Trades & Free Agency Thread: 2024-2025 Season Edition

[TMLAM34]

Doubt this happens but I would love to package Robertson and a 2nd for Evans.

Knies - Matthews - Domi
Pacioretty - Tavares - Nylander
McMann - Evans - Marner
Lorentz - Kampf - Jarnkrok

 

[Avilaj07]

I would like to see a Kampf and Robertson for McBain trade right about now.

Knies-Matthews-Marner
Pacioretty-Tavares-Nylander
Domi-McBain-Mcmann
Lorentz-Dewar-Holmberg

Reaves on waivers
Jarnkrok traded for futures

 

[SprDaVE]

Why is McBain in every proposal, and why does it always include Kampf.

 

[LeafsFan89]

One has to think that Robertson is next on the trade block. Being scratched already despite playing pretty well... I don't see the relationship getting better even with the new coach.

I agree. But I feel we will regret trading him. His linemates were not exactly "high offence". He needs to be in a top six role. Unfortunately, the top six is starting to click, so I think he will blow up somewhere else. He got 15 goals play third line minutes last year and in and out of the lineup.

 

[seanlinden]

Why is McBain in every proposal, and why does it always include Kampf.

Big centre... may have some offensive upside.... local kid... theoretical "ideal" 3rd or 4th line centre, if not, another Bobby McMann type on the wings.

That being said, with Liljegren gone, there really isn't a path to get a guy like that...

 

[SprDaVE]

I agree. But I feel we will regret trading him. His linemates were not exactly "high offence". He needs to be in a top six role. Unfortunately, the top six is starting to click, so I think he will blow up somewhere else. He got 15 goals play third line minutes last year and in and out of the lineup.

More or less agree. I think he needs to play, it doesn't have to be top minutes. I like Holmberg and whatever but playing him over Robertson is weird. Playing Reaves over both is even weirder.

So if they aren't going to use him, they might as well trade him while his value isn't completely decimated. I hope Treliving can pull off something remotely good.

 

[SprDaVE]

Big centre... may have some offensive upside.... local kid... theoretical "ideal" 3rd or 4th line centre, if not, another Bobby McMann type on the wings.

That being said, with Liljegren gone, there really isn't a path to get a guy like that...

Let me rephrase -- why does Utah want to trade him if he's that good.

This is the classic "I want their player. I don't care about what they want"

 

[LeafsFan89]

More or less agree. I think he needs to play, it doesn't have to be top minutes. I like Holmberg and whatever but playing him over Robertson is weird. Playing Reaves over both is even weirder.

So if they aren't going to use him, they might as well trade him while his value isn't completely decimated. I hope Treliving can pull off something remotely good.

We have such a log jam. I would rather trade Jarnkrok, Kampf, even Holmberg before Robertson. None of these three guys do anything in the playoffs. Robertson has done similar - not much. But he has a motor, a lethal shot, and is only 23. Sooner or later he will put it together.

 

[seanlinden]

Let me rephrase -- why does Utah want to trade him if he's that good.

This is the classic "I want their player. I don't care about what they want"

Objectively... he's not "THAT" good.... he might pan out to be nothing more than a 4th line plug.

However, he's also not neccessarily in an ideal position to develop/ suceed in Utah. They've got a pair of young centres in Logan Cooley & Barrett Hayton, who are clearly above him in the depth chart, but younger than him. They've got Nick Bjugstad, Alex Kerfoot, and Kevin Stenlund who are also all "available" for a 3rd/4th line C role, and probably do things a little better than he does today. From a roster construction standpoint, running with 3 very young centres is probably not something a coach is going to do when he has quality veteran options like those 3 available.

Utah doesn't neccessarily have the "firepower" of a Marner or Nylander on the wing, and certainly not anyone the calibre of Matthews in the middle, so they'll put a guy like Matias Maccelli into their top 6 over McBain, as Macelli brings more in terms of creativity.

 

[SprDaVE]

Objectively... he's not "THAT" good.... he might pan out to be nothing more than a 4th line plug.

However, he's also not neccessarily in an ideal position to develop/ suceed in Utah. They've got a pair of young centres in Logan Cooley & Barrett Hayton, who are clearly above him in the depth chart, but younger than him. They've got Nick Bjugstad, Alex Kerfoot, and Kevin Stenlund who are also all "available" for a 3rd/4th line C role, and probably do things a little better than he does today. From a roster construction standpoint, running with 3 very young centres is probably not something a coach is going to do when he has quality veteran options like those 3 available.

Utah doesn't neccessarily have the "firepower" of a Marner or Nylander on the wing, and certainly not anyone the calibre of Matthews in the middle, so they'll put a guy like Matias Maccelli into their top 6 over McBain, as Macelli brings more in terms of creativity.

Ok so they have zero need to trade him for a collection of depth players just because. Seems like they have finally have respectable depth upfront. Again, don't see why he keeps getting pushed as a real trade option when there's really nothing there. He isn't on any trade block, they have a ton of cap space and zero need for them to trade him.

 

[OVO16]

Pagnotta said the Kings have interest in Calle Jarnkrok

Can Hakanpaa and Dewar be activated with the Liljegren trade?

 

[SprDaVE]

Pagnotta said the Kings have interest in Calle Jarnkrok

Can Hakanpaa and Dewar be activated with the Liljegren trade?

They can.

They will need to open 2 rosters spots though. Myers being waived will be one... the other is a little harder to pinpoint.

 

[seanlinden]

Ok so they have zero need to trade him for a collection of depth players just because. Seems like they have finally have respectable depth upfront. Again, don't see why he keeps getting pushed as a real trade option when there's really nothing there. He isn't on any trade block, they have a ton of cap space and zero need for them to trade him.

Correct.

With Liljegren here, there was some degree of justification (assuming Utah actually believes in Lily).

With Liljegren gone, there really isn't anything the Leafs have (and are at all likely to move) that's going to be of interest to Utah.

 

[OVO16]

With how uninspiring/bad Holmberg and Robertson has been...can't help but think Dewar and Jarnkrok is gonna get long looks with the team when they get healthy.

Maybe they dont need to trade Jarnkrok afterall.

 

[seanlinden]

With how uninspiring/bad Holmberg and Robertson has been...can't help but think Dewar and Jarnkrok is gonna get long looks with the team when they get healthy.

Maybe they dont need to trade Jarnkrok afterall.

Yes, the Liljegren deal done... the Leafs do have enough cap space to activate everyone... they would just need to make the roster space to do so. Some of Myers, Benning, Reaves or Holmberg will have to end up waivers or IR.

 

[seanlinden]

They can.

They will need to open 2 rosters spots though. Myers being waived will be one... the other is a little harder to pinpoint.

Objective question - given the choice, do you waive Myers or Benning?

Old school wisdom would suggest that Benning be given a shot with the Leafs... but he's probably a less appealing waiver claim than Myers, and would open up more cap space.

 

[Stephen]

Let me rephrase -- why does Utah want to trade him if he's that good.

This is the classic "I want their player. I don't care about what they want"

The other poster described Jack McBain as a 3rd or 4th line center, which isn't exactly an untouchable asset...

 

[SprDaVE]

Objective question - given the choice, do you waive Myers or Benning?

Old school wisdom would suggest that Benning be given a shot with the Leafs... but he's probably a less appealing waiver claim than Myers, and would open up more cap space.

Myers. Benning has a much better track record. Likely a better contributor this season.

Both could very likely be on waivers though. Not sure the Leafs will want to waive any of the forwards.

 

[Stephen]

Objective question - given the choice, do you waive Myers or Benning?

Old school wisdom would suggest that Benning be given a shot with the Leafs... but he's probably a less appealing waiver claim than Myers, and would open up more cap space.

If this were my video game, I'd turn around and flip Benning for another mid to late round pick and have a little more currency to work with.

 

[SprDaVE]

The other poster described Jack McBain as a 3rd or 4th line center, which isn't exactly an untouchable asset...

That wasn't my point and I didn't say he was untouchable. He's young ish, he's big, has a capable NHL skillset and he's cost controlled. The idea is to trade for him to play on our 3rd or 4th line. We're not exactly giving them any reason to trade him and they clearly don't really have any reason to do so either. They have 14M of cap space...

It would be like the Leafs trading McMann... why? Are we getting a really good upgrade? No? Ok then... why?

 

[Stephen]

That wasn't my point and I didn't say he was untouchable. He's young ish, he's big, has a capable NHL skillset and he's cost controlled. The idea is to trade for him to play on our 3rd or 4th line. We're not exactly giving them any reason to trade him?

Well, Utah skews very young and very deep as an organization and I don't think McBain is an inner core guy, so who knows what they're trying to do? I don't think it's the most unobtainable player. He's mildly attractive as a bottom 6 and fits some of our needs.

 

[SprDaVE]

Well, Utah skews very young and very deep as an organization and I don't think McBain is an inner core guy, so who knows what they're trying to do? I don't think it's the most unobtainable player. He's mildly attractive as a bottom 6 and fits some of our needs.

He seems to fit their needs too. RFA after this season. 24 years old. They traded for him awhile back for a reason. They have a boatload of cap space. He could be traded, but it certainly won't be for a collection Timmins, Jarnkrok, Holmberg, Kampf and/or Robertson as the main pieces.

 

[Stephen]

He seems to fit their needs too. RFA after this season. 24 years old. They traded for him awhile back for a reason. They have a boatload of cap space. He could be traded, but it certainly won't be for a collection Timmins, Jarnkrok, Holmberg, Kampf and/or Robertson as the main pieces.

I mean, the guy is a career 0.34 PPG center at 24 and lowly Holmberg is a career 0.31 PPG forward at 25. Again, McBain is undeniably mildly more attractive to us for a variety of reasons and probably to Utah as well, but I wouldn't overstate the difference by that much...

 

[SprDaVE]

I mean, the guy is a career 0.34 PPG center at 24 and lowly Holmberg is a career 0.31 PPG forward at 25. Again, McBain is undeniably mildly more attractive to us for a variety of reasons and probably to Utah as well, but I wouldn't overstate the difference by that much...

He's a much more physical player with 26 hits in 10 games (that would be #1 on the Leafs) with a lot less time spent as a pro so the projectability feels higher. He's also a RFA at the end of the year, whereas Holmberg is a pending UFA. Again, I can't say it enough, my point isn't that he's untouchable or even worth a lot in a vacuum. But I just don't understand why they have any need to trade him here for the same collection of players that are deemed replaceable here. It's not that he's great, it's that it does nothing for them. I'll leave it that.

 

[Folignos Helmet]

Liljegren for Benning and a pick (technically 2 picks) is what ended up happening.

Nice call by you