04 Sep 2017 10:40:35
Just a humble opinion and observation.
Unless the Leafs receive a "knock your socks off" offer for JVR (eg. atop 4 D-man and a prospect/pick) he will be with the Leafs this season. He is the type of player a contending team pays premium for and the Leafs don't have to, they already have one.

Komarov is staying. The Leafs lack solid defensive players that can kick in some offense and Leo leads a small corps for them; Brown and Hyman.That is why adding Kapanen would be such a big boost to their line-up, a defensively responsible player that adds speed and scoring.

Leafs would be best served by moving Bozak for prospects/picks or packaging for a bigger bang. He is defensively bad and taking a roster spot away from Kapanen, plus eating up $4.2M in cap space. He would be my choice to move of the 3 UFA's. Extend Leo and use JVR for a cup run.
Leafs: Bozak,Rychel, Valiev
VGK: Lindberg(C), a 3rd in 2019

1.) 04 Sep 2017
04 Sep 2017 15:17:22
I agree that someone should be moved to open a spot up for Kapanen but I don't think it should be Bozak. Lindbergi assume is your replacement for him, but it's not really an upgrade and you're trading Rychel and Valiev with him in a downgrading trade. It doesn't really make sense to me. Bozak plays on a pretty much primarily offensive line, his defence isn't that bad and he's excellent on face offs.

I'm more on the trade JVR wagon, at the deadline Leafs probably won't trade anyone that helps their roster as JVR does heading into playoffs. But he would garner a big return at that time.

2.) 04 Sep 2017
04 Sep 2017 15:43:30
Use JVR for a Cup run? Do you seriously think the Leafs are going on a Cup run this year? They aren't ready for that, this group hasn't even won a playoff series yet.

3.) 04 Sep 2017
04 Sep 2017 19:32:24
How is bozak bad defensively? He is the best faceoff guy they have. He is key for penalties and key faceoffs in the offensive zone and defensive zone. Trading bozak would be a mistake at this point.

4.) 04 Sep 2017
04 Sep 2017 21:06:07
I like the trade. Good choice on Lindberg.

But, I would also consider trading JVR. The Devils have a a glut of quality centers and it makes sense for them to move some of them.

They have just added Hishier (C), and Bodquist (C), with their 1st 2 picks; but have lost Clowe (LW) permanently and need a good LW
Note: They have tons of cap room, but can't afford to give up D.

So something like:

TOR: JVR, T. Lindberg
NJD: Mcleod, cond. 1st 2018, and 3rd 2018;

The conditional 1st is upon JVR re-signing. If not, it becomes two 2nds 2018/ 2019

JVR would finally get to play with a quality center.

and additionally, an exchange of parts;

TOR: Rychel, Sosh, lowest 2nd 2018, and Marincin (D) ;
NJD: Quenville (C), Bastian (C) ;

2 wingers, a 2nd, and a D; for 2 centers.

The Devils still have 8 NHL capable centers left (Including Hishier and and their 2nd pick) . They get a top line LW.

The Leafs get their Bozak replacement and a replacement for Moore the following year if the Goat can't do it.

They can also shift to wing if need be. All 3 centers are of good size and good skaters. Quenville and Bastian are risks, but there are signs they will produce, and I like their seasons, and playoff runs.

5.) 05 Sep 2017
05 Sep 2017 00:06:24
@ Dbone. I was actually thinking Lindberg as a 4C as an upgrade to Moore, but capable of moving up the line-up in an injury. Moore would become a depth/ injury replacement with Leivo. Nylander would move to centre between JVR and Kapanen and Marner would move up the Mathews wing. Overall, a stronger line-up both offensively and defensively. The 3rd in 2019 would almost be like a 2nd as I believ VGK will still finish near the bottom in 2 years.

6.) 05 Sep 2017
05 Sep 2017 02:44:41
I am doubtful we will see Nylander at centre this year still, unless injuries make it happen I think he either stays on Matthews wing or alternatively plays with Kadri and Komarov, I think it would be wise to leave him with Matthews though. They found success last year and also, Nylander as C will only take offensive face offs, and if he puts up a 65-70 point season as a C, he will be getting paid a lot more than if he did that as a winger. I know thinking money first in that sense isn't what happens, success first obviously but, food for thought.

7.) 06 Sep 2017
06 Sep 2017 00:57:46
Of all the players JVR has the most value in a trade. 2 things to consider:

Will the Leafs win the cup, I don't think so.

Will the Leafs re-sign JVR long term, I also don't think so.

Therefore you trade him for prospects and picks and you can always trade those again for help if you feel you need it.