24 Nov 2016 13:55:22
Leafs - Stars

Jamie Oleksiak for Peter Holland

- Peter Holland on the market, leafs looking for a shutdown defenseman - Darren Dreger.

1.) 24 Nov 2016
24 Nov 2016 16:12:10
At the moment defenders are at a premium (see what Chiarelli paid for Larson as an example). The summer will see a number of expansion draft deals get done as well as UFA's.

Until then the market is really tight.

2.) 24 Nov 2016
24 Nov 2016 20:44:10
Oleksiak has all the physical talents; moves well for a big dman, but his skating is still suspect. He has never produced well at any level. Being in Dallas doesn't help his situation.

He's not a player to give up much for, so I like the deal.

What Chiarelli payed for 4pt Larson was ridiculous and Edmonton's loss.

To weigh out that deal you would have to determine the number of goals that Larson prevents plus the goals he gets and compare that to Hall's total(I am assuming that Hall won't do much on the defensive side). The offensive comparison will be just that "offensive".

You can't use the Larson deal as a yard stick.

Other GM's are not that stupid.

3.) 25 Nov 2016
25 Nov 2016 15:48:37
The only way to compare the two would be through Hero charts but that's a tough comparison to make. Chiarelli overpayed for a good defenseman but if he helps them get to the playoffs it was worth it. We are in no rush as we're still in year 2 of the Shanaplan.

4.) 25 Nov 2016
25 Nov 2016 22:02:27
@ Chris

If McDavid stops scoring, or is injured; they are done. The other teams are starting to creep up the standings and will start to pass them. They do have a shot at the playoffs despite their coming sag in the standings; if they make the most out of every game.

Hall's production was consistent and the Oilers would be a much better team with him. But there are a lot of reasons the Oilers are better this year to date and it's not just the small contribution from Larson and the offense from McD.

They added Lucic, Russell, Nurse, added Maroon last Feb.; got rid of Yakapov, Schultz.

So you can see they added a lot of defensive talent in addition to Larsen and got rid of two or more liabilities on D.

I still think he could have given up RNH or Eberle, maybe even Draisaitl(or a bundle). He just gave in to a GM who didn't have to make a deal and wouldn't budge soon enough.

I like Larson, but not any where near that price.

Oleksiak is not in the same ballpark as Larson, so the price should be low. If not, you go somewhere else. The Leafs will have a burgeoning farm club to package for better Dmen at the deadline and after season.

Exchanges might be a better way to look at getting incremental improvement. eg: Gardiner for Barrie - they are almost the same type of player (Barrie a little better and RH, so the Leafs would add). You still have the defensive hole but on the left side. Easier to deal with. Colorado might be out of a playoff spot sooner than later.

All things said, you might be right about the measuring stick; and maybe that's why no significant deals have been made. The GM's just don't want to pay that high a price.

5.) 26 Nov 2016
26 Nov 2016 17:59:19
That's a great deal. Oleksiak is said to be available and Dallas could use the depth with a number of injuries. Oleksiak is the right type of player we need to pair with the likes of Reilly and zaitzev