Trades & Free Agency Thread: 2024-2025 Season Edition

[Hockey 4 Life]

Unless we are adding a 2c for the long term I wouldn't trade Cowan, Minten, or Grebs. I'd much rather use the 2026 1st, 2025 2nd and lesser players or prospects. Hopefully we can find a suitable trade with those pieces.

 

[Fogelhund]

""

Kampf skating as well, but not eligible to return until December 14th.

So, when these guys are all back, who gets sent down, who stays up?

Knies Matthews Nylander
Patches Tavares Marner
McMann Minten Domi
Lorentz Kampf Dewar

This is under the assumption that Minten can continue to produce... three points in four games is more than I expect from him, but anything over 0.4 PPG and he should stick.

One goal for Robertson doesn't save him... but he'll get a couple more games to see if he can stay.... chances are no. Would he make it through waivers? Could we get value in a trade?

Holmberg might be running out of runway, though maybe he's the 13th guy?
Grebenkin can easily go back to the Marlies, doesn't require waivers.
A. Nylander will go through waivers, doubt he's claimed.

Once everyone is healthy, run with this lineup, and see if the depth can contribute adequately. I'd still be on the add Olivier in Dewar's spot train...

 

[BertCorbeau]

Minten has almost produced as much as Holmberg this season in a few games .. assuming he keeps it up he should stick around for awhile

He’s stealing a job from Holmberg IMO

 

[SHANNYPLAN]

Robertson, Reaves & 3rd for Olivier - Overpay, but he's a unicorn (7 goals, 10 pts).

Kampf & 1st for ROR @ 1 M retained.

 

[Fogelhund]

Robertson, Reaves & 3rd for Olivier - Overpay, but he's a unicorn (7 goals, 10 pts).

Kampf & 1st for ROR @ 1 M retained.


View attachment 938791

Why spend those assets on RoR, if Minten continues to produce?

 

[jaric1862]

With Hakanpaa’s health in question, it’s pretty clear we need to add another RHD at the deadline, along with addressing the 3C position.

 

[1specter]

Why spend those assets on RoR, if Minten continues to produce?

While I like Minten and what he can become, he's been getting shelled as far as the numbers go. Obviously, some of that is linemates, but he's also gotten to play with Willy so it's not like he's had total scrubs. I'm happy he's put up a few points but I'd rather he keep cooking in the AHL.

For the record, I am not saying RoR is the answer either. We already paid a ransom for him once, would rather not do it again.

 

[Fogelhund]

While I like Minten and what he can become, he's been getting shelled as far as the numbers go. Obviously, some of that is linemates, but he's also gotten to play with Willy so it's not like he's had total scrubs. I'm happy he's put up a few points but I'd rather he keep cooking in the AHL.

For the record, I am not saying RoR is the answer either. We already paid a ransom for him once, would rather not do it again.

I think we know that Minten should have a good defensive game, even at the NHL level. The main question was, could he put up some offense... which he's been doing.

Now it's a small sample set, but if everyone is healthy, chances are he's either playing with McMann and Domi, or McMann and Nylander, if we put Domi with Knies and Matthews.

So while playing with struggling Holmberg/Robertson and Grebenkin/A. Nylander weren't likely to do much for Minten... he's shown some encouraging signs otherwise. It's the start of December, and we should get Domi and McMann back within a week or so. I say just let Minten run with it... There is plenty of time to see if it can work out for us, or not. If it isn't working, I have no problem sending him back, and obtaining a 3C, but I think based on what we've seen, we should be patient and see more. Sure, he's got some learning to do, let him learn... but why spend the assets if it becomes unnecessary?

If we are having this discussion in mid January, and he's still getting shelled... pull the plug, send him to the Marlies, and look around at the options.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

""

Kampf skating as well, but not eligible to return until December 14th.

So, when these guys are all back, who gets sent down, who stays up?

Knies Matthews Nylander
Patches Tavares Marner
McMann Minten Domi
Lorentz Kampf Dewar

This is under the assumption that Minten can continue to produce... three points in four games is more than I expect from him, but anything over 0.4 PPG and he should stick.

One goal for Robertson doesn't save him... but he'll get a couple more games to see if he can stay.... chances are no. Would he make it through waivers? Could we get value in a trade?

Holmberg might be running out of runway, though maybe he's the 13th guy?
Grebenkin can easily go back to the Marlies, doesn't require waivers.
A. Nylander will go through waivers, doubt he's claimed.

Once everyone is healthy, run with this lineup, and see if the depth can contribute adequately. I'd still be on the add Olivier in Dewar's spot train...

Not necessarily what I'd do but we're probably going to end up sending Minten Greb and Alex down and run 14/7 till they can bring in a center. I'd expect something like.

Knies Matthews Nylander
Patches Tavares Marner
McMann Domi Robertson
Dewar Kampf Lorentz
Holmberg Reaves

Rielly OEL
McCabe Tanev
Benoit Timmins
Myers

Woll/Stolarz

 

[WTFMAN99]

I am kind of mentally writing off both Hakanpaa and Jarnkrok for this year. They took a chance and unfortunately Hakanpaa's knee isn't up for it.

Let's focus on a 3C and see if everything else is good enough and make any other adjustments closer to TDL.

I think it would be ideal to do the trade soon or early into the new year to let the person integrate.

 

[Fogelhund]

I am kind of mentally writing off both Hakanpaa and Jarnkrok for this year. They took a chance and unfortunately Hakanpaa's knee isn't up for it.

Let's focus on a 3C and see if everything else is good enough and make any other adjustments closer to TDL.

I think it would be ideal to do the trade soon or early into the new year to let the person integrate.

Minten has three points, in four games as our 3C... you aren't willing to give it a longer runway?

 

[WTFMAN99]

Minten has three points, in four games as our 3C... you aren't willing to give it a longer runway?

I think we'll have a better finished product if we give him more time in the AHL / PP time / PK etc.

He's done very well but advanced metrics / Corsi aren't amazing, plus face-offs, most young guys struggle with face offs though.

I think next year he could even break in at 4C.

 

[Namikaze Minato]

I think we'll have a better finished product if we give him more time in the AHL / PP time / PK etc.

He's done very well but advanced metrics / Corsi aren't amazing, plus face-offs, most young guys struggle with face offs though.

I think next year he could even break in at 4C.

I dont necessarily agree with you on this one. He literally puts up about the same points in every league he has ever been in and its because of how intelligent he is on the ice, its not like sending him back will make his offensive ceiling any higher.

He has NHL size, NHL intelligence, NHL shot and skating. His biggest weaknesses seem to be his experience level and his talent ceiling but he already has shown he is above a 4C role on this team, in the short term at least.

However this is a hopeful contender once again and the lack of experience would likely be his biggest flaw in the playoffs, which is why we will likely bring in a 3C.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I dont necessarily agree with you on this one. He literally puts up about the same points in every league he has ever been in and its because of how intelligent he is on the ice, its not like sending him back will make his offensive ceiling any higher.

He has NHL size, NHL intelligence, NHL shot and skating. His biggest weaknesses seem to be his experience level and his talent ceiling but he already has shown he is above a 4C role on this team, in the short term at least.

However this is a hopeful contender once again and the lack of experience would likely be his biggest flaw in the playoffs, which is why we will likely bring in a 3C.

If we sent Kampf out the door and Minten was our 4C, I wouldn't be upset with something like

Matthews-JT-Dvorak/Bjugstad-Minten down the middle.

I'd like to get him key face offs, pk time etc for the next while to see how he handles it.

 

[Dreakmur]

My top two targets for the trade deadline would be Dickinson and Olivier.

Knies - Matthews - Nylander
Pacioretty - Tavares - Marner
McMann - Dickinson - Domi
Lorentz - Kampf - Olivier

How much are we paying for Jason Dickinson? I’m not sure he’s much of an upgrade on Kampf, if at all.

 

[Kiwi]

Minten has three points, in four games as our 3C... you aren't willing to give it a longer runway?

I really like the kid but I'm concerned we may affect his potential ceiling using him like we are

If he's concentrating on keeping his head above water is that better than 20 minutes a night with a ton of PP time refining his offensive game in the AHL?

I honestly don't know, I just want to do what's best for the kid and the Leafs long term rather than just right now

 

[Fogelhund]

I really like the kid but I'm concerned we may affect his potential ceiling using him like we are

If he's concentrating on keeping his head above water is that better than 20 minutes a night with a ton of PP time refining his offensive game in the AHL?

I honestly don't know, I just want to do what's best for the kid and the Leafs long term rather than just right now

I can appreciate that. But, what do you think his potential ceiling is? 0.5 PPG? 0.6? 0.4... if he's hitting whatever target, let him play.

 

[Dreakmur]

I really like the kid but I'm concerned we may affect his potential ceiling using him like we are

If he's concentrating on keeping his head above water is that better than 20 minutes a night with a ton of PP time refining his offensive game in the AHL?

I honestly don't know, I just want to do what's best for the kid and the Leafs long term rather than just right now

That’s what we did to Schenn. Rather than send him back to Jr to be a #1 D and work on his offensive game, we made him a 2nd pairing defensive specialist and wondered why he couldn’t put up points.

 

[Menzinger]

Unless we are adding a 2c for the long term I wouldn't trade Cowan, Minten, or Grebs. I'd much rather use the 2026 1st, 2025 2nd and lesser players or prospects. Hopefully we can find a suitable trade with those pieces.

Those picks should definitely be seen as the teams most moveable assets

The East is probably the most wide open it's been since the Leafs started making the playoffs consistently (other than the Canadian division year, but let's not talk about that), they should be big buyers at the tdl looking for an impact piece imo

 

[Fogelhund]

That’s what we did to Schenn. Rather than send him back to Jr to be a #1 D and work on his offensive game, we made him a 2nd pairing defensive specialist and wondered why he couldn’t put up points.

Noting we already sent Minten back for a year... which we didn't do with Schenn.

 

[Kiwi]

I can appreciate that. But, what do you think his potential ceiling is? 0.5 PPG? 0.6? 0.4... if he's hitting whatever target, let him play.

Could he be a 2C and put up 50-60 points a season in his prime?
He's only 20, I don't want to limit his potential growth because we're using him as a stop-gap 3C and will buy his replacement in a couple of months time

I'm not sure what's best but putting young guys in tough positions can backfire and has done that in the past

 

[ULF_55]

That’s what we did to Schenn. Rather than send him back to Jr to be a #1 D and work on his offensive game, we made him a 2nd pairing defensive specialist and wondered why he couldn’t put up points.

Leafs sent Minten back to junior.
Schenn they played right away.

Minten they can yo-yo ...