Post Draft and Free Agency

Équipe: 2017-18 Maple Leafs de Toronto

Date de création initiale: 14 mars 2017

Publié: 14 mars 2017

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

The Brian Boyle contract seems like a lot but considering the other moves, and how many players will still be on their ELCs during the 2 years of the contract, the Leafs would easily be able to afford to overpay for him.

I suspect we'll lose either Marchenko or Marincin to the Expansion Draft. Flip a coin as to who of the two goes to Vegas.

Nashville has contracts coming off the books and could afford to lose a player like Ellis to gain an offensive piece like JVR and an underrated Josh Leivo. And I think Marincin will be fine playing with the elite Mattias Ekholm.

Ryan Ellis is one of the best two-way defensemen in the NHL, and I think he'd be great for Rielly. And a great contract for another 2 years on top of that.

I suspect that Babcock and Leafs Management would not want a sheltered scoring line to be all rookies, so after trading JVR, I wouldn't be surprised if they made a similar trade to this one to add to a Nylander/Kapanen line.

Pouliot is a lot better than people think and playing with two young, high energy skilled players could really benefit him and the Leafs.

And while I like Carrick, I've been more impressed with Matthew Benning this season. He has real potential. And the 2nd rounder could be for taking Pouliot and retaining half of Bozak's salary.

Toronto is very close to contending now; they'll want to give Nylander more time earlier in the season to learn the center position at the NHL level. Best to do this sooner than later, which is why I think they'll look to move Bozak during the summer. Edmonton needs a 3rd line center, and this would work for them.

An NHL backup roughly plays around 25-30 games a year, which is A LOT, so I think if it costs a premium to get a great backup then it's worth it.

Scott Darling has been brilliant this season for Chicago. Especially after Crawford was out for over a month to injury. Darling was their MVP.

Not only will he be the best backup available, he should be looked at as the best backup in the NHL regardless.

Yeah, I know, Hunwick... Babs loves him, and I hope that if they do sign him, it's as a 7th D and locker room presence. We all know how much he likes players to be 'Good Pros'.

I do expect Leivo to be moved this off-season and for Leipsic to essentially replace him as the 13th forward for next season since he'll be losing his waiver eligibility.

Also, Babcock does prefer 8 defensemen, so I wouldn't be surprised if the Leafs sign a couple to PTOs and sign one of them to be their 8th D.

Which means Eric Feher will be playing with the Marlies. Duh.

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