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20 May 2022 23:39:35
A bit out there perhaps but would a 1:1 trade of Jake Muzzin for Tyler Johnson work?

Johnson missed most of last season due to neck surgery.

While small he was very gritty, not afraid to go full speed into corners or tough areas.

And his Stanley Cup wins gives him first hand knowledge of what it takes to be a winner.

Leafs save just over $600k.

Rsears07

1.) 21 May 2022 02:47:09
I think If you can trade muzzin for a draft pick or two that’s your better play and use the cap space to resign key pieces.


2.) 21 May 2022 03:54:05
What's with everyone wanting to trade Muzzin? I don't personally understand. Muzzin looked great in the playoffs. He was clearly injured most of the season and had a bad partner in Holl.

Who will replace Muzzin as a physical presence on this team, if he were to be traded?


3.) 21 May 2022 12:07:15
@LL, I don’t think many of us were enamoured with Muzzin’s season.

His playoff was decent but it’s seven games.

I’m more worried about his future decline, injury frequency and cap hit. He is not worth $5.6m IMO.

His recent lack of skating agility has impacted his ability to be a physical force. He gets pasted by opponents more often than what he now delivers.

Resign Lyubushkin for $1.85m. His physicality plus trades for some speedy power forwards will fill any void Muzzin may have provided.


4.) 21 May 2022 19:55:34
@Rsears this is where you're losing me. He had a rough season, clearly because of injury, then a great playoffs. I don't understand the issue with him.

Age is definitely an issue. Tavares, Brodie, Muzzin, Spezza, Gio, etc are all on the wrong side of 30 and going to hit a wall eventually. That doesn't mean you can just trade any player who is 32 though.


5.) 22 May 2022 12:33:47
@LL

If Muzzin has 2 more years like this past 7-game series then he’s a keeper and worth his $5.6m.

He will be 34 in Feb and with his concussions this past year and slower foot speed I think he spends more time in injured status. That he might get us some cap relief while injured is the only good in that.

He dropped out of the Top50 D-men this year so I’m not as confident as you are in his future. There are a number of Top50 that are free agents who might be better choices.

If he’s not traded I hope I’m wrong and you’re right.

I’m sure this player will be written about much more as we move forward.


 

 

20 May 2022 12:24:06
Can we get Tavares to waive his No-move contract?

What would get him to give up any hope for a cup!

Yeah I know probably nothing! And would a conversation along these lines be a bad hurtful thing?

Would a management position after retirement be any type of enticement?

If so send him to Seattle for Morgan Geekie!
Does Seattle need a solid veteran to guide and lead their March to improvement?

Please tell me I’m crazy but the Leafs do need the ability to make strategic moves going forward.

Rsears07

1.) 20 May 2022 12:40:03
No need he is ok and Marner and Matthews bring a lot more next season. I hold Nylander as well the piece you move is Muzzin nearly 6 million plus you trade Mrazek and give his money to Campbell.


2.) 20 May 2022 13:14:23
Cap hit is the only real issue with Tavares imo
Tavares was still about a pt per game player this year. Slow start to the playoffs but picked it up a lot. He had that goal in game 7 as well if Holl wasn't called for interference. He can play the wing as well. Nylander still makes the most sense to me and I am sticking by my pre-playoff prediction that he gets moved this off-season.


3.) 20 May 2022 15:42:59
As much as i agree that Tavares with his cap hit and remaining contract years are an issue i doubt he'd waive. and no way Dubas asks. only person that could ask if if we got a new gm looking to come in and make big changes. dubas is too loyal and would not ask.

as for getting more cap i agree with moving Muzzin if he can be convinced to waive no trade clause. we need a kadri type guy playing 2C with a cap hit of about what he is making now. not next year. also need bigger players. guys like Nic Paul who i wished Dubas would have gotten. instead we got mini-me Blackwell. or a guy like Crouse. i'd try to ship another small prospect like Robertson for him. on the back end i'd try to finalize a trade with Nashville and get Myers on the back end. if Muzzin is gone bring back Gio for between 1 and 2m to play 3rd line. there is your vet to help with guys like Liljegren and Sandin.


4.) 21 May 2022 03:55:02
Nobody is taking on that contract. He's on the wrong side of 30 making 11 million. How many guys make that much at 31 and also put up a 30/ 80 season regularly? He isn't anything special, I just don't see it.


5.) 21 May 2022 12:17:51
@LL, Tavares has had but 4 seasons out of 13 where he exceeded 80 pts.

I’m just offering different ways to get the Leafs out of cap Hell.

I can only offer up so many Nylander trades.

But you’re right about no team (or at least few teams) taking on his salary.

Would Columbus take it on, for example, by trading Jakob Voracek’s $8.25m? He’s a year older with still a number of years left on that contract.


6.) 21 May 2022 19:57:37
@Rsears the only team I can think of that takes Tavares is the Yotes.

His contract gets cheaper in real money every year, he helps hit the cap floor, they don't want to win anyway, etc.

I don't see him as a willing participant in a trade to Arizona though. Lol.


 

 

18 May 2022 19:36:52
I mentioned a few days ago a blockbuster and received no feedback. Perhaps it was buried in my windy response OR perhaps it made no sense.

So here it is again.

To Arizona (who are one team in need of a goalie) : Nylander, Kerfoot, Holl, Engvall and Mrazek.

To Toronto: Lawson Crouse, Christian Fischer and Jacob Chychrun.

What sayest thou?

Rsears07

1.) 18 May 2022 22:45:48
Chychrun is a weird one for me. Would like to have him, but after this trade the pairings are still Rielly-Muzzin-Sandin on the left. I'm not sure where Chychrun slots in.


2.) 19 May 2022 00:10:40
I am back and forth on whether ARZ would do it or not. They need to reach the cap floor, but I am not sure if they want to be competitive yet or not. Except for Mrazek, they are getting 4 NHLers.


3.) 19 May 2022 02:13:08
Would not have a problem with getting Chychrun for Nylander. It would mean moving one of the other lefties out in order to open a roster spot. So which contract would get us a return? Muzzin or Brodie. If Muzzin's healthy I'd keep Muzzin, but really didn't mind Brodie on the blueline either. Would also like to get another look at Engvall before moving him out, especially if we can't keep Mickey.


 

 

17 May 2022 12:53:13
I’ve been quiet for awhile but feel the need to speak out again.

Leafs we know need cap space.

Leafs have Matthews for at least two more years; this is our window of hope!

It may only be one year if the Leafs feel they can’t resign him and choose for the first time to unload a UFA for a sizeable return.

Nine forwards, 4 defencemen, and 2 goalies have contracts (Mrazek and Kalgren) with $9.8m to spend.

Not sufficient to get the job done correctly.

My take is the following:

1) Create cap space through trades of Nylander, Mrazek, Holl and Kerfoot (more later) .

2) Prioritize resigning Mikheyev over Engvall but not more than a 3 x $3m contract. We can get a return on Engvall since he’s a RFA while Mikheyev is a UFA (more later) .

3) Sorry but let Kase go (good energy and talent but too fragile) .

4) Sorry let Giordano go, even at $2m, is far too slow.

5) Move Tavares to the wing and insert a new 2nd line C (more later) .

6) Sign Sandin and Liligren to “show-me” 1-year bridge deals @ $1.5m each.

7) Sign Lyubushkin 2 x $2m and Blackwell 2 x $1.25m.

8) Give Campbell a raise of $2m for 3 years @ $3.65m

9) Trade Nylander, Engvall and Mrazek to Arizona (one of few teams who need a goalie and have space) for power forwards Lawson Crouse (3 x $2.8m) and C. Fischer (3 x $1.25m) .

10) Trade Kerfoot, Holl and Robertson to Seattle for Morgan Geekie and a 4th.

11) Sign the following free agents: Mason Marchment 3 x $2m, Nicholas Paul 3 x $2m.

Lots of movement I know and you no doubt will think my salaries are low. They are starting points for sure and might need to be little higher but not much or I go elsewhere.

Like other players of interest, Michael McLeod, Andreas Athanasiou.

I didn’t do much on D but will give that some more thought since I’d like to see another player in Muzzin’s and Holl’s place.

Have fun.

Rsears07

1.) 17 May 2022 14:18:21
Don't think Sandin and Liljegren even get $1.5M and if so 2 years.


2.) 17 May 2022 20:50:26
I’m ok with paying less!
So you’re okay with the other moves?


3.) 17 May 2022 21:17:19
This type of off season makes the most sense to me.


4.) 18 May 2022 03:26:48
Soup won't sign for that. He wants term and money, guaranteed. He hasn't made the kind of life changing money that people assume he has throughout his career. If he signs for less than 5x5 I'm shocked.


 

 

10 Mar 2022 08:11:17
A simple trade that makes us better and gets the Leafs much needed cap room.
Nylander to Buffalo for Tage Thompson and Robert Hagg.
Thompson is young, big, can score and is physical; exactly what the Leafs need up front. And he’s paid only $1.4m.
Hagg is also physical and a good shot blocker at $1.6m.
We get close to cap savings of $5m putting us in a good position to do many things!

Rsears07

1.) 10 Mar 2022 14:39:36
Everyone is trying to sell so low on nylander. I don’t get it, he’s a little floaty but he’s still an Uber talented player. You don’t trade a player like that for a package like this, especially when everyone is wanting to give up a first top prospect and a roster player for a 40,year old fleury.


2.) 10 Mar 2022 15:56:54
@Randy. I agree. I see where RS is coming from with the extra cap and Thompson might end up being a good piece, but Nylander should get more than a 24 year old on a breakout season and a 3rd pair pending UFA D-man. Thompson struggled to be anything more than a 3rd/ 4th liner before this season, so there is still a risk that this is as good as it gets. A pick (s) / prospect (s) would have to be added by Buffalo imo.


3.) 10 Mar 2022 20:52:36
Fake news @Randy. Fleury is 37. Same age as when EDDIE got traded here. Think about that.


4.) 11 Mar 2022 00:56:44
@Thatguy Eddie was the jersey I ever bought. That was a completely different situation. He left Dallas even though he was playing well still.


5.) 11 Mar 2022 15:51:34
I understand the selling low on Nylander but other GMs also see his oft lethargic and disinterested approach! So to get rid of his salary one may need to take less.
Just trying to get some value back with upside and cap room to backfill with some offence somewhere else.


 

 

 

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22 May 2022 13:04:08
Markus Nutivaara was a Dman who many valued in the past.
His injury has not been disclosed as far as I can see.
He’s a UFA who made $2.7m.
Is he a player of interest?

Rsears07

1.) 22 May 2022 16:54:36
I don’t think our defence is an issue anymore.


2.) 22 May 2022 18:06:21
Really?


3.) 22 May 2022 20:22:22
I'm with L1994 here for the most part.

Rielly?
Muzz Brodie
Gio Lili

Sandin still needs a spot as well. I'm not sure where he plays that makes a difference.


 

 

20 May 2022 20:27:14
I mentioned my hypothetical exit interview with Curtis Douglas

Anybody else as excited as me about what he could bring to the team?

Rsears07

1.) 21 May 2022 04:26:50
Not really. He'll be over with Mason in Florida before we know it. Who doesn't need another Malgin?


2.) 21 May 2022 18:15:17
Lol. Let’s hope not.


3.) 22 May 2022 13:01:25
A question: am I over-valuing the impact of Douglas?

Could he not easily replace Simmonds and Clifford?

I really liked his year with the Marlies.

Yes the NHL is different but with more quickness in moving that big body would he not be an improvement?


4.) 22 May 2022 14:07:13
Douglas lacks in first step quickness from what I have seen from him. He may be able to play 4th line, but does that really solve the Leafs issues? Imo, the Leafs issues were a lack of size and toughness in the top 9. They need mid 6 forwards that can play a heavy game in those slots. I like Douglas, I just don't think he moves the needle enough.


5.) 22 May 2022 23:55:47
No he is definitely not the panacea but my point is can he replace both Clifford and Simmonds and save $900k.
As I said before, send him out for boxing lessons (he already has shown his talents here but turn him into someone as feared as Tom Wilson or Reaves), work on his quickness and show him film on net front presence.
I think he could be a good piece.


6.) 23 May 2022 07:45:41
If Matthews can bring anywhere near the intensity that he brought to the Tampa series that alone will give that top line a whole different look. The leafs do and seems always will lack team toughness. Simmonds and Clifford just to bring enough to the game to be sitting on the bench anymore. just look at the 4th line in Tampa for comparison.


 

 

18 May 2022 20:41:48
I’m thinking our best trade partners are outside our Division and Conference and would be Arizona, Seattle and Anaheim.

San Jose, too but they have nothing affordable that I want while there are several pieces I would like with the others.

Rsears07

1.) 19 May 2022 13:17:37
Best trade partners to send who, where?


2.) 19 May 2022 23:46:48
Comtois and Jones from Anaheim could be obtained.

I like Geekie (size, speed, shot and will go hard to the net) in Seattle along with Soucy.

Crouse, Hayton and Chychrun from Arizona. I’d consider Fischer as well.

Don’t need to re-state my Arizona blockbuster.

Nylander and Engvall to Anaheim for two power forwards who will break out soon while I’d send Nylander and Holl to Seattle.


3.) 20 May 2022 13:08:20
@Rsears
Just my opinion of course.
Comtois maybe, but I don't see Jones or Geekie ever really "breaking out".
Nylander should get Comtois and Jones on his own imo.
Geekie and Soucy doesn't feel like much of a return for Nylander. I know they are taking Holl as well, but I see Geekie like Jones. they are both bottom 6 guys imo.


 

 

07 Mar 2022 10:27:43
So NJD have been reported to have reason to trade Pavel Zacha, a 24 yo big man with speed and a great shot.

The Devils feel they have 3 centermen ahead of him and he’s likely due a small raise from his $2.75m contract.

I do like what he offers and wonder if we have a way to get it done?

Would Dermott, Kerfoot and Hirvonen get it done or are these pieces of no interest to the Devils?

Or are Dermott and UFA Mikheyev a better package?

I really don’t think Mikheyev will re-sign with Toronto so I’d rather, for once, get something back for one of our UFAs.

Rsears07

1.) 07 Mar 2022 13:17:35
I have had Zacha in a few trades and have been told he is a bust or not developed well, like McLeod. That said, if you look at NJ's higher draft picks that are 23/ 24 years old (Hischier, Zacha McLeod) none of them are big point producers. Bratt was a later pick having a breakout year this season. The really young guys are the point producers (Hughes, and Mercer) .

So here's the question.

Are the 23/ 24 years olds busts or poorly developed by the team, or they are a product of the environment that they were in when the team was really bad and had to learn to play less "free"?
Are the two 20 year old guys benefitting from the better quality of team that NJ is now?

If you consider that most of these guys are having their best years now or most recently, I would tend to believe that the lack of production from Zacha, McLeod and Hischier were more due to being on such a poor team in the past. McLeod has now been developed into a defensive centre like Calgary did with Bennett, so I don't expect his points to go up as long as he is in NJ playing that role.

I think Zacha can be a 50+ pt guy in the right circumstances. I think he can play in the top 6 (wing instead likely) . He is not going to get that playing 3rd line minutes in NJ like McLeod isn't going to improve his points much playing 4th line C.

I would love to get Zacha and McLeod from NJ in a trade involving Nylander. Leafs should even get a decent + in the deal (2nd, good prospect, as you know I would thrilled if Okhotyuk was included) . Nylander for Zacha, McLeod and Okhotyuk would be a win for the Leafs imo, but I don't think many agree with me.

As for your deal, I think it all depends on whether NJ thinks Kerfoot is an upgrade over Tatar, If they believe Kerfoot can play 2LW and move Tatar to 3LW into Zacha's spot, then maybe.


2.) 07 Mar 2022 16:53:18
I think your assessment is bang on!

I honestly see plenty of upside in both these players and would work the best case scenario to get them.

Both the trades I suggested makes Toronto a better team and tougher to play against.

And yes I’d do the Nylander trade for these two without a blink of an eye. Add Dermott and maximize the return.


3.) 07 Mar 2022 19:11:33
Yes Nylander Dermott to nj is a good move. Severson Mercer coming back. Probably too much from the leafs…but tired of the Nylander ghost show.


 

 

05 Mar 2022 08:25:49
Honestly folks these moves are getting more and more ridiculous as each day passes.

Stop giving up the ‘farm’ and be realistic about our needs.

And stop being overly critical of Dubas. He’s not been perfect I grant you and I believe he’s learned from some of his blunders!

He’s stated correctly that he does not want to trade off his best prospect pieces and said he’d keep Muzzin out of the lineup until he’s ready to play at 100%. He’s looking for specific pieces meaning an overhaul is not the best plan today or for the future.

Fleury is NOT the answer. If you trade for him that might be the only move you could make, you cannot depend on every move where the other team eats 50% of a salary.

Braun would be a smart target since he’s a decent defender, adds depth if Muzzin can’t get back and has only a $1.8 cap hit pro rated over part of a season.

Trade Kerfoot’s $3.5m and hope our PK remains as strong. Send him to Columbus for Eric Robinson, a big man with great wheels and has PK experience.

I’m also okay with giving Robertson a chance to show his stuff with Tavares and Nylander. Otherwise keep him in the AHL.

Mikheyev should also be traded because he won’t be back. Even though he’s a UFA next year he has value. As you know I want Michael McLeod. Send him to NJD.

Also get something for Dermott, he has had ample chance to show his talents. Inconsistency has been his trademark so a new environment and voice might help him.

Send him to Vegas, who need cap relief, and get Reilly Smith.

Ok folks, let the criticism begin!

Rsears07

1.) 05 Mar 2022 13:54:22
You’re right the leafs don’t need to trade the farm but they will have to move atleast one of the top ones if they target a big name I also agree with dumping a few guys like dermott for picks but I don’t see it happening till offseason a lot depends on what happens with muzzin.


2.) 05 Mar 2022 14:45:02
Dubas protecting the few really good prospects and high picks we have left I can totally understand.
I would rather them go cheap for a third goalie like Craig Anderson.
I am for trading Kerfoot for a bigger forward like Sanford etc, but I don't think Dubas will.
I would put Robertson in the AHL as soon as the team is healthy.
Braun is ok depending on cost. Although I am not expecting him to play 20+mins a night through a long playoff run.
Mikheyev I would keep, especially if moving Kerfoot. I think he is the better player and should be re-signed if he now wnats to stay for less than what Kerfoot makes.
Dermott looks like a solid 5/ 6 some nights and then a firnge player others. Hard to tell what to do with him, but if the deal was right, move him.


3.) 05 Mar 2022 18:21:32
@RLF
What do you think it will cost to re-sign Mikheyev?
Do you think he can score 20g and 30a in a season?
That’s worth $3.5 for sure if he does.

I like Mikheyev a lot and hope he can achieve those numbers but I have read somewhere that his agent does NOT see him in Toronto next year.

If that’s so I’d like a decent return!


4.) 05 Mar 2022 20:38:42
Kerplunk has really disappeared
3.5 now on the fourth line?
Move him and no hockey iq dermott in a flash
That’s 5 million
Add in a 1st rd pick and a mid prospect for chychrun.


5.) 05 Mar 2022 20:45:20
I think Mikheyev is a 15g-20/ 15-20a kind of player that signs between $2-$2.5M. Maybe he won't re-sign in Toronto, but to me he is worth keeping for a hopeful playoff run.


6.) 05 Mar 2022 22:04:14
I think mikhyev will walk and try and find a team where he has a bigger role but for a resign I wouldn’t give him more than 2 mil think about the Hyman deal when he resigned in Toronto 4years at 2.1 aav.


 

 

 

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22 May 2022 18:08:32
I totally agree. With that lineup we have very little chance.

Rsears07

 

 

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22 May 2022 12:33:47
@LL

If Muzzin has 2 more years like this past 7-game series then he’s a keeper and worth his $5.6m.

He will be 34 in Feb and with his concussions this past year and slower foot speed I think he spends more time in injured status. That he might get us some cap relief while injured is the only good in that.

He dropped out of the Top50 D-men this year so I’m not as confident as you are in his future. There are a number of Top50 that are free agents who might be better choices.

If he’s not traded I hope I’m wrong and you’re right.

I’m sure this player will be written about much more as we move forward.

Rsears07

 

 

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21 May 2022 23:35:40
If Foote can make the big squad then I’m more comfortable.

If McLeod gets to 20-20 and Foote goes 10-20 we make up for losing Nylander.

And I can’t believe I’m saying this but I thought Sandin was decent last year but the cap space should allow the Leafs to acquire a top 4 D-man.

I’m going to look for him now. Lol.

Rsears07

 

 

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21 May 2022 20:52:09
My only concern would be it provides little to no immediate benefit.

I like McLeod as you know and I believe he can be a 20+ goal and assist guy, he has amazing speed and not afraid to be physical.

Foote could be a very solid addition, his AHL performance has been decent while Okhotyuk appears to have NHL talent, size and physicality.

If Foote and Okhotyuk can make the jump next year it could work otherwise it’s more of a future investment.

Rsears07

 

 

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21 May 2022 12:17:51
@LL, Tavares has had but 4 seasons out of 13 where he exceeded 80 pts.

I’m just offering different ways to get the Leafs out of cap Hell.

I can only offer up so many Nylander trades.

But you’re right about no team (or at least few teams) taking on his salary.

Would Columbus take it on, for example, by trading Jakob Voracek’s $8.25m? He’s a year older with still a number of years left on that contract.

Rsears07

 

 

 

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22 May 2022 23:55:47
No he is definitely not the panacea but my point is can he replace both Clifford and Simmonds and save $900k.
As I said before, send him out for boxing lessons (he already has shown his talents here but turn him into someone as feared as Tom Wilson or Reaves), work on his quickness and show him film on net front presence.
I think he could be a good piece.

Rsears07

 

 

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22 May 2022 18:06:21
Really?

Rsears07

 

 

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22 May 2022 13:01:25
A question: am I over-valuing the impact of Douglas?

Could he not easily replace Simmonds and Clifford?

I really liked his year with the Marlies.

Yes the NHL is different but with more quickness in moving that big body would he not be an improvement?

Rsears07

 

 

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21 May 2022 18:15:17
Lol. Let’s hope not.

Rsears07

 

 

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21 May 2022 00:24:53
Ok thx, read it quickly but did not know this.

Rsears07