Tremendous Free Agency For Toronto

[Gaberd2608]

Agree with the first, don't agree with the second.

they may be different kind of players but both are middle six forwards in the same price range.

Personally, I think they will sign AM and see about Willie as they have Bertuzzi as a replacement.
If Bertuzzi fits in and producing without any anomalies like crazy shooting % or tip in %. While willing to sign at 7-8mil, Willie will most likely be traded to get more depth or a Dman to round out the team.

I think they trade Nylander almost for certain. Given the cap situation and BT previous situation with his star players in Calgary, I think he looks to diversify and turn Nylander into a few pieces with upside. We dont necessarily need a 90 point winger. If BT would get a young 60 point winger, a 1st round pick, and a short term serviceable salary dump back it may be good enough along with some extra cap space.

60 point winger @ $6-7 million may mean the difference of keeping Bertuzzi and Domi. If BT can turn Nylander into a 60 point winger, a 50 point winger, and a 40 point winger along with a 1st rounder, I think it may be the best option with the highest likelihood of us being competitive.

 

[Gabriel426]

Agree with the first, don't agree with the second.

Domi is a better fit with the Leafs, as he is a better scorer and would play like a pest or start stuff if he wants to.
Kerfoot is a better defensive player but lack the shot to score.

Domi will get more goals and guys like Lafferty will pick up Kerfoot’s PK mins.

 

[ITM]

domi and bertuzzi have a combined iq of 50. this team is ass.

I don't get the Bertuzzi hate.

Health's an issue, but a dumb player?

 

[ACC1224]

Domi is a better fit with the Leafs, as he is a better scorer and would play like a pest or start stuff if he wants to.
Kerfoot is a better defensive player but lack the shot to score.

Domi will get more goals and guys like Lafferty will pick up Kerfoot’s PK mins.

He may bring some different qualities on ice but he is a terrible fit in the room.

 

[Magic Man]

Obviously, it didn't happen this way, they signed Bertuzzi. But, it would have been a pretty lackluster summer without that signing to tie everything else together. Everything else feels like an easy move in comparison.

Domi and Klingberg are in a similar tier of player to Bertuzzi without the current shine. Between the 3 of them they should go a long way towards solving the issue of secondary scoring that has been plaguing them in the playoffs.

I am very disappointed that they couldn't come to terms with Luke Schenn.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Personally, I think they will sign AM and see about Willie as they have Bertuzzi as a replacement.
If Bertuzzi fits in and producing without any anomalies like crazy shooting % or tip in %. While willing to sign at 7-8mil, Willie will most likely be traded to get more depth or a Dman to round out the team.

Bertuzzi is barely a Bunting level replacement, let alone a Nylander level replacement.

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Bertuzzi is barely a Bunting level replacement, let alone a Nylander level replacement.

Bunting's a clown who couldn't put up points on any other line than Matthews and Marner's. At least Bertuzzi produced in a playoff series, Bunting was an unnecessary distraction with little to no production in any playoff series he's played. Let's give the guy a chance before we shit on him. I agree he's no Nylander replacement though.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Agree with the first, don't agree with the second.

Your hate for Domi is well known

 

[Evilhomer]

Bunting's a clown who couldn't put up points on any other line than Matthews and Marner's. At least Bertuzzi produced in a playoff series, Bunting was an unnecessary distraction with little to no production in any playoff series he's played. Let's give the guy a chance before we shit on him. I agree he's no Nylander replacement though.

The silly part about this is that I would be willing to bet that in about 4 months everyone on this site will be loving Bertuzzi. Barring long-term injuries, I think he will score 40 goals on this team.

 

[justashadowof]

Kerfoot and Domi aren't very comparable players. Kerfoot has got a superior defensive game, Domi is a poor defensive player although there's no physical reason who couldn't be a decent defensive player. Domi is a superior playmaker. Kerfoot is probably the more physical player believe it or not.

I never warmed to Kerfoot but he may be a better overall NHL player than Domi. I'm hoping that Domi's notoriously poor defense and thinks-he's-a-star-player mentality don't make him a regrettable signing. A big offensive year could make us completely forget his other characteristics.

 

[Racer88]

Bunting became a major detriment to the team with his stupid over the top antics and becoming a major target of the refs

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I agree Brad Treliving has done a great job but he has to sign Matthews

 

[Nineteen67]

The silly part about this is that I would be willing to bet that in about 4 months everyone on this site will be loving Bertuzzi. Barring long-term injuries, I think he will score 40 goals on this team.

If he plays 60 games and scores 15-20 I think most would be satisfied.

 

[notDatsyuk]

The silly part about this is that I would be willing to bet that in about 4 months everyone on this site will be loving Bertuzzi. Barring long-term injuries, I think he will score 40 goals on this team.

Assuming they sign him for a couple more years, I can see that.

 

[ACC1224]

Your hate for Domi is well known

It’s pretty much universal in the GTA.

Bertuzzi is barely a Bunting level replacement, let alone a Nylander level replacement.

Agreed about Nylander but he’s much better than Bunting

 

[justashadowof]

It’s pretty much universal in the GTA.

You may be living a bubble.

 

[justashadowof]

If he plays 60 games and scores 15-20 I think most would be satisfied.

I wouldn't be satisfied. He's an offensive player. He has to produce. He isn't a Kerfoot/Hyman type taking on defensive responsibilities to give him value as a player.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Agreed about Nylander but he’s much better than Bunting

I hope so, but I'm sceptical.

 

[ACC1224]

You may be living a bubble.

We all do

 

[Evilhomer]

If he plays 60 games and scores 15-20 I think most would be satisfied.

If he plays anything more than 60 games I think he will easily score 30 goals given the linemates and PP time he will have. 40 goals if he plays a full season.

 

[Welsh Maple Leaf]

It’s been a pretty poor off season. This team is worse this year than it was last.

 

[Evilhomer]

It’s been a pretty poor off season. This team is worse this year than it was last.

I think it is definitely a better team than last season. Probably the runaway winner of the Atlantic division barring a team like Buffalo having a massive surge.

 

[justashadowof]

We all do

Not everybody makes blanket statements about what people they don't know believe.

 

[Gabriel426]

I think it is definitely a better team than last season. Probably the runaway winner of the Atlantic division barring a team like Buffalo having a massive surge.

It is a much better team than last season Opening night for sure. Esp since Muzzin went down with the injury, while Malgin is on the roster.
Knies, Bert and Domi are better depth than Bunting, Engvall and Kerfoot. Reaves will provide more than Malgin. Lafferty, Kampf and Calle are good pieces.
Just hope Keefe don’t f it up.

 

[mjd1001]

I think it is definitely a better team than last season. Probably the runaway winner of the Atlantic division barring a team like Buffalo having a massive surge.

They are different than last year but I'm not sure better. Not worse either though. Matthews is what matters. How hurt was he playing last year? And if he was hurt is he back to full strength?

If is drop-off in production last year was due to a lingering injury, and he is back to full strength, they are a slightly better (and different) team than last year. (possibly a 115+ point team)

However, if his performance last year was more indicative of who he is and the year before was just his 'career' year, then they are likely the same as last year in terms of how good they are.

I'm leaning more toward the first one, and betting on Matthews being closer to what he was 2 years ago than last year, and thus the team being somewhat better (but not a lot better).

As for the Division, I think Buffalo is still a year away from contending with the Leafs. Power is only in his 2nd year and as much talent as he has on the backend, D-men usually take a few season to reach their potential. They have big time questions in net, and the forward group is just still so young. I think Buf will eventually be a bigger threat than Ottawa, but I think Ottawa is a step ahead of Buffalo next year and ultimatly more likley to challenge the Leafs and Florida for the top spot in the division.