Trades & Free Agency Thread: 2024-2025 Season Edition

[1specter]

I get it and I'd also be hesitant depending on the target but I'm not sure why every goaltender trade equals or is compared to the Rask and Pogge trade from over a decade ago. The Leafs wouldn't be trading one for another goaltender.

They are an asset like any other.

Probably because homegrown goaltending drafting and development in this franchise has been relatively poor, and Rask was the best goaltending selection this franchise made since Potvin and they traded him away. It's not been a position of strength given leading to people's hesitancy.

 

[SprDaVE]

One of the challenges in moving a goalie, is who exactly would get moved, for what value?

For example, take Colorado or Carolina ... teams desperately needing a goalie.

They both need a NOW goalie. So trading for AA or Hildebeast doesn't make any sense for them. They might be good goalies, with a good future, but they aren't read for the NHL. Which leaves Stolarz and Woll... who objectively we can't afford to move, unless somehow we thought one of the AHL guys were ready... which they aren't.

So, there isn't really much in the way of logic, to get value here. I suppose there could be a team looking for goalie prospects... but that isn't a very common move.

Murray... sure... very low return, who cares.

Who says it has to be a team that needs goaltending now? A lot of rebuilding/retooling teams may see either of our Marlies goaltenders are a good asset to build with long-term. A prospect is a prospect. Hildeby probably is in the NHL by next season for us or another team. I wouldn't be surprised to see him be at the NHL this season if he's ever traded -- which is very doubtful since he's our 3rd stringer.

Probably because homegrown goaltending drafting and development in this franchise has been relatively poor, and Rask was the best goaltending selection this franchise made since Potvin and they traded him away. It's not been a position of strength given leading to people's hesitancy.

Yeah but that was so long ago. Leafs have traded/waived plenty of other goaltenders since then and it hasn't been a disaster everytime. I get that this is a touchy subject but we need to give to get and the goal of winning a stanley cup, or at the very least some form of post-season success, is probably greater than anything.

Like anything it has to make sense of course.

 

[WTFMAN99]

One of the challenges in moving a goalie, is who exactly would get moved, for what value?

For example, take Colorado or Carolina ... teams desperately needing a goalie.

They both need a NOW goalie. So trading for AA or Hildebeast doesn't make any sense for them. They might be good goalies, with a good future, but they aren't read for the NHL. Which leaves Stolarz and Woll... who objectively we can't afford to move, unless somehow we thought one of the AHL guys were ready... which they aren't.

So, there isn't really much in the way of logic, to get value here. I suppose there could be a team looking for goalie prospects... but that isn't a very common move.

Murray... sure... very low return, who cares.

I'm going to throw out an absolute bat shit crazy idea...and one we really don't know the answer to right now, it's an off-season at least.

If we conclude playoffs but want to change things...Vegas and Colorado need right now goalies because Hill isn't signed beyond this year.

Would you trade...

Woll+Robertson/Holmberg for Nichushkin if he can keep clean the rest of this year and the playoffs?

Would you trade Woll+Holmberg/Robertson/Jarnkrok for Karlsson or Hertl and Korczak?

I don't know if either team would do it but Vegas is stupidly deep at centre with Eichel, Hertl, Karlsson, Howeden and Roy (some are on wing).

Let Hildeby or AA win a job out of camp next year?

 

[Fogelhund]

Who says it has to be a team that needs goaltending now? A lot of rebuilding/retooling teams may see either of our Marlies goaltenders are a good asset to build with long-term. A prospect is a prospect. Hildeby probably is in the NHL by next season for us or another team. I wouldn't be surprised to see him be at the NHL this season if he's ever traded -- which is very doubtful since he's our 3rd stringer.

How often has a NHL prospect goalie been traded at this level of development? It almost never happens. Which GM is out there thinking... if I only had a goalie in my system, who might be ready in a couple of years?

Sharks have Askarov
Ducks have four prospect goalies 22 and under.
Nashville is married to Saros for the next decade.
Chicago has three goalie prospects, though frankly none are as good as any of ours.
Columbus has five goalie prospects
Montreal has six goalie prospects
Detroit has six goalie prospects
Ottawa has four goalie prospects.

The reality is, prospect goalies are rarely sought after commodities, and don't have much value. There really isn't a franchise, that needs prospect goalies... except maybe Chicago, who probably have years before they are ready to compete anyway... so no urgency there at all.

I'm going to throw out an absolute bat shit crazy idea...and one we really don't know the answer to right now, it's an off-season at least.

If we conclude playoffs but want to change things...Vegas and Colorado need right now goalies because Hill isn't signed beyond this year.

Would you trade...

Woll+Robertson/Holmberg for Nichushkin if he can keep clean the rest of this year and the playoffs?

Would you trade Woll+Holmberg/Robertson/Jarnkrok for Karlsson or Hertl and Korczak?

I don't know if either team would do it but Vegas is stupidly deep at centre with Eichel, Hertl, Karlsson, Howeden and Roy (some are on wing).

Let Hildeby or AA win a job out of camp next year?

Too many ifs, whats... and maybes. There are something like 50 NHL Goalie UFA's available in the offseason.... Would other teams prioritize making a trade for a G, when they can sign a guy without giving up assets?

 

[WTFMAN99]

How often has a NHL prospect goalie been traded at this level of development? It almost never happens. Which GM is out there thinking... if I only had a goalie in my system, who might be ready in a couple of years?

Sharks have Askarov
Ducks have four prospect goalies 22 and under.
Nashville is married to Saros for the next decade.
Chicago has three goalie prospects, though frankly none are as good as any of ours.
Columbus has five goalie prospects
Montreal has six goalie prospects
Detroit has six goalie prospects
Ottawa has four goalie prospects.

The reality is, prospect goalies are rarely sought after commodities, and don't have much value. There really isn't a franchise, that needs prospect goalies... except maybe Chicago, who probably have years before they are ready to compete anyway... so no urgency there at all.


Too many ifs, whats... and maybes. There are something like 50 NHL Goalie UFA's available in the offseason.... Would other teams prioritize making a trade for a G, when they can sign a guy without giving up assets?

Hill
Husso
Allen
Andersen
Georgiev
Vanacek
Vejmelka
Blackwood
Vladar
Samsonov
Lindgren
Rittich
Lyon
Lankinen
Thompson

I would guess Thompson and Vejmelka get re-signed

The rest....Woll would be better than any of them right?

I know what you mean though in saying that there are a lot of what if / maybes in my scenario but those seem like 2 parties we could connect with if we chose to do so.

 

[Fogelhund]

Hill
Husso
Allen
Andersen
Georgiev
Vanacek
Vejmelka
Blackwood
Vladar
Samsonov
Lindgren
Rittich
Lyon
Lankinen
Thompson

I would guess Thompson and Vejmelka get re-signed

The rest....Woll would be better than any of them right?

I know what you mean though in saying that there are a lot of what if / maybes in my scenario but those seem like 2 parties we could connect with if we chose to do so.

It's only even possible, if we get past Free Agency, and those teams failed to sign a decent UFA... and we failed to address our holes, and we somehow have cap room.... and ....

 

[TheDoldrums]

I get it and I'd also be hesitant depending on the target but I'm not sure why every goaltender trade equals or is compared to the Rask and Pogge trade from over a decade ago. The Leafs wouldn't be trading one for another goaltender.

They are an asset like any other.

The point of Rask/Pogge is that they had two promising prospects, felt they needed to trade one to improve the team and of course picked the wrong one. It's not that every goaltender trade that is like this, it's specifically the situation of choosing which prospect to keep that understandably makes people nervous.

Artur has played 7 games in the AHL. To me it's insane to consider choosing between him or Hildeby when we have so little information about him. Especially when our two NHL goalies are either injury prone or are on a short-term deal.

 

[SprDaVE]

How often has a NHL prospect goalie been traded at this level of development? It almost never happens. Which GM is out there thinking... if I only had a goalie in my system, who might be ready in a couple of years?

Sharks have Askarov
Ducks have four prospect goalies 22 and under.
Nashville is married to Saros for the next decade.
Chicago has three goalie prospects, though frankly none are as good as any of ours.
Columbus has five goalie prospects
Montreal has six goalie prospects
Detroit has six goalie prospects
Ottawa has four goalie prospects.

The reality is, prospect goalies are rarely sought after commodities, and don't have much value. There really isn't a franchise, that needs prospect goalies... except maybe Chicago, who probably have years before they are ready to compete anyway... so no urgency there at all.


Too many ifs, whats... and maybes. There are something like 50 NHL Goalie UFA's available in the offseason.... Would other teams prioritize making a trade for a G, when they can sign a guy without giving up assets?

A lot of those teams looking at their depth doesn't have close to NHL ready goaltending depth. And maybe a team like our guys a lot more than the guys they have. They may have a lot of prospects but not all of them are doing well. I don't really disagree that goaltending prospects typically don't hold as much value.

Say if Utah calls and offers McBain for AA as the main piece...

The point of Rask/Pogge is that they had two promising prospects, felt they needed to trade one to improve the team and of course picked the wrong one. It's not that every goaltender trade that is like this, it's specifically the situation of choosing which prospect to keep that understandably makes people nervous.

Artur has played 7 games in the AHL. To me it's insane to consider choosing between him or Hildeby when we have so little information about him. Especially when our two NHL goalies are either injury prone or are on a short-term deal.

Yeah I know exactly what it means but it doesn't mean they will turn out that way is my point? Every prospect could turn into stars if traded. We know Hildeby is really good and AA is obviously showing a lot of promise as well. It's a big reason that they are likely coveted for pieces back. We won't be making many trades if we value top prospects in a way that we get scared of trading them. We dumped Verhaeghe as well at one time, should we never trade a forward prospect until they have no value? I'm a huge fan of Cowan but I'd trade him too if it meant having Crosby or some other game breaking player being added (purely hypothetical).

It's always dependent on the return. Nobody is saying to give them up for nothing. And I've always said trading Hildeby would be a mistake because you always need 3 goaltenders, but maybe you take a chance if something comes up. It's not black and white.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Senseless to move any of our goaltending g prospects

Stolie’s been good but doesn’t have the track record to rely on him so depth is key

Woll’s injury history is well documented

Hildeby has 1 season with the Marlies and we control his rights plus he’s waiver exempt . Very much so a work in progress

R2 just came over from Russia

Goalies are quite volatile and good depth is so important when you don’t have a sure thing

 

[Fogelhund]

A lot of those teams looking at their depth doesn't have close to NHL ready goaltending depth. And maybe a team like our guys a lot more than the guys they have. They may have a lot of prospects but not all of them are doing well.

Say if Utah calls and offers McBain for AA as the main piece...

Utah has SIX prospect goalies, including a 25 year old with a 0.930 AHL Save percentage. Plus, Vejemelka, who has a 0.922 save percentage this year, and will be extended, and Ingram is signed for next year too.

Why would Utah offer a roster player, for a prospect goalie, who could be a few years away, when they have NHL goalies, a prospect playing well, and a bunch of others developing?

 

[SprDaVE]

Utah has SIX prospect goalies, including a 25 year old with a 0.930 AHL Save percentage. Plus, Vejemelka, who has a 0.922 save percentage this year, and will be extended, and Ingram is signed for next year too.

Why would Utah offer a roster player, for a prospect goalie, who could be a few years away, when they have NHL goalies, a prospect playing well, and a bunch of others developing?

Utah may have 6 goaltenders in their reserve but some of these players have no pro value, let alone AHL value. Vejmelka is a pending UFA potentially traded by the deadline if they are selling (and has been on their trade block many times) and Ingram is an average journeyman goaltender. Stauber (the AHL goaltender doing well) and Vilalta are not exactly young or quality. Thornton was a free agent prospect.

In their reserve -- I'd only consider Hrabal as a legit prospect doing very well but 3-4 years away. Korhonen is not much of a prospect anymore and Musser hasn't even played this year.

I don't know if they care about adding a close to NHL ready goaltender but I could see them having interest in it depending on what they do in the next 3 months.

 

[Gabriel426]

Murray will be the guy who gets traded before our goalie prospects.

 

[hockeywiz542]

New York Rangers' Kaapo Kakko back on trade market as GM Drury eyes change | TSN

The New York Rangers have made headlines this week as the team looks to shakeup their roster amid an uneven start.

www.tsn.ca

The New York Rangers have made headlines this week as the team looks to shakeup their roster amid an uneven start.

While two veterans had previously been mentioned as trade candidates, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports 23-year-old winger Kaapo Kakko has also been put on the trade block.

"Lots of teams are just swirling around Chris Drury and the Rangers, beyond what’s been speculated this week with the news of Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba being available," Dreger said on Insider Trading. "I’m told that Kaapo Kakko’s name has resurfaced. Now, it’s not like the Rangers are willing to give this guy away. They drafted him second overall in 2019."

"Ice time is a bit of an issue. Kakko probably wants a fresh start, but again, if they’re trading out pieces like that, then the return is going to have to be exactly what the New York Rangers are looking for. But undoubtedly, there’s interest there."

Kakko has three goals and 12 points in 21 games after re-signing with the Rangers on a one-year, $2.4 million after ongoing trade rumours. He is averaging 13:13 of ice time this season.

The Finnish winger had 13 goals and 19 points in 60 games last season after a breakout 18-goal and 40-point season in 2022-23.

Kakko was selected second overall in the 2019 draft, one pick after Jack Hughes and ahead of Kirby Dach and Bowen Byram, who have both already been traded by the clubs that drafted them.

 

[SprDaVE]

New York Rangers' Kaapo Kakko back on trade market as GM Drury eyes change | TSN

The New York Rangers have made headlines this week as the team looks to shakeup their roster amid an uneven start.

www.tsn.ca

The New York Rangers have made headlines this week as the team looks to shakeup their roster amid an uneven start.

While two veterans had previously been mentioned as trade candidates, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports 23-year-old winger Kaapo Kakko has also been put on the trade block.

"Lots of teams are just swirling around Chris Drury and the Rangers, beyond what’s been speculated this week with the news of Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba being available," Dreger said on Insider Trading. "I’m told that Kaapo Kakko’s name has resurfaced. Now, it’s not like the Rangers are willing to give this guy away. They drafted him second overall in 2019."

"Ice time is a bit of an issue. Kakko probably wants a fresh start, but again, if they’re trading out pieces like that, then the return is going to have to be exactly what the New York Rangers are looking for. But undoubtedly, there’s interest there."

Kakko has three goals and 12 points in 21 games after re-signing with the Rangers on a one-year, $2.4 million after ongoing trade rumours. He is averaging 13:13 of ice time this season.

The Finnish winger had 13 goals and 19 points in 60 games last season after a breakout 18-goal and 40-point season in 2022-23.

Kakko was selected second overall in the 2019 draft, one pick after Jack Hughes and ahead of Kirby Dach and Bowen Byram, who have both already been traded by the clubs that drafted them.

Kakko would have been a great target, especially since he's been spotting as a center and showing value there. Kreider would also be a great target but not sure we have the assets to make it happen.

 

[Fogelhund]

New York Rangers' Kaapo Kakko back on trade market as GM Drury eyes change | TSN

The New York Rangers have made headlines this week as the team looks to shakeup their roster amid an uneven start.

www.tsn.ca

The New York Rangers have made headlines this week as the team looks to shakeup their roster amid an uneven start.

While two veterans had previously been mentioned as trade candidates, TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports 23-year-old winger Kaapo Kakko has also been put on the trade block.

"Lots of teams are just swirling around Chris Drury and the Rangers, beyond what’s been speculated this week with the news of Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba being available," Dreger said on Insider Trading. "I’m told that Kaapo Kakko’s name has resurfaced. Now, it’s not like the Rangers are willing to give this guy away. They drafted him second overall in 2019."

"Ice time is a bit of an issue. Kakko probably wants a fresh start, but again, if they’re trading out pieces like that, then the return is going to have to be exactly what the New York Rangers are looking for. But undoubtedly, there’s interest there."

Kakko has three goals and 12 points in 21 games after re-signing with the Rangers on a one-year, $2.4 million after ongoing trade rumours. He is averaging 13:13 of ice time this season.

The Finnish winger had 13 goals and 19 points in 60 games last season after a breakout 18-goal and 40-point season in 2022-23.

Kakko was selected second overall in the 2019 draft, one pick after Jack Hughes and ahead of Kirby Dach and Bowen Byram, who have both already been traded by the clubs that drafted them.

Trading Kakko would be patently dumb. He hasn't lived up to draft expectations, that much is for certain, but he's a pretty good hockey player. He's always been good defensively, very responsible, and he's on ice for a lot more goals for, than goals against. 82.6% of the goals scored, when he's on the ice this year, have been for the Rangers. He's a +13, with 12 points, in 21 games, with 13:14 ice time per game. That's an elite third liner, in third line time.... for $2.4 mil.

 

[Gabriel426]

Kappo for Robbie plus Nemela would be a great trade for the Leafs

 

[Fogelhund]

Kappo for Robbie plus Nemela would be a great trade for the Leafs

Of course it would. That would be a terrible trade for NYR, who are likely looking for a replacement roster player, and of course that's terrible value.

Plus, we don't really have the cap room to facilitate that room. You'd almost have to send Domi the other way... which would be difficult given we've just signed him, and the NTC... but I'd do that in a second too... Rangers also don't have much cap space... which could be a challenge in any trade they do.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Chris Kreider opens up on trade talk, injury issues with Rangers ‘tension’ rising - The New York Post

RALEIGH, N.C. — When the Rangers’ longest-tenured player, Chris Kreider, was suddenly sidelined the day after his name was mentioned in president and general manager Chris Drury’s league-wide memo soliciting trade partners, it appeared to be a peculiar coincidence.

The 33-year-old, however, wished to set the record straight before his second straight scratch.

“Back spasms,” Kreider said after an optional morning skate, before the Rangers’ 4-3 loss to the Hurricanes on Wednesday night. “Back locked up on me — sacrum. Few games back it was lumbar [spine, the lower back made up of five or six vertebrae that support most of the body’s weight and allow for movement] and then during training camp it was thoracic [the chest, or the part of the body between the neck and the abdomen]."

“Very independent, annoying things. So we’re working on it. Done a couple things to remedy it so it doesn’t happen anymore.”

Kreider hasn’t heard his name in trade chatter since leading up to the 2020 trade deadline, when the Rangers essentially had to decide between keeping him or defenseman Brady Skjei due to salary-cap restraints.

Skjei was shipped to Carolina, and the Rangers signed Kreider to a seven-year, $45.5 million contract with a no-move clause — which was modified to a 15-team no-trade list this season.

Noting that he’s been in New York for 13 seasons, Kreider said there will always be noise when playing for a team like the Rangers.

 

[Gabriel426]

Of course it would. That would be a terrible trade for NYR, who are likely looking for a replacement roster player, and of course that's terrible value.

Plus, we don't really have the cap room to facilitate that room. You'd almost have to send Domi the other way... which would be difficult given we've just signed him, and the NTC... but I'd do that in a second too... Rangers also don't have much cap space... which could be a challenge in any trade they do.

Maybe send Calle over too, lol

 

[Fogelhund]

Maybe send Calle over too, lol

Send them Robertson, Holmberg, Jarnkrok, Neimela, Steeves, Reaves... I'm fine with all of that going for him.. they still don't do it.

 

[Budz]

I’d only move a goalie (in a package) for a 2/3C with term.

 

[Menzinger]

I don't see a ton of motivation to trade a goalie by the tdl unless everyone is 100% healthy and one of the younger guys looks solid enough to be a #3 during an emergency.

But I'd probably keep Murray for insurance unless someone was offering at least a 4th round pick

 

[thewave]

Send them Robertson, Holmberg, Jarnkrok, Neimela, Steeves, Reaves... I'm fine with all of that going for him.. they still don't do it.

I don't know who for but that's a lot of contract slots. Not a fan of the players mentioned either

 

[ACC1224]

I don't see a ton of motivation to trade a goalie by the tdl unless everyone is 100% healthy and one of the younger guys looks solid enough to be a #3 during an emergency.

But I'd probably keep Murray for insurance unless someone was offering at least a 4th round pick

Has Murray been playing ?

 

[SprDaVE]

I’d only move a goalie (in a package) for a 2/3C with term.

I don't think the Leafs give up top assets/prospects for anything less than that. If it's an older/pending UFA player, they probably will want to part with picks or lesser assets.