Trades & Free Agency Thread: 2024-2025 Season Edition

[SprDaVE]

I still maintain that this team needs a capable (even if he isn't spectacular) 2nd line center that allows Tavares to be moved down to create a 3rd scoring line.

Someone like Barrett Hayton would be worth investing some quality assets into and Utah is deep at center with Cooley, Schmaltz, Bjustad and Kerfoot remaining as options and a loaded system of prospects coming up.

Ideally, I'm picturing something like this...

Knies-Matthews-Marner
Domi-Hayton-Nylander
McMann-Tavares-Patches
Dewar-Kampf-Lorentz

Utah has zero reason or desire to trade Hayton. He's played well for them. Schmaltz is not a center and Kerfoot definitely isn't a great center. Hayton is their top face off center and 3rd TOI among forwards.

 

[Leaffan1991]

Nelson double retention and Vatrano double retention for picks and prospects(Niemela, Chadwick, Hildeby some of the prospects available)Robertson,
Jarnkrok and his cap and Kampf if there is no cap space otherwise I wouldn't mind keeping him

Knies Matthews Domi
Vatrano Nelson Marner
Pacioretty Tavares Nylander
McMann Lorentz Dewar or Kampf if we have enough cap
Reeves

That's an all in forward group I would say.
Our D are good enough I wouldn't bother adding

 

[Fogelhund]

There is no one that is available right now that makes sense. I’m hoping they get creative and look for a Hertl-esque move for a good player with term.

I would still be interested in Sillinger at the right price as a long-term piece.

I wouldn’t spend a 3rd+5th on a Kampf upgrade that won’t help them get bottom 6 scoring. If Kampf wasn’t around I’d be fine with that deal for 4C.

Florida won the cup with a 3C that put up 35 regular season points.

Colorado won the cup with a 3C that put up 33 regular season points.

Bozak was St Louis’s 3C with 38 points.

Hertl puts up sixtyish points when healthy. Nobody has sixtyish point 3C’s winning cups, and we don’t need one either. We need our stars to score when it counts, or our 3C is irrelevant. A 30-40ish pace C will suffice, depending on how defensively strong they are. Eller is defensively strong.

Take a look at teams who won’t make the playoffs and who they “might” be willing to part with. That is your shopping list.

Anaheim - maybe Ryan Strome. 2 x $5 mil 40ish pt, weak on draws, weak defensively, no physicality.

San Jose. - Granland. $5 mil. Will be traded for more than we should spend, would be a pure rental. Near PPG

Kunin. 5 points this year. 4C material.

Seattle. - Gourde. 31 points last year, 4 points this year.. appears to be cooked, small, not physical $5.1 mil.

Nash. - Sissons. He’s on 2 points for the year. 20ish pt guy.

Chi. - Dickinson. $4.25 mil x 2. 30ish point guy. Physical.

Columbus - maybe Monahan, but he’s got a forever contract at $5.5 mil.

Philly - Laughton - $3 mil. 30ish pt guy. (Probably the most realistic reasonable option left)

NYI - Pageualt. - $5m, 30ish pt guy.

MTL. - Dvorak or Evans. Evans is 4C, Dvorak is a 30ish pt guy who is meh.

Detroit. - Copp? $5.625 with term. Meh.

Buffalo - McLeod? RFA, probably wouldn’t trade him. Too young.

Tampa? If they nose dive. Nick Paul?

That’s about the list of guys who “might” be on the market this year. So pick your poison… Eller would have been one of the best on the list, your choices are likely Laughton or Granlund now, depending on what you want.

 

[Americanadian]

Sixth for D in TOI. It’s not Bérubé who needs to pump the brakes.

I proposed pairing Hakanpaa with Rielly. You told me to pump the brakes. Game 1 he pairs Hakanpaa with Rielly. Playing with Rielly doesn't mean top pairing minutes - look at Schenn and Lyubushkin.

You're allowed to admit when you're wrong.

 

[Americanadian]

Florida won the cup with a 3C that put up 35 regular season points.

Colorado won the cup with a 3C that put up 33 regular season points.

Bozak was St Louis’s 3C with 38 points.

Hertl puts up sixtyish points when healthy. Nobody has sixtyish point 3C’s winning cups, and we don’t need one either. We need our stars to score when it counts, or our 3C is irrelevant. A 30-40ish pace C will suffice, depending on how defensively strong they are. Eller is defensively strong.

Take a look at teams who won’t make the playoffs and who they “might” be willing to part with. That is your shopping list.

Anaheim - maybe Ryan Strome. 2 x $5 mil 40ish pt, weak on draws, weak defensively, no physicality.

San Jose. - Granland. $5 mil. Will be traded for more than we should spend, would be a pure rental. Near PPG

Kunin. 5 points this year. 4C material.

Seattle. - Gourde. 31 points last year, 4 points this year.. appears to be cooked, small, not physical $5.1 mil.

Nash. - Sissons. He’s on 2 points for the year. 20ish pt guy.

Chi. - Dickinson. $4.25 mil x 2. 30ish point guy. Physical.

Columbus - maybe Monahan, but he’s got a forever contract at $5.5 mil.

Philly - Laughton - $3 mil. 30ish pt guy. (Probably the most realistic reasonable option left)

NYI - Pageualt. - $5m, 30ish pt guy.

MTL. - Dvorak or Evans. Evans is 4C, Dvorak is a 30ish pt guy who is meh.

Detroit. - Copp? $5.625 with term. Meh.

Buffalo - McLeod? RFA, probably wouldn’t trade him. Too young.

Tampa? If they nose dive. Nick Paul?

That’s about the list of guys who “might” be on the market this year. So pick your poison… Eller would have been one of the best on the list, your choices are likely Laughton or Granlund now, depending on what you want.

Lundell scoring 33 points in the regular season is a good comparison but he scored at a 58 point pace in the playoffs which is ultimately what the Leafs need.

You are correct - it is irrelevant as long as the core forwards continue to be themselves in the playoffs.

I go through the list of C's every week and there is nothing that would push this team into contender status available. If I were the Leafs I would be looking to acquire a C with team control.

I have been on Sillinger for awhile but his underlying numbers have been worse than last season so I'm souring on him.

I would start poking around on Wright - Seattle just signed a 2C for 7 years and Wright can't produce points. I'd offer Minten+2026 1st for him.

I would happily do a Woll+ for Ritchie as previously proposed.

There is also a chance that Cozens is this season's Hertl depending on which direction the Sabres go over the next 2 months.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

I'm patient with players, but I'd have to agree that Holmberg is the biggest issue on the third line. He's just not accomplishing anything, and even when you move him up, he struggles and kills the play. It's a shame that he hasn't taken the next step, because it looked like he had that in him.

The challenge of course, is he plays C... so who do you replace him with? The roster options are Dewar and Lorentz for now...

If we make a move outside the org, how do we afford the trade, or cap hit? Laughton, Granlund, McLeod (Buffalo), Jake Evans...


THank you for the ongoing comedy.

You're right that Buffalo would laugh at an unsigned Marner for either of those guys.

Leafs would probably have to give them Nylander+ instead. Dahlin is younger, gets almost as many points, and is signed long term to less money. A stud number one defenseman like that would turn this team from pretender to contender.

That Power kid is a real beast too.

 

[Fogelhund]

Lundell scoring 33 points in the regular season is a good comparison but he scored at a 58 point pace in the playoffs which is ultimately what the Leafs need.

You are correct - it is irrelevant as long as the core forwards continue to be themselves in the playoffs.

I go through the list of C's every week and there is nothing that would push this team into contender status available. If I were the Leafs I would be looking to acquire a C with team control.

I have been on Sillinger for awhile but his underlying numbers have been worse than last season so I'm souring on him.

I would start poking around on Wright - Seattle just signed a 2C for 7 years and Wright can't produce points. I'd offer Minten+2026 1st for him.

I would happily do a Woll+ for Ritchie as previously proposed.

There is also a chance that Cozens is this season's Hertl depending on which direction the Sabres go over the next 2 months.

I'd can't disagree that there aren't a lot of C's there that get me all that excited. But, given Holmberg is currently our 3C, I'd at least take cheapish improvement. Holmberg has simply been terrible.

I do think Laughton would be our best choice of those C's, that I've identified as potentially available. It makes us better than we are today. Contenders... that's up to the big 4 to finally perform in the playoffs.

I've talked about obtaining Wright before, even this summer. But man, is that kid struggling... 16 games this year, and 15 games without a point. He needs to go back to the AHL, and figure some things out. I was lucky enough to see him play in the OHL a number of times. He is a player that never really stood out in any way, but would always end up on the scoresheet. Just kind of a quiet, get things done kind of guy, but nothing flashy. Adding him does nothing for our team now at all... he just needs more time to figure it out, if he ever does.

Sillinger is 21, on a team who needs C's in the future. I don't see there being any chance he'd be moved. Cozens is essentially the same story... normally, kids these young aren't going to get moved, unless the team gives up on them... and usually for good reason if they do. Ritchie is the same.. Cozens isn't getting moved either.

The only chance you get a young guy like any of these, is if we are moving a piece like Marner...

 

[Fogelhund]

You're right that Buffalo would laugh at an unsigned Marner for either of those guys.

Leafs would probably have to give them Nylander instead. Dahlin is younger, gets almost as many points, and is signed long term to less money. A stud number one defenseman like that would turn this team from pretender to contender.

That Power kid is a real beast too.

Power has potential, Dahlin doesn't seem to have the brain to process the game well enough, particularly defensively. Dahlin has wonderful size and athleticism though. It's crazy that a guy the size of Power lacks much of a physical component to his game... but I was offered either in a trade, I'd take Power over Dahlin every time.

 

[SprDaVE]

Florida won the cup with a 3C that put up 35 regular season points.

Colorado won the cup with a 3C that put up 33 regular season points.

Bozak was St Louis’s 3C with 38 points.

Hertl puts up sixtyish points when healthy. Nobody has sixtyish point 3C’s winning cups, and we don’t need one either. We need our stars to score when it counts, or our 3C is irrelevant. A 30-40ish pace C will suffice, depending on how defensively strong they are. Eller is defensively strong.

Take a look at teams who won’t make the playoffs and who they “might” be willing to part with. That is your shopping list.

Anaheim - maybe Ryan Strome. 2 x $5 mil 40ish pt, weak on draws, weak defensively, no physicality.

San Jose. - Granland. $5 mil. Will be traded for more than we should spend, would be a pure rental. Near PPG

Kunin. 5 points this year. 4C material.

Seattle. - Gourde. 31 points last year, 4 points this year.. appears to be cooked, small, not physical $5.1 mil.

Nash. - Sissons. He’s on 2 points for the year. 20ish pt guy.

Chi. - Dickinson. $4.25 mil x 2. 30ish point guy. Physical.

Columbus - maybe Monahan, but he’s got a forever contract at $5.5 mil.

Philly - Laughton - $3 mil. 30ish pt guy. (Probably the most realistic reasonable option left)

NYI - Pageualt. - $5m, 30ish pt guy.

MTL. - Dvorak or Evans. Evans is 4C, Dvorak is a 30ish pt guy who is meh.

Detroit. - Copp? $5.625 with term. Meh.

Buffalo - McLeod? RFA, probably wouldn’t trade him. Too young.

Tampa? If they nose dive. Nick Paul?

That’s about the list of guys who “might” be on the market this year. So pick your poison… Eller would have been one of the best on the list, your choices are likely Laughton or Granlund now, depending on what you want.

Noel Acciari would be high on my list I think. Top PKer for Pittsburgh, 2nd in faceoffs taken (Eller is gone), 47 hits in 18 games which is first by a country mile on that team. He's 2M until next year. Berube coached him a bit with the Blues and he was highly regarded in his small time here. He's not a point producer. Other problem is that he's often injured.

Laughton is obviously the more attractive piece that would fit really well. Capable offensively, locked up, intangibles... checks a lot of boxes. Price might be dicey to acquire him.

Gourde would be an interesting buy low. The high cap hit, small stature and low production is tough to justify though. I think he's someone that could improve a lot on a new team.

It's not always about pure points but what kind of impact they have on the ice, what kind of energy they bring and the impact they have on special teams.

 

[Skullz]

I would also like us to add speed when we do add a forward. It’s not the be all and end all, but I have noticed that for for the past three years we’ve gotten slower. Some nights it’s like we’re all skating in mud.

 

[Americanadian]

I'd can't disagree that there aren't a lot of C's there that get me all that excited. But, given Holmberg is currently our 3C, I'd at least take cheapish improvement. Holmberg has simply been terrible.

I do think Laughton would be our best choice of those C's, that I've identified as potentially available. It makes us better than we are today. Contenders... that's up to the big 4 to finally perform in the playoffs.

I've talked about obtaining Wright before, even this summer. But man, is that kid struggling... 16 games this year, and 15 games without a point. He needs to go back to the AHL, and figure some things out. I was lucky enough to see him play in the OHL a number of times. He is a player that never really stood out in any way, but would always end up on the scoresheet. Just kind of a quiet, get things done kind of guy, but nothing flashy. Adding him does nothing for our team now at all... he just needs more time to figure it out, if he ever does.

Sillinger is 21, on a team who needs C's in the future. I don't see there being any chance he'd be moved. Cozens is essentially the same story... normally, kids these young aren't going to get moved, unless the team gives up on them... and usually for good reason if they do. Ritchie is the same.. Cozens isn't getting moved either.

The only chance you get a young guy like any of these, is if we are moving a piece like Marner...

I see the complete opposite in Columbus. They have Fantilli/Lindstrom as future top 9 C’s, they have Jenner/Monahan as mid-term top 9 C solutions. They also have Voronkov who could be a long-term C. Sillinger currently plays wing for them, I don’t see the pathway to play C for him there.

As far as Cozens goes - I don’t think Buffalo will move on from him but I wouldn’t be shocked if it happened. It would have to be an off-season trade probably centered around Cowan.

 

[Malachi Crunch]

I would be all in on buying low on Shane Wright. He may be the next Dylan Strome - needs time to figure it out. (I'm bummed that we missed on the opportunity to get a cheap Strome)

Wright is a Toronto guy and a C. Sometimes, guys like that just need to come back home. So many kids aren't ready to leave home at such a young age. When their mental health improves - their play improves. (speculating here)

If you're playing the game of odds, those really high draft picks have a better chance of "figuring it out" than other players.

 

[SprDaVE]

I would be all in on buying low on Shane Wright. He may be the next Dylan Strome - needs time to figure it out. (I'm bummed that we missed on the opportunity to get a cheap Strome)

Wright is a Toronto guy and a C. Sometimes, guys like that just need to come back home. So many kids aren't ready to leave home at such a young age. When their mental health improves - their play improves. (speculating here)

If you're playing the game of odds, those really high draft picks have a better chance of "figuring it out" than other players.

The problem with Wright is that you're always paying a premium for ex-top 5 picks not even 3 years into the league. I don't think he'd be someone they just give up on without a substantial player back in some capacity. Why would they? Who are we trading for him?

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

Power has potential, Dahlin doesn't seem to have the brain to process the game well enough, particularly defensively. Dahlin has wonderful size and athleticism though. It's crazy that a guy the size of Power lacks much of a physical component to his game... but I was offered either in a trade, I'd take Power over Dahlin every time.

I would rather have Dahlin right now for the simple fact they only have a few more years of the Matthews contract and can't afford to wait even a year or two for Power to develop.

But I agree that Power kid is gonna be awesome. Even if he doesn't put up the gaudy numbers like Dahlin can. I'm hoping more like Pietrangelo than Ristolainen.

I think he uses his body well but for his size you would like to see him dominate the opponent physically.

 

[OVO16]

A 3rd line goal scoring center is crucial for this team.

Does Ryan Strome make sense? What about Ryan Donato?

 

[Fogelhund]

Noel Acciari would be high on my list I think. Top PKer for Pittsburgh, 2nd in faceoffs taken (Eller is gone), 47 hits in 18 games which is first by a country mile on that team. He's 2M until next year. Berube coached him a bit with the Blues and he was highly regarded in his small time here. He's not a point producer. Other problem is that he's often injured.

Laughton is obviously the more attractive piece that would fit really well. Capable offensively, locked up, intangibles... checks a lot of boxes. Price might be dicey to acquire him.

Gourde would be an interesting buy low. The high cap hit, small stature and low production is tough to justify though. I think he's someone that could improve a lot on a new team.

Gourde's production has really dropped the last two years. As you say, small stature, and when guys like that lose a bit of speed, it really can affect their production in a major way.

I think letting Acciari go was a bit of a dumb move on our part. I'd trade for him, if it meant moving Kampf and saving some cap space there, with a player who probably has a better impact on our overall game... it still leaves me wanting someone to play 3C though.

 

[Malachi Crunch]

The problem with Wright is that you're always paying a premium for ex-top 5 picks not even 3 years into the league. I don't think he'd be someone they just give up on without a substantial player back in some capacity. Why would they? Who are we trading for him?

Well, that's the thing. By "trade low", it's still going to be a big price. A first rounder plus a half decent prospect would be ideal. Although, I'd have to assume they would ask for Cowen. Maybe more.

To answer the "why would they" question, you're right, you don't see trades with top 5 players in the first few years after they've been drafted. However, after a certain amount of time has passed (4 years?) there's a lot of movement.

All of these top 5 guys, from 2015 to the present time, were traded: Eichel, Strome, Hanifin, Laine, Dubois, Puljujarvi, Sergachev, Kotkaniemi, Juolevi, Byram and Dach. When you include the top 15, the movement is even more extreme and begins earlier.

Anyway, just thinking out loud.

 

[Fogelhund]

A 3rd line goal scoring center is crucial for this team.

Does Ryan Strome make sense? What about Ryan Donato?

I mentioned him above. 13:15 5v5 time last year 26 points (5v5)
Laughton 12:38 5v5 time last year, 26 points (5v5)

Strome has no physicality, is mediocre at best defensively.

Laughton is far more physical, better defensively, better in the dot..and scored the same amount of points 5v5 last year, and this year.

Strome is three years at $5 mil, Laughton two years at $3 mil.

That's a pretty easy decision for me.

 

[OVO16]

I mentioned him above. 13:15 5v5 time last year 26 points (5v5)
Laughton 12:38 5v5 time last year, 26 points (5v5)

Strome has no physicality, is mediocre at best defensively.

Laughton is far more physical, better defensively, better in the dot..and scored the same amount of points 5v5 last year, and this year.

Strome is three years at $5 mil, Laughton two years at $3 mil.

That's a pretty easy decision for me.

Oh yeah I'd choose Laughton every day too. I'm just trying to compile a list of targets in case Laughton gets tarded elsewhere.

Flyers have been reportedly interested in Nick Robertson in the past, I feel like theres a trade to be made there

 

[WTFMAN99]

Power has potential, Dahlin doesn't seem to have the brain to process the game well enough, particularly defensively. Dahlin has wonderful size and athleticism though. It's crazy that a guy the size of Power lacks much of a physical component to his game... but I was offered either in a trade, I'd take Power over Dahlin every time.

I know for a while there that Dahlin was playing his off-side but they have him on LD and Byram is now on RD.

 

[Fogelhund]

My ideal remake of the bottom six would be as follows'

3C - Laughton. Good defensively, very physical, good in the dot... makes us harder to play against, and can chip in ok 3rd line points.

4C - McBain (It's a dream, he isn't likely to be traded) But, physical, puts up decent points in his minutes, size...
#2 Acciari 5'11" 209lbs.. physical, PKer, make us harder to play against, can put up ok points

4RW Mathieu Olivier Olivier’s top speed of 22.73 mph this year per NHL Edge stats is in the 92nd percentile among league forwards.. so fast 6'2" 209lbs, will fight decent defensively, and can score as well. So he add speed, size, physicality.....

With a healthy squad, given their performances so far this year... I'd go with as the bottom six; This really makes us tough to play against, everyone can play hockey, and wears down other teams. We would easily have the most physical group of forwards in the league with these guys... maybe the most physical team.

McMann Laughton Domi
Lorentz McBain/Acciari Olivier
Dewar

Laughton 52 hits.
Olivier 49 hits
Acciari 47 hits
Lorentz 44 hits
McBain 44 hits
McMann 30 hits
Domi 7 hits LOL

 

[WTFMAN99]

My ideal remake of the bottom six would be as follows'

3C - Laughton. Good defensively, very physical, good in the dot... makes us harder to play against, and can chip in ok 3rd line points.

4C - McBain (It's a dream, he isn't likely to be traded) But, physical, puts up decent points in his minutes, size...
#2 Acciari 5'11" 209lbs.. physical, PKer, make us harder to play against, can put up ok points

4RW Mathieu Olivier Olivier’s top speed of 22.73 mph this year per NHL Edge stats is in the 92nd percentile among league forwards.. so fast 6'2" 209lbs, will fight decent defensively, and can score as well. So he add speed, size, physicality.....

With a healthy squad, given their performances so far this year... I'd go with as the bottom six; This really makes us tough to play against, everyone can play hockey, and wears down other teams. We would easily have the most physical group of forwards in the league with these guys... maybe the most physical team.

McMann Laughton Domi
Lorentz McBain/Acciari Olivier
Dewar

Laughton 52 hits.
Olivier 49 hits
Acciari 47 hits
Lorentz 44 hits
McBain 44 hits
McMann 30 hits
Domi 7 hits LOL

Need some more offense...Laughton and McBain adds would be magnificent but on the wing, definitely need to find some goals.

Lower cost options might be Dvorak and Armia from Montreal.

 

[The Management]

What about Jason Dickinson? 35 points last year on a bad Blackhawks team isn't too bad. Plays chippy hockey, blocks shots, pretty decent defensively, average to below average on the dot, likes to shoot the puck and generate rebounds... not a sexy name, maybe not enough of an improvement over what we have. Seems well liked by Hawks fans, but I'm not sure he helps address this team's issues in terms of scoring depth.

I've always liked Pageau, but he's getting longer in the tooth and still under contract for a couple of years at a pretty unpalatable cap hit.

 

[OVO16]

Knies - Matthews - Marner
Pacioretty - Tavares - Nylander
McMann - Laughton - Domi
Lorentz - Kampf - Dewar
Reaves

Robertson traded in a package for Laughton. And Jarnkrok Traded. Holmberg sent to the marlies