13 Mar 2024 12:43:45
Draft day trade.
Ottawa may be looking to make some big changes and they don't have a lot of cap space for next season.
Ott
Liljegren RFA
Robertson RFA
2024 1st
Tor
Batherson $4.975
2024 2nd
Ottawa gets and NHL Rd where they lack as hey have lots of Left shot D's. They get a potential 20+ goal winger in Robertson and move up in the draft while clearing some cap space as they should be able to sign Lily and Robertson for less than they were paying Batherson.
Toronto picks up a big bodied winger who can score and play either wing. They move down some spots in the draft, but also don't have to spend cap space re-signing Lily and Robertson and can use that money on different style of players.
14 Mar 2024 05:06:03
Batherson: 23g, 25a, 48pts, $4.95M
I know too little about Batherson to judge whether he is as accomplished on his off wing as his natural side.
But I do know that he is a natural RW and that might be the last position Leafs want to be sacrificing their assets to upgrade with Marner and Nylander ready filling the #1 & #2 RW slots and Jarnkrok an effective 3rd line RW.
Liljegren is only 24 with the potential to be a 2nd pairing defenseman
Robertson, if given the ice time has the potential to be a 2nd line LW.
A 1st round pick when Leafs do not have a 1st round pick in 2025.
I feel that the Leafs would be far better off using three desirable assets like Liljegren, Robertson and a 1st round pick to upgrade their defense.
14 Mar 2024 13:15:03
WB49
Again, you remove part of Toronto's return and make sure you mention everything they give up. They get a 2nd back for their 1st. Meaning they probably move down in the draft 10-15 spots.
I keep hearing about Liljegren's and Robertson's "potential".
Liljegren will be 25 in about a month. He is a #4 at absolute best and it's not like that would be a strong #4. He is most likely a bottom pair D. He couldn't even earn a top 4 spot on a D-core dying for him to step up and take a spot. Not really a ton of value here. Pick wise, he is worth maybe a 2nd.
Robertson has shown no signs of being a true top 6 NHL forward. He will be 23 start of next season. He has had injury issues. He rarely creates to score. He needs others to set him up. He needs time and space and there isn't much of that at the NHL level. He has some speed, plays with effort and an NHL shot as far as being able to shoot hard. So far, that isn't beating many NHL goalies very often. He also sounds entitled which doesn't help. Again, if the Leafs got a 2nd for him, that would be a good return.
Batherson, on the otherhand, is a proven top 6 forward who is entering his prime years. 2 time 20+ goal scorer who is big, can skate and plays with some bite and physicality. Will fight even if needed. Signed for 3 more years at $4.975M without any trade protection. Really good contract.
Sure, If we could use Liljegren and Robertson with the 1st to get back a proven top 4 RD in his prime with 3 more seasons on a good term plus a 2nd I would be thrilled. Who is this RD you think this would land?
15 Mar 2024 01:30:50
I understand your position.
I would merely prefer an equally good defenseman for Leafs limited assets.
Batherson is undoubtedly a good player but Leafs already have too much of their cap space tied up in forwards and insufficient quality on defense.
It was always my biggest argument against Dubas signing Tavares.
It had nothing to do with whether Tavares was a good player or not but had everything to do with the overly large investment in forwards while handcuffing the Leafs (for 7 years) in their attempt to sign a true, 1st pairing defenseman to partner with Morgan Reilly.
I grew up in the west end of Montreal but was a Leaf fan because my family was from Toronto.
That said, I was a firm believer in the Sam Pollock team building mantra.
“You build a team from the back end out. ”
Goaltending, Defense, Centers, Wingers.
15 Mar 2024 11:19:52
WB49.
I don't really disagree that the D is the priority, but like I asked, who is this mythical top 4 RD that may be available is the issue. I have had some props for Andersson, but I doubt he is actually available.
A Leafs fan growing up in Montreal. Man, that would have been tough.