Leafs get bigger, heavier, more physical, deeper. Only remove two roster players.
Addresses most perceived needs though a better 3C would be ideal with Kerfoot gone, but Willie can slide over if needed due to injury to 34 or 91 (or Bjugstad could be a short term option). An upgrade on Holl without breaking the bank on assets would be nice too, but there aren't a lot of options.
Crouse comes with another 4 years of contract in his prime years. Jeannot is an RFA with team control coming off a down year and shouldn't cost too much to resign short term with potential to return to 21-22 form. Lauzon has 3 more years at only 2M, essentially a Holl replacement with more physicality. Meaning the assets spent come with more than one playoff run and address that need for more physicality moving forward. (I'm tired of hearing about it every TDL, how about you?)
Leafs hold onto their prime assets: 2023 1st, Knies, Niemela, Minten, and Hirvonen. (There is still a 2024 2nd available to add should one of the trades need a boost in return)
If Kerfoot rejects a trade to ARZ, he could be flipped to another team for minimal return (4th?) instead for cap space. Might be a decent add for a team trying to get into the playoffs or in a wild card spot.
Knies could come in for the playoffs if signed as well to replace ZAR, who is more expendable with all the additional forechecking from the acquisitions. Knies would likely boost PP2 as well. If he shines he could move up the lineup as well. Nyquist could also come in off LTIR and provide a similar boost/more depth. I popped them both on PP2 despite not being in the regular season lineup as an example.
Bunting likely is not resigned next season as Crouse's contract takes his money, Given Bunting's relationship with the refs this might not be a bad thing (I love Bunting, but without the calls he can do more harm than good and I would be weary of a long term contract).
Kampf and Engvall on the 4th line should be an advantage over most teams (though sadly even then TB/BOS are on par or better - Go Atlantic division)
Korpisalo provides good insurance against another Murray injury. He has playoff experience (and success with the play-in against Toronto). He has seen his play bounce back this season and at 50% retention, he can be the press box/practice goalie.
Lots of NHL-capable depth to protect against injury (as seen on the Taxi Squad list), that is if they can make it out of the first round.
Yes, the Leafs give up on Sandin who has a bright future (and is the current team leader in hits - 112), but I think he isn't ready for a playoff grind yet and holds significant value as a trade chip. Plus with Niemela coming, his replacement isn't too far away. Hopefully his departure doesn't affect Liljegren negatively.
Trade values are estimates as always. Just random ideas with limited time. I'm also not a pro or amateur scout so feel free to suggest alternatives or offer reasoning why you feel value doesn't work (from your perspective).
Why? would a tough guy help them score goals in game 7 lol
Physical and defensive grit is good for lineup matches. Jeannot plays 15 minutes TOI and takes hard matchups. Having a good and physical bottom 6 is great for wearing down your opponents and shutting them out, something Toronto's bottom 6 lacked last playoffs.
I believe this scenario puts the Leafs at 53 standard player contracts, the limit is 50. Even NHL 23 wouldn't let you do this.
3rd, 5th, young goalie prospect for old goalie and out for the year forward. That one isn't adding up to me, regardless if Nyquist can come back and be free money. I like the Acciari trade
Jeez it’s like a entirely new team lol way too many new players
Only 2 players actually replaced. There is already a rotating cast of (less talented) characters in the bottom-6 coming up from the Marlies. I don't think they are bringing in any troublesome personalities here, the core of the roster remains intact and likely welcomes the additions for the playoff push and the vote of confidence it gives the team (e.g., "You don't need a Meier or Kane, etc. to win. Your core can carry us with these support players that fill lineup voids.")
Physical and defensive grit is good for lineup matches. Jeannot plays 15 minutes TOI and takes hard matchups. Having a good and physical bottom 6 is great for wearing down your opponents and shutting them out, something Toronto's bottom 6 lacked last playoffs.
This is bang on. In my opinion Jeannot isn't your typical "tough guy". Yes he can throw down with anyone in the league and is a willing combatant, but as you say he plays a regular shift in a shutdown role, kills penalties, is hard on D with a forecheck. And only 1 year ago showed he can score on a Nashville team that, let's face it, isn't as talented in that department as the Leafs. You're getting a power forward that is entering his prime, when they generally take time to settle into their roles and find balance and a D-man that can play playoff-style hockey as well - both under team control.
I believe this scenario puts the Leafs at 53 standard player contracts, the limit is 50. Even NHL 23 wouldn't let you do this.
This is a good point. I meant to make note of it in the description that additional lower-end prospects can be included in deal to make contract counts work. I usually do that but didn't think of it until after and didn't want to revert all the trades. (Dear CapFriendly, please add an edit trade function.)
Quoting: Goal_Dancers
3rd, 5th, young goalie prospect for old goalie and out for the year forward. That one isn't adding up to me, regardless if Nyquist can come back and be free money.
Since I asked for retention on Korpisalo (who is only 28 by the way) as well as the wildcard of Nyquist, I felt a 3rd+5th was fair. There will likely be a few teams looking to add him. I could drop it to a 4th+5th, but I feel CLB will want a 3rd due to the retention.
yo check out who leads the leafs in hits. will blow your mind.
Check the description - I know. But that's 112 out (143 if you throw in Kerfoot's measly 31) and 731 in. I know Sandin hits and occasionally catches someone with a good one (which I enjoy), but I doubt he can sustain that in the playoffs. If they keep him and he does that, I will be thrilled though. He has shown he has trouble staying healthy at times already.
the fact that hits was the only stat stated about the incoming guys tells you all you need to know
It seems to tell me that you don't know how to use the Internet to look up other stats on your own or perhaps that you missed the point of this CapFriendly team? The statement at the very start of the description of this post mentioned the perceived need to get more physical to be "playoff ready". Hence hits is the stat I chose to highlight for the incoming players.
If you are at all familiar with these players, they are anything but one-dimensional. I mean, if the Leafs want they can certainly spend more assets to bring in more of exactly what they have already, likely for a single playoff run, however that would be the equivalent of trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
By no means do I think the Leafs will hit their way to a Stanley Cup, but if you have paid attention to the playoffs (beyond when the Leafs get eliminated each year) you will note that there is a need for a hard forecheck and playing "big" (you don't necessarily need to be big just play without fear). You could think of it as being tough to play against throughout the grind of the playoffs. It wears teams down over the course of a series.
These moves add that element, while maintaining (and supporting) the players that drive the long bar charts on the analytics side of the equation. I would argue it makes it easier for those players to drive play when they don't also feel like if they don't have it that night the team has nothing to bring or swing momentum.
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