22 May 2020 20:32:36
Leafs get: Crosby (25% retained), Dumolin
Pens get: Matthews

Just trying to come up with something original. Losing Matthews is bad. But we are getting Crosby, the best player in the league when he was in his prime. Matthews has not proven himself a cup winner or captain. Crosby has. I don't believe at the end of the day either team does this deal, but I just really love Crosby, so I want to trade for him. If you think Crosby is Declining too fast, through in a pick or two. And let's not forget we are getting a 1RD in this deal. Dumolin is better than our whole d except Rielly and maybe Muzzin.

22 May 2020 21:23:11
All good, except Dumoulin is LHD. Lol. Pittsburgh RHD are Letang, Marino, Schultz. Their LHD is Dumoulin, Petterson, Johnston.

I agree Dumoulin would probably be our second best defenseman. And he is definitely a top 4 defenseman. And I don't even mind the trade. I just don't think Dumoulin can play RHD. If he can, problem solved. If not, then we just made an even bigger mess of defense.

22 May 2020 21:23:32
Why would the Pens trade one of the top two players in the NHL who is a proven winner for a soft, overpaid, lazy, one trick pony, who never plays in his own zone, doesn't drive the play and relies on his linemates to feed him the puck? Then the Pens are asked to retain money.

22 May 2020 23:05:01
Lol. Queue the Mathews bashing. Mathews is top 5 in most passing metrics as well as scoring, and possession. Definitely one dimensional. Mathews was very close in the race for the Rocket Richard. Mathews is actually getting better defensively which Crosby struggled with very early in his career as well. Mathews was also praised this year for using his body a lot more and competing in the tough areas.

I don't actually believe Crosby is number 2 in the NHL anymore. He is aging out but still a top 5 for sure. You cannot make it sound like the pens would turn down a Mathews for Crosby deal. If that was straight up they would laugh all the way to the bank.

As for the original post, as LeafsGm stated this trade gives us 4 top 4 LHD. That's serious overkill. You would need to trade any 2 of Muzzin/ Reilly/ Dermott or it doesn't improve the team at all.

Consider also that goal scorers are far and away harder to aquire than playmakers. 50+ goal scoring centres at Mathews age are the dream for every team in the world.

23 May 2020 00:33:17
Okay, islandjet, I am not quite sure who you are trying to describe. It wouldn’t be Matthews who is a big bodied, constantly growing defensively, solid back checker, who had near the most steals in the league and drives his line and own offence? You couldn’t be that dumb. You must be more describing someone like Laine?

23 May 2020 02:08:40
I think you are confused IslandJet. Laine plays for Winnipeg.

23 May 2020 16:07:53
Matthews is only known for not showing up when he's needed the most in the postseason. Overrated, overpaid and overhyped in Toronto by the desperate to win Leaf fans.

23 May 2020 17:15:25
Matthew's still got 5 points in 7 last year. I wouldn't call that disappearing playing against a constant selke nominee in Bergeron, the leads top line matched Boston's top line, with karri suspended our depth got put played by Boston's depth.

23 May 2020 17:35:42
Randy where was Bracco? He seems like the perfect replacement for any Toronto forward as he's always touted as a great trade pawn by Leaf posters. lol.

23 May 2020 22:18:58
That's because Bracco is a good trade chip. He is the perfect piece to throw in on a deal with a rebuilding team or someone looking for a playmaking winger. Just because he can't crack the Leafs Li who doesn't mean he can't crack a lot of other teams lineups.