Current Avatar:
No Avatar image uploaded
No Avatar image uploaded
Leafs Rumours Member Posts
Goat2.0's Profile
Goat2.0's Posts and Other Poster's Replies To Goat2.0's Posts
To Goat2.0's last 5 rumours posts
To Goat2.0's last 5 banter posts
To Goat2.0's last 5 rumour replies
To Goat2.0's last 5 banter replies
Goat2.0's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Goat2.0's rumours posts
06 May 2026 00:59:44
So the thought is do they pick Mckenna or trade down? Vancouver is primed to be taken advantage of…
Tor: 1st overall, Reilly
Van: 3rd overall and 24th overall and Debrusk
Leafs can easily rebuild their farm system in one draft and still add some decent players Vancouver needs the corner stone player to seek to their fan base it’s really a win for both teams.
1.) 06 May 2026 00:22:21
I donno. I think we're crazy not to take McKenna.
2.) 06 May 2026 00:34:02
I agree with Goat2.0. See not just how desperate Vancouver is but all other top 5 teams. All top picks are good so maybe run an auction. If it was Vancouver specifically I would say “we will give you the 1st overall and rfa rights to Robertson.
We get your 3rd pick and Marco Rossi. Then if San Jose takes Stenberg we pick a dman; if San Jose takes a dman we take Stenberg. Then we walk away with a great pick and our #2 centre.
3.) 06 May 2026 00:45:41
I hope he’s not soft.
4.) 06 May 2026 00:51:34
Hey suffering, great job with Reilly and Robertson to Vancouver. Did you read that somewhere?
5.) 06 May 2026 01:10:11
Wear your glasses. Where did I mention Reilly?
6.) 06 May 2026 01:16:22
I actually posted yesterday the same proposal for Rossi if we hit the 1st overall in a swap of picks but had suggested Reilly in that one but decided Robertson is more feasible. Fear not, I would never steal any of your brilliant ideas.
7.) 06 May 2026 03:32:03
Nope!
Definitely not DeBrusk.
8.) 06 May 2026 09:02:25
@garyfaulk I totally get that but I think if you’re the Leafs you gotta see what teams may be willing to give you for example this trade would land them two first this year plus a middle six forward with term at a good number all while getting out of the Reilly contract.
@suffering I don’t believe you get young roster players in a deal with Vancouver just because they are rebuilding.
@wb49 why not DeBrusk? 20-25 goal guy we know he’s good in the playoffs he torched us every year in Boston and at under 6 million and your dumping Reilly idk see a negative.
9.) 06 May 2026 10:51:45
So the consensus is we’re gonna draft McKenna??? I see some props about trading down for a later pick and other pieces and tbh that’s the play here. We need a franchise altering Dman.
Who you guys got as the number 1 D? I still think Verheoff cause of his ceiling but I’d still like to hear what u guys think and why it should or shouldn’t be him.
24 Apr 2026 11:02:15
Tor: Nylander Danford
Cbj: Werenski
The question should be asked but does Werenski want to stay in Columbus? This fixes so much for the Leafs but this is a trade that would be based off of what the players want but just imagine.
Werenski Tanev
McCabe Carlo
OEL Reid/Verhoeff
1.) 24 Apr 2026 13:38:27
I think a 1 for 1 trade would be enough. Nylander is a proven playoff performer, just bad playoff injury history. Werenski is an amazing top pairing dman. This type of trade would look good for a retool, but very bad for a rebuild.
I'm personally thinking a rebuild is needed because of just how many exceptionally bad mistakes the Leafs management has done over the last 10 years.
2.) 24 Apr 2026 15:13:00
I think Goat is right where Toronto will have to add. If Werenski wants to leave and CLB isn't looking for picks/prospects, this could interest them.
3.) 24 Apr 2026 16:30:50
If Werenski hits the market that trade will be only a notch below Quinn Hughes. Werenski is an absolute stud of a D-man. I think it actually takes more than Willy.
15 Apr 2026 14:27:54
A draft day hypothetical I’ve been mulling over this morning is how can the Leafs rebuild the system in one draft.... Here's what I came up with
First the Leafs have to land the top 5 pick then,
Tor: 5th overall 2nd 2026( LA pick) one of Robertson/Maccelli both (RFA)
Stl: picks 9th 15th (Det)
With those picks Toronto selects @ 9th
Daxon Rudolph 6’2 203lbs RHD 28g 50a 78p 68gp
Then @15
Ryan Rooboreck 6’4 216lbs LHC 30g 28a 58pts
49gp
Then with their 3rd pick
Ethan Mackenzie 6’0 174lbs LHD 22g 36a 58pts 59gp
So my deep dive here I’ll start with why St. Louis makes this trade and my simple answer is a new GM looking to make a swing. The Blues have a decent prospect pool and some quality young guns, they also have 3 first this year so they need quality over quantity.
Daxon Rudolph is 3rd in the WHL in scoring, projected at 13 on Tankathon. From what I have read he is one of the most complete players in this draft; he is a great skater, can clearly put up numbers offensively and is solid defensively.
If I’m Toronto, a lot of the D men in the top 5 have good qualities but no great qualities. Daxon is more of a safe, sure pick imo.
Ryan Rooboreck the more I read about him the more I like him, coming into the year he was projected as a top 5 pick coming off a 45g 87pts season he’s your prototypical power forward and from what I read his offensive IQ is off the charts.
Ethan Mackenzie I seen someone else here mention this player and upon further review they were right passed over the last two drafts. The reports on him are although he’s smaller he’s a dog willing to sacrifice anything to make a play or get a stop, superb skater who is an almost automatic zone exit. Again I like what I’ve heard
So that’s my thinking on how the farm gets rebuilt 3 top end prospects with room to grow into quality NHLers and with no first the next 2 years now the time to buy
1.) 15 Apr 2026 20:47:21
The 1 issue is. How does this help us now?
Your deal is more rebuild style vs retool. I'd much rather offer the 5th ova and Robertson to get to 3rd and draft Verhoeff. Which is the dman we need to be serious about targetting to make the retool work.
2.) 15 Apr 2026 21:38:41
Where’s the third pick coming from?
3.) 15 Apr 2026 23:32:56
Rudolph will be a good one.However I think this draft has one of the best list of D-men in a long time. I would hang onto the Pick (Hopefully it is even higher than 5th in the lottery. But if it is 5th I would probably take Malholtra if Verhoeff is gone. However.... I would also have conversations with Seattle if they stay in the 6th spot and see who they really, really want with their pick and then say we will swap positions so they can grab their playe and in return we get one one of those great prospects they have in the system already and then we do our Pick.
Second Round I pick Adam Nemec and then Eth.an McKenzie in the 3rd riound.
4.) 15 Apr 2026 23:57:51
Rooberoeck is kind of a crapshoot with scouts having him ranked mid first round to late 2nd round. Biggest knock that seems to be a consistent is he can be very passive and at times lazy. That is why he has dropped in many scouts assessments.
5.) 16 Apr 2026 02:17:49
I think if you look at the reports guys like Verhoff and Reid are not slam dunk prospects which is why I opted to maybe try and go for multiple players this either way, no player drafted this year helps the Leafs next year that’s will need to be done via trade or.
6.) 16 Apr 2026 09:10:57
@Goat2.0 Not sure what you mean by slam dunk? There’s never truly a sure thing until they’ve played in the NHL and succeeded. Now, by slam dunk if u mean NHL ready for next season? U may be right but….. They’re both looking like franchise cornerstone players off initial scouting projections.
Wherever u read/heard this, I hope they’re wrong, man. We need this! This could potentially give us something we haven’t had in decades, a true number 1 D. Cross your fingers, boys, this could be it.
7.) 16 Apr 2026 12:22:40
I have heard and read that Chase Reid has fallen off during the last month. But is still considered a Top 4 D-man in the NHL. Verhoeff is still looked at Top 3 pick maybe 4 depending on a team's needs, But is considered a Top 2 D-man in the NHL eventually on the majority of teams. His ceiling is huge. He is one of the youngest in the Draft still adjusting in that massive frame.
Is not blazing on his initial steps on a rush but has good top end speed (Don't forget he was a Goalie until 5 years ago and is still working on his Skating) but has extremely agile feet for defending and very quick hands for his playmaking, and a cannon of a shot. I'd take him if he is available. I don't think he will be if we pick 5 or 4 though.
8.) 16 Apr 2026 14:57:35
When I look at Verhoeff he reminds me a lot of Owen Power. Now Power is a solid player but isn’t a standout. I guess tbh is I had to choose between him and Reid. I’m taking Reid.
9.) 17 Apr 2026 01:22:27
Not trying to start an argument here. But I watched a lot of Verhoeff on FLo Hockey this year. Never compare him to Owen Power. Owen Power is a huge body who does not use his body or size. Verhoeff physically dominates battles for the puck on the boards or the corners and moves his men from the front of the net like they were boys.
Reid also does not do that. He plays more of an Owen Power, avoiding the physicality game as well. Reid is behind not just Verhoeff in the true physical game as a D-Man but also Carels, Smits, and Rudolph.
05 Apr 2026 11:32:38
The Leafs have an opportunity to turn this around fairly quick imo… if the get a top 5 pick.
Draft one of the top dman
Tor: Nylander
Ana: Mctavish Mintukov 1st
Resign Laughton
Sign Marchment
Trade Reilly or buy him out
Knies Matthews Cowan
Tavares Mctavish Marchment
Joshua Laughton
Lorentz Groulx Marlie
McCabe Tanev
Mintyukov Carlo
OEL drafted stud
Idk who to put 3rw cause I’d move Domi if you can but he might be that spot Robertson I don’t think they qualify id keep Benoit as a 7th D but long story short Leafs get younger a little grittier without sacrificing production and I think it helps with the culture with moving out Willy and Reilly and if they flop then you look at Matthews but at least they would have some younger guys there to start a new core.
1.) 05 Apr 2026 16:05:19
Think you’re getting close.
It would seem you traded Robertson and Maccelli if they’re not in starting lineup.
Hope you got something decent!
For me I think I’d rather have a D+1 or 2 from Anaheim since the Ducks don’t have a 1st this year. I’d take Nathan Gaucher.
I’m lukewarm on Laughton. I like his compete and the respect he has but wants more than $3m.
I honestly expect Tanev to retire but if he’s healthy I put him in D3, PK and in closing minutes of each period to stop late goals and momentum shifts.
I would try and sign more UFAs.
You’re definitely right with Reilly so wouldn’t you go after either Andersson or Raddysh?
2.) 05 Apr 2026 17:05:48
For the 3RW I'd absolutely take a shot at Laine. He won't be over expensive and is still skilled out of the ass.
3.) 05 Apr 2026 17:58:08
April Fools was 4 days ago.
4.) 05 Apr 2026 18:48:13
Your defence isn’t good enough. What team does drafted stud play for? I tried looking up his stats but didn’t find any. Having a question mark in your weakest position poses the same problems we have. Offensive has never been a problem, so don’t touch it. Actually, let them form a team together and with a coach that makes sense
5.) 05 Apr 2026 18:59:10
@leafsgm you think as it stands the Leafs forward group is good? As for the player being drafted, there are 3-4 defenders who project to be top-4 NHL players, so you take the best one available.
I like Daxon Rudolph. You get Tanev back next year and put him with McCabe and get Carlo away from Reilly. I bet you see a big difference in play. Just my opinion.
6.) 05 Apr 2026 19:06:18
@Randy you want a D-man plus a 1st or 2nd for Nylander? Goal is to try and move JT to the wing.
I would bring back Laughton. If you want culture change, he's a type you want in the room: works hard, sticks up for his teammates and is willing to drag others into the fight. He never got a chance in Toronto because of the coach.
I have the Leafs walking away from both Maccelli and Robertson.
Maybe you can trade them for a pick, but I don’t think they are valuable players.
And lastly, for your free agent suggestions I wouldn’t target Raddysh. I think he’s gonna get overpaid or stay in Tampa, and it’s hard to look at a guy like that who's been in the league for years and expect him to turn in Makar and Anderson stinks. Vegas would tell you that Leafs need youth imo on the blueline.
7.) 05 Apr 2026 21:05:56
So this whole scenario depends on the Leafs getting a top 5. If not.... then what? As far as Reilly. It has to be a trade. No way are we doing a buyot and being on the hook for $3.5 for 4 years then another 4 years at $2.0. That is insanity. Plus why is it everyone assumes that San Jose and Anaheim are the trades to do for Nylander or Matthews.
Even at first I thought that. The California teams are teams most NHL players don't want to do to because of the Tax situation. Not to mention. The true assets they have that we want for either of our big assets.... they don't really want to part with.
8.) 06 Apr 2026 10:21:49
Goat, it may be your goal to move Tavares to the wing but I’m fine with him at C, his natural position. At 2C or 3C he’s still productive and his FO skill is excellent.
But in the trade you are referencing I don’t mention a 2nd.
In different years, Gaucher was #22, Mintyakov #10 and McTavish #3 plus two are centers so we are adding at C, a need for the team.
You’re undervaluing both Robertson and Maccelli IMO. Both will score around or close to 40 points on a non-playoff team so they still have decent value.
Surely you jest!
Certainly there are those who share your view on Raddysh. There are many late-bloomers in the NHL and in previous years he had little PP time given Hedman’s abilities. Two years ago Raddysh had 45 sec average on PP while this year almost 3 1/2 minutes.
So perhaps his offensive skill is real.
Your hope is to draft a D-stud, good luck with that approach. I’d rather see if a UFA deal can be reached that works for Raddysh and TML.
Just the way I’d go.
9.) 06 Apr 2026 13:25:11
What is it with everyone and giving up Nylander for McTavish??? This guy is going to be a 3c nothing better. If it isn’t one of Gauthier Carlsson or Sennecke coming back for Nylander I’m keeping him.
10.) 06 Apr 2026 18:21:15
Champ, it’s nice to dreamin technicolor, but you’re not going to get a player like that in return for Nylander, as established as he is.
He will be 30yo in May. The players you name are 22, 21 and 20.
McTavish is one of three players, and while he’s not elite he is still only 24.
Added to Mintyakov and Gaucher, it’s a good return and also helps change the culture and provides Cap room.
But you go ahead and keep him!
23 Mar 2026 00:08:40
Let’s play hypothetical trades…
In this scenario the Leafs win the lottery and have the 1st overall pick do you take the skilled winger or do you trade back with whoever is in that third spot. It’s a tough spot if you think about it McKenna or Stenberg could become stud players but they are both wingers…
I think when you look at Toronto over the Matthews era one thing that stands out is the lack of quality D they’ve always had the guys who are either passed their primes or boarder line top 4 guys a stud dman can flip the script pretty quickly the Islanders are the perfect example of that.
So if you were the Leafs what would you do?
1.) 22 Mar 2026 23:59:18
See if you can possibly trade back a spot or 2, get other picks and take the D man.
2.) 23 Mar 2026 10:45:57
That’s what I’m leaning towards. I do think Vancouver, Calgary, New York would be desperate enough to say give the Leafs a 2nd in addition to the number 3-4 overall pick.
3.) 23 Mar 2026 12:07:14
I agree that would be an excellent strategy.
A lot has to happen as you stated but have a plan in place to execute if “the planets line up”!
4.) 23 Mar 2026 21:45:39
You trade down to 3-4 and grab Reid or Verhoeff. That's a no brainer. But I would ask for tgrir 2nd rd pick plus a higher one if u are going down 2/3 spots.
Goat2.0's banter posts with other poster's replies to Goat2.0's banter posts
04 May 2026 18:44:27
After watching the Leafs press conference I Gotta say the Leafs may be doomed Pelley has no clue what he’s doing like what’s so ever! And for the first time ever I have to applaud Steve Simmons for going at Pelley the way he did… All
In all not a lot was said other than Berube seems likely to be back next year and hopefully we don’t lose the top 5 pick tomorrow.
Also I feel like bringing in Sundin was strictly a PR move he doesn’t really have a role or say, to me it was more about giving the fans something to cheer about knowing what the response was gonna be with his hiring.
1.) 05 May 2026 02:55:41
I agree. Steve Simmons truly stepped up and was a real journalist. It’s the first time I have ever seen Pelley over the years have that complete deer in a headlights and overwhelmed.
17 Apr 2026 00:39:09
I’m calling it right now Leafs hire Giilis Berube and staff stay nothing changes next year.
1.) 17 Apr 2026 17:15:39
I'm not so sure on Berube. If Pelley is saying more analytics and AI, I don't see Berube as the guy that will want to be guided by that.
2.) 17 Apr 2026 19:15:32
@RLF Then why is he still employed is my question. I’m telling you Berube will be here.
3.) 17 Apr 2026 19:39:43
Goat. Ok, relax. lol
Why would they fire him before they hire the new GM and possible president? Who is going to hire the new coach if they fire him now? Pelley, the non-hockey guy.
They are going to have to pay him either way. Plus, other coaches can still get fired after the playoffs and they may want to wait and see what shakes loose.
Maybe the have a replacement in mind, but he is still under contract somewhere else.
That's just a few reasons for maybe why he is still employed.
4.) 18 Apr 2026 11:35:58
@RLF Well I would point to Tree when he came in he held onto Keefe and used him as a scape goat when they failed pretty much what every media person is saying, if the Leafs are not playing till next September why do you need a coach in place? I guess for me I’d want to take away the bullet of “I just got here and I want to evaluate everything”.
5.) 18 Apr 2026 14:08:44
I'm not saying there is no chance he stays. I said he doesn't seen like the coach that aligns with what Pelley says he wants the team to focus on. As for Tree and Keefe, I think you know that is a completely different situation then where they are now.
01 Apr 2026 11:44:06
Thoughts on Pelley presser.
I only caught part of it, but what I essentially got out of it was he wanted to glaze our rivals and TFC and the Argos, which I found weird and out of touch. Then he said we were going after Dubas 2.0 lol.
Bottom line, all he did was say what everyone was thinking: he has no clue what he’s doing, and he even stated I will have no part in building the team aka I’m taking no blame if it goes back to before Matthews era.
Only saving grace will be who they bring in as GM; hopefully he’s a stud, or I don’t see anything positive ahead
1.) 04 Apr 2026 21:46:53
I just have this feeling that he was blowing smoke up people's butts. He had to be careful regarding addressing the not tanking issue. The League frowns on that. Regarding having the foundation pieces still in place, that is classic blowing smoke. He is not going to panic #1 the fans that are fans of those foundation pieces, #2 not blow his chance at finding the right President and GM. If it was public knowledge the team was going to blow up and rebuild then right away those new people would be at a disadvantage in trade negotiations knowing that those players need to be moved. I believe they are in negotiations for permission to talk to certain people for those jobs and maybe have been for a while now.
I just get this feeling that if there are some big moves made it will come out of left field like the first Rantanen trade and catch everyone off guard.
Pelley has been an executive for a lot of years and one thing about executives is they are very adept at talking out of both sides of their mouths. They can tell a Vice-President one day he is doing a great job and 3 days later fire and replace him without losing a minute of sleep. They can protect the major shareholders by giving a glowing report to all the minor shareholders. So him saying we are doing a Retool could actually mean a Rebuild. Time will tell.
31 Mar 2026 16:16:20
Now that reliving is gone which I’m kinda surprised tbh seemed like they were gonna keep him, it’s time to trim the fat, hire a GM and President, get rid of the 5 AGMs and replace the entire coaching staff.
I'm truly intrigued by where they might go. The leafy thing to do would be going and getting the “experienced guy cough cough Armstrong”, but I want to see a GM who is given the ability to make moves.
The Leafs need a Bill Zito type GM idk who that would be, but I think if they are serious they will not just recycle the same play book. I’ve already mentioned my vote in Jim Nill, but idk if he leaves Dallas unless the Stars don’t win this year
1.) 31 Mar 2026 15:56:16
@Goat
I like Jim Nill as well, but I think we need to hire someone sooner.
Obviously do a full search, starting today if it hasn't started already. We need to hire someone quickly, so they have more time to evaluate and set a direction moving forward.
If Dallas has a long playoff run, Jim Nill won't be available till mid/end of June. That's cutting it too close to the draft and FA, IMO.
I'm not sold on Armstrong either, but there seems to be a lot of smoke around him.
How about Doug Wilson?
26 Mar 2026 01:23:52
Daxon Rudolph - This might be a guy the Leafs take a long hard look at was reading scouting reports and he seems to check all the boxes
NHL ready size 6'3, 206 lbs
Two-way
Physical
Mobile
Heavy shot
28 goals this year.
Some report project him as a top pair potential… no other dman in the top 10 have those numbers. Just might have to trade to draft him since the Leafs refuse to just tank.
1.) 26 Mar 2026 03:33:41
If they don't tank, then Boston gets the pick.
2.) 26 Mar 2026 07:48:57
@LL I’m aware but could they trade into the top 10? Sharks are a team that want to get better now, not draft another prospect.
3.) 26 Mar 2026 16:53:49
I think the Sharks have a plan that Mike Grier is sticking to and that is to keep adding young talent and in this draft there are some top end Defensemen available that they can keep building upon. Verhoeff, Reid, Carels, Smits and ... you mentioned him earlier, Goat...
Rudolph. Any of those 5 could crack the San Jose lineup as they are short on signed D-men. The Sharks did well this year and the last 2 weeks they just got hammered by the schedule and the teams they had to run up against. Some of the hottest teams in the league.
06 May 2026 09:02:25
@garyfaulk I totally get that but I think if you’re the Leafs you gotta see what teams may be willing to give you for example this trade would land them two first this year plus a middle six forward with term at a good number all while getting out of the Reilly contract.
@suffering I don’t believe you get young roster players in a deal with Vancouver just because they are rebuilding.
@wb49 why not DeBrusk? 20-25 goal guy we know he’s good in the playoffs he torched us every year in Boston and at under 6 million and your dumping Reilly idk see a negative.
05 May 2026 08:44:34
Never lol Nylander is a great player but that package is for a McDavid type player.
30 Apr 2026 09:17:00
It’s hard to say what the Oilers would do. They have played a lot of hockey, the most hockey without winning a Cup. Look at the Panthers, so that is a factor. Personally I don’t think they blow it up, but I do think the coach and Bowman are gone.
They had one more year of Skinner but instead traded it for multiple years. A Jarry starts in net with Edmonton and moves out to the D-core. As for RNH, I think people forget how old this guy is. I know it shocks me every time he’s like the Reilly of the Oilers.
30 Apr 2026 09:10:12
@RLF I just don’t see why the Ducks would want to move Sennecke. The rest I can see, but Sennecke is under control right now. That’s my only negative about it tho. I like McTavish, have posted lots of trades for him.
Luneau is a good prospect too, so it’s a tough one, but it’s hard to deny the fact that a team like Anaheim, and where they are at, they are the perfect team to make a splash with.
28 Apr 2026 17:45:44
The base of this trade is sound Leafs might have to add a bit or maybe give up Woll instead.
06 May 2026 09:06:22
I was hoping the Leafs would of landed at 3 and it would have negated this conversation but you’re right the Leafs have never had that stud dman which is why I said trade out of number one but I can’t help to this what could McKenna be here in Toronto my biggest issue with him is he’s a winger.
30 Apr 2026 09:21:39
Truthfully Pelley will set this franchise back to before Auston Matthews. I sincerely hope we get Scott White over Chayka. Also sounding like Berube has a good chance of being back, which is another strike.
18 Apr 2026 11:35:58
@RLF Well I would point to Tree when he came in he held onto Keefe and used him as a scape goat when they failed pretty much what every media person is saying, if the Leafs are not playing till next September why do you need a coach in place? I guess for me I’d want to take away the bullet of “I just got here and I want to evaluate everything”.
17 Apr 2026 19:15:32
@RLF Then why is he still employed is my question. I’m telling you Berube will be here.
15 Apr 2026 08:40:44
Carle isn’t leaving Denver for a assistant coach he’s that coveted.