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19 Aug 2026 15:32:53
So is anyone else thinking any move to move Reilly is pretty near at its end? There are only 11 teams with the capability of absorbing his cap space. Nashville would burn the remainder of their cap to get him. Anaheim wanted him but once Cutter Gauthier signs they will have no cap. Montreal and Carolina are already deep at defense. Pittsburgh has enough defense that play a downhill style of game and want to get either Brunicke if Pickering into their lineup this year. Columbus won’t have room once Fantilli signs, he won’t go to Vancouver, Seattle, Calgary or Detroit. The Sharks now have no need either with their off season moves and drafting. That pretty much leaves one team that has room and a need.
The Flyers.
I’ll toss this out. We trade Mo and Joshua which gives them a veteran d-man and a forward when healthy can play 2nd, 3rd and 4th line minutes when needed. In return we want our 1st round pick back from them for this year. That would give us over $10 mil in cap space. Give us 2 1st round picks first this upcoming year with that and Colorado’s. And…. By not taking back a roster player it not gives us 3 open contract spots instead of just the 1 we have available now.
Would that be enough for Philly to bite or would we need to add something like a 3rd or 4th round pick?
It just looks more like they might be the one team if agreed to go would be a good landing spot.
1.) 19 Aug 2026 16:18:26
I think Nashville is still the better trade option.
I'm really not sure on Rielly's value anymore, but I would try.
Rielly $7.5M/4yrs
for
Perbix $2.75M/1yr UFA
Wood $.975M/1yr RFA
Leafs get bottom pairing & PKing Dman and a nice big, physical prospect RFA, who is still waiver exempt.
Nashville adds a puck moving Dman, who can man their 2nd PP unit.
Willing to add a mid round draft pick from Leafs end to get this deal over the finish line.
Thoughts?
2.) 19 Aug 2026 16:46:19
@suffering boy I like your train of thought on this one! I’d give them Reilly Joshua, and a 2nd if it meant getting our first back. The possibility of a repeat of last yr, I think is slim but what if? Then, Matthews gone followed shortly after by Willie. We’ve fully embraced a major retool now and potentially lose another top 10, maybe top 5 pick in 28 to Boston?! If Philly will even consider making a move with us for our 1st back, we make it happen. My opinion anyway. My only question is, if we make this deal, do we still have the option of which year Philly or Boston gets our 1st rounder? To my understanding, we hold the right, bc of last yr top 5 protection, of adjusting which 1st each team will get? So, we make the trade, get our first back.
Then next year, 26/27 season likely a 1st round exit, but 20 somewhere pick to say Boston doesn’t sting. Then we got the first back from Philly, life and retool moves forward flawlessly, almost lol. Hey, we still would have a 1st next yr with Colorado’s!!??
3.) 19 Aug 2026 21:12:33
Anything is possible, but it is not looking likely that Mo gets moved. I don't see the Philly fit though. They already have Drysdale, Sanheim and York signed for less than Rielly and all have term.
If one of them aren't moved, where does Rielly fit in with Risto there as well?
I still think LA is the best fit. Leafs would have to take back some cap, but LA has a need for Rielly.
4.) 19 Aug 2026 21:20:52
Tags. Can't imagine Nash giving up Perbix and Wood for Rielly, but if they will, I take it and run. Wood may become a 25-30 goal winger and as he continues to develop, could be a great net front presence.
5.) 19 Aug 2026 21:40:14
@tags The only thing is if we bring back two contracts for 1 leaving we have hit our limit of 50. Not to mention we really don’t save that much in cap space. I just think we have at least one player in our system under contract that can fill Reilly's spot. Either Danford, Chadsick, Villeneuve or my personal choice to sneak under the radar….
Cade Webber. Shot kicking machine and actually very mobile as a big man. A true defensive defenseman.
@rlf Yes, Philly has a great top 4 but they have cap room and Reilly is better than Seeler and Jiricek and even if he was #5 he is there to step in as a top 4 in injuries.
6.) 19 Aug 2026 21:49:04
Re: L. A. Yeah, they have the need, but we don't want to take back cap, do we? Plus L. S. already has 50 contracts signed, so they will want us to not only take back cap but take on one of those contracts too.
7.) 19 Aug 2026 21:55:07
Suffering. $7.5M for 4 more years for a D-man they intend to play on the 3rd pair and they will give up a 1st to get him? Sorry, just don't see why they would give up 1st and take on that cap hit if the intention would be for the 3rd pair.
Especially when our 1st back could be a 10-15 OA pick with so many question marks around the Leafs.
8.) 19 Aug 2026 22:04:19
Interesting post, but I don't see an unprotected first coming back right now when the Leafs just missed the playoffs.
9.) 19 Aug 2026 22:15:35
@Suffering
Leafs definitely will have to trade some other players for draft pick. I definitely could see Joshua gone to stay status quo with 49 SPC's.
@RLF
Yes, I don't think this goes through from Nashvulle perspective. Maybe Leafs adding a draf pick or Holinka to bridge the gap?
10.) 19 Aug 2026 22:21:54
Because Philly is not sure if they want to extend Risto at the price he wants or to trade him. So Reilly would give them the flexibilty to keep Risto or trade him plus Joshua give them more flexibilty up front as well. Don't get me wrong. I like Joshua and think if healthy for first time in a few years would be good here.
Most people want to run him out of town. So if packaging him and Reilly and possibly as Henry said a draft pick gets that pick back and we don't incur any other cap or contract why not? I mean we are just of course hypothecial playing with other people's money on here right? lol lol.
11.) 20 Aug 2026 02:57:49
Suffering. LA is only at 46 contracts. They don't need the Leafs to take one back except to make the cap work or they would have to make another move(s) to clear cap. As for Philly, I still don't see why they would, but you believe they would. All good.
12.) 20 Aug 2026 11:51:17
You are correct. I had missed that L.A. had 3 platers on sliding contracts. Was multitasking when I responded. Thing is, though, L.A. would have to clear roughly $6 mil to get Reilly and truthfully the main reason Toronto has been trying to move him is to free up that $7.5 not to bring in matching cap or even $4 million in return. Philly has come up in rumours for Reilly in the past which kind of surprised me and while they obviously didn’t land Carlsson it sounds like they are still looking for Defense depth and Middle 6 depth.
Possibly to position themselves for a larger move at some point (Risto perhaps). To pry that 1st back, it could take adding a 2nd round pick. Anyway, if we can’t move him, we can’t. Our best window was at the trade deadline and well might be again this season depending how things go.
13.) 20 Aug 2026 13:14:35
If L.A. got Rielly, Gustafsson gets waived and likely Ward, clearing $1.775 in cap. They would likely trade Dumoullin to fit Rielly. All moot likely anyhow as I don't see it probable that he gets moved now.
14.) 22 Aug 2026 02:13:49
Rielly trade is gone for now. Hopefully he has a good season and teams get interested again, but for now he will be wearing the blue and white opening night.
27 Jul 2026 16:53:31
Well here is a kind of the wall proposal. I know not many are fans of keeping Willy. So here is one if he was willing to waive and eventually if he does.... it might be a team he will do it for, because his best friend in all of hockey plays on that team.
Toronto gives up:
Willy
Joshua
Boston gives up:
Our 1st round pick that they possess
Matt Poitras (He is just caught in a numbers game there but is a very good player.)
Henri Jokiharju (Great skating 2-way d-man that plays almost identical game as J. J Moser so he would be perfect with Raddysh)
Mark Kastelic.
A tougher guy that we have on our roster and is capable of putting the puck in the net. He would anchor that 4th line and can also step up to the 3rd line when needed against tougher teams.
It frees up cap relief, gives us an NHL-ready d-man to allow a trade for Reilly, gives more legitimate toughness, gives Poitras a chance to take the step up and gives us a 1st round pick. And it gives Willy the chance to play with his buddy Pastrnak he has been friends with since they were 15.
1.) 27 Jul 2026 16:29:07
This return is hilarious. ???
2.) 27 Jul 2026 16:50:19
It might seem so to you as you probably have never heard of let alone seen Jokiharju play. Kastelic fills a need that none of our signings addressed. A guy who will make sure liberties are not taken and can play the game on a regular shift similar to Olivier.
What is also give us is freed up cap of $10.25 m. I would then toss it out to Philly that we give them Reilly and the 1st round pick from Colorado in return for our 1st that they possess.
We would then have $18.25 of cap with all our 1st rounders back in play to either use or trade the one for next season. Getting the following season one back allows us to be in position to Offer Sheet if we were so inclined with the Salary Cap savings. Or to use those Salary Cap savings with following year increases to have money in the coffers to pursue McDavid in 2028.
Getting that Boston pick back is a huge key to the direction this team can look at going.
3.) 27 Jul 2026 17:41:31
Any trade involving Silly Peelander makes me happy.
4.) 28 Jul 2026 00:50:27
This return is awful,
5.) 28 Jul 2026 12:05:50
I’m not sure what Silly Peelander’s trade value is?
?
I’m the last guy to ask.
Can’t stand him.
Leaf fans definitely don’t want me in charge of this trade.
?????
6.) 28 Jul 2026 21:20:27
His value in trades as I look around the league really has dropped. I overvalued him as well. But most teams right now are not going to basically give you a player of the same caliber in a straight swap. They will give prospects and picks to fill their void. The reason I put this package out there is because A- we need cap. B- Getting our own 1st round pick back is huge because we still don't know if it is going to Philly or Boston 100% yet.
I know some figure we are not getting much in return but we still don't have the right person to pair with Raddysh and Henri Jokiharju if people have watched him is almost a clone of J. J Moser who played with Raddysh in Tampa so that would be a ideal pairing which then 100% allows us to trade Reilly and not take back a way inferior d-man.
Mark Kastelic as well doesn't exactly jump out at people unless you watch him a lot. Ottawa fans actually wish they had him back. This is a guy who at 27 has really found his game and Chayka being a analytics guy would love these stats.
12 goals as a 4th liner sometimes 3rd liner. 4th in the league for Penalties drawn. 15th in hits delivered with 215. And one that jumps out as well is he was 5th in faceoff percentage in the leauge at 60.8% I would love to see him on a third line with Nick Paul.
Poitras I think with the Leafs would make the team out of camp and really turn some heads. He could possibly slot in beside Paul and Kastelic to add some offensive flair to the line. As I said by adding a d-man we can afford to Swap Reilly and the Colorado pick to get our Philly pick back. Then we are in a better situation cap wise and are not in a hole regarding our picks moving ahead. Losing Willy gives up some offense but McKenna and Cowan can pick up that slack and our lines and defense are even stronger with Kastelic and Henri Jokiharju our future is brighter with Poitras and the 2 1st rounders back in our pockets.
7.) 28 Jul 2026 22:13:15
Oh, and I almost forgot. Kastelic also tied for the league lead at 10 in fights and still put up those numbers I mentioned.
22 Jul 2026 15:47:58
Seattle was not one of the teams that was being discussed initially for Reilly but now depending on which rumour site you see it seems to be a team that keeps popping up now. So if it were the case here is a trade proposal I would toss at Seattle.
To Seattle: Reilly (Full Contract taken by Seattle), Roslovic (Yes we just signed him but Seattle would probably not be against it with his salary and 2 year term) Quillan, Our Colorado 1st.
To Toronto: Wright, Nyman and Jugnauth.
We might have to add to the package. But we put Wright on the right (No pun intended) side with Paul and Cowan we put Nyman on right side with Knies and Matthews and if Jugnauth (All Rookie team in AHL for Defense) and also in the AHL All star game) is ready we audition him as our Future Mateychuk, Hughes, Makar style d-man.
If he needs one more year in the AHL then he is playing with future partners, Chadwick, Danford and McKenzie and I am good with either scenario. Nyman is going to turn heads this year and Jugnauth very soon too. If we don't have those guys in our system we need to steal them from others. So yes this trade might need more. What would you give up to land these 3 and put Wright in a more protected spot on that 3rd line to get his confidence.
1.) 22 Jul 2026 15:15:53
@Suffering
I’m ok w this 100%
• 3x young players
• cap flexibility (sign a D-man)
• off season options w Wright
Best part in my opinion is a true rebuild starts w D-man and this adds to the Leafs prospect pool. We also can’t forget the Leafs drafted D-man w #60, #69 and #79.
2.) 22 Jul 2026 15:40:30
Yes. #60 Bilecki is one to watch this year as I think he will have a huge year in Kitchener. #69 was a very good pick with McKenzie as well. Very smart physical d-man and the smartest move was that he and Danford played as a duo at the WJC and were very, very good together.
3.) 22 Jul 2026 15:56:06
“If” Seattle was ok w this I love the money it frees up.
• Stanley (in not sold on the price).
• Klingberg (offensive threat).
• Tarasanko (big body power forward 2xcups).
• Bunting (played well w Matthew, brat).
• Tolvanen (offensive threat).
Just a few ideas w players that are still left. Of course 1 or 2 year contracts only.
4.) 22 Jul 2026 17:25:08
Suffering you always try to one up me when I post a trade with a team and I have to say u failed miserably. The reasons you did are pretty simple. We are not in a rebuild. Chayka not trading Roslovic who he just signed. Secondly are u seriously suggesting putting a kid who got 7pts in 28g in the nhl last year who’s a left shot on the first line on right wing? Then u talk about getting a LD who’s never seen the nhl yet a 4th rd pick as well.
Who will definitely be behind 3 other solid guys we have with the Marlies. Plus wright who no one is jumping to get cause they figure he’s another yakupov, Daigle type of flop top 5 draft pick. You said we might have to add to get these guys? You can’t be serious. 2yr window that’s what Chayka’s plan is not a rebuild. Stick to the plan this trade does nothing for that 2yr window except for closing it.
5.) 22 Jul 2026 19:57:13
Hey no problem. Stick with what we have. Let Nyman and Jugnauth blossom there. If you think Roslovic is the answer we will go with that. So Jugnauth who was an AHL all star as a rookie will be behind 3 if our guys in the Marlies? That’s comical.
6.) 22 Jul 2026 20:16:30
And believe me Champ U was not trying to outdo you whatsoever. I have pumped the tires on Nyman and Jugnauth for quite some time. If you feel others are trying to outdo you and upset about it you are on the wrong site. At least you interact now instead of the one word “Rediculous” posts. That shows some progress.
7.) 22 Jul 2026 20:35:37
Keep pumping those tires. Maybe one day they won’t be flat anymore. I just don’t see your targets being worth the price of admission. Giving up the only 1st rd pick for those players. Roslovic not getting traded so adding him makes completely no sense.
If u would have said Rielly, Villeneuve or Chadwick plus Quillan and Joshua and a 2nd rd pick I would say sure but not a 1st for any of those players.
8.) 22 Jul 2026 20:38:49
Unrealistic post.
9.) 22 Jul 2026 20:53:56
I’d do it for Wright and Mcmann back lol
10.) 22 Jul 2026 20:56:41
Oh well I tried.
11.) 22 Jul 2026 21:26:30
Nothing wrong with this from my perspective man. It’s a great idea. For me I’m very interested to see what Roslovic brings first because I believe he could get 20 plus and 50 points.
He was a target a few years ago; I was interested in that happening and want to see it through. I was half joking with Mcmann coming back if there’s a package there I’d do it.
12.) 22 Jul 2026 22:16:12
My thought on Roslovic Champ is... if he is so valuable and not getting traded what did they not give him any trade protection? It's because they grabbed out of desperation what they could on July 1 but also hoped they could find something better than him and then peddle him off eventually.
I mean 6 teams in 10 seasons can't be a bad thing, right? Why not make it 7 lol.
13.) 22 Jul 2026 22:33:33
You really believe they signed Jack out of desperation?
Cmon
Suffering you are brighter than that?
14.) 22 Jul 2026 22:43:14
So where do you see him fitting in?
15.) 22 Jul 2026 23:04:41
My biggest question is... If Roslovic is going to be a goal scoring machine? Which there is no real histroy to dictate that. Why did they not tie him up for longer? If Matthews is going to bounce back with tons of goals? If Knies is going to score 40 like some predict? If Nylander is going to crank out the goals as well? Who is the magical guy that is going to set all these guys up with all these assists? If it is McKenna? Well he can only play on so many lines at a time and...
what if he has trouble adjusting. It all goes back to us still relying on a soon to be 36 year old man as our 2nd line centre. And us still after how many years not having a true puck moving defenseman that puts the opposition on the reverse when the puck is on his stick. It's good to have optimism but this rebuild is going to happen whether some like it or not.
16.) 22 Jul 2026 23:14:34
One last comment to Champ. How much hockey do you actually watch? Nothing wrong with putting Nyman on the right wing as a left handed shot. You know why? Because that is the position he plays and that is the way he shoots. I mean, who would ever think of putting, say, a right handed shot as a left winger.
I mean, that would be ludicrous, right? Someone should tell Washington how they screwed up by doing that with that Russian guy. What's his name? Never can remember... but I will if I look at the NHL record book, I am sure. LOL
17.) 22 Jul 2026 23:23:24
I think you fit him in after training camp, Swiss army him til you see how McKenna stacks up physically and where Cowan is. You give him a shot with Matthews because of history, and at the end of the day if you get 20 goals out of him on the third line with let’s say Paul, it’s a win.
18.) 22 Jul 2026 23:42:06
Yeah, I have heard the Matthews Roslovic history thing before. They have not played together in 11 years. Vastly different players since then.
19.) 23 Jul 2026 00:28:57
Again, I do like this trade or at the very least the idea of trades like this.
1) 3x prospects
2) lots of cap space
What I like about this trade @Suffering and the trade posted earlier @Champ is that it gives the Leafs options.
Both are great ideas.
20.) 23 Jul 2026 00:35:51
By the way Champ! What post was it I was supposedly trying to oudo you on? I do feel you have a inferiority complax for some reason or another. Trust me I was not trying to outdo you. There are many others that are capable of that without me wasting my time in doing so.
21.) 23 Jul 2026 00:31:59
???? now I know you have lost your mind. Comparing Noman (spelled purposely like that) 7pts in 28g then sent to the minors to the greatest goal scorer to play the game. You just lost your own argument by saying that. Case closed.
22.) 23 Jul 2026 11:32:11
You always like to twist things. I never compared him to Ovechkin. What I pointed out was to your incredulous view that a Left hand shot should not play the right wing. It is actually becoming more and more standard because of the better shooting angles and the wingers when winning battles in the corners are now able to fire forehand passes to the point with authority rather than weaker backhand passes.
I never once compared his goal scoring to Ovechkin. Just the strategy of off wing way. You always seem to never grasp what people on here write, because you either don’t understand or it’s just your personality to always disagree.
23.) 23 Jul 2026 17:37:57
Ok so how bout we talk about how well Maccelli did playing on the RS being a LS player. By u bringing up the Russian you are comparing him. By stating Was did it and look how it turned out for them with Ovy. Noman is not Ovy. Ovy is one of the greatest players to play the game.
Noman will be a call up/sent down player for his whole career. Ask Kingmatty he saw my Seattle trade proposal I’m sure u saw it too but just don’t want to acknowledge it cause it makes way more sense than yours ?drop ?
24.) 23 Jul 2026 18:31:41
Well in your mind it does. Sure doesn’t warrant a mic drop. It also should not be shocking that 30 percent of right wingers shoot left. It is a matter of how many players shoot left handed overall in the league. Last comment on this post. Go ahead and respond you can’t help yourself because we all know you like to have the last word.
21 Jul 2026 16:43:19
I know we all head into the new season being optimistic and hoping that last year was an anomaly. So if it wasn't and we find this is not going to work at all. What is the route we take if we are to blow it up and go to full rebuild mode? Personally I am after the last 2 years of drafting starting to see some good pieces in the system but without 2 years of our 1st round picks gone. It would really stymie the timeframe of a rebuild unless some of the blowup of the team involves somehow trading with the Dreaded Bruins and the Flyers to get those picks back.
Don't get me wrong I think McKenna will be a good one, but it sure would have been nice if Landon Dupont had been available in this years draft.
That is the kind of player we are lacking that would completely transform this team. Ahead and behind the blueline. Obviously whoever gets the 1st overall pick (Early odds are on the Canucks) would be open to a trade for the right player that would not be afraid of joining another rebuild team for that pick. If Buiim has a really good year in Vancouver they would be willing to pass on Dupont for the right player and a pick.
Lets hope we do turn a corner this year and it doesn't transpire. But hey.... we are a trade rumour/debate site. If you had to and it was Vancouver or Calgary who would you move to get Dupont from either team?
1.) 21 Jul 2026 16:31:49
Love the idea, just don’t see anyone trading the (potential) 1st overall pick.
Leafs can definitely speed up the rebuild by shipping Knies, Matthews and Nylander tho.
Again, I’d circle back to Montreal 1st and demand there top 3 prospects and 2x 1st rounders and they would definitely be listening. Imagine Anderson and Knies coming at you every other shift in the playoffs ?.
2.) 21 Jul 2026 17:17:09
So... rebuild by shipping out Knies and going after Anderson? Funny looking rebuild.
Suffering, rebuild is inevitable. They are not going far this year. Matthews is leaving, Nylander is heart/gutless. Reilly will have to go next year after Leaf fans have him traded the last 3 seasons. Seems really silly, IMO, that they went for it this year and went after 37 yo Bob amongst others.
3.) 21 Jul 2026 17:30:29
@Clarky17
Ur miss understanding my post (my bad).
I would ship Knies to Montreal for there top 3x prospect and 2x 1st rounders.
That would but 2x power forwards (Anderson and Knies) on Montreal.
4.) 21 Jul 2026 17:32:24
@Clarky If this doesn't work out and Bob isn't what Chayka thought he was, there is zero risk. By the time a full rebuild is done the only one still on the books would be Raddysh and that's only if he wasn't sent somewhere as well.
Went for it is what I would say if they moved picks for players. Chayka signed a bunch of short term deals because management knows a rebuild may be in the future.
@Suffering I don't think anything the Leafs currently have equals Dupont. If Calgary landed 1OA they don't really need young D, but unless McKenna has a good year and he's part of the package why would they do it?
Vancouver is years away currently, even emptying out the Marlies+Knies I don't see getting it done.
Good thought, but no matter how hard I try I cannot figure it out.
5.) 21 Jul 2026 17:37:10
You don’t rebuild trading a 23 year old power forward like Knies. You’ll be looking dor someone just like him almost immediately.
6.) 21 Jul 2026 17:45:22
@Clarky17
I also agree w you about the rebuild. All the Leafs are do’n right now is filling the lineup w bandaid solutions.
The Leafs have done nothing for tomorrow….. Nothing!!!!
We have minimal prospects and minimal draft capital.
And!!!! And!!!!! All this to keep Matthews happy who can still walk in 2x years, then what ?♂️
I want and need the Leafs to think more than the next 2x years.
All is see is the Leafs putting off the inevitable and wasting 2x more years.
“yes”, I believe the Leafs will complete this year but they’re far from competing for the Cup.
7.) 21 Jul 2026 17:48:01
Don’t hate me Clarky but to land something like DuPont you would have to do Knies and another piece. Yes Knies is a power forward but we have no-one like a Makar or Schaefer of Werenski or Hutson or Sanderson to only touch on a few.
This team truly needs that elite quarterback. Would we miss Knies? Of course, but we can’t keep hoping that elite d-man falls from heaven.
8.) 21 Jul 2026 18:18:15
@Suffering
With the minimal prospects and draft capital the Leafs have I don’t see a trade possible to land the 1st overall pick even if they include Knies.
9.) 21 Jul 2026 18:41:04
@Kingmatty It would come down to how the season pans out and if someone came knocking with a massive package of prospects and picks for Matthews and Nylander at the deadline, to what package could be put together for a DuPont or a Trade ti Minnesota with Matthew’s and Faber being the key pieces.
Then instead of DuPont we look at Assembling a package to get the big Centre Alexis Joseph. I might be proven wrong and believe me I would not be upset if this lineup can do it. On paper, though, I just don’t see a contender.
10.) 21 Jul 2026 18:48:03
Ya! We’ll know more at the halfway point. I’m not expecting the Leafs to come out hot especially w a new coach and all the new faces.
11.) 21 Jul 2026 20:28:02
I just don't see anyone giving up the first overall pick and passing on DuPont. Whether Buium has a good year or not, he’s a LD and DuPont is RD. Why wouldn’t u want them both. Then u trade Hronek instead if u win the draft.
12.) 21 Jul 2026 21:00:29
Having both would be good but having one and turning the other into someone like a Knies plus to play with Malholtra is the other thing. I think Vancouver when it comes down do it has a decent Defensive Core it is the Forwards they need to build upon, Too be honest if DuPont has a 30 to 35 point year in the NCAA as a 17 year old defenceman.
It will take a lot more than Knies to get him.
13.) 21 Jul 2026 22:45:45
Plus! When it comes to a rebuild, you gotta start w D-man, they take longer to develop. As a GM of a bottom feeder team, I’m sticking D-man like crazy.
14.) 22 Jul 2026 12:03:00
I said before, you can’t go for that type of D this year. They got Raddysh to be our PP specialist, also a good puck mover. They went and got Andrae for a mobile puck moving D. Everyone knows I didn’t like that trade for Woll but hopefully he proves me wrong. But that is who they got to fill those voids. Unless they find a deal for Reilly. This is your D core; I think they are hanging on to Reilly to see what he can do behind a guy like Raddysh.
Might as well keep him this year, hopefully increases his value and move off Reilly, Matthews, Nylander, OEL, Tanev, Bob or Stolarz next off season. They have cap space issues because of that terrible Roslovic signing. Don’t make that signing. Move off Lorentz, Domi to LTIR, and you had money to get another legit player whether it be a top 6 F or a young impactful D.
15.) 22 Jul 2026 18:17:54
I am on the fence with Raddysh. He does have a cannon of a shot. But do we have the set up guys like Tampa had setting him up on the point? And do we have anyone as good as Moser to partner with him 5 on 5? I don’t think we should expect almost a point a game, but if he doesn’t hit 50 points and defensive zone coverage is an issue, the crowd could get ugly.
15 Jul 2026 20:03:07
Well... Now it’s official that Yzerman has been moved into special advisor and is not GM. Does Larkin stay, and will the new GM offer sheet Fantilli with that extra money they have been sitting on?
1.) 15 Jul 2026 19:29:41
Who cares. Different website.
2.) 15 Jul 2026 19:41:30
It affects the whole league as far as who may or may not have been traded for Larkin which affects us for possible trade partners if he stays. Just the way the Dominoes fall in the league.
3.) 15 Jul 2026 20:25:38
Only if we were planning on adding him. He’s mentioned 4 teams and non of them are us, so really who cares.
4.) 15 Jul 2026 20:41:56
Because the teams that were interested in him or similar are still shopping and depending how the season unfolds they may be knocking on our door or vice versa. Come on now... Anyone that used the Name LeafsGM should know these basic things on how the world unfolds when these things happen.
5.) 15 Jul 2026 22:47:50
Ya! Larkin vs Yzerman doesn’t affect the Leafs at all.
They sooo coulda handled things differently, behind closed doors.
Detroit problem not a Leaf problem.
???
6.) 15 Jul 2026 23:33:56
Wow guys! Really?
Suffering is simply asking a question of opinion that does in fact affect the Leafs and every team. Why not give your view?
Everything that happens in the league affects other teams. Moving players and knowing or anticipating an opponent’s next move is like a chess game.
7.) 15 Jul 2026 23:35:44
It isn't necessarily the dynamics of him and Larkin. My point, KingMatty, is it kind of is a Leaf Problem. Replacing a GM that missed the playoffs for 7 years and having someone else step in that has some cap is a leaf problem.
If it was a team that finished behind us and maybe not. But this is a team that finished 14 points ahead of us in our own division and with this leadership move could make some changes shortly that could enhance that gap.
8.) 15 Jul 2026 23:49:17
Want my honest opinion, I feel it’s just a PR stunt. The owner (IIitch) is “supposedly” taking over and Yzerman will be his right hand man.
What changes is Detroit ?♂️
Nothing!!!!!
9.) 16 Jul 2026 00:06:00
I agree it “might” can change the landscape but I don’t believe it’ll change the Leafs plans.
10.) 16 Jul 2026 00:18:27
He is taking over until they hire a GM. Keep a eye on the GM that was in Providence for the Bruins. He interviewed for the Leafs GM job and they were thinking of him for the Marlies. But the timing here could be interesting. He was let go last night from the Bruins organization and Detroit takes Yzerman out today. Could be a massive co-incidence but.... one never knows. Dubs just hired Brandon Pridham after the Leafs let him go. But he would probably let Detroit interview Pridham if they asked. They have been buddies for years and he would not stop him from a shot at a GM's job. I honestly don't think it is a PR stunt.
We can look down and laugh at Detroit, but we really are not in a position to laugh hard.
11.) 16 Jul 2026 00:53:34
My gut is telling me their on damage control.
?♂️
I’m sure Yzerman is out but thier try’n to do it w class.
Kind late to make a move like this don’t you think? ?
Bring in a new GM after the draft and after free agency opened? ?
Motor City will need damage control after damage control.
12.) 16 Jul 2026 01:30:38
Yeah who cares.
Detroit is a hot mess.
Yzerman is a wimp and a quitter.
13.) 16 Jul 2026 10:43:53
The guy played 23 playoff games with a totally destroyed knee. Won the cup and lead the team in scoring. His 3rd cup!
Wimp and a quitter?
Smoke another one.
14.) 16 Jul 2026 11:53:18
@Suffering
I could see your point pre-draft but at this point most dominos have fallen. Plus, the new GM isn’t gonna come in fist a blazing. He’ll have to come in, meet people, talk to players and reach out to other GM’s and this GM hasn’t even been hired yet. By the time he settles in he’ll be waaay behind the 8-Ball. Larkin, like Rielly has limited trade list, so I don’t see any major surprises coming unless Larkin decides to stays.
The new GM does have things to work with tho. Top 5 prospect pool and almost $20m to play with.
15.) 16 Jul 2026 13:01:18
Dam!!! Forgot all about the knee injury
@LukeFox
Yzerman is Not a wimp or a quitter.
When Detroit drafted Yzerman they were last place in the Norris Division
(21-44-15) and when he was finished they had 3x Stanley Cups ?.
Imagine trying to lead a team through those Detroit vs Colorado series w a guy on your team w his face caved it.
In my opinion he was one of the best leaders to play the game.
16.) 16 Jul 2026 13:32:59
Leafs should get him as president of hockey operations. Start the Yzy plan ????
17.) 16 Jul 2026 13:54:46
I’m not sure if your try’n to be a jerk or not but that is pretty funny ???.
18.) 16 Jul 2026 14:31:05
Well here is a interesting twist involving a ex-Leaf executive. On Yahoo, where they were talking about the Yzerplan coming to a end. Elliot Friedman tossed out Shanahan's name as a possible replacement.
19.) 16 Jul 2026 14:49:47
Wow!!!!
Wish I thought of that. Makes total sense. Not on my ‘A’ game today ????
20.) 16 Jul 2026 16:45:36
All joking aside, he was a Red Wing icon. Why not get another ? in there to see how he can mess it up more? Not like he hadn’t done it to another team already ?????
21.) 16 Jul 2026 17:22:03
I'm a firm believer in giving people where credit is due and while I know there are a lot of Shanaplan haters on here but in all fairness in the 10 years prior to him arriving, one year of course was the lock-out but the other 9 years we were a team that missed the playoffs 8 out of 9 years and were 15 games below .500. In the 10 years we was here we made the playoffs 8 out of 10 years and were 165 games above .500. His biggest mistakes in not getting us further into the playoffs was wanting every trade at the deadline to get approved by him and he would take to long to overanalyze and that is how we missed out on some trades. Too much control.
His other mistake was not realizing earlier that he needed to step aside and let new blood at the Helm.
Sadly we made the mistake of replacing him with a guy who's background was broadcasting and the CEO of a CFL team and a European Golf Tour. Brilliant move.
It's like any business plan, you do a 10 year plan and adjust. He reached the 10 years and that plan did work for awhile but he did not adjust.
Maybe in Detroit if he was the first guy in on the Trade line as G. M he may be a different cat.
Did I get frustrated we didn't get further in the playoffs with him here? Damn right I did. But nowhere near as frustrated as I was not making the playoffs all those years. So I will give Shanny props for at least getting us into being a competitive team.
22.) 16 Jul 2026 19:33:05
What is this Detroit 90210??
23.) 16 Jul 2026 19:42:32
Hey. It’s a slow week for hockey news. You don’t want to comment with anything productive to do with the post. Then start another one.
24.) 16 Jul 2026 20:52:07
Sorry man, I just fail to see the correlation here. If Larkin stays or goes from the Leafs perspective, unless he’s moved to a team in Florida, the Habs or Buffalo, it doesn’t really matter. I view Detroit as a team in our rear view mirror, so if he stays Yahoo, totally inconsequential.
25.) 16 Jul 2026 21:09:45
That's kind of a being in denial post. Season before last. Buffalo, Detroit, Montreal and Boston were in our rear view mirror. I think last season should have opened our eyes that "Objects in the mirror may be closer than they appear" and in some cases those objects are not behind us when we check the mirror.
There is no harm in watching what other teams are doing with transactions and leadership changes. I know for a fact that our changes certainly got attention on other teams' sites.
26.) 16 Jul 2026 21:33:55
Ok, but Larkin or the GM whomever that maybe be doesn’t directly effect the Toronto Maple Leafs, and as you pointed out someone with my handle should know your point of view lol. The Toronto Maple Leafs have one player that either stays or goes and that’s Reilly, unless of course a Norris Trophy winner can be had without Knies.
So again, what and in what universe does it make and difference who the GM is or where Larkin goes?
27.) 16 Jul 2026 21:44:17
I’m not in denial lol just don’t think your post has any merit ?
28.) 16 Jul 2026 22:43:32
So your question was in what Universe does it make any difference who the GM or where Larkin goes? The universe is a big area. The NHL is a small part of it. What is even a smaller part of that is the Atlantic Division. Of which Detroit and Toronto are part of.
One third of our games and points are comprised in that Division. So any significant change, negative or positive, in another team's lineup in that division, that, by the way, we had the worst record in, does make a difference.
29.) 16 Jul 2026 23:18:53
He left Detroit in a hot mess.
So he quits.
That makes him a quitter.
And he’s a wimp for running.
30.) 16 Jul 2026 23:54:35
But yet it had enough merit for you to diss it.
31.) 17 Jul 2026 14:14:24
He didn't quit. He was given by the owners what is called a Percussive Sublimation. So his new position is strictly figurehead with no actual decision making. It was a way of not embarassing him to some of the older fan base in Detroit and his contract was due to end at the end of this season.
So I think he will step away from this new "Senior Advisor" role at the end of the year. They certainly won't pay him $1.8m to continue in that role.
Sufferingsince1967's banter posts with other poster's replies to Sufferingsince1967's banter posts
25 Aug 2026 00:07:16
Had a article pop up from a feed re: NHL Network ranking of top 20 centers in NHL. Is Connor Bedard the NHL's 16th best Center? After seeing the list my question would be is Auston Matthews the 8th best?
1.) 24 Aug 2026 23:16:15
No, Mathews was ranked far too high on that list in my view. Past accolades are fine if it's one down year, but 2 in a row with injuries mounting doesn't strike me as a top 10 centre at the moment.
I also didn't have Celebrini above Barkov or Drais either. That was an insane one to me.
2.) 24 Aug 2026 23:34:36
I would have had Barkov and Suzuki as a coin flip for #3 and #4. Suzuki is soooo good and soooo underated. It pains me as a Montreal life long hater to say that lol. But he is so good in his own end as well as being a offensive force that gets better each year.
One thing I did read a few weeks ago is that he is who Cowan has been skating with in London this summer. Can't think of a better player for Cowan to pick up some nuances from.
3.) 24 Aug 2026 23:42:29
@Suffering I 100% have Drais in the top 3. That guy is an absolute stud, but I can agree that defensively Brakov and Suzuki are much better defensively.
4.) 25 Aug 2026 13:19:09
So where do you have Mathews after the last two years? McDavid, MacKinnon, Drais, Celebrini, Suzuki, Eichel and Barkov have to be higher that Mathews on the list in whatever order I think. That's where you hit kind of the second tier of first line centres.
I probably do still have him in that 8th spot.
5.) 25 Aug 2026 15:29:33
I still have Sid in that top group as well. Celebrini is a beast imo. 115 points as a 19 year old. A little too loose with the puck, but he is just a kid. Honestly, with how Matthews has looked the past 2 seasons, how far behind him can guys like Sheifele, Hughes, Stutzle, Bedard, Point etc be? I think you could rank Matthews anywhere from just inside the top 10 to probably 16-17th, based on the past two seasons.
6.) 25 Aug 2026 17:07:59
@RLF Celebrini had one good year, that's the only thing. I do think he's going to be a stud going forward, but that's what Vancouver thought about EP40.
Forgot about Point. I'd have Point ahead of Mathews currently as well and Stutzle is a toss up.
Jack Hughes I personally think is barely top 20. Guy cannot stay healthy which makes it hard to get a read on how good he would be in a full season.
7.) 25 Aug 2026 19:31:55
Another player I would put above Matthews would be Sebastian Aho. The more I watch him I realize just how elite he is. Very very smart 2 way player. He bought in early to Rod Brindamour's system and is Mr.
Automatic for a paint a game no matter who his wingers are. His skill level is fantastic and in a different system (Their system works though as shown by their success) he would be hitting 95 to 100 points on other teams.
8.) 25 Aug 2026 20:15:18
LL. That's my point though. In many cases, it's really close with Matthews and a lot of centres who are outside what most would consider the top tier. As for Celebrini. He was almost a ppg as an 18 year old on what was a poor team until he arrived. He has transformed that team because he is that good imo.
9.) 26 Aug 2026 00:17:29
@RLF As I said, I also think Celebrini is a current/future superstar. I'm just always cautious of young guys or guys in career years.
10.) 26 Aug 2026 15:49:57
Point ahead of Matthews is weird to me, he was nearly useless last year.
25 Jul 2026 15:35:40
Well on a slow movement week in the NHL. Here is one to think about. They say this will be the year of the "Rookie", Other than the 5 top names in no Particular order of McKenna, Stenberg, Martone, Hutson (Cole), and Frondell. There are a ton of others that are pretty good as well. Pick 2 more that one of them could have a chance at being presented with the Calder Cup at season's end.
I'll start with Helenius from Buffalo and Eklund from the Islanders. Feel free to agree or fire in 2 more. There are a ton of them. It will be exciting to see all thses players actually. I could have picked 10 more lol.
1.) 25 Jul 2026 15:05:12
1) Jacob Fowler
I love how Montreal protected him last year. They did a great job of balancing experience and letting him develop naturally. Perfect example of not rushing a blue chip prospect. He probably won’t win the Calder Trophy cuz he’ll be splitting the nets but this one is a keeper (no pun intended).
2) Porter Martone
I’m gonna cheat and take the favourite to win the Calder. Already has an impressive showing in the NHL. He’s big, he’s strong and has a great shot. I’d love to have a young stud like this on the Leafs.
2.) 25 Jul 2026 15:22:37
No no no, lol. I said other that the 5 faves, lol. Martone is already in their King.
3.) 25 Jul 2026 15:42:53
???
I soooooo cheated.
I still think Martone wins the Calder Trophy easily.
Fine!!!!! I’ll pick a 3rd ???
3) Ilya Protas
This kid is a monster!!! If he uses his size correctly at the NHL level he’ll be a force to reckon with.
I can see a lot of garbage goals in front of the net and racking up points with all the talent around him. I don’t think he’ll have a lot of pressure either so that’s an added bonus.
4.) 25 Jul 2026 16:06:17
Good picks.
5.) 25 Jul 2026 21:45:48
Sorry Suffering, but I have to steal Helenius as well. I really like him.
I'll take a longer shot with Tig Iginla. Not sure if he plays many NHL games this year. I heard they are trying to prep him into a Centre. I'm curious to see how this experiemnt pans out.
6.) 25 Jul 2026 23:46:19
I heard that about Iginla as well. His other block is he has to leapfrog his WJC linemate Caleb Desnoyers who also wants that Centre job lol. Good Friendly rivalry. Another longshot as well will be their other linemate from the WJC that got traded from Utah to the Rangers. Cole Beaudoin.
7.) 26 Jul 2026 00:55:11
Yes, I liked Beaudoin in that 2024 draft, and Solberg as well.
I think Leafs had their heart set on Hage and once Montreal picked him at 21 the Leafs traded down their 23rd pick.
8.) 26 Jul 2026 01:07:34
Almost forgot about Hage. If Montreal can convince him to not go back to College, throw him in there. Too. So many if them.
9.) 26 Jul 2026 10:13:41
“If” the Leafs trade Knies to Montreal, I’d soooo want Hage as one of many prospects and pics coming the Leafs way.
10.) 26 Jul 2026 17:44:13
My son in law pointed out 3 I forgot about. He being a Senators fan said to keep a eye on Carter Yakemchuck that he will open some eyes this year. Another he mentioned and I forgot about and he will be a good one as well is James Hagens in Boston.
15 Jul 2026 18:12:25
So as look towards the upcoming season and look back at the final wildcard standings from last season. Which teams that make it in the East do you see falling out of the Playoffs and which teams replacing them and with the roster we have at the moment do you see us being one of those teams replacing anyone?
1.) 15 Jul 2026 17:55:17
Bruins don't end up at 100pts again and miss the playoffs.
Buffalo ends the season in a wild card spot. I think they take a step back without Tuch and Byram.
Eklund (who I really like) is better than Brady was and the Sens do better with a top 3 finish.
Playoffs in order;
Tampa
Leafs
Sens
Habs
Panthers
Sabres
Bruins
Red Wings
Wings are a dumpster fire and it gets no better.
Bruins will need a total rebuild soon. They are another middling team that doesn't have much.
No change in the Metro. That division is a mess. Free ride for Canes.
I know everyone is crowning the Cats as cup champions because they picked up Brady, but Markstrom is not a good goalie in my estimation. That was the worst move that organization has made in awhile.
2.) 15 Jul 2026 19:39:10
Don't rule out those Bruins. They are sneaky in how they keep filling holes. They could actually have a couple rookie of the year candidates on their roster this year with James Hagens and Will Zellers.
3.) 15 Jul 2026 20:31:54
@Suffering What's your list?
You didn't give your prediction.
4.) 15 Jul 2026 21:06:37
? @Eklund Better than Brady Tkachuk?
My list:
Habs
TB
Bruins
FLA - wild card but wins the Cup again.
Out of playoffs:
Leafs
Sabres
Sens
Red Wings
5.) 15 Jul 2026 21:20:35
I think Pittsburgh and the Flyers are out (Flyers are good but are still missing that Centreman). Get passed by Washingto and the Panthers. The Panthers no because of Brady but because of just getting the injuries behind them and full compliment. I agree with the Senators actually maybe having a better team now. They are loaded on left wing and might have one of the best group of young defensemen in the league. Boston I think hangs in there because they kind of have that Carolina makeup. They just keep throwing players over the boards that you really don't want to play against. line after line.
Just balanced. I think though the team that makes the most improvement will be Washington. That is one very deep and big team. I think Bob might steal us a extra 10-12 points this year but I just don't see us making up enough points with the lineup we have to springboard back up and make us a 100 point team. Which is basically what we need to hit wildcard. We shall see. Sadly if we miss again then the massive rebuild we probably start next year. Its all subjective right? Any of these teams could run into massive injuries like Florida. We could be in a world of hurt if we only have one major injury.
6.) 15 Jul 2026 21:26:09
Clarky... Even Ottawa fans are looking forward to a team without Chucky. His act had worn thin. In and out of the dressing room.
7.) 15 Jul 2026 23:33:31
Love this!!!!!
• Carolina
• Tampa
• Washington
• Florida
• Montreal
• Ottawa
• Buffalo
• Toronto
8.) 15 Jul 2026 23:56:59
KINGmatty
You can't have 6 teams from the Atlantic, 5 teams max from either division.
Tampa
Toronto
Montreal
Florida
Buffalo
Ottawa
Boston
Detroit
Toronto vs Montreal Round 1.
9.) 16 Jul 2026 00:06:16
Carolina
Washington
New Jersey
Pittsburgh
NYI
Philadelphia
Columbus
NYR
10.) 16 Jul 2026 01:06:06
@Suffering, you can say what you want about fans/teammates not liking him but the reality is, he was the heart of that team, he tried to drag people in the fight with him, but most of that Sens team didn’t want that side of the game. Actually a lot like the Leafs.
Didn’t know we were doing the whole eastern conference:
Washington
Carolina
NYI
Jersey
NYR
Pitts
Columbus
Philly
For the other side of the East.
11.) 16 Jul 2026 02:03:11
Liking thr lists from everyone. See a few I didn't expect.
@Clarky I have been the biggest Brady Tkathcuk fan since he entered the league. I advocated for a trade to get him to Toronto for years.
After the crap he pulled in Ott, good riddance.
They should be happy he's gone. They got Eklund and a bunch of draft capital which will be good picks.
Ott was a fantastic team that lacked goaltending. They still just neeed the same.
12.) 16 Jul 2026 09:07:14
Atlantic
Florida
Tampa
Montreal
Metro
Caps
Hurricanes
Blue Jackets
Wildcard
Leafs
Buffalo
Two teams I don’t fully believe in are Buffalo and Montreal they are young teams that haven’t won consistently yet, the Leafs will benefit from the weak Metro and also from some of the Atlantic teams having lost big pieces… Side note I really like what the Capitals have built I think they are President's Trophy winners.
13.) 16 Jul 2026 09:55:21
@Tags97
????
I had waaaay to much to drink last night.
??
Went to the bar for the soccer game. I do remember go’n out, pretty cloudy after that ??.
New sober list:
• Tampa
• Florida
• Montreal
• Ottawa
• Toronto
• Washington
• Carolina
• Pittsburg.
14.) 16 Jul 2026 11:22:29
Hope your team won KINGmatty ?.
15.) 16 Jul 2026 12:14:37
@Tags97
Honestly, not a soccer guy like my buddies are (but try’n). I’m very patriotic so having Canada in and hold their own was good enough for me.
And thanks, buddy ?
??? (hurting today) ??.
16.) 16 Jul 2026 13:00:39
@KINGmatty
I've had more than my share of these hangover days ? ?
Hope you feel better soon!
I'm not much of a soccer guy either, but I do enjoy watching the World Cup and am a proud Canadian as well.
Hats off to the Canada ?? ????
Cheers, but no drinking for you today ? ??
17.) 16 Jul 2026 14:05:30
@goat2.0 I totally agree about the Washington Capitals.
Those 4 lines are just sick!
Tuch Strome Kyrou
Protas (The Older) Dubois Wilson
Ovechkin Jenner Leonard
Protas (The Younger) Sourdif Beauvillier
And Andrew Crisall is still not even factored in on those lines.
The Defence is very balanced.
Thompson in Net.
That is a team that is capable of swapping lines one and two and lines three and four at any point and time.
12 Jul 2026 02:34:04
Well I had a interesting dinner with my Buddy his kid and his agent who I have also become pretty good friends with. Sorry, no juicy gossip to share. All quiet on the western front, so to speak. But what came up was Salaries. He was saying how everyone is freaking out at the money top players are earning etc. He pointed out something I had never thought about that much to be honest. He pulled it up on his phone and said in 2003, if you took the Bottom level of the top 50 Salaries, which was $5,000,000 and converted to 2026 currently it would convert to being worth $9,000,000 give or take a few dollars.
This year the top 50 Salaries bottome level is $8,625,000. Top Salary 2003 was Forsberg and Jagr at $11,000,000, which coverts to $20,000,000 in 2026. So everything is not that far off. Kind of put a little different perspective in a way on things and I have to admit I left dinner feeling more educated.
1.) 12 Jul 2026 12:14:11
It is interesting to do that exercise; it puts a new perspective on today’s salaries.
It’s even more revealing when you consider Forsberg’s $11m was almost 30% of the $39m cap in back 2005/6 compared to Carlsson’s 18% today!
2.) 12 Jul 2026 13:13:25
The salaries jumping so high and so fast definitely caught me off guard but you do have a valid point. ?
3.) 12 Jul 2026 14:42:39
Wasn't my point, I just passed it on from someone much more educated in the game and it's finances as it relates to players than I am.
4.) 12 Jul 2026 15:49:52
It is interesting, but I see one major flaw in looking at 2003 and someone saying look how it compares. The salary cap didn't exist. Top spending teams in 03 were spending more than what the cap was in 18/19 under the salary cap. It took 15/16 years to get to what the Wings were spending prior to the salary cap ($78M). Yet there were teams only spending $22M back in 03 and weren't competitive.
What would be a more interesting comparison to me is - what is the values compared to the first year of the salary cap (05/06), since currently we are in a salary cap era? Because if the bottom level of the top 50 then was say $3.8M with the 24% rollback (I believe that was the 50th highest salary) and that equates to say $6.5-7M in 2026, then the players have benefitted greatly with much larger salaries.
In 05/06, all existing players' salaries took the 24% rollback to get teams under the $39M cap. I think you have to include the rollback as no new contract could be worth more than about $7.8M with the cap at $39M. So $7.8M would be top salary in the League and as you have shown, that equates to a lot less than $20M (about $13.5M) in 2026.
5.) 12 Jul 2026 16:51:09
You are correct for sure on that. He only used the 2003 numbers as reference because that was the year he started as an agent.
He also said that as much as Danny Briere fired that contract at Anaheim to put them in a bit of a bind. It did not come close to the bitterness that in 1998 that Peter Karmanos who owned Carolina caused with Mike Illitch of Detroit with the Fedorov poison pill offer sheet.
I had forgot about that until it was brought up last night. You probably remember it RLF but for those that don't just google it up. They say people thought Illitch was going to have a heart attack he was so furious. He and Karmanos disliked each other to begin with but this one really took it to another level. The NHL during the Wild Wild West days lol.
11 Jul 2026 14:34:05
@kingmatty On the long post on the rumours side. You mentioned about the CB expiring in September. The one that kicks in them is in effect until 2030. So owners and players association have 4 years to address some of these issues we have all pointed out of late. Hopefully sanity prevails. But I won’t hold my breath on it.
1.) 11 Jul 2026 13:43:52
Didn’t know that, my bad.
2.) 11 Jul 2026 13:53:45
For the most part, still works w my theory of building pics and prospects now. I think getting ahead of this is just good business.
And ya, the NHL and NHLPA gotta solve this offer sheet drama sooner than later.
How does a GM honestly make a 1-5 year game plan right now? This is where having multiple options is the key go’n forward.
3.) 11 Jul 2026 14:00:23
Avoiding these ridiculous RFA battles is the way to go (in my opinion). Sooner or later when the NHL and NHLPA solves this those teams who offer these crazy offer sheets will have there hand stuck in the cookie jar.
4.) 11 Jul 2026 14:32:33
At some point the cap will plateau. Could it be 4 years from now who knows? But that is when team that spend right to the cap each year will be in trouble. One immediate thing the league for that next agreement is setting that Salary cap (say this year at $104 m) for the highest State we won’t bring provinces in at this time. California is 13% so that affects 3 teams. We all know about the tax free states and then it goes all over with Ohio being the lowest at 2.75%. I think it is time the league evened the playing field.
Bring the cap down in every state to be equivalent for take home pay for players at end of the day. I can guarantee if that was the case thise tax free teams would not appear as often on every players list to be traded or sign as a free agent. This is long overdue in my opinion. The idea the cap is a level playing field for all is an illusion. Seattle will figure that out fast after Jan. 28 going from tax free to 9.9% Milllionaires tax.
5.) 11 Jul 2026 14:50:17
Oh! That will definitely be discussed and I sooooo back your point ?.
It’s gotta be fair for All teams.
6.) 11 Jul 2026 20:34:41
I might be alone in this, but after watching Dubas cave repeatedly to RFA demands, I really like the way Verbeek runs his team.
The Flyers made an insane offer that nobody else should have. I don't think we will see that kind of offer again.
7.) 11 Jul 2026 21:38:35
@LeafLife
My brother thinks the same about Verbeek. When it came to Carlsson, Verbeek had a price in his head and stuck to his guns. I’m sure he knew an offer sheet was coming and he’d just match it but who woulda thought $18m ?.
8.) 11 Jul 2026 21:57:30
@King That's my thought as well. What psycho GM would offer 18x5 for a sub 70pts player?
I would never have expected that either.
We saw this team get absolutely screwed by Dubas' poor negotiations. We see now that MTL has locked up their entire core at phenomenal numbers because they don't just give in.
9.) 11 Jul 2026 22:10:33
@LeafsLife
Ya! Dubas was soft, couldn’t agree more.
Montreal is for real!!! (??) They have Everything go’n for them right now. Gonna be a force to reckon w for years to come. ?
Sufferingsince1967's rumour replies
17 Sep 2026 13:50:33
I watched Chadwick at the Prospects games in Gatineau on the weekend. He is definitely a keeper. He was the only one who coped with Haltunen and his size and was extremely poised and calm when handling the puck. Borgesi impressed me with his speed and creativity. I think for a small player he might have a bigger upside than Andrae down the road.
08 Sep 2026 22:17:43
I would do it in a heartbeat. I agree with RLF. Those brothers are both very responsible defensively and a force offensively as well. I don’t think Washington, though, would give up a power winger and a player that will in a few years be their number 1 Centre. Ilya. A lot of people think he would be rookie of the year if Washington was not so deep.
So he may get more 4th line minutes that he should, which would hurt him in the ballots. As far as them potentially earning 18-20, I think that will be low for them. I would still dump Willy, though, for landing 2 large bodies that have silky smooth hands and not afraid of that area know. As the crease and the slot.
08 Sep 2026 12:27:06
So after you broke it down it sounds like Tanev and McKenna for Petterson the defenseman. Ludicrous.
07 Sep 2026 10:22:01
I agree with RLF. We are giving up a 1st round pick next year, a first overall pick and a first round pick in Danford along with 2 roster players. Break it down in who is worth what as RLF suggested and you might recognize the disparity more.
05 Sep 2026 13:26:19
No drinking and suggesting trades allowed.
Sufferingsince1967's banter replies
09 Sep 2026 17:53:07
I think it was a good signing. In 7 years that is peanuts. You can tell when they talk about him, the Bruins love him. The feeling obviously is reciprocated because he did 7 years. That actually eats up 2 years of his UFA years. He had amazing stats really for a Rookie Centreman. 17 goals with 15 and a half minutes a gzme is not to be sneezed at, especially when they had enough confidence in him to put him on PK for 10% of those minutes.
And when he was at 5 on 5, he let all rookies in plus minus. He is very very good defensively and has a good offensive side when he gets the opportunity. The other thing that was impressive as well was the hits. 142 of them, that’s only 10 less than Knies. I see him as a #3 Centreman this year but getting some #2 and #1 minutes s well as injuries hits. They are comfortable with him in any situation. I wish we would have kept him.
04 Sep 2026 18:33:30
You can't worry about that deterrent just for certain players. Best advice they can give him is to keep his head up and realize he is in the pros. Be aware of not only where the opposition is that want to hit him but be aware of the flow of his own teammates. Different size players different speed of players. Bedard can tell him what it is like when you take your off the play and look at the puck for a split second.
Best way to make them pay for trying to take a cheap shot is to avoid it by keeping head up and then making a good play right after it. It doesn't matter who you are if you try for a stupid hit and miss, every NHL coach will chew you out even if you are a Bennett or a Tkachuk.
01 Sep 2026 20:14:21
I just said Crosby was 15,3 and so was Malkin. If Malkin was not there he would have been possibly higher than Ovechkin at that time. One thing is written in stone. No player will be higher than 20%.
01 Sep 2026 15:35:37
Sorry I meant Crosby and Malkins were 15.3 percent not 13.5. A little dislexic today lol.
01 Sep 2026 12:14:15
Makar’s contract doesn’t kick in until next season so his percentage of the team's cap would be 17.97 percent. The contract that Crosby signed then was 13.5 percent and may have been much higher had they not had Malkin whose contract was identical. Ovechkin’s that same year was 16.82 percent. The numbers are not that far off really. In fact Celebrini with next year's cap will be 16.56. I don’t see a close comparison at all to the NBA. The NHL has a hard cap and teams are working within the guidelines. The NBA has a soft cap with a luxury tax the teams pay that go over. Steph Curry earns $62,587,158 which is 37.9 percent of the league's $164.96 standard cap.
Their actual team salary is $221,121,390.
Nothing has really changed massively in the NHL as far as the top players' compensation levels. What has made things harder is the talent level of the rest of the players is razor thin on separation. There are so many very very good players it is hard for them to accept lower salaries to be 3rd line players. That is the juggling act for agents and GMs and reality will dictate eventually in the future more and more arbitration hearings will become the norm I think and players will have to accept that mid level salaries will have to come back in line.