Trades & Free Agency Thread: 2024-2025 Season Edition

[Fogelhund]

That's why I'd like to get somebody we wouldn't mind keeping, who also wouldn't mind staying if things go well for the rest of the season

Which also probably means someone we could sign at an affordable price. These guys who are going to get $4.5-6 mil will be outside of our price range.

 

[Kiwi]

Which also probably means someone we could sign at an affordable price. These guys who are going to get $4.5-6 mil will be outside of our price range.

I don't think we have the assets to be shopping at the top end of the market

There's probably a guy or two who would fit what were looking for in our price range, it's just picking the right one

 

[ULF_55]

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

Much of the discussion was triggered by "insiders" and not Leafs fans. So it isn't this forum talking up their value.

So 2 options:
Click Bait
Other teams are seeing their potential.

 

[SprDaVE]

I don't think we have the assets to be shopping at the top end of the market

There's probably a guy or two who would fit what were looking for in our price range, it's just picking the right one

You always want to grab the best player for the value but we definitely don't need to go star shopping. Nelson and Granlund seem out of reach. We just need a capable efficient and cost effective player in the 3 hole to then push Domi to RW. Even that seems hard to do though. We'll see what Treliving can do.

 

[Kiwi]

You always want to grab the best player for the value but we definitely don't need to go star shopping. Nelson and Granlund seem out of reach. We just need a capable efficient and cost effective player in the 3 hole to then push Domi to RW. Even that seems hard to do though. We'll see what Treliving can do.

There looks like there's going to be a bunch of meh around our price range imo, if we pick the right guy it's really going to help but it's going to be a tough decision with plenty of variance in the end results

Does Dvorak look good with a couple of good wingers? Bjugstad?

 

[SprDaVE]

There looks like there's going to be a bunch of meh around our price range imo, if we pick the right guy it's really going to help but it's going to be a tough decision with plenty of variance in the end results

Does Dvorak look good with a couple of good wingers? Bjugstad?

Bjugstad seems like the perfect fit. Not expensive cap space wise, good production, big player, enough physically. He's not a PKer but this team doesn't really need it per say.

Dvorak could be ok. Trading with MTL is always weird. I wouldn't pay much, even if they retain. But I like the Knights connection and I think he's better than what he's shown in MTL.

Both have been injured a lot in their careers.

 

[thusk]

Nelson would be amaizing but i don't thibk the cost/value will be good. Leafs don't necessairly need a top 6 C but a 3C to complete the group and the price for Nelson would be pretty high and probably out of reach for Toronto.

Granlund is a good yop 6 C but like i said leafs don't need a top 6 C but a player to complete the group and i don't think hes a good complement for what leafs already have.

Gourde, Bjusgtad, Dvorak are probabluly best target remaining in order...

 

[WTFMAN99]

I wouldn't mind getting to test drive Morgan Frost...could actually be a long term addition to the roster.

Also wouldn't mind adding a winger to the group, make us deeper, Vatrano?

 

[Menzinger]

Has Murray been playing ?

5 games so far

 

[SprDaVE]

I wouldn't mind getting to test drive Morgan Frost...could actually be a long term addition to the roster.

Also wouldn't mind adding a winger to the group, make us deeper, Vatrano?

I'd only want to get a winger if we have injuries closer to the deadline. If we're healthy, I think our wingers are pretty good and with lot's of varying options... it would be hard to add to that, especially with our tight cap space.

 

[Menzinger]

I'd only want to get a winger if we have injuries closer to the deadline. If we're healthy, I think our wingers are pretty good and with lot's of varying options... it would be hard to add to that, especially with our tight cap space.

Plus the most tradeable assets are likely needed to get that badly needed centre - either the 2nd this year or next year's 1st

 

[ULF_55]

Gourde, Bjusgtad, Dvorak are probabluly best target remaining in order...

Gourde taking a lot of penalties?

 

[seanlinden]

I still think he's a guy you heavily investigate and pursue to see how feasible it is. Regardless of the team's situation, if you can sensibly add a former 6th OA pick two years from his draft year it could be a worthwhile gamble. Especially since the blue line is largely 30+

Personally I don't think the Leafs would part with Columbus would want .. but it's feasible.

The other aspect is the fit - not just on the roster itself but the optics. You have a Leafs teams playing really well through injuries, gelling nicely. How can you fit Jiricek in? There blue line has depth:

Rielly-Tanev
OEL-McCabe
Benoit-Timmins
Hakanpaa-Myers

The only avenue I see is in sheltered bottom pairing minutes (he needs regular playing time but in lower leverage situations at the NHL level to start with) .. who do you take out and rotate? Maybe it's sensible to move Timmins in another deal and put Jiricek there?

It's tough to have a hard pass on, but it is tricky to make it work with the Leafs even if they could afford the price.

While yes, getting a guy like David Jiricek should be "exciting"; the reality is, just like we weren't in a position to develop Sandin, and just like we weren't in a position to develop Liljegren, we need to accept that we're not in a position to develop Jiricek.

The Leafs are in a win-now mode, and this year were able to spend a reasonable amount on mid-tier defencemen (OEL). Jiricek isn't going to give the Leafs a better chance to win on a given night than Connor Timmins or Jani Hakanpaa is.

He needs to go to another bad team that can live with the mistakes for the long term upside.

 

[thusk]

Gourde taking a lot of penalties?

no more than domi, jt or holmberg

 

[WTFMAN99]

I'd only want to get a winger if we have injuries closer to the deadline. If we're healthy, I think our wingers are pretty good and with lot's of varying options... it would be hard to add to that, especially with our tight cap space.

Plus the most tradeable assets are likely needed to get that badly needed centre - either the 2nd this year or next year's 1st

What is a realistic price tag for someone like Dvorak? a 3rd tops right?

The only reason I think about other scoring options, namely a winger is I remember drying up offensively the last couple of years, another option wouldn't be bad but there is only so much cap / assets to go around.

Haven't even gotten to the implications of Hakanpaa's lack of GP or suffering more injuries on defense, in general.

 

[SprDaVE]

What is a realistic price tag for someone like Dvorak? a 3rd tops right?

The only reason I think about other scoring options, namely a winger is I remember drying up offensively the last couple of years, another option wouldn't be bad but there is only so much cap / assets to go around.

Haven't even gotten to the implications of Hakanpaa's lack of GP or suffering more injuries on defense, in general.

No idea but probably around that? Maybe similar to Eller?

 

[ULF_55]

no more than domi, jt or holmberg

You sure or just hoping?

 

[thusk]

You sure or just hoping?

he had 5 minor penalty

Domi 9
tavares 6
holmberg 5

2 major for fighting and 1 misconduct

 

[hockeywiz542]

Dreger: Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes 'listening to just about anything' on pending UFA | TSN

As the Montreal Canadiens continue to press forward in their rebuild, general manager Kent Hughes will have several decisions to make on the future of the club’s impending free agents. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger appeared on TSN Radio Friday morning to discuss the path Hughes would take...

www.tsn.ca

As the Montreal Canadiens continue to press forward in their rebuild, general manager Kent Hughes will have several decisions to make on the future of the club’s impending free agents.

Forwards Jake Evans, Joel Armia, and Christian Dvorak are set to become unrestricted free agents after the season, while defenceman David Savard is also playing the final year of his contract. With one year left on his deal following the end of this season, Mike Matheson might also be in play for teams looking to add to their blueline.

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger appeared on TSN Radio Friday morning to discuss the path Hughes would take heading toward the March 7 trade deadline.

“Kent Hughes is listening to just about anything that would help the Canadiens. As we know, it's more about the future,” Dreger said. “You look at the players you mentioned and you think 'How would they fit in long-term?' Then you balance that with what the market is presenting and what might be offered for one of those players.

“There are always teams looking for quality defence. That's why, when healthy we consider Mike Matheson a chip that Hughes can play. Savard, of course, is a chip he can play,” said Dreger.

 

[thusk]

What is a realistic price tag for someone like Dvorak? a 3rd tops right?

The only reason I think about other scoring options, namely a winger is I remember drying up offensively the last couple of years, another option wouldn't be bad but there is only so much cap / assets to go around.

Haven't even gotten to the implications of Hakanpaa's lack of GP or suffering more injuries on defense, in general.

For me Jake evans is maybe more interesting than Dvorak and with higher value than Dvorak rigjt now

 

[Kiwi]

For me Jake evans is maybe more interesting than Dvorak and with higher value than Dvorak rigjt now

It's interesting

Evans has had a significant production jump this season but he's a career 25-30 point guy whereas Dvorak was a half a point per game guy up until a few years ago who's dropped off to a 25-30 point player

Will Evans continue scoring at his current rate?
Will Dvorak start scoring at .5 a game again on a better team with something to play for?

They both seem Like guys you could resign if they fit in

I wouldn't mind getting to test drive Morgan Frost...could actually be a long term addition to the roster.

Also wouldn't mind adding a winger to the group, make us deeper, Vatrano?

I'd be interested in Frost to but I wouldn't bother with another winger
Get another center and Domi goes to the wing and Patches should come back at some point to
That's plenty of wing cover imo

 

[WTFMAN99]

It's interesting

Evans has had a significant production jump this season but he's a career 25-30 point guy whereas Dvorak was a half a point per game guy up until a few years ago who's dropped off to a 25-30 point player

Will Evans continue scoring at his current rate?
Will Dvorak start scoring at .5 a game again on a better team with something to play for?

They both seem Like guys you could resign if they fit in



I'd be interested in Frost to but I wouldn't bother with another winger
Get another center and Domi goes to the wing and Patches should come back at some point to
That's plenty of wing cover imo

Jake Evans is a *great* 4C, you couldn't ask for better, not sure about a 3C though

I think Dvorak isn't a Montreal guy but as a Knights alumni...maybe? Fellow American Matthews is on the team, Marner and Domi...I could see that getting him interested.

I see Evans fetching a lot, like more than he should similar to like a Goodrow (maybe not a 1st but a 2nd) a few years ago.

 

[Kiwi]

Jake Evans is a *great* 4C, you couldn't ask for better, not sure about a 3C though

I think Dvorak isn't a Montreal guy but as a Knights alumni...maybe? Fellow American Matthews is on the team, Marner and Domi...I could see that getting him interested.

I see Evans fetching a lot, like more than he should similar to like a Goodrow (maybe not a 1st but a 2nd) a few years ago.

Yeah I think Dvorak is going to be better value for cost and I wouldn't be shocked if his production picked up away from that God awful Habs team

We could definitely give him a play driving winger to

 

[TMLAM34]

I wouldn’t mind Dvorak if he came fairly cheap. Definitely has the capability to bounce back.

 

[thusk]

It's interesting

Evans has had a significant production jump this season but he's a career 25-30 point guy whereas Dvorak was a half a point per game guy up until a few years ago who's dropped off to a 25-30 point player

Will Evans continue scoring at his current rate?
Will Dvorak start scoring at .5 a game again on a better team with something to play for?

They both seem Like guys you could resign if they fit in



I'd be interested in Frost to but I wouldn't bother with another winger
Get another center and Domi goes to the wing and Patches should come back at some point to
That's plenty of wing cover imo

Dvorak played a higher offensive role during his carreer ( in trash team for sure, the only placw he could play in a top 6) but honestly i'm not sure if he's really bring something to a contender. Its mrs no savor, mr invisible...

I'm from QC so watch habs game and honestly im not pretty high on dvorak. and i'm not sure if Dvorak would really be an upgrade over Minten actually