Vlasic is one of the best shutdown D in the league. JVR isn't even close to enough to get him.

With that said, I don't view the Sharks window as closed and I don't think the Sharks do either. Even with Marleau and Thornton on the wrong side of 35, the Sharks still have a prime Vlasic, Burns, Couture, and Pavelski. These players can be built around for a few more chances at a run. While I think Edmonton is a great team and will be a true threat for seasons to come, I don't think they are better than the Sharks are THIS YEAR. The Sharks released their injury list and it's pretty bad.. Thornton with a torn ACL/MCL, Couture with two face fractures, Hertl with a broken foot, Marleau with a broken thumb, Donskoi with a separated shoulder.. no wonder they couldn't hang.

Sharks will be right back in the fold next season with a retooled roster (Look at Ward, Boedker, Martin, etc. being the ones shipped out)
- WaterVsAnchor

Sharks will be in full tank mode for many years to come. The majority of their scoring is from players north of 30 - most of whom have contracts that are smelly at best. The only player under thirty on the team that managed 50 points was Logan Couture. Give yourself a shake - you see upside in Marleau? Maybe Thornton? Is Burns going to do better than the past season? Sorry.

What the EK?

Since when is Vlasic a #1D?

Since when is a 61 pt rookie with a year still left on his ELC and then is RFA and who draws comparisons to P. Kane worth less than a 30 year old D with one year remaining on his contract?

Sorry guy, but you're the one who is way overvaluing your player. Vlasic is a nice player, but he's nowhere near what you're saying he's worth. You're drunk.
- As_I_See_It

Being that you're from the East, it's not hard to understand why you wouldn't see Vlasic as a #1D. He isn't an offensive powerhouse, but for years he has effectively shut down the top players from every team in the league.

This is a good breakdown of why he's so valuable
http://www.stanleycupofch...he-nhl-right-now-for-real

ANY team in the NHL would want him. That's not a joke. He's still got a ton of good years left in him. Also, it would SHOCK me if he went everywhere. I don't think the Sharks trade him.

Some facts here:

- We use the term "underrated" a lot, but Vlasic is one of the most (if not THE most) underrated players in the league.
- He's got 1 year left on his contract.
- He's 30 years old.

IF the Leafs wanted to trade for him, it would take Nylander to get it done. Or something like Kapanen and Leipsic + another player or prospect + a pick (probably their first this year). For a guy with 1 year left on his deal, no freaking way. The Leafs would need permission to talk contract with him first (which can't even happen until after July 1st anyways).

There are other options out there, but I'm being honest when I say I'm not sure there's another player available who'd be better than Vlasic (even if he is, in fact, available). Vlasic is at the point in his career where the best case scenario, he's at his peak now that he's in his 30's, and worst case is he's just on his decline. But if you think you can win a cup in the next 3 years, this is a trade you seriously consider.

There are very few players in the league I entertain the notion of trading Nylander for, but I'd give it some thought with Vlasic.

Honestly? Who else is available out of the D-Men in the league that would be as good or better?

Leafs fans be like what.

Tanev for Kapanen + 1st.

Leafs need a rhd.
- Scooby_Doo

Why would Leafs trade with the Nucks from their roster. Leafs wiped the sh!t off their shoes already. Not one player of interest on that junk heap of a team. Now if you are talking a couple of lottery picks maybe Lou can send something your way.

Sharks will be in full tank mode for many years to come. The majority of their scoring is from players north of 30 - most of whom have contracts that are smelly at best. The only player under thirty on the team that managed 50 points was Logan Couture. Give yourself a shake - you see upside in Marleau? Maybe Thornton? Is Burns going to do better than the past season? Sorry.
- winsix

Thornton and Marleau are UFAs this summer. They will stay for less money or they will walk. Plain and simple. We've got the cap space to retool and bring in some good players. Can we fully replace Thornton and Marleau? Probably not right now, but you don't shoot yourself in the foot by trading the pillar of your defensive structure for a winger.

Some facts here:

- We use the term "underrated" a lot, but Vlasic is one of the most (if not THE most) underrated players in the league.
- He's got 1 year left on his contract.
- He's 30 years old.

IF the Leafs wanted to trade for him, it would take Nylander to get it done. Or something like Kapanen and Leipsic + a pick (probably their first this year). For a guy with 1 year left on his deal, no freaking way. The Leafs would need permission to talk contract with him first (which can't even happen until after July 1st anyways).

There are other options out there, but I'm being honest when I say I'm not sure there's another player available who'd be better than Vlasic (even if he is, in fact, available). Vlasic is at the point in his career where the best case scenario, he's at his peak now that he's in his 30's, and worst case is he's just on his decline. But if you think you can win a cup in the next 3 years, this is a trade you seriously consider.

There are very few players in the league I entertain the notion of trading Nylander for, but I'd give it some thought with Vlasic.

Honestly? Who else is available out of the D-Men in the league that would be as good or better?
- bobinson

Finally!!
A sober Leaf fan.

Being that you're from the East, it's not hard to understand why you wouldn't see Vlasic as a #1D. He isn't an offensive powerhouse, but for years he has effectively shut down the top players from every team in the league.

This is a good breakdown of why he's so valuable
http://www.stanleycupofch...he-nhl-right-now-for-real

ANY team in the NHL would want him. That's not a joke. He's still got a ton of good years left in him. Also, it would SHOCK me if he went everywhere. I don't think the Sharks trade him.
- WaterVsAnchor

Vlasic is excellent, there's no serious question about that.

That said, I don't think that TO would trade any of the big three rookies for anybody who is 30+.

Some facts here:

- We use the term "underrated" a lot, but Vlasic is one of the most (if not THE most) underrated players in the league.
- He's got 1 year left on his contract.
- He's 30 years old.

IF the Leafs wanted to trade for him, it would take Nylander to get it done. Or something like Kapanen and Leipsic + another player or prospect + a pick (probably their first this year). For a guy with 1 year left on his deal, no freaking way. The Leafs would need permission to talk contract with him first (which can't even happen until after July 1st anyways).

There are other options out there, but I'm being honest when I say I'm not sure there's another player available who'd be better than Vlasic (even if he is, in fact, available). Vlasic is at the point in his career where the best case scenario, he's at his peak now that he's in his 30's, and worst case is he's just on his decline. But if you think you can win a cup in the next 3 years, this is a trade you seriously consider.

There are very few players in the league I entertain the notion of trading Nylander for, but I'd give it some thought with Vlasic.

Honestly? Who else is available out of the D-Men in the league that would be as good or better?
- bobinson

You get it. The fans who actually understand hockey beyond the guys who score goals see his value. Vlasic is a Grade A+ defenseman.

Leafs fans be like what.


- Scooby_Doo

Oh.

Vlasic is excellent, there's no serious question about that.

That said, I don't think that TO would trade any of the big three rookies for anybody who is 30+.
- lumlums

Agreed. If Vlasic was 25 they would make that deal. Not now.

Tanev is a top end shutdown d man. He's exactly what the Leafs need to play with Rielly. Not an offensive minded VATANEN.
- Scooby_Doo

I think your account has been hacked.... I smell kaptaan

You get it. The fans who actually understand hockey beyond the guys who score goals see his value. Vlasic is a Grade A+ defenseman.
- WaterVsAnchor

Vlasic is a #1 def. I got no issue with that. But the Leafs are not trading a 20 year old who just had 60 points in his rookie season for him or anyone else of Vlasic's age. Ek has accomplished what he wanted .... lots of hits about something that is never ever going to happen. So basically the same old same old.

Why give up assets when we can get UFA Orlov for nothing?

Rielly Dumba
Orlov Zaitsev
? Carrick

Agreed. If Vlasic was 25 they would make that deal. Not now.
- Matthews_Auston

Exactly.

10 years from now, 2 of the 3 big rookies will still be in their (late) 20s. The focus has to be on finding DMen who can still be there with them if there are to be picks and/or prospects going the other way. If it's someone who is UFA that's a different proposition of course.

Why give up assets when we can get UFA Orlov for nothing?

Rielly Dumba
Orlov Zaitsev
? Carrick
- mr.sir

I think you're forgetting that Gardiner was outstanding this playoffs.

Here we go. Ek is already starting with the "every good player in the league is going to the Leafs" BS. Your click count must be getting low, eh Ek?

You get it. The fans who actually understand hockey beyond the guys who score goals see his value. Vlasic is a Grade A+ defenseman.
- WaterVsAnchor

only thing that scares me isn't even his age, it's his contract. Don't trade a rookie with 60 points for potentially 1 season of a guy who walks as a UFA. His age is concerning, but he's probably got another 3-4 years left before the decline really hits. With any luck the Leafs have a cup by then anyways.

Acquiring Vlasic for Nylander is kind of a wash on the cap in a few years too. Since whatever Nylander will be making will be probably be around the same as Vlasic.

I'm not kidding though; I don't want them to trade Nylander. But if the return is a guy who can average 21-23 minutes a night against the top opponents, I'm willing to consider.

I think your account has been hacked.... I smell kaptaan
- .HOHO.

https://www.google.ca/amp...he-nhl-right-now-for-real

"Chris Tanev is the best shutdown defenseman in the NHL. He's good at doing the defenseman things. His shot suppression prevents 0.3 goals per 60 RelTM compared to an average player. That's a (frank)ton. The next highest mark by a defenseman is Brian Campbell's 0.19. That's what us fancy math nerds call an "outlier". No one is in the same tier as Tanev when it comes to shot suppression.

Why is he rarely given credit for this? Part of it is the same as Klefbom. The Canucks are poop at defending as a group, so you don't really expect them to have a star shutdown defenseman. But they do. Here he is. Existing."

Tanev for Kapanen + 1st.

Leafs need a rhd.
- Scooby_Doo

(frank) that

I think you're forgetting that Gardiner was outstanding this playoffs.
- lumlums

I must have been watching a different game.....

He needs to be paired with a stay at home dman, so he can iafrate all the time

I think cause he finally kissed a girl and he liked it
- PatC80

This is something Augello has never done or will ever do.

Tanev is a top end shutdown d man. He's exactly what the Leafs need to play with Rielly. Not an offensive minded VATANEN.
- Scooby_Doo

(frank)er's always injured.

https://www.google.ca/amp/www.stanleycupofchowder.com/platform/amp/2016/8/16/12481256/the-top-20-defensemen-in-the-nhl-right-now-for-real

"Chris Tanev is the best shutdown defenseman in the NHL. He's good at doing the defenseman things. His shot suppression prevents 0.3 goals per 60 RelTM compared to an average player. That's a (frank)ton. The next highest mark by a defenseman is Brian Campbell's 0.19. That's what us fancy math nerds call an "outlier". No one is in the same tier as Tanev when it comes to shot suppression.

Why is he rarely given credit for this? Part of it is the same as Klefbom. The Canucks are poop at defending as a group, so you don't really expect them to have a star shutdown defenseman. But they do. Here he is. Existing."
- Scooby_Doo

Brian Campbell sucks and so does Tanev