15 Jun 2018 05:02:45
Nothing groundbreaking here, just my hopes for the Leafs in the next two and a half weeks.

To TOR: Dougie Hamilton

To CAL: William Nylander

This has been floated out there for awhile but I think it really helps both teams. Hamilton would pair nicely with Rielly and would come cheaper than Carlson's projected salary. Nylander with Jankowski could form a dominant second line, leaving the 3M line in its proper place as the third line.

1st round - Leafs draft Ty Dellandrea at 25th. I actually believe this kid is the second best centre in the draft. If he played for the Soo he would be going ahead of Veleno.

2nd round - Leafs trade the 52nd pick, Pickard and Marincin for Detriot's 36th. Leafs draft best D man available (Woo, Lundqvist, Samuelsson, Beaudin).
Both of those players would make Detriot's team next year. I just really hope the Leafs do something to get a early 2nd round as picks 24 to 42 all seem to be interchangeable depending on the mock. Deep year

Free Agency

JVR signs for $6 mill x 7 years. Rumours are that he wants to stay so he takes a $1 mill haircut to do so. This also lessens the sting of losing Nylander

Joe Thornton signs a 2 year x $5 mill. Centres are lacking in FA this year. The Leafs need a third line centre so the Ontario boy joins his old buddy Marleau. Also this let's Dellandrea develop

New Lines:

Johnsson - Matthews - Hyman
Marleau - Kadri - Marner
JVR - Thornton - Kapenan
Martin - Lindholm - Brown

Rielly - Hamilton
Gardiner - Zaitsev
Dermott - Hainsey

1.) 15 Jun 2018
15 Jun 2018 06:11:24
Nylander for Hamilton is a big no in my eyes, for the simple fact that Nylander’s contract is going to be 8 years, vs 3 years left on Hamilton’s contract. If we trade Nylander, would like to be able to control the incoming player for around the same duration.

Re-signing JVR is another no. Way too one-dimensional. He can’t put the puck in the net. But that’s about all he can do. He can’t hit, can’t fight, can't take a hit, can’t make plays, can’t take face offs, can’t block shots, can’t play defense. He’s very good at parking his ass in front of the net and picking up the garbage. But that’s about it. We need a better more rounded player for that kind of money.

Thornton is another no. Coming off pretty serious injury at his age, he’s already too slow to play the Leafs game, and certainly won’t be able to keep up with a very speedy Kapanen or Marleau. He won’t be cheap either. Would rather use that money to lock in an effective up and coming youngster who will be on the team many years.

2.) 15 Jun 2018
15 Jun 2018 12:50:02
Honestly maybe if you were to sign Stastny instead of Thornton I may accept that signing
Also I have to agree the LeafsGM that we should let JVR go to free agency or trade his right during the draft to a team who really want him with some other assets for another 2nd line LW or something
Last thing is I would trade Kapanen and a first with maybe some other assets before trying Nylander.

3.) 15 Jun 2018
15 Jun 2018 18:33:30
DL7, Nylander is worth a little more than Hamilton, although Hamilton is good, Nylander is better.

4.) 15 Jun 2018
15 Jun 2018 21:00:31
I’m a leafs fan and even I know Hamilton is worth more. Hamilton is a top pairing big right handed defenseman who is still locked up for 3 years. He is exactly what the leafs need. Willie is a 60 point 20 goal elite top 6 forward but wingers don’t have the same value as right handed defenseman. Personally I think the leafs would have to Trade Nylander and a 2nd to get Hamilton and it would be a great deal for Toronto.

5.) 16 Jun 2018
16 Jun 2018 01:25:03
Don't want or need JVR back. Especially at $6 million a year until he is 36 years old.
The last 3 - 4 years of his contract would be a cap destroyer.
No more big money, long term contracts for 29+ year old players for the Leafs, thanks.

Don't want or need a big money, 38 year old Joe Thronton. We already have one of those in Marleau and his contract will become a problem in 2019 - 2020

A right winger for a top pairing RHD, even if the winger is elete is a trade no self respecting, NHL, GM would make.