Nylanderthal
Registered User
- Jun 9, 2010
- 7,901
- 6,252
Sandin has to play, no? He’s been real good. Chara maybe as a depth option, but even then I prefer Schenn I think.
Your Deadline Addition Wishlist
- Thread starter EK392000
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McSnypsky
Registered User
- Jun 22, 2019
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It's not the worse idea but he has to check his tall ego at the door and realize what he's going to be asked to do!
Bellefour20
Registered User
I'm not sold on the goaltending. This has been an issue for a few seasons now. In years past (not just at the deadline) I wanted Holtby, Fleury, or any vet who has won a cup or even a round. They don't have to play an entire series, just win a series clinching game if called upon.
I don't know what's out there this season, but that is where I would start.
I don't know what's out there this season, but that is where I would start.
Griffin76
Registered User
His skating is really good. He's a defense first guy. Decent passer. Good at getting the puck out of the zone. Best part of his game is probably his work on the boards and in front of the net. He'd have more points if he wasn't on such an offensively inept team. Would be a perfect partner for Sandin and maybe even in a shutdown pair with Muzzin.
The Management
Registered User
I have a hard time justifying an upgrade on the blueline unless it's a big one, or maybe a cheap number seven who can play in the event injuries pile up. Holl had a rough start to the season, but is looking more like that reliable defenseman we know. I'm not convinced Mayfield is an upgrade sufficient to warrant parting with picks or prospects.
I wouldn't mind another forward, but I'd rather it be someone with term.
I wouldn't mind another forward, but I'd rather it be someone with term.
I really liked Muzzin and Brodie together. Do you think Ilya could pair up with Reilly so we could reunite Muzzin and Brodie? I’ve liked Sandin and Holl on the third pairing as well, so this might be a low cost acquisition for us that makes our defence deeper.
Griffin76
Registered User
He's been playing with Chychrun since Chychrun's return and they've looked good together. I don't see why he couldn't play with Rielly. Him being in the top 4 wouldn't be a popular suggestion around here I'm sure but I'd have no problem with him and Rielly as he is very steady in his own end and covers well when Chychrun pinches.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 83,109
- 62,027
The team doesn't lose too often these days, but a couple of games where they looked particularly exposed was the Ranger comeback game where they were sort of battered down behind their own goal line, rookie defense pair exploited, and the Colorado game where the Avs speed and pressure overwhelmed them late in the game. So maybe not the cartoon idea of toughness, but more wingspan, mass and ability to stop the opposition on the cycle would be important additions.
Beyond adding those toughness and grit elements, not really sure what else you could do to shore up the team. It's brand is elite skill over everything else anyway, so theoretically the answer is already in the room. So you add toughness where you can, plug up the vent in the Death Star the best you can.
I'm thinking more for the postseason. the issue has been some or even most of our top guys being shut down and not scoring enough. therefore the answer is simple to me, try to upgrade the skill of the top 3 lines somewhere, or improve on Holl's spot on defence. either of those would be a move that makes a real difference. pulling off both would put this team right there even with Avs etc but would be pretty tough with the cap.
Still believe they should go for the best forward available if they don't get a legitimate RD that works. I don't love Manson and I don't see many options on the right side I'm all that interested in.
Hertl
Pavelski
Giroux
If sold - would be much nicer additions than a fringe #5 D.
Hertl
Pavelski
Giroux
If sold - would be much nicer additions than a fringe #5 D.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 83,109
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With limited cap, I guess it comes down to the question of whether we want to make our weakest element a little stronger (the ability to get defensive stops and handle physical challenges in the defensive end), or get a little stronger where we're already strongest (attacking).
This.
Regardless of whether you think Holl is better or Mayfield is better... the reality is that both Holl and Mayfield are better partners for Sandin than Dermott or Liljegren.
When you consider Mayfield's contract situation, it's even better; as the Leafs can basically try out Mayfield in their system, and then decide whether to keep both him & Holl, or just one, come the offseason.
SeaOfBlue
The Passion That Unites Us All
- Aug 1, 2013
- 35,591
- 16,777
SeaOfBlue
The Passion That Unites Us All
- Aug 1, 2013
- 35,591
- 16,777
Liljegren and Dermott have actually both paired quite well with Sandin. You just don't want them matched up against top level competition.
Although I am not sure you want Sandin against top pairing competition even if he is with Holl or Mayfield anyways, and maybe having a pairing which is more offensively inclined would be better.
That is another reason why I like Myers better. He has more of an offensive game than Mayfield, and his acquisition cost will be less (and should allow us to move Ritchie at the same time)... And since the acquisition cost is lower, there is more of a justification to rotate him out with Liljegren.
If you are giving up Dermott + a 2022 2nd for Mayfield, which is absolutely the most we should give up for him, then it is somewhat hard to justify scratching him and giving Liljegren minutes. We are effectively counting on injuries to give Liljegren NHL playing time, which is something he needs even after the TDL.
If the Ducks fall out, and he's willing to go, I want Ryan Getzlaf.
I like Kampf as the #3 center but you know what I like even better? Kampf as the #4 C
Matthews
Tavares
Getzlaf
Kampf
that is as good down the middle as you will find.
Move Spezza to RW and Simmons becomes the 13th forward.
I like Kampf as the #3 center but you know what I like even better? Kampf as the #4 C
Matthews
Tavares
Getzlaf
Kampf
that is as good down the middle as you will find.
Move Spezza to RW and Simmons becomes the 13th forward.
Without naming specific players, I'd like to see three upgrades that address the needs I think the Leafs will need going into the playoffs.
1) Someone who will make the 3rd line more dangerous, while not being a defensive nightmare.
2) One, hopefully two players who will not put up with the crap that occurs during the playoffs. Not that I want Matthews to drop the gloves, but that smirk on his face last year...damn that pissed me off. And,having Spezza the year before try to spark the team was worse. I am not calling for thugs, I am calling for a player or two who will clearly let the other team know that shyte won't be tolerated.
3) Connect it to #2 if you wish, but I'd like to see some more snarl on the back end. Not a goon, or a defensive liability, but someone who has 'jam'.
1) Someone who will make the 3rd line more dangerous, while not being a defensive nightmare.
2) One, hopefully two players who will not put up with the crap that occurs during the playoffs. Not that I want Matthews to drop the gloves, but that smirk on his face last year...damn that pissed me off. And,having Spezza the year before try to spark the team was worse. I am not calling for thugs, I am calling for a player or two who will clearly let the other team know that shyte won't be tolerated.
3) Connect it to #2 if you wish, but I'd like to see some more snarl on the back end. Not a goon, or a defensive liability, but someone who has 'jam'.
There are times to dig in and work a little harder with what you have. I think this is one of those times.
The Leafs do have performance issues now and again, but they really don't have any big, gaping holes in their lineup.
They also don't have any unused resources at their disposal. They have no cap space. They don't have a lot in the way of draft picks and prospects. They don't have an overwhelming surplus of players at any one position to deal.
Any improvements they could realistically make would be marginal and overpriced. It would be like changing lines in the checkout at Costco -- you're probably better just to stay where you are. I've noticed that people under stress think they need something else they don't really need -- it's just a distraction from the real need which is to focus and concentrate.
The Leafs aren't necessarily the best team in the NHL today, but they are competitive and I think they would do well to work with what they have.
I tire of seeing them compromise their future, to no avail. They don't need to do that to win now.
IMHO.
The Leafs do have performance issues now and again, but they really don't have any big, gaping holes in their lineup.
They also don't have any unused resources at their disposal. They have no cap space. They don't have a lot in the way of draft picks and prospects. They don't have an overwhelming surplus of players at any one position to deal.
Any improvements they could realistically make would be marginal and overpriced. It would be like changing lines in the checkout at Costco -- you're probably better just to stay where you are. I've noticed that people under stress think they need something else they don't really need -- it's just a distraction from the real need which is to focus and concentrate.
The Leafs aren't necessarily the best team in the NHL today, but they are competitive and I think they would do well to work with what they have.
I tire of seeing them compromise their future, to no avail. They don't need to do that to win now.
IMHO.
To Toronto: Philippe Myers
To Nashville: Travis Dermott + Nick Ritchie
To Toronto: Lawson Crouse
To Arizona: Nick Robertson, 2023 2nd Rounder
Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Kerfoot - Tavares - Nylander
Crouse - Kampf - Kase
Engvall - Spezza - Mikheyev
Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Myers
Sandin - Holl/Liljegren
To Nashville: Travis Dermott + Nick Ritchie
To Toronto: Lawson Crouse
To Arizona: Nick Robertson, 2023 2nd Rounder
Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Kerfoot - Tavares - Nylander
Crouse - Kampf - Kase
Engvall - Spezza - Mikheyev
Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Myers
Sandin - Holl/Liljegren
Sports Forecaster
As far as I understand, Myers hasn't been hurt this year -- he's been a healthy scratch. He may be the kind of player that you look at the frame and get excited, but just cannot put the game together. The Leafs can really only afford to make 1 move on D -- I think you have to ask yourself -- is this the right one??
That being said, credit due where credit due... Dermott & Myers are similar ages, the fact that Dermott makes $1m less, and they all have the same 1 year term remaining, certainly takes most/all of the sting off Nick Ritchie's deal.
I also think the Arizona deal, while certainly expensive, and has to wonder whether this is all movement that might result in a $1m cheaper version of Nick Ritchie for this year, to be the same price next year, does a pretty good job identifying Robertson as a guy that would fit really well in Arizona.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 83,109
- 62,027
I think Chara could still come in and instill a lot of habits and give a lot of tips even if he isn't very good anymore. His few remaining strengths as a player, big and mean are still things we don't have much of and I'd feel more comfortable if he was in a babysitter role for one of the Swedish kids.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 83,109
- 62,027
Philippe Myers is a real risk and I'm not advocating going for it, but if there's any time to land a 6'5" guy with the kind of upside that was attached to him, it would only happen if he wasn't performing well. So you kind of have to balance the upside of a distressed asset vs the impossibility of acquiring a Myers type player who was living up to expectations.
The salaries are almost identical after those two moves as well. They’re not the moves that bring in a big name people drool over but it brings in two players who can slot in our depth and provide physicality while contributing all over the ice.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 83,109
- 62,027
For me, I think I would be interested in adding 2 defensemen at two different tiers. If Dubas is creative and ballsy enough to pull of a futures package for Jakob Chychrun while simultaneously making a hard decision with Jake Muzzin, I would be willing to accept that.
The other move would be much less dramatic and would probably be a Schenn or a Chara depth add giving us a dimension we don't have having lost Bogosian.
The other move would be much less dramatic and would probably be a Schenn or a Chara depth add giving us a dimension we don't have having lost Bogosian.
SeaOfBlue
The Passion That Unites Us All
- Aug 1, 2013
- 35,591
- 16,777
I still would never consider that massive overpayment for Crouse, especially just to push Mikheyev down to the 4th line. Mikheyev should be getting more ice time than Crouse.
Obviously, the Nashville deal is one I would make, and Cousins still makes sense if we need a guy who can fill out the bottom of our lineup.
Bunting - Matthews - Marner
Kerfoot - Tavares - Nylander
Mikheyev - Kampf - Kase
Cousins/Engvall - Spezza - Engvall/Simmonds
Cousins/Simmonds
Rielly - Brodie
Muzzin - Myers/Liljegren
Sandin - Holl
Myers/Liljegren
Of course, there are some cheap rentals from other teams which may also be able to help us out too. If people like Crouse so much, then Nick Paul brings a lot of the same kind of attributes but can play center as well without costing anything close to Robertson or a 2nd (and especially not both). He could probably fill in for Simmonds on the wing or Spezza down the middle, so that would make him the perfect #13 for us. Even though he is a rental, he may even be a guy we can cheaply re-sign for a year or two to provide some energy and depth to our bottom 6 too.
Nick Paul would be a solid addition for the 4th line, local boy as well. If we don’t acquire him at the TD, I can see him being signed in the off-season as a UFA.
