13 Jan 2023 13:52:37
Taking the approach of targeting potential trades with teams out of playoff contention probably makes the most sense.
Targeting players with a cap no more than $3-4m depending on who goes the other way also makes sense.
The Leafs biggest need is a forward not a Dman in my opinion.
That F must be an above average skater with above average size and physicality and more than capable of playing L2 minutes.
Its choice for me is one who I think meets all criteria and could be available. Max Comtois is 24yo 6.2” 210 and makes $2.038m. Send Dryden Hunt packing along with Alex Steeves and Nick Abruzzese.
Or send same package to the Blues for Ivan Barbashev, my 2nd choice.
3rd choice is Nico Sturm, a 27yo 6.3” 209 LW/ C making $2 x 3. Has 10 goals this year in 35 games, a very good skater with a 2-way skill set.
There are others but I don’t think they are available like Dominik Kubalik, Boone Jenner, Klim Kostin, K Karako or too expensive like Sam Bennett.
I might also look at Andrea’s Athanasiou or even try our untested Bobby McMann with Tavares and Marner.
Who would you pick that fits these criteria?
13 Jan 2023 14:32:50
I like the Comtois package, and I think you can get him for only a 2nd round pick. I think the leafs should use that as a way to package simonds aswell. I like hunt for what ive seen so far and dubas wonht trade him out after trading for him.
barbashev is another solid option, aswell as neidereider is my top 3. honorable mention to sam bennet, the situation with him is florida might need to clear out some cap space.
as for defense, the target would be a nasty checking defense oriented Right shot. Shenn is my top choice. hamonic could use a look aswell as shattenkirk or mike stone if calgary falls out of the playoffs.
13 Jan 2023 15:03:37
Trenin and McBain are mine as everyone already knows. Comtois I like as well. I would rather they get a cost controlled player that we can keep if he works out over a rental for once.
I wanted them to try McMann as that top 6 LW in pre-season, but he didn't have a strong camp, so he wasn't given a try.
I do wonder if Jeannot may be available as last year was probably a career year if he is a permanent 3rd liner in Nashville.
13 Jan 2023 15:51:04
I like the idea of Comtois. but is he a 2ns line player? I've wanted him as a target before but dunno if he would work out at 2LW.
@Rsears i know ya said target between 3-4mil but if RLF is gonna bring up Trenin again i got to go back to Meier. half retained and send Kerfoot back the other way. Leafs would have to talk to him first to see what an 8 year deal might look like, maybe he takes less on cap hit that way than 10mil plus. i'd then look to add Bjugstad and Mcbain from Arizona for bottom of lineup or maybe Trenin just for RLF. lol. I also liked Niederreiter's game from the other night so if not Meier then maybe him on 2lW. also like Jeanot from Preds. never seem to notice Trenin though when i watch Preds play which is not all that often mind you.
13 Jan 2023 19:41:48
I like the meier trade we haven't been losing because of our d in the playoffs it's lack of scoring. When the top 4 don't score we're done. I'd go get meier and the 2 you mentioned in Arizona. We have to be all in this year or the core 4 will be done and run the risk of losing Matthews with continuous losing in playoffs. I can guarantee Tampa will be making a big move.
13 Jan 2023 20:01:37
@Loxley. What would it cost for Meier, especially at 50$ retained? For the same price they might be able to get both McBain and Trenin or maybe Jeannot. This is why I am not for the big name. As for top guys, Matthews, Marner, Nylander, JT and Bunting should be enough. After that we need guys that can do what Nick Paul etc have done.
Plus you mentioned Meier earlier which allowed me to mention Trenin. Thanks for that. Lol.
13 Jan 2023 23:58:38
@RLF. what would it cost to get Meier and half retained? i'd say definately a 1st round pick. Kerfoot to balance difference. i think it would also cost Robertson and Niemela. or they might was Knies as one of the pieces. which i would be fine with to get a guy that has 23 goals so far. as long as we can re-sign him long term and bring down his AVV.8.5 to 9 mil a year. i have been watching the sharks lately and he a Lebanc work wonders together. can only imagine he'd be able to do the same with JT and Marner. then i think we can still try to acquire guys like Jeanot, McBain or Trenin with other prospects or picks. We don't know what Bunting will wanna sign for next year so would i give up our 2024 1st round pick for Tanner Jeanot. hell ya. he has not scored as much this yer but put him on a line with Matthews and Nylander and i bet that changes. same type of player.
again it's kinda like the deal Tampa made for Hagel. yes the cost of 2 1st round picks for him was steep but you know what you are getting and will be on the team for a while. which is why i am not so hyped on Knies. we do not know what he will be. if he we keep him and turns out to be great that is awesome. but for now who knows.
14 Jan 2023 00:00:41
@RLF. forgot to add. the top guys you mentioned have not gotten it done in the playoffs before and are struggling right now. team looks a lot different without Matthews. so also would definately need another C cause Kerfoot ain't the guy.
14 Jan 2023 00:27:50
I like the Comtois idea. But the Leafs will be in further cap hell at the end of this year when Bunting is up for contract and Mathews and Nylander can sign extentions. Leafs went something like 14-2-2 when Rielly was hurt. They are 32-16-7 all time since Rielly was drafted when he was out of the lineup. I think he is very over rated and we could use his $7.5 million better spent else where. Trade him for picks or a good forward and then trade for Chychrun!
14 Jan 2023 00:28:48
While Meier would be nice to have he will want $8m+ on his next contract. This is out of reach for the Leafs so another target is needed I think.
Conversely, while Comtois is in final year, I don’t think it will take much to resign him so I don’t see his situation necessarily as “uncontrolled”. And yes I think he can complement Tavares and Marner quite well, drive the net and find some open ice.
As far as McBain is concerned I don’t think Arizona would give him up. I’d certainly make a play for him but I’m not convinced he could acquired without a sizeable offer. I’d give up SDA and Abruzzese.
The question about Jeannot’s availability is very worthy of a phone call. I liked his physicality, heaviness and PK ability the other night plus I saw some puck handling skills and heavy shot.
Dryden Hunt has energy and does play the body but his effectiveness in my view is limited to just that. I see little to zero offence.
I’m still interested in making a play for Bjugstad who is likely available at minimal cost. Id also try to resign him for $1.5m x 2.
14 Jan 2023 01:26:57
Loxley. Well thought out. If the top guys can't get it done, then isn't it better to change the top guys instead of selling every asset to get them "help"?
The top guys shouldn't need top tier help. If they do, then it is the top guys we should be trading. imo.
14 Jan 2023 02:38:42
I'd take a bag of pucks for kerfoot, I'm not eager to trade knies I've watched a lot of his college games and I think he's the real deal.
14 Jan 2023 04:07:40
Comtois, Barbashev, Sturm: all affordable.
Neiderrieter: more expensive
ROR, Meier: perfect but tough to resign.
Another that I would add is Kuzmenko (along with Schenn) from Vancouver
McBain and Jeannot I don’t know a lot about but like their physicality.
Good proposals!
14 Jan 2023 12:36:44
Looks like we have a SC worthy team to me! LOL.
14 Jan 2023 18:44:11
@RLF I agree if top guys can't get it done they need to switch which is why I say add a bonafide top guy in Meier. if they still fail then maybe trading a top guy like Nylander next year is the way to go. can't trade JT and not getting rid of Matthews or Marner. Meier when I compare Meier to Willy they are both good players but styles are different. Meier will go to the net more than Willy. as for Bunting I am a fan but wish he was bigger . don't wanna pay him 4-5 mil which is why in the past I have targeted Crouse. or now Jeanott who would cost less to resign.
14 Jan 2023 18:53:45
@Rsears I did a cap friendly where I was able to build a team with Meier on the team. mind you Bunting was not signed but we gets replaced by Jeanott and I still had Knies on lw. bottom Also had McBain on it.
I also agree with you on Bjudstad that he would be fairly cheap to acquire and would sign for same money and term. good replacement for Kampft.
14 Jan 2023 19:30:25
@Loxley. Your idea has value imo. It's just my opinion that we should add complimentary pieces with size that can play and not too expensive to acquire. Then if the top guys can't get it done again, we move one/ some in the off-season for a different piece or pieces. This way the Leafs don't empty the asset bank, but add different pieces in a return. Keeping Knies is a big for me.
15 Jan 2023 03:48:45
@RLF. I personally don't like the team too heavy in scoring and big contracts. would rather have a more balanced out roster. but until Dubas is gone this is the type of team we have and he won't give up on his boys. loyal to a fault. Rielly is the one I'd like to see go. team played better D when he was out.
If it would work I'd send Rielly to nucks who could send horvat to sharks who would then send Meier to leafs . then sharks can sell horvat to get picks or prospects.
15 Jan 2023 03:51:16
@RLF. forgot to add I have also suggested other. Complimentary pieces to add to bottom 6 and they have size guys. unfortunately who knows if guys like McBain or Jeanott or Crouse are even available.