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

If the cap is going up that much I can sort of get on board with signing Marner for something under Matthews. He would need to sign at 8 years and would need to leave enough on the table for the team to sign who they want as a supporting cast.

If he's going to bleed them for every dollar based on the cap projections then I'd rather see him leave.

Leafs are entering their second window similar to teams like Tampa and Florida. They need to balance the bottom half of the team and you can't do that with Marner at 14-15M.
 
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Or.. just don't do that. :dunno: Get one FA @ 50% of the cost to cover 70ish% of Marner's offence and then allocate the rest of the money to other parts of the team.
If he wants to stay, put a stake in the ground and if he wants more, then let him go and go in a different direction. Stop the insanity. You are not winning with this loser being the highest paid player on the team when you already have two guys making almost $25m and are also playoff losers.

He scored 2 ENG in January FFS. Who pays $13+m for 82 assists? A team that is punted early in the playoffs.
 
Rantanen or Boeser+Ehlers would be interesting alternatives to Marner

Even if Rantanen and Marner work out to be relatively similar on the AAV, it is a change to the core.
As I was saying yesterday, Boeser is going to be difficult, and Ehlers, I'm not too sure of, but at a certain price point, maybe.

But there are other ideas; what about taking Jonathan Marchessault if you can get him in a relatively soft deal? Also, what about getting our 2nd back off of Chicago and throwing an offer sheet at someone in Dallas?

Also, in the background, it might be a decent idea to keep the powder dry in case the fella in northern Alberta wants to have a pyjama party.
 
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If he wants to stay, put a stake in the ground and if he wants more, then let him go and go in a different direction. Stop the insanity. You are not winning with this loser being the highest paid player on the team when you already have two guys making almost $25m and are also playoff losers.

He scored 2 ENG in January FFS. Who pays $13+m for 82 assists? A team that is punted early in the playoffs.
My stake in the ground number depends on what happens in the spring. Even then, it would be hard to rationalize a gap that is too big over Nylander and possibly above Matthews.
 
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As I was saying yesterday, Boeser is going to be difficult, and Ehlers, I'm not too sure of, but at a certain price point, maybe.

But there are other ideas; what about taking Jonathan Marchessault if you can get him in a relatively soft deal? Also, what about getting our 2nd back off of Chicago and throwing an offer sheet at someone in Dallas?

Also, in the background, it might be a decent idea to keep the powder dry in case the fella in northern Alberta wants to have a pyjama party.

Yes, agreed.

Listen if they have a playoff run of note, I am more open minded about the group but if it falls short, I am VERY open minded to changes.

We have to be right? How long can you keep bringing back the same core and hoping something changes?
Any time someone brings up Washington I want to punch them in the face, Caps were winning rounds consistently and the inner core guys like Backstrom, Ovechkin, Carlson etc were pretty productive playoff guys, they actually shed guys like Green and Semin when they came up short.

We keep trimming around the edge.
 
This place is getting ridiculous. The guy who scored more goals last season than anyone in 30+ years is not aging well?

What this fan base needs to realize is there are really only 2 options. Gamble on this core figuring it out or blowing it up and starting over. And the reality is the gamble is more likely to pay off than a rebuild.

Letting Marner or Matthews walk for cap space won’t make this team better. You don’t find their replacements outside of the draft.
Maybe over the top, but how many seasons has he not been injured or "playing injured" out of 9?

This year how many times has he had games off, or playing not at 100% ... at age 27?

You think at age 31, when negotiating his next contract he's going to be healthier, and take a discount?

Unless you think he's earning it this year?
 
My stake in the ground number depends on what happens in the spring. Even then, it would be hard to rationalize a gap that is too big over Nylander and possibly above Matthews.
100% but the idiots who supposedly run the show are intent to open the vault and pay him already. The greedy bastard wants more. Seriously, punt him already. I'd rather rebuild than run this loser core back.
 
I'd also free up cap in the off-season by moving on from Kampf, Jarnkrok, Reaves.

I wouldn't be opposed to moving on from OEL if the leafs were in on another D.

We'll see if Tre will move on from Domi. My guess is no
 
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As I was saying yesterday, Boeser is going to be difficult, and Ehlers, I'm not too sure of, but at a certain price point, maybe.

But there are other ideas; what about taking Jonathan Marchessault if you can get him in a relatively soft deal? Also, what about getting our 2nd back off of Chicago and throwing an offer sheet at someone in Dallas?

Also, in the background, it might be a decent idea to keep the powder dry in case the fella in northern Alberta wants to have a pyjama party.
I'd be calling Sakic to see if he has any interest in a Matthews for MacKinnon deal. Matthews playing in the US would be good for the game and MacKinnon in Toronto would be sweet. Then when pyjama boy is ready you have him and MacKinnon leading this team. Nah, lets sign Marner for $15m and run these 3 clowns back for another 3 years before the 18 wheeler goes off the cliff for good.
 
I'd also free up cap in the off-season by moving on from Kampf, Jarnkrok, Reaves.

I wouldn't be opposed to moving on from OEL if the leafs were in on another D.

We'll see if Tre will move on from Domi. My guess is no
Dudes' been the best D man there IMO, and probably Treliving's best move overall.

If you really want to make room for something else, I'd be looking at the other two lefties first.

I'd be calling Sakic to see if he has any interest in a Matthews for MacKinnon deal.
They won't.

You're getting quite a bit ahead of yourself. I'm okay with Matthews, it's building the team around him that's the issue.
 
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Dudes' been the best D man there IMO, and probably Treliving's best move overall.

If you really want to make room for something else, I'd be looking at the other two lefties first.
Rielly is the logical choice to go and the sooner the better before his stock plunges further and you will have to sweeten to move him. Call Jimmy Rutherford and get a deal done.

Dudes' been the best D man there IMO, and probably Treliving's best move overall.

If you really want to make room for something else, I'd be looking at the other two lefties first.


They won't.

You're getting a little bit quite a bit ahead of yourself. I'm okay with Matthews, it's building the team around him that's the issue.
I'm OK with building around Matthews but if I can get a cost controlled MacKinnon for him, I'd do it. Matthews is going to want $15+m in 3 years if not more. MacKinnon will still be making $12.6m for the next 6? years. Do it before Sakic comes to his senses. LOL.
 
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Rielly is the logical choice to go and the sooner the better before his stock plunges further and you will have to sweeten to move him. Call Jimmy Rutherford and get a deal done.


I'm OK with building around Matthews but if I can get a cost controlled MacKinnon for him, I'd do it. Matthews is going to want $15+m in 3 years if not more. MacKinnon will still be making $12.6m for the next 6? years. Do it before Sakic comes to his senses. LOL.

I mean it would never happen but if presented with the option of MacKinnon for Matthews, I do it so fast.
 
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That is a big concern, Matthews and 88 are already signed too.

Also why are they going to be overpaid anchors? Ehlers and Boeser at 8ish each vs Marner at 13-14-15M? It's a change with the core and they're good players.



Let's see.



Rantanen or Boeser+Ehlers would be interesting alternatives to Marner

Even if Rantanen and Marner work out to be relatively similar on the AAV, it is a change to the core.

You think career 50-60 point Brock Boeser and Nick Ehlers who can’t defend are worth a combined 16 mill but 90 point Selke nominee Marner doesn’t make sense at 12.5-13?

If Rantanen makes it to FA than yes, as an alternative to Marner it makes a lot of sense. But letting Marner walk for Ehlers and Boeser is a hilariously bad take.
 
I mean it would never happen but if presented with the option of MacKinnon for Matthews, I do it so fast.
I'm thinking somebody on the Avs lost his marbles and decided it was better to trade Ranta than sign him at a discount and that same individual might fall in love with the idea of bringing the best US born player in the game to Denver.

You think career 50-60 point Brock Boeser and Nick Ehlers who can’t defend are worth a combined 16 mill but 90 point Selke nominee Marner doesn’t make sense at 12.5-13?

If Rantanen makes it to FA than yes, as an alternative to Marner it makes a lot of sense. But letting Marner walk for Ehlers and Boeser is a hilariously bad take.
Problem is Marner wants more than $13m or he would have already been signed IMO. At what point do you say, no and walk away?
 
If Rantanen makes it to FA than yes, as an alternative to Marner it makes a lot of sense. But letting Marner walk for Ehlers and Boeser is a hilariously bad take.
This isn't the NBA, where a collection of 3 expensive players means you can win. If it were, this team would have a lot more than 1 playoff-round win to their name.

It's about accessing more than that and looking at it as Ehlers/Boeser or whoever for Marner swap isn't telling the whole story.
 
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I'm thinking somebody on the Avs lost his marbles and decided it was better to trade Ranta than sign him at a discount and that same individual might fall in love with the idea of bringing the best US born player in the game to Denver.


Problem is Marner wants more than $13m or he would have already been signed IMO. At what point do you say, no and walk away?

You have balls like Tampa tell Marner to go assess the market and come back with a number. There’s no contender in the league offering him more than 13.
 
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This isn't the NBA, where a collection of 3 expensive players means you can win. If it were, this team would have a lot more than 1 playoff-round win to their name.

It's about accessing more than that and looking at it as Ehlers/Boeser or whoever for Marner swap isn't telling the whole story.

It’s not about have 3 expensive players, but replacing 1 expensive player with 2 mediocre players isn’t a recipe for success. You make cap space when you need cap space. You don’t make cap space and use it immediately on players that don’t move the needle for the sake of change.
 
In my opinion, the two biggest holes for this team right now are at C and RD, something that most pundits seem to be saying as well. The question is, who is available in those spots? I thought I'd throw a few of the options at centre out there at least. Who else am I missing?

Brock Nelson (33 years old, 1 x $6M, 32 points in 49 games) is potentially available from the New York Islanders, although with them going on a six game winning streak, bringing them back within striking distance of a wild-card spot, there's some doubt as to whether they will be selling or not. In addition, Treliving has indicated that he would prefer to add a player with term. Apparently the asking price would be something a 1st round pick a mid-level prospect.

Ryan O'Reilly (33 years old, 3 x $4.5M, 28 points in 45 games) has been proposed as a well the Leafs could go back to. It seems that the club would have liked to re-sign O'Reilly following the 2023 playoffs, but he elected sign with the Nashville Predators, who are well outside the playoff picture currently. However, with another two years left for O'Reilly after this, they shouldn't be in any rush to sell now, and might have no inclination to move him.

Mikael Granlund (32 years old, 1 x $5M, 44 points in 51 games) is the top scorer for the basement dwelling San Jose Sharks, and while as a pending UFA he presents an intriguing trade chip for the rebuilding team, there's also reportedly mutual interest in a re-signing. After all, he provides some sheltering for younger forwards like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith as they grow into NHL stars.

Yanni Gourde (33 years old, 1 x $5.17M, 16 points in 35 games) has reportedly indicated he would be willing to accept a move to Toronto. A Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Gourde's game has slowed a bit over the years, but he's still a competitive, gritty player who helps drive play well, and can chip in some secondary offense. Asking price from Seattle seems to also be something like a 1st and a mid-level prospect. With Toronto's dearth of depth scoring, do they pay a premium for a guy scoring at what amounts to a ~14 goal pace this year?

Scott Laughton (30 years old, 2 x $3M, 25 points in 50 games) has played more on the wing than at centre this season, but at least in theory could be the team's third pivot. He at least potentially brings some scoring to the bottom-six that has been lacking, a 0.51 point-per-game rate over the last three seasons running. On top of that, he has an extra year of term, something that the Leafs are interested in.

Trent Frederic (26 years old, 1 x $2.3M, 14 points in 51 games) is hard to imagine in the blue and white, given his current status as a Boston Bruin, but the pending free agent is somebody that the Leafs' struggling rivals might want to offload. Granted, Boston is still in playoff positioning, and so they probably don't just want to throw away Frederic for scraps, even if he is having a down year. A feisty player, he scored 35 goals in 161 games over the previous two seasons.

Luke Kunin (27 years old, 1 x $2.75M, 18 points in 54 games) is apparently somebody that the Leafs have shown interest in. Not much of an offensive player, Kunin's career high was 31 points in 63 games back in 2019-20. He's scored at a ~14 goal per 82 game pace since joining the San Jose Sharks three seasons ago, but is he strong enough to elevate Toronto's current third line?

Ryan Donato (28 years old, 1 x $2M, 29 points in 49 games) is an option Toronto has also reportedly shown interest in, from the Chicago Black Hawks. His 29 points would currently put him 6th on the Leafs' scoring list, and 15 of those are goals (he leads the Hawks with 13 goals at 5v5). An intriguing option for sure, and somebody that it seems it would make sense for Chicago to move.

Nick Bjugstad (32 years old, 1 x $2.1M, 13 points in 42 games) has also been a name thrown out there. The Arizona Coyotes got 22 goals and 45 points out of him last season, but he didn't take that productivity with him to Utah, where he is scoring at a meagre pace of ~10 goals and ~25 points over 82 games, far more in line with his typical career production levels. Bjugstad might just end up being another fourth line type player who doesn't help Toronto move the needle offensively.
 
In my opinion, the two biggest holes for this team right now are at C and RD, something that most pundits seem to be saying as well. The question is, who is available in those spots? I thought I'd throw a few of the options at centre out there at least. Who else am I missing?

Brock Nelson (33 years old, 1 x $6M, 32 points in 49 games) is potentially available from the New York Islanders, although with them going on a six game winning streak, bringing them back within striking distance of a wild-card spot, there's some doubt as to whether they will be selling or not. In addition, Treliving has indicated that he would prefer to add a player with term. Apparently the asking price would be something a 1st round pick a mid-level prospect.

Ryan O'Reilly (33 years old, 3 x $4.5M, 28 points in 45 games) has been proposed as a well the Leafs could go back to. It seems that the club would have liked to re-sign O'Reilly following the 2023 playoffs, but he elected sign with the Nashville Predators, who are well outside the playoff picture currently. However, with another two years left for O'Reilly after this, they shouldn't be in any rush to sell now, and might have no inclination to move him.

Mikael Granlund (32 years old, 1 x $5M, 44 points in 51 games) is the top scorer for the basement dwelling San Jose Sharks, and while as a pending UFA he presents an intriguing trade chip for the rebuilding team, there's also reportedly mutual interest in a re-signing. After all, he provides some sheltering for younger forwards like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith as they grow into NHL stars.

Yanni Gourde (33 years old, 1 x $5.17M, 16 points in 35 games) has reportedly indicated he would be willing to accept a move to Toronto. A Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Gourde's game has slowed a bit over the years, but he's still a competitive, gritty player who helps drive play well, and can chip in some secondary offense. Asking price from Seattle seems to also be something like a 1st and a mid-level prospect. With Toronto's dearth of depth scoring, do they pay a premium for a guy scoring at what amounts to a ~14 goal pace this year?

Scott Laughton (30 years old, 2 x $3M, 25 points in 50 games) has played more on the wing than at centre this season, but at least in theory could be the team's third pivot. He at least potentially brings some scoring to the bottom-six that has been lacking, a 0.51 point-per-game rate over the last three seasons running. On top of that, he has an extra year of term, something that the Leafs are interested in.

Trent Frederic (26 years old, 1 x $2.3M, 14 points in 51 games) is hard to imagine in the blue and white, given his current status as a Boston Bruin, but the pending free agent is somebody that the Leafs' struggling rivals might want to offload. Granted, Boston is still in playoff positioning, and so they probably don't just want to throw away Frederic for scraps, even if he is having a down year. A feisty player, he scored 35 goals in 161 games over the previous two seasons.

Luke Kunin (27 years old, 1 x $2.75M, 18 points in 54 games) is apparently somebody that the Leafs have shown interest in. Not much of an offensive player, Kunin's career high was 31 points in 63 games back in 2019-20. He's scored at a ~14 goal per 82 game pace since joining the San Jose Sharks three seasons ago, but is he strong enough to elevate Toronto's current third line?

Ryan Donato (28 years old, 1 x $2M, 29 points in 49 games) is an option Toronto has also reportedly shown interest in, from the Chicago Black Hawks. His 29 points would currently put him 6th on the Leafs' scoring list, and 15 of those are goals (he leads the Hawks with 13 goals at 5v5). An intriguing option for sure, and somebody that it seems it would make sense for Chicago to move.

Nick Bjugstad (32 years old, 1 x $2.1M, 13 points in 42 games) has also been a name thrown out there. The Arizona Coyotes got 22 goals and 45 points out of him last season, but he didn't take that productivity with him to Utah, where he is scoring at a meagre pace of ~10 goals and ~25 points over 82 games, far more in line with his typical career production levels. Bjugstad might just end up being another fourth line type player who doesn't help Toronto move the needle offensively.

Kunin + Walman would plug 2 holes. Walman is a LHD but can play RD and provides skill from the back and Kunin is just a physical guy that can pot 10-15 goals.

Donato + Murphy would be ok as well. I'm not super high on Donato though, always be wary of these journeymen players having huge seasons on bad teams.

I think Gourde + Oleksiak will be what Treliving goes after.
 
In my opinion, the two biggest holes for this team right now are at C and RD, something that most pundits seem to be saying as well. The question is, who is available in those spots? I thought I'd throw a few of the options at centre out there at least. Who else am I missing?

Brock Nelson (33 years old, 1 x $6M, 32 points in 49 games) is potentially available from the New York Islanders, although with them going on a six game winning streak, bringing them back within striking distance of a wild-card spot, there's some doubt as to whether they will be selling or not. In addition, Treliving has indicated that he would prefer to add a player with term. Apparently the asking price would be something a 1st round pick a mid-level prospect.

Ryan O'Reilly (33 years old, 3 x $4.5M, 28 points in 45 games) has been proposed as a well the Leafs could go back to. It seems that the club would have liked to re-sign O'Reilly following the 2023 playoffs, but he elected sign with the Nashville Predators, who are well outside the playoff picture currently. However, with another two years left for O'Reilly after this, they shouldn't be in any rush to sell now, and might have no inclination to move him.

Mikael Granlund (32 years old, 1 x $5M, 44 points in 51 games) is the top scorer for the basement dwelling San Jose Sharks, and while as a pending UFA he presents an intriguing trade chip for the rebuilding team, there's also reportedly mutual interest in a re-signing. After all, he provides some sheltering for younger forwards like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith as they grow into NHL stars.

Yanni Gourde (33 years old, 1 x $5.17M, 16 points in 35 games) has reportedly indicated he would be willing to accept a move to Toronto. A Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Gourde's game has slowed a bit over the years, but he's still a competitive, gritty player who helps drive play well, and can chip in some secondary offense. Asking price from Seattle seems to also be something like a 1st and a mid-level prospect. With Toronto's dearth of depth scoring, do they pay a premium for a guy scoring at what amounts to a ~14 goal pace this year?

Scott Laughton (30 years old, 2 x $3M, 25 points in 50 games) has played more on the wing than at centre this season, but at least in theory could be the team's third pivot. He at least potentially brings some scoring to the bottom-six that has been lacking, a 0.51 point-per-game rate over the last three seasons running. On top of that, he has an extra year of term, something that the Leafs are interested in.

Trent Frederic (26 years old, 1 x $2.3M, 14 points in 51 games) is hard to imagine in the blue and white, given his current status as a Boston Bruin, but the pending free agent is somebody that the Leafs' struggling rivals might want to offload. Granted, Boston is still in playoff positioning, and so they probably don't just want to throw away Frederic for scraps, even if he is having a down year. A feisty player, he scored 35 goals in 161 games over the previous two seasons.

Luke Kunin (27 years old, 1 x $2.75M, 18 points in 54 games) is apparently somebody that the Leafs have shown interest in. Not much of an offensive player, Kunin's career high was 31 points in 63 games back in 2019-20. He's scored at a ~14 goal per 82 game pace since joining the San Jose Sharks three seasons ago, but is he strong enough to elevate Toronto's current third line?

Ryan Donato (28 years old, 1 x $2M, 29 points in 49 games) is an option Toronto has also reportedly shown interest in, from the Chicago Black Hawks. His 29 points would currently put him 6th on the Leafs' scoring list, and 15 of those are goals (he leads the Hawks with 13 goals at 5v5). An intriguing option for sure, and somebody that it seems it would make sense for Chicago to move.

Nick Bjugstad (32 years old, 1 x $2.1M, 13 points in 42 games) has also been a name thrown out there. The Arizona Coyotes got 22 goals and 45 points out of him last season, but he didn't take that productivity with him to Utah, where he is scoring at a meagre pace of ~10 goals and ~25 points over 82 games, far more in line with his typical career production levels. Bjugstad might just end up being another fourth line type player who doesn't help Toronto move the needle offensively.

Noah Cates (25 years old, 1 x $2.6M RFA, 22 points in 49 games) solid defensive third line center with a good shot. Offensive creativity is limited, but hes got a good shot and finishes well when paired with a creative playmaker (Domi). Hes a guy you want on the ice holding a lead late.
 
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