Trades & Free Agency Thread: 2024-2025 Season Edition

[hockeywiz542]

Friedman: Maple Leafs willing to trade assets for a centre with term

The NHL's trade deadline is just over two months away, and expectation...

theleafsnation.com

The NHL’s trade deadline is just over two months away, and expectation is brewing that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving will be busy.

There’s been growing speculation about the Maple Leafs having interest in landing some more centre depth, and according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Treliving is willing to spend assets on landing some help, but prefers centres who have term left on their contract.

Friedman was a guest on The FAN 590’s The Fan Hockey Show and shed some light on what to expect out of the Maple Leafs.

“Well, you know, I think that’s the number one thing he’s (Treliving) been looking at all season,” Friedman stated when asked about Treliving’s interest in adding a centre. “Aside from the injuries, I think they’re pretty comfortable in goal…Stolarz and Woll, knock on wood they stay healthy, I think they’ll be ok with them.”

“I think they’ve generally been ok with their D, they did a lot of their work in the offseason. I think now there’s a question if they need to go find someone to play with Morgan Rielly. Is there a stylistic fit out there they like? But, it’s not their number one priority, I don’t believe. I believe their number one thing all season has been – let’s find another centre.”

“Now, I think their preference is term. That’s one thing I’ve heard out there, is that their preference is term. I mean, if there’s a rental they really like, I’m sure they’ll pivot to that too. But, one of the things I’ve heard, is that if they’re going to spend assets on a centre, they would prefer it to be someone with term.”

The Maple Leafs currently sit with just over $600,000 in deadline cap space, and don’t have a 2025 first-round pick to dangle ahead of the deadline. There’s no doubt Treliving will need to get creative if he’s looking to add an impact player to the middle of Toronto’s lineup.

 

[thusk]

Mason Mctavish should be our #1 target if in fact he's available.

To Toronto-
Mctavish
Vatrano

To Ducks-
Cowan
Robertson
Kampf
Timmins
1st Round Pick

To Toronto-
Murphy

To Hawks-
Benoit
Holmberg
2nd Round Pick

Knies-Matthews-Domi
Vatrano-Tavares-Marner
Mcmann-McTavish-Nylander
Pacioretty-Dewar-Lorentz

McCabe-Tanev
Rielly-Murphy
OEL-Myers

tell me why anaheim would trade a 21 y/o CENTER who actually #2 pts/game in his own team vs a 19 WINGER who still a project and a late 1st

same for murphy why chicago would trade him for that low when they would be able to get more for him waiting next season?!?!?!

 

[SprDaVE]

Friedman: Maple Leafs willing to trade assets for a centre with term

The NHL's trade deadline is just over two months away, and expectation...

theleafsnation.com

The NHL’s trade deadline is just over two months away, and expectation is brewing that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving will be busy.

There’s been growing speculation about the Maple Leafs having interest in landing some more centre depth, and according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Treliving is willing to spend assets on landing some help, but prefers centres who have term left on their contract.

Friedman was a guest on The FAN 590’s The Fan Hockey Show and shed some light on what to expect out of the Maple Leafs.

“Well, you know, I think that’s the number one thing he’s (Treliving) been looking at all season,” Friedman stated when asked about Treliving’s interest in adding a centre. “Aside from the injuries, I think they’re pretty comfortable in goal…Stolarz and Woll, knock on wood they stay healthy, I think they’ll be ok with them.”

“I think they’ve generally been ok with their D, they did a lot of their work in the offseason. I think now there’s a question if they need to go find someone to play with Morgan Rielly. Is there a stylistic fit out there they like? But, it’s not their number one priority, I don’t believe. I believe their number one thing all season has been – let’s find another centre.”

“Now, I think their preference is term. That’s one thing I’ve heard out there, is that their preference is term. I mean, if there’s a rental they really like, I’m sure they’ll pivot to that too. But, one of the things I’ve heard, is that if they’re going to spend assets on a centre, they would prefer it to be someone with term.”

The Maple Leafs currently sit with just over $600,000 in deadline cap space, and don’t have a 2025 first-round pick to dangle ahead of the deadline. There’s no doubt Treliving will need to get creative if he’s looking to add an impact player to the middle of Toronto’s lineup.

It's hard to find fits with term. Leafs don't have a lot of great assets to part with to get a good center that fits long-term. I don't see them parting with Cowan, Minten and Hildeby because of their potential impact for next season.

Laughton would fit nicely but he's not really long-term and the price to acquire might be tough. McTavish obviously makes sense long-term but there are some red flags there too and I doubt the Ducks are giving him away.

Gourde could be had for just picks/quantity I assume, so he might be ok as a rental and maybe you can re-sign him?

After that... I don't know man.

 

[Kiwi]

It's hard to find fits with term. Leafs don't have a lot of great assets to part with to get a good center that fits long-term. I don't see them parting with Cowan, Minten and Hildeby because of their impact for next season.

Laughton would fit nicely but he's not really long-term and the price to acquire might be tough. McTavish obviously makes sense long-term but there are some red flags there too.

Gourde could be had for just picks I assume, so he might be ok as a rental and maybe you can re-sign him?

After that... I don't know man.

I can't see it, the center market is going to be a dog fight and anybody good with term is going to create a bidding war we're going to struggle to win

Nashville have 3 1st round picks and need a center ffs, how do we compete with that?

Forget term, get somebody you like on the rental market and if they fit in resign them is our best option imo, it may be our only option honestly

 

[Jacquestrapless]

It's hard to find fits with term. Leafs don't have a lot of great assets to part with to get a good center that fits long-term. I don't see them parting with Cowan, Minten and Hildeby because of their potential impact for next season.

Laughton would fit nicely but he's not really long-term and the price to acquire might be tough. McTavish obviously makes sense long-term but there are some red flags there too and I doubt the Ducks are giving him away.

Gourde could be had for just picks/quantity I assume, so he might be ok as a rental and maybe you can re-sign him?

After that... I don't know man.

Which is why I think the Leafs will re-sign Tavares.

This off-season boasts just one quality center.

Sam Bennett and that's it.

And like you said, Leafs don't have a lot of assets to part with to get that 2C that doesn't compromise them elsewhere.

That being said, Leafs have a ton of Cap space this off-season. I hope for them to be aggressive in getting Bennet and another Top-4D. I'd shed any excess fat, even going so far as to shed OEL's contract because he can't play the RD in my lineup.

I'd also re-sign Tavares because of Matthews' injury history. You can play him as 3C or shift to wing like they did with O'Rielly
Based on reports of $96M salary cap:
(Anyone you don't see here is likely traded)
(Also, Knies is bridged)
(Also, I'm not concerned about Rielly on the bottom pairing or whoever is paired with Chychrun. As far as I am concerned, McCabe, Chychrun, Tanev, Rielly will hog all the minutes in the playoffs)

 

[SprDaVE]

Which is why I think the Leafs will re-sign Tavares.

This off-season boasts just one quality center.

Sam Bennett and that's it.

And like you said, Leafs don't have a lot of assets to part with to get that 2C that doesn't compromise them elsewhere.

That being said, Leafs have a ton of Cap space this off-season. I hope for them to be aggressive in getting Bennet and another Top-4D. I'd shed any excess fat, even going so far as to shed OEL's contract because he can't play the RD in my lineup.

I'd also re-sign Tavares because of Matthews' injury history. You can play him as 3C or shift to wing like they did with O'Rielly
Based on reports of $96M salary cap:
(Anyone you don't see here is likely traded)
(Also, Knies is bridged)
(Also, I'm not concerned about Rielly on the bottom pairing or whoever is paired with Chychrun. As far as I am concerned, McCabe, Chychrun, Tanev, Rielly will hog all the minutes in the playoffs)

Re-signing JT is a no brainer unless he wants way too much. People that wanted him on a 3-4M aren't gonna get that though.

Leafs do have some flexibility this summer, but it goes by very fast if they re-sign Marner and Knies on top of that. Treliving has been very conservative in making trades so we'll see.

But Leafs need to make a good smart addition by the deadline regardless of their term to bolster their #3 center spot.

 

[Legion34]

It's hard to find fits with term. Leafs don't have a lot of great assets to part with to get a good center that fits long-term. I don't see them parting with Cowan, Minten and Hildeby because of their potential impact for next season.

Laughton would fit nicely but he's not really long-term and the price to acquire might be tough. McTavish obviously makes sense long-term but there are some red flags there too and I doubt the Ducks are giving him away.

Gourde could be had for just picks/quantity I assume, so he might be ok as a rental and maybe you can re-sign him?

After that... I don't know man.

With term?

I’m worried ish it’s going to be coop from Detroit. Not sure who else? Strome? Anaheim is adding

Don’t see anyone else with term unless Petey shakes loose and that would be like some crazy Marner extension.
Zibby makes too much

Cates/frost?

 

[TMLAM34]

With term?

I’m worried ish it’s going to be coop from Detroit. Not sure who else? Strome? Anaheim is adding

Don’t see anyone else with term unless Petey shakes loose and that would be like some crazy Marner extension.
Zibby makes too much

Cates/frost?

I mentioned Copp’s name not too long ago, I can definitely see that being a potential target and a realistic one if the Wings would retain at least a million.

 

[SprDaVE]

With term?

I’m worried ish it’s going to be coop from Detroit. Not sure who else? Strome? Anaheim is adding

Don’t see anyone else with term unless Petey shakes loose and that would be like some crazy Marner extension.
Zibby makes too much

Cates/frost?

Copp makes 5.6M for another 2 seasons after this one. It's an interesting option but seems pricey for his skillset. Strome could work but he's also a little pricey but I think he'd love to be a Leaf.

I'm not sure a player like Frost is what the Leafs are aiming for. If I'm a betting man they would want a better defensive/rugged player to form an energy line with McMann and probably Domi or whatever.

 

[SprDaVE]

I'd give him a call? Maybe give him a Marlies try-out and see how he does first?

 

[Legion34]

I'd give him a call? Maybe give him a Marlies try-out and see how he does first?

He would probably go to Winnipeg? Im assuming he wouldn’t be going back to Chicago.
but ya we could try it no problem

 

[ACC1224]

He would probably go to Winnipeg? Im assuming he wouldn’t be going back to Chicago.
but ya we could try it no problem

No one chooses Winnipeg.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Won’t be upset if Trev does nothing at the deadline since the needs are so specific

 

[Torontonian]

Mason MacTavish is a interesting trade suggestion, but to me it doesn't make any sense.

1) I don't think the Ducks think about trading him, he's only 21 years old putting up decent numbers, and is apart of the core.

2) I don't think Toronto is in the market on getting younger players with higher upside if they are looking to win now. That's not where they are as a organization. 3 or 4 years ago sure, but I think they are looking for middle age players in their prime that know how to play in the league and won't have any growing pains.

Not saying Toronto should go after these players but I am thinking of names like as an example: Ryan Strome, Sean Monahan, Andrew Copp, JT Compher, ROR, Brock Nelson, Vincent Trocheck, Brayden Schenn. Players in the 27-32ish age range that have some term. Personally if I am Toronto, I am throwing the bank at someone like Tage Thompson. but I think Trocheck would be a good target as well.

There's such a limited market for centerman, 16 of the teams that are making the playoffs aren't going to trade one away, and obviously the tanking/rebuilding teams aren't going to trade away their young potentially star centreman away. It leaves you with what, 6 or 7 teams in no man's land / about to start a rebuild that would be willing to trade away a centerman.

 

[Puckstuff]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much unity around what the trade deadline needs are, which is of course a 3C.

 

[Legion34]

No one chooses Winnipeg.

Hometown they probably the best team
In the league. And they need a C. Makes sense.

He could also try Colorado. I would be surprised if we were 1 on his list. Unless rehab facilities here are the best. And Matthews went to Germany soooooo

 

[Legion34]

That Elias quote is nuts.
We don’t have anything for him.

I would do signed Marner for him but I don’t see it working. Willy one for one if he would waive?

I wonder what they would want?
Knies/cowan/1st? Plus good lord what else?

He has zero protection.

Ottawa for Brady plus?
Buff for cousins and power?

 

[-DeMo-]

no need to spend assets and go out and get a long term 2c this season. Tavares could potentially provide us a solid 2C for a few more years, what we need is a 3c with one more year after this year on there contract. thus allowing Minten one more year if need be to develop into said 3c. some names that fit this mold are Laughton/Pageau/Backlund/Coyle/Hayes/Jenner/Dickenson don't know if any of these guys are available or price or how some of them are playing just saying this is the type of guy we should target as our first option.

 

[Antropovsky]

Crouse having a down year, wonder what it would take to land him. Robertson and pick for Crouse and retention?

 

[Canucks LB]

Q&A: Canucks GM Patrik Allvin expects more from top players in 2025

In 2024, the Canucks have given their fans much to be thankful for — but, they've also failed many nights to play to their standard. Iain MacIntyre sits down with GM Patrik Allvin to discuss why the team has struggled with consistency and reflect on the season thus far.

www.sportsnet.ca

This is absolutely blowing up in Vancouver right now by the way.
Looks like Pettersson is available
Allvin went on blast basically, Not sure what you guys would offer, or how seriously you would be interested, He would obviously need a Haul.
But, just thought I would share and get your guys opinions!
Not everyday a 90+ Center with great Defensive abilities becomes available.

Thoughts?

 

[Skullz]

Q&A: Canucks GM Patrik Allvin expects more from top players in 2025

In 2024, the Canucks have given their fans much to be thankful for — but, they've also failed many nights to play to their standard. Iain MacIntyre sits down with GM Patrik Allvin to discuss why the team has struggled with consistency and reflect on the season thus far.

www.sportsnet.ca

This is absolutely blowing up in Vancouver right now by the way.
Looks like Pettersson is available
Allvin went on blast basically, Not sure what you guys would offer, or how seriously you would be interested, He would obviously need a Haul.
But, just thought I would share and get your guys opinions!
Not everyday a 90+ Center with great Defensive abilities becomes available.

Thoughts?

I would be extremely interested. I doubt we have the assets to make it happen though.

 

[TMLAM34]

Don’t think we’d be able to fit in another 11+ million dollar forward lol

 

[ACC1224]

Don’t think we’d be able to fit in another 11+ million dollar forward lol

It would have to be Nylander going the other way

 

[ToneDog]

Don’t think we’d be able to fit in another 11+ million dollar forward lol

Sign and trade one soft playoff choker for another ? Petey's a C who's cap hit is something Marner will never accept so would you rather pay Marner $1.5 million more than Petey or gamble that Petey finds his game here?

If we are not running it back, the trade makes sense.

Funny how the guy who always brings up Marner's NMC suggests we move Nylander who has a NMC instead of Marner who is a pending UFA and wants close to $14m. Give me Petey.

 

[arso40]

It would have to be Nylander going the other way

Why not marner he needs a deal anyway