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15 May 2026 03:14:19
Back to the Dallas cap problems, here's one... Would you do this?
To Dallas:
1st overall pick
William Nylander
To Toronto:
Wyatt Johnston
Tomas Harley
Dallas gets their cap flexibility in to sign their RFAs and still get two solid pieces back.
Toronto gets a pick moving defenseman locked up for 8 more years and a good center. Both are 24 years old and signed.
1.) 15 May 2026 03:27:34
God no.
2.) 15 May 2026 21:00:53
Neither one of those guys is worth the 1st overall pick in the draft plus Nylander. U high.
13 May 2026 02:56:22
Here's a question. Would you do the following trade?
To St. Louis:
Nylander
To Toronto:
Robert Thomas
2026 1st round pick (11th overall)
I guess the other question is, would Nylander waive to go there? Nylander has more potential for overall goals and point production, but I would love to have Thomas on the Leafs.
Solid 2-way center. At 11th overall, maybe Albert Smits could fall there? Or if not, maybe Mason Rudolph?
Last question, would St. Louis even consider this or would Toronto need to add?
1.) 13 May 2026 02:31:47
I'd absolutely do that. I doubt the Blues would.
2.) 13 May 2026 02:59:11
I would do that trade.
Highly doubt St. Louis would.
3.) 13 May 2026 03:18:46
Would you trade Nylander for Thomas, 1 for 1?
Or if you were St. Louis, would it be more palatable if it was Knies + a 2nd?
4.) 13 May 2026 08:14:08
This is a good trade, but it also leaves the Leafs very thin on right wing, something they already are weak on, but like everyone else said, he’s probably not accepting a trade there.
5.) 13 May 2026 15:47:49
I'd be trying to get Dalibor Dvorsky in the deal as well.
6.) 13 May 2026 21:10:25
Yeah I don't think Nylander would want to go there. But if he did I would get greedy and do this....
Nylander and our 1st from Colorado in 2027 for Thomas, St. Louis 1st (11th pick) in this year and Adam Jiricek. That way we also come away with a very good young defenseman who looked amazing in the OHL Playoffs. Then while we are at it we swap Goalies. Woll for Binnington. Both could defintely use a change of scenery. Binnington gets to come home and Woll is from St. Louis.
We then pick Daxon Rudoph with that 11th pick if available or Ryan Lin.
Then we not only have Jiricek but one of those young guys for a great Base along with Danford and Chadwick for a great future.
Next move trade our first overall and our 4th in 2027 to Chicago for their 4th overall and Vanacker in return. Then we pick Malhortra.
Total output. Woll, Nylander and 2027 1st from Colorado and our 1st overall this year.
Total Return. Binnington, Thomas, Vanacker, Jiricek and Rudolph, Maholtra. A good Goalie, A good 1A or B Centre, 2 top young forwards and two top young Defensemen.
06 May 2026 06:54:31
So is it possible that now we have the first overall pick and a possible long term franchise player that the new leafs management looks at this and decides to maybe blow this up and go full rebuild? What might that look like? We know we need some younger, mobile d-men...which I think everyone thought we would draft this year if we retained the #5 pick. Maybe a verhoeuf or a Reid...but now we have first overall.
This means most likely McKenna or Stenberg. That being said, if they take one of those two wingers, we still need Dmen and to get younger. So if they talk to Matthews and he says he's not in for the rebuild then you need to trade him and follow suit with Willy. So if they go full sell mode (and I think this is probably the best route of we want to get back to a competitive team in a couple years with a longer window to compete) may e they do the following:
1st overall pick: Stenberg. (As much as I'd prefer to draft the Canadian boy, I just have a gut feeling Stenberg is going to be a better overall well rounded player and maybe handle the pressure better in Toronto)
Trade:
To Utah - Matthews
To Toronto- Cooley, Caleb Denoyers, Tig Iginla
Not sure if Utah would do this, but we would get a serviceable good young center back in Cooley who is signed long term. Denoyers is going to be a stud two way center and Iginla is going to be a power forward and a character guy. Utah gets their #1 star center which was apparent they needed in the series versus Vegas this year.
Trade:
To Chicago: Willy Nylander
To Toronto: 4th overall pick and Artyom Levshnov
With this Chicago gets their top flight winger to play with Bedard that they really need. Toronto gets Levshnov who is going to be an absolute stud RH defenseman who was a second overall pick a couple years ago. Then with the 4th overall pick we take Verhoeuf. Then we have two young, mobile high end defenseman to build around.
The one risk with this sort of plan is that we would probably be a poor team for the next couple seasons until these guys develop which would potentially result in high draft picks for Boston and Philly the next two years...but I think this would give a great foundation of good young stars that can come.up together. Then you also have knies, Roberston and Cowan who are all young under 25 to grow with these guys. Johnny T can mentor them for a few years and we should be very competitive in a few years. BUT Auston and Willy need to waive and we just don't know if that will happen...but if the leafs say rebuild I really can't see either of them wanting to stick around.
1.) 06 May 2026 11:15:31
Awesome one. Chicago might not want to part with Levshnov but like the way you think. I share your thoughts on McKenna te: Toronto pressure. It’s always fun putting together rebuild packages and even Auction packages for the first pick overall.
It’s a great draft class. I almost wish it was next year because no-one will give up the chance to take Landon DuPont no matter what.
2.) 06 May 2026 14:09:33
Laughable
3.) 06 May 2026 14:34:16
Well at least some people are tossing out ideas Champ. Haven’t seen you on here in a while.
4.) 06 May 2026 16:13:08
I’d say the exact same thing about you. I spent a week trying to get some sort of an idea of what your lineup would be but got flock of seagulls again.
5.) 06 May 2026 22:35:57
Well if you want my proposed lineup. I have posted others in the past. But if you want a revamped one. Here it is LeafsGM78
As I said we trade our first overall and Carlo to Seattle for Berkly Catton, Jani Nyman, Ryker Evans and their first. which we use to pick either Daxon Randolph or Alberts Smits (Who could be the steal of the Draft).
Then we trade Nylander and Domi to the Islanders for Cal Ritchie,Cole Eiserman, Kashawn Aitcheson and 1st round pick in 2027.
Then we trade Reilly,Stolarz and rights to Macelli and Robertson to San Jose for Barclay Goodrow and Josh Ravensberger. Yes its is mostly salary dump but San Jose might be able to turn Macelli and Robertson into other assets if they don't sign them. The key is not just the salary dump but Josh Ravensberger. Yes we have Woll, and Hildeby and Akhtyamov. But Ravensberger in2 to 2 and half years will be the Number one on the leafs is we can get him.
So all shaken out the Roster would look like this. And I think Matthews and Knies would want to ride this out and be part of it.
We are going to swap out the first line in a big way (Physically big.) because we have not seen him 100% healthy, but when Joshua is healthy he is a very good hockey player with deceiving speed for a big man and I think paired here this line could be trouble for teams to handle.
Then we target 2 free agents specifically and do whatever it takes to get them here. A.J Greer and Trouba
Joshua Matthews Knies
RItchie Catton Cowan
Greer Tavares Nyman
Lorentz Holinka Goodrow
(Holinka is not only a sniper but very good defensively and would learn a lot from his 2 veteran linemates).
Eiserman could possibly make the team right away but no rush.
For Defense we pair a vet with a young player.On each pairing
Trouba Evans
OEL Aitcheson
McCabe Rudolph or Smits
Any of these could be first,second or third pairings.But Evans does have more experience than Aitcheson or the draftees.
Woll and Hildeby
There I think that about does it. Is it feasible all of these come to place. Of course not. We are on a wish list rumours site. But I think it would be one hell of young fast entertaining team to watch. Oh.... and no player would be on the team named SDA. lol
6.) 06 May 2026 23:31:15
We would still as well Tanev depending on his health and Danford and Chadwick in the wings.
31 Mar 2026 07:52:17
So I am new to this, so please bare with me.
I think the direction the leafs are going to go depends alot on if they keep their top 5 protected pick this year. If they do, I think they may try to retool on the fly with a much different look to the team and a different leadership group on the ice. Tre is already gone and by the looks of it, Berube probably won't last past this season.
The team has some good pieces but the leadership group isn't the type of guys to drag their team into the trenches. This has been apparent for the last ten years. Great, skilled players, but just lack the grit needed when it counts. I think the ownership group has recognized this and it may result in some big names leaving town this summer in an attempt to regroup and salvage next year. So my suggestions start with them retaining their pick. These suggestions are for a retool over a full rebuild.
Top 5 pick: get your stud defenseman that we lack. Maybe they can pair nicely with danford in the years to come and maybe, just maybe we can get our version of Keith/Seabrook or Makar/Toews.
To Utah:
Matthews
Reilly
To Toronto:
Logan Cooley (center replacement)
Mikhail sergachev
Tij Iginla
2026 1st
Obviously these two need to waive their NMC but you never know. We are losing the best player in this trade but Cooley is only 21 years old with a high ceiling and signed for 7 more years. Sergachev can be an anchor on the Blueline and has 6 more years on his deal and is only 27 yrs old. Iginla looks like he will be a player based on what I saw at the WJC this year.
Trade 2:
To St.Louis
2026 first (from Utah)
2027 first (from Colorado)
Robertson?
To Toronto:
Robert Thomas
I know this seems like alot but the blues were looking for something similar to this at the deadline. 2 firsts and a younger player. Thomas is signed for 6 more years, is still young, Canadian and is a hell of a two way center! I'd be trying to get him on our team in the worst way. This guy was an absolute beast for the blues when they went on their run last year to make the playoffs.
Next on July 1 I would be looking to get Scott Laughton back on this roster. He's a solid pro, plays with grit but he needs ice time and needs to play as the full time third line center. Great on faceoffs, kills penalties and again is a Canadian Toronto boy. Give him a letter on his chest too! Then I might explore what we would need to grab Raddysh...it might be an overpayment but with some big contracts off the books and a rising cap I'd take a chance because he has a bomb from the point. Would be a big improvement from Reilly's pillow wrist shot on the PP.
Groulx has made a good enough impression to play 4th line center.
The last big move would be to trade Willy but not sure who would be looking for that type of player. Love the guy, but also tired of watching him shy away from any hit, scared of corners, won't get in a scrum, won't lay a bit, won't block a shot and can't play defense. Extremely talented but hard to have him as a leader on your team when he doesn't lead by example.
Anyways, tell.me.your thoughts.
1.) 31 Mar 2026 11:30:44
All solid moves. If Matthews wants out, I'd be trading him to the Ducks for McTavish, Sennecke and prospects.
2.) 31 Mar 2026 19:59:33
I like your choice of targets from Utah but I'm not sure if Utah would be interested in that deal. You mentioned that we are losing the best player in the deal. Truthfully... I would say for where the Utah franchise has gone in the past two years since they acquired him. I think Sergachev is actually the best player as far as value to his club in that proposed deal. I don't think they would ever part with him. He is in that elite class of great offensively and great defensively defensemen in the league.
He eats huge minutes every game and last year was the only D-man in the league to average 3 minutes a game on the power play and the penalty kill and is only 6 seconds off that on the penalty kill this year. For his value and Cooley's potential. I think those two would be the maximum for Matthews in this deal. Utah would then never give up Iginla and a first for Reilly. Sergachev is undervalued in this trade.
3.) 01 Apr 2026 21:37:33
You may be right. And I agree, I would love to get Sergachev back as he's in the right she bracket and he plays both ways. However, if I remember correctly, the Utah ownership group wants to make a huge splash and what a better way to sell tickets, merchandise and hockey in general in Utah than with the addition of Matthews.
They are overpaying for the brand name. Also doesn't hurt that Matthews is such close friends with Clayton Keller and the two of them on a line would be dynamite.
4.) 01 Apr 2026 22:11:50
Uah has no issue selling tickets etc. Their problem is their Arena Sucks for non viewable seats, and it is a few years away from being fan friendly enough to actually hold a real NHL size crowd. The other isse is the there is a lot of empty seats. The fans don't don't like showing up to midweek games or Sunday games. This franchise is cursed re: arenas.
Matthews can't change that and they are still on the right course with their deptrh of rising up the way they have mapped out. Why the NHL picked moving a team from a non conforming NHL rink to a location with a non conforming rink is beyond me. There were other better locations with Arena's ready to go.
5.) 02 Apr 2026 12:52:41
Sergachev is the best player in the deal? Are you serious? Matthews is still the best player, period. If I’m getting that from Utah, I’m not going to go give up those 2 1st picks that we desperately need for Thomas. I’ll keep them.
6.) 02 Apr 2026 13:58:08
Don't twist my words! I said "I think Sergachev is actually the best player as far as value to his club in that proposed deal". Best value to his club as far as value. You are going to be very hard pressed to find a defenseman of his caliber for $8.5 that is tied up for another 5 years. Utah would suffer immensely giving him up. He has improved that club. Matthews with a hit of $13.25 with only 2 years that will want a raise. Not close at all in value to his team.
It's crazy but the team when he is not in the lineup doesn't suffer and actually has a higher rate of winning percentage without him. Cooley and Reilly are basically a saw off on the salary. But Toronto would get a steal getting Iginal and a 1st. Reilly is not a bonus in this deal but a liability. Maybe just maybe..... OEL with Matthews gets you Sergachev and Cooley and the 1st. OEL is still a big step down from Sergachev though.
7.) 02 Apr 2026 15:18:29
Please stop. This is your typical 15 paragraph back tracking you always do when someone calls you out for making a ridiculous claim. TLD is all I have to say.
8.) 02 Apr 2026 21:52:11
Learn to Read the first time and don't take out of context and I don't have to explain in detail.
9.) 02 Apr 2026 21:58:39
By the way, I didn't backtrack. I explained. By the way... Still waiting on why you thought in my other post that Cal Ritchie, Kashawn Aitcheson, Berkly Catton and Tyson Jugnauth were all bottom feeder prospects? I am not asking for 15 paragraphs. Just maybe one well worded one that shows you know something about prospects.
10.) 03 Apr 2026 02:25:21
I find most Leaf fans seriously overvalue Matthews in their trade proposals.
He has had two disastrous years following his 69 goal run.
Any team trading a bundle of young players, prospects and 1st round picks for him are taking a huge risk that, at 29 years old September 17th, he will suddenly turn things around and become the player he used to be.
Personally, I find that highly unlikely.
11.) 03 Apr 2026 14:40:44
He’s had 2 injury riddled years under Berube. Under the right coach, he gets back to elite scoring and playing. Secondly, have you been seeing what the 3 players that Trev ? traded away are doing under coaches who actually put them in a role to succeed and allows them to play to their strengths, not asking them to be players they are not.
This is a perfect example that the coach is the problem and should be the next to go. Matthews is elite.
14 May 2026 02:22:12
So I was actually thinking about a possible deal with Dallas as well. Even with the rising cap they are in trouble for next year. Harley's new contract kicks in and he gets a raise from $4M up to $10.59. Jason Robertson is an RFA and needs a raise to at least $12M. Maverick Bourque is an RFA and will need a good raise. Jamie Benn is a UFA again. And they have about 4 other players that need new contracts. So hear me out:
Dallas recieved: Reilly and Nick Robertson
Toronto Recieves: Tomas Harley and Tyler Sequin
I know you will say "no way Dallas does this" but they just might. Sequin has one year left at $9.85M and Harley has a massive contract starting that handcuffs them.
They already have their #1 Damn in Heiskanen. And they want to retain Jason Robertson on a new deal. We are doing them a huge favor to take the Seguin contract, and they get a serviceable Reilly back to play on the second pairing. They also gets Jason's brother where Nick might thrive playing with his brother. Dallas saves 10M in cap space. Leafs have the cap space for Sequin next year and we get a good young puck moving defenseman.
Kinda reminds me of when the Leafs gave Carolina a first round pick to take Patrick Marleaus contract because we had no cap space and that turned into Seth Jarvis for the canes.
13 May 2026 03:18:46
Would you trade Nylander for Thomas, 1 for 1?
Or if you were St. Louis, would it be more palatable if it was Knies + a 2nd?
10 May 2026 23:37:17
This idea is overlooking one major thing... Matthews will never waive his NMC to go to Vancouver. They are in a worse spot than Toronto is... so why would he leave his captaincy to go to an even bigger rebuild project?
10 May 2026 23:27:52
Hey Golftown
I like where you are heading with the rebuild angle. However, can I make a couple suggestions?
In the San Jose trade I'd rather get back Misa over Musty. Misty is a winger and we will have lots of those, especially with taking McKenna. With trading Matthews, we will need to replace strength down the middle, so I'd be asking for Misa back instead.
With the trade to the Hawks, your whole proposal shows full rebuild. So is rather offer up Nylander here to play with Bedard and keep Knies.
Knies is only 23, turning 24 years old. Nylander is 30 already. Is keep the younger, and cheaper option to build around. I'd love to get Levshnov back because he is going to be an absolute stud on the back end, but maybe we can upgrade Carlo to OEL and then ask for Frondell back as well. Then the future center position would be Misa, Malhotra and Frondell, which would be a strong center. Tavares can mentor them coming up. Thoughts?
08 May 2026 01:14:38
Why would Dallas ever make that trade and give up Harley?
I like the Laughton and Raddysh Ufa signing ideas... but not sure about the other ones. P Kane is far too old, and I doubt Marchment will ever come back to TO.