Who to sign to change the DNA?

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Brad Marchand is an obvious candidate. His intangibles and pedigree would go a long way to changing this teams attitude. I'd try for Perry too for the same reasons and see if we can't rectify that miss in 2020. I'd also target Tanner Jeannot, at worst he can be a strong fourth line checker and enforcer.

Removing nothing-burgers like Kampf and Jarnkrok are key to this too. Holmberg seems to play with a bit more of an edge and can get under other teams skin, he comes cheap I'd bring him back also for his ability to play centre.

 

[Leafsfan74]

Since I have in the past said I wanted them to go after Bennett (at the trade deadline a few years ago) and I said I'd be willing to part with a First Rounder for Marchand last deadline, I suppose these would be on my list as much as the incident by Bennett against Stolarz left a lingering taste in my mouth. These guys get it done when it matters.

Essentially Brad knows the types of players that are needed. One after another, less glitz more drive and clutch If Bennett is too pricey they will have to pass unfortunately.

They need to keep the powder keg dry for next year also so they can make a run at McDavid. Leafs lost out on Gretzky when he was available (and wanted to come here) in a trade, this would be the time to make such a signing if he moves.

Bring Patches back, Lorentz. Find the right types who are willing to fight for open space and who love the spotlight. Marchand is clearly such a player.

Just get into the post-season and have the right players to win when it matters. The DNA of winners isn't an accident.

 

[Aashir]

Brad Marchand is an obvious candidate. His intangibles and pedigree would go a long way to changing this teams attitude. I'd try for Perry too for the same reasons and see if we can't rectify that miss in 2020. I'd also target Tanner Jeannot, at worst he can be a strong fourth line checker and enforcer.

Removing nothing-burgers like Kampf and Jarnkrok are key to this too. Holmberg seems to play with a bit more of an edge and can get under other teams skin, he comes cheap I'd bring him back also for his ability to play centre.

the fact that jarnkrok has the chance to play out his entire contract is crazy, a great team would've dealt him for actual value after his 20G season where he stunk it up with 3 in 11 in the playoffs

a normal team would've dealt him last year either at the TDL when he was pacing for ~40 points or dumped him after his horrendous 0 in 7 masterclass consisting of pp1 + top 6 minutes.

instead he played out an injury riddled year and had a whopping ONE point in 12 games as our 3A/3B line which is disguting but status quo for him

Jarnkrok might be the worst non-enforcing hockey player in the league in the playoffs. He makes 2.1M seem like an overpayment somehow

 

[mikeyz]

the fact that jarnkrok has the chance to play out his entire contract is crazy, a great team would've dealt him for actual value after his 20G season where he stunk it up with 3 in 11 in the playoffs

a normal team would've dealt him last year either at the TDL when he was pacing for ~40 points or dumped him after his horrendous 0 in 7 masterclass consisting of pp1 + top 6 minutes.

instead he played out an injury riddled year and had a whopping ONE point in 12 games as our 3A/3B line which is disguting but status quo for him

Jarnkrok might be the worst non-enforcing hockey player in the league in the playoffs. He makes 2.1M seem like an overpayment somehow

Holy f*** dude. I just looked at his career playoff numbers.

5 goals in 105 games!!!!!

5 goals in 105 games!!!!!

Let me repeat that.

FIVE f***ING GOALS IN 105 GAMES!!!!

How is he still on this team and how has he not been sent to Robidas island ???????

 

[58 Years No Cup]

You do if he doesn’t want to re-sign because he doesn’t want to be a part of a rebuild —- and you are tearing it down to re-build.

The joke was on him though that he ended up going to a team that went into a rebuild a couple years after.

Sure, I guess he finds his Stanley Cup Ring to be funny....

 

[ITM]

I think we should approach acquisitions in a measured fashion. We don’t know what 2026 holds, but aside from McDavid, Kempe is up and so are a number of other good players.

I think we go in medium this year and next.

Rather than apportion for McDavid, mostly because I think he’s an Oiler for life, I’d be “fine” with Kempe at half his salary. Maybe Nylander puts a bug in his ear.

This year’s market, I’d target Gavrikov first. And then two of Faksa, Kuraly and Suter.

We’re going to have explore through trade anyway. There’s no goalies on the market per se, but I think we’re approaching critical mass on Stolarz/Woll.

 

[budzz]

The way I see it Marner is as good as gone and pretty much has to be for the Org to have any credibility towards "enough is enough". I think JT is in a different spot. Yes he was at a high cap hit, but his numbers were decent the entire contract and he never stunk. But yes now overpaid. Between the 2 that's 22 million.

If you can get JT around 5-6, He would still be a very good 3c, and can chip in on left wing top 6 in an injury pinch. Helps depth alot. Even at 6 and with marner gone, that's a 16 million difference to find a top 6 lw and a very good 2c. Should be doable. (realizing Kniesy is due as well) Obviously finding the right guys is yuge, especially 2c.

Florida is soo good because of their depth. Barkov didn't kill us, numbers wise he was on par with Matty, and both clearly injured. Their 3rd line was crazy good and clearly the difference when the top 2 lines cancelled each other out. Adding a marchand to that 3rd line was a game changer for them. We need that kind of third line. JT as a 3c with 2 relentless wingers would be a difference maker for this team. A legit veteran scoring threat that isn't a black hole defensively..

Other bottom 6 I see Laughton and Lorentz as 2 keepers. Jarncrok bye. Holmberg "yeah but he's pretty good" gone. Aim higher. High energy pissed off a-holes. Robertson has some "O" but terrifying D. Cup winners don't tolerate that. Trade rights for picks.

Notice above i said find a lw to replace Marner. Any lineup posted with Domi at 3c is a fail. He is NOT good defensively, especially in a playoff game omg. With Marner gone put him on matty's rw, they have chemistry and good numbers, and a solid pest to distract teams from Matty.. see Bennett/Tkachuk for mental distractions. Then willy is your 2nd rw. For LW we have knies easily top 6 then, what? McMann? Showed flashes but also a no show in playoffs. Maybe trade bait we need picks. Maybe enough energy for 3lw or... aim higher?

On D if you can trade Mo somehow DO IT. With that contract gone our D payroll can get creative and find a bigger replacement with some D chops and a blueline power play threat maybe?

THAT to me would start the DNA change.

 

[Gabriel426]

Trade Reilly for 1st rounders and picks.
Trade Calle and Kampf for mid round picks.
Let JT and MM walk.
Sign Bennett, Marchand, Brown, Tanev and Ekblad.

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

Clutch and this core do not go together.

Clutch for me is Martin Gelinas or Carter Verhaeghe. Nylander isn't even close to that level in elimination games. People are mistaking nonchalant with being able to play in high pressure situations, definitely not the same.

 

[Face Of Bear]

For me, good DNA change players would be: Bennett, Marchand, Kane, Toews - but i'm pretty sure none of these guys want to come here.

I can see us signing guys like Granlund, Suter, Boeser, Mangiapane, Kuzmenko.... but im not sure they're really "DNA change" players.

Guys like Jeannot/Beauvillier/Tanev/Saad/Appleton might bring something different but they are more support players.

 

[mikeyz]

No but they'd be hearing it from their season ticket holders. Fans are tired of not having much playoff success for the last 20+ years.

Believe me dude. They wouldn't care. Lol

 

[Banana duck]

Sure, I guess he finds his Stanley Cup Ring to be funny....

Did he win a cup with Chicago? The Panthers were not in that transaction. That was years later.

 

[Nineteen67]

Who's the 2C then, assume we walk away from JT as well

The have Kampf and Domi and can bring up someone from the Marlies.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Brad Marchand is an obvious candidate.

unlikely to come here.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Sign Bennett, Marchand, Brown, Tanev and Ekblad.

why post things that aren't ever going to come true ?

 

[Hellcat]

Ideally we dont go shopping in the UFA twice the price shopping bin. you only get older and less value when you go big fish hunting.

Ideally we add through the trade market, younger players who are the "next wave". Unfortunately we dont have a lot of trade capitol. A guy like JJ Peterkia would be a beyond ideal replacement for Mitch. Slide Willie up to 1st line JJ takes the 2nd line RW. Cowan starts as 3rd line center as he learns the league he slides up to #2 center. JJ and Cowan are a good start to a 2nd line, Knies at LW is another young guy, now instead of our top 6 being a geriatric unit, we are half experience half young and growing.

This is one of those pivotal years where we dictate where this team is in 3 to 5 years. Our defence core is one of the oldest in the league, our top 6 fwd group is on the wrong side of young. We truly need to build for today while making sure tomorrow is not a total cluster.

 

[Trapper]

Mitch Marner was not the entire problem here, he was one part of the DNA. So when Tre talks about changing it, are you also changing the remaining leadership in Matthews/Tavares/Nylander/Rielly? They have as much responsibility for losing as Marner.

So are we back to looking for 1 or 2 players to put around them to change the fortunes like we’ve done for 9 years.
When changing out Marner, the question is do you believe in the other 4?

 

[ToneDog]

Mitch Marner was not the entire problem here, he was one part of the DNA. So when Tre talks about changing it, are you also changing the remaining leadership in Matthews/Tavares/Nylander/Rielly? They have as much responsibility for losing as Marner.

So are we back to looking for 1 or 2 players to put around them to change the fortunes like we’ve done for 9 years.
When changing out Marner, the question is do you believe in the other 4?

You can't change the DNA overnight. Best/easiest option now is to build around 34 and 88 and hope for the best. Remember there are virtually zero desirable trade chips they'd be willing to move. They will let it play out while 34 and 88 are here IMO.

 

[kevsh]

When changing out Marner, the question is do you believe in the other 4?

Absolutely not. None of them.
As the team's best players & leaders, until they are all gone the DNA will be the same.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Absolutely not. None of them.
As the team's best players & leaders, until they are all gone the DNA will be the same.

I hate to admit it, but I hardly watched the playoffs. Do you blame us? How can we stand behind all these players who lose?

With this club's large sample size, it's hard to imagine they will win anything. The best they'll do is what we've seen already: a first round win.

I hate to be so negative, but when this group's stars are long gone, we might have something.

 

[Trapper]

You can't change the DNA overnight. Best/easiest option now is to build around 34 and 88 and hope for the best. Remember there are virtually zero desirable trade chips they'd be willing to move. They will let it play out while 34 and 88 are here IMO.

It’s almost like we have to rebuild a team of players we think can work hard regular season and playoffs, then add Matthews/Nylander to it at the end. Rather than build a team around them.

 

[ToneDog]

It’s almost like we have to rebuild a team of players we think can work hard regular season and playoffs, then add Matthews/Nylander to it at the end.

34 and 88 can help get you into the playoffs. You then need to find players that can win you a SC because we know which players cannot. Example Corey Perry who is MEH in games 1-82 but wakes up for games 82+.

Five years later hard to believe Shanny and Dumbass chose Simmonds at 2x the AAV over Perry who wanted to come here for the minimum. Being fired by the Leafs looks good on their resumes.

 

[Leafsfan74]

34 and 88 can help get you into the playoffs. You then need to find players that can win you a SC because we know which players cannot. Example Corey Perry who is MEH in games 1-82 but wakes up for games 82+.

Five years later hard to believe Shanny and Dumbass chose Simmonds at 2x the AAV over Perry who wanted to come here for the minimum. Being fired by the Leafs looks good on their resumes.

Precisely. There is a reason the NHL refers to the "Presidents Trophy Curse", whether exaggerated or not. Leafs dont need to win the division (though it can help), they need to win the Cup.

They need guys who win when the ice disappears and there is just a drive in the brain that says "I'm going to do ___________ because it's a matter of win or lose, life or death". It could be a big check, a battle in the corner, a person driving to the net, a guy standing in the crease, a need to block a shot.

On offense they need guys who fight instead of flee the fight. Their defense have the right guys, if they can find a new fresh start for Rielly, that would be ideal as that cap space could be allocated elsewhere.

 

[ToneDog]

Absolutely not. None of them.
As the team's best players & leaders, until they are all gone the DNA will be the same.

Looking forward to seeing what Matthews can do without Marner attached to his right hip. Matthews has looked much better when he does not have to defer to the best playmaker ever to lace up skates.

 

[BlueForever75]

Looking forward to seeing what Matthews can do without Marner attached to his right hip. Matthews has looked much better when he does not have to defer to the best playmaker ever to lace up skates.