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29 Sep 2026 15:26:42
Just something I was thinking about. With moving Knies and bringing in a right shot forward, do the Leafs have their eyes already on a Knies type of replacement on the left side?
The guy that would seem to fit the bill the best would be Lawson Crouse, imo. He is on the last year of his deal with no protection clauses.
He is a 20+ goal LW that plays an even more physical game than Knies and better defensively. He's also quicker than Knies and a local boy. I believe he was also a Leafs fan growing up.
What do you guys think about adding Crouse, the cost to acquire and if an extension is required before the deal like Marchenko?
Believable1Unbelievable0
29 Sep 2026 14:09:00
@RLF Buddy…… I like it! Ya think that’s the plan? Man, I hope ur right dude cause I think he’d be a great piece to pickup. Like you said already he’s quick he hit drops the gloves if needed plays with an edge and he can score some goals. I’d be all over that. So where would he play? Ur saying first line? Or second line? Thing is I think Cowan is gonna take a big step this year I think he’d be good on line 1 tbh but this addition would move pieces in places I don’t know they’re ready for yet. So,
Tor Bo Groulx and a 3rd in 28’
Utah Lawson Crouse?
Ya nah?
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29 Sep 2026 14:54:00
Henry, I have no idea if that is the plan, but a GM that makes a trade the night before opening night and just before roster deadline, I would have to think is likely not done.
Although I think you are looking at more than that for Crouse and the money needs to work. Utah has cap space, the Leafs don't.
Crouse typically plays 3rd line, so I would think Utah would want a piece back they could fit in there and a good plus, especially if the Leafs want a deal in place.
My guess.
Utah
Joshua $3.25M
2028 1st (Col)
Tor
Crouse $4.3M (Signed to a 6 year $8M per extension).
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29 Sep 2026 15:57:28
I agree he is not done.
I'm also thinking about Roster spots when Domi/Joshua/Merzlinkins
return, so maybe something like this...
I still like my trade proposal of
Dakota Joshua
For
Stephen Halliday
5th Round Draft Pick in 2028 (OTT)
I also don't see Miles Wood fitting into the NHL or Marlies lineup and I also believe that 6x8M is a slight overpayment so here's my proposal to get Lawson Crouse
Max Domi
Miles Wood
2nd Round Draft Pick in 2029 (TOR)
For
Lawson Crouse (Signed 5x7.2M).
Agree1Disagree0
29 Sep 2026 16:00:17
I like Crouse as the type of target. I just don’t see Utah parting with him as they look to move further in the playoffs this year.
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29 Sep 2026 16:16:42
Suffering. I am sure they don't, but we don't know if Crouse is willing to re-sign or if Utah wants to re-sign him. If they got Joshua and a 1st in a return and have guys like But, Desnoyers, Iginla, Belchetz coming, I think Utah might rather have that return than losing Crouse for nothing.
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29 Sep 2026 18:43:04
Yeah they do have a lot in the pipeline but I think Utah is in win now mode so Crouse is integral to that. If they fall flat of that goal they probably don’t bring him back and replace with Belchetz next year.
With the lineup they have they can afford to let the young guys develop another year yet. I would not be surprised if they package one of those young guys with another prospect and picks to Winnipeg for Hellebuyck.
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29 Sep 2026 19:02:41
Interesting on Utah and Helly. I am not sure Helly would waive for Utah. Utah will have to give up something substantial to get Helly and it may have to come off the roster, which wouldn't thrill Helly. Jets would have to liekly be willing to take back Vejmelka as well and he has a 10 team no trade.
Otherwise it is all futures and Cossa might have to be a piece and don't know if Utah wants to do that.
What do you think the package looks like?
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29 Sep 2026 20:33:27 I think that if Hellebuyck was incoming Vejmelka would sign off rather than being relegated to backup. (He would still need to bump Skinner though in Winnipeg) Then adding Caleb Desnoyers gives them a Center for the future. Utah would give Hellebuyck couple of years of his. Steer a s*** at a cup.
29 Sep 2026 04:18:12
Definitely mixed feelings about the trade today. I’m sure I’m not alone. Merchenko adds the immediate offensive boost while opening up the left wing for McKenna and Cowan, but I do think the Leafs will now be searching for a Matthew Knies. I don’t love the contract that they gave out, especially for a guy that has never played for them… we were able to dump Lorentz and Andre but they dumped Wood which I thought was a good player but doesn’t look like it and we got another goalie…? Yes I know he’s out long term but I haven’t seen anything say for the whole season… all in all I’ll remain optimistic but like I said I have mixed feelings about it but clearly something was seen by two management groups that got Knies moved.
Believable0Unbelievable0
29 Sep 2026 04:17:57
I really want to know what makes Mathew Knies so special to this fan base. I just don't see it.
People act like this guy is Wendal Clark back in town.
Knies has never had 70 points, he does not fight, he does not hit the way people make it sound, he is a below average skater and he is very poor defensively. Never mind his advanced numbers, which are absurdly bad because his hockey IQ is not good.
What is it about this kid that made every Leafs fan think he was the second coming? I seriously don't get it.
Somebody really needs to point to something other than "Knies has grit" for me to understand the love affair with him. Solid middle 6 forward on a good contract. That's all I see him as.
This year in Columbus, I'm surprised if he hits 50 points with those linemates. He was always with JT or Mathews and great off wing, now he gets to drive his own line. Let's see how that goes.
Maybe I'm wrong and Knies wins 8 cups with 3 Harts, I just don't see it.
Agree1Disagree0
29 Sep 2026 07:46:10
@LL For me personally it’s just the fact that the Leafs had a power forward that had size that was willing to fight. No, he didn’t do it a lot but he was one of like three guys in the league who scored 20+ goals and had 200+ hits. Those are rare stat lines. Then like you said he was on a great deal. He was more invested in the city of Toronto than his captain stayed in town after the season and supported the Marlies and Blue Jays.
Idk to me he’s a good core piece for a team and I thought he would of been a Leafs for a long time. Because now who do they have in there top six that plays with edge… it’s all skill player which is what you want but you need other elements too just my thought tho.
Agree1Disagree0
29 Sep 2026 08:54:59
For a guy like Marchenko. This trade made total sense for the Leafs. You now have a solidified RW plus a solidified LW. You are deep at C. How can ppl not see this was a solid move? This guy is 26yrs old, not like u traded for a 30+ yr old and gave up a 24yr old for him. The guy will raise your PP, 5on5. He’s dynamic. Top 6 is going to be scary. Especially now that we have a deep bottom 6.
They can take on more defensive responsibility and allow top 6 to take on majority of offensive responsibility. Made perfect sense. Allowing Cowan and McKenna to play their natural Wing position is huge as well. Smart trade. Leafs definitely got the best player in this deal by far. Now hopefully Werenski wants out and Leafs snag him too at the deadline 🤞🏻
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29 Sep 2026 10:54:38
Man, our powerplay is full of talent now. We may not have scored much on it in the past but now, we may have the best powerplay with Matthews, March-Nylander-JT and Rad. That alone is exciting.
I like the trade. Marchenko is far superior to Knies in skating, shooting and hockey sense which makes our Leafs more dangerous.
ChaykaCon has some pretty slick moves and made this team exciting.
I'm excitied for puck drop so, gonna work hard knowing our team is ready to do the same.
GO TEAM GO!
Agree1Disagree0
29 Sep 2026 11:07:06
Marchenko might not have the hitting game that Knies had (P.S. @ Goat Knies has never had a 200 hit season) but Marchenko works the boards very well and has a better defensive game to go along with his offensive game.
I am not sure many teams will be breathing a sigh of relief they don’t have to face the vaunted enforcer Knies who in his 3 fights took on vaunted heavyweight fighters such as Nico Hischier lol.
Agree2Disagree0
29 Sep 2026 12:41:29
It's probably a fair deal overall. Leafs flipped Andrae to help get Marchenko. I was never big on that Flyer trade anyway. I don't think it is two GM's wanting to trade Knies. At the TDL, teams inquired about Knies and Tre listened. Ultimately he kept him, so hard to say he was wanting to move Knies. Tre got bashed for not making enough moves and not being willing to trade core pieces and now Chayka will get it for moving core pieces and too much overhaul. Tre brought in the wrong players it was said. If the bottom 6 doesn't show improvement this year, then Chayka will hear it that he brought in the wrong players and he will have McKenna and a more mature Cowan that Tre didn't. Obviously it will be the results is what will matter.
As for Knies, he's good player on a good value contract. One of the only talented big bodies the Leafs had that would play physical. But as I have said before, he is not a bone crushing hitter, he is not a fighter, he does not stand up for teammates the way many other big men in the league do. Knies physicality stood out because of the lack of physicality on the Leafs top 6. Domi looked physical in comparison and he isn't really that physical a player. The concern is obviously about whether the Leafs have gone too skilled in the top 6 and will now lack enough physicality in tough games even more so than before. See how it goes moving forward, as the final product this year isn't likely complete.
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29 Sep 2026 14:15:16
@ goat2.0 Ummm who else plays with an edge? Right, so Cowan for sure saw that in his rookie year fighting a giant on Boston for one. Marchenko for two if ya saw last year when Knies lined him up and he skated thru him like he wasn’t even there put him into the ref and hurt his shoulder.
And if RLF is right or at least I believe he’s on to something Lawson Crouse would give us three in just our top 6! 50% player edge split with high end skill is pretty insane I think. No? It’s our D that’s the problem.
29 Sep 2026 02:10:12
Ok, let's just say Marchenko is a better player than Knies (I believe he is).
I'm still thinking I would have preferred that package that was rumored from MTL and just call it a rebuild.
Clearly management sees ir differently and maybe I'm wrong, but I guess we will see tomorrow.
Believable1Unbelievable0
29 Sep 2026 06:22:48
1000% agree w you.
Agree1Disagree0
29 Sep 2026 07:49:13
I think management sees a window to compete before it may turn into a rebuild and that’s based around Matthews contract. This hage kid has been pretty hyped up for having a good World Juniors. I mean, if he’s that good how come he hasn’t sniffed the NHL?
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29 Sep 2026 08:58:08
We are not in a rebuild so that package made no sense. This one does cause u got a dynamic player in Marchenko hitting his prime that's going to help u now and years to come.
I’m sorry Habs can keep their package. Hughes is banging his head right now that he lost out on Marchenko for what the Leafs gave up for him. Not even a 1st rd pick.
Agree1Disagree0
29 Sep 2026 14:35:38
When the rebuild does happen, which is in 2yrs or next summer, it’ll start at least. The players we receive for Nylander and Matthews will speed up the process/retool immensely as we have kids on the junior buds that are gonna be really good! Plus guys like Cowan and McKenna, who both in 2yrs should be pure talented fire on skates, so I’m not too worried bout that, I think having Marchenko coming into his prime and being him 💪🏻 doing his thing for the next 7yrs we'll be ok.
Just gotta get through the next two yrs of our lost 1st rounders and hopefully pull out a couple wildcards or better. 🙏🤞🏻
28 Sep 2026 19:14:12
Leafs organization is awful. Terrible move after terrible move. So clueless.
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28 Sep 2026 21:31:24
Done deal.
Knies, Lorentz, Andrae second rd
Marchenko, Wood, Merzilikin
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28 Sep 2026 22:22:52
Marchenko will score 100 points with Mathews and Knies will be lucky to hit 50 points in Columbus!
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29 Sep 2026 01:23:25
Thinking about you Clarky 👊
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29 Sep 2026 09:00:05
Once Clarky realizes that the bottom 6 will play with enough grit and snarl, he will forget about Knies and Marcelo puts up 100pts and Matthews gets back to his 70g pace.
28 Sep 2026 16:38:26
Haven’t been much here lately. Let’s get the rumours going again.
I think there is a clear path to getting Werenski and Marchenko from Columbus (despite Werenski saying he wants to stay).
Our top 6 chips are: Knies (shocker), Cowan, Danford, Tinus Luc Koblar, Col 1st 2027, our 1st 2029
How many of those would we have to give up for both Marchenko and Werenski in the same deal? In order stay cap compliant either Knies would have to go back, or we’d have to send Reilly, and probably add a pick to get rid of him.
To Toronto: Werenski, Marchenko
To Columbus: Knies, Danford, Col 1st, Tor 2029 first (top 5 protected), Sissons (to make the money work and getting a functional 3rd liner)
I don’t like how it looks trading someone we just signed but hey it’s a business.
I also appreciate trading our own 1st 2029 isn’t great, but I don’t see this team rebuilding anyway. Next year, the entire cap increase goes to Marchenko, rest of the team stays the same.
Cowan Matthews. Marchenko
McKenna Tavares Nylander
Roslovic. Paul Duhaime
Some combination of 4th liners like we’re doing now
Raddish Werenski
McCabe Tanev
OEL Reilly
Bob
Stolarz.
Believable0Unbelievable0
28 Sep 2026 17:31:14
You'd probably have to include OEL for cap purposes. You have 13+ coming in with 7.75 going out.
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28 Sep 2026 17:45:03
I added Sissons and his 4.2 for cap purposes, OEL would also work!
We run the risk of losing Groulx to waivers. So let's move him for a 3rd Rd pick from a couple years ago.
Tor: Tverberg, 5th
Ana: Proczysyn
Another prospect move to bring in a 19 yr old 3rd Rd pick. Buys us a few waiver free years for 2 fair looking prospect.
Believable2Unbelievable0
28 Sep 2026 03:30:51
Zero sense in moving Tverberg. He is a future Leaf. I genuinely think he could be our next McMann. He has so much skill and is a very good skater.
Agree1Disagree0
28 Sep 2026 14:28:12
Yet barely cracks a 1/2 ppg in the AHL. That's some skill if you ask me.
I know your hate it be default because it involves Knies. But we have an opening on the right side. We get a 2nd Rd pick (Ott has 2), and we upgrade Chadwick into Hensler to cover the cost difference between Knies and Bath.
Cowan Matthes Nylander
McKenna JT Batherson
Down the road we would still need another center who can win faceoffs.
Believable3Unbelievable0
13 Sep 2026 20:59:44
Lol come on.
Agree4Disagree0
13 Sep 2026 21:13:50
I take that back, it's honestly not a bad trade on paper, but no interest in trading Knies. He could have one of the best contracts in couple years to come.
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16 Sep 2026 03:43:27
I wouldn't do this one. I like Batherson well enough, but if Knies is moved I want that MTL return or close to it.
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16 Sep 2026 09:32:23
🤣 Still trying to move Knies eh.
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17 Sep 2026 13:50:33
I watched Chadwick at the Prospects games in Gatineau on the weekend. He is definitely a keeper. He was the only one who coped with Haltunen and his size and was extremely poised and calm when handling the puck. Borgesi impressed me with his speed and creativity. I think for a small player he might have a bigger upside than Andrae down the road.
08 Sep 2026 15:21:42
Would you guys trade Willy for the Protas brothers? Would WSH do it?
Believable1Unbelievable0
08 Sep 2026 13:57:08
Awesome question Gary.
You got Aliaksai, a big left shot top 9 winger already and Ilya, a big left shot centre, possibly a #2C if he continues development.
I'd probably say yes as is, but if we could get them to throw in a defensive prospect as well (Chesley) I'd be in.
Agree1Disagree0
08 Sep 2026 13:58:28
I wouldn't unless Mathews is leaving as well. That's a full rebuild move.
I also don't think WSH needs anymore top 6 wingers.
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08 Sep 2026 19:41:28
LL, I don't see it as a rebuild. Aliaksai is 25 and just put up a 25 goal 52 point season with only 1 pp point and 3 PK points including 2 goals. He is very good defensively, but still put up points and mostly 5 on 5 (48). Willy only had 57 ev points himself last season. Add to that Ilya is only 20, has a higher ceiling and is coming off an almost point per game season in the AHL and had 4 points in 4 games at the NHL level while being given a mostly defensive role and playing centre.
AP is at $3.375M for 3 years and IP is still on his entry level. Cap space would be really good for Toronto to have.
Of course it is all moot as the Leafs don't have the contract space available and the Caps don't have the cap space.
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08 Sep 2026 20:59:49
I think 11m for Nylander for the next few years is a better use of the money once the Portas brothers make a combined 18-20m when at its next contract.
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08 Sep 2026 22:17:43
I would do it in a heartbeat. I agree with RLF. Those brothers are both very responsible defensively and a force offensively as well. I don’t think Washington, though, would give up a power winger and a player that will in a few years be their number 1 Centre. Ilya. A lot of people think he would be rookie of the year if Washington was not so deep.
So he may get more 4th line minutes that he should, which would hurt him in the ballots. As far as them potentially earning 18-20, I think that will be low for them. I would still dump Willy, though, for landing 2 large bodies that have silky smooth hands and not afraid of that area know. As the crease and the slot.
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09 Sep 2026 15:27:28
No chance Capitals give up both bros for Nylander. Willy is a point producer but those 2 guys are beasts and way younger. Forget it.
Agree1Disagree0
10 Sep 2026 07:56:31
Washington has done such a great job managing their roster that they don’t have to make a deal like this