Trades & Free Agency Thread: 2024-2025 Season Edition

[LeafSteel]

No chance we are for many reasons, just what I think the team would really benefit from. A physical scoring top 6 centre with speed and drive who could possibly push Tavares down, would be a really good fit wherever it is they slot.

I get what you are saying and agree with your sentiment.

Simply put, are the Leafs better with a 2C of JT Miller, signed for $8m, or Mitch Marner for $12m?

I know where my vote is but the Cult of Marnerality will not allow any scenario to be discussed that implies that the Leafs, if they spend the money correctly (and that’s big IF), could be better off without Marner.

JT Miller is a perfect example of a player who fits the Leafs needs better than Marner, at $3-4M less a year than Marner could conceivably ask.

Some folks will get the point being made, that there is life and potential for the Leafs to exist and be even better without Marner, provided the right moves are made.

Others, not so much. Personally, I cheer for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Couldn’t care less about any single player if moving on makes our team better.

It’s Marner’s name that is left to move on from, as the decision was made to extend Nylander and Matthews. Moving on from Marner is the only remaining option to make a significant change to this team, one that a significant portion of this fan base, after watching years of the same, are eager to do something different.

 

[123offtheglass]

I get what you are saying and agree with your sentiment.

Simply put, are the Leafs better with a 2C of JT Miller, signed for $8m, or Mitch Marner for $12m?

I know where my vote is but the Cult of Marnerality will not allow any scenario to be discussed that implies that the Leafs, if they spend the money correctly (and that’s big IF), could be better off without Marner.

JT Miller is a perfect example of a player who fits the Leafs needs better than Marner, at $3-4M less a year than Marner could conceivably ask.

Some folks will get the point being made, that there is life and potential for the Leafs to exist and be even better without Marner, provided the right moves are made.

Others, not so much. Personally, I cheer for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Couldn’t care less about any single player if moving on makes our team better.

When did this become about Mitch Marner? He’s not going anywhere but they can win with him

 

[Avilaj07]

If we're nitpicking, the one area of concern so far this season is once again secondary scoring. Mcmann looks like a shell of the player he finished as last year, Domi has cooled off significantly after a hot start, and well Robertson hasn't done much of anything having only 1 point in 12 games.

Personally, I'd be looking at moving all of Holmberg, Mcmann, Robertson, Kampf, and Jarnkrok. Also placing Reaves on waivers since he doesn't bring anything to the table.

Now obviously we would have to replace some of these players as well. A couple of targets I like would be,

Brandon Tanev
Scott Laughton
Morgan Frost
Jake Evans
Christian Dvorak (retained)

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

Casey Czikas or Nic Dowd please.

 

[LeafSteel]

Casey Czikas or Nic Dowd please.

Was hoping for Dowd last TDL.

$1.3m and a lot to like about his game.

 

[LeafSteel]

When did this become about Mitch Marner? He’s not going anywhere but they can win with him

It’s not.

You brought up a player, JT Miller who fits the Leafs needs, who would make the Leafs better.

Marner was used as an example because he will be a UFA. If Nylander was a UFA, he would have been an example too.

with cap space in mind, I presented an example where the Leafs could get better value and improve that doesn’t include Marner.

That was the point being made.

 

[123offtheglass]

It’s not.

You brought up a player, JT Miller who fits the Leafs needs, who would make the Leafs better.

Marner was used as an example because he will be a UFA. If Nylander was a UFA, he would have been an example too.

with cap space in mind, I presented an example where the Leafs could get better value and improve that doesn’t include Marner.

That was the point being made.

Miller @ 8m would be much better than Marner & his contract

 

[ITM]

If we're nitpicking, the one area of concern so far this season is once again secondary scoring. Mcmann looks like a shell of the player he finished as last year, Domi has cooled off significantly after a hot start, and well Robertson hasn't done much of anything having only 1 point in 12 games.

Personally, I'd be looking at moving all of Holmberg, Mcmann, Robertson, Kampf, and Jarnkrok. Also placing Reaves on waivers since he doesn't bring anything to the table.

Now obviously we would have to replace some of these players as well. A couple of targets I like would be,

Brandon Tanev
Scott Laughton
Morgan Frost
Jake Evans
Christian Dvorak (retained)

Yes to the bolded.
Meh to the next three.

A change of scenery in Toronto for Laughton is particularly intriguing.

 

[Avilaj07]

Yes to the bolded.
Meh to the next three.

A change of scenery in Toronto for Laughton is particularly intriguing.

I would actually love both. A third line of,

Domi-Laughton-Tanev would be an extremely annoying line to play against

 

[LaPlante94]

Gourde might actually become available. I didn't love the idea of him but Seattle isn't doing so hot atm and they will probably want to move him before he becomes a FA and I doubt they can keep him. Idk how to make the trade work because his cap hit is like 5 mil so they either have to retain or they're gonna be forced to take Jarnkrok and Kampf in a trade and then maybe we make another one with Utah with Benning for a 4C. Then again we need to clear like 2 mil in cap for Hakanpaa and Dewar so maybe they play Dewar at C on the 4th line instead. At this point he might be the best C option who could hit the market.

 

[Martin Skoula]

WE aren't landing a JT Miller level player. That's just not realistic, we really don't have the pieces to make it happen, nor the cap space. I also don't think that's really what we need. It's a really nice want though, I'll give you that. Right now, we need to make the bottom six better, in particular a C, and I'd say making it more physical would be my want.

To be fair Miller was a throw-in in the McDonagh deal that cost the same as Muzzin or roughly the same amount that we spent renting #6D over the last few years. We just haven’t been active in that market and don’t have the pro scouting to identify the Millers of the world when they’re cheap asset and cap wise before they break out.

 

[Folignos Helmet]

A fair few believe Marner is better away from Matthews. I tend to agree. If we could get a nice physical 2 way C they could form a nice line with Marner and Jarnkrok for a shutdown line that also can score.

Then AM with Knies and Domi, and Willie, JT and Patches form 2 scoring lines.
McMann Lorenz Dewar as a 4th line. 2 of them can play C.
Keep Holmberg upstairs as C/W filler.
Reaves waived.
Kampf traded.

 

[rumman]

Trotz is threatening Nashville's players with a rebuild, somebody figure out a way to poach Forsberg and bring O'Reilly back....

Rumour is he’ll take over behind the bench before thinking about a rebuild……..

I get what you are saying and agree with your sentiment.

Simply put, are the Leafs better with a 2C of JT Miller, signed for $8m, or Mitch Marner for $12m?

I know where my vote is but the Cult of Marnerality will not allow any scenario to be discussed that implies that the Leafs, if they spend the money correctly (and that’s big IF), could be better off without Marner.

JT Miller is a perfect example of a player who fits the Leafs needs better than Marner, at $3-4M less a year than Marner could conceivably ask.

Some folks will get the point being made, that there is life and potential for the Leafs to exist and be even better without Marner, provided the right moves are made.

Others, not so much. Personally, I cheer for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Couldn’t care less about any single player if moving on makes our team better.

It’s Marner’s name that is left to move on from, as the decision was made to extend Nylander and Matthews. Moving on from Marner is the only remaining option to make a significant change to this team, one that a significant portion of this fan base, after watching years of the same, are eager to do something different.

Great post……..

 

[weems]

Nashville is off to a slow start and so is Tommy Novak.
I have heard people bring up his name before as a underrated offensive player.
Not sure how good or bad he is defensively but he might be a interesting player for some team to target if Nashville decides to shake things up or makes a panic trade.

 

[jiggy35]

I get what you are saying and agree with your sentiment.

Simply put, are the Leafs better with a 2C of JT Miller, signed for $8m, or Mitch Marner for $12m?

I know where my vote is but the Cult of Marnerality will not allow any scenario to be discussed that implies that the Leafs, if they spend the money correctly (and that’s big IF), could be better off without Marner.

JT Miller is a perfect example of a player who fits the Leafs needs better than Marner, at $3-4M less a year than Marner could conceivably ask.

Some folks will get the point being made, that there is life and potential for the Leafs to exist and be even better without Marner, provided the right moves are made.

Others, not so much. Personally, I cheer for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Couldn’t care less about any single player if moving on makes our team better.

It’s Marner’s name that is left to move on from, as the decision was made to extend Nylander and Matthews. Moving on from Marner is the only remaining option to make a significant change to this team, one that a significant portion of this fan base, after watching years of the same, are eager to do something different.

His name is Sam Bennett (~8m).

Knies - Matthews - (Domi/Cowan/FA)
(Domi/Cowan/FA) - Bennett - Nylander

 

[SprDaVE]

Nashville is off to a slow start and so is Tommy Novak.
I have heard people bring up his name before as a underrated offensive player.
Not sure how good or bad he is defensively but he might be a interesting player for some team to target if Nashville decides to shake things up or makes a panic trade.

He was a player I wanted the Leafs to trade for or to sign if he made it to free agency -- but he never did. I'd be interested if he was made available but I am not sure if he fits what the Leafs want/need. But he's a good mid-line center with skill.

 

[Fogelhund]

His name is Sam Bennett (~8m).

Knies - Matthews - (Domi/Cowan/FA)
(Domi/Cowan/FA) - Bennett - Nylander

Bennett is PPG so far this season... in a contract season. If he maintains that pace, he's going to get more than $8 mil. Florida has already committed an extra $3 mil to Verhaeghe starting next year, so the cap increase has mostly been eaten up. Ekblad's contract is also up. It will be interesting to see what they do. I would imagine that they hope to keep Bennett, and might end up having to move on from someone like Rodrigues to try and do so.

He'd be an interesting add for sure... I'm just not sure he goes to UFA.

 

[Budz]

I wonder about a guy like RNH. Seems to be in the doghouse. Oilers need a shake-up.

Something like:
RNH 5.13

Woll 767k
Benoit 1.35
Kampf 2.4
+pick/prospect

I will take my thrashing now - be gentle…

 

[weems]

 

[arso40]

I wonder about a guy like RNH. Seems to be in the doghouse. Oilers need a shake-up.

Something like:
RNH 5.13

Woll 767k
Benoit 1.35
Kampf 2.4
+pick/prospect

I will take my thrashing now - be gentle…

They need a goalie so it might work they might rather Timmins over Benoit and they’d probably want minten and not kampf

 

[Americanadian]

He was a player I wanted the Leafs to trade for or to sign if he made it to free agency -- but he never did. I'd be interested if he was made available but I am not sure if he fits what the Leafs want/need. But he's a good mid-line center with skill.

He has 1 hit this year, he had 5 last year. I don’t think he’s a stylistic fit.

 

[ITM]

Well...Now...Hold on a minute here...

We're talking about the need for a physical two-way center as some quote Nashville's implosion and Barry Trotz coming out with threats of a rebuild...And Craig Berube, the former coach of the Stanley Cup winning St.Louis Blues is our coach and...Ryan O'Reilly, his Conn Smythe winning center, signed to a four-year team friendly deal is in Nashville...

 

[leafan11]

Well...Now...Hold on a minute here...

We're talking about the need for a physical two-way center as some quote Nashville's implosion and Barry Trotz coming out with threats of a rebuild...And Craig Berube, the former coach of the Stanley Cup winning St.Louis Blues is our coach and...Ryan O'Reilly, his Conn Smythe winning center, signed to a four-year team friendly deal is in Nashville...

There’s no chance O’Reilly comes here he didn’t like this time here hence why he didn’t sign here . O’Reilly is washed

 

[ErnieLeafs]

Trent Frederic would be nice for 3C/PK

 

[hockeywiz542]

Are more trades coming as the Maple Leafs attempt to get under the salary cap? - The Athletic

Where things get more interesting is when Järnkrok nears his return, which is expected to be shortly after Hakanpää and Dewar are back in the lineup. Assuming they will be waiving and demoting Dakota Mermis when he recovers from jaw surgery, they will again have enough cap room to activate Järnkrok but not a roster spot.

At this point, a forward will have to go. The likeliest candidates, given the roles they’ve had so far and how they’ve played, would be:

Holmberg: He’s been given plenty of opportunity by Berube, but he’s made some key mistakes, his underlying numbers are awful and he’s been sitting games. He only makes $800,000, but given what little he’s accomplished at the NHL level, could he clear waivers and give them some more Marlies call-up depth? Possibly.

Robertson: There was a trade request in the offseason. And he has only one point in 11 games, along with two healthy scratches. He’s only 23 years old and has produced well in the AHL, so he could fetch the most of this group in a trade. But expect more of a Liljegren-like return than anything exciting. It’s still possible he figures it out and becomes a more effective depth contributor, although the clock is ticking.

Kämpf: That $2.4 million cap hit through 2026-27 looms large. Kämpf’s minutes are down to a career-low 11:15 a game now, and he’s been a healthy scratch once. He hasn’t been relied on to kill penalties the way he has in the past, and Dewar (or Lorentz) arguably can replace what he does for half the price.

The most compelling scenario here by far is Kämpf. Flipping Holmberg or Robertson for a pick opens enough room for Järnkrok to come back and puts the Leafs roughly $1 million under the cap, enough breathing room that they could make another depth addition at some point.

But if the Leafs can find a home for Kämpf, even if there’s not much of anything in return, they’ll be dramatically under the cap (to the tune of almost $2.6 million) and still have decent depth beyond their top 12 forwards and top six defencemen.

...........

If there’s a home for Kämpf, you dump the deal, take the cap space, evaluate your forward depth and go big on an impact centreman before the deadline.

Best case? The player they add is good enough that he elevates the third line to the point the Leafs can count on it for secondary scoring and better defensive play than what we’ve witnessed from down the lineup to date.

That would go a long way to fixing some of Toronto’s main problems.