Trades & Free Agency Thread: 2024-2025 Season Edition

[SprDaVE]

I'm wondering since Fabbro is off the books for the Predators now if they would take Benning for future considerations or even a 2027 7th rounder.

Benning played there for a few years and he did relatively well. A future considerations move might fit their plans for immediate depth. They are on the cusp of blowing it up I think out of frustration.

Ekblad either stays in Florida or joins McDavid in Edmonton.
I like Bennett but he strikes me as a guy who’s going to get a contract that won’t age well.

IMO

Bennett would be 29 years old, so it's not so bad. He does have a lengthy injury history and players his ilk do fall off a cliff earlier than most. I'd be pretty interested in Bennett but I think he'll re-sign in Florida for max term and a smaller cap hit.

I will say Leafs have a few ex-Bennett teammates that can probably get in his ear. And of course there's the TO and Treliving connection.

 

[rumman]

Benoit was off to a slow start but has looked much better the past few games.

Tell that to his many haters………

 

[ACC1224]

Benning played there for a few years and he did relatively well. A future considerations move might fit their plans for immediate depth. They are on the cusp of blowing it up I think out of frustration.



Bennett would be 29 years old, so it's not so bad. He does have a lengthy injury history and players his ilk do fall off a cliff earlier than most. I'd be pretty interested in Bennett but I think he'll re-sign in Florida for max term and a smaller cap hit.

I will say Leafs have a few ex-Bennett teammates that can probably get in his ear. And of course there's the TO and Treliving connection.

Yeah lots of connections for sure. I just don’t see the Leafs interested in a max term contract for him and he will definitely be looking for one.
I agree he’ll stay in Florida

 

[Menzinger]

Some good ideas for trading for a 2C or a strong 3C, but I think that Easton Cowen may be the guy these teams ask for in return. I would likely do it based on our contending timeline, but I look at the Capitals this year and see how our timeline could be stretched with the right prospects (McMichael, Protas) in the system and a few cunning summer moves. I don't think Robertson + or Niemela will get us anything substantial though. It's going to be one of our top prospects.

I don't think the the Leafs will be super interested in moving their top two prospects. But I wouldn't get too attached to their 2nd round pick this year or their 1st in 2026.

 

[Stephen]

So more of the same of what hasn’t worked for the past 8 years….

If they have the same poor showing in the playoffs, it is indefensible of this management just to keep bringing the same players back, at above market paycheques.

I think as stale as the program can be this current home stand is kind of why they keep the band together. The skill level is high and when you get the team buy in it all clicks. They just subscribe to the percentages game and keep knocking on the door. Not my personal preference but I think this is what it is.

 

[Stephen]

Benning played there for a few years and he did relatively well. A future considerations move might fit their plans for immediate depth. They are on the cusp of blowing it up I think out of frustration.



Bennett would be 29 years old, so it's not so bad. He does have a lengthy injury history and players his ilk do fall off a cliff earlier than most. I'd be pretty interested in Bennett but I think he'll re-sign in Florida for max term and a smaller cap hit.

I will say Leafs have a few ex-Bennett teammates that can probably get in his ear. And of course there's the TO and Treliving connection.

I think Bennett is going to be more trouble and complication to Florida than on the surface. His personality and intangibles is kind of Gary Roberts-like but can you put a dollar figure on it, and specifically a dollar figure in relation to a Carter Verhaeghe or a Sam Reinhart?

It’s an invaluable player type but it comes with a trade off in reliable production over 82 games. Does Florida value him as an inner core, irreplaceable piece, or can they find the next Bennett? Can a team like Toronto resist paying for a hometown killer like this?

No idea what the right answer here, but investing in Bennett could shift the power balance in the Atlantic, or turn into a David Clarkson contract.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I think Bennett is going to be more trouble and complication to Florida than on the surface. His personality and intangibles is kind of Gary Roberts-like but can you put a dollar figure on it, and specifically a dollar figure in relation to a Carter Verhaeghe or a Sam Reinhart?

It’s an invaluable player type but it comes with a trade off in reliable production over 82 games. Does Florida value him as an inner core, irreplaceable piece, or can they find the next Bennett? Can a team like Toronto resist paying for a hometown killer like this?

No idea what the right answer here, but investing in Bennett could shift the power balance in the Atlantic, or turn into a David Clarkson contract.

I think when I have done puckpedia...I have been able to get my mind around a 5-6 year deal in a 5.5-6M range...anything with 7 years or a cent over 6M and it goes from talking oneself into thinking "this is a poison pill"

You almost try to go 6M x 3 years on Nelson then.

 

[Stephen]

I think when I have done puckpedia...I have been able to get my mind around a 5-6 year deal in a 5.5-6M range...anything with 7 years or a cent over 6M and it goes from talking oneself into thinking "this is a poison pill"

You almost try to go 6M x 3 years on Nelson then.

Well, the combination of Bennett and Verhaeghe and Reinhart was special this past June. But once everyone is paid a few million more there’s diminishing returns. I’d love to get Bennett on something reasonable but I dunno if that’s going to happen.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Well, the combination of Bennett and Verhaeghe and Reinhart was special this past June. But once everyone is paid a few million more there’s diminishing returns. I’d love to get Bennett on something reasonable but I dunno if that’s going to happen.

That's probably the reasonable deal, I think they can keep Bennett and Ekblad but Ekblad likely has to take a pay decrease, 1 goalie (Knight or Bob) has to go and they're good.

It just depends if he considers it mission accomplished in Florida and wants to come home or stay there and go for more.

 

[Leaffan1991]

I would be interested in Brock Nelson this year. He scores a lot on a team that doesn't score a lot. Try and grab him at 50 percent retained. Really try and spread the offence around the lineup.

Knies Matthews Domi
McMann Nelson Marner
Pacioretty Tavares Nylander
Lorentz Kampf Dewar
Reeves

Trade Jarnkrok,Robertson and 2nd round pick for Nelson maybe?

 

[Zero1]

I would be interested in Brock Nelson this year. He scores a lot on a team that doesn't score a lot. Try and grab him at 50 percent retained. Really try and spread the offence around the lineup.

Knies Matthews Domi
McMann Nelson Marner
Pacioretty Tavares Nylander
Lorentz Kampf Dewar
Reeves

Trade Jarnkrok,Robertson and 2nd round pick for Nelson maybe?

Isn’t Nelson slow?

I hope he’s plan C for the Leafs…

 

[Evilhomer]

Well, the combination of Bennett and Verhaeghe and Reinhart was special this past June. But once everyone is paid a few million more there’s diminishing returns. I’d love to get Bennett on something reasonable but I dunno if that’s going to happen.

I don't think the Leafs need to spend what Bennett would cost. He may end up signing here anyway simply because he wants to play in Toronto, but I think his role on Florida is overstated.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I don't think the Leafs need to spend what Bennett would cost. He may end up signing here anyway simply because he wants to play in Toronto, but I think his role on Florida is overstated.

Big centre, plays physical, calms a lot of stuff out there because most don't want to mess with him.

If you think he's worth 5M but Reaves is useless at 1.35M and hasn't fought once this year...kind of like a 2 in 1.

What is the other options? It's basically Bennett, Nelson and JT...outside of a long playoff run...it is hard to run it back yet again, they're all older and more expensive except JT would be taking a cut but Marner/Nylander eat those savings.

 

[Evilhomer]

Big centre, plays physical, calms a lot of stuff out there because most don't want to mess with him.

If you think he's worth 5M but Reaves is useless at 1.35M and hasn't fought once this year...kind of like a 2 in 1.

What is the other options? It's basically Bennett, Nelson and JT...outside of a long playoff run...it is hard to run it back yet again, they're all older and more expensive except JT would be taking a cut but Marner/Nylander eat those savings.

I think Bennett at his current $4ish salary would be fine. I think Bennett at $6+ for what he brings would be silly.

 

[TMLAM34]

If Fabbro wasn’t able to return anything, Benning definitely wouldn’t either. I can see him being waived in the upcoming days.

 

[SprDaVE]

I would be interested in Brock Nelson this year. He scores a lot on a team that doesn't score a lot. Try and grab him at 50 percent retained. Really try and spread the offence around the lineup.

Knies Matthews Domi
McMann Nelson Marner
Pacioretty Tavares Nylander
Lorentz Kampf Dewar
Reeves

Trade Jarnkrok,Robertson and 2nd round pick for Nelson maybe?

I don't feel like that would be enough for a 50% Nelson, they'd probably want a 1st as a starting point, especially since they won't have many assets that can grab a lot of value.

I wonder what JG Pageau's value would be at 50%? He's got one more year on his contract. There were talks about a buyout last summer.

 

[All Mod Cons]

If you resign Tavares for $5m, is this team better off letting Marner walk as a UFA and sign Sam Bennett and Ekblad?

Knies-Matthews-Nylander
Robertson-Bennett-Domi
Grebs/Pacioretty-Tavares-Cowan

Rielly-Ekblad
McCabe-Tanev
OEL-Hakanpaa/Timmins

Not hating on Marner, and not debating likelihood that both Bennett and Ekblad make it to UFA and if the Leafs get them.

I am talking about things the Leafs can do with freed up money from signing Tavares for less and letting UFA Marner sign for $12m somewhere else.

If you want to bash Marner/kiss Marner’s ass, please don’t bother responding and save it for the cesspool that is the Marner thread.

Cheers

We have to keep hold of Marner and Tavares.

 

[LaPlante94]

Is Sissons good enough to be a 3C? I know he's always been more known for his defence but he's a right shot and pretty good on the draw and a good skater. Maybe put Marner and Knies on his wing and let Matthews and Domi go on a seperate line with someone else at RW.

 

[LeafParade]

Utah has to claim Fabbro...right?

 

[LeafSteel]

Utah has to claim Fabbro...right?

Columbus already claimed him.

 

[Jacquestrapless]

With patches injured, he'll likely go on IR which opens up a roster slot for Matthews. Hakanpaa comes back and they'll waive Benning. That's 23 slots. Looks like the Leafs got themselves another 2-4 weeks depending on the severity of Patches' injury

Edit: Maybe more time than we thought

https://x.com/i/web/status/1855957840621449252

 

[SprDaVE]

Frost has struggled so not a big surprise but he's a healthy scratch tonight. Someone I'd keep an eye on. Scratching Drysdale for Johnson is a decision.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1855994489241821503

 

[Fogelhund]

Frost has struggled so not a big surprise but he's a healthy scratch tonight. Someone I'd keep an eye on. Scratching Drysdale for Johnson is a decision.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1855994489241821503

Torts line and roster blender. It seems like Philly is at a loss as to who, and what they are.

 

[mydnyte]

With patches injured, he'll likely go on IR which opens up a roster slot for Matthews. Hakanpaa comes back and they'll waive Benning. That's 23 slots. Looks like the Leafs got themselves another 2-4 weeks depending on the severity of Patches' injury

Edit: Maybe more time than we thought

https://x.com/i/web/status/1855957840621449252

this was wrong, its only a strain ...weeks still, but, not 'extensive' damage

 

[SprDaVE]

Is Sissons good enough to be a 3C? I know he's always been more known for his defence but he's a right shot and pretty good on the draw and a good skater. Maybe put Marner and Knies on his wing and let Matthews and Domi go on a seperate line with someone else at RW.

He's just very average all across the board. Basically a Jarnkrok center version. Not very physical, 1 goal and 0 assists in 15 games so far, career high of 35 points and 15 goals (last season). He's great on faceoffs and a capable PKer. Terrible production in the playoffs in recent years.

I think the Leafs should aim a little higher but he could be an interesting player to get if the price to acquire is low. He'd probably do well with McMann and someone like Robertson or Domi.