Who to sign to change the DNA?

[Trapper]

It doesn’t matter who you sign when your top players are Matthew$ and Nylander and your highest paid D is Rielly. They don’t have the jam and they are the ones going over the boards in crunch time.

Very unlikely the team will be better this year.

The only way you can change the DNA is by first (and this is management) deciding how you want to play. Are you a Boston/Florida blue collar team with skill? Then be that. Don’t be half a core 4 that plays one way and try to surround them with something else.

You have to rebuild a team that plays a blue collar style, set and stick to a salary structure, state your identity and demand that identity and if Matthews/Nylander can embrace the new franchise mentality great, if not, you trade them. But the whole thing needs an overhaul.

 

[MajorLeaf]

The next 2 years will be pivotal in reshaping this team. The cap is going up $25.5 million by 2028 this is an unprecedented time for all teams where almost everyone has cap space to finally make meaningful trades.

Don’t let Matthews walk for nothing like Marner will shortly. There are soooo many options to provide Matthews with teams willing to trade for him at this moment in time.

The Leafs should not be scared to make bold moves this is an unprecedented time where the Leafs can afford to make bold moves even if it means stepping back because the Leafs have 100 years (I know exaggerated) season ticket waiting list and will always make money no matter what.

Brad, if you ever visit HF Boards to read what fans are saying, please know Leafs fans would respect you more for making bold moves by trading the core to finally fix the DNA of this team.

Now is the time to do it, the team can no longer build around Matthews, Tavares, Nylander and Reilly. The team has been doing it for 9 years, you tried the last season and a half without result.

You know it, Craig knows it and the entirety of Leafs nation knows it. Blow it up Brad (not rebuild trade for impactful players), you know it’s the best way forward to change the DNA.

 

[keonsbitterness]

1: I certainly don’t think removing Marner and JT fixes the DNA issue, only getting rid of 34, 44, and possibly 88 would achieve that.

2: I don’t trust Tre to fix the problems with the team because he’s using a scalpel to do the job when a chainsaw is what’s needed. He didn’t create this mess, but I highly doubt he’s got the stones (or permission) to do what’s needed.

To answer “what are we doing here,” well, in my opinion we’re treading water………..

No team is getting rid of three NMC players in one year. Lucky if you can unload one.

 

[ULF_55]

No team is getting rid of three NMC players in one year. Lucky if you can unload one.

Wait for it ... but Kreider waived.

Maybe all the Leafs have to do is trade for JT Miller?

 

[notbias]

1: I certainly don’t think removing Marner and JT fixes the DNA issue, only getting rid of 34, 44, and possibly 88 would achieve that.

2: I don’t trust Tre to fix the problems with the team because he’s using a scalpel to do the job when a chainsaw is what’s needed. He didn’t create this mess, but I highly doubt he’s got the stones (or permission) to do what’s needed.

To answer “what are we doing here,” well, in my opinion we’re treading water………..

He didn't create the mess? 4 of the 5 players would be gone this year if he didn't re-sign two of them...

 

[ULF_55]

1: I certainly don’t think removing Marner and JT fixes the DNA issue, only getting rid of 34, 44, and possibly 88 would achieve that.

2: I don’t trust Tre to fix the problems with the team because he’s using a scalpel to do the job when a chainsaw is what’s needed. He didn’t create this mess, but I highly doubt he’s got the stones (or permission) to do what’s needed.

To answer “what are we doing here,” well, in my opinion we’re treading water………..

It is being nudged in another direction, due to players leaving.

They are retaining 3 of their top 5 playoffs scorers (goals) from the past 5 seasons (Nylander 21, Matthews 14, Knies 8).

They are retaining 3 of the top 4 goals per game in the playoffs. (Last 5 years.)

What they have to do is use the freed up money to improve the middle 6.

Moving out 2 of the Top 5 players on a team, especially players 2 of the top 4 TOI players is a large change.

As we've said all along, this is going to be Treliving toughest moment, probably in his career. Moving Tkachuk was much easier. Tkachuk agreed to let Treliving trade him, that didn't happen in Toronto. Have to give Tkachuk some credit for being upfront and honest about his plans.

 

[colchar]

The only way you can change the DNA is by first (and this is management) deciding how you want to play. Are you a Boston/Florida blue collar team with skill? Then be that. Don’t be half a core 4 that plays one way and try to surround them with something else.

You have to rebuild a team that plays a blue collar style, set and stick to a salary structure, state your identity and demand that identity and if Matthews/Nylander can embrace the new franchise mentality great, if not, you trade them. But the whole thing needs an overhaul.

They both have NMCs (as does Reilly).

 

[ULF_55]

They both have NMCs (as does Reilly).

And scoring goals still determines who wins the games.
You can defend 'til the cows are put in the grinder, but if you don't score you don't win.

 

[Budz]

JT Matthews Nylander
Knies Coyle Rakell
Marchand Laughton Tanev
McMann Holmberg Lorentz

 

[centipede2233]

The next 2 years will be pivotal in reshaping this team. The cap is going up $25.5 million by 2028 this is an unprecedented time for all teams where almost everyone has cap space to finally make meaningful trades.

Don’t let Matthews walk for nothing like Marner will shortly. There are soooo many options to provide Matthews with teams willing to trade for him at this moment in time.

The Leafs should not be scared to make bold moves this is an unprecedented time where the Leafs can afford to make bold moves even if it means stepping back because the Leafs have 100 years (I know exaggerated) season ticket waiting list and will always make money no matter what.

Brad, if you ever visit HF Boards to read what fans are saying, please know Leafs fans would respect you more for making bold moves by trading the core to finally fix the DNA of this team.

Now is the time to do it, the team can no longer build around Matthews, Tavares, Nylander and Reilly. The team has been doing it for 9 years, you tried the last season and a half without result.

You know it, Craig knows it and the entirety of Leafs nation knows it. Blow it up Brad (not rebuild trade for impactful players), you know it’s the best way forward to change the DNA.

Matthew’s, Reilly and Nylander have NMC’s….they ain’t go in anywhere unfortunately

 

[rumman]

No team is getting rid of three NMC players in one year. Lucky if you can unload one.

The question posed was “what would” you fo you fix the team, not “what could” you do, if your going to participate put the effort into knowing whats being discussed…….

 

[rumman]

He didn't create the mess? 4 of the 5 players would be gone this year if he didn't re-sign two of them...

So resigning two of them to bloated contracts was a step in the right direction? Good to know……

 

[ACC1224]

And scoring goals still determines who wins the games.
You can defend 'til the cows are put in the grinder, but if you don't score you don't win.

…. and losing a 100 point player makes that more difficult

 

[notbias]

So resigning two of them to bloated contracts was a step in the right direction? Good to know……

You said he didn't create the mess of Marner, Matthews, Nylander, Rielly, and Tavares... all but one of them could be gone by now, but he likes them, so he has tried to re-sign all of them, he has now created what you call a mess.

 

[thewave]

You said he didn't create the mess of Marner, Matthews, Nylander, Rielly, and Tavares... all but one of them could be gone by now, but he likes them, so he has tried to re-sign all of them, he has now created what you call a mess.

Shanahan signalled the core would not be broken. Tre was hired and basically couldn't do anything. What happens now is Tre needs to make chocolate smoothies out of a shit situation.

 

[notbias]

Shanahan signalled the core would not be broken. Tre was hired and basically couldn't do anything. What happens now is Tre needs to make chocolate smoothies out of a shit situation.

So he is a puppet... not a good look either.

Was he a puppet in Calgary or did he create that mess on his own?

 

[thewave]

So he is a puppet... not a good look either.

Was he a puppet in Calgary or did he create that mess on his own?

I guess we are going to find out really quick with the shackles off

 

[Tak7]

Shanahan signalled the core would not be broken. Tre was hired and basically couldn't do anything. What happens now is Tre needs to make chocolate smoothies out of a shit situation.

For the millionth time - the Shanahan phone calls were irrelevant.

Treliving showed up, and immediately shopped Nylander for a Dman.

If the core was off limits, he wouldn't have done that.

 

[thewave]

For the millionth time - the Shanahan phone calls were irrelevant.

Treliving showed up, and immediately shopped Nylander for a Dman.

If the core was off limits, he wouldn't have done that.

If that's true. We are in massive trouble. Not that I don't think we need a Dman, but to choose Nylander over the playoffs challenged Marner who also didn't have a NMC at the time... That's disturbing.

What a mess

 

[Tak7]

If that's true. We are in massive trouble. Not that I don't think we need a Dman, but to choose Nylander over the playoffs challenged Marner who also didn't have a NMC at the time... That's disturbing.

What a mess

It's always been my biggest concern with Treliving - he's risk averse. He's not creative.

Why Nylander instead of Marner? Because it was easy.
Why rock the boat with Marner, when you can just try and push out the guy with an expiring deal who didn't have trade protection?

 

[thewave]

It's always been my biggest concern with Treliving - he's risk averse. He's not creative.

Why Nylander instead of Marner? Because it was easy.
Why rock the boat with Marner, when you can just try and push out the guy with an expiring deal?

Sounds like you're right.

Glad I headed North for the heatwave and drinks on the beach, enough depressing Leafs reality.

 

[Trapper]

It's always been my biggest concern with Treliving - he's risk averse. He's not creative.

Why Nylander instead of Marner? Because it was easy.
Why rock the boat with Marner, when you can just try and push out the guy with an expiring deal who didn't have trade protection?

I don’t think we are winning with any of them. Unfortunately 3 of them still have NMC.
What are people expecting? Marner is going to walk and suddenly Tre is going PlayStation NHL25 God mode. Making all kinds of deals and UFA signings that turn us into some kind of playoff force?

 

[Tak7]

I don’t think we are winning with any of them. Unfortunately 3 of them still have NMC.
What are people expecting? Marner is going to walk and suddenly Tre is going PlayStation NHL25 God mode. Making all kinds of deals and UFA signings that turn us into some kind of playoff force?

I have no expectations - I believe this project is over, that the Leafs are incapable of competing for the cup with this group, and that we are simply playing out the remaining 3 years of Matthews time here before we ultimately have to start again.

A wasted era.

 

[ULF_55]

…. and losing a 100 point player makes that more difficult

I suspect the Leafs will use that money for a couple players.

Pastrnak scored 108 points last year.

It didn't matter.

Leafs will miss marner, but having a 100 point player doesn't guarantee anything.

 

[ACC1224]

I suspect the Leafs will use that money for a couple players.

Pastrnak scored 108 points last year.

It didn't matter.

Leafs will miss marner, but having a 100 point player doesn't guarantee anything.

Of course not but losing one that boosts the others totals will probably have an affect.