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

[Fogelhund]

It's not a trade, but here is hoping that Jarnkrok is healthy enough, to take the 3C spot. It looks like he is nearly ready to play again, and that is where one of our major needs are. He's played C much of his career, so if he can be useful there, it helps us with not spending the assets there.

 

[Torontonian]

I can't wrap my head around how awful these new goalie contracts are. There are going to be some regrettable decisions in there.

I personally am a fan of not paying 10m for both your goalies, or one of your goalies like how the Leafs have been doing it. The cheaper you can make your goaltending, the better.

Goalies are too voodoo, one year they are worth the 5m+ the next year they aren't and your in trouble.

 

[The Management]

It's a bit of recency bias, but I thought Bennett brought something to Team Canada that we lack. A shitbird who can score. I realize he has historically not had the numbers that his new contract will likely reflect, but he seems to thrive under pressure.

In a division with both Tkachucks, Marchand, Hagel, McAvoy, I wouldn't mind having a guy that is opportunistic and can play on any forward line. A luxury? Yeah, perhaps.

 

[Torontonian]

Will his contract age well?
32 years old in 2 months and signed for 5 more years @ $6.5

I think the aging of the contract doesn't matter when we are making deals, Toronto isn't in the business right now of worrying about years 4-5 on players at age 32-33.. See Tanev as an example.

Toronto should be focusing on getting the best roster for the next 2-3 years.

 

[thusk]

I really don't know honestly... my preference is Krebs to be honest, but plenty here have talked about Cozens, who has been rumoured to be on the block. Krebs plus an impact D.

For me the only way i would be interest for Krebs is if Buffalo lost faith in him and get him for exemple a robertson or similar value. Krebs is a long shot and for now, im not sure if hes something else than at 4th line player at best...

 

[ULF_55]

We don't have assets to get anything unless we mortgage the future. They are going to get something cheap that won't impact much.

Tre is not a deal maker, no big deals that go well for him

There is no future beyond 4 years.
IMO, when Matthews has all the Leafs records and his contract is up, he'll head south.

Reminds me a joke ...

A man is walking home and there are firetrucks all around his house.
It is ablaze and a neighbour says,
"You don't look overly concerned."
He replied,
"I'll rebuild. I have a lot of lumber in the attic."

Do it now, screw the future, it will never be better than it is during Matthews' current contract.


EDIT: There are some who'll remember the joke, but I left out the stereotypes.

Similar to the other day I left out a reference to, to another joke:
For a million dollars yes.
Now we've established what it is.
How about a thousand dollars.
With inflation, we can probably propose $10 mllion, and negotiate from $10k.

 

[Avilaj07]

To Toronto-
Parayko

To Blues-
Jarnkrok
Benoit
Cowan
1st Round Pick

To Toronto-
Laughton

To Flyers-
Kampf
Minten
2nd Round Pick

To Toronto-
Tanev

To Seattle-
Robertson
Timmins

Knies-Matthews-Nylander
Mcmann-Tavares-Marner
Tanev-Laughton-Domi
Lorentz-Holmberg-Dewar

McCabe-Tanev
Rielly-Parayko
OEL-Myers

Waive Reaves and Pacioretty

 

[Fogelhund]

For me the only way i would be interest for Krebs is if Buffalo lost faith in him and get him for exemple a robertson or similar value. Krebs is a long shot and for now, im not sure if hes something else than at 4th line player at best...

How many times has a player left Buffalo, only to become much better elsewhere?

He was nearly 0.5PPG in his rookie season, and has regressed there since. He put up 43 points, in 24 games in the WHL the season before, and outscored Byfield on the same team, at the World Juniors. He put up 8 points in 7 games at the WJC. His primary linemates are Lafferty, and Malenstyn, guys with 5 points, and 9 points. It's like throwing a young player out there with Kampf and Dewar, and saying... look, he can't produce. He barely got any AHL development time, and the Sabres are terrible at developing players.

Could he become just a fourth liner... ya, it's possible, though most of his production has been in and around third line production so far. Could he become more... yes, that's possible. But then, he's young, he's cheap, and wouldn't cost much. I'd rather gamble on that, than an aging, and declining player, that will be a UFA. At worst, he's a 3C, who is a RFA in 2026, who you are going to have control of for years. We need at least a 3C.... it solves a hole at worst... at best, he becomes more.

I think Buffalo is at the point where they are going to make changes, just because nothing has worked for them at all. IMO, the need to go out and replace a bunch of their lineup, with veterans, who can teach their kids to play. They need a reset, and there are rumours of a rebuild... which is weird, don't you have to build something, before you rebuild it?

Maybe he isn't available... but I think there is more there, and I think he'd be cheap in every way. What do I know... Tre, give them a call and find out.

 

[Kiwi]

It's not a trade, but here is hoping that Jarnkrok is healthy enough, to take the 3C spot. It looks like he is nearly ready to play again, and that is where one of our major needs are. He's played C much of his career, so if he can be useful there, it helps us with not spending the assets there.

He looked better as a wing last season imo, he's better suited to wing who can play center in a pinch

 

[NJG]

If are first round pick is in play then we have to go big or go home... I'd be calling Carolina for Mikko Rantanen. If we waste a first round pick on Laughton I'll lose my mind lol

 

[WTFMAN99]

I'd offer to give Marner one of the richest contracts...

14M x 8 (2M deferred per year for a 12M cap hit)
Full NMC
Signing bonuses

Another team needs to offer 16M x 7 to beat that and likely can't do our signing bonuses.

I think our equalizer is going to be a combination of signing bonuses and deferrals.

 

[Fogelhund]

I'd offer to give Marner one of the richest contracts...

14M x 8 (2M deferred per year for a 12M cap hit)
Full NMC
Signing bonuses

Another team needs to offer 16M x 7 to beat that and likely can't do our signing bonuses.

I think our equalizer is going to be a combination of signing bonuses and deferrals.

He had a good 4 Nations, and is a very good player, but I'd like to see how the playoffs works out for us first.

 

[WTFMAN99]

He had a good 4 Nations, and is a very good player, but I'd like to see how the playoffs works out for us first.

Totally get that perspective.

I think the game last night really drove home for me that I would want to separate Matthews and Marner, they can drive their own lines.

 

[rumman]

I believe he would make a great partner for Rielly, and allow us to move OEL back to his left side, and push everyone down one spot. A move like that, could really help the D core. I think we'd have to go cheaper on a C though, someone like Krebs.. but I could get behind that.


He's never really been available though, and he really struggled after the back injuries. He's come back into his own now..

No one’s going to make Morgan look like a competent D man, they might be able to cover for him at times, but he’s a defensive liability with a no trade clause………

 

[Budz]

Totally get that perspective.

I think the game last night really drove home for me that I would want to separate Matthews and Marner, they can drive their own lines.

If we do not do this - we are doomed to fail.

 

[Fogelhund]

No one’s going to make Morgan look like a competent D man, they might be able to cover for him at times, but he’s a defensive liability with a no trade clause………

I mean, it's happened before... he looked good with Schenn, Bush the first time, and with Hainsey.

Even putting that aside for a minute, it does make sense to upgrade the D no?

 

[ULF_55]

I'd offer to give Marner one of the richest contracts...

14M x 8 (2M deferred per year for a 12M cap hit)
Full NMC
Signing bonuses

Another team needs to offer 16M x 7 to beat that and likely can't do our signing bonuses.

I think our equalizer is going to be a combination of signing bonuses and deferrals.

Matthews took a 4 year deal, and will be looking for more money at the end if he even wants to stay.
With his health that is risky, but with the current climate those huge projected increases might be the next Covid like scenario.

Do we expect marner will sign for 8 years, when he could end up making $2-3mm less than Matthews on his contract?

Honesly, I'd rather keep marner long term, but what we want isn't relevant.

 

[SprDaVE]

To Toronto-
Parayko

To Blues-
Jarnkrok
Benoit
Cowan
1st Round Pick

To Toronto-
Laughton

To Flyers-
Kampf
Minten
2nd Round Pick

To Toronto-
Tanev

To Seattle-
Robertson
Timmins

Knies-Matthews-Nylander
Mcmann-Tavares-Marner
Tanev-Laughton-Domi
Lorentz-Holmberg-Dewar

McCabe-Tanev
Rielly-Parayko
OEL-Myers

Waive Reaves and Pacioretty

You're about 2.5M over the cap with these dream trades and a 20 player roster. Not making your last deal makes you cap compliant and with spare players.

 

[SprDaVE]

3 players I don't think will be on the roster past the deadline are Robertson, Kampf and Timmins -- one way or another. Robertson to be given his chance elsewhere, the other 2 mostly as cap/roster dumps. I'm having a hard time figuring out the players coming in, and my faith in Treliving is pretty low, but we'll see.

 

[Fogelhund]

3 players I don't think will be on the roster past the deadline are Robertson, Kampf and Timmins -- one way or another. Robertson to be given his chance elsewhere, the other 2 mostly as cap/roster dumps. I'm having a hard time figuring out the players coming in, and my faith in Treliving is pretty low, but we'll see.

Robertson is the only one I see going. We aren't deep at C, and I don't see Tre trading for two C's.... and Timmins is a RHD, and we are already short on those.

 

[ULF_55]

View attachment 980307

Case and Point.

Indictment of Demko's health, and their expectation he will be (Demko) able to be their starter.

$4.5mm Cap Hit for your starter is excellent.

 

[SprDaVE]

Robertson is the only one I see going. We aren't deep at C, and I don't see Tre trading for two C's.... and Timmins is a RHD, and we are already short on those.

Kampf has had his minutes slashed and he's been incapable of playing higher in the roster despite the huge need of it. You can replace him with about any other capable center and you'd get similar results for a fraction of the price. If they plan on adding a player or two, you have to slash his useless cap. Something has to give.

Timmins might be a RHD but I think they'll grab someone they like more.

 

[Leafs87]

IMO, the Leafs need a RHD, and one that can handle the puck would be preferable. A partner for Rielly, who could push all of the D down a little would be best.

To me, if we are going to go big, make it a Parayko, a Gudas, or someone who can play at that level. Parayko would cost a ton, but he ticks all three boxes. Gudas two of the three. Oleksiak is none of those things.

I agree with you in theory. I personally don’t like Gudas’ game aside from his big hits. Parayko is interesting, term scares me as does cost to acquire. One thing I’d note about Parayko is that he’s a big man but doesn’t play a big man game. In his prime he was mainly known for his speed game, which has kind of died off and he rebranded himself as a mediocrely physical defensive d man. A RHD with size would be ideal, but aside from Schenn again, I don’t see one we could afford given our limited assets available.

 

[ULF_55]

A quality RHD would do so much for this current roster.
I've said this a few times but this current setup really makes me nervous and I think it especially exposes OEL too much for a team that has championship asperations. He has clear skills like puck moving and offensive mindset but his footspeed isn't amazing and he hasn't looked strong on his weak side. On a third pairing and getting somewhat sheltered, he can be pretty effective but I'm just not sold he's a top #4 guy on our team, especially when you force the McCabe-Tanev pairing, which I understand.

I also hope it's someone that actually shoots right. I know theres studies or math that will show over the course of 82, it's either break even or just slightly minus EV having someone play their weakside but there are cold hard facts about playing your weak side in that there are plays/sequences that are much more difficult to execute on your weak side regardless of how good that player actually is in playing their weak side. I'd rather not have to deal with this or worry about something like this in some huge game 7, next mistake could cost your season.

He did play in the Finals.
3rd. pairing minutes.
I think that is fine, so the Leafs have to add a top 4 defender, at a minimum.

 

[Commander Clueless]

IMO, the Leafs need a RHD, and one that can handle the puck would be preferable. A partner for Rielly, who could push all of the D down a little would be best.

To me, if we are going to go big, make it a Parayko, a Gudas, or someone who can play at that level. Parayko would cost a ton, but he ticks all three boxes. Gudas two of the three. Oleksiak is none of those things.

If Parayko is in any way available, that's my "all in" move.