Post number 10,000 baby!

Congratulations. The TJ Brodie buyout rumour is nonsense. I’m not part of Leafs mgmt so never say never but it would be one of the dumbest moves in league history (which is saying a lot) to buy out Brodie. Maybe Tre wants to move him for more physical defender but then you trade him for a late 2nd / 3rd I would imagine. He can’t hit the broad side of a barn but he’s still very, very effective defensively

Congrats on 10k.

I don't believe the Brodie buyout rumours are even real. I don't think they're gonna dump or buy him out.

I figured it was probably more nonsense than making sense but just wanted a new ‘possible’ Fowler partner

For sure, I don't blame you for inquiring about it at the very least.

The 7.5m real salary is kind of a downer TBH.

Tis true but his defensive stats are real nice and better overall than Myers imo

I had to double check and wow, they really structured Brodie's contract to make him less tradeable (Modified NTC but a high salary).

But two things I hope Verbeek is paying attention to:
Fowler showed last season that he's a goddamn versatile horse and he put up the most points of his career being paired with like 10 different people. All he needs is someone half reliable to do really well (Brodie is great, Myers is good).

After last season, Drysdale needs to get his development back on track and the 2nd pairing would be the best place for that. But I have a feeling Verbeek might bring in a rental instead of a UFA for his partner (Dillon, Forbort, etc.). Graves would be good, but damn if the team has too many middle LHD and LW on the roster and in the pipeline.

Absolutely! Both C4 and Jamie need solid stay at home guys to pair up with to let them play!

Brodie is a great Cam option with his defensive prowess and I think someone like Ryan Graves or Nic Hague would be awesome for Jamie

I agree, Fowler can fly so long as he has a defensive first partner that is remotely reliable, but that partner has to bring the heat when it comes to physicality. That's why I'd like to get Gudbranson off of Columbus (alos advanced stat wise, Fowler and Guddy were DAMN good together)

I think Anaheim can afford to bring in a defense first partner for Drysdale (who should NEVER be paired with Fowler). Drysdale becoming at least a solid top 4 fringe top pairing D is critical to Anaheim long term success. That said I would bring Kulikov back on a 2x2 to be Drysdale's running mate, who can be sunset to 3rd pairing/7th D and has shown he can play his off side reliably. I think his stats got murdered by the amount of time he spent trying to keep Klingberg from getting burned, and he is no Esa Lindell, but he is solid still. Drysdale is much more responsible than Klingberg at keeping an eye on his own end.

I also think one of Mayfield or Dumba would be a wise addition for Fowlers partner long term. I think Dumba is exactly the kind of player Verbeek covets.

Shoot, I wonder how much Lindell would cost if Dallas is trying to free up some cap space for JD

I like Mayfield for Cams partner a lot more than I would Dumba. Peeke could be cool but he isn’t a top pairing guy so that becomes nixed. Wonder how Luke Schenn would look with a 2x2 similar to Kulikov like you mentioned

There’s a lot of fun options to mess around with out here

I think I’d want to see decent compensation for taking Guddy back from Columbus though

Lindell has a full NMC. He's also probably the last Defenseman they would look to move even if he didn't.

Maybe we can get a little something for Guddy now that they went an acquired Provorov and Severson, I wouldn't expect much though. Giddy is still a decent defenseman, he just got overplayed last year.

I still think Dumba is the right call. Huge physicality, great locker room presence, leadership qualities, the youngest of the avaliable RHD. I know he has a rep as a failed offensive D man but his defensive stats have been improving year on year. He's got that Blue collar mentality Verbeek wants to bring in and can be a partner for one of the young LHD if needed as well.

I just feel like Dumba would like a bigger contract than I’d want us to give out is a reason why I like Mayfield more for us — I have not seen Dumba’s defensive numbers though to be honest

Currently trying to make up a list of guys I’d like for both Fowler and Drysdale partners as well

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I know Guddys stats look REAL bad, but also, consider this.

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