20 Aug 2026 11:00:39
At the deadline if Leafs aren’t in a playoff spot.

To ANH: Nylander, Stetcher

To Tor: Kreider or Killorn (cap reasons), McQueen, Luneau 1st, 2nd 2027. Too much, too little or just right?

1.) 20 Aug 2026
20 Aug 2026 12:37:37
Unfortunately if Anaheim want to sign Gauthier still, they will have to move some contracts just to get that done. I don't see how they will be able to bring on Nylander as well this season.

That Carlsson offer sheet really screwed Anaheim. I had said that Gauthier's ask will go up if they match and by the sounds of it, he now wants over $15M per iirc.

2.) 20 Aug 2026
20 Aug 2026 14:24:15
@RLF. Yeah, Anaheim has a big problem on their plate. It’s sounding more and more that they are exploring trade options for him. It could be an interesting scenario to follow. Any thoughts on who could be players that have assets and prospects Anaheim would consider that they could fit in their cap and who could fit Gauthier in their cap?

3.) 20 Aug 2026
20 Aug 2026 21:41:08
Yes, I agree. There in a very tough spot. I personally would have let him go and took the draft picks. Use a few of them to be a contender via trades. That set a terrible precedent for the rest of the team. Now they are going to overpay Gauthier plus they already overpaid Mintuykov.

Plus I think they gave too much to McTavish before he proved himself. Why over pay all these players when they have a city and team most players wouldn’t mind being apart of? We have already seen how this story goes as Leaf fans.

4.) 21 Aug 2026
20 Aug 2026 23:05:59
Here is one to ponder on the Gauthier possible trade front. Seattle was desperate to make a splash on trying to get Jason Robertson. We already know that Gauthier likes to be in the limelight. Could this be a match made in heaven?

Gauthier would give Seattle a big name scorer that is a exciting player that puts seats in the stands. They have the money to do the deal at $15 that is reportedly being talked about.

This trade would fill Anaheims needs to a point. Vince Dunn, Shane Wright and a 1st in 2027. Anahiem gets that elusive D-man (Seattle has some good prospects in the Minors and Chase Reid coming next year after he gets a year of NCAA under his belt) Wright needs a change of scenery and Anaheim still gets another good draft pick. Money works for all involved.

5.) 21 Aug 2026
20 Aug 2026 23:38:57
You may have called it Suff. That does look like a match made in heaven. ANH was starting to look good too. One selfish decision ruined their chances of being a contender for the next 5 years.

6.) 21 Aug 2026
21 Aug 2026 14:38:19
Suffering. Seattle could be a good landing spot for Gauthier, but I am not sure what you mean by that "elusive d-man" that Dunn would fill that void. They just gave LaCombe and Minty big contracts on the left side. Not sure they need another LD whose game has been declining the last couple of seasons. Dunn's physicality has really dropped off, he is not as safe with the puck and without producing on the PP, he isn't producing a lot. Plus, he doesn't PK. I would think they are searching for a two way RD that can play a physical game. No?
My guess would be that Seattle is getting that much needed goal scorer in Gauthier they have lacked and Anaheim would want a roster player in return +.

Anaheim would need a winger coming back, I would think. They may want Catton. Seattle likely good with futures over solid roster players as they want to add without taking away I would guess. You have said you think Nyman will break out. So if it's a package of lesser profile players, like Nyman, Miettinen and a 1st and 2nd or similar. Anaheim could use more NHL ready cost controlled players after their disaster with Carlsson, especially with Sennecke going to need a new deal in a couple season.
What would be interesting is if a trade revolved around Gauthier going to Detroit and Larkin went to the Ducks.

7.) 21 Aug 2026
21 Aug 2026 16:02:22
What I should said is elusive veteran d-man. That’s why they kept coming in Reilly trade rumours. Other than Nick Jensen, it’s a very young defense. I think Dunn would increase his numbers with Anaheim’s more open offense. I think as you said, with that deep prospect base though Seattle has what it would take to do it.

I think though Catton would be a no-go as Seattle would want him as Gauthier's set up man. The Larkin one I have thought about, too. Who of the two would have the most pressure to perform immediately?

8.) 21 Aug 2026
21 Aug 2026 17:16:42
Fair enough on the vet D part, although if I were Anaheim, the drop in Dunn's game would be a concern.
Larkin or Gauthier for more pressure? That's tough. Honestly I don't think either will match the pressure Carlsson will have on him. But if I had to choose, I would say more pressure on Larkin. For one. He wanted out. Two, Anaheim is a much more ready team to contend and he would be expected to perform, but also be a leader.

Three, he is a vet in his prime years compared to a young kid trying to prove himself. That said, Gauthier holding out for so much cash better make an impact in Detroit or I would think the fans will turn on him relatively quickly.

9.) 21 Aug 2026
21 Aug 2026 18:13:20
Yeah Detroit's fans can be nasty. That’s why Seattle would be a good spot. Kind of mellow fans and if he only potted 35 goals in his first year the fans would be very happy.

10.) 22 Aug 2026
22 Aug 2026 00:05:56
If he put up 35/35 for 70, I don't think the Red Wings fans would get angry either. He's a 22 year old. But he goes back to 20 goals and that would be a problem.

We all have seen guys sign huge contracts and try to hard to live up to it and crash. If he does that, he's getting roasted in Seattle as well imo.

11.) 22 Aug 2026
22 Aug 2026 01:31:25
Verbeek really screwed himself by matching on Carlsson. If he would have let him walk and taken the 4 first round picks. He could have parlayed them into something for sure. Plus by not matching he would have basically said to the league and to Gauthier. Philly made a mistake and overpaid by a bunch. He then could probably have got Gauthier for that $12 to $13 million everyone said he and Carlsson would most likely have got leading into the off season.

By matching he gave Gauthier and his agent ammunition to swing for the fences. It was a bizarre move by Verbeek. Certainly not his style or character in regards to contracts. Which makes me wonder if he was told by powers higher up to not let Carlsson go.

12.) 22 Aug 2026
22 Aug 2026 02:11:56
Verbeek will dump either Kreider or Killorn and then he’ll have his money to pay Cutter. It’s that simple.

13.) 22 Aug 2026
22 Aug 2026 12:27:58
Ok I'll bite. Who does he dump one of them off to so simply (a player that is 35 or 36 years old depending which one he attempts to trade) with a limited no-trade list that are earning over $6 million. There are not many teams willing to do that at this point in the season.

Most are trying to keep what cap they have that are probably on destinations Killorn or Kreider would want to go to. Then they have to find a winger to replace one of them.

14.) 22 Aug 2026
22 Aug 2026 14:56:00
Kreider had 50 pts last season, 22 g in 75 g. He’s still a very good goal scorer. Teams that need offence will take him, like Seattle, who need scoring and have lots of cap space. It’s one year. $6.5m for a 50 pt guy I’m sure there’s lots of takers. Seattle would be ideal.
Kreider
2nd 2027
Good Prospect

For Wright.

15.) 22 Aug 2026
22 Aug 2026 16:05:11
That is a reasonable package but I think Seattle is really looking to take a step in filling roster spots with younger players rather than stop gaps like Kreider.

Either way this Gauthier thing is going to be interesting. Because it also is affecting another team right now as well. Columbus knows Fantilli's agent is in all likelihood going to see where the Gauthier contract lands at for $'s. Another team in rough shape. They need to move someone to sign Fantilli and it may be Marchenko, which weakens the team. Then next year they have Voronkov, Johnson and Mateychuk as RFA's.