So these are some moves that I think makes the Leafs better, and that means better for the future. I think the Leafs should be aiming to be competitive in 3,4,5 years as thats when their roster will be the most competitive (kids are developed but are still on cheaper contracts).
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Signings:
Stamkos - Although there is much debate to whether the Leafs should be attempting to target Stamkos. I think they should, although it must be considerate of their cap (I would hope no where above 10). But he's an elite star who has an excellent work ethic who can really help groom the young prospects. He is versitile, can play center or wing and he is a shooter, something that the Leafs don't really have (Nylander, Marner are more playmakers). As well theres the argument that the Leafs should go after Tavares instead, but the contract works out better with Stamkos. With Tavares, you'll have a huge contract that will end after the young stars are due for their big one but with Stamkos, the Leafs can have his contract end sooner. For example, with Matthews and Marner, after their Entry-level deal ends in 3 years, Stamkos will have only 4 years remaining on his, so the Leafs can offer a bridge deal (4/5 yrs) to the young guns like the ones for Tavares, Seguin, Barkov. This means that their big ticket deals will come up after Stamko's contract is done, making it not a problem.
PA Parenteau - Signed him because he was a good player last year and can be used to be flipped for more draft picks at the trade deadline. He plays 2-way and will help bring a veteran presence to the bottom six.
ARI - I've done this trade a lot but it works out well for both sides, Arizona gets 2 top nine forwards and a depth defenseman, its a good combination of experience, youth and upside potential on low contracts. They give up the small cap burden of Vitale and a low round draft pick. The Leafs clear room for their young guns.
NJD - This is one that is a little different but works nicely with both sides, NJ gets a young player that had some good potential but lost his way a bit in the last couple years, they love reclamation projects (Palmeri, Devante Smith Pelly etc) and he's big and did well last year. They also get another pick. They are able to lose Wedgewood in the expansion draft so they feel the need to move him. TOR gets some young goaltending depth who can do a carousel with Bernier and Sparks.
WPG - Winny can't afford to spend more on their defense and could use a player in his prime to ease the transition for their young guns. Toronto gives up a top line winger with size and skill on a good contract for the cash conscious Jets. TOR also upgrades their goaltending prospects by switching Bibeau for Comrie.
VAN - This is one that I just put together and it really doesn't change the situation in TO much just interesting, but it's a situation similar to the Phaneuf deal, TOR takes on more cap on now to relieve future cap hits. VAN gets a reclamation project who has some decent skill but does get injured alot. TO recieves 2 players that VAN would otherwise send to the minors or buyout.
Cap Space: With 14 Forwards (Marner included) and 7 Defense (Carrick included) and 3 goaltenders (Sparks included) they have over 5m in cap space, and next year by losing Michalek, Laich, Bernier, Burrows and Higgins the Leafs clear up an additional 15m in cap space.
Draft: The Leafs should look to use all their draft picks and draft a full wave of youngsters, 12 draft picks will allow the Leafs to fully stock the shelves with prospects for their system. Also important is to retain some of their AHL players to provide good organizational depth and also allow the Marlies to compete next year.
Top Prospects Still in System:
Forwards:
1. Kasperi Kapanen
2. Andreas Johnson
3. Brendan Leipsic
4. Tobias Lindberg
5. Fredrik Gauthier
6. Dmytro Timashov
Defense:
1. Victor Loov
2. Rinat Valiev
3. Andrew Nielsen
4. Travis Dermott
Goaltending:
1. Eric Comrie
2. Kasimir Kaskisuo
I wanted to show their prospects to show that by adding Wedgewood and Comrie it helps bolster their goaltending depth, their defense is something they should look to add to at the draft.
Parenteau was a last minute decision and I think theres pros and cons of having him, and the value of wedgewood was also something that I wasn't sure was going to work well, my only reasoning is that NJ will lose him unless they trade him and how many teams would be interested in him? Teams that need a goalie include TOR, CAL, VAN, CAR, DAL, and I'd say besides CAR they're all looking for NHL ready winners not young unproven goal keepers. You could improve the pick to a 4th or maybe a third. Its also contingent on NJ seeing Greening as an asset to be rebuilt and not a salary dump
Hi LeafFan: A few things are the positions of players. Komarov hasn't played RW, Nylander has played centre all year with the Leafs and Marlies, Hymn has been Nylander's RW for both Leafs and Marlies.
Which gets to Stamkos, I know anyone body can be traded but if Stamkos wants to play RW, maybe it's just best and save the money for someone else.....But that's the big debate. But the Leafs appear to have plenty of centres.
But those trades are very slanted towards the Leafs. Lupul, think the Canucks would rather have one year of cap problems than spread it out over two with Lupul. Greening is a 30 year, 4th LW and well paid, hardly the type of guy the Devils would want for a potential NHL goalie.
Comrie and Bibeau may be about equal, but I can't see Winnipeg giving potential 5 more years of Trouba for 2 years of JVR. You mentioned "bridge deal for both Matthews and Nylander" well geez have those guys on bridge deals so can Trouba. And when are Trouba's options if he doesn't like the Winnipeg offer? Same as any other non arbitration RFA, Sign with your team, wait for offer sheets, play in Europe, play in a "beer" league.
RFA compensation: In the last collective agreement, the compensation is lower than in previous years. As a result, top RFAs are going to be getting closer to UFA money. And after three years of ELCs, it certainly possible that Nylander and Matthew if they are stars could get 7m, and how about McDavid. They're not going to accept much less than a UFA.
RFA offer sheets under 1.285m receive no compensation.....I could see teams offering Connor Carrick for sure and maybe Leivo, more than you suggested.
Trades are really bad. Toronto wins all very badly.
One thing people need to realize is teams won't trade their goalies to you just because they might lose them in expansion draft unless they are getting a player back they love or don't habe to protect.....
Also, you might be over the cap. You didn't do LTIR correcly.
Though I agree with you about Stamkos being a good leader for this team I doubt he will want to come to a team that won't be in the playoffs or a chance at a cup for a few years. If they don't they should still go after a few leaders to Mentour Babs Babes.
I have zero doubts that Stamkos would come and play for the leafs regardless of Tampa's playoff chances vs the leafs. However if you're offering him 2nd line RW and $9.1m you have zero chance of signing him. He will sign close to 11m if he gets to UFA. If you look at what Toews/Kane, Crosby, Ovechkin all signed for without making it to UFA, you can imagine the type of offers Stamkos will get.
I don't mind the Parenteu signing....you want vet guys like him and Laich in the dressing room with the young kids. Everything I hear about those two makes it sounds like they are good mentors to have - Laich in particular.
I agree with what others are saying regarding exposing a goalie to the expansion...it doesn't mean they'll just trade a guy away since they'd still have to expose another goalie in the system.
I don't think the trades are that lop-sided to be honest. Whether the other GM's strategy is aligned with what the trade is proposing is debatable, but the trade's themselves are feasible.
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