myers tanev 19/20

Leafs don't need Grabner at 3.25m and Myers, to think he's gonna be effective at age would be a stretch. Maybe Ryan Ellis or another UFA if necessary. But you lineup looks really accurate.

Thanks, Palhal. I'd really like to see Ellis if he was available as a 19/20 ufa, although I imagine the Preds keep him. But if the leafs could get him he'd certainly be an upgrade over Myers and then after 18/19, Myers could walk. The more I think about it though, if the leafs don't get a JT or Stastny (which wouldn't be a bad thing) then the idea of getting two d this year to buy time for Lily and Borg/Rosen could create a nice dynamic. It'd take the the leafs go from a lesser right side with holes, to one where there would be competition (Tanev/Z/Myers?/Ellis??) for two of three spots, without creating cap problems.

I wouldn't be bothered if the leafs don't sign any ufa's, Grabner included, but I wouldn't mind if they did. The guy is fast, and pks well, plus he's a bit of seasoning on a green team. I'm sure the pk hole could be filled by Johnsson, or Grundstome, or Aaltonen or even Mathews (if Babs wants him to be the best 2 way C in the league then he'll need to penalty kill at some point), but either way, there is a hole there without Leo coming back. Besides, if there is extra cap space, whu not use it? So long as it doesn't become a barrier and limits flexibility moving forward.

Anyways, do you have any predictions about what happens at the draft with the leafs #1 pick? Curious to hear your thoughts

My thoughts for 2018/19. Big developmental season for the Leafs....Grundstrom, Johnson, Kapanen on the wings. Aaltonen and Nylander at centre. Dermot and hopefully Borgman Ozhinikov on D. Sparks in net.
Leafs in reality has 10m for UFA signing, though I don't know if there is anyone I would like to sign.....at least short term, the UFA market is so thin.
Next year there are more UFAs available especially on defence, though are they going be available July 1 2019. Ellis just might available in Nashville has cap issues. Of course the Leafs might have cap issues too.
Number one pick. Likely won't be NHLer for three or four years....just when Kadri's contract is ending. Since the Leafs have few if any centre prospects, I'm all for picking centres this draft.
Thanks for asking, always like discussing hockey or anything with folks.

Interesting. And I can definately see more than a few marlies making the jump, and think its a good bet that Willy gets a shot a 3C (if they don't pull a JT or Stats), and if it doesn't work then maybe it gets addressed at the trade deadline. Something that I wonder about is the idea that the leafs are trying to establish a winning culture throughout the organization. By that I mean, I think its important to the brass that not only do the leafs need to be competitive, but the marlies do too. Winning in the AHL establishes the habits to win in the NHL... for that reason, I could see Borgman staying another year to continue to develop chemistry and familiarity with Lily and then they make the jump together in 19/20.. maybe?? I don't know much about this Ozzie guy - think he might be an insurance piece, but maybe he surprises and pulls a Zaitsev (at least the Z from his rookie year, or the Z at the begining of last year before he got hurt/sick).

One thing I really like about the cap is that it forces smart teams to think about succession in terms of development and replacement of players i.e. your idea of drafting a C to replace Kadri in a few years time. To me, it doesn't matter if we're taking about a NHL hockey club, an ecosystem, or the health care system the only way to foster sustainability is to develop a system of natural succession that keeps things going overtime... and that's why this fake gm game is fun.. it lets people play around with that..

Anywho.. today is shaping up to be an interesting day. My prediction is that they move their 1st.. maybe for a roster need or maybe for a couple seconds. I'm usually wrong about stuff, so I'm not betting a nickle on that, but look forward to checking in with you later to see how this all shakes out