03 Dec 2024 02:25:00
Would Richard Rakell be a good fit with the Leafs as their 3rd line RW?
With Jarnkrok likely out until the playoffs and Reaves skating 8:00 minutes per game Leafs have no one at right wingers behind Marner and Nylander.
Rakell: 31 years old, RW, $5M x 3 more years, Stats: 26 games, 10g, 5a, 15pts, +2 ( on a team where Crosby is -6, Malkin -12, Karlsson -11, Rust -13, Letang -14, Hayes -10, Acciari -12 and O'Connor -13)
To Pittsburg: Domi ($3.75 x 3 more years) Benning or Reaves ($1.25/$1.35)$ = $5M,
2nd round pick, 5th round pick, Topi Niemala (a Dubas draft pick).
Knies - Matthews - Nylander
Pacioretty/McMann - Tavares - Marner
McMann/Pacioretty - Brock Nelson/Mikael Granlund/Morgan Frost - Rakell
Lorentz - Kampf/Dewar/Holmberg - Mathieu Olivier (CBJs)
To Leafs: Mathieu Olivier, 27, 4th line RW, ($1.1)
To CBJs: Kampf ($2.4), Robertson ($.875), 3rd round pick for taking the balance of Kampf's contract
Reaves ($1.35) or Benning ($1.25) demoted to the press box/Marlies
03 Dec 2024 04:03:05
Leafs need a legit 3rd line center.
03 Dec 2024 08:52:16
Water buffalo were you not the guy that said Marner only put up points in meaningless games
I still believe Robertson can score and we see what he has by January. If he still isn’t scoring. He will be out of chances. You notice him on ice with his speed and shot so we see.
The bottom line is Leafs need more than the big 5 scoring goals as we get near playoffs
Matthews
Marner
Nylander
Tavares
Knies
Minten is already a pleasant surprise 5 games played 2 goals 2 assists but after him we are getting nothing from every other player!
This must end up being a deadly three line hockey team.
ICE TIME LAST NIGHT
Robertson 12;38 ice time 3 shots no points
Holmberg 15:30 ice time no shots 1 point
Grebenkin 9:39 ice time no shots no points 4 hits
Lorentz 12:08 ice time 1 assist 1 shot 6 hits blocks 1
Minten 1305 ice time 1 goal 1 shot 5 hits 1 block
Alex Nylander 9:53 ice time Zilch across board and 2 penalty min bad numbers
INJURY
McMann
Domi
Domi and McMann will get a lot more opportunity but the heat is on Nic Robertson I figure he has about 10 more games to get points on the board. If he doesn’t produce Leafs will be forced to trade for his replacement.
03 Dec 2024 10:05:21
MACKIN some days I think you need a smackin. A few days ago “were you not the guy” that thought it was time the leafs move on from Robertson because he couldn’t score. Now you still believe he can? Are you a chick cause your mood sure changes like one. Aren’t you the one that cried for the other nylander sister to get called up?
The team is winning and with the amount of injuries and a rotating bottom 6 I think it’s been solid.
I still think we give Minten some time here and see what he’s can do, there’s no rush in my opinion to go get a 3C. I agree that position will need to be Addressed but it doesn’t need to be tomorrow. They are winning even with all these injuries. If they were losing different story.
As for rakell hard pass from me.
03 Dec 2024 16:12:59
Ksmores summed that one up pretty well.
03 Dec 2024 19:37:03
Yep. I agree. Kmores spelled it all out pretty well.
03 Dec 2024 23:36:42
David1mackin
Nope!
It was not me that said Marner only puts up points in meaningless games.
While I agree that Leafs have a need for a 3rd line center, Minten is doing a pretty good job at the moment.
When I look at the Leafs lineup I see only two (2) right wingers.
Marner and Nylander.
Jarnkrok may be out until the playoffs and Reave’s 8:00 minutes per game are inconsequential.
Leafs need a 3rd and a 4th line right wingers.
I felt Rakell was a good target for the 3rd line RW slot as he wouldn’t be overly expensive to acquire and Leafs have the cap capital (Kampf, Jarnkrok, Domi, Reaves and Benning) to offset Rakell’s $5M dollar cap hit.
A 3rd line of:
Robertson - Minten (for now) - Rakell’s would produce some points for a team that relies so heavily on their Core 4 to score.
03 Dec 2024 23:41:35
RLF
I am a big fan of picks and prospects but I see Leafs as a win now team and picks and prospects don’t win cups.
Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, Reilly’s window of opportunity to win a cup is diminishing daily, weekly, monthly.
I feel they need to improve the balance of their forward group not trade for picks and prospects.
Rakell’s, Mathieu, Olivier, Morgan Frost, Brock Nelson, Mikael Granlund are some players who are available and would improve Leafs chances of going to a Conference Finals and if puck luck and goaltending were to hold up maybe a Stanley Cup Finals.
04 Dec 2024 00:40:54
@ waterbuff
Have you not watched the leafs this year how do you think guys like Rakell and frost are targets for the leafs domi has played hurt alit of the season not only that he plays with a lot of heart put him back with Matthews and watch.
04 Dec 2024 16:45:57
WB49
Yes, Leafs are in win now, I agree. If you read my whole explanation of why I said to move some extra bodies for picks/ prospects, I said "There will be time later to add a playoff piece and the extra trade capital of some picks/ prospects will come in handy. " This is how getting some extra prospects and picks now, help win a Cup.
In other words, having as many trade pieces as possible when the right deal comes along, Leafs have a better chance of giving the best offer. If we can tur Robertson into pieces now that help get us a guy like McBain later, you wouldn't do it?
05 Dec 2024 02:40:31
Yes!
I missed that.
Using picks and prospects acquired to top up the team at the deadline is a good move.