18 Feb 2023 14:34:06
Just want to breakdown the trade before any comment.

Leafs send a 1st and 3rd(2023) a 2nd (2024) and a 4th(2025). They move out Gaudette to empty a contract spot and swap prospects of Abramov for another small, quick forward in Pillar. They keep all of their top prospects but pretty much scorch the earth of what high picks they have left.

In return the Leafs get a veteran top 9C in O'Reilly with huge salary retention and a bottom 6C/W in Acciari. Both grinders with some ability to score, but both on expiring contracts. Both older with playoff experience.

The value seems about right imo because of the cost of retention. But the use of the assets is another story. A 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th for an aging vet forward and a bottom 6C/W where both are pending UFA has another Foligno type of feel to it. Unless there is a team friendly contract extension in the works for O'Reilly, I can't say I call this a win as it looks like a desperate move or one that the GM believes his team is just a piece or two from a Cup. I mean, a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th couldn't have been a big part of a move for Meier or even Chychrun, where they have team control moving forward.

Did the Leafs just get better? Yes I believe they have. . . for this season. But this deal strongly relies on O'Rielly's ability to stay healthy and start producing and be an impact player like he used to be.

The only way this is a win, is if the Leafs hoist the Cup.imo

1.) 18 Feb 2023
18 Feb 2023 15:00:59
Should be "Could have been used on a move for Meier or Chychrun".

2.) 18 Feb 2023
18 Feb 2023 17:46:03
Keeping Knies and other high prospects, is worth sending the picks, in my opinion. I realize both players could walk after this season, but the depth and playoff experience they bring is huge! O'Reilly started the season with a broken foot, he could just be getting back up to speed (fingers crossed) .

3.) 18 Feb 2023
18 Feb 2023 18:03:44
Dubas has to trade the likes of Holl and Engvall and a few others that fall into the category of Keefe's boys. Keefe is to loyal to these AHL players, He grew with them from their hey day in the AHL with the Marlies and now in to the NHL even though their play and skill cries AHL. Take no further proof then Connor Timmins vs Chi the othe night played a sound game and yet is still tonight yanked for Holl. This is just bad coaching.

Those players Keefe loyal to are not in the organization anymore well then can't be loyal to them.

4.) 18 Feb 2023
18 Feb 2023 18:13:49
I think with this trade you have to look at the current roster those picks we lost are players that maybe make the nhl 3-5 years from now and I wouldn’t just jump to conclusions that O’reilly is a rental because dubas said he wasn’t trading big assets for rentals so maybe there’s been those talks all in all the leafs are better deeper and still have their top prospects there was no way meier was coming here and Arizona is delusional with their asking price for chychrun.

5.) 18 Feb 2023
18 Feb 2023 18:15:49
Oreilly gives leafs a top faceoff/ defensive player as well

Acciari hits and is a solid pk guy. Kerfoot oreilly Acciari is one of the best 3rd lines Out there

Kampf 4th line center with ZAR and if not traded Engvall.

Jankrok in top 6 and when leafs are down moves to bottom 6 and oreilly takes his spot.

This is a game changing deal.

6.) 18 Feb 2023
18 Feb 2023 18:16:55
RLF the Chychrun and or Meier deals would have cost a hell of a lot more that what was given up in this trade.
For starters in either trade scenario for any of the 2 mentioned above the starting point is Knies.
They still have a first in 24, 25 then as far as picks go it dwindles to 3rd round picks and lower from there.
They will recoup these DP with trades for players like Reilly and Nylander when they trade them in the off season. Rielly just a terrible contract. Nylander his value will never be higher and the leafs can not afford his asking price as a UFA at the end of next season.

The leafs still need more than a tinker on the defence. , The either need a winger for that 2nd line or more grit and physicality for the bottome 6. If you go with a trade for 2nd line scoring then Orielly drops to 3rd line giving you that element of hard work ethic defensive responsiblity although not quite the sandpaper it should be fine. If you choose to leave Orielly on the second line then you need more sandpaper on the bottom 6 Accarri is a start but a Jeannott would be a great compliment to him

Need to upgrade that d right now they have a bnch of guys who can
play 3-6 minutes but no true top 2 pairing. One who is a absolute stud in his own zone. Physical, smart strong. the other a non defensive liability but also a great point producer Everything Rielly should be but is not.

7.) 18 Feb 2023
18 Feb 2023 22:00:24
I'm with you RLF. If these prices were moved for Meier with Knies included, move Nylander/ Marner in the off season, it seems like a better deal.

Everyone wants to keep Knies without considering his ceiling is less than Meier is now.

8.) 19 Feb 2023
19 Feb 2023 00:40:33
Totally agree.
I like ROR and Acciari but the cost for two UFA, rentals is prohibitive.
O’Reilly will be a 3rd line center for the Leafs, 32 years old rental, about to become a UFA in July who has been having a very poor season (-24)
Acciari is a good pickup.
Cheap, physical, blocks shots, extremely hard to play against.

I would have much preferred Dubas had targeted a younger player with term.
I think a trade for Barbashev and Acciari with Leafs keeping their 1st round pick to be used for an upgrade on defense would have been better.