It's no secret that the Leafs are going to have a ton of money locked up in their core group next season. Much is being made of this fact, but in reality we have actually got quite a bit of cap space to work with. As long as the Leafs front office is smart with their spending and priorities, this team could easily take steps forward even with ~55 mil being spent on the core 5.
First, I want to touch briefly on the trades. I have put my reasoning in the additional details so I won't go too in depth, but I want to touch on why I think these 2 guys are getting dealt. To put it simply, they are Dubas guys. It's clear that Treliving wants a beefier roster with defensively capable puck movers on the back end and all offense forwards up front. Timmins, despite being one of my favourite Leafs, just doesn't fit that archetype. I personally dont think that we should move on from him, but he is not being utilized in Keefe's system and is not responsible enough in his own end. I think he's going to get moved for peanuts. Robertson is another guy who I think is nearing his end as a Leaf, as his small stature doesn't bring the physicality Treliving wants up front and Keefe doesn't trust him at all. Shipping him to Anaheim seems like a good bet, and getting back a prospect who fits the bill for Treliving would be alright with me.
Now onto the construction of the forward group. Both Steeves and Holmberg lose their waiver exemptions next season, so the Leafs will have to make a decision on them. Steeves is an excellent young player and has done everything he can for the Marlies. It's time to start giving him NHL minutes. The same can be said about Holmberg, minus the "needing NHL minutes" because he is already getting them. Hell, Keefe preferred Holmberg to Robertson. I think he is a lock to make this team next season, and he will likely sub in as 4C to start. I think the Leafs are going to choose Bertuzzi over Domi. While the points havent been flowing for Bert, he's been a net positive on every line he has been on. He was a fantastic addition and bring some nice secondary playmaking while also adding some grit. Domi fits the same kind of bill, but he really hasn't been effective at wing. Bertuzzi could also be a trade candidate at the TDL if the Leafs are playing poorly enough, but if we are playing well then I'd look into getting him extended. With Holmberg looking likely to make the jump full time next season and Kampf locked down for the foreseeable future, there is unfortunately no room for Domi. Now for the new additions. Nick Cousins was a guy I really wanted before he went to Florida. He's a very useful bottom 6 player with some grit. He'd make a great Leaf. Chandler Stephenson would be a tremendous addition to this Leafs team, and he would be the perfect 2C replacement with Tavares' production slowing as of late. He acts as the perfect stop gap between Tavares and Minten, and he plays a game that I personally really like. Frederik Olofsson is the only other new addition at forward here, and I really like the idea of bringing him in for depth.
Time for the blue line. I know that Chris Tanev has been the apple of Treliving's eye for a little while now, but I'd personally prefer to see the Leafs get younger. If he is willing to take a pretty significant discount, then by all means give him Desharnais' money, but I really don't want to see the Leafs dish out a significant amount of money to a guy on the wrong side of 30. Another guy Leafs fans have been clambering about for a while now is Noah Hanifin (who I think would definitely be a fantastic target), but I just can't see the Leafs being active buyers at the TDL (we will probably just make a few minor moves) and I don't think we would be dishing out that kind of money this offseason on a long term deal. Instead, I proposed adding Walker and Desharnais, as well as signing Punnett. Connor Punnett is an absolute beast and brings an element to this blue line that we have been severely lacking. He hits like a truck, has an excellent shot from the point, and moves pretty well. The success that Benoit has found under Keefe gives me a lot of hope for Punnett. If we don't land Punnett, then I'd just give Rifai the call. I'd love to see him get a good look with the Leafs, and he could rotate with Gio. Walker is a guy who I could see the Leafs making an effort for at the TDL, and an extension isn't too hard to fit. We know Treliving wants to add some offense to the backend (see Klingberg), and Walker does exactly that without being a complete defensive liability. I really like him as a target. Desharnais is another guy who I'd like to see the Leafs add, I think he'd round out the third pair nicely and is evidently a guy Treliving likes (talked to Edmonton about acquiring him for Lafferty prior to Vancouver trade). Like I previously mentioned, if Tanev is willing to take a huge discount to play for the Leafs, then give him Desharnais' spot. If not, then Vinny will do. I also really want to see Liljegren get a semi-long term extension, he has been excellent this season.
As for our backup goalie, there really aren't a ton of interesting options out on the Free Agent market. Any one of Lankinen, Kahkonen, or Talbot would do. Here I have chosen Lankinen because he has the tools to be decent (and we have seen him do it), but it hasn't clicked in Nashville this season. He seems like the cheapest of the three options I listed, so I went with him.
The Hurricanes move on from Montgomery who has no real future in Carolina with guys like Nikishin and Morrow in the system. Montgomery is a big body defensive defenseman who moves well, but isn't a surefire NHL player. More of a salary move for the Leafs who don't intend on utilizing Timmins by the looks of it
Carolina adds a young, cheap, high upside RHD for next to nothing due to Toronto's want for a move defensively sound, physical blue line. Timmins would breakout big time in Carolina
Prospect swap at 2023 TDL. Crowded Ducks blue line (Mintyukov, Zellweger, LaCombe, Luneau, Fowler, Gudas) causes the Ducks to pivot and add a talented scoring winger for their future
Why do you think we haven’t seen Steeves or Keifer Belliws yet? Tearing it up in the ahl
Honestly not sure. For Bellows, it's because he was on an AHL PTO with the Marlies. That PTO just expired, so he'll likely be the recipient of a contract soon. I'd expect an AHL deal, but if he does get an NHL contract then it's entirely possible we see him get in a few games. When it comes to Steeves, I have no idea why he hasn't gotten a real look with the Leafs. I assume he'll be a regular next season, he's the real deal
Totally agree that Robertson and Timmins are probably gone.
As good of a fit as Hanifin would be, I honestly can't see it happening. The only way we would ever consider giving up a first at the deadline is if Hanifin extended the minute he got here. Having said that, if he's willing to extend in Toronto, then he's probably willing to extend with many other teams, who are probably all capable of out-bidding the Leafs at the deadline. I think the age of Hanifin is something that should be really attractive to the Leafs, but I think bringing in Roy (a bit cheaper) and Tanev could be more realistic and would potentially elevate our blueline even more than Hanifin would.
I'm usually all for giving up a 1st at the deadline, but I think this current roster has too many holes to fill. I think we're better off drafting this year and looking to build the team in a strong FA class.
You said it yourself: "Treliving wants a beefier roster with defensively capable puck movers on the back end."
Verbeek is twice that. Moreover, note that in your list of blueliners, only Luneau is a young RhD, so he won't be trading Helleson for Robertson -- neither the add nor the subtraction make sense.
You said it yourself: "Treliving wants a beefier roster with defensively capable puck movers on the back end."
Verbeek is twice that. Moreover, note that in your list of blueliners, only Luneau is a young RhD, so he won't be trading Helleson for Robertson -- neither the add nor the subtraction make sense.
Hasn't LaCombe been mainly deployed at RD this season? Also that's definitely a fair criticism, my point is that at this point I could see a prospect swap of sorts for a young defenseman rather than a huge package deal that includes Robertson. Thanks for the insight
Hasn't LaCombe been mainly deployed at RD this season? Also that's definitely a fair criticism, my point is that at this point I could see a prospect swap of sorts for a young defenseman rather than a huge package deal that includes Robertson. Thanks for the insight
I don't pay a whole lot of attention to details like that, so don't cite me as an authority, but (1) you're right that LaCombe has occasionally taken shifts on the right, but (2) the guy I've noticed when he plays on his off-side is Mintyukov, who shows up opposite Fowler now and then.
OldNYIfan a aimé ceci.
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