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

[Malachi Crunch]

Risky idea:

Say Mitch leaves in the summer, would you consider trading for Josh Norris for 2c?

The positive
-when he plays, he can be a 30 goal guy (trending for 30 this year)
-still young
-fast, 2-way center
-decent size (6'2)
-cap hit of 7.9 million
-if Marner is gone and JT is way cheaper, you still have a lot of money left over to address other needs
-given the length of his contract and his injury history, can he be had for cheap? Probably less than other 2c's.

The negative
-injuries!! so far, so good this year, but it's a big concern
-His cap hit isn't bad, but he's signed until 2029-30. That's a long time.

Read about his current stats here:

Understanding if the Ottawa Senators Josh Norris Has Returned to Form

Has Josh Norris' 2024-25 stats shown that he has been able to perform at a level that makes him better than his direct competition?

lastwordonsports.com

Thoughts?

 

[SprDaVE]

Risky idea:

Say Mitch leaves in the summer, would you consider trading for Josh Norris for 2c?

The positive
-when he plays, he can be a 30 goal guy (trending for 30 this year)
-still young
-fast, 2-way center
-decent size (6'2)
-cap hit of 7.9 million
-if Marner is gone and JT is way cheaper, you still have a lot of money left over to address other needs
-given the length of his contract and his injury history, can he be had for cheap? Probably less than other 2c's.

The negative
-injuries!! so far, so good this year, but it's a big concern
-His cap hit isn't bad, but he's signed until 2029-30. That's a long time.

Read about his current stats here:

Understanding if the Ottawa Senators Josh Norris Has Returned to Form

Has Josh Norris' 2024-25 stats shown that he has been able to perform at a level that makes him better than his direct competition?

lastwordonsports.com

Thoughts?

Treliving making a trade to add long-term? Unlikely.

If Mitch ends up walking, Treliving will probably look at signing Jamie Benn and Brent Burns with the money.

 

[Rare Jewel]

These are my exact thoughts on the MM AM dynamic. The Berube question of why not experiment has never been answered. Is it player requests? Mandate from the top?

Well, when you have the best shooter in the game and one of the best passers, it's not crazy to want to see it, and it does have its moments, but I'd instead treat that duo or even with Nylander more as a dessert than a meal.

Much like Datsyuk or even Crosby, Matthews only seems to need the grinder type to help with retrievals and net front stuff, and Knies does that very well. We actually could use another, which is why Saad could be intriguing.

I'd like to see a Knies-Matthews-Domi line, but often, Domi has to pinch-hit at C because of the lack of depth there, so I can see why it's not happened.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Risky idea:

Say Mitch leaves in the summer, would you consider trading for Josh Norris for 2c?

The positive
-when he plays, he can be a 30 goal guy (trending for 30 this year)
-still young
-fast, 2-way center
-decent size (6'2)
-cap hit of 7.9 million
-if Marner is gone and JT is way cheaper, you still have a lot of money left over to address other needs
-given the length of his contract and his injury history, can he be had for cheap? Probably less than other 2c's.

The negative
-injuries!! so far, so good this year, but it's a big concern
-His cap hit isn't bad, but he's signed until 2029-30. That's a long time.

Read about his current stats here:

Understanding if the Ottawa Senators Josh Norris Has Returned to Form

Has Josh Norris' 2024-25 stats shown that he has been able to perform at a level that makes him better than his direct competition?

lastwordonsports.com

Thoughts?

I believe Josh Norris is one more shoulder injury away from being done.

 

[thewave]

Well, when you have the best shooter in the game and one of the best passers, it's not crazy to want to see it, and it does have its moments, but I'd instead treat that duo or even with Nylander more as a dessert than a meal.

There is a possibility that MM is doing the lifting because he is still unwell. Just popped in my head. I like an engaged Matthews as well and seems to get into the game better with grinders.

Much like Datsyuk or even Crosby, Matthews only seems to need the grinder type to help with retrievals and net front stuff, and Knies does that very well. We actually could use another, which is why Saad could be intriguing.

Was thinking the same with Saad. Hope that happens actually. Cost effective acquisition. Low risk

I'd like to see a Knies-Matthews-Domi line, but often, Domi has to pinch-hit at C because of the lack of depth there, so I can see why it's not happened.

Some of us have been calling for that for months. As some other posters are saying, it seems MM and AM are on a line by their own choosing.

 

[Rare Jewel]

Treliving making a trade to add long-term? Unlikely.

If Mitch ends up walking, Treliving will probably look at signing Jamie Benn and Brent Burns with the money.

Lovely...

Since the Rantanen deal, that's the thing I've been kind of preoccupied thinking about with the Leafs. What is the best way to replace Mitch if he walks?

It's going to be interesting. Treliving probably just caves, and it makes him the highest-paid guy. It's the most simple and least creative option, so it's the most likely.

 

[SprDaVE]

Lovely...

Since the Rantanen deal, that's the thing I've been kind of preoccupied thinking about with the Leafs. What is the best way to replace Mitch if he walks?

It's going to be interesting. Treliving probably just caves, and it makes him the highest-paid guy. It's the most simple and least creative option, so it's the most likely.

Very likely. I think there's a chance they both walk away if the post-season goes bad again. If that does happen, Treliving will probably just sign a bunch of likely overpaid mid liners and hope he strikes gold somewhere. The start of the end at that point probably.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Lovely...

Since the Rantanen deal, that's the thing I've been kind of preoccupied thinking about with the Leafs. What is the best way to replace Mitch if he walks?

It's going to be interesting. Treliving probably just caves, and it makes him the highest-paid guy. It's the most simple and least creative option, so it's the most likely.

Very likely. I think there's a chance they both walk away if the post-season goes bad again. If that does happen, Treliving will probably just sign a bunch of likely overpaid mid liners and hope he strikes gold somewhere.

If Marner's # is 12.5-14M...

Boeser and Ehlers are probably projectable around 7.5-8.5M range right? Would getting those 2 not make more sense? It's just a bit more but you get 2 wingers, we get deeper.

Boeser is apparently available this TDL if not extended.
Ehlers was trade bait over the summer, was open to a move so I don't see him extending either.

We'd have the cap and a reasonably attractive team to join?

 

[TMLAM34]

It’s pretty pathetic when it might be best for a superstar like Marner and an organization like the Maple Leafs to just walk away from one another. Epic fail from the organizations part.

 

[Rare Jewel]

Some of us have been calling for that for months. As some other posters are saying, it seems MM and AM are on a line by their own choosing.

I don't know what to make of that. It sounds like it should be preposterous.

I think it is down to CB just not being daring enough to try something else because, as I mentioned, on the face of it, it seems like an ideal fit.

However, with two goals in the last two games and with the PP still not firing, something may have to give.

 

[SprDaVE]

If Marner's # is 12.5-14M...

Boeser and Ehlers are probably projectable around 7.5-8.5M range right? Would getting those 2 not make more sense? It's just a bit more but you get 2 wingers, we get deeper.

Boeser is apparently available this TDL if not extended.
Ehlers was trade bait over the summer, was open to a move so I don't see him extending either.

We'd have the cap and a reasonably attractive team to join?

It's never gonna happen pre deadline. What you see is what you get from Treliving. He'll add around the edges and make the same bet Dubas made. In the summer... maybe? Probably? Leafs will likely want to add more meatheads though.

It’s pretty pathetic when it might be best for a superstar like Marner and an organization like the Maple Leafs to just walk away from one another. Epic fail from the organizations part.

Probably needed to have serious conversations about him waiving and getting traded in the summer. Nothing ever came close to it. It was all fan fiction -- they had no appetite in making serious changes. But we're here now and that's the bed Boston Pizza made.

Maybe it'll be for the best?

 

[WTFMAN99]

It's never gonna happen pre deadline. What you see is what you get from Treliving. He'll add around the edges and make the same bet Dubas made.



Probably needed to have serious conversations about him waiving and getting traded in the summer. Nothing ever came close to it. It was all fan fiction -- they had no appetite in making serious changes. But we're here now and that's the bed Boston Pizza made.

Maybe it'll be for the best?

Oh TDL ?

Our additions will be a healthy Jarnkrok and Hakanpaa and like Colton Sissons lol.

 

[Kiwi]

I'm going to ask a simple question

If you're bottom 6 isn't scoring what can you do to solve that problem?

Get new players obviously but another idea would be to put your 3 best offensive players on different lines and have them pull the other guys to some offensive output

Currently we're doing neither of these things, I'm starting to wonder what it is our management and coaching staff do exactly

 

[SprDaVE]

Oh TDL ?

Our additions will be a healthy Jarnkrok and Hakanpaa and like Colton Sissons lol.

I realized after re-reading you meant in the off-season. If the Leafs walk away from a few players, I'm sure they'll want to be aggressive in replacing those players at all cost via free agency... the best time to do it clearly.

 

[SprDaVE]

I'm going to ask a simple question

If you're bottom 6 isn't scoring what can you do to solve that problem?

Get new players obviously but another idea would be to put your 3 best offensive players on different lines and have them pull the other guys to some offensive output

Currently we're doing neither of these things, I'm starting to wonder what it is our management and coaching staff do exactly

Most teams would get aggressive on the trading market in some fashion. They'd also lose patience and throw a body or two on waivers or in the pressbox. It's also hard when the team keeps saying "Hey, we're in first place... it's fine" when we see the team looks like crap.

Greb was called up last week? Not a game played since. Steeves leads the AHL in scoring, can't get a call-up. They wasted their time with Alex Nylander for awhile too. Fabbro was up for grabs for peanuts before being waived, now plays 22 minutes for the Jackets. Liljegren has 4 goals with the Sharks now, which would be 2nd in goals by D on our team. Kampf can't play more than 4th line minutes. Holmberg forced to play 2nd line center. Reaves a glorified locker room DJ cheerleader. Goaltenders carrying an overrated defensive system with minimal skill.

A line shake up would be good, and they've tried a few different things, but it's always going to revert back to what we know our lines to be.

 

[Malachi Crunch]

Treliving making a trade to add long-term? Unlikely.

If Mitch ends up walking, Treliving will probably look at signing Jamie Benn and Brent Burns with the

I believe Josh Norris is one more shoulder injury away from being done.

That's definitely the risk. Although there's risk with many players. Imagine McCabe or Knies got 2 more concussions within the next year.

 

[Rare Jewel]

If Marner's # is 12.5-14M...

Boeser and Ehlers are probably projectable around 7.5-8.5M range right? Would getting those 2 not make more sense? It's just a bit more but you get 2 wingers, we get deeper.

Boeser is apparently available this TDL if not extended.
Ehlers was trade bait over the summer, was open to a move so I don't see him extending either.

We'd have the cap and a reasonably attractive team to join?

It would, but the UFA bidding may get a bit hairy. With Boeser in particular, I think he's already one arm in a Wild jersey, especially with Kaprizov unsigned.

Ehlers is interesting, but at 8-9, I'm a little wary. But the options aren't plentiful. There are some really appealing options via trade, but like when we're talking about a 3C or D, the trade pieces won't cover all the holes, so some creativity is needed.

 

[WTFMAN99]

It would, but the UFA bidding may get a bit hairy. With Boeser in particular, I think he's already one arm in a Wild jersey, especially with Kaprizov unsigned.

Ehlers is interesting, but at 8-9, I'm a little wary. But the options aren't plentiful. There are some really appealing options via trade, but like when we're talking about a 3C or D, the trade pieces won't cover all the holes, so some creativity is needed.

Kovacevic is my top RD target.

Ehlers at 8 is something I am fine with, given the cap is going up.

Boeser, it is possible, depending on what they want to do, I projected Rossi as an RFA at 5.5M x 4 years.

Back up options include Zucker, Mantha or Duchene.

Boldy can play LW

Zucarello expires after next year but his money probably is going to be put towards trying to re-sign Kaprizov although Chicago is apparently a favorite there.

Getting rid of Gaudreau maybe makes chasing Boeser more viable financially.

Minnesota could do it.

 

[Rare Jewel]

Kovacevic is my top RD target.

Ehlers at 8 is something I am fine with, given the cap is going up.

Boeser, it is possible, depending on what they want to do, I projected Rossi as an RFA at 5.5M x 4 years.

Back up options include Zucker, Mantha or Duchene.

View attachment 969586

Boldy can play LW

Zucarello expires after next year but his money probably is going to be put towards trying to re-sign Kaprizov although Chicago is apparently a favorite there.

Getting rid of Gaudreau maybe makes chasing Boeser more viable financially.

Minnesota could do it.

I'm not sure what cap ceiling number you used, but more than anything, having the lead weight of the Suter and Parise buyouts come down to 800k a piece is massive for them.

It wouldn't surprise me also if they took a page from Carolina and flipped Kaprizov if they knew he wouldn't resign. So they could have quite the sum of money to throw around, particularly at a hometown kid in Boeser.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I'm not sure what cap ceiling number you used, but more than anything, having the lead weight of the Suter and Parise buyouts come down to 800k a piece is massive for them.

It wouldn't surprise me also if they took a page from Carolina and flipped Kaprizov if they knew he wouldn't resign. So they could have quite the sum of money to throw around, particularly at a hometown kid in Boeser.

I put 92.5M for the cap, I think that aligns with what the projections are for the cap unless the NHLPA uses the inflator but they hate escrow and haven't used it in quite a few years now.

 

[TMLAM34]

If the Habs are still out of the playoff picture come TDL, I would love to see Evans acquired and re-signed. He would slot in really nicely next to McMann on a third line.

 

[MarMarSab3]

Any interest in Boqvist?

I'd take him and waive Timmins

 

[KingsHockey24]

Just stopping by to make everyone's day.

 

[Rare Jewel]

If the Habs are still out of the playoff picture come TDL, I would love to see Evans acquired and re-signed. He would slot in really nicely next to McMann on a third line.

He'd fit. Definitely an option in the summer if he's still there.

But I do want Montreal to stay in it because I want them in the playoffs.

 

[ToneDog]

Just stopping by to make everyone's day.

You may not have heard but we are not here to retire jerseys.