Trades & Free Agency Thread: 2024-2025 - Trade Deadline Approaches

[phillipmike]

Non-news news.



I believe this is Auston Matthews agent...I would certainly be interested in Dobson for a price.

Im all in on Dobson if we can get him. D would be set for years;

Rielly-Dobson
McCabe-Tanev
OEL

 

[Sypher04]

I wonder if Knies ends up agreeing to a short bridge deal so that he can take advantage of the rising cap on his next deal.

There’s an argument for doing just 3 years to keep the AAV down through this current window we’re in

 

[Fogelhund]

It's a calm Wednesday afternoon...how about an interesting hypothetical...

Tuch is a VERY good Knies comparable and that gets us to around 5.5-5.65M range for 6-7 years.

If Knies turns down 5.65M x 6 years from Toronto...but NYI would accept him or him and a small plus for Noah Dobson...where are you at on it?

It's just for fun.

Pretending I'm the GM for a second.

1./ What is Dobson's ask for an extension?
2./ What is that "small plus"
3./ What can I get for Rielly, that replaces what I've lost in Knies?

If I can find a wing player, who can replace Knies in some capacity, by moving Rielly, I'd consider this.

However, if we bomb out in the playoffs again... I'd consider Dobson for Marner, assuming Marner would sign with NYI, or did a sign and trade. Then move Rielly for a winger... If we fail, I think moving Marner for Dobson, would be better LT than Knies for Dobson...

 

[WTFMAN99]

Pretending I'm the GM for a second.

1./ What is Dobson's ask for an extension?
2./ What is that "small plus"
3./ What can I get for Rielly, that replaces what I've lost in Knies?

If I can find a wing player, who can replace Knies in some capacity, by moving Rielly, I'd consider this.

However, if we bomb out in the playoffs again... I'd consider Dobson for Marner, assuming Marner would sign with NYI, or did a sign and trade. Then move Rielly for a winger... If we fail, I think moving Marner for Dobson, would be better LT than Knies for Dobson...

I don't think Marner/Dobson is a thing...they can just wait for UFA most likely but I expect Dobson's extension to be starting with an 8.

In terms of Rielly, he'd need to really step up the final stretch or else it's cap dump territory type return.

 

[Rare Jewel]

Im all in on Dobson if we can get him. D would be set for years;

Rielly-Dobson
McCabe-Tanev
OEL

Don't tease me.

 

[Fogelhund]

I don't think Marner/Dobson is a thing...they can just wait for UFA most likely but I expect Dobson's extension to be starting with an 8.

In terms of Rielly, he'd need to really step up the final stretch or else it's cap dump territory type return.

GM's generally don't look at one down year, and decide it's a cap dump. I think he'd have value.

 

[Rare Jewel]

However, if we bomb out in the playoffs again... I'd consider Dobson for Marner, assuming Marner would sign with NYI, or did a sign and trade. Then move Rielly for a winger... If we fail, I think moving Marner for Dobson, would be better LT than Knies for Dobson...

I would really doubt that they're going to give Dobson for someone they could sign for free in a few months.

Knies is really the only realistic player we have to entice them.

 

[Sypher04]

I would shocked if Dobson gets traded anywhere let alone here. He’s young, right shot, very good, and shouldn’t be cost prohibitive for the Isles to keep long term.

Punching a massive hole in your D by trading away your best defensman to add an offensive star instead just leaves you needing to address your defense.

IF they feel they need to move someone from the D to improve the club, or redistribute cap, one of Pelech or Puloch makes a lot more sense.

 

[Madap]

It's a calm Wednesday afternoon...how about an interesting hypothetical...

Tuch is a VERY good Knies comparable and that gets us to around 5.5-5.65M range for 6-7 years.

If Knies turns down 5.65M x 6 years from Toronto...but NYI would accept him or him and a small plus for Noah Dobson...where are you at on it?

It's just for fun.

Knies is almost untouchable for me. He’s too unique and he seems like he has the confidence and attitude to do well when it counts.

I’d rather just overpay with anything else to get Dobson though. I’m fine with overpaying to get good players with term who will help us. I’m tired of wasting capital for a few months of a depth player each year.

 

[Fogelhund]

I would really doubt that they're going to give Dobson for someone they could sign for free in a few months.

Knies is really the only realistic player we have to entice them.

Sure, they could sign him for free in a few months... or maybe someone else outbids them, and they come up completely empty. The assumption in this line of thinking, is that somehow you are the only team the player can sign with.

If that's the guy you want, and you can sign him before free agency... well it has value.

You could ask why Carolina traded for Rantanen, when they could have signed him for free in a few months... this isn't a thing.

 

[Martin Skoula]

What is he, 21? There is no way this is his peak.

21 with how many concussions?

 

[Americanadian]

The + next to Knies would be huge if the Leafs are looking at Dobson. Dobson is a 6’4 25 year old RHD who scored 70 points last year. Knies ceiling is probably 70 points and he’s only 3 years younger.

 

[Martin Skoula]

The + next to Knies would be huge if the Leafs are looking at Dobson. Dobson is a 6’4 25 year old RHD who scored 70 points last year. Knies ceiling is probably 70 points and he’s only 3 years younger.

To be fair Knies plays much better defense than Dobson.

Why not Hamilton? He’s bigger and puts up more points, I can’t see Dobson signing for under 9M the next 3 years, and NJ would probably pay you to take him off their hands.

 

[Rare Jewel]

Sure, they could sign him for free in a few months... or maybe someone else outbids them, and they come up completely empty. The assumption in this line of thinking, is that somehow you are the only team the player can sign with.

If that's the guy you want, and you can sign him before free agency... well it has value.

You could ask why Carolina traded for Rantanen, when they could have signed him for free in a few months... this isn't a thing.

There can be value in getting a player early, but at the cost of Dobson? I can't see it.

Also, with the Rantanen/Necas thing, Carolina will at least have it for this playoff. With what you were saying, the only way that you would do it is if the Leafs crash out early again. By then, most of the value has gone.

 

[Americanadian]

To be fair Knies plays much better defense than Dobson.

Why not Hamilton? He’s bigger and puts up more points, I can’t see Dobson signing for under 9M the next 3 years, and NJ would probably pay you to take him off their hands.

The fancy numbers show Dobson is better defensively than Knies (goals above replacement and xGAR).

Hamilton is 6 years older and already on the decline and his career high in points is 74 to Dobson’s 70.

Coincidentally - Dobson is the same age that Hamilton was when he was traded to Carolina. That’s a good comparable.

 

[weems]

Another thing you have to factor in with Dobson, is that his point totals have been put up on a team that I wouldn't claissify as one with much offensive talent.

If say for arguments sake, he had spent all these years playing on our team with all our offensive star power, his numbers could look more impressive.

 

[ashs]

Knies has become a line driver. He ain't going nowhere. Trade Rielly.

Wish we could get Crosby.

 

[ToneDog]

Another thing you have to factor in with Dobson, is that his point totals have been put up on a team that I wouldn't claissify as one with much offensive talent.

If say for arguments sake, he had spent all these years playing on our team with all our offensive star power, his numbers could look more impressive.

As would our PP

 

[Martin Skoula]

The fancy numbers show Dobson is better defensively than Knies (goals above replacement and xGAR).

Hamilton is 6 years older and already on the decline and his career high in points is 74 to Dobson’s 70.

Coincidentally - Dobson is the same age that Hamilton was when he was traded to Carolina. That’s a good comparable.

Hamilton Ferland Fox for Lindholm and Hanifin doesn’t scream a massive + on Knies for a comparable deal. Fox got flipped for 2 2nds and Ferland was a 20/20 young power forward worth at least a 2nd himself. I don’t think Hamilton’s individual value was much, if at all, higher in that trade than the 1st + 2nd + 2nd Calgary paid for him in the first place once you factor out all the other moving pieces in the deal. You’re talking Knies + 2nd imo, D-men always get crazy price points thrown out and end up getting traded for 1st + 2nd + 2nd roughly almost every time.

 

[ToneDog]

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Toronto Maple Leafs and veteran forward John Tavares are close on a new extension, with some finer details all that needs to be done. He writes in a recent post, “There has been chatter of a three-year extension in place that requires some finetuning, but nobody will confirm. His AAV will drop, likely in the $7 million range.”

$7m might be fair but I'd rather do some shopping on July 1st to see if I can get a younger, speedier, better player for a bit more. Leafs might be concerned they lack C depth and may want to lock in JT sooner than later.

 

[Americanadian]

Hamilton Ferland Fox for Lindholm and Hanifin doesn’t scream a massive + on Knies for a comparable deal. Fox got flipped for 2 2nds and Ferland was a 20/20 young power forward worth at least a 2nd himself. I don’t think Hamilton’s individual value was much, if at all, higher in that trade than the 1st + 2nd + 2nd Calgary paid for him in the first place once you factor out all the other moving pieces in the deal. You’re talking Knies + 2nd imo, D-men always get crazy price points thrown out and end up getting traded for 1st + 2nd + 2nd roughly almost every time.

21 year old Hanifin most likely had more value than Knies and 23 year old Lindholm was probably pretty close given he could play C.

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Toronto Maple Leafs and veteran forward John Tavares are close on a new extension, with some finer details all that needs to be done. He writes in a recent post, “There has been chatter of a three-year extension in place that requires some finetuning, but nobody will confirm. His AAV will drop, likely in the $7 million range.”

$7m might be fair but I'd rather do some shopping on July 1st to see if I can get a younger, speedier, better player for a bit more. Leafs might be concerned they lack C depth and may want to lock in JT sooner than later.

I’d rather have 29 year old Bennett at 7M than 35 year old Tavares. I get that Tavares puts up more points but Bennett brings a completely different element than any other Leaf. There’s a reason team Canada picked Bennett over Tavares.

 

[thewave]

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Toronto Maple Leafs and veteran forward John Tavares are close on a new extension, with some finer details all that needs to be done. He writes in a recent post, “There has been chatter of a three-year extension in place that requires some finetuning, but nobody will confirm. His AAV will drop, likely in the $7 million range.”

$7m might be fair but I'd rather do some shopping on July 1st to see if I can get a younger, speedier, better player for a bit more. Leafs might be concerned they lack C depth and may want to lock in JT sooner than later.

That's a lot of money for an old man. Should be in the 5 range after that overpay he came off of. It's only a 1 way street though. We overpay Willy because he was underpaid. We double up on overpaying JT because why? This teams weird

 

[ToneDog]

21 year old Hanifin most likely had more value than Knies and 23 year old Lindholm was probably pretty close given he could play C.


I’d rather have 29 year old Bennett at 7M than 35 year old Tavares. I get that Tavares puts up more points but Bennett brings a completely different element than any other Leaf. There’s a reason team Canada picked Bennett over Tavares.

I heard Bennett lives in T.O in the off season. No brainer IMO if he's willing to come here for same money Tavares wants. This core is stale as it is.

That's a lot of money for an old man. Should be in the 5 range after that overpay he came off of. It's only a 1 way street though. We overpay Willy because he was underpaid. We double up on overpaying JT because why? This teams weird

The article also questions it because JT is not going anywhere else. They need to get the AAV down somehow so they can upgrade the bottom 6. Clearly being top heavy with these 5 does not work.

 

[Americanadian]

I heard Bennett lives in T.O in the off season. No brainer IMO if he's willing to come here for same money Tavares wants. This core is stale as it is.

I don’t understand the rush. It’s not like you need to sign him before UFA. You’re not offering him 8 years.

Why not go to UFA and see what’s available.

They’re giving out the Kopitar contract but they never got the cups in return.

 

[TMLAM34]

To Toronto: Noah Dobson
To Islanders: Matthew Knies + Conor Timmins + 2026 1st Rounder

I can see something like that if there were to be a done deal. But I highly doubt Dobson actually moves.