Current Avatar:
No Avatar image uploaded
No Avatar image uploaded
Leafs Rumours Member Posts
kukas2600's Profile
kukas2600's Posts and Other Poster's Replies To kukas2600's Posts
To kukas2600's last 5 rumours posts
To kukas2600's last 5 rumour replies
kukas2600's rumours posts with other poster's replies to kukas2600's rumours posts
26 Jul 2020 02:03:38
The issue isn't actually the defence core... it's that the team simply doesn't play defence very well. if the team stepped up they would do just fine. although, here is my idea for a fairly simple fix.
I see all theses trades giving away guys like Marner, Nylander, Matthews, Andersen, etc... none of that is at all necessary.
We have trade assets such as Johnsson, Kerfoot, Dermott, Bracco and, my last option, Kapanen. a package involving one or two of those players could fetch a good bottom pair RHD defensive d man and then sign a guy like Dylan Demelo.
Dustin Byfuglien is another option, but I do not see him returning to his hockey career.
Dallas receives: Johnsson, Dermott
Toronto receives: Oleksiak, 2021 2nd, 2021 4th
Anywhere receives: Kerfoot
Toronto receives: 3rd, 4th
Sign Demelo 4 years X $3.5M
Sign Eakin 2 years X $1.5M
Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Mikheyev-Tavares-Nylander
Robertson-Eakin-Kapanen
Engvall-Gauthier-Spezza
Rielly-Holl
Muzzin-Demelo
Sandin-Oleksiak
*Lehtonen
Andersen
Campbell
1.) 26 Jul 2020 02:32:54
I like oleksiak as a Target and I agree half the problem is no forward wants to play D.
2.) 26 Jul 2020 02:58:13
I think the trades look fine. Probably as realistic as they get. And I fully expect Dubas to gut the depth somewhat like what you've outlined here. Looking at the finished product though, it doesn't look any better, and the weak points still don't appear to be patched.
In particular, we take a big downgrade at 3C, but RHD is still very weak. DeMelo is not an upgrade over Dermott, and is more expensive if he recieved what you are offering here. You can get Oleksiak for Johnsson easily I'm sure, so retain Dermott and Dallas can keep the picks. By keeping Dermott over DeMelo, that saves you about $1.5M, which allows you to keep Kerfoot over Eakins.
Whether or not we are cap compliant, I'm not sure. It's close. I'm just balancing cap in with cap out on what you suggested.
3.) 26 Jul 2020 03:12:27
It's not that the team doesn't play defense very well. It's more like they don't play it at all. Kerfoot, Engvall, Gauthier are our best defensive forwards. Kerfoot doesn't even play the power play, and Gauthier and Engvall are basically placeholders that contribute little more than giving the stars a few precious minutes to catch their breath. You don't expect them to score, and best you can hope for is that the other team doesn't score while they are out there.
Despite having no one last the top two lines that can score consistent fly, Leafs still attempt to outscored their opponents at all times. This has led to the same third period collapses and lack of consistency that we witnessed under Babcock.
Offense without defense is no way to win a cup. I give Dubas a bit of credit for recognizing the need for grit and physicality when he acquired Muzzin, and to a lesser extent, Clifford. I don't expect Clifford to stay, and he wouldn't be on ice enough to be a difference maker anyway. Until the Leafs core learn to play a proper 200 foot game, they will not advance to the finals. I don't think Dubas will still be around to celebrate however.
4.) 26 Jul 2020 08:14:38
We all say how well they did under Keefe. But do we all remember those, what? 7 third period deficits of 2-3 goals that ended in a 7-6 or 6-5 win? That's the philosophy. It's what Dubas wants and it started to show towards the end.
Long winded way of saying agree that's the plan lol.
That said, of any coach throughout all of NHL history, I truly believe Keefe is the BEST man for the job with this team as it is constructed. I am 100% willing to give the team probably one more year before I hit the panic button. Keefe seems completely on board with 80s hockey in a way Babs never did not would have, accepted.
5.) 26 Jul 2020 12:29:39
They didn't do much better under Keefe really anyway. They had the initial pop that often happens after a new coach is brought in. After the honeymoon wore off though it was a different story and Leafs finished 12-11-4.
It would be very difficult for the Leafs to blame Babcock for their problems now. Especially since the team continue to display the same problems that were so evident under Babcock (third period collapses, lack of physicality, not standing up for each other, tuning out for extended lengths of time, often for entire games, unwillingness to play defense, playing for the name on the back instead of the crest on the front.
6.) 26 Jul 2020 14:03:54
I think I take Dermott over Oleksiak but that’s just my opinion. Demelo is a good option but like when we have Holl I just think we don’t really need him. I think Dubas is looking for more of a true top pairing guy, but Demelo is still a good substitute I guess.
7.) 26 Jul 2020 20:58:29
We also do these big block buster trades because we have done a fair bit of the kapanen for pesce type deals, it's fun sometimes to think what you could do with your biggest trade pieces.
06 Jul 2020 21:13:45
to TOR: Manson, Rakell, Steel, 2021 2nd (ANA)
to ANA: Tavares, Dermott, Johnsson, Holl
Free agents:
Dustin Byfuglien - 2 years X $3.5m
Dylan Strome - 5 years X $4.225m
Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Rakell - Strome - Nylander
Engvall - Kerfoot - Kapanen
Robertson - Spezza - Mikheyev
Rielly - Manson
Muzzin - Liljegren
Sandin - Byfuglien
Andersen
Campbell
1.) 06 Jul 2020 21:25:20
Lol wtf is this.
1. Leafs aren’t and cannot trade Tavares because he has a NMC.
2. That trade heavily favours Anaheim and Tavares is already worth all those players combined as Manson is a cap dump.
3. Chicago would easily match that for Strome and Dubas would never offer sheet him anyway.
4. Liljgren is definetly not ready for top 4 minutes.
5. Big buff will probably get league minimum after being out for so long.
2.) 06 Jul 2020 21:25:43
You seriously think this is fair value? Lol.
3.) 06 Jul 2020 22:20:23
The Ducks would have to offer more even thought they wouldn't want Johnsson or Holl.
4.) 07 Jul 2020 02:49:27
Oddly enough Islandjet is right now. A rebuilding ducks team wouldn't want all late 20s early 30 players at all. It does nothing to help them. They would be looking for Sandin, Liljigren, picks, etc.
At least Islandjet can't say this is a one sided prop for the leafs this time lol.
29 Sep 2020 12:22:08
Seems like a very big overpayment actually.
11 Jul 2020 03:08:54
robertson. first line. not a chance.
06 Jul 2020 21:03:37
maybe it becomes a 1st in 2022.
kukas2600 has no Banter Replies