22 Mar 2020 21:39:41
Leafs have almost $77M invested in 16 players (this includes Kessel's $1.2M) . So we need to add at least 4 players to meet the minimum 20 man roster. Of those players, Dermott and Mikheyev absolutely must be re-signed. Then we still need to add the rest I can't see how it can possibly be done without trading someone. My guess is that we see Kapanen moved. He is the most expendable and would free up just enough cash that we can sign three or four guys to league minimum. I can't see much other choice than that a winger goes. And that means either Johnsson or Kapanen, and I'm throwing my hat in on Kapanen being the one who goes. We will get a better return for him, and in all reality, he is needed less on RW than Johnsson is on LW. So maybe Bracco finally gets his chance next year?
22 Mar 2020 22:01:31
Rather move Johnson than Kapanen. Never been a huge fan of Johnson's. I wouldn't even have given him his current deal. Turn over machine.
I disagree LW is short. Hyman, Mikheyev and Kerfoot/ Engvall can fill out the top 9 as Centre/ LW in some capacity.
22 Mar 2020 22:46:10
I more meant that the talent on LW is much less than that or RW. Nylander and Marner are by far our best wingers. That's why I figure Kapanen as our 3RW is more expendable. We have solid guys LW. Especially Hyman, who needs extending soon too, but they are nowhere near the talent on RW. Even Kapanen is arguably a better winger than any of the guys we have on LW. So our return for him will be highest, and he is more expendable.
Johnsson and zkerfoot are the two other guys that I can see being moved. Except Kerfoot is our main guy for 3C and Johnsson has low value because of injury this year. So Kapanen makes the most sense to me as a guy that earns a few million bucks and has good trade value.
23 Mar 2020 02:23:28
I'm not sure how it will work out. Dubas must have some plan in mind. As is if the cap raises 2 million it pays for Muzzin and he's back to square one trying to sign Mikheyev and Dermott. Engvall gets a small raise as well but it outs Freddy and Hyman at rental status and Reilly at rental+ so moving just Kapanen may not work in the longer term (as in 2 years) . I actually wouldn't be surprised to see Clifford walk, Spezza resigned at minimum, and either Marner or Nylander being shopped. Seems immposible to keep 2 wingers making a combined 18 million with the contracts that are coming up.
23 Mar 2020 18:09:29
I'd rather keep Kapanen as he plays pk and started to show signs of showing grit and doing the little things. I know Johnsson and Kerfoot would not get us much as a return but I really don't care what we get. need the cap space even more. hopefully Spezza signs for minimum like he did this year and he could be either 3rd or 4th C. Gauthier will probly have to be signed for minimum as well as he is decent on faceoffs. but Ultimately I agree that Marner or Nylander need to go. my choice would be to use one of them to try to get Manson out of Anaheim. would also try to pick up Heinen. only makes 2.8mil and plays all forward positions. could be a cheaper 3C and move Spezza to 4C. would also like to add Demelo to play with Muzzin as I think that would give our 2nd D unit a more shutdown defense minded duo.
23 Mar 2020 18:12:28
Also heard talk that if cap stays flat that teams might get a compliance buyout. what do you guys think if they used that on Tavares. to free up his 11mil. at his age that might be an anchor of a contract later on in it. don't get me wrong. i like JT but should not have been signed once we drafted Mathews. his money better spent on defencemen.
23 Mar 2020 21:29:30
Can't buy out the captain after just naming him captain.
Marner needs to be traded. If Marner brought a 1RHD that cost less can anyone tell me that wouldn't make a better team? Mathews is on pace for almost exactly what he was any other year if we exclude his time spent injured. What has Marner really accomplished?
23 Mar 2020 22:12:26
Of all the Leafs, I have the hardest time seeing JT being moved out. For one thing, he is our new Captain. For another, he has that pesky NMC. I agree that signing Tavares after drafting Matthews was a bit unnecessary, especially since we had Kadri on the team still. Matthews and Kadri would be just as good as MacKinnon and Kadri are in Colorado. But what's done is done. And JT is not going anywhere now. Which leaves Marner or Matthews as our $11M players of which one of them has to go.
Marner is a winger. We have lots of good wingers. We don't have as much strength in centre. If Robertson can make the team next year and he does well, then Marner is probably the most likely guy to get traded of the big four. His salary is just not something we can afford. And the return would be a good enough one that it shouldn't hurt us too bad in the short term, and if we get some good picks/ prospects, it might even help us more in the long run
Good call Loxley. I liked the JT signing at the time. But I never expected Matthews and Marner both to rake in so much. If I had known we would be paying them $11M each as well, I wouldn't have been so excited at signing Tavares. But what's done is done. And now we have three of the highest paid players of all time on the team and still barely squeeking into the playoffs.
24 Mar 2020 13:55:58
I get what you are both saying about JT just signing and being the captain. it would look bad as Leafs (Canadian clubs) have a harder time attracting free agents. I just threw him in that possibility because due to his age and length of contract he would be the most logical choice. Mathews can't go anywhere. so leaves us with Marner and Nylander. both similar in that neither have grit and are offensive type players. the fact Nylander is cheaper I would rather keep him. or trade both if we could get suitable replacements. but like LeafsLife said. bringing in a RD that costs less might mean we lose the better player. which I am fine with if it makes them better. my target would be Manson even though I know LeafsGM you don't feel Dubas would go after a guy like him. hopefully Dubas is changing his tune on that what with acquiring Clifford. all that to say. to trade Marner we no trade will look good as the best player will be going the other way in order for a more balanced team.