What big move can the leafs make?

[notdoneyet]

Willy is not the all around player that matthews and marner are. His defensive play is terrible despite having the easier match ups.

 

[hobarth]

Willy is not the all around player that matthews and marner are. His defensive play is terrible despite having the easier match ups.

And?

 

[TheScandal89]

Haven’t had a good goalie since Belfour.

Which goalie are you suggesting we trading him for?

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

Instead of trading JT, I would just move him to the Left Wing spot and move Willy to Center. JT's lack of speed won't be as noticeable on the wing, while Willy can drive the play down the middle. Maybe the extra responsibilities of playing Center will also help keep Willy more engaged throughout the season. They would still need to find another winger for the line, but that's one move I'd make.

I don't think you will ever see Willy playing C. He jokes about how whoever plays with him gets a minus. He thinks its funny. It's not.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

I think TO should start the summer by finding out who did whatever to Kadri to wake him up, talent and maturity somehow was drawn out and the results were incredible.

I remember Kadri as being a borderline 2nd/3rd line center who couldn't pass and had a Marner shot, that player in 71 games had 28 goals and 59 assists, this year, wow.

What could that person do for Nylander, Marner and Matthews or maybe even Kerfoot. These Leafs are all good and some exceptional even but I think there's more in all of them and watching Colorado I could see their best players were giving their all, every game and that's because of a superior motivator, probably, I don't think the same can be said about TO's best during these playoffs.

Am I blaming Keefe, in part yes, am I blaming TO's big 4, in part yes, blaming Rielly, Kerfoot, Mikeyev, sure, I don't think the majority of the team is prepared well enough to succeed in the playoffs. Line changing, d pairings, giving extra icetime to better players and whatever else is all window dressing, motivating is the meat and potatoes of hockey and even more so in the playoffs.

I can tell you exactly who the motivator for Kadri was. His name is Benjamin $$$ and he is coming to Kadri next year. Nothing more than that. Before this year he was barely better than Kerfoot points wise. It's the UFA status that got him in gear. I don't think anyone who signs him will not regret it a few years later.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

We gotta keep Knies, we haven't had a good power forward in years, its a role we need badly and usually when you acquire them without drafting them its usually trading for them past their prime or over paying them as a UFA, which is usually 26-28 years old already. I'm no fan of Dubas but it looks like he got a keeper in Knies.

Very true...everyone is always enamored with Coleman and Goodrow along with this years special Nick Paul. But if we never even attempt to draft a high compete guy who will go through a wall...how are we going to get them when they hit UFA and are expensive. That is always the excuse...too expensive.

 

[ShaneFalco]

I can tell you exactly who the motivator for Kadri was. His name is Benjamin $$$ and he is coming to Kadri next year. Nothing more than that. Before this year he was barely better than Kerfoot points wise. It's the UFA status that got him in gear. I don't think anyone who signs him will not regret it a few years later.

Yeah whatever you think of Naz you must know he's going to be overpaid - and probably by a lot

 

[Confucius]

If Matthews didn't want to resign and would extend with Arizona that would be a haul for the leafs. It would retool us over night.

Why, we’d just trade the pics to some team if they take a bad contract or trade a few for some deadline help going into the playoffs.

 

[ToneDog]

Why, we’d just trade the pics to some team if they take a bad contract or trade a few for some deadline help going into the playoffs.

Only if Dubas is GM. We never had 3 picks going into 2 consecutive drafts under Lou.

 

[The Iceman]

Anyone is a "much improved player with Mitch on his line".

We really need to get away from the 'how do we fix JT (to try to justify that contract)' mindset, and look at 'where does his skillset fit'.

Stop wasting players like Marner and Nylander. More JT to the third line where he belongs.

JT was 42nd in points this year. 32 teams which makes him easily a top 2 player for any team.

We really need to get away from "JT has a bad contract" and appreciate him for what he is.
A #1 calibre centre playing #2 for the Leafs.

Eventually we move him to LW when it makes sense.

 

[Confucius]

Only if Dubas is GM. We never had 3 picks going into 2 consecutive drafts under Lou.

Even the great majority of fans here are all for trading a 1st for deadline playoff help. Lol! Next trade deadline try suggesting we just go with the guys we have and keep the 1st. I can just imagine how little value a 1st would be if we had a handful of them.

 

[ToneDog]

Even the great majority of fans here are all for trading a 1st for deadline playoff help. Lol! Next trade deadline try suggesting we just go with the guys we have and keep the 1st. I can just imagine how little value a 1st would be if we had a handful of them.

Two seasons ago, yes but not for a broken down Foligno. Last season many were against moving the 1st at the TDL.

 

[notDatsyuk]

76 points in 79 games, JT is overpaid but he is productive and all teams do better if assets are maximized rather than minimized like JT and/or Nylander would be if played on the 3rd line.

That's really my point. Tavares and Nylander playing together is not maximizing either of them. One of them should be on the third line, and I think moving JT to play with wingers more complimentary to his style is the better choice.

 

[Racer88]

It’s not even so much anymore whether JT is worth 11 million, it’s the fact that we have three of them in the team. That’s what doesn’t work

 

[notDatsyuk]

JT was 42nd in points this year. 32 teams which makes him easily a top 2 player for any team.

We really need to get away from "JT has a bad contract" and appreciate him for what he is.
A #1 calibre centre playing #2 for the Leafs.

Eventually we move him to LW when it makes sense.

85th in even strength points, and 97th in p/60.

His biggest value is on the PP.

 

[notDatsyuk]

It’s not even so much anymore whether JT is worth 11 million, it’s the fact that we have three of them in the team. That’s what doesn’t work

There are three paid 11 million, but only two of them are close to that value. If we were paying AM and MM 9 or 10 each and JT 7 or 8, I don't think we'd have either the problems or the complaints.

 

[TMLAM34]

I’d love to see our big move be signing Nichushkin to play alongside JT and Nylander.

 

[PettersonHughes]

Maybe not. However, I’d be making the call and prepared to move real assets.

Knies
Liligren
1rst

At this point, only Liljegren would be of interest IMO (with Demko you guys would probably go for deep runs given the firepower in front, and he can steal games). Knies, based on reviews, looks kind of hit-or-miss in terms of his power forward upside, and the 1st will be late so I'd rather not make a move to get a late 1st rounder for our franchise goalie, without more substantial pieces (the RHD we'd prioritize would be big minute and defensively oriented, who can be Quinn Hughes' partner).

 

[Funk21]

If you believe they need a big move.

Write your proposal.. (likely or unlikely)

Trade
Free agents

I’m just curious.

Trade
Kerfoot
Holl
Muzzin
Mrazek

If you can get an overpayment on Nylander and grab a cost controlled asset that maybe needs a change of scenery then you determine if said player(s) will make the team better in aggregate terms.

 

[Zybalto]

There are three paid 11 million, but only two of them are close to that value. If we were paying AM and MM 9 or 10 each and JT 7 or 8, I don't think we'd have either the problems or the complaints.

JT contract was always going to age rough but we all accepted that.

Matthews and Marner deals are solid.

All three contracts would have been around 10 millionish if Covid would have been known. Completely screwed us. Could you imagine us with 5-10 million more cap space right now (probably near the higher number)

Projected cap before Covid for 2020-2021 was 84 million to 88.2 million. With the NHL still making big revenues even this season, I don't think its a stretch to say it would have been 90+ million this season.

Having 15+ million to play with would have been nice, thats for sure.

 

[Mess]

33 year old P.K. Subban says "I want to come home" and signs for cheaper than market, and if Leafs need some cap room they convince Muzzin its time with all his concussions to hang them up and his contract balance plays out on LTIR.

Leafs get that big shot from the point particularly on the PP.

Rielly -------- Brodie
Sandin ------ Subban
Giordano ---- Liljegren


Develop and "Play the Kids" with a veteran partner.

 

[Budz]

At this point, only Liljegren would be of interest IMO (with Demko you guys would probably go for deep runs given the firepower in front, and he can steal games). Knies, based on reviews, looks kind of hit-or-miss in terms of his power forward upside, and the 1st will be late so I'd rather not make a move to get a late 1st rounder for our franchise goalie, without more substantial pieces (the RHD we'd prioritize would be big minute and defensively oriented, who can be Quinn Hughes' partner).

Again, I’m not pretending to know exactly what Van wants - I’m simply illustrating to the lengths I would (If I’m Dubas) go to get this done.

I would listen on anything aside from Matthews.

Also, I believe a Hellybuck would be the more likely of two goalies I would target. I understand the Vancouver desire to keep him.

 

[Leaf Fans]

To Toronto
McDavid

To Edmonton
Holl

Bam! Stanley cup

To Toronto
Cale Makar

To Colorado
Engvall.

Bam, Stanley cup

Ps. My trades have about a snowballs chance in hell of happening....just like all these other trades. Good grief.

On the 4th ring of the 9th circle of hell, the snowball will do just fine.

 

[ITM]

33 year old P.K. Subban says "I want to come home" and signs for cheaper than market, and if Leafs need some cap room they convince Muzzin its time with all his concussions to hang them up and his contract balance plays out on LTIR.

Leafs get that big shot from the point particularly on the PP.

Rielly -------- Brodie
Sandin ------ Subban
Giordano ---- Liljegren


Develop and "Play the Kids" with a veteran partner.

Subban and his extra-curricular activities give off a "its all about PK" vibe. If he's all about hockey then perhaps he's worth the kick, but the vetting process would have to be pretty conclusive in his favour.

Also seems to have a penchant for desperate dirty plays.

 

[ACC1224]

Subban and his extra-curricular activities give off a "its all about PK" vibe. If he's all about hockey then perhaps he's worth the kick, but the vetting process would have to be pretty conclusive in his favour.

Also seems to have a penchant for desperate dirty plays.

Yeah, not sure it's the best idea but a big shot on the PP would be a nice change.