Leafs rumours 4

31 May 2020 12:41:47
Ryan Ellis + Jarnkrok

for

Dermott + Johnsson + Kerfoot + Engvall + 2nd pick in 2021.

Nashville can absorb the $figure under the salary cap.

Leafs have Ellis medically tested for concussion syndrome, and if he passes Leafs do the deal.

Leafs sign Gauthier for $700
Leafs sign Spezza for 2 years $850
Leafs sign Mikheyev for 2 years $1.75 MM
Leafs play Robertson or Petan at LW.
Total Salary keeping Anderson is $81.3 MM

31 May 2020 23:28:12
I don't think you can get Ellis for that. He's going to be one of the rare few that retires with the team that drafted him. Unless he figures he's never going to win a cup there and asks for a trade to a contender.

He's damaged goods anyway. His contract is going to be a boat anchor by the time it's done. He's already past the average age for a player. Is this really someone you want to take a big chance on?

31 May 2020 11:05:10
Buffalo trades

Ristolainen + Reinhart + Ullmark

for

Johnsson + Kerfoot + Anderson + Engvall + Holl

Buffalo requires wingers, receives 2-3. Goaltenders traded. Ristolainen for Holl traded

31 May 2020 21:11:27
Beyond the value in this trade. I was totally against aquiring Barrie. He is a Trainwreck defensively. Ristolainen is actually worse. You will be begging for Barrie back after a month. I don't think Risto solves any issues. Another offensive defenceman really doesn't solve anything. If Liljigren can pull it together you have Reilly, Sandin and Liljigren as present/ future power play D and offensive defenceman. You really need a penalty killer on the back end who can support Reilly for 25 minutes a game.

31 May 2020 23:32:09
Jokiharju or Montour are the two guys that Dubas' would be interested in. Regardless of whether we as fans think we don't need still yet another small speedy skilled guy, that is exactly what Dubas' thinks we need.

Ristolainen has been on the market for two years. Either Buffalo wants too much for him, or he is just not wanted by anyone else in the league. I suspect it's more the latter than the former.

If Skjei only cost a 1st, then Ristolainen shouldn't even cost that.

31 May 2020 08:29:57
Leafs trade Kapanen, Johnsson
Ottawa trades White*
*Ottawa retains $1.25M

Yes, I know it won't happen cause it's a division rival. Get over it. I Hate to deal with Ottawa, but they got the cap space they can afford to take on both these guys quite easily.

I expect Ottawa is having reservations about White right about now. $4.75M for 25 points a year is a pretty big overpay, and signing him to that big contract instead of a bridge deal is looking pretty bad. They get two good players, and they would probably be willing to retain salary simply to help them reach cap floor next year.

$3.2+$3.6+$1.5=$8.3M in cap for Ottawa for Johnsson and Kapanen basically. Or $4.15M each. That's not a bad deal for two 20g/ 40p players. And is a steal compared to the $5.75M they have in White alone right now

Leafs dump salary, and White at $3.5 isn't so bad if he stays at current production. If he gets back to where he was, it's a good deal. And if he reaches new heights, it's a great deal. And playing on a much better Leafs team, I can easily see White bouncing back. He would be a good 3C. Cost the same as Kerfoot, but with upside. Would allow us to trade Kerfoot after or move him to wing. LW depth isn't good as we saw last year when we were forced to move Kerfoot to wing after I juries to Johnsson and Mikheyev. By having White playing 3C and trading Johnsson we could make the move to wing permanent for Kerfoot.

31 May 2020 14:15:23
Ya but the thing is the leafs would prefer to have Kapanen or Johnsson over White. Both are better players and both have much better contracts even if Ottawa retains.

31 May 2020 19:05:33
While is signed to a bad deal. Why would you send them 2 good players for him? You would be better off packaging them with something else for a 1RHD or trading them for picks/ prospects.

31 May 2020 21:48:18
I think White is a prime candidate for a bounce back season next year. He'll either be playing with tkachuk', or he will be playing with at least one of whoever Ottawa drafts with their top picks this year. At $3.5 that's a pretty good deal for a 3C with plenty of upside.

But I'm not going to argue it. Lol. I was just thinking how we can save on cap without just dumping guys for picks. This gives us someone we can use right away.

01 Jun 2020 00:19:36
I agree he is a decent 3C that may bounce back but I would say Kerfoot or Engvall are just as good there.

31 May 2020 02:12:23
Leafs trade Reilly, Dermott
Rangers trade Fox, Miller

Tough call. We save a few bucks. Hope Miller turns out better than Dermott and maybe even Fox turns out better than Reilly.

Rangers are strong RHD and not nearly as strong LHD. They still have DeAngelo and Trouba after this deal. Reilly and Dermott are better than Miller and Fox are currently. That may change. Or it may not.

It's medium risk/ high reward. Leafs give up the better players for the younger and cheaper guys. We balance our defense in the process and strengthen the back end. As a result we are better overall.

Muzzin/ Fox
Lehtonen/ Holl
Sandin/ Liljegren
*Miller, Rosen, Marincin.

31 May 2020 03:14:02
The Rangers would still have to add. Miller is unproven and although Fox good we have no idea if he will be better than Reilly.

31 May 2020 03:19:58
Wouldn't do this. If Reilly goes then I would want to keep Dermott. Just as a general rule. Lehtonen is on a one year deal and Dermott/ Sandin can be the top 4 LHD for many years to come.

31 May 2020 03:33:52
Also your betting a lot on a 26 year old defenceman with very little depth behind him if he doesn’t pan out. Liljgren and Sandin as a pairing is a little, well scary to say the least. Both are still very inexperienced at the NHL level and although they help with the cap, it is just too much of a risk to put those two on a pairing.

Holl and Fox only have 1 year of experience, and they would have the second and third most games played among top 6 defenceman in your lineup.

Overall the blue line is just way too inexperienced to move forward, I don’t see the leafs risking taking a step backward in that category, especially not now.

31 May 2020 03:45:45
With the fact we give up the better players now nyr add. Maybe strip them of georgiev in this deal.

31 May 2020 23:19:22
I figured trading both Dermott and Rielly was gutting the LHD too much. Reilly is a rental+1 which is why i feel that the trade for Fox is fair. Dermott for Miller may be a little much, I agree.

I have every confidence in Fox to be a top defenseman going forward. He was hyped almost as much as Makar and Hughes going into this year, and for good reason. He's obviously a very good player. BYR can't keep all their RHD. Or goalies. So if throwing Georgiev in cements the deal, then Leafs should do it.

01 Jun 2020 00:08:06
Yes georgiev would be a great add then we can have three goalies. thumbs up!

01 Jun 2020 08:17:26
No mph. We would still only have two goalies. Andersen would be getting traded after. He's useless in the playoffs anyway. Add to that the fact that he is older and a pending UFA and the fact that he can't save a pick any ore in the regular season, and he's prime candidate to be traded anyway. I've given up on Andersen. I've come to believe the team will never win a cup with him in net. He's soft, just like the rest of the team.

01 Jun 2020 20:04:41
Lol. Hockeylvr
There is NO
Mention of Anderson getting traded . Until you mention it after my post. double thumbs up.

01 Jun 2020 20:30:29
That's because I didn't mention Georgiev on the original post, it was a response to a comment. And I figured it would be obvious that if Georgiev came in, either Andersen or Campbell would be getting traded. Do I really have to spell it out for you.

Now that you got those two thumbs up, you stick one in your mouth and suck on it and stick the other one somewhere else it will fit.

Go Leafs.

02 Jun 2020 00:26:10
I disagree Anderson is useless in the playoffs. He didn't perform badly last year.

30 May 2020 14:39:54
Tuch (LTIR) + Theodore

for

Johnsson + Holl

and

Leafs trade: Anderson + Kerfoot

for

Demko + Ferland

Leafs sign Dermott for 2 years $2 MM
Leafs sign Mikheyev for 2 years $1.75 MM
Leafs sign Spezza for 2 years $850K
Leafs sign Thornton for $1.2 MM

Total Salary $81.15 MM

30 May 2020 20:05:55
Vegas trade is not close
Not sure what the purpose of the Canucks trade is.

30 May 2020 20:57:01
mph

What do you mean not close, you are taking on a LTIR

What do you think is missing.

30 May 2020 21:46:52
Johnson didn't have a great year. He has had one good year in his career and at his age isn't going to get better.

Holl had half a decent year as a 27 year old. These two together don't get you Theodore. Adding in LTIR space as well just kills it.

30 May 2020 22:42:14
LOL. not getting Theodore for that garbage.

30 May 2020 23:33:30
Vegas is strong at forward. I don't think they will downgrade from Theodore for Johnsson. Not worth it for them. They are also right tight against the cap. Same as the Leafs. So they can't add salary, which this trade does.

Vegas sees themselves as contenders. So unless a trade makes them better for a cup run, they won't make it. I don't think this trade does it for them.

31 May 2020 02:15:25
Touch isn't really LTIR though. Lol. He's expected to recover and start the season next year. So his LTIR doesn't do us any good.

In order for LTIR to be of use, or at least for the purpose that Leafs want it, the player has to never play again.

31 May 2020 02:20:05
Add lili it should get done keep holl

Reilly-theadore
Muzzin-Sandin
Dermott-Holl

Keeping Dermott is extremely important as in the coming years we will lose muzzin. Dermott is one of the hardest working players on the leafs as well is a Toronto boy who wants to bleed blu and white.

31 May 2020 03:13:30
@Leafsguy

You forgot Lehtonen. He must have been promised a spot. And Sandin ahead of Holl is a bit of a leap. Between Sandin and Dermott, I'm kinda hoping that Dermott makes the leap to RHD for some reason. I just think Sandin will be a much better defenseman, and if we keep him on his natural side, the chance for him to reach his full potential as a "franchise" defenseman is greater. We might hurt Dermott's development putting him on the right side too, but there is less to lose then if we screw up Sandin's development.

31 May 2020 03:21:52
Finally another person that values Dermott as he truly should be. Lol. LeafsGuy is my new best friend.

Dermott does not get enough credit. Once Reilly leaves because Dubas screwed up the cap situation to bad Dermott will be needed. Muzzin still a good player but by the time his contract is done who know?

31 May 2020 18:48:47
As a leafs fan I value our players but also look into the future. Muzzin is going to start to decline soon Holl and Dermott play best together which is why I put them together. Dermott should be a leaf, no idea why we signed leghtonon should move lili Johnson +++ and get a steady rhd.

31 May 2020 21:13:38
Hard to say how. much Muzzin will decline in the coming years. He isn't an exceptional skater nor is he an offensive guy. He hits people and plays sound positional hockey in his own zone. Much like Chara he may be viable for years to come. But he also may decline rapidly.

01 Jun 2020 17:32:35
Dermott is a gem, have to find a way to keep him unless it’s in a package for a good RHD.

29 May 2020 23:24:13
To Anaheim:
Kerfoot, Liljgren, Engvall, 2nd 2022*
To Leafs:
Rackell, Kesler (LTIR)

*If Clifford does not re-sign with the leafs it becomes a 2021 second round pick (this was part the condition on the pick they traded to L.A)

To NJ
Johnsson, Dermott, Bracco, Malgin
To Leafs:
Severson (NJ retains 50%)

Re-sign Spezza and Gauthier to league minimum
Mikheyev gets 1-2 years at 1.75 mill

Sign a 3C (Thornton, Brassard, Galchenyuk) to a 1-2 year contract @2 mill

Hyman-Mathews-Marner 24.777
Rackell-Tavares-Nylander 21.75181
Mikheyev-3C-Kapanen 6.95
Barbanov-Gauthier-Spezza 2.325
*Brooks 725k

Reilly-Severson 7.083333
Muzzin-Lehtonen 6.55
Sandin-Holl 2.894167
*Marincin 700k

Anderson 5
Campbell 1.65

Kessel 1.2

Total cap:
81.6063103
*This dose not include the LTIR relief from Kessler's contract

31 May 2020 02:23:54
I'm not sold.

I'm not even looking at the trades themselves, which are all pretty good. I'm just looking at the end result.

The defense doesn't look any better really. I like Severson, but I don't think he is a 1RHD. He's not even a top 50 defenseman in the league. There are probably like 2 or 3 levels between true 1RHD's and Severson.

And we take a pretty big downgrade at 3C to upgrade our wing. Our wing gets an upgrade with Rakell, but I would rather keep the center strength. I guess it depends on who you sign, but the options you listed here are all significantly worse than Kerfoot, who I think is a pretty good 3C. He's no Kadri, but he is effective for the role.

Wing is already our greatest strength. I wouldn't weaken another position to upgrade an already strong position.

31 May 2020 03:23:46
Hockey idk if I agree with you about a downgrade at 3C as Kerfoot hasn’t really fit into the leafs system all that well. I really like the Engvall-Kerfoot-Mikheyev line at one point but then Mikheyev got hurt and Engvall and Kerfoot both started struggling. Kerfoot also played 3C just as much as he played LW.

Another reason for that trade is the cap savings, not necessarily in the trade itself, but with the savings the leafs will get at the 3C position. It’s mostly about the cap.

Yes Severson may not be a Pietrangelo or Jones, but the leafs can’t really afford that right now, and honestly Reilly and Barrie actually worked really well imo as a defence pairing even though they are both offensive defenceman. Severson may not have the best defensive stats but he also played for one of the worst defensive teams in the league for his whole career.

Also, again this trade saves money against the cap as a 2 million Top 4 defenceman is very hard to find these days. As much as I would like it, the leafs just can’t afford a top RHD at this time, and they are going to have to settle for someone like Severson regardless. Might as well save as much money as possible while doing it.

31 May 2020 03:25:28
Also Brassard, Galchenyuk, and Thornton wouldn’t be downgrades on Kerfoot imo, more like cheaper replacements who can play a more steady role.

31 May 2020 03:25:53
As it stands our wingers are Marner, Nylander, Kapanen, Johnson, Mikheyev, Barbanov, Engvall, Hyman, Robertson. Why would you ever want to trade for another one? Can even include Kerfoot in there as he plays LW as well. If anything you trade two wingers this off season because you have so many quality ones. You don't need to bring in any more.

29 May 2020 13:48:30
Anaheim Trades
Manson (Retain 50% of Salary)
Kesler (LTIR)

Toronto Trades
Kerfoot

Leafs will be looking at another player or 2 to help with the Cap Space loophole with LTIR.
Adding Manson helps the Defense on the right side and they add valuable Cap Space with The Ducks taking on 50% of Manson's remaining contract.

Thoughts ?

29 May 2020 14:36:39
I don't hate it, but I don't know if anaheim would take it solely on need.

29 May 2020 17:12:39
I don't think a Manson trade is in the cards. Anaheim values Manson far more than any other team would. It would have to be an overpay to get him which this isn't.

LTIR space is a good idea but I can see teams offering more just for space. With the cap not increasing many teams may be looking into maximizing LTIR.

29 May 2020 18:56:43
agree with Leafslife. the cat is out of the bag on how good LTIR is and other teams may want to get in on it. I think leafs need to add more to that deal and don't see why ducks retain. they hold all the cards.

29 May 2020 21:13:27
Retaining money without knowing what the cap will be next season would be dangerous.

31 May 2020 02:29:41
I wouldn't give up that much for Manson anyway. My opinion of him has changed dramatically over the last two years. Maybe because I held such high regard for him my disappointment in him has led me to undervalue him now. I don't know. I don't think he's any better than gudbransson now.

The only player on Anaheim I really like still is Lindholm. The rest of the guys just don't hold the same appeal anymore. Fowler is injury prone and overpaid and Manson is a depth player now who is also overpaid.

There's a lot better out there than Manson.

29 May 2020 10:24:47
(again don't roast me to hard) so how about this:
trade andersen and johnsson for picks,
tor trades: malgin, lijegren and a 6th for fabbri,
trade holl for picks,
gauthier for either picks or a defence,
leafs sign markstrom and maroon
seattle takes kerfoot

hyman,matthews,marner
nylander,tavares,mikheyev
engvall,fabbri,kapanen
speeza brooks maroon

rielly, muzzin
sandin, dermott
lehtonen,rosen(defenceman from gauthier trdae)

markstrom,campbell

thoughts or suggestions?

29 May 2020 10:33:53
i didn't trade many defense cause rosen sandin and lehtonen are young and dermott imo is extremely underrated. then reilly and muzzin are arguable the best on the leafs defence.

29 May 2020 12:09:08
Only issue I see is your whole blue line is lefty’s.

29 May 2020 13:10:42
The only issue?

29 May 2020 13:43:31
Expansion draft isn't until next summer, so you still have Kerfoot on the team unless you trade him for picks

Have you run the numbers on this to make sure it fits under the cap? The best way to do this is, since Leafs are at cap max, all you have to do is balance salary in vs. salary out.

What are you signing all your FA for? Depending on what you are signing your free agents for, it looks like you might be over the cap.

29 May 2020 14:14:18
Why expose Kerfoot and lose him for nothing anyway? He's a good player. Surely you can trade him and earn a good return and just expose a lesser player?

29 May 2020 17:14:30
I can't really say it's bad because you haven't really specifically named most parts of the trade. What picks are players traded for? What defence does the goat get? What are you signing guys for? Etc.

29 May 2020 19:31:51
dunno if the team is that much better as for the numbers he has about 9.5mil to Fabbri, Maroon and Markstrom…. and that is with Kerfoot in the line up as expension is still a year away. also Barabanov is going to be pissed as he came all the way to north America to not make this team. in my review I added him and removed brooks. to get to the 9.5 mil remaining to sign. assuming the guys like dermott and spezza and mikheyev sign for what I gave them.1.5 for soupy,2mil for dermott 700k for spezza.

31 May 2020 02:41:09
It's a vague proposal. I understand glossing over the "minor" parts. For example, when you say trade Gauthier for a defenseman, my understanding is that you are saying "dump Gauthier for whatever league minimum defenseman we can get back in return. ". Is that really the best idea though? We already have a lot of very good depth defenseman. I would rather keep Gauthier than trade him for another plug that we don't need in the back end.

And when you say "sign all these guys", I assume you mean give them the bare minimum in terms of salary and term they will accept. Except Markstrom won't be cheap. He'll want a major deal his next contract. So that's a pretty big signing to gloss over.

And when you say "trade Johnsson and Andersen for picks" I take it you are saying "dump both those guys for whatever you can get". Which might not be a whole lot, considering Andersen is UFA, and Johnsson is coming back from an injury plagued season that saw low production. We would be lucky to get a 4th round for either of those guys right now. The market just isn't there. It's going to be a buyers market this off season as teams try to unload contracts to gain cap space. With the cap not going up anymore, it's going to leave a lot of teams in a bad spot, including the Leafs. Trying to dump a UFA goalie and a middle six winger aren't going to pay big. Especially when you consider that guys like Lehner and Markstrom can be signed outright without having to surrender assets for them. So why would someone trade anything for Andersen right now?

Look at what Vegas paid for Lehner. That's probably about the most return you could expect for Andersen right now. And I doubt you would get even that. Vegas paid up because they needed a goalie for the playoffs. Nobody needs a goalie for the off season.