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06 Aug 2026 19:59:28
I really want the Leafs to get a top 6 forward who is also very good defensively. Honestly, I would love to get Mercer, but not sure we have the pieces NJ needs. So, I will pivot to another good option; although significantly older.
To Toronto
Rust $5.125
2027 3rd
To Pittsburgh
Stolarz $3.75M/ 4yrs
Joshua $3.25M/ 2yrs
Then, Leafs sign Ingram from FA
$2.00M/ 2yrs
Toronto gets a top 6 forward who can help shelter McKenna on the top line with Matthews.
Then they sign Ingram to back up Bob.
Pittsburgh needs to upgrade goaltending and if Stolarz is willing, then I hope a deal can be made.
Thoughts?
04 Aug 2026 12:43:13
I still think New Jersey should be our trade partners.
Let's try this.
To NJ
Stolarz $3.75M/ 4yrs
Joshua $3.25M/ 2yrs
Rielly $6M/ 4yrs (20% retained)
To Toronto
Rittich $1M / 1yr
Mercer $4M/ 1yr RFA
Kovacevic $4M/ 4yrs
Not sure who adds draft pick and/ or prospect to balance out proposal.
Anyways, Jersey will now have a much improved 1A/ 1B goalie tandem.
Jersey get a 2nd pairing offensive Dman, who can be more sheltered at a reasonable $6M cap hit.
Jersey gets a more physical, defensive reliable winger who can score 15 goals.
Leafs downgrade their goalie situation, but I'm still comfortable with Bob, who is Mr. Reliable and healthy. Also, door opens up sooner for AA.
Leafs get a more physical, defense first 3rd pairing Dman to play with Andrae
Leafs finally get a RW who can play top 6 and who is also defensively responsible.
Plus they are now cap compliant without using LTIR.
Line up
McKenna Matthews Mercer
Paul Tavares Nylander
Knies Sissons Cowan
Lorentz Blueger Duhaime
Roslovic (just because)
McCabe Raddysh
OEL Tanev
Andrae Kovacevic
Stecher
Bobrovsky
Rittich
Thoughts?
1.) 04 Aug 2026 14:29:03
I'm not sure the Devils are that uncomfortable with Daws as the backup. Rittich seemed to be signed as insurance and we all know Stolarz injury history and bringing him in means Daws either gets waived and claimed, or doesn't play unless an injury happens.
I don't know if their D needs another puck mover, but with how they play, maybe they would like that.
There is give and take from both sides, I am leaning that NJ says no.
2.) 04 Aug 2026 21:07:24
We could always take Hamilton back in this purposal if Jersey retains instead of us and throw them a draft pick.
3.) 05 Aug 2026 00:03:48
Better chance of a trade with Pitt than Jersey.
28 Jul 2026 21:43:42
To Jersey
OEL $3.5M/ 2yrs
Stolarz $3.75M/ 4yrs
To Toronto
Kovacevic $4M/ 4yrs
Allen $1.8M/ 4yrs
Leafs get a tougher Dman who PK's and a cheaper backup to Bob. Also save $1.45M in cap.
Devils get a more all around defender, plus a potential #1 goalie.
I think the trade works for both teams.
Thoughts?
1.) 28 Jul 2026 22:09:26
I like OEL but... I like Kovacevic. No matter what team or whether he was in AHL and NHL at the Pro level he has never had a minus season in plus/minus and is very good as a stay at home d-man. I would, though, in the goalie swap maybe aim for either Daws or Rittich.
They both are $1m but can be sent to the minors (have to clear waivers of course) if A. A steps up to be the backup or if Bob goes down for the count the number 1.
2.) 28 Jul 2026 23:45:26
@Suffering
Yes, maybe switch Allen to Rittch & 2028 4th.
3.) 29 Jul 2026 12:25:29
I believe Chayka moved Woll cause there was no interest in Stolarz and his contract. Devils have a similar goalie in Allen with a better cap hit, not going to give him up to make a parallel move in numbers and add more cap.
FYI, AA not stepping up unless one of the 2 get hurt, which most likely will be Stolarz after his first start. That’s why he’s not tradable; made of glass.
07 Jul 2026 12:34:49
Not sure if this is even worth while, but here goes.
Risky and lots of hurdles to cross as far as NMC's & M-NTC's.
To NJ
Stolarz $3.75M/ 4yrs
Rielly $7.5M/ 4yrs
Joshua $3.25M/ 2yrs
$14.5M out
To Toronto
Allen, Jake $1.8M/ 4yrs
Kovacevic $4.0M/ 4yrs
Mercer $4.M/ 1yr RFA
$9.8M in
Risky - Leafs
Allen will be 36 soon, so we are even more reliant on Bob being good & staying healthy. Two older goalies now.
Kovacevic had major knee surgery during the 2024/ 2025 playoffs & returned to Jersey in January this year, but did play all remaining games.
Risky - Devils
Stolarz being #1 golalie with his injury history.
Anyways, Leafs clear much needed cap space and are now under the cap.
They get more of a backup goalie behind Bob at a lower AAV.
They get another shutdown Dman who plays physical & can PK (PK Dman needed)
They get a young versatile RH player who can play any RW position, fill in at C and is a great 200 foot player.
Jersey gets their #1 goalie, who is a homegrown Jersey boy.
They get another puck moving Dman, which they are looking for to balance out their lines.
3 shutdown guys in Siegenthaler, Pesce & Dillon and now 3 puck moving guys in Hughes, Hamilton & Rielly.
Joshua should fit in seamlessly on 3LW with Glass & Rodrigues.
Hurdles
Rielly agreeing to waive for NJ, he has good history with Keefe so hopefully that sways his decision.
Stolarz 10 team no trade, which I'm sure he'd waive for his home town and the chance to be the #1 goalie.
Also Allen, Kovacevic & Joshua have to waive their M-NTC is either team us on their list.
***It's just crazy how many player's have some form of NTC.
Thoughts?
1.) 07 Jul 2026 13:21:03
Don’t like it for only saving $4.7m and making the team worse in the process. Better trades out there.
2.) 07 Jul 2026 13:27:21
The trade does not make the Leafs worse!
3.) 07 Jul 2026 14:52:17
Ignore my first response. What I should have said is no way Devils agree to this trade for that package. Mercer going nowhere. They would want to get rid of Hamilton for Rielly. Stolarz for Allen they would do for sure.
Their left side will be ridiculous in cap hits with Rielly and Hamilton there. Never happen. Then there is no cap relief for Leafs it would balance out taking on Hamilton and Allen for Stolarz and Rielly.
4.) 07 Jul 2026 21:30:27
If Jersey agrees, I love the idea of getting Mercer.
Even if you have to work in Dougie Hamilton to offset cap hits I'm still good with it. Big fan of Mercer.
5.) 08 Jul 2026 13:34:59
No benefit to the Leafs if Hamilton is involved. No thanks, cause they won’t include Mercer for Joshua and Stolarz.
6.) 08 Jul 2026 15:51:31
Leave Hamilton out of the deal, we don't need or want him.
Just keep Rielly and change to OEL (he holds more trade value & costs less).
Stolarz, Joshua & OEL $10.5M out
For
Allen, Mercer & Kovacevic $9.8M in
Maybe Leafs need to add a B/C level prospect or a 3rd/4th draft pick at most.
02 Jul 2026 19:45:56
I really have no clue on values in this prop, but here are a couple players I would love to get.
I doubt LA does this.
To Toronto
Anderson, Mickey $4.13M/ 5yrs
Lafferiere $4.1M/ 2yrs
To LA
Rielly $7.5M/ 4yrs
Joshua $3.25M/ 2yrs
2027 1st (via Colorado)
Holinka ELC
As I said, no clue on the values with this prop.
Anderson and Laferiere would complete the team IMO.
McKenna Matthews Roslovic
Knies Tavares Nylander
Cowan Paul Laferiere
Duhaime Blueger Sissons
Lorentz
Anderson Raddysh
McCabe Tanev
OEL Andrae
Stecher
Thoughts?
1.) 02 Jul 2026 20:51:31
I think it seems pretty fair Tags. But I really want to see what Joshua can do this year. Get in for a full training camp and hopefully no injuries, I think he can be very valuable if he gets back to what he was a few years ago. Plus we need the big bodies that will bang.
2.) 02 Jul 2026 21:22:17
Joshua is baked.
3.) 02 Jul 2026 22:03:49
Laine and Stanley it is there roaster full.
4.) 02 Jul 2026 22:28:12
@Tags Bud if L. A. does this sold! Let em have Joshua Anderson and Lafrenier will more then do enough bangn on opposition and ya they’d look great on this roster. Good prop!
5.) 02 Jul 2026 22:39:10
If this could happen it would be great. But I don’t see LA giving those guys up
6.) 02 Jul 2026 23:02:36
LA would never consider this.
7.) 03 Jul 2026 21:16:52
You don’t need Joshua anymore. He’s become expendable and will be traded as will Lorentz. You have way better bangers than him now and also better defensive players them him for your bottom 6. He’s a goner.
Tags97's banter posts with other poster's replies to Tags97's banter posts
12 Jul 2026 12:53:26
Just my 2 cents with the NMC's.
I hope in the next CBA that NMC's are limited to half the contract term. The second half would be a M-NTC with a maximum 10 team no trade list (both team & player will have a say).
What else I hope for:
If a player such as Larkin with a full NMC demands a trade & only limits the trade to 3 or 4 teams. That player should lose his NMC status once the trade had been facilitated. Players can't have their cake and eat it too, there has to be some sort of repercussions IMO.
1.) 12 Jul 2026 12:39:21
Totally agree.
2.) 12 Jul 2026 13:09:04
@Tags97
Definitely got my attention ?
3.) 12 Jul 2026 13:40:55
Absolutely Tags!! This league is turning into the NBA. NHL is now more popular than NBA because of the garbage they are letting the players get away with. It’s a circus over there, let’s stop it now before it gets to that point. Nice post Tags.
4.) 12 Jul 2026 15:25:18
Agreed. I would like to see them doing something about offer sheets as well. There is nothing good that came out of that Carlsson offer sheet. It was within the rules, but the rules need to change. As others have mentioned, the NHL is heading in the direction of the NBA and that's not good for hockey and the fans.
5.) 12 Jul 2026 15:48:21
@RLF
100% agree w you. This shouldn’t be a problem during the next CBA as Everyone sees the problem here.
6.) 13 Jul 2026 02:21:43
@RLF I don't see an issue with offer sheets. This is a one off and won't happen again.
Before this happened we all wanted offer sheets for the excitement. Those are fine.
The NMC cannot be changed in how it is now.
Players don't want to play in a certain place, you can't force them.
Take away a NMC and they will just refuse to play (Vince Carter). Doesn't change anything.
7.) 13 Jul 2026 13:51:24
LL. I actually was never a proponent for offer sheets. Especially anything that is way above a players actual value. When a team gives an under point per game player $18M per season to make him the highest paid player in the League and a 3rd line centre $4.75M, who is coming off a 25 point season, to me that singles a change in direction from GM's. The cap is expected to go up about $9.5M per season over the next 5 years. I have no desire to see players getting offer sheeted $22-$28M per season over the next 4 years. Carlsson was only 5 years and Hayton 1 year.
It is just creating more player greed and going to make it even more difficult to develop and maintain your own picks/prospects. I can see future stars just letting their ELC's run out and wait for the highest bidder through an offer sheet. Personally, that situation doesn't appeal to me. Top guys are already making well over $100M for their career. Do they really need more than $200M for a career?
See how everyone feels in 3 years if McKenna signs an offer sheet for $25M per and the Leafs have to match it.
8.) 13 Jul 2026 17:54:05
@RLF Good points, but if offer sheets are taken away you would need something to replace them in some way. Players will never be ok just being trapped in a place with no way out for that long.
If McKenna puts up 150pts in his final ELC year and offer sheets don't exist, just tell him to sign for 8x8 or sit and watch for the next 5 years.
9.) 13 Jul 2026 18:36:30
LL, That's fair. There must be a compromise though. Maybe something based along the lines where an offer sheet can't happen unless a players sits out 1 full season without being signed. This way the player loses a years salary if he sits out and if the team wants to lowball him too much, the player can make up the money difference if he is willing to wait a year without pay in order to get his max contract offer sheet.
I know there are issues with that kind of scenario as well and it wouldn't necessarily work well for mid level or lower level players.
Maybe just make it for max compensation contracts. Anyhow something has to change or every high end player will just wait for a bidding war as an RFA. It would though that teams will have to hold onto 1sts to make sure they have compensation and if they do so, TDL will get pretty boring unless GM's are willing to trade pending UFA's for nothing (which may not be a bad thing). But if players are just going to get offer sheeted, why bother with RFA status at all.
10.) 13 Jul 2026 20:17:13
@RLF Maybe I just don't see it the same way. Leo is fresh in everyone's mind currently, but he was offered a contract that only locks up RFA years, as the highest paid in hockey and he was a sub 70pts player who is overrated defensively (imo) AND the Flyers offered 4 first rounder (all unprotected) in exchange. Briere lost his damn mind in my estimation and no other GM would do this.
Bedard, Gauthier, Robertson, lots of RFA's right now and none are receiving offer sheets. Hayton was another one I saw as complete insanity.
When the cap stops rising so drastically we will stop seeing such silly things in my estimation. We all know GM's go insane as soon as they see extra money to spend. That's really the oy reason we don't like it currently.
If you were in Verbeeks spot, would you not have been ok with 4 unprotected firsts instead of 5 years of Carlsson at that price? I personally would have let him walk.
11.) 14 Jul 2026 12:31:08
I would have taken the 4 1sts as well. I think Carlsson will still get better, but that $18M is only for 5 years, so even as the cap goes up, I don't think it ever becomes a "really good contract."
As for the rest, I hope you are right. Because if players start really running the show and just always going to the highest bidder or demanding trades (which seems to be on the rise), I'm going to lose interest.
These guys are making millions per year, playing in the best League in the world under the best treatment conditions (trainers, medical, hotels, chefs etc) and they still complain. They are basically employees whether they like it or not. People can complain about the owners, but without owners, players have no job and there is no NHL. I'd like to see some loyalty from both sides come back into the game.
25 Jan 2026 20:14:42
Time for Berube to go boys!
22 Jan 2026 17:25:30
As I've said before, I have less and less confidence in Berube. He seems to making making the most bone head moves.
I really hope he's not back next year.
That's all I want to say.
1.) 22 Jan 2026 22:15:41
I really liked bringing Cheif in at the time it was announced, but I am starting to sour a bit. Some of the decisions he's making have lost me as well.
Most recently, Woll is a tandem goalie. Whenever he has to many starts in a row he looks like poo. Why is he not trading off with Hildebeast who has been great?
2.) 23 Jan 2026 13:06:12
I am not for letting him go yet, but agreed that some decisions are real headscratchers.
3.) 24 Jan 2026 12:38:59
Yeah, they are head scratchers for sure AND Berube has a winning pedigree as coach.
Unfortunately for him, he’s tied to Tre who will be replaced at the end of the season if the Leafs miss the playoffs.
And the new GM will seek another with whom he is comfortable.
23 Dec 2025 19:28:26
I'm not saying that I would fire Berube, but I think the Savard firing is just to appease the heat/noise around the team.
I'm not sure if this really changes anything, because I'm sure Berube and all the assistant coaches were involved in trying to fix the struggling PP. I think they actually need to bring in a new PP coach now, instead of having Lalonde (plus other coaches) run it moving forward.
Maybe bring in Boudreau, he is known more for being an offensive style coach (hopefully he would be able to help).
Accountability
This really reminds me of the same kind of accountability shown towards the players. Top guys safe and play major minutes, even though they're not playing well at all. And then they scratch bottom 6 guys and cut their minutes. All nonsense ?
If they seriously wanted to show accountability and make a change, then they should have fired the Head Coach.
25 Nov 2025 14:09:08
Someone wrote this from another site I visit, and it kind of makes sense, even though Leafs are playing with losts of important injured player's.
Comments from Armstrong (2 years ago after firing Berube) and Tre last week to be interesting and revealing.
Berube is a dead man walking:
Armstrong: "It's uncomfortable when you go to the arena every night and you're not really sure what your team is going to look like."
Treliving: "A large part of the frustration is you don't know how it's going to look like (every night)."
____________________________________
Armstrong: "There were more nights than not where I felt we didn't win the game. . Not by the score, but by the eye test of 'you were a better team'
Treliving: "I think far too often, even in games that we've won, we haven't won the game."
___________________________________
Armstrong: "I don't know if we're a better team than our record indicates, I really don't."
Treliving: "I think, as we sit here today, our record is indicative of how we've played."
I have supported keeping Berube for a bit longer, but it doesn't look like his style is changing at all. Leafs can't just be a North/South team 'dumping & chasing'.
They need some kind of hybrid system with the 'dump & chase' along with possession. A 'Cheefe' style if you will.
What do you guys think now about firing Berube now, another week after we've last visited this discussion?
Sure sounds like Berube will be gone soon.
1.) 25 Nov 2025 15:16:08
Let's remember, Berube was into his 6th season with the Blues before he was let go. That's a pretty good tenure for a coach and yes, sometimes a new message is need after that amount of time. He isn't even a year and a half in Toronto and a new message is needed? He did well in STL for years before they needed a change.
This is a team that seemed mentally broken for game 1. That can't be the coaches fault. How did Berube create that?
What I see, is too many mentally weak top players (JT the exception) . Too many players that aren't willing and don't want to play the way to win. We can blame Berube and change the system, but end of the day, too many of these guys won't play a hard physical game that is necessary.
We can blame Tre as well. He inherited these guys, but also extended their contracts. In all fairness to Tre, hard to trade guys that had existing no trades when Tre took over if they don't want to go. Muskoka 5 comes to mind.
Here is the thing, do we actually think this group will play completely different and start to battle under a new coach and start to play a playoff winning style of hockey? If Berube and Tre can't get them to, why should we believe a new coach and possibly GM can. Players need to develop some "want to" instead of the current mentality of I don't want to and not going to.
2.) 25 Nov 2025 20:44:35
@RLF I'm going to counter that a bit.
Sometimes it isn't that the coach is bad, it's that the team that was built cannot or will not play his style.
They liked Keefe and hated Babs in part because they refused to play hard and wanted to dance around the perimeter. Berube isn't going to change Nylander or Mathews now. They'll be what they are until retirement.
3.) 25 Nov 2025 22:35:20
LL. That's my point, if the players won't now, then why would they under a new coach or management. They won't.
The problem is that the original construction of stars by drafting are void of "do whatever it takes" mentality. That's on Dubas and Shanny.
Tre and Berube were pretty much doomed after they lost last playoffs. Leafs stars played as physical as they ever had, they couldn't get it done. Now they don't want to because why battle and take a beating when they can't do it well enough to win. Tre would need to get guys with no moves to waive them. Doubtful that is going to happen.
4.) 26 Nov 2025 01:11:17
@RLF so it's a full rebuild with new guys or a new coach and pray for the best.
Bruce boudreau being the guy that fits this team.
5.) 26 Nov 2025 13:14:37
LL. The other option is to get healthy, play it out and hope they get so tired of losing that they dig in. If they won't, look t make moves at the TDL and maximize returns. Going to the players now and asking them to waive when they aren't out of it yet, probably gets a no. If they just keep falling off, they may be more willing to waive as it gets worse, should that be the case.
I think they need a guy like Klapka etc. Someone who will come in and set a tone when needed. Get a young wrecking ball like L'Heureux who will hit and has some talent.
02 Aug 2026 14:03:54
@Clarky
How about Knies for Seider? That is if Detroit would do it.
01 Aug 2026 02:43:27
@Suffering
I'm not sure how many.
I'm just trying to rank between these 4 guys who should be the next leaders of this new crop.
Clearly, Celebrini will be in a league of his own imo.
Top Tier now imo
McDavid, MacKinnon & Kucherov, maybe Draisaitl as well.
Makar & Hughes.
I think Schafer will clearly be in a league of his own on the backend.
What do you think?
01 Aug 2026 01:39:58
@LeafsLife
Personally, I don't think his injury has anything to do with his contract.
I think if Bedard wanted more, he would have gotten it with no issue.
01 Aug 2026 00:33:55
100% agree on the Celebrini contract. He is the next face of the NHL. He was also one of the best players for Team Canada as only a 19 year old.
I don't think Carlsson lives up to that contract.
He will be one of the top players in the NHL, but not in the top tier IMO.
Carlsson at $15M sounds fair to me. I would have Bedard above him and Fantilli below.
31 Jul 2026 22:07:01
@LeafsLife & Suffering
I like Mo as well and I think it's best to keep him if Chayka is only getting garbage offers. Rielly would be fine at 2LW, possibly beside a healthy Tanev.
Also, I agree with Raddysh not being a #1D, but I do think he is better defensively and I don't think the contract is bad (especially considering the Andersson & Carlson contracts). I could potentially see the same dilemma with the fans hating on Raddysh as we've had with Rielly playing #1D (when neither really are 1D). Hopefully McCabe can insulate Raddysh as Moser did last year.
@Clarky
I absolutely hated what Stolarz did and it looked even worse after he wasn't able to back up his big mouth.
28 Jul 2026 15:24:21
@LeafsLife
My buddies nephew played on the Marlies with Robertson for a couple of years. He says Robertson is a selfish player, he's all about himself and just looks to score for himself. Btw it's not just his nephew who feels this way, many other players on the team have said the same thing.
Anyways, Robertson is now gone and I wish him the best of luck.
Roslovic is another story, and I'm not high on him either same as you guys feel. I would have loved Arvidsson, but that ship has sailed.
Let's hope Chayka has a couple more bullets in the chamber. We need another solid piece or two.
28 Jul 2026 02:50:34
I don't know whether Roslovic will be better or not, but I'm happy Robertson is gone. He's a ME first player, not a team first guy.
26 Jul 2026 00:55:11
Yes, I liked Beaudoin in that 2024 draft, and Solberg as well.
I think Leafs had their heart set on Hage and once Montreal picked him at 21 the Leafs traded down their 23rd pick.
25 Jul 2026 21:45:48
Sorry Suffering, but I have to steal Helenius as well. I really like him.
I'll take a longer shot with Tig Iginla. Not sure if he plays many NHL games this year. I heard they are trying to prep him into a Centre. I'm curious to see how this experiemnt pans out.
25 Jul 2026 09:32:43
Marner's perspective of being a local boy is my point.
What would you do if you were Marner and you had no knowledge of what Ferris was going to say?
This is not a good look for Marner. He clearly should fire Ferris, eat the commission and distance himself from this situation as quickly as possible.