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

[Fogelhund]

Or we just don't re-sign Tavares and have $14M in cap space... Tavares at 2C just doesn't work anymore and I'm not playing him at 2C nor am I giving him $7M to play 3C.

What kind of weird narrative is this. Tavares is ranked 27th in Scoring for C's this year, and this includes players who aren't really even C's. He's top 10 in faceoffs.

People really need to step into reality, if they think teams have better 2C's than this... this is a top 5 in the NHL top two C's...

weirdness.

 

[WTFMAN99]

What kind of weird narrative is this. Tavares is ranked 27th in Scoring for C's this year, and this includes players who aren't really even C's. He's top 10 in faceoffs.

People really need to step into reality, if they think teams have better 2C's than this... this is a top 5 in the NHL top two C's...

weirdness.

I'd like to keep Tavares but the numbers would need to work.

Someone said like 7M and at that price it's thanks but no thanks.

I'd 6M x 2 but defer so it's like 4.5-5M cap hit...he gets money and helps us add pieces around him to get a cup.

I'm not particularly heart broken if guys walk though because we've seen this current group and if we keep them together but don't change much else...we already know the ceiling except they're all getting older.

 

[Fogelhund]

I'd like to keep Tavares but the numbers would need to work.

Someone said like 7M and at that price it's thanks but no thanks.

I'd 6M x 2 but defer so it's like 4.5-5M cap hit...he gets money and helps us add pieces around him to get a cup.

I'm not particularly heart broken if guys walk though because we've seen this current group and if we keep them together but don't change much else...we already know the ceiling except they're all getting older.

If we need to make changes, as this group doesn't work... that's one thing.

For sure, the $ need to work, that is critical... but also appreciate that the available UFA's are Gourde, Grandlund and Bennett... and there is a good chance one or two are signed before Free Agency. Swapping out Tavares for any one of these three, is not likely making this team better, and as UFA's, isn't really going to be any savings for what they bring.

 

[nuck]

Any interest in Jake Evans + David Savard package? Or just Evans by himself

Evan is a rental and he isn't resigning for $1.7M. Also he is working towards a 15g 35pt career year. If thats his floor thats okay but his last two seasons are Kampf level production which isn't a 3rd line guy. It would be nice if he was in their lineup today instead of Kampf but not for the cost he would require. If you are spending your limited coin it should be on a legitimate 3c rather than a guy who has his first good year at 28.

Savard is 34 and not very good so the odds he remains a not very good defender are probably greater than that he morphs into the player he was last year. And that guy was a marginal 2nd pairing player at best. Especially with a vet like him you want the guy early in the year so he has a chance to build some momentum. If you shoot your one bullet on a reclamation project right before the TDL there is no chance to make an adjustment if he doesn't perform. Always a gamble when a player comes from a bad team and you expect him to be someone completely different. This year's Habs team has been very good at times so the fact he hasn't been a strong part of that would worry me. I would sooner roll the dice on Rifai I think, or just aim higher.

 

[thusk]

Evan is a rental and he isn't resigning for $1.7M. Also he is working towards a 15g 35pt career year. If thats his floor thats okay but his last two seasons are Kampf level production which isn't a 3rd line guy. It would be nice if he was in their lineup today instead of Kampf but not for the cost he would require. If you are spending your limited coin it should be on a legitimate 3c rather than a guy who has his first good year at 28.

Savard is 34 and not very good so the odds he remains a not very good defender are probably greater than that he morphs into the player he was last year. And that guy was a marginal 2nd pairing player at best. Especially with a vet like him you want the guy early in the year so he has a chance to build some momentum. If you shoot your one bullet on a reclamation project right before the TDL there is no chance to make an adjustment if he doesn't perform. Always a gamble when a player comes from a bad team and you expect him to be someone completely different. This year's Habs team has been very good at times so the fact he hasn't been a strong part of that would worry me. I would sooner roll the dice on Rifai I think, or just aim higher.

1- Savard game drop yes but at the same time drop his value.

2- he still a pretty good type of partner for rielly.

Everything depend of quality/ price

 

[seanlinden]

What kind of weird narrative is this. Tavares is ranked 27th in Scoring for C's this year, and this includes players who aren't really even C's. He's top 10 in faceoffs.

People really need to step into reality, if they think teams have better 2C's than this... this is a top 5 in the NHL top two C's...

weirdness.

This. I think the reality ofr a Tavares deal is similar to the one Joe Pavelski signed on July 1, 2019 with the Stars. He was 34 at the time, turning 35 in mid-July. Coming off a year with 38 goals and 64 points.

Tavares is 34, turning 35 in mid-September, so this is his last "non 35+ deal". He's got 21 goals so far, and will probably finish somewhere in the low to mid 30s assuming he stays healthy.

I mean in an ideal world you'd want him to take a big time discount to try and win a cup, but the reality with the cap going crazy we'd probably be in tough to spend $7.5m in a better fashion.

 

[LeafSteel]

I think we are going to be pleasantly surprised by how soft of a deal Tavares will take from us.

He’s made his money, he has family here, he’s on a contender, and I can’t see him uprooting everything to chase an extra $2m.

I see him taking less against the cap for an additional 2 years of guaranteed contract.

He’s not our biggest worry and he’s still an asset to the team, and plays a position where we are pitifully weak.

 

[Zero1]

What are you expecting out of a 2C if 25-35 G near PPG isn’t enough?

I think fit is really important. He’s had a bit of a resurgence this year but for the most part he doesn’t fit stylistically. Nylander and him are not compatible. Matthews and Marner are apparently super glued at the hip.

I rather spend that money on someone that can compliment Nylander’s game.

This team is already slow and I don’t think it’s smart to pay JT $7 mill AAV into his late 30s.

 

[jaric1862]

starting to think this deadline ends up like last year - Mid-level assets for mid-level players. Minor upgrades and no serious “game changers” are brought in.

 

[Fogelhund]

I think fit is really important. He’s had a bit of a resurgence this year but for the most part he doesn’t fit stylistically. Nylander and him are not compatible. Matthews and Marner are apparently super glued at the hip.

I rather spend that money on someone that can compliment Nylander’s game.

This team is already slow and I don’t think it’s smart to pay JT $7 mill AAV into his late 30s.

Does Bennett or Gourde really look like they do that? Which I guess leaves you hoping for Granlund, and nobody else???

 

[ULF_55]

What kind of weird narrative is this. Tavares is ranked 27th in Scoring for C's this year, and this includes players who aren't really even C's. He's top 10 in faceoffs.

People really need to step into reality, if they think teams have better 2C's than this... this is a top 5 in the NHL top two C's...

weirdness.

My stated desire is another 2nd. line center.

Tavares likely signing a retirement deal with the Leafs, but he will regress over that contract and this is where the 2nd. line center comes in.

As Tavares regresses, their 2nd. 2nd. line center will take more ice time as Tavares takes less.

A good center can make wingers better, moreso, IMO, than a good winger makes a weaker center better.

Matthews
Tavares
new 2nd. line center
Minten

 

[Fogelhund]

My stated desire is another 2nd. line center.

Tavares likely signing a retirement deal with the Leafs, but he will regress over that contract and this is where the 2nd. line center comes in.

As Tavares regresses, their 2nd. 2nd. line center will take more ice time as Tavares takes less.

A good center can make wingers better, moreso, IMO, than a good winger makes a weaker center better.

Matthews
Tavares
new 2nd. line center
Minten

Fair enough.. but who, and how?

 

[ULF_55]

Fair enough.. but who, and how?

I don't know the who, as no one knows who is available.
Insiders don't know who is available, but speculate and get hits.
We remember the Phaneuf deal, and the other GM's saying they wish they had known he was available.

So who? Since Treliving talks to "everyone all the time" he should have some idea. Right? Unless he's just blowing smoke to keep the wolves at bay.

Nothing should be off limits outside of the current top 5 forwards, and their 2 keepers.

There is no shame and there is nothing wrong with paying market rate.

Thinking 3rd. line depth players and soft prospects is a good package is fun but comical speculation.

Realistically, the next 2-3 first rounders are not going to help this group at all.

The team is in win now mode, and should be all in mode.

Otherwise don't bother even going to TDD, they need their next O'Reilly+ level move (with term), the only move that helped them win a round.

Do something to win, or replace the GM.

 

[Zero1]

Does Bennett or Gourde really look like they do that? Which I guess leaves you hoping for Granlund, and nobody else???

I prefer a trade to be honest but I don’t mind the fit with Duchene.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Fair enough.. but who, and how?

I wouldn't really mind Granlund for a couple years with 88 on his wing, he is more of a natural playmaker so I feel like there could be some synergy there.

I'm not sure what Granlund would cost, 2 years at 5-5.5M? He might not be as productive as JT but it's a different mix...

It's difficult though, as much as I think about what is to come...no one knows, I am sure in another 1-2 weeks we will see Leafs PR tweet out a deal and we will dissect the hell out of it lol.

 

[Fogelhund]

I wouldn't really mind Granlund for a couple years with 88 on his wing, he is more of a natural playmaker so I feel like there could be some synergy there.

I'm not sure what Granlund would cost, 2 years at 5-5.5M? He might not be as productive as JT but it's a different mix...

It's difficult though, as much as I think about what is to come...no one knows, I am sure in another 1-2 weeks we will see Leafs PR tweet out a deal and we will dissect the hell out of it lol.

Granlund has 49 points in 56 games. Given the cap increase, you are looking at around 6 years x $8 mil, for the top scoring UFA C, in a very thin class of UFA C's, when there is a ton of teams with a need for such a player.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Keep this core together for the love of God.

 

[Fogelhund]

I prefer a trade to be honest but I don’t mind the fit with Duchene.

To me, I'd completely discounted Duchene as a guy for us.... He seems to like Dallas, and didn't grow up a Leafs fan at all. He's played on a real discount... $3 mil, and he's PPG, clearly one of the best value for the $ contracts in the NHL. If you could sign Tavares AND Duchene at $10 mil between them, that would provide a great 2/3 C punch... I don't care how you divide the dollars up. Duchene is from Haliburton, so there is that.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Granlund has 49 points in 56 games. Given the cap increase, you are looking at around 6 years x $8 mil, for the top scoring UFA C, in a very thin class of UFA C's, when there is a ton of teams with a need for such a player.

JT is around 45 in 48...I believe Granlund is 32 vs JT being 34...

What would you want to do?

Granlund for 2 years at 5-5.5M
JT for 2-3 years at 6M?

I am not sure Granlund is any slam dunk, couldn't hack it in Pittsburgh and then went to San Jose where the pressure was off, productive.

He's now got 4 assists in 4 GP in Dallas.

It's just an interesting conversation.

 

[thusk]

I wouldn't really mind Granlund for a couple years with 88 on his wing, he is more of a natural playmaker so I feel like there could be some synergy there.

I'm not sure what Granlund would cost, 2 years at 5-5.5M? He might not be as productive as JT but it's a different mix...

It's difficult though, as much as I think about what is to come...no one knows, I am sure in another 1-2 weeks we will see Leafs PR tweet out a deal and we will dissect the hell out of it lol.

Domi is a playmaker, Nylander a yoal scorer and synergy is totally awful. Now played with marner 2 game one of best playmaker of the league and synergy is awful and both looking lost together on the ice.So why it should be different with Granlund?!?! Nylander need player who will keep the game simple, just go to the net, battle hard and let Nylander doing his stuff. Personally im pretty sure nylander would be better with a gourde,Kunin type of player than a Granlund.

...and with cap raising up, AAV of a lot of free agent will be higher than what people expect. I would not be surprise to see a granlund hit 6-7M..

 

[Fogelhund]

Domi is a playmaker, Nylander a yoal scorer and synergy is totally awful. Now played with marner 2 game one of best playmaker of the league and synergy is awful and both looking lost together on the ice.So why it should be different with Granlund?!?! Nylander need player who will keep the game simple, just go to the net, battle hard and let Nylander doing his stuff. Personally im pretty sure nylander would be better with a gourde,Kunin type of player than a Granlund.

...and with cap raising up, AAV of a lot of free agent will be higher than what people expect. I would not be surprise to see a granlund hit 6-7M..

With Granlund being near PPG, and one of the best UFA C's, with a lot of teams needing a C and the cap going up substantially, I think the number is going to be higher than even you are suggesting. Minimum 6 x $8 mil .

 

[weems]

We need a defencemen.
This current #4-7 rotation is not going to get it done.
OEL is a third pairing guy that needs to be playing on his strong side. He definitely brings offensive ability and has had stretchs of solid defensive play but looks like if you play him too far up or on his weak side, his game starts to slip bigtime. Benoit, Myers, Timmins are all #6-#7's but having two of these players in the lineup at the same time is too much.

Need to find someone to play on a pairing with Rielly and move OEL down.

 

[WTFMAN99]

We need a defencemen.
This current #4-7 rotation is not going to get it done.
OEL is a third pairing guy that needs to be playing on his strong side. He definitely brings offensive ability and has had stretchs of solid defensive play but looks like if you play him too far up or on his weak side, his game starts to slip bigtime. Benoit, Myers, Timmins are all #6-#7's but having two of these players in the lineup at the same time is too much.

Need to find someone to play on a pairing with Rielly and move OEL down.

Seth Jones 3.5-4.5M retained for Domi + ?
Kovacevic as a UFA

I don't know what else is really available to us.

 

[thusk]

With Granlund being near PPG, and one of the best UFA C's, with a lot of teams needing a C and the cap going up substantially, I think the number is going to be higher than even you are suggesting. Minimum 6 x $8 mil .

I could see a team giving him something like 3/4 X 8 M or like 6 X 6M but 6 x8M for a 33 YO who's never be a superstar.

 

[Fogelhund]

We need a defencemen.
This current #4-7 rotation is not going to get it done.
OEL is a third pairing guy that needs to be playing on his strong side. He definitely brings offensive ability and has had stretchs of solid defensive play but looks like if you play him too far up or on his weak side, his game starts to slip bigtime. Benoit, Myers, Timmins are all #6-#7's but having two of these players in the lineup at the same time is too much.

Need to find someone to play on a pairing with Rielly and move OEL down.

There isn't a team in the NHL without a hole. The question becomes one of Need, vs. Want.

What does this team need the most? We've got people posting about a 2C, a 3C, a 2LW, a D man....

The challenge being.. what kind of D man do we bring in? In reality, we need someone who can help out on offense, without being a problem defensively.

We all have different opinions on this, and I do believe that the priority should be a C.. but I think we can do a C, and a RD, if we choose wisely. I'd go big on the RD, and target Parayko... I think he'd do wonders for this group. The C, I'd go with Krebs... I think playing in Buffalo has stunted his growth, he won't cost much, and his cap hit is low. I think he's a guy who won't be a top 2C, but I can see 40-50 points away from Buffalo.