With potentially $5M in new cap space what assets might be outbound?

[LeafGrief]

i disagree that the leafs shouldn’t go all in. That defense as currently constructed is an atrocity. Could barely hold up agains detroit, Montreal, Columbus….wait until Florida or Tampa come rolling in, if the leafs don’t get a top 4 and maybe even 2, it’ll be another wasted season

You want to go all in when the defense is an atrocity? That legitimately does not sound like a good idea.

Leafs have been wasting seasons for three years in a row and going all in just means there's even more waste if we lose in the first round again. If our defense is already a travesty, there is literally no way we can spend enough to get even on the level of Tampa's roster. Throwing all of our prospects and picks at the wall just to try and get the defense sorted so that we maybe win a round is horrendous decision making.

 

[NewEraGM]

You want to go all in when the defense is an atrocity? That legitimately does not sound like a good idea.

Leafs have been wasting seasons for three years in a row and going all in just means there's even more waste if we lose in the first round again. If our defense is already a travesty, there is literally no way we can spend enough to get even on the level of Tampa's roster. Throwing all of our prospects and picks at the wall just to try and get the defense sorted so that we maybe win a round is horrendous decision making.

It’s far from ideal I agree. But the alternative is wasting another year of Matthews which means he only has 2 left on his current deal. JT is slowing down already. Like the leafs maybe only have another 2 years after this with this core and very few prospects coming . Yes Knies and Niemela look promising but that’s 2 prospects who aren’t ready for another 2-3 years. There is no prospect coming in the next 1-2 years.

 

[nuck]

Friedman said during tonight's broadcast the Leafs have told other teams that they don't plan to use the 5.5 mil cap room. So don't get your hopes up for expensive rentals.

If he isn't really that hurt then what can they do? I don't why they would announce it if it wasn't true, there is no tactical advantage. Actually I don't know why they would announce that either way. I am a bit concerned then, as this sort of implies he doesn't have other medical issues in play that would benefit from LTIR so his play before the injury is just his game now. Taking that one step forward, when he returns, doesn't it suggest this will be the D corps they roll into the playoffs with?

 

[kb]

Friedman said during tonight's broadcast the Leafs have told other teams that they don't plan to use the 5.5 mil cap room. So don't get your hopes up for expensive rentals.

That to me is the right thing to say as it doesn't scream to the league that the Leafs are playing fast and loose with cap shenanigans. And it shows some uncertainty about Muzzin's timeline.

But ask him that same question a couple or even 3 weeks from now and you might get a completely different answer.

 

[AvroArrow]

Just took a look at the Hawks board, the asking price for Fleury with 50 percent retention doesn't seem to be very high. I really hope Dubas makes a move for him. 1st + prospect seems to be what most of their fans are looking for. Dubas needs to be all over this, we are legitimately screwed in net, we can't just waste another year of Matthews, especially with his contract. He can be that guy in net for us to help us get over the hump. 1st + Mrazek (cap reasons) + prospect, maybe even throw a late round pick to get it done. Goaltending is a HUGE concern and Fleury is still a great goalie. I was really hoping we make a move for a guy like Manson/Chychrun or something but all that's pointless without stability in net.

 

[Apotheosis]

Probably a big package to get Chychrun or someone else with multiple years of control left.

This is what I would want to do personally. If we could somehow keep Robertson while getting Chychrun AND a goalie, we are set.

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Robertson-Tavares-Nylander

Rielly-Brodie
Chychrun-Muzzin
Sandin-Liljegren

Insert goalie here

 

[ToneDog]

Just took a look at the Hawks board, the asking price for Fleury with 50 percent retention doesn't seem to be very high. I really hope Dubas makes a move for him. 1st + prospect seems to be what most of their fans are looking for. Dubas needs to be all over this, we are legitimately screwed in net, we can't just waste another year of Matthews, especially with his contract. He can be that guy in net for us to help us get over the hump. 1st + Mrazek (cap reasons) + prospect, maybe even throw a late round pick to get it done. Goaltending is a HUGE concern and Fleury is still a great goalie. I was really hoping we make a move for a guy like Manson/Chychrun or something but all that's pointless without stability in net.

MAF @50% for a 1st + prospect seems high but if they take Mrazek, maybe. I'd try to make it a bigger deal to include Hagel.

 

[Stinger8]

I've been wanting them to have a "prove it" year for three years now, tbh. If we'd gone to, say, the third round last year I think I would be singing a different tune. And I do think it's important that I clarify that I have believed for the last three years that the team was already good enough to win a few rounds. There is too much talent on the team, Marner is too talented for them to struggle every year like this. I believe in this team, but I don't believe in them enough that I'd be willing to spend a first and our best prospects for a rental. I'm trying to learn from the history, because it's relevant history for this core.

If Dubas wants to tinker around the edges and spend 3rd round picks on Lybushkins and Nash's, that's fine by me. I'm normally fine letting our UFA's walk too. But the asking prices for Hertl, Forsberg, Giroux, and Miller are all hard no's. We're spending 40m on four forwards to carry the offense, if we have to supplement them with mercenaries every year then they just aren't good enough and it's time to end the experiment.

This is an excellent post. If you spend in excess of $10MM each on 3 players and they are not impactful even dominant what are you doing? Trying to win the regular season?? The big 3 (Nylander at $7MM gets a pass cause the cap hit is reasonable for his production) need to be difference makers in the post season. Improve the D yes but the forwards have more than enough from an investment perspective. I would move Nylander in the off season if the return made an attractive difference to the existing line up.

 

[saffronleaf]

Just took a look at the Hawks board, the asking price for Fleury with 50 percent retention doesn't seem to be very high. I really hope Dubas makes a move for him. 1st + prospect seems to be what most of their fans are looking for. Dubas needs to be all over this, we are legitimately screwed in net, we can't just waste another year of Matthews, especially with his contract. He can be that guy in net for us to help us get over the hump. 1st + Mrazek (cap reasons) + prospect, maybe even throw a late round pick to get it done. Goaltending is a HUGE concern and Fleury is still a great goalie. I was really hoping we make a move for a guy like Manson/Chychrun or something but all that's pointless without stability in net.

Must get MAF. But I think it could be done for cheaper than that.

 

[RebuildYear5]

*-Obviously adding Fleury increases our overall chances of winning a cup, regardless of his age he's still consistent & competitive.

Only issue I'm sure everyone knows is his 7M cap hit, unless Kyle can flip Mrazek.

Having Muzzin on LTIR helps, but only if he's out until the playoffs.

Just going to throw a deal out there assuming multiple teams have been calling on Fleury.

Fleury(50% retained)

Mrazek + 1st round pick(2023) + Low prospect

*-Now to assess that added grit/experience & depth needed for a long run.....if I was Kyle I'd be calling the Islanders.

Chara + Parise + Greene

3rd round pick(2023) + 6th or 7th round pick + Prospect

*- Another trade that could easily increase the chances of winning a cup would be adding another skilled vet in Burns....especially if someone gets injured.

Burns(%50 retained) + Bonino or Cogliano

1st round pick(2022) + 2nd round(2022) + low prospect

***If Muzzin is back before the playoffs we send down Liljegren, Robertson, Sandin, Clifford, Dermott....and trade or send down Lyubushkin...until game1, we can call them all back to our Taxi squad.

Projected Lineup:
*Taxi squad

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Mikheyev-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Kerfoot-Bonino or Cogliano
Parise-Spezza-Simmonds
*Robertson-*Kampf-*Kase

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Burns
Chara-Sandin
*Dermott-*Holl
*Greene

Fleury
Campbell

 

[Frostitute]

*-Obviously adding Fleury increases our overall chances of winning a cup, regardless of his age he's still consistent & competitive.

Only issue I'm sure everyone knows is his 7M cap hit, unless Kyle can flip Mrazek.

Having Muzzin on LTIR helps, but only if he's out until the playoffs.

Just going to throw a deal out there assuming multiple teams have been calling on Fleury.

Fleury(50% retained)

Mrazek + 1st round pick(2023) + Low prospect

*-Now to assess that added grit/experience & depth needed for a long run.....if I was Kyle I'd be calling the Islanders.

Chara + Parise + Greene

3rd round pick(2023) + 6th or 7th round pick + Prospect

*- Another trade that could easily increase the chances of winning a cup would be adding another skilled vet in Burns....especially if someone gets injured.

Burns(%50 retained) + Bonino or Cogliano

1st round pick(2022) + 2nd round(2022) + low prospect

***If Muzzin is back before the playoffs we send down Liljegren, Robertson, Sandin, Clifford, Dermott....and trade or send down Lyubushkin...until game1, we can call them all back to our Taxi squad.

Projected Lineup:
*Taxi squad

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Mikheyev-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Kerfoot-Bonino or Cogliano
Parise-Spezza-Simmonds
*Robertson-*Kampf-*Kase

Rielly-Brodie
Muzzin-Burns
Chara-Sandin
*Dermott-*Holl
*Greene

Fleury
Campbell

This seems like more of the same burning high end picks for old guys or "leadership". It hasn't worked and won't get the job done. We need to spend assets on long-term solutions who can fit into our system now AND be effective for years to come. Chychrun and/or Crouse from AZ would be nice. I personally like our goaltending BUT if shoring it up is what you want why not go for someone who is proven and under the age of 37? Maybe someone like Varly (retained). Personally, I'd like a legit top 4 dman and I'd give a 1st, top prospect and a roster player to get it.

That's me though.

 

[RebuildYear5]

This seems like more of the same burning high end picks for old guys or "leadership". It hasn't worked and won't get the job done. We need to spend assets on long-term solutions who can fit into our system now AND be effective for years to come. Chychrun and/or Crouse from AZ would be nice. I personally like our goaltending BUT if shoring it up is what you want why not go for someone who is proven and under the age of 37? Maybe someone like Varly (retained). Personally, I'd like a legit top 4 dman and I'd give a 1st, top prospect and a roster player to get it.

That's me though.

I strongly believe in Campbell, but Mrazek needs to go asap...nothing against him but at 3.8M cap hit for the next 3years I'm willing to part with a 1st round to get Fleury.....we can always go after a proven tendy in the offseason with Mrazek's cap hit or sign one of our players in the system.

I've watched a lot of Fleurys games this year hes still unreal not only does he help with Campbell but you can fall on him if we go down in the playoffs he's a tendy that can turn things around with 1game....not many guys on the market atm like him, plus we would have to give up more assets and cap hit.

Chara, Parise & Greene offer depth/leadership at only 2.250M cap...there players that put everything on the line come playoffs and most importantly block shots!! One of our main flaws.

Burns is another guy you pair him with Rielly or Muzzin and you have one of the most dynamic duo's in hockey.....guys a tank, personally believe if we got him 50% retained for the next 4years he offers more than Chychrun and would cost us less per season on cap.

I'm sure Kyle could get them from Lou for a decent price, a deal that wouldn't effect our system at all....late picks

Also you mentioned not giving up assets but lets be honest wouldn't we be giving up way more to get Chychrun vs Burns....essentially leaving us with another hole in Defense.

If the asking price is 1st round + Sandin + prospects not a chance would I accept that deal....Sandin in a few years will be our best defenseman...kids hockey I.Q is insane, and he can lay the body/block shots.

 

[Frostitute]

I strongly believe in Campbell, but Mrazek needs to go asap...nothing against him but at 3.8M cap hit for the next 3years I'm willing to part with a 1st round to get Fleury.....we can always go after a proven tendy in the offseason with Mrazek's cap hit or sign one of our players in the system.

I've watched a lot of Fleurys games this year hes still unreal not only does he help with Campbell but you can fall on him if we go down in the playoffs he's a tendy that can turn things around with 1game....not many guys on the market atm like him, plus we would have to give up more assets and cap hit.

Chara, Parise & Greene offer depth/leadership at only 2.250M cap...there players that put everything on the line come playoffs and most importantly block shots!! One of our main flaws.

Burns is another guy you pair him with Rielly or Muzzin and you have one of the most dynamic duo's in hockey.....guys a tank, personally believe if we got him 50% retained for the next 4years he offers more than Chychrun and would cost us less per season on cap.

I'm sure Kyle could get them from Lou for a decent price, a deal that wouldn't effect our system at all....late picks

Also you mentioned not giving up assets but lets be honest wouldn't we be giving up way more to get Chychrun vs Burns....essentially leaving us with another hole in Defense.

If the asking price is 1st round + Sandin + prospects not a chance would I accept that deal....Sandin in a few years will be our best defenseman...kids hockey I.Q is insane, and he can lay the body/block shots.

For the price of Chychrun if we gave Sandin + 1st (low first at that) and a good prospect id be fine with it due to Chychruns already stellar play and awesome contract. We are HOPING Sandin can be as good as him. So, essentially we are paying a first and high end prospect to ensure we get the player we hope he turns into and to also speed the process up by 3-4 yrs. I like Sandin but we are trying to win now with the big 4. I'm all for keeping assets UNLESS its for major improvement today AND tomorrow, which I believe this is.

Burns is going to go downhill and fast. I'd stay away from him and anyone else who is 35+ besides maybe MAF. How many effective top 4 defenceman are there in this league who are 36+yrs old? I'm not going to look it up but my guess is I won't even need one hand to count them.

MAF would be great as a backup for this year and I wouldn't be apposed to getting him if the price is right and he is retained @50%. Otherwise I'd pass on him too.

 

[sbpointer]

This seems like more of the same burning high end picks for old guys or "leadership". It hasn't worked and won't get the job done. We need to spend assets on long-term solutions who can fit into our system now AND be effective for years to come. Chychrun and/or Crouse from AZ would be nice. I personally like our goaltending BUT if shoring it up is what you want why not go for someone who is proven and under the age of 37? Maybe someone like Varly (retained). Personally, I'd like a legit top 4 dman and I'd give a 1st, top prospect and a roster player to get it.

That's me though.

If you could put together reasonable a deal for Chychrun and Crouse you gotta do it.
Roll the dice on the goalies...