15 Aug 2020 06:09:32
With so many variables to consider when proposing a trade, and not being privy to behind the scenes, I've decided on a different approach. What I think the Leafs might/should do:

1. Assuming the Leafs still have the financial might despite these challenging times to use some of Brandon Pridham's cap management magic by finding new dead money contracts to replace the expiring ones of Horton and Clarkson. Off the top of my head and without looking at other rosters, I'm guessing there may be a few dead contracts the Leafs could pick up to extend their cap ceiling for things like...

2. Picking up the phone and dialing Pieterangelo's agent to find out whether he would consider coming to Toronto and for how much. There's been speculation of him staying put in St. Louis, but maybe there's a chance...

3. At the same time, Dubas should be looking at teams and identifying top defencemen under 25 who are either top four or with potential to be top four. Jaccob Slavin would be one of my top targets for the Leafs although it was rumoured Dubas inquired about him last year and was told it was a non- starter. I am not even sure what the asking price would be, but maybe they would be interested in a Nylander as part of a return. Perhaps it would take even more like a Marner in which case some serious debate would go on whether to trade the heart of the team. Unlikely...

4. Which then brings me to the second tier of defenders and soon to be free agents. Do we look at signing 2-3 guys like Krug, Hamonic, Brodie, Vatanen, Shattenkirk, Tanev, or Gudas? Personally, if I had to pick from this group, I would lean towards Tanev, Brodie and Gudas.

5. I would be on the phone calling Byfuglien's agent and inquire whether Dustin would consider playing for the blue and white? Of course, Byfuglien would need to be healthy enough to play.

6. Look at making a splash by signing Hall to a contract and possibly replace a couple of the forward corps that would be making their way out via trades (see #3). Hall would add another elite forward with some bite. Something the Leafs were lacking at times. Perhaps failing that, someone like Toffoli could be a cheaper option.

7. Following Friedman's suggestion about Joe Thornton coming to TO. I think it's unlikely but wouldn't hurt to ask.

1.) 15 Aug 2020
15 Aug 2020 07:05:14
I'm not a big fan of hall. He's probably the most selfish player with the puck and without the puck I have ever witnessed. He's such an odd guy. All the talent in the world but just seems to need perfect linemates.

Gudas doesn't look good these days. Would love to have him as a bottom pairing guy but that's about all I would give him at this point.

If anyone can work some cap magic it is indeed Dubas and co.

Love to have Petro on the team. Even if Marner was traded for picks and prospects and Petro was brought in I would call that a win.

2.) 15 Aug 2020
15 Aug 2020 14:03:27
LeafsLife,
I’m in agreement with you on Gudas. I didn’t picture him any higher than as a third pairing guy. Although the Leafs have a number of guys who can play on the third pairing.

I chose Hall as a former MVP who might adds a few intangibles to the Leafs. If he is as you say character wise, then I’m sure the Leafs will do their due diligence. They sent Kessel packing in part because of his attitude. Perhaps they could fill any forward depletion’s internally as that’s been more of an area of strength.

3.) 15 Aug 2020
15 Aug 2020 20:08:37
Hall is a selfish player in every way possible, both on and off the ice. He was probably assuming he would get a $10M contract this summer too. the virus screwed him on that too.

When he was traded from Jersey, I remember reading a quote from one of the other players on the team saying, and I'm paraphrasing here, something along the lines of "it's made life a lot easier for us. We no longer have to try to get the puck to one player anymore. It has opened up a lot of options and really lightened the mood in the locker room".

Something to that effect. That about says it all for me too regarding Hall. If he came to the Leafs, he would be our 4th or 5th best player, but would expect to be treated like our best, and paid like the rest of them too.

I'd rather we didn't pursue another big name free agent like Hall. We got enough overpaid greedy selfish "me-first" players on the team.

4.) 15 Aug 2020
15 Aug 2020 23:10:08
If the Leafs can lure Buff out of retirement and that's a big if, they would have to pay him $5 plus mil for the year, which the Leafs can't afford. No famous Toronto hometown discount here.

5.) 16 Aug 2020
16 Aug 2020 00:55:04
Hard to take any of what you wrote in that long speach when in one of them to mention Nylander as "The Heart Of The Team"

dont want no more LTIR guys
Buff i'd no longer the stuff
Gudas going to want to much for bottom paid D and tanev in injury prone
and i am sure every team in nhl is just dying to trade their best under 25 Dmen to the under privaleged Leafs. just cause. they're the leafs.

6.) 16 Aug 2020
16 Aug 2020 01:12:43
Lol. If buff wants 5m good luck to him.

7.) 16 Aug 2020
16 Aug 2020 03:34:46
Hockeyluvr - I had no idea about Hall as I haven’t been following him that closely. Like I mentioned before, if the Leafs do their due diligence and find that he would be a potential problem in the dressing room, then I am sure they would pass on him or any other with a similar attitude.

Islandjet - All I was saying about Buff is for the Leafs to kick every tire and see if there is a fit. Obviously if it doesn’t make sense with their cap, they won't do any deal.

Loxley1972 - I was referring to Marner thank you. You’re missing my point about the ‘LTIR guys. ’ Toronto’s cap this year was an additional 10 million or so with Horton and Clarkson. That’s an extra 10 million to spread around their roster and take advantage of their financial might where other teams would be unable to. Imagine if Toronto could find ways to do this repeatedly year after year. Imagine what they could add to their roster.

LeafsLife - we were paying Ceci 4.5 million this year right? Wouldn’t you rather have a healthy Buff for 0.5 million more over Ceci?

8.) 17 Aug 2020
16 Aug 2020 23:40:48
i'm not missing your point on LTIR. but i have looked and have read articles on someone that looked into it and there is nobody available that really makes sense on a long term LTIR like we had with Horton. most are for only 1 season maybe 2.the best one was talk of Seabrook but then at the time the article was published there was talk Seabrook wants to try playing which means trading for him now could be risky if he can come back to play. As for the Marner thing i still have my doubts and not ready to call either him or Nylander the heart of the team. especially when he comes out and says he was not into game 1.really Mitch? 11mil a year not incentive enough to get your head in the game?

9.) 17 Aug 2020
17 Aug 2020 00:58:13
Loxley,
If that is the case and there are no LTIR contracts worth obtaining, then that’s fine. I didn’t look into detail myself as it was a suggestion. Your response previously was ‘dont want no more LTIR guys’ as you so eloquently put, which implied a different understanding.

I’m in agreement with you Marner’s performance during the play in round was well noted. However, in his defence, this has been a very weird and difficult year for professional sports and everyone for that matter, that goes beyond money. Before all this Marner played hard and with heart on almost every shift. I won’t judge Marner on such a small measurement, when he’s shown so much more over the course of his career and with the Leafs.