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

[WTFMAN99]

I won't bother posting all the stuff he got suspended about because there are too much. It isn't because of his politics and the stuff with Georgiev is only the tip of the iceberg. The first ever player to be bought out twice in the NHL is a great accomplishment.

No need, I know you don't make up stuff.

 

[horner]

We had Kerfoot remember?

I understand but we had an opportunity to sign a young 6"3" 200 lbs player who had played on 2 bad teams that was drafted 3rd overall and still had 48 pts in 69 games .
Kerfoot I didn't like him

 

[SprDaVE]

I understand but we had an opportunity to sign a young 6"3" 200 lbs player who had played on 2 bad teams that was drafted 3rd overall and still had 48 pts in 69 games .
Kerfoot I didn't like him

You win some you lose some. In 3-5 years we can look back at all the misses from Treliving and continue the cycle. Good for Strome and the Caps but it's 2025, not 2022. Our team needs were much different then.

 

[Fogelhund]

You win some you lose some. In 3-5 years we can look back at all the misses from Treliving and continue the cycle. Good for Strome but it's 2025, not 2022. Our team needs were much different then.

We should be talking about what the team does going forward, not constantly obsessing with everything from the past.

With Tavares now being listed as week to week, if there is a deal for a C, we might want to consider moving that timeline up to now.

 

[WTFMAN99]

We should be talking about what the team does going forward, not constantly obsessing with everything from the past.

With Tavares now being listed as week to week, if there is a deal for a C, we might want to consider moving that timeline up to now.

We also have projectable needs at centre and defense right now, Minten is the only centre of note currently in the pipeline and the upside is maybe a 3C

Defense...we have Chadwick and Danford in the pipeline but neither are blue chip guys.

It is astounding how badly Lou/Hunter/Dubas managed to screw the pipeline up so badly.

 

[SprDaVE]

We also have projectable needs at centre and defense right now, Minten is the only centre of note currently in the pipeline and the upside is maybe a 2C

Defense...we have Chadwick and Danford in the pipeline but neither are blue chip guys.

It is astounding how badly Lou/Hunter/Dubas managed to screw the pipeline up so badly.

Pipeline won't get much better after the deadline. Treliving hasn't exactly brought up the pipeline either signing old players to long-term deals and the amount of picks spent on average players last year.

MacLellan and Chris Patrick have done a masterful job for the Caps. I wish we had a GM with that level of foresight and creativity.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Pipeline won't get much better after the deadline. Treliving hasn't exactly brought up the pipeline either signing old players to long-term deals and the amount of picks spent on average players last year.

Yeah, I didn't love the TDL last year either, lots of picks for a lot of mediocre.

6th for Webber was fine
a 7th for Tanev's rights was fine
a 4th for Dewar was fine

The Edmundson and Lybushkin trades were head scratchers

I don't think we have those needs this year as the TDL approaches, Tree did manage to get a bunch of organizational depth but we do have some clear needs at 3C, top 6 LW and maybe a defenseman.

I say defenseman because Rielly's game has fallen off *hard* this year.

 

[Fogelhund]

We also have projectable needs at centre and defense right now, Minten is the only centre of note currently in the pipeline and the upside is maybe a 3C

Defense...we have Chadwick and Danford in the pipeline but neither are blue chip guys.

It is astounding how badly Lou/Hunter/Dubas managed to screw the pipeline up so badly.

This really isn't a pipeline focused team anymore. It's a compete and win now, before the window closes in a few years. The question isn't about developing prospects, as much as it's what pieces can we obtain now, to help get this group over the top?

Here is a list of C's that have been discussed here;

Miller
Trocheck
Cozens
Cates
Laughton
Gourde
Krebs
Nelson
Pageau
McBain
Bjugstad
Granlund

J. Toews?

 

[thewave]

Is he this years Bennett or Reinhart? I like Knies a lot but JT could be two years away from being a winger and the pipeline at C is non existent. Cozens or someone like him for me..

Toronto can't develop D or Cs. Woll may be the first ok G in years. Lots of wingers though.

 

[SprDaVE]

Toronto can't develop D or Cs. Woll may be the first ok G in years. Lots of wingers though.

That's not really true. But that depends what your parameters are. Leafs have been able to churn out a decent amount of centers from draft/undrafted prospects to NHL. Defenders less so, sure, but definitely not among the worse.

 

[Magic Man]

Rielly - McCabe
OEL - Tanev
Benoit - Klingberg/DeAngelo
ex. Timmins - Myers
Rifai - Hakanpaa (LTIR)

If Klingberg or DeAngelo sign and Hakanpaa can be ready for the playoffs, the defense wouldn't really need a trade. They have a couple months to decide if that is enough. Hakanpaa can sit on LTIR until the playoffs and get a conditioning stint in with the Marlies just before it starts like Murray did last year. They should give a few games to Rifai down the stretch drive to give him a taste in case they need to use him. If Klingberg or DeAngelo both don't sign, then they definitely need to make a trade for a defenseman at the deadline. They need at least 6 every day NHL defenseman.

 

[Fogelhund]

Rielly - McCabe
OEL - Tanev
Benoit - Klingberg/DeAngelo
ex. Timmins - Myers
Rifai - Hakanpaa (LTIR)

If Klingberg or DeAngelo sign and Hakanpaa can be ready for the playoffs, the defense wouldn't really need a trade. They have a couple months to decide if that is enough. Hakanpaa can sit on LTIR until the playoffs and get a conditioning stint in with the Marlies just before it starts like Murray did last year. They should give a few games to Rifai down the stretch drive to give him a taste in case they need to use him. If Klingberg or DeAngelo both don't sign, then they definitely need to make a trade for a defenseman at the deadline. They need at least 6 every day NHL defenseman.

Plus Mermis and Benning have NHL experience. Not that they are great, but it's a lot of depth.

Noting, if we actually sign one of Klingberg, or TDA at league minimum, their cap hit is going to be approx double that, of course prorated. (Depends on date signed) (99 days left of 192 day season...) So $775 becomes a 1.55 mil contract for cap purposes. Seems to be a lot for a gamble. A PTO is more likely.

 

[WTFMAN99]

This really isn't a pipeline focused team anymore. It's a compete and win now, before the window closes in a few years. The question isn't about developing prospects, as much as it's what pieces can we obtain now, to help get this group over the top?

Here is a list of C's that have been discussed here;

Miller
Trocheck
Cozens
Cates
Laughton
Gourde
Krebs
Nelson
Pageau
McBain
Bjugstad
Granlund

Trochek
Cozens
Nelson (UFA)
McBain

Would hold the most interest for me.

I don't think we should completely write off drafting etc though because hitting big on guys like Point, Kucherov etc got Tampa over the finish line.

 

[Fogelhund]

I don't think we should completely write off drafting etc though because hitting big on guys like Point, Kucherov etc got Tampa over the finish line.

Sure, but Kucherov didn't make an impact for three years post draft...

 

[WTFMAN99]

Sure, but Kucherov didn't make an impact for three years post draft...

If we hit this year on a guy, he'd be coming in Matthews last year of his contract, Nylander still under contract.

Not sure how Marner situation goes but it either gets you a great 1-2 punch with Matthews + New guy or walk on from Matthews, extends the window either way.

Odds? Low AF but I just don't want to completely say draft schmaft, we got Leach out of Dallas, they're drafted as well as anyone.

 

[Fogelhund]

If we hit this year on a guy, he'd be coming in Matthews last year of his contract, Nylander still under contract.

Not sure how Marner situation goes but it either gets you a great 1-2 punch with Matthews + New guy or walk on from Matthews, extends the window either way.

Odds? Low AF but I just don't want to completely say draft schmaft, we got Leach out of Dallas, they're drafted as well as anyone.

That's the gamble... hope for someone who can help in three years, on odds that are Low AF... or use that asset to pick up someone who can help now.

 

[SprDaVE]

Trochek
Cozens
Nelson (UFA)
McBain

Would hold the most interest for me.

I don't think we should completely write off drafting etc though because hitting big on guys like Point, Kucherov etc got Tampa over the finish line.

It's always a balance between drafting and going for it. This team hasn't balanced out the 2 at all. The Dubas regime bled out assets far too much while trying to go for it and the team constantly crashed and burned in the playoffs. Treliving is following the same path without even making high end creative additions but has been able to retain some solid to good players.

 

[WTFMAN99]

That's the gamble... hope for someone who can help in three years, on odds that are Low AF... or use that asset to pick up someone who can help now.

To me it's getting the defense in order, specifically shuffling Rielly out for something stronger.

Could we win a cup with Woll or Stolarz? Yea, sure, Hill won, and they have both played well this year.

Could we win a cup with Matthews + JT as our top 2 centres? Also yes, also ideally find a strong 3C behind them.

Can we win a cup with Rielly as our 1D? No...I can't get there.

I compare our defense core to Dallas last year

Tanev = Tanev
McCabe = Lindell
Harley >> Rielly
OEL > Lundkqvist / Suter (Hakanpaa was out)
Anyone else <<<< - Heiskaken, we have no one near this level

So that's the top 5 group. Florida's defense core was weaker but it was a group of 4-5 solid guys...but I think Rielly and Benoit this year are major weaknesses on the back end.

It's always a balance between drafting and going for it. This team hasn't balanced out the 2 at all. The Dubas regime bled out assets far too much while trying to go for it and the team constantly crashed and burned in the playoffs. Treliving is following the same path without even making high end creative additions but has been able to retain some solid to good players.

His trades or lack of has been surprising for me compared to what I was used to seeing in Calgary under him.

I am going to be judging the TDL and this summer very harshly, he's not a stranger to the group any longer.

 

[Fogelhund]

To me it's getting the defense in order, specifically shuffling Rielly out for something stronger.

Could we win a cup with Woll or Stolarz? Yea, sure, Hill won, and they have both played well this year.

Could we win a cup with Matthews + JT as our top 2 centres? Also yes, also ideally find a strong 3C behind them.

Can we win a cup with Rielly as our 1D? No...I can't get there.

I compare our defense core to Dallas last year

Tanev = Tanev
McCabe = Lindell
Harley >> Rielly
OEL > Lundkqvist / Suter (Hakanpaa was out)
Anyone else <<<< - Heiskaken, we have no one near this level

So that's the top 5 group. Florida's defense core was weaker but it was a group of 4-5 solid guys...but I think Rielly and Benoit this year are major weaknesses on the back end.

Rielly isn't getting moved, especially in season... You can give up on that idea for certain.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Rielly isn't getting moved, especially in season... You can give up on that idea for certain.

In-season? 100% not happening

Off-season? I think there is a chance.

Tree didn't extend Rielly

Rielly is 7.5M and our PP has been a problem since Tree came aboard, if he can't QB a top end PP and he's not great defensively, not getting value for the dollar.

I suspect any trade with Rielly might involve geography around his parents in BC - so Vancouver, Calgary, Seattle and Los Angeles likely would be the landing spots, I don't expect a strong return.

 

[SprDaVE]

His trades or lack of has been surprising for me compared to what I was used to seeing in Calgary under him.

I am going to be judging the TDL and this summer very harshly, he's not a stranger to the group any longer.

The team probably needs a bad season just like the Caps had last season to force them to reset. The gold standard of retooling with a progressive young coach at the helm. They are far too scared to make bold and creative changes.

 

[thewave]

Leafs - Flames
Rasmus Andersson
for
2026 1st, Connor Timmins & Easton Cowan

Leafs - Canucks
Morgan Rielly
for
JT Miller

Knies - - Matthews - - Domi
McMann - Miller - Nylander
Patches - Tavares - Marner

McCabe - Tanev
OEL - Andersson

People want Rielly right now?

 

[Fogelhund]

In-season? 100% not happening

Off-season? I think there is a chance.

Tree didn't extend Rielly

Rielly is 7.5M and our PP has been a problem since Tree came aboard, if he can't QB a top end PP and he's not great defensively, not getting value for the dollar.

I suspect any trade with Rielly might involve geography around his parents in BC - so Vancouver, Calgary, Seattle and Los Angeles likely would be the landing spots, I don't expect a strong return.

I have no idea what will happen this coming off season, if they fail again. There SHOULD be significant changes... but will there be? For how long have we asked this question?

 

[WTFMAN99]

The team probably needs a bad season just like the Caps had last season to force them to reset. The gold standard of retooling with a progressive young coach at the helm. They are far too scared to make bold and creative changes.

Shanny's last year under contract...I feel like it's a foregone conclusion he isn't getting a new contract...Tree may some freedom after...maybe.

I have no idea what will happen this coming off season, if they fail again. There SHOULD be significant changes... but will there be? For how long have we asked this question?

After last year's playoff failure

To me it was about Rielly, JT and Marner being changed over with Matthews and 88 under contract.

All 3 had NMC so it was likely wishful thinking but not even 1 of them moved...

 

[SprDaVE]

Shanny's last year under contract...I feel like it's a foregone conclusion he isn't getting a new contract...Tree may some freedom after...maybe.

I dunno but the only reason the Leafs finally changed their awful ways years ago was because of Shanahan. It hasn't paid off long-term quite yet but at least we're a respectable franchise playing in meaningful games. We could very well be the Buffalo Sabres here. He'd be the last person I blame for not winning the cup or the decisions made by GMs. But he's probably on thin ice for sure and there might be time to change things up there too.