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

[thusk]

Sure - similar to Nylander having a bigger impact than Marner.

But I don't think the 'more balanced team' (with Pietrangelo replacing either Marner or Nylander) would be enough of an improvement to compensate for all the other shortcomings. Particularly if you consider that Dubas would almost certainly have paid him a lot more than he paid Nylander, which would have further weakened our depth (Marner not so much).

If you talked about overal impact, Marner had more impact than Nylander

If you talking about quality/price, Nylander bring a better quality/price. So depend how you want to see this.

And if Toronto would had trade nylander for pietrangelo, maybe they wouldn't had trade Kadri in a desesperate trade to fix D. They probably wouldn't sign brodie 5M .

That would affect every decision leafs made and a lot of thing would be diferent

 

[Menzinger]

Does this mean you disagree that Pietrangelo for Nylander in 2018 would have been a good deal for the Leafs?

It depends on an extension. Guys got a. American wife, American kids and ended up eventually signing in a warm weather, low tax state. Moving an asset who would go on to commit what is likely a Lead for life for a guy who may have come and gone isn't as clear cut as we're making it out to be

If you talked about overal impact, Marner had more impact than Nylander

If you talking about quality/price, Nylander bring a better quality/price. So depend how you want to see this.

And if Toronto would had trade nylander for pietrangelo, maybe they wouldn't had trade Kadri in a desesperate trade to fix D. They probably wouldn't sign brodie 5M .

That would affect every decision leafs made and a lot of thing would be diferent

While it's true it opens up an awful lot of what ifs, I'd wager Kadri antics would have eventually still convinced the front office to move on

 

[Americanadian]

It depends on an extension. Guys got a. American wife, American kids and ended up eventually signing in a warm weather, low tax state. Moving an asset who would go on to commit what is likely a Lead for life for a guy who may have come and gone isn't as clear cut as we're making it out to be

All reports in 2020 were that he was between VGK and Toronto and VGK were willing to pay more.

I also have an American wife and American kids but I’m from Oshawa. I can say without a doubt that my wife would rather raise our kids in Toronto within proximity of some family instead of moving across the country to stay on one side of the border. American wife doesn’t mean America is the only option.

 

[Gabriel426]

All reports in 2020 were that he was between VGK and Toronto and VGK were willing to pay more.

I also have an American wife and American kids but I’m from Oshawa. I can say without a doubt that my wife would rather raise our kids in Toronto within proximity of some family instead of moving across the country to stay on one side of the border. American wife doesn’t mean America is the only option.

I do think Leafs was used as bargain chip to get a better deal. Kind of like the Jays with baseball.

 

[Americanadian]

I do think Leafs was used as bargain chip to get a better deal. Kind of like the Jays with baseball.

Very possible but that was never reported (to my knowledge). Its also a different story if Toronto is able to offer 8 years.

 

[Menzinger]

All reports in 2020 were that he was between VGK and Toronto and VGK were willing to pay more.

I also have an American wife and American kids but I’m from Oshawa. I can say without a doubt that my wife would rather raise our kids in Toronto within proximity of some family instead of moving across the country to stay on one side of the border. American wife doesn’t mean America is the only option.

While that's true, I also see theres a fair amount of evidence, including recent Leafs (Ror) that plenty of guys in this league don't want to play/live in Canada. A tale as old as time is the Leafs getting linked to guys in free agency because it helps agents drive up negotiations with the teams they really want to sign with.

So while it IS a big what if, I think there's a big logic gap to just presume he's extending in Toronto in this scenario. I also find it suspect that Vegas outbid the Leafs given what they ended up paying for JT and we're rumored to have offered Stamkos

 

[Americanadian]

While that's true, I also see theres a fair amount of evidence, including recent Leafs (Ror) that plenty of guys in this league don't want to play/live in Canada. A tale as old as time is the Leafs getting linked to guys in free agency because it helps agents drive up negotiations with the teams they really want to sign with.

So while it IS a big what if, I think there's a big logic gap to just presume he's extending in Toronto in this scenario. I also find it suspect that Vegas outbid the Leafs given what they ended up paying for JT and we're rumored to have offered Stamkos

They simply couldn’t get to 9M. They opted for Brodie at 5M instead. Brodie was the only UFA they brought in over 1.5M.

They could have afforded him with Nylander+Brodie’s money.

 

[Menzinger]

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.

Playing for bad teams can be terrible for numbers and development.

The way I see it,.there's likely not going to be a perfect option. Either they go out and buy a cheaper depth vet or take a swing on a potential impact guy who's in the idealized age range.

I'd offer the '26 1st + Cowan + anything else other than the core (which includes Knies, you don't open one hole to fill another and he may end up a better goal scorer anyways)

They simply couldn’t get to 9M. They opted for Brodie at 5M instead. Brodie was the only UFA they brought in over 1.5M.

They could have afforded him with Nylander+Brodie’s money.

I don't think he signs for 9 mil in a higher tax area. A dollar for dollar match by at Toronto still puts a lot less money in his bank account

 

[Dreakmur]

I think we should invest in our best players with reasonable contracts, and find efficiencies in depth, like most successful teams.

The successful teams don’t have all those elite players at the same and similar positions. You won’t have to agree with the concept, but at least acknowledge reality.

You seem to think we should purge our best players and sign a bunch of David Clarksons. Because who cares how much you screw over your team, as long as your depth is expensive!

Excellent straw man.

It's ridiculous to dismiss the impact of wingers, especially when they are high end, two-way, all-situations players.

It is the least impactful position. That’s beyond any reasonable debate.

There is enough room on a team for two high end wingers without diminishing returns.

I disagree… and the results support my position.

And if we were going to pick one, it should obviously be Marner. Purging superstars to sign mid tier UFAs does not give greater returns on cap. It's worse.

I would also choose Marner over Nylander, but Nylander has already been locked in, and we absolutely cannot have both.

I don't care what Pittsburgh GMs do. I care what Toronto GMs do. Though it is hilarious watching you pretend that Pittsburgh would be accomplishing so much right now without that darn GM.

The GM in Pittsburgh is the embodiment of what you think about hockey. It don’t work here. It isn’t working there. It won’t work if somebody else buys the snake oil after he’s fired from Pittsburgh.

Your theories about hockey are just that - theories that don’t work in reality.

 

[jaric1862]

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.

Well, Well. Dregs Linked B. Schenn to us on Insider trading

 

[Sypher04]

I love the idea of bringing Luke back and plugging him back in beside Rielly.

I have some concerns with Brayden but there’s little doubt he’d be an upgrade at Center and stylistically fits as well

 

[ToneDog]

Luke is two years older and slower. Brayden is 33/34 and has 3 more years left at $6.5m. Hard pass.

 

[Americanadian]

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.

I just realized Luke Schenn played under Berube as head coach and assistant coach in Philly.

 

[Legion34]

Wow! It doesn't say who proposed it or why it fell through, but it sounds like the kind of bad deal Dubas would make.

Really glad it didn't happen.

Pietrangelo is a hall of fame defenseman.
That is definitely a trade we should have made.

 

[Legion34]

And I'm saying they wouldn't have won anything with Pietrangelo because they have never been 1 defender away from winning the Cup.

That’s a tough argument. A top pair stud defenseman changes everything about your team.

 

[Stephen]

While that's true, I also see theres a fair amount of evidence, including recent Leafs (Ror) that plenty of guys in this league don't want to play/live in Canada. A tale as old as time is the Leafs getting linked to guys in free agency because it helps agents drive up negotiations with the teams they really want to sign with.

So while it IS a big what if, I think there's a big logic gap to just presume he's extending in Toronto in this scenario. I also find it suspect that Vegas outbid the Leafs given what they ended up paying for JT and we're rumored to have offered Stamkos

I remember the Petro watch here in Toronto and doing all the mental math to see if we could fit him in and whatnot, reading the tea leaves on TSN with his appearances with Carlo, yucking it up. But also remember the possibility hit a chill with the realization he wasn’t really a homecoming GTA guy and had interest in Vegas. Don’t think it came down to being outbid as Petro wanted to do something that had nothing to do with being a Toronto guy coming home.

I think the time to get him was actually January 2019 when the Blues were in pure free fall before Berube took over. We ended up getting Muzzin from LA. But if St. Louis had stayed bad Petro would have been the guy to mortgage the farm on.

 

[Stephen]

And I'm saying they wouldn't have won anything with Pietrangelo because they have never been 1 defender away from winning the Cup.

Disagree with that notion. The delta on prime Pietrangelo being dropped into anywhere would have brought any team much closer to championship contention. Including the Leafs. Blueline is only 6 regulars. You change 1/6 of it and everything slots differently.

 

[thewave]

Disagree with that notion. The delta on prime Pietrangelo being dropped into anywhere would have brought any team much closer to championship contention. Including the Leafs. Blueline is only 6 regulars. You change 1/6 of it and everything slots differently.

No reliable tender, not for a deep run

 

[TMLAM34]

If the Sabres want someone who is more NHL ready, I wonder if they would have more interest in Minten than Cowan.

To Buffalo:
Grebenkin + Minten + TOR 2026 1st Rounder + FLA 2025 2nd Rounder

To Toronto:
Dylan Cozens

Obviously other moves would need to be made to be under the cap. Waive Reaves, trade Kampf and either Benoit or Timmins or both.


Knies - Matthews - Domi
McMann - Cozens - Nylander
Robertson - Tavares - Marner
Pacioretty - Dewar - Lorentz

That’s a deep forward group.

 

[thewave]

If the Sabres want someone who is more NHL ready, I wonder if they would have more interest in Minten than Cowan.

To Buffalo:
Grebenkin + Minten + TOR 2026 1st Rounder + FLA 2025 2nd Rounder

To Toronto:
Dylan Cozens

Obviously other moves would need to be made to be under the cap. Waive Reaves, trade Kampf and either Benoit or Timmins or both.


Knies - Matthews - Domi
McMann - Cozens - Nylander
Robertson - Tavares - Marner
Pacioretty - Dewar - Lorentz

That’s a deep forward group.

Cozens is tainted. Don't want him, totally tainted

 

[SprDaVE]

I love the idea of bringing Luke back and plugging him back in beside Rielly.

I have some concerns with Brayden but there’s little doubt he’d be an upgrade at Center and stylistically fits as well

The problem with B. Schenn is his contract and mild production, it's a bad mix at his age. Blues can hope someone gives them a lot for their captain but there's no way I'd pony up the big reported price, whatever that is. The intangibles are interesting and it could make sense if the deal makes sense.

 

[SprDaVE]

Cozens is tainted. Don't want him, totally tainted

I think Buffalo is a weird weird team. Cozens could flop or at least continue his downwards spiral but at his age and draft pedigree, it's a good bet he'll surge back. Just look at all the players that left that team to have success somewhere else.

It's time to get aggressive when these good young locked up players hit the market.

 

[jaric1862]

Utah needs to move a defenceman. Cole/Maata are two guys I like as our depth defenceman. Both can play both sides and have a pair of cup rings.

 

[Legion34]

The problem with B. Schenn is his contract and mild production. Blues can hope someone gives them a lot for their captain but there's no way I'd pony up the big reported price, whatever that is. The intangibles are interesting and it could make sense if the deal makes sense.

6.5 on a 95 104 and 114 cap is fine

 

[SprDaVE]

6.5 on a 95 104 and 114 cap is fine

For a player that is gonna keep regressing probably? 50 points for a 6.5M player even with the rising cap isn't great value unless they are dynamite on the PK or other areas? I haven't seen him enough to be completely honest.

I'm not completely against the idea but they apparently want a big return. Are we ready to dump the 2026 1st and a good prospect for him? I think the Leafs need to get a younger asset if they are going that route.