actually spend less money as 1million in five years is less than 1million today in terms of value.
There is no unfair advantage as all teams can do it.
Loophole should be states that have no state taxes. As it gives those teams unfair advantage.