18 Jan 2018 16:11:16
Maple Leafs - Coyotes Blockbuster

Maple Leafs acquire Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Christian Dvorak, Niklas Hjalmarsson and Lawson Crouse. In exchange, Arizona acquires Nazem Kadri, James Van Riemsdyk, Jake Gardiner, Josh Leivo, Kasperi Kapenen, Adam Brooks, a 1st Rd pick in 2018 and 2nd Rd picks in 2019 and 2020.

1.) 18 Jan 2018
18 Jan 2018 18:33:33
This needs to stop. The only way the Leafs acquire OEL is with Marner or Nylander going the other way.

Its not about quantity. Its about Quality.

2.) 18 Jan 2018
18 Jan 2018 21:08:12
Help me understand your thought process as you are giving up 5 NHL ready players a middle of the road prospect and 3 high draft picks for a defenceman in his 30s (Hjalmarsson), a centre in Dvorak who I personally don't think brings to the table what Kadri brings and who is signed to a long term friendly cap hit and a power forward (Crouse) who is looking more and more like a first round bust.

OEL is a good solid 2 way, fleet footed defenceman (Rielly, looks to be developing into the same type) and who is not even a right shot. Definitely not worth what you just gave up, which was a good chunk of this team.

3.) 18 Jan 2018
18 Jan 2018 23:51:40
Thought process is this. Outside of Reilly, the rest of the defence stinks and is in desperate need of some new blood injected on the backend. Crouse is still young and gives the Leafs what they need and that is size and strength on the wing. The Leafs wingers are undersized and get pushed around rather easily. Dvorak and Marner have chemistry from their London Knights days having played with one another, maybe Marner gets going and can score more goals. Unfortunately you have to give up something in order to get something back and that is why Kadri is included in this trade. Leafs get the best player for now and the next couple of years while Arizona gets serviceable assets (picks, prospects and NHL Roster players) back in return. Don't forget, the Leafs probably have Grundstrom making the club next year and let's face it, the Leafs are not going to go far in the playoffs this year, if they even make it with what they have on defence. Maybe there will be an opportunity for a player like Rychel to come up and take a bottom six wing position. As for Lilejgren, who better to have a mentor than a fellow Swede in OEL to groom him as a top 4 D-Man in this league for years to come. Trade makes perfect sense to me. How can one expect to improve by remaining stagnant and not taking chances/ risk? The only idiot GM in the NHL who shouldn't be a GM in the NHL is Chiarelli. That guy has ruined the Edmonton Oilers franchise singlehandedly.

4.) 19 Jan 2018
19 Jan 2018 02:19:46
Doesn't matter how many spare parts we send. Add another 10. Doesn't matter. Without Matthews, nylander or marner in that trade, Chayka laughs and hangs up.

OEL IS A number 1 D. How is Chayka going to sell the Arizona fan base on Kadri. The 1st is in the 20's.

You should focus on something else. You're not getting this right.

5.) 19 Jan 2018
19 Jan 2018 14:45:09
OEL is currently 1 point ahead of Gardiner in scoring and a whopping -38 in +/ -. That's DEAD LAST in the NHL (277th! WOW! ) . The next closest is at -24, not even close.

AND he's paired with Hjalmarsson, a seasoned vet who's only at -2. That's a stark difference. All of the rest of the Yotes Dmen aren't quite that bad, including Schenn.

As a matter of fact, he hasn't had a positive season since 2012. A very disturbing trend. Now there are a lot of reasons a player can have a bad +/ -, but to be that bad historically, means there is an issue.

Sitting in 29th place in scoring does not make him a No 1 Dman. It makes him average.

Now yes, a lot of that has to do with his team. He has clearly given up and wants out of Arizona. How else do you explain it. But his record, the last 5 years, is not that of a No 1.

Arizona can keep him. He may already be damaged goods.

But worry not. Chiapet will give up Draisaitl and a 1st for him.

We are certainly not giving up that package for him. I would rather get Hjalmarsson and give up much less. We need a quality Dman not a forward who likes to play defence.

Maybe, just maybe, he's still a Yote because GM's aren't that stupid. If you've ever complained about Gardiner; you should be screaming against obtaining OEL.

6.) 19 Jan 2018
19 Jan 2018 15:01:31
Outside of Rielly the Leafs' defence stinks? Hainsey was a great signing for them. Zaitsev is also good, but is out with an injury at the moment.

7.) 19 Jan 2018
19 Jan 2018 19:28:02
We also have Borgman and Dermott who both look like they will develope into top 4 men. Nielsen and Liljegren in the system. Rasanen also looks promising.

The Leafs defence doesn’t suck as much as everyone makes it out to be. Take last nights game. Huge mistake by Marner, can in no way be blamed on our defence. OT goal was a miscoverage by Nylander. So many of our little defensive miscues are made by our forwards. Reilly is a great dman. Zaitsev or Gardiner would pivot the second pairing on most teams. Our third pairing rotates with some quality players (minis polak) .