what do the Leafs do on offense?

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I know they need to revamp the defense and they are in the process of doing that being on the verge of adding Tanev to the defense.

It also sounds like they are in on Zadorov and OEL too.

But what do they do up front?

At the time of this writing both Domi and Bertuzzi are about 30 hours away from free agency. You can't simply fill their spots with Marlies that's not going to work, the Marlies don't have the caliber of players that would allow them to just plug a couple guys into the top 6.

I'm personally hoping that Jeff Skinner is brought in, Domi and Bertuzzi combined scored 30 goals, Jeff Skinner himself scored 24, he's a better goal scorer than both Domi and Bertuzzi, and he should be relatively cheap considering he was just bought out.

I've been of the opinion that David Perron is all but official just based on how complimentary he's been of the coaches and management especially in regards to Berube and Savard.

If Perron comes in he will help for sure, but I'd prefer him as more of a Jarnkrok replacement, I'd like to see Jarnkrok traded today and Perron signed tomorrow, because as much as I like Jarnkrok, and I do quite a lot actually, I think Perron is a better depth piece both in the regular season and playoffs.

The other guy I'd look at is Jake Debrusk.

If Bertuzzi leaves Debrusk would be the ideal replacement.

There are other guys I'd look at like Duclair, Tarasenko, Barabonov as a bottom 6 guy but those are July 2nd guys.

Click to read more...

 

[Puckstuff]

The top 9 forward group is stacked with wings: Nylander, Marner, Knies, Robertson, McMann, Jarnkrok. But at C we have Matthews but we don't have a proper 2 C. Tavares is a 3C at this point and not a good fit with Nylander. They should sign Stephenson and put him between Nylander and Robertson.

Knies-Matthews-Marner
Nick-Stephenson-Nylander
McMann-Tavares-Jarnkrok

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

The top 9 forward group is stacked with wings: Nylander, Marner, Knies, Robertson, McMann, Jarnkrok. But at C we have Matthews but we don't have a proper 2 C. Tavares is a 3C at this point and not a good fit with Nylander. They should sign Stephenson and put him between Nylander and Robertson.

Knies-Matthews-Marner
Nick-Stephenson-Nylander
McMann-Tavares-Jarnkrok

Yeah I'm not sure why people keeping saying Tavares is now a 3rd line center It's just not true.

You can say he's not worth his cap hit that's fine and that's true.

But his production was hurt A LOT last year by Bertuzzi just not scoring for the 25% of the season and Tavares still had 65 points.

In what reality is a 65 point center a 3rd line center? because it sure as hell isn't this one.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

Jeff Skinner doesn't have the snot to play on a Berube coached team.

Rather have Domi in the top 6 , at least he will hit and fight and protect his teammates. Skinner is soft. Not sure why you want him.

Really can't do much upfront until Tavares is off the books.

 

[RunItBackAgain]

I want Domi back for sure. Perron would be fine. Debrusk would be good but not sure we can afford him if we get one of the big D available and hope to sign a goalie.

Im not expecting much just hoping we don’t sign anyone long term (3+) besides Domi. Lots of work to do and it can’t be done in a single offseason.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Jeff Skinner doesn't have the snot to play on a Berube coached team.

Rather have Domi in the top 6 , at least he will hit and fight and protect his teammates. Skinner is soft. Not sure why you want him.

Really can't do much upfront until Tavares is off the books.

They have to do something, like I said if Bertuzzi and Domi walk you can't just not replace them.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

They have to do something, like I said if Bertuzzi and Domi walk you can't just not replace them.

I'm reading reports Domi is re-signing and Bert is possibly as well. If they do we have enough bodies upfront.

If Bert goes for a bigger contract elsewhere then don't even sign another forward , use the savings for D/goalie spending. McMann , Knies and Robertson can play a bigger role nezt season.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I'm reading reports Domi is re-signing and Bert is possibly as well. If they do we have enough bodies upfront.

If Bert goes for a bigger contract elsewhere then don't even sign another forward , use the savings for D/goalie spending. McMann , Knies and Robertson can play a bigger role nezt season.

Obviously if they sign extensions then we are set, I'd still like to see Perron signed in either casebecause what a 3rd piece he would be.

I don't think expecting them to do NOTHING up front is realistic because even if you are completely satisfied at wing, do you REALLY want Holmberg as the #3 center?

I like Holmberg he can play, #3 center? I don't know about that

 

[Puckstuff]

Yeah I'm not sure why people keeping saying Tavares is now a 3rd line center It's just not true.

You can say he's not worth his cap hit that's fine and that's true.

But his production was hurt A LOT last year by Bertuzzi just not scoring for the 25% of the season and Tavares still had 65 points.

In what reality is a 65 point center a 3rd line center? because it sure as hell isn't this one.

While Tavares may may be ok offensively as a 2C, his defensive abilities in the same role are subpar. They need to acquire a center regardless, as relying on Tavares and Kampf as the second and third best C's on the defensive side isn't good enough. Also Tavares and Nylander don't work. We need another C.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

While Tavares may may be ok offensively as a 2C, his defensive abilities in the same role are subpar. They need to acquire a center regardless, as relying on Tavares and Kampf as the second and third best C's on the defensive side isn't good enough. Also Tavares and Nylander don't work. We need another C.

Oh I'm right there with you in terms of needing a new #3 center Kampf doesn't cut it as the #3 center.

I'm just not there when people say Tavares isn't a #2 center that's just not true.

 

[LeafsFan89]

I think it's less about the personnel, and more about how we score goals. Regular season - finesse, pass through 50 bodies for a highlight reel goal. We try to apply the same idea in the playoffs, and we fall flat.

If Berube can make us play true playoff hockey, and change the core's approach, then I would be less angry about riding out Marner for the year and then let him walk. I would rather trade him and use the cap space on D and in net because I just can't see him changing his pass first, shy away from contact game.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

Turns out they couldn't really afford to do anything.

Other than letting an inconsequential Bertuzzi walk. I don't even think they replaced him. Most of that $5.5M mistake got eaten up by the Matthews and Nylander raises.

Leaving just enough for a slightly better than league minimum replacement.

I guess Treliving thinks getting Tanev will allow the skill to shine through the rest of the roster. That these guys will magically become what they've never been. Because right now all the players leading this team are like foreskin.

They disappear when things get hard.

Losing Bertuzzi for nobody doesn't address that issue. I'm hoping Cowan can at least replace the lost production for a fraction of the cost. Step in and step right up.

Rushing prospects because of cap constraints is what all cup contenders do.

 

[Fogelhund]

The internet has The Onion and The Beaverton for Parody and Satire. We have you. Hmmm..

 

[QJo]

Turns out they couldn't really afford to do anything.

Other than letting an inconsequential Bertuzzi walk. I don't even think they replaced him. Most of that $5.5M mistake got eaten up by the Matthews and Nylander raises.

Leaving just enough for a slightly better than league minimum replacement.

I guess Treliving thinks getting Tanev will allow the skill to shine through the rest of the roster. That these guys will magically become what they've never been. Because right now all the players leading this team are like foreskin.

They disappear when things get hard.

Losing Bertuzzi for nobody doesn't address that issue. I'm hoping Cowan can at least replace the lost production for a fraction of the cost. Step in and step right up.

Rushing prospects because of cap constraints is what all cup contenders do.

That's funny, I was hoping they'd be MORE like foreskin....

Play in the dirty areas.

 

[ACC1224]

The internet has The Onion and The Beaverton for Parody and Satire. We have you. Hmmm..

One more to add to the list of 'why it sucks to be a Leaf fan'.

 

[darrylsittler27]

I think most fans realize they arent winning a cup next year. Leaf fans want change but this team is a mess. I would even bet money they will lose first round again making it an even bigger mess. Since it's the Leafs it's expected. They will use the 2nd from Florida at TD and add a rental.The Leafs are in a strange situation because this whole thing may have to get blown up next year.

 

[Aashir Mallik]

I think most fans realize they arent winning a cup next year. Leaf fans want change but this team is a mess. I would even bet money they will lose first round again making it an even bigger mess. Since it's the Leafs it's expected. They will use the 2nd from Florida at TD and add a rental.The Leafs are in a strange situation because this whole thing may have to get blown up next year.

Nylander just signed, Matthews just signed, Marner and Tavares are probably going to get signed

We aren’t blowing anything up, welcome to 5-8 more years of mediocre playoff results

 

[conFABulator]

I think most fans realize they arent winning a cup next year. Leaf fans want change but this team is a mess. I would even bet money they will lose first round again making it an even bigger mess. Since it's the Leafs it's expected. They will use the 2nd from Florida at TD and add a rental.The Leafs are in a strange situation because this whole thing may have to get blown up next year.

Man, if I was that sure this was going to happen I would see no reason to watch the games this year, or spend time thinking about them in the offseason.

Blown up? I guess it depends on the definition of blowing it up, but I don't think so.

Is letting Tavares and Marner walk and having a new captain to go with our new coach and new GM blowing it up? Then I could agree with you, but there is not case for "blowing it up" and rebuilding. We will have a couple of the best players in the world,, some nice supporting pieces, some prospects and $25M to $30M in cap space...this is the worst case scenario actually.

 

[Sypher04]

I think most fans realize they arent winning a cup next year. Leaf fans want change but this team is a mess. I would even bet money they will lose first round again making it an even bigger mess. Since it's the Leafs it's expected. They will use the 2nd from Florida at TD and add a rental.The Leafs are in a strange situation because this whole thing may have to get blown up next year.

There is a zero percent chance of that happening if you’re insinuating a rebuild.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I think most fans realize they arent winning a cup next year. Leaf fans want change but this team is a mess. I would even bet money they will lose first round again making it an even bigger mess. Since it's the Leafs it's expected. They will use the 2nd from Florida at TD and add a rental.The Leafs are in a strange situation because this whole thing may have to get blown up next year.

I don't see any need for it to be "blown up next year".

All that really has to be done is to let Marner walk and either sign Tavares to a reasonable amount ($3-4M) as 3C or let him walk.

 

[notbias]

I think most fans realize they arent winning a cup next year. Leaf fans want change but this team is a mess. I would even bet money they will lose first round again making it an even bigger mess. Since it's the Leafs it's expected. They will use the 2nd from Florida at TD and add a rental.The Leafs are in a strange situation because this whole thing may have to get blown up next year.

People want big change... over half the cap has been used by Treliving (~$50 million), so why do people think we will see big change? He's had the chance already.

 

[darrylsittler27]

Nylander just signed, Matthews just signed, Marner and Tavares are probably going to get signed

We aren’t blowing anything up, welcome to 5-8 more years of mediocre playoff results

Not if they lose first round again.

I don't see any need for it to be "blown up next year".

All that really has to be done is to let Marner walk and either sign Tavares to a reasonable amount ($3-4M) as 3C or let him walk.

Plus Shanny and Tre could be gone, meaning new gm and new direction.

 

[darrylsittler27]

People want big change... over half the cap has been used by Treliving (~$50 million), so why do people think we will see big change? He's had the chance already.

I know, it's strange. Most fans have no faith in this core yet they keep repackaging it. If Woll and Tanev get injured you have the same team minus Bert, which won't get far. Berube is a good coach but he ain't Houdini. That was a very good St Louis team.

 

[notbias]

I know, it's strange. Most fans have no faith in this core yet they keep repackaging it. If Woll and Tanev get injured you have the same team minus Bert, which won't get far. Berube is a good coach but he ain't Houdini. That was a very good St Louis team.

I also don't know if Berube is a good coach... his overall record is similar to Keefe's (including playoffs), he just had one good season with a team that everyone says in another thread is way better than ours, but the majority of his career is terrible.

I guess we will see.

 

[darrylsittler27]

Nylander just signed, Matthews just signed, Marner and Tavares are probably going to get signed

We aren’t blowing anything up, welcome to 5-8 more years of mediocre playoff results

Blow up. Shanny gone, Tre gone, Tavares not re signed, Marner walks, Reilly gone. New Gm and Woll gets injured again. Pretty substantial change. You keep Mathews and Nylander and get a true number one G.