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

[arso40]

I think Risto is a solid enough #4 guy.

If Rielly-Risto is a tire fire then it might be McCabe-Risto and Rielly-Tanev

OEL getting onto the 3rd pair on his strong side is important.

IF he's retained 50% as well, then I think we're going to be getting great value.

There is a part of me that would love to find a way to get Brandan Tanev on 3rd line LW with Laughton but 4 transactions seems greedy. I like the excess cap space in the above scenario because I believe we would avoid an overage for Patch's bonuses. Patches has faded *hard* since that injury.

Id much rather buddy out of Chicago not jones the next one

 

[ULF_55]

People using player card to judge a player just make me laught. Like those card who saying Sandin and Liljegren was fantastic defensively when they was probably 2 of worst leafs D in their own zone.

If you taking player ability and put in a system where he will be able to exploit those ability, the player will never look the same at all and the best exemple i have is Arturri Lehkonen. In mtl his number was not great at all and was a 3/4 th line player in MTL... But he bring somethong new to Colorado he had been used in situation where he's been able to use his strenght. For me its 2 similar type of player and he could have the same kind of impact.

So I think we should all agree a player in the right situation could play better.

So all the players that might not be playing well in their current situation could play better in another situation.

That speculation is not limited to players we like or excluded from players we don't like.

By the way, Sandin is playing Top 4 minutes on the Capitals.

So this proves your point that putting a player in the correct situation is important.

 

[Warrior16]

Which package would you guys prefer if cost going the other way was the same.

Laughton + Risto (50%)

Or

Donato + Murphy (50%)


Chicago one seems slightly more appealing at first glance, but you'd get an extra year each with the Philly return though probably with added risk. Or maybe try to get L. Schenn and Bjugstad in two smaller, separate deals?

 

[ULF_55]

Which package would you guys prefer if cost going the other way was the same.

Laughton + Risto (50%)

Or

Donato + Murphy (50%)


Chicago one seems slightly more appealing at first glance, but you'd get an extra year each with the Philly return though probably with added risk. Or maybe try to get L. Schenn and Bjugstad in two smaller, separate deals?

Without heat maps and expected but failed to achieve stats, that's an interesting decision to make.

I might go with the Flyers players who have been coached by the tyrant over the uncoached Hawks team.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Which package would you guys prefer if cost going the other way was the same.

Laughton + Risto (50%)

Or

Donato + Murphy (50%)


Chicago one seems slightly more appealing at first glance, but you'd get an extra year each with the Philly return though probably with added risk. Or maybe try to get L. Schenn and Bjugstad in two smaller, separate deals?

Murphy is cooked, the mobility is just gone with him.

 

[Fogelhund]

People using player card to judge a player just make me laught. Like those card who saying Sandin and Liljegren was fantastic defensively when they was probably 2 of worst leafs D in their own zone.

If you taking player ability and put in a system where he will be able to exploit those ability, the player will never look the same at all and the best exemple i have is Arturri Lehkonen. In mtl his number was not great at all and was a 3/4 th line player in MTL... But he bring somethong new to Colorado he had been used in situation where he's been able to use his strenght. For me its 2 similar type of player and he could have the same kind of impact.

Well.. there is incorrect assumption that using a player card is the judgement, instead of a third party verification of an opinion, further supported by watching, and outside opinion.

This is just a situation where your judgement of a player appears to be disconnected from reality on a regular basis.

Flyers 2023-24 Player Grades: Scott Laughton - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

In this edition of our Philadelphia Flyers 2023-24 player grading series, we look at forward Scott Laughton.

thehockeywriters.com

Defensively, Laughton was one of the worst players in the league. Out of the NHL’s 182 skaters who had at least 1,000 minutes of ice time, Laughton was 169th in expected goals percentage (xGF%) at 43.1 percent. Furthermore, he ranked 141st in expected goals against per 60 (xGA/60) at 3.23. Combining putrid on-ice defense with below-average offense hurt the entire team.

Of the Flyers’ 20 non-Laughton skaters who appeared in at least 20 games in 2023-24, not a single one of them had a better even-strength xGF% with the centerman than without him. On-ice stats aren’t the be-all-end-all for a player, but it is certainly not a good sight that every single notable athlete on the team saw regression the moment he was on the ice. In this sense, the Flyers might have made the playoffs if they just didn’t play him at all. They were a dominant team at generating scoring opportunities unless Laughton was on the ice.

While Laughton is valuable as a locker-room presence, he is not the on-ice asset he used to be. The Flyers tried playing him everywhere from the first to the fourth line, but he wasn’t very effective anywhere he went. Instead of being a middle-six forward, he seems to be more fit as a low-end depth player. Considering he is making $3 million on his contract through the 2025-26 season, that’s an awful lot to pay for someone best suited to be a 13th forward.

Laughton’s struggles have been ongoing for a while now, and it’s unfortunate to see, as he once was a solid player. In 2020-21 when he signed his extension, he had a 2.12 xGA/60 and a 52.6 xGF%. Scoring 20 points in 53 contests to go along with that, he deserved a pay raise. It just so happens that he hasn’t been very good ever since.

Laughton’s Final Grade​

With everything considered, an F-grade seems to be justified. It might seem a bit harsh, but he was sixth on the Flyers in total ice time – if head coach John Tortorella played him less, his grade would have been slightly better. Even with extra opportunities and going up against middle-of-the-line competition, he had some of the worst numbers in the league. While he had the second-highest point total of his career, it wasn’t good enough to offset his issues. He seems to have fallen off a cliff play-wise.

This year, he is third last in on ice goal %... with Michkov and Brinks below him... rookie offensive players.

 

[DougGilmour93]

What about we knock on Utah’s door?

What would it take to get this package…

Crouse
Bjugstad
Kesselring

?

 

[Kiwi]

Bloody hell, I'd rather get kicked in the pills with a steel toe boot than trade for those two

 

[Rare Jewel]

Well.. there is incorrect assumption that using a player card is the judgement, instead of a third party verification of an opinion, further supported by watching, and outside opinion.

This is just a situation where your judgement of a player appears to be disconnected from reality on a regular basis.

Flyers 2023-24 Player Grades: Scott Laughton - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

In this edition of our Philadelphia Flyers 2023-24 player grading series, we look at forward Scott Laughton.

thehockeywriters.com

Defensively, Laughton was one of the worst players in the league. Out of the NHL’s 182 skaters who had at least 1,000 minutes of ice time, Laughton was 169th in expected goals percentage (xGF%) at 43.1 percent. Furthermore, he ranked 141st in expected goals against per 60 (xGA/60) at 3.23. Combining putrid on-ice defense with below-average offense hurt the entire team.

Of the Flyers’ 20 non-Laughton skaters who appeared in at least 20 games in 2023-24, not a single one of them had a better even-strength xGF% with the centerman than without him. On-ice stats aren’t the be-all-end-all for a player, but it is certainly not a good sight that every single notable athlete on the team saw regression the moment he was on the ice. In this sense, the Flyers might have made the playoffs if they just didn’t play him at all. They were a dominant team at generating scoring opportunities unless Laughton was on the ice.

While Laughton is valuable as a locker-room presence, he is not the on-ice asset he used to be. The Flyers tried playing him everywhere from the first to the fourth line, but he wasn’t very effective anywhere he went. Instead of being a middle-six forward, he seems to be more fit as a low-end depth player. Considering he is making $3 million on his contract through the 2025-26 season, that’s an awful lot to pay for someone best suited to be a 13th forward.

Laughton’s struggles have been ongoing for a while now, and it’s unfortunate to see, as he once was a solid player. In 2020-21 when he signed his extension, he had a 2.12 xGA/60 and a 52.6 xGF%. Scoring 20 points in 53 contests to go along with that, he deserved a pay raise. It just so happens that he hasn’t been very good ever since.

Laughton’s Final Grade​

With everything considered, an F-grade seems to be justified. It might seem a bit harsh, but he was sixth on the Flyers in total ice time – if head coach John Tortorella played him less, his grade would have been slightly better. Even with extra opportunities and going up against middle-of-the-line competition, he had some of the worst numbers in the league. While he had the second-highest point total of his career, it wasn’t good enough to offset his issues. He seems to have fallen off a cliff play-wise.

This year, he is third last in on ice goal %... with Michkov and Brinks below him... rookie offensive players.

Well, that's a glowing endorsement...

The silver lining to look for is whether his number was better before Torts.

 

[Fogelhund]

What about we knock on Utah’s door?

What would it take to get this package…

Crouse
Bjugstad
Kesselring

?

Why Michael Kesselring from Utah HC makes sense as a trade target for the Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs' need to shore up their backend continues to i...

theleafsnation.com

Well, that's a glowing endorsement...

The silver lining to look for is whether his number was better before Torts.

Physical player, over 30. This type of decline is pretty normal.

 

[ER89]

No Dobson for what they can trade. Young offensively talented right shot D with size are worth more than wingers unless there is a huge talent difference. Knies won't get there and Willie and Mitch aren't on the market. Interesting player for sure but the Leafs have two tiers of players and one of them has NM.

Yes but having a true power forward is just as rare if not moreso than a 1d or 1c.


How many true power forwards remain in our game right now that can score 30-35?

Point is i agree we should trade for Dobson but let's not underestimate what knies brings

 

[Warrior16]

What about we knock on Utah’s door?

What would it take to get this package…

Crouse
Bjugstad
Kesselring

?

Would be nice! Even better if we could pull off McBain instead of Bjugstad, but I'd take either!

 

[thusk]

So I think we should all agree a player in the right situation could play better.

So all the players that might not be playing well in their current situation could play better in another situation.

That speculation is not limited to players we like or excluded from players we don't like.

By the way, Sandin is playing Top 4 minutes on the Capitals.

So this proves your point that putting a player in the correct situation is important.


View attachment 975934

Im agree and Sandin was a D i always liked but the dayvleafs choosen to resign Rielly, leafs didn't had place anymore for Sandin because just could not using Sandin in the right spot

Well.. there is incorrect assumption that using a player card is the judgement, instead of a third party verification of an opinion, further supported by watching, and outside opinion.

This is just a situation where your judgement of a player appears to be disconnected from reality on a regular basis.

Flyers 2023-24 Player Grades: Scott Laughton - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

In this edition of our Philadelphia Flyers 2023-24 player grading series, we look at forward Scott Laughton.

thehockeywriters.com

Defensively, Laughton was one of the worst players in the league. Out of the NHL’s 182 skaters who had at least 1,000 minutes of ice time, Laughton was 169th in expected goals percentage (xGF%) at 43.1 percent. Furthermore, he ranked 141st in expected goals against per 60 (xGA/60) at 3.23. Combining putrid on-ice defense with below-average offense hurt the entire team.

Of the Flyers’ 20 non-Laughton skaters who appeared in at least 20 games in 2023-24, not a single one of them had a better even-strength xGF% with the centerman than without him. On-ice stats aren’t the be-all-end-all for a player, but it is certainly not a good sight that every single notable athlete on the team saw regression the moment he was on the ice. In this sense, the Flyers might have made the playoffs if they just didn’t play him at all. They were a dominant team at generating scoring opportunities unless Laughton was on the ice.

While Laughton is valuable as a locker-room presence, he is not the on-ice asset he used to be. The Flyers tried playing him everywhere from the first to the fourth line, but he wasn’t very effective anywhere he went. Instead of being a middle-six forward, he seems to be more fit as a low-end depth player. Considering he is making $3 million on his contract through the 2025-26 season, that’s an awful lot to pay for someone best suited to be a 13th forward.

Laughton’s struggles have been ongoing for a while now, and it’s unfortunate to see, as he once was a solid player. In 2020-21 when he signed his extension, he had a 2.12 xGA/60 and a 52.6 xGF%. Scoring 20 points in 53 contests to go along with that, he deserved a pay raise. It just so happens that he hasn’t been very good ever since.

Laughton’s Final Grade​

With everything considered, an F-grade seems to be justified. It might seem a bit harsh, but he was sixth on the Flyers in total ice time – if head coach John Tortorella played him less, his grade would have been slightly better. Even with extra opportunities and going up against middle-of-the-line competition, he had some of the worst numbers in the league. While he had the second-highest point total of his career, it wasn’t good enough to offset his issues. He seems to have fallen off a cliff play-wise.

This year, he is third last in on ice goal %... with Michkov and Brinks below him... rookie offensive players.

Like i said earlier, put a guyblike laughton in thebright spot, he can bring you a lot.

Put him in situation he need to babysit player like Michkov, Farabee or Brink... Yeah maybe that will not get his best version of him. Yeah he don't have the level to overcome defensive issue of those young player.

Everything doesn't appear in stats sheet and it was the same thing with Lehkonen in mtl vs colorado

Am other exemple we had in Toronto. Bunting was pretty good on 1st line with marner matthews but used him on 3rd line and he doesn't bring you the same thing at all.

What actually bring Laughton is a quality D game and a pretty good grit game and that's something leafs really need because outside of Knies and Mcmann, They're not a lot of foward bringing grit so what he's bring is something leafs really need.

The best player available is not always the best fit...

When you bring what you need that's where you're improving.

Tanev was not the sexiest name but bring exactly something leafs need, same thing with OEl... They wqs not the best player available but the bring complementary game leafs really needed

 

[DougGilmour93]

I’d also go after B.Tanev…

 

[Martin Skoula]

I don’t care how much better Risto looks, he is objectively one of the 5 stupidest players in the league and nothing will ever fix that. This guy is going to get walked repeatedly and take stupid penalties in the playoffs, the other team will target him every moment he’s on the ice.

 

[Legion34]

I think Torts saved Risto's career and this is coming from a guy that wouldn't even discuss Risto a couple years ago.

View attachment 975893

In terms of Laughton, 3C minutes...maybe Jarnkrok on RW, he can help defensively but won't provide much offense in the playoffs as we've seen. I tried this with Puckpedia below...is 3 transactions too many? I believe we did this many last year.

View attachment 975895
View attachment 975896

But is risto

Capwages has an interesting utility... wage projections.

Toronto Maple Leafs | Salary cap and contracts

They have Marner at 12,567,800, Tavares at 7,794,250 and Knies at 3,743,600


Almost anything would be an upgrade on Dumba. I just can't understand why he keeps getting signed. He's been cooked for what.. three, four seasons now?

I think it will be Marner for 13 ish
Jt for 6 ish
Knies for 5x 2 to stagger him and matty

 

[Fogelhund]

Im agree and Sandin was a D i always liked but the dayvleafs choosen to resign Rielly, leafs didn't had place anymore for Sandin because just could not using Sandin in the right spot



Like i said earlier, put a guyblike laughton in thebright spot, he can bring you a lot.

Put him in situation he need to babysit player like Michkov, Farabee or Brink... Yeah maybe that will not get his best version of him. Yeah he don't have the level to overcome defensive issue of those young player.

Laughton doesn't play with Michkov.
He's played mostly with Hathaway and Poehling, including last year. These guys don't need babysitting...
I'm not sure how you can make comments about a player, and then have no idea who they are actually playing with?????

Everything doesn't appear in stats sheet and it was the same thing with Lehkonen in mtl vs colorado



What actually bring Laughton is a quality D game and a pretty good grit game and that's something leafs really need because outside of Knies and Mcmann, They're not a lot of foward bringing grit so what he's bring is something leafs really need.

Laughton brings grit, and some offense from the PK. His offensive contributions are declining, and he's never been that good defensively otherwise, and it's gotten worse. He's your typical grit/physical guy, who is declining into his thirties. This is normal for players of his play style. Every player who plays with him, is worse with him, than without.

You know, if this was swapping Laughton for Domi, I'd be down for that. Laughton scores more goals, and is more physical, and is a bit cheaper. Otherwise they aren't much different. Subtract Laughton's one off four goal game, and he has 22 points, to Domi's 20. They both aren't great defensively... and having two of those on one line, isn't really a good idea. If you are going to play Domi with Matthews, and never with Laughton.... it's not the worst idea in the world, though there are far better options. Laughton and Domi on a line would be ungood.

Robertson - Laughton - Domi.... one of the worst defensive lines for the Leafs in history.

 

[ITM]

What about we knock on Utah’s door?

What would it take to get this package…

Crouse
Bjugstad
Kesselring

?

Absolutely,

But not Crouse, Bjugstand and Kesselring. The latter I think is rising too quickly in ranks with Durzi out. Clearly a top 4, young, etc, moving forward.

I do think we'd have a chance at Maata though, who has been playing some solid, quiet hockey. And I'd like to think McBain is a possibility. And I don't think The quesiton mark for me would be Hayton: McBain would be a great 4C and on our club, Hayton looks the perfect provisional 3C while we figure out where and what's going to happen to Tavares after 07/01/25.

Both centers are from Toronto. That's not essential but factual. And both are playing good two-way hockey.

Then I'd kick tires on Zetterlund from San Jose.

And if Ristolainen is coming here - great partner for Maata? I think we "insist" on Hathaway coming as well.

 

[Magic Man]

Which package would you guys prefer if cost going the other way was the same.

Laughton + Risto (50%)

Or

Donato + Murphy (50%)


Chicago one seems slightly more appealing at first glance, but you'd get an extra year each with the Philly return though probably with added risk. Or maybe try to get L. Schenn and Bjugstad in two smaller, separate deals?

I like the Laughton and Risto deal. Donato may be benefiting from more ice time on a bottom feeder. I think Laughton is the better player. You get Laughton for 2 years and 3 years for Risto, instead of just this season for Donato and 2 years for Murphy. It's a better bang for your buck deal with the term if you have to pay out your ass in assets.

With names like Cozens, ROR, Kadri and B. Schenn on the market, if I am settling for Laughton and I have to overpay in assets, Ristolainen coming back with heavy retention lessens the disappointment.

 

[nuck]

Well.. there is incorrect assumption that using a player card is the judgement, instead of a third party verification of an opinion, further supported by watching, and outside opinion.

This is just a situation where your judgement of a player appears to be disconnected from reality on a regular basis.

Flyers 2023-24 Player Grades: Scott Laughton - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

In this edition of our Philadelphia Flyers 2023-24 player grading series, we look at forward Scott Laughton.

thehockeywriters.com

Defensively, Laughton was one of the worst players in the league. Out of the NHL’s 182 skaters who had at least 1,000 minutes of ice time, Laughton was 169th in expected goals percentage (xGF%) at 43.1 percent. Furthermore, he ranked 141st in expected goals against per 60 (xGA/60) at 3.23. Combining putrid on-ice defense with below-average offense hurt the entire team.

Of the Flyers’ 20 non-Laughton skaters who appeared in at least 20 games in 2023-24, not a single one of them had a better even-strength xGF% with the centerman than without him. On-ice stats aren’t the be-all-end-all for a player, but it is certainly not a good sight that every single notable athlete on the team saw regression the moment he was on the ice. In this sense, the Flyers might have made the playoffs if they just didn’t play him at all. They were a dominant team at generating scoring opportunities unless Laughton was on the ice.

While Laughton is valuable as a locker-room presence, he is not the on-ice asset he used to be. The Flyers tried playing him everywhere from the first to the fourth line, but he wasn’t very effective anywhere he went. Instead of being a middle-six forward, he seems to be more fit as a low-end depth player. Considering he is making $3 million on his contract through the 2025-26 season, that’s an awful lot to pay for someone best suited to be a 13th forward.

Laughton’s struggles have been ongoing for a while now, and it’s unfortunate to see, as he once was a solid player. In 2020-21 when he signed his extension, he had a 2.12 xGA/60 and a 52.6 xGF%. Scoring 20 points in 53 contests to go along with that, he deserved a pay raise. It just so happens that he hasn’t been very good ever since.

Laughton’s Final Grade​

With everything considered, an F-grade seems to be justified. It might seem a bit harsh, but he was sixth on the Flyers in total ice time – if head coach John Tortorella played him less, his grade would have been slightly better. Even with extra opportunities and going up against middle-of-the-line competition, he had some of the worst numbers in the league. While he had the second-highest point total of his career, it wasn’t good enough to offset his issues. He seems to have fallen off a cliff play-wise.

This year, he is third last in on ice goal %... with Michkov and Brinks below him... rookie offensive players.

To be fair the toilet year he had in 23-24 was far and away the worst of his career and his GAR and WAR are positive again this year. However that could be a result of him being used less at center which would kind of defeat the purpose of acquiring him. I would try to find positives if they actually got the guy but I am with you that it would just be simpler to avoid him altogether.

 

[thusk]

Laughton doesn't play with Michkov.
He's played mostly with Hathaway and Poehling, including last year. These guys don't need babysitting...
I'm not sure how you can make comments about a player, and then have no idea who they are actually playing with?????



Laughton brings grit, and some offense from the PK. His offensive contributions are declining, and he's never been that good defensively otherwise, and it's gotten worse. He's your typical grit/physical guy, who is declining into his thirties. This is normal for players of his play style. Every player who plays with him, is worse with him, than without.

You know, if this was swapping Laughton for Domi, I'd be down for that. Laughton scores more goals, and is more physical, and is a bit cheaper. Otherwise they aren't much different. Subtract Laughton's one off four goal game, and he has 22 points, to Domi's 20. They both aren't great defensively... and having two of those on one line, isn't really a good idea. If you are going to play Domi with Matthews, and never with Laughton.... it's not the worst idea in the world, though there are far better options. Laughton and Domi on a line would be ungood.

Robertson - Laughton - Domi.... one of the worst defensive lines for the Leafs in history.

1-He played with poehling and hattaway 25 %of time so 75 % he wasn't. But hes got 37,5% of his production with those player

2nd most was farabee and brink : A line who was not pretty good together

3rd was frost/ michkov : by far the worst line and that line but outplayed most of the time

2- You know Laughton got vote for selke last year? pretty surprising from a middle 6 foward who can't defend like you saying

3- I'm not saying hes the best option but clearly an upgrade

 

[Evilhomer]

If they want to stay with the team the Leafs will sign them.

But that's next year.

For this year there should be no untouchables, except Stolarz and Woll, unless Winnipeg wants to swap?

I'm not buying the reasonableness of a Seth Jones 5 year retention. Unless it's like 2.5mm per, bringing his contract down to Rielly's level.

Is $15mm for Rielly and Jones a good 1st. pairing?

I can't imagine Chicago would retain for 5 years. The would be better off just riding out the guy's contract.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Can't see this happening at all. Risto hates the Leafs as well. When the media are in doubt, they default to Risto to the Leafs. Unless you're John Shannon, and you're still trying to get the scoop on Lalongo to the Leafs.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Kraken invite two young officials assaulted by a parent to game

The teenage officials were assaulted during an Under-12 game in Seattle over the weekend.

www.dailyfaceoff.com

This past Saturday, I reported that center Scott Laughton was generating an uptick in interest over the last little bit. Among the teams heavily interested are the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets, who both have a need down the middle of the ice.

The Leafs project to have a little less than $3 million in cap space by the deadline, so it will take a little cap gymnastics to fit Laughton in at full price ($3 million AAV) for this season and next; given the level of interest in Laughton, I don’t think the Flyers will be looking to retain salary on him. If the return is sufficient enough, perhaps the Flyers would take back a player like David Kampf and the remaining two years on his contract at a $2.4 million cap hit.

As for the actual return, Fraser Minten’s name has been tied to the Flyers; given the team’s lack of center depth, Minten would check a much-needed box in the pipeline. Overall, a first-round selection (or prospect/player equivalent) is what the Flyers will want as a starting point – not the end all – in a package for Laughton. The Leafs do not have a first-round pick in 2025, but the Flyers are open to the pick being in 2026, too.

From the Flyers’ side of things, they are in a position of power with Laughton because of the overall lack of centers available for trade right now.

Following my report Saturday, three new teams reached out on Laughton’s availability. While I can’t say the teams for sure, I can tell you two were from the Eastern Conference and one from the Western Conference. On the whole, seven teams are showing interest in the player, including the Jets and Leafs.

Laughton, 30, has 11 goals and 26 points through 54 games this season.

As for defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, not a whole lot has changed. Missing the 4 Nations Faceoff due to injury, the defenseman is expected to be practicing with the Flyers in time for the return to play. Four teams are said to be circling on his availability, with one of them telling the Flyers retention may be involved, much like Laughton (who I’ve been told is more likely to move of the two) the ask starts with a first round pick.

Ristolainen, 30, is signed until 2027 at an AAV of $5.1 million.

 

[Torontonian]

Can't see this happening at all. Risto hates the Leafs as well. When the media are in doubt, they default to Risto to the Leafs. Unless you're John Shannon, and you're still trying to get the scoop on Lalongo to the Leafs.

'Hate' of Maple Leafs kept Josh Gorges out of Toronto

Josh Gorges knows he will be pelted with boos the moment he steps on to the Air Canada Centre ice.

torontosun.com

There's only been 1 player that's refused to be traded to a team because they "hate" the team, that I know of, and that would be one Josh Gorges, and mind you Frazer McLaren embarrassed him on national television. I don't think that's a thing, most players want to win, especially someone like Risto who hasn't sniffed the playoffs.

Just a reminder, most players on bad teams don't look like good players, until they actually play on a good team and turns out they can actually play.. See OEL on Florida & now Toronto.

Anyways, still don't think Leafs need to be big game hunting on D like that, some depth d-man and two top 9 forwards will do.