Trades & Free Agency Thread: 2024-2025 Season Edition

[All Mod Cons]

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.

I don't see Mitch settling for only $104 mil.

 

[SprDaVE]

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

There are a lot of different options to me with a varying degree of value. Finding the right one will be interesting. I think in theory ROR would be exactly what Treliving wants but I doubt it's realistic option for a few different reasons.

 

[sxvnert]

A Rielly+ (5yrs/7.5m remaining) for JT Miller (5yrs/8m remaining) would solve a lot of problems.

Domi Matthews Marner
Knies Miller Nylander
Pac Tavares McMann
Lorentz Kampf Dewer

McCabe Tanev
OEL ----------
Benoit Myers

 

[thusk]

Did i missed something with Frost buzz?!?!?!

Leafs are 1st in Atlantic and tie at 1st rank in east, ans 3rd in the league...goal are not suppose to get the best team you can come playoff time?!?!?!

So why wanted so much probably actually the worst player pratically named here for the only reason he's younger of for what he could do if he finally develop in something else. Leafs want the best player who will help the most, not the guy would will maybe befome the better one in 3-4 year but nothing sure

 

[Puckstuff]

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.

Pageau is 1st on the Islanders in GA/60 and 5th on the Islanders in GF/60 at strength.

Pageau is a 3 c, and plays at an elite level.

The Islanders suck because their top 6 is brutal, a problem the Leafs don't have. 3c is one of the only places they excel.

 

[ULF_55]

Pageau is 1st on the Islanders in GA/60 and 5th on the Islanders in GF/60 at strength.

Pageau is a 3 c, and plays at an elite level.

The Islanders suck because their top 6 is brutal, a problem the Leafs don't have. 3c is one of the only places they excel.

Personally, I wouldn't be looking for another 3rd. line center.

Unless there is retention and Roberts is the cost.

Just sounds like another overhyped Tomas Plekanec / Michael Grabner all hope trade.

​

 

[seanlinden]

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?

I think the problem with McMann-Domi-Robertson isn't neccessarily their production at face value, but rather, how they're doing it.

Of course, I know this is subjective, but it seems to me that they are producing against weaker teams, and that they are receiving sheltered minutes with a high offensive-zone start % much like Jarnkrok-Domi-Robertson received last year.

Come playoff time, when the matchup game starts to get played big-time, I don't think you want to be in a situation where you're constantly having to chase those matchups and situations.

I look back to Kadri's final year with the Leafs, where we had that ridiculous 3-headed monster at C before Kadri got himself suspended. It was a setup that Boston could simply not match.

I feel like the Leafs have an opportunity to do that this year as well... but Max Domi simply isn't trustworthy enough to do so.

To me, the ideal (and perhaps attainable) target is probably a guy like Brock Nelson; and run with pairs, either Matthews-Marner, Tavares-Nylander, Nelson-Domi; or in my view, ideally Matthews-Domi, Tavares-Nylander, Nelson-Marner.

Insert some combination of Knies, McMann, Pacioretty on the left side. All of a sudden you've got 3 lines that you can put out in just about any situation.

 

[conFABulator]

I think the problem with McMann-Domi-Robertson isn't neccessarily their production at face value, but rather, how they're doing it.

Of course, I know this is subjective, but it seems to me that they are producing against weaker teams, and that they are receiving sheltered minutes with a high offensive-zone start % much like Jarnkrok-Domi-Robertson received last year.

Come playoff time, when the matchup game starts to get played big-time, I don't think you want to be in a situation where you're constantly having to chase those matchups and situations.

I look back to Kadri's final year with the Leafs, where we had that ridiculous 3-headed monster at C before Kadri got himself suspended. It was a setup that Boston could simply not match.

I feel like the Leafs have an opportunity to do that this year as well... but Max Domi simply isn't trustworthy enough to do so.

To me, the ideal (and perhaps attainable) target is probably a guy like Brock Nelson; and run with pairs, either Matthews-Marner, Tavares-Nylander, Nelson-Domi; or in my view, ideally Matthews-Domi, Tavares-Nylander, Nelson-Marner.

Insert some combination of Knies, McMann, Pacioretty on the left side. All of a sudden you've got 3 lines that you can put out in just about any situation.

I see that you "ideally" have Domi with Matthews. I do this in all of my "ideal" line ups too. I don't think Berube has put them together much, if at all.

Any thoughts on why we haven't yet? It seems to answer a lot for us if we can have each of Matthews and Marner carry a line, it would also be nice if we got regular production out of Domi.

 

[thusk]

Personally, I wouldn't be looking for another 3rd. line center.

Unless there is retention and Roberts is the cost.

Just sounds like another overhyped Tomas Plekanec / Michael Grabner all hope trade.

​

Plekanec just had been one of 3 best leafs add at TDL (playoff impact/price) ( Like behind Mccabe and Muzzin)for what they bring in playoff over last decade...

 

[aingefan]

Did i missed something with Frost buzz?!?!?!

Leafs are 1st in Atlantic and tie at 1st rank in east, ans 3rd in the league...goal are not suppose to get the best team you can come playoff time?!?!?!

So why wanted so much probably actually the worst player pratically named here for the only reason he's younger of for what he could do if he finally develop in something else. Leafs want the best player who will help the most, not the guy would will maybe befome the better one in 3-4 year but nothing sure

Respectfully, some of your takes are a lil over the top.
But I guess I value your conviction.

 

[ULF_55]

Plekanec just had been one of 3 best leafs add at TDL (playoff impact/price) ( Like behind Mccabe and Muzzin)for what they bring in playoff over last decade...

Accomplished nothing.

 

[thusk]

Accomplished nothing.

Just completly dominated the best NHL line in 2018 but yeah him and his line accomplished nothing

 

[ULF_55]

Just completly dominated the best NHL line in 2018 but yeah him and his line accomplished nothing

It is about team wins.

Sorry, thought that was understood.

Maybe they can find the best 7th. defender while they're at it?

 

[Jozay]

I don't see Mitch settling for only $104 mil.

Who is going to give him more?

That’s over 14.5 mill a year on a 7 year term

 

[Puckstuff]

I think the problem with McMann-Domi-Robertson isn't neccessarily their production at face value, but rather, how they're doing it.

Of course, I know this is subjective, but it seems to me that they are producing against weaker teams, and that they are receiving sheltered minutes with a high offensive-zone start % much like Jarnkrok-Domi-Robertson received last year.

Come playoff time, when the matchup game starts to get played big-time, I don't think you want to be in a situation where you're constantly having to chase those matchups and situations.

I look back to Kadri's final year with the Leafs, where we had that ridiculous 3-headed monster at C before Kadri got himself suspended. It was a setup that Boston could simply not match.

I feel like the Leafs have an opportunity to do that this year as well... but Max Domi simply isn't trustworthy enough to do so.

To me, the ideal (and perhaps attainable) target is probably a guy like Brock Nelson; and run with pairs, either Matthews-Marner, Tavares-Nylander, Nelson-Domi; or in my view, ideally Matthews-Domi, Tavares-Nylander, Nelson-Marner.

Insert some combination of Knies, McMann, Pacioretty on the left side. All of a sudden you've got 3 lines that you can put out in just about any situation.

I think Tavares-Marner works significantly better than Tavares-Nylander, so personally, I would be looking at acquiring a center to play with Nylander, rather than a center to play with Marner. And it matters, because if we target a center to play with Nylander, a playmaker is probably more ideal... vs if we trade for a center to play with Marner, a shooter is more ideal. I'd try and trade for Mikael Granlund who is the best playmaking center available to play with Nylander and run 3 scoring combos of Matthews-Domi, Tavares-Marner and Granlund-Nylander, with the 3 power forwards of Knies, Patches and McMann on the left.

 

[Fogelhund]

I think the problem with McMann-Domi-Robertson isn't neccessarily their production at face value, but rather, how they're doing it.

Of course, I know this is subjective, but it seems to me that they are producing against weaker teams, and that they are receiving sheltered minutes with a high offensive-zone start % much like Jarnkrok-Domi-Robertson received last year.

Come playoff time, when the matchup game starts to get played big-time, I don't think you want to be in a situation where you're constantly having to chase those matchups and situations.

I look back to Kadri's final year with the Leafs, where we had that ridiculous 3-headed monster at C before Kadri got himself suspended. It was a setup that Boston could simply not match.

I feel like the Leafs have an opportunity to do that this year as well... but Max Domi simply isn't trustworthy enough to do so.

To me, the ideal (and perhaps attainable) target is probably a guy like Brock Nelson; and run with pairs, either Matthews-Marner, Tavares-Nylander, Nelson-Domi; or in my view, ideally Matthews-Domi, Tavares-Nylander, Nelson-Marner.

Insert some combination of Knies, McMann, Pacioretty on the left side. All of a sudden you've got 3 lines that you can put out in just about any situation.

They did put up points against Dallas, and Washington, two of the strongest teams in that ten game stretch... Now, I think the main thing, is you give these guys a little longer runway, before making that decision.

 

[Visnovsky]

One player that Treliving could inquire about is Vincent Trocheck.

If we are maintaining the idea of a four to five year trajectory, after which the Leafs will fall off and hard - this would check all of the now identified boxes for those years. A middle six centre who can stunt in the top six, a terrific defensive player who is physical, and has the skill to play with the best of them - a very berube-like player.

One of the better players on the dot, in the whole league.

The big question mark here is his cap hit, as he comes with a 5,625,000$ cap - and I doubt that GMCD would want to retain even 10% for four and a half years.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Early Trading: Oilers looking for upgrade on D? | TSN

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun joins Gino Reda to discuss the latest priorities out of Edmonton, the attention Canadiens defenceman Jake Evans has been garnering and the preliminary discussions the Habs have had with Evans on an extension.

www.tsn.ca

Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes held the state of the union yesterday. He said the Habs are thrilled to be in the playoff hunt but he's still looking to stay the course overall. They have a big decision to make about Jake Evans. He's a pending unrestricted free agent and he's drawing a lot of attention from teams who want to add up the middle. What are you hearing on that front?

LeBrun: Certainly was a guarded message from Kent Hughes. I think that was the way to go. A lot of people excited in that market, as they should be, but there are also 22 games to be played before the March 7 deadline.

Jake Evans is the big name amongst the pending UFA's, although Joel Armia has been terrific too. Evans is playing the bets hockey of his career, he's 28-years-old and this is his moment, contract wise. He's at the peak of his career, he's on pace for a 20-goal season. I should point out that he's shooting 28 per cent, which is easily a career high. His career average is 10 per cent. There's a lot of different things you can look at but the bottom line is Evans is healthy and he's playing great.

The Habs have informed Evans that they will try to sign him. They are interested in keeping him around beyond this season but I think that part of that message is that they can't afford for Evans to get his home run deal in Montreal. There's going to have to be some give and take for Evans to remain a Montreal Canadien past this season.

They've only had very preliminary discussions, they haven't gotten into numbers yet but that message from the Habs has certainly been sent as far as how they value him and want to keep him around.

If they can't sign him, and term could be a hurdle as this negotiation gets going for real. I don't know that the Habs could view themselves going five or six years given all the other guys they have coming in the system. No one is going to begrudge Jake Evans if this is his career moment and wants to go to market July 1, that's every player's right.

Let's see where it goes but the top part will be this. Because Jake Evans only makes $1.7 million, I know there are a lot of Cup contenders that have circled his name and are waiting to see how Montreal plays that situation out. For example, the Devils I'm told are among the teams that have already kicked tires on Evans.

It's going to be a tough decision for the Habs. I think they know how far they're willing to go on an extension for him and regardless of where they are in the standings, if there's an incredible offer for him and they can't sign him, I think they have to think of trading him.

 

[sxvnert]

Honestly would rather load up on an RD then a 3rd line center. The McCabe/Tanev pairing is to valuable to break up.

Knies Matthews Marner
Mcmann Tavares Nylander
Pac Domi Tanev
Lorentz Kampf Dewer

McCabe Tanev
OEL Murphy
Rielly Benoit/Myers

 

[Fogelhund]

One player that Treliving could inquire about is Vincent Trocheck.

If we are maintaining the idea of a four to five year trajectory, after which the Leafs will fall off and hard - this would check all of the now identified boxes for those years. A middle six centre who can stunt in the top six, a terrific defensive player who is physical, and has the skill to play with the best of them - a very berube-like player.

One of the better players on the dot, in the whole league.

The big question mark here is his cap hit, as he comes with a 5,625,000$ cap - and I doubt that GMCD would want to retain even 10% for four and a half years.

He'd be a fine addition, but the Cap would be very difficult to fit in. One very unlikely way to do it, is move out Kampf, and bring in Kastelic to replace him... the money works...

 

[Sypher04]

Early Trading: Oilers looking for upgrade on D? | TSN

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun joins Gino Reda to discuss the latest priorities out of Edmonton, the attention Canadiens defenceman Jake Evans has been garnering and the preliminary discussions the Habs have had with Evans on an extension.

www.tsn.ca

Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes held the state of the union yesterday. He said the Habs are thrilled to be in the playoff hunt but he's still looking to stay the course overall. They have a big decision to make about Jake Evans. He's a pending unrestricted free agent and he's drawing a lot of attention from teams who want to add up the middle. What are you hearing on that front?

LeBrun: Certainly was a guarded message from Kent Hughes. I think that was the way to go. A lot of people excited in that market, as they should be, but there are also 22 games to be played before the March 7 deadline.

Jake Evans is the big name amongst the pending UFA's, although Joel Armia has been terrific too. Evans is playing the bets hockey of his career, he's 28-years-old and this is his moment, contract wise. He's at the peak of his career, he's on pace for a 20-goal season. I should point out that he's shooting 28 per cent, which is easily a career high. His career average is 10 per cent. There's a lot of different things you can look at but the bottom line is Evans is healthy and he's playing great.

The Habs have informed Evans that they will try to sign him. They are interested in keeping him around beyond this season but I think that part of that message is that they can't afford for Evans to get his home run deal in Montreal. There's going to have to be some give and take for Evans to remain a Montreal Canadien past this season.

They've only had very preliminary discussions, they haven't gotten into numbers yet but that message from the Habs has certainly been sent as far as how they value him and want to keep him around.

If they can't sign him, and term could be a hurdle as this negotiation gets going for real. I don't know that the Habs could view themselves going five or six years given all the other guys they have coming in the system. No one is going to begrudge Jake Evans if this is his career moment and wants to go to market July 1, that's every player's right.

Let's see where it goes but the top part will be this. Because Jake Evans only makes $1.7 million, I know there are a lot of Cup contenders that have circled his name and are waiting to see how Montreal plays that situation out. For example, the Devils I'm told are among the teams that have already kicked tires on Evans.

It's going to be a tough decision for the Habs. I think they know how far they're willing to go on an extension for him and regardless of where they are in the standings, if there's an incredible offer for him and they can't sign him, I think they have to think of trading him.

Montreal has locked up like all their core guys to ~7m deals and the cap is going up significantly.

They absolutely can afford to pay him. No way his agent is going to accept that bs

 

[WTFMAN99]

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

Depends on how he wants to distribute it.

Vatrano is taking 900k per year for another 10 years afterwards.

He could opt for any number of scenario.s

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


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.

13M would make him the highest paid winger by far so it satisfies the ego, even 11.93M would put him as the highest paid winger anyway.

I don't disagree on any of your other points but Friedman said the NHL doesn't like it so I just go by that more than anything.

 

[ACC1224]

Depends on how he wants to distribute it.

Vatrano is taking 900k per year for another 10 years afterwards.

He could opt for any number of scenario.s


.

Is the assumption they retire and then receive the deferred money?

 

[Dragao6]

Depends on how he wants to distribute it.

Vatrano is taking 900k per year for another 10 years afterwards.

He could opt for any number of scenario.s



13M would make him the highest paid winger by far so it satisfies the ego, even 11.93M would put him as the highest paid winger anyway.

I don't disagree on any of your other points but Friedman said the NHL doesn't like it so I just go by that more than anything.

He doesn’t want to go anywhere
He’s always good in regular season, Nylander was also lights out last year till he signed!!

Stop making the same mistake over and over
Wait for the playoffs
If he walks he walks

 

[thusk]

It is about team wins.

Sorry, thought that was understood.

Maybe they can find the best 7th. defender while they're at it?

The fact leafs lost the serie doesn't mean plekanec had not be great for leafs. He helped to shutdown a line who's destroyed the leafs all season long...

Leafs just had too much hole defensive side at this moment so they still lost... but plekanec yas a good trade.