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?

1.) 29 Sep 2026
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?

2.) 29 Sep 2026
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).

3.) 29 Sep 2026
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).

4.) 29 Sep 2026
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.

5.) 29 Sep 2026
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.

6.) 29 Sep 2026
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.

7.) 29 Sep 2026
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?

8.) 29 Sep 2026
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.

9.) 30 Sep 2026
29 Sep 2026 21:35:43
I agree that it would be hard to get Utah to part with him but if we could get them to do it for
Domi
Woods
2nd In 2029
Giving them another 2nd round draft pick might entice them because they could flip it in a package for Hellybuck (giving he accepts a trade their)
and sign him to 5x7.2M
and then do
Joshua
for
Halliday
5th in 2029
And then maybe upgrade our D-Core mid season by acquiring a Rielly replacement and doing a couple cap cleanup moves I think our team will be capable of being competitive and giving us cap room to chase top talent in future free agencies.

10.) 30 Sep 2026
30 Sep 2026 13:36:32
Suffering, wouldn't Utah have to pay Winnipeg something to take Vejmelka? He's coming off one of his worst seasons. With what the asking price is currently, I think Utah would still have to add. No?

11.) 01 Oct 2026
01 Oct 2026 09:49:41
That’s a tough one on gagging the market. Teams are not really offering the world for Hellebuyck. Players that ask out when under contract hamper the trade value in return.