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

[Rare Jewel]

@Dekes For Days

Rather than going back and forth on a bunch of things that clearly we've got a wide difference of opinions on. I want to put the emphasis back on Marner.

So, there are two questions I'm interested in getting your take on.

1. How much are you willing to give him, and for how long?
2. In the event Marner does not re-sign (for whatever reason), what would be your course of action from that point?

 

[Stephen]

Wonder if the Leafs would consider reuniting the Schenn brothers, a la 2009.

B. Schenn would be the 3C option, Berube cup alumni. Luke is Luke.

 

[ULF_55]

@Dekes For Days

Rather than going back and forth on a bunch of things that clearly we've got a wide difference of opinions on. I want to put the emphasis back on Marner.

So, there are two questions I'm interested in getting your take on.

1. How much are you willing to give him, and for how long?
2. In the event Marner does not re-sign (for whatever reason), what would be your course of action from that point?

About $1mm Less than Draisaitl if he commits to the team (8 years).

That's being overly generous to the Little m, but unless the economy collapses, manageable going forward.

If he doesn't want to sign, facilitate a sign and trade if there is interest.

Otherwise use his money on a couple other players, as it would open up trade opportunities.
Even if there aren't a great number of UFA players available there could be players on the block that the Cap could be used on in a trade that wouldn't require any retention.

 

[notDatsyuk]

One of if not the single best and steadiest fit next to Rielly was a lefty playing his off side in Hainsey. Pre collapse Brodie was also excellent.

Throwing a lefty that's never played the right is a recipe for disaster. But someone that has spent a good chunk of their career and development playing the right? They've got the familiarity, they've learned to overcome the inherent difficulty

It very much depends on the player. I've played with much better players who could never adjust to the off side, but others, myself included, can switch from shift to shift with no noticeable difference.

 

[ULF_55]

Leafs could always try David Savard with Rielly.
Price shouldn't be high.

McCabe - Tanev
Rielly - Savard
Benoit - Ekman-Larsson

 

[Magic Man]

add knies and buffalo will start to think about it...

Doesn't make much sense to swap one for the other. I want them both. A couple 6'3 beasts.

I would upgrade the 2nd to a 1st though. Minten + a 1st and two roster forwards is a handsome package,

 

[Jmo89]

Doesn't make much sense to swap one for the other. I want them both. A couple 6'3 beasts.

I would upgrade the 2nd to a 1st though. Minten + a 1st and two roster forwards is a handsome package,

I wouldn't give up Knies either but to get a guy like Cozens back the Sabres will likely want a more impactful roster player.

I would hate to give him up but it could be an opportunity to sell high on McMann. McMann is a late bloomer and already 28 while Cozens is only 23.

The Leafs probably have an easier time finding a winger through UFA than a C.

Kampf (dump), McMann, Minten, 2nd. It's a heavy price but probably worth it for a long-term 2C. If Cozens doesn't rebound though it has the potential to go sideways.

 

[Americanadian]

@Dekes For Days

Rather than going back and forth on a bunch of things that clearly we've got a wide difference of opinions on. I want to put the emphasis back on Marner.

So, there are two questions I'm interested in getting your take on.

1. How much are you willing to give him, and for how long?
2. In the event Marner does not re-sign (for whatever reason), what would be your course of action from that point?

I’d offer him 4 years, 13M AAV. First 2 years NMC, last 2 years limited NTC.

I’d also offer 8 years 12.5M AAV. First 4 years NMC, last 4 years limited NTC.

If neither of those contracts are good enough for him I’d let him walk.

 

[Americanadian]

About $1mm Less than Draisaitl if he commits to the team (8 years).

That's being overly generous to the Little m, but unless the economy collapses, manageable going forward.

If he doesn't want to sign, facilitate a sign and trade if there is interest.

Otherwise use his money on a couple other players, as it would open up trade opportunities.
Even if there aren't a great number of UFA players available there could be players on the block that the Cap could be used on in a trade that wouldn't require any retention.

Why would you only commit top dollar for max term? He’ll be signing at age 28, it would be more beneficial to not have him signed into his mid 30s. Shorter term is better for the Leafs at this point in time.

Imagine the Leafs only signed Tavares for 4 years. Even if they had re-signed him for the last 3 years it wouldn’t have been at 11M.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I’d offer him 4 years, 13M AAV. First 2 years NMC, last 2 years limited NTC.

I’d also offer 8 years 12.5M AAV. First 4 years NMC, last 4 years limited NTC.

If neither of those contracts are good enough for him I’d let him walk.

And then what? Because then you have a giant gaping hole ar RW.

You can't just let him walk you have to have a plan.

 

[Americanadian]

And then what? Because then you have a giant gaping hole ar RW.

You can't just let him walk you have to have a plan.

So holding onto a player as they decline is better than any other option? I’m not sure who is available in 4 years.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

So holding onto a player as they decline is better than any other option? I’m not sure who is available in 4 years.

What are the other options? What's the plan

 

[Americanadian]

What are the other options? What's the plan

There are so many different players who could be available in 4 years. McDavid could be in Toronto by then. Matthews could leave and Toronto enters a rebuild.

Look at who this board is talking about for the last 24 hours: Cozens. 4 years ago he would never be available. Things change.

I’ll hear an argument that singing Marner is the best option today. Claiming he’ll still be the best option when he’s 32 is asinine. No one knows what the Leafs will look like then.

 

[Americanadian]

What are the other options? What's the plan

Unless you’re asking what to do if he walks this summer (sorry, haven’t had coffee yet). If that’s the case I’d go after Cozens. If that fails I’d trade the FLA 2025 2nd for the TOR 2026 2nd and offer sheet Johnston. If that fails I’d shop mid tier UFA’s like Mangiapane, Brazeau, Evans. You can use that 13M to create an entire 3rd line in UFA. Matthews has proved he doesn’t need Marner to score. Nylander doesn’t need Marner to score. Let them drive lines 1 and 2.

Ultimately Marner is a great player but he’s not necessary to win a cup. People on this board are acting like he’s the best option but every single season a team wins the cup without him somehow. The Leafs can continue that trend.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Unless you’re asking what to do if he walks this summer (sorry, haven’t had coffee yet). If that’s the case I’d go after Cozens. If that fails I’d trade the FLA 2025 2nd for the TOR 2026 2nd and offer sheet Johnston. If that fails I’d shop mid tier UFA’s like Mangiapane, Brazeau, Evans. You can use that 13M to create an entire 3rd line in UFA. Matthews has proved he doesn’t need Marner to score. Nylander doesn’t need Marner to score. Let them drive lines 1 and 2.

Yes that's what I was asking you, if he walks What's your plan because you've now got a giant gaping hole at RW AND no you can't wait 4 years to fill it.

 

[Americanadian]

Yes that's what I was asking you, if he walks What's your plan because you've now got a giant gaping hole at RW AND no you can't wait 4 years to fill it.

Put Domi at 1RW. Since Domi’s been on the team Matthews has produced significantly better with Domi on his wing than Marner.

I’d ship out Domi in a heartbeat because he’s useless when he’s not with Matthews but if he has to play there that is a viable option. The Leafs also already have a 11.5M RW. The current #1 team in the league plays Wilson/McMichael at 1/2 RW. You don’t need 2 top 5 RW’s.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Unless you’re asking what to do if he walks this summer (sorry, haven’t had coffee yet). If that’s the case I’d go after Cozens. If that fails I’d trade the FLA 2025 2nd for the TOR 2026 2nd and offer sheet Johnston. If that fails I’d shop mid tier UFA’s like Mangiapane, Brazeau, Evans. You can use that 13M to create an entire 3rd line in UFA. Matthews has proved he doesn’t need Marner to score. Nylander doesn’t need Marner to score. Let them drive lines 1 and 2.

Ultimately Marner is a great player but he’s not necessary to win a cup. People on this board are acting like he’s the best option but every single season a team wins the cup without him somehow. The Leafs can continue that trend.

That is the same as McDavid and several other players.

 

[Americanadian]

That is the same as McDavid and several other players.

Exactly - context is necessary when discussing every player. The path to winning a cup is never through a single player.

At least in McDavid's case he has been the best player on his team every year in the playoffs and has lead his team to game 7 of a cup final so the argument to pay him is much easier. Marner has not. By asking for top dollar he actually drags the Leafs further away from a cup.

If Marner wants to be paid within 10% of Draisaitl, a center who has average 50 goals/118 points per 82 GP over the last 7 seasons and a 45 goal/120 point per 82 GP rate in the playoffs over his career, the Leafs are at a competitive disadvantage. Let alone within 10% over the exact same term.

 

[thusk]

Doesn't make much sense to swap one for the other. I want them both. A couple 6'3 beasts.

I would upgrade the 2nd to a 1st though. Minten + a 1st and two roster forwards is a handsome package,

I just don't think leafs having what would interest buffalo for Cozens.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Exactly - context is necessary when discussing every player. The path to winning a cup is never through a single player.

At least in McDavid's case he has been the best player on his team every year in the playoffs and has lead his team to game 7 of a cup final so the argument to pay him is much easier. Marner has not. By asking for top dollar he actually drags the Leafs further away from a cup.

If Marner wants to be paid within 10% of Draisaitl, a center who has average 50 goals/118 points per 82 GP over the last 7 seasons and a 45 goal/120 point per 82 GP rate in the playoffs over his career, the Leafs are at a competitive disadvantage. Let alone within 10% over the exact same term.

Yes, but in the context of teams winning the Cup..

 

[Americanadian]

Yes, but in the context of teams winning the Cup..

Isn’t that the goal?

 

[Leaf Fans]

Isn’t that the goal?

Yup.

 

[Torontonian]

So what happened to Cozens?

30 goals a couple years ago, 18 last year and on pace for 15 this year?

Ryan MeLeod has better stats and is $2.1 RFA.

The Buffalo effect happened.

I think Cozens on the Leafs is probably a 30 goal guy, 75 point player.

Biggest problem with Toronto and a Buffalo trade is assets, Toronto has futures, Buffalo seems to be looking for players that can help them now. Our biggest trade piece off the roster is someone we shouldn't be trading in Knies.