Look at JVR this way....

If you were the Leafs would you spend a 1st round (25 to 31st overall pick) to go get a 30 to 35 goal scorer at the TDL to make a push in the playoffs? Especially if you knew he wanted to play for you and might resign with you?

I would

So instead of giving up a 1st rounded, the Leafs simply gave up, getting one.

If he stays, it's gravy!
- .HOHO.

I think JVR signs elsewhere after the Leafs sign Tavares

- AdamFrench

Still a quality movie in my opinion.

I think JVR signs elsewhere after the Leafs sign Tavares, then trade Nylander for a legit top 2 defenceman!
- TheMussel

Fixed!

I trust that Lou & Co. have a plan in place already.. I doubt they are going to 'wing it' come July 1.
The most overlooked fact about this team, is that they do not have one player in the top 40 of NHL scoring(Marner is 41st, behind Rakell, because Rakell has more goals).. It's always been a full team effort, not one single player, like Edmonton...So, someone may not replace his 30+ goals, but Brown and Kapanen could each get 20 if slotted with better players.

If their plan is too keep JVR as part of the core going forward, then keep him. If not, move on.. It's obvious to me that Marleau is not a core piece going forward.

Despite of what UG thinks, I don't for a second believe that Lou & Co. screwed themselves by signing Marleau.. They signed him to help develop their young players, which has worked as both Marner and Matthews love him
- PatC80

This is what I find funny about the JVR debate.

We can all state our opinions, and ultimately there's no right or wrong, but I'm pretty confident that Shanny, Lou et al. put a little bit of thought into it.

Maybe even more thought than we have.

Maybe.

I trust that Lou & Co. have a plan in place already.. I doubt they are going to 'wing it' come July 1.
The most overlooked fact about this team, is that they do not have one player in the top 40 of NHL scoring(Marner is 41st, behind Rakell, because Rakell has more goals).. It's always been a full team effort, not one single player, like Edmonton...So, someone may not replace his 30+ goals, but Brown and Kapanen could each get 20 if slotted with better players.

If their plan is too keep JVR as part of the core going forward, then keep him. If not, move on.. It's obvious to me that Marleau is not a core piece going forward.

Despite of what UG thinks, I don't for a second believe that Lou & Co. screwed themselves by signing Marleau.. They signed him to help develop their young players, which has worked as both Marner and Matthews love him
- PatC80

Matthews would be in the top 40 if not for the injuries.
If Marner and Nylander didnt have those long droughts, they'd be there too (ya I know, that could be said for many players lol)
I like the Marleau signing and agree his off ice mentoring will benefit the kids...but the 3rd year could screw the leafs cap wise. You cant ignore that.....unless the leafs win the cup next year...then we can ignore it all the 3rd year long!!!!

I trust that Lou & Co. have a plan in place already.. I doubt they are going to 'wing it' come July 1.
The most overlooked fact about this team, is that they do not have one player in the top 40 of NHL scoring(Marner is 41st, behind Rakell, because Rakell has more goals).. It's always been a full team effort, not one single player, like Edmonton...So, someone may not replace his 30+ goals, but Brown and Kapanen could each get 20 if slotted with better players.

If their plan is too keep JVR as part of the core going forward, then keep him. If not, move on.. It's obvious to me that Marleau is not a core piece going forward.

Despite of what UG thinks, I don't for a second believe that Lou & Co. screwed themselves by signing Marleau.. They signed him to help develop their young players, which has worked as both Marner and Matthews love him
- PatC80

I agree with you Pat. Mostly about Toronto's biggest strenght being their forward depth. They REALLY have 3 lines with skilled players that can score.

Marleau is only signed for 3 years.... by the team he's done, the Leafs will need his salary to pay the younger guys.... it's no big deal and he does play a good role model for them.

I'd understand letting JVR leave, but I think it would be quite the risk. Brown and Kapanen MIGHT replace his production but this is far from a guarantee.

I would keep him if I were in charge.... unless the price goes ridiculously too high of course.

With a made up injury? He's got one of the longest active iron man streaks in the NHL but if he sucks he'll just get hurt because it's convenient?

But that's not even the point. The point is, they decided to spend 6.25 million on a guy at the end of his career instead of keeping that money available to help retain a good player in his prime. If it's between JVR during his prime or Marleau at the end of his rope, the choice is easy; it's JVR. And if JVR walks, it'll be because Marleau was eating up the cap space we needed to keep him.

Do I want JVR signed for 7 or 8 years? No, but I'd like to know what teams out there are going to be throwing insane contracts (7+ AAV x 6+ years) at him because there aren't that many that I can see.
- Unholy_Goalie

It’s almost like you don’t watch the games? Looking at Marleaus points...do you notice that Babs uses Marleau is a totally different way? Pretty sure Marleau can stand in front of the net on the PP after JVR is gone. Marleaus a better skater at 38 then JVR now. I like JVR but he wasn’t in the plans...as I said earlier and you just ignored, relax for a few (frank)ing days. 🤪

This is what I find funny about the JVR debate.

We can all state our opinions, and ultimately there's no right or wrong, but I'm pretty confident that Shanny, Lou et al. put a little bit of thought into it.

Maybe even more thought than we have.

Maybe.
- Atomic Wedgie

Oh I'm sure they already know what they're gonna do.

It's just fun to speculate I guess. It's not an easy one imo.

If we replace Leo with, say, Johnsson or Leivo, chances are that they will be equally productive offense-wise, and won't provide any of the truculence that Komarov brings to the table.

Komarov isn't Gretzky, but replacing him with one of the less experienced forwards that we have in the system at this point is a downgrade.
- TheMussel

Kadri played on a line with Komarov and scored 1 goals in..idk 20 games?

in a limited role sure, he is fine..but I cant see the leafs missing him in any real way if you swap out his time for someone esle

This is what I find funny about the JVR debate.

We can all state our opinions, and ultimately there's no right or wrong, but I'm pretty confident that Shanny, Lou et al. put a little bit of thought into it.

Maybe even more thought than we have.

Maybe.
- Atomic Wedgie

After much thought about the above (at least 30 seconds) I believe you may.......HEY whats with this "The Nagano tapes" ad....and why the fack would anyone want to watch that sh!t?

It’s almost like you don’t watch the games? Looking at Marleaus points...do you notice that Babs uses Marleau is a totally different way? Pretty sure Marleau can stand in front of the net on the PP after JVR is gone. Marleaus a better skater at 38 then JVR now. I like JVR but he wasn’t in the plans...as I said earlier and you just ignored, relax for a few (frank)ing days. 🤪
- Garnie

It's not as natural for some to get in front of the net.

I don't remember it being one of Marleau's strenght over his career.

Matthews would be in the top 40 if not for the injuries.
If Marner and Nylander didnt have those long droughts, they'd be there too (ya I know, that could be said for many players lol)
I like the Marleau signing and agree his off ice mentoring will benefit the kids...but the 3rd year could screw the leafs cap wise. You cant ignore that.....unless the leafs win the cup next year...then we can ignore it all the 3rd year long!!!!

- Fakepartofme

Look at the contract, though. They did a good job of hedging their bets.

If the dude sucks, they can pay his bonus on July 1st and then have him retire, and trade his cap hit along with a 3rd round pick to Arizona. Chayka loves these deals (assuming Chayka still has a job).

It's not as natural for some to get in front of the net.

I don't remember it being one of Marleau's strenght over his career.
- Scabeh

if it was easy to do everyone would be standing there scoring 30 goals a year

Kadri played on a line with Komarov and scored 1 goals in..idk 20 games?

in a limited role sure, he is fine..but I cant see the leafs missing him in any real way if you swap out his time for someone esle
- senstroll

At the risk of sounding like an old man, Komarov brings more to the table than offense.

It's not as natural for some to get in front of the net.

I don't remember it being one of Marleau's strenght over his career.
- Scabeh

I don't think it's a good idea to have a 39 year old guy standing in front of the net on powerplays.

Who replaces the production of JVR next year?

if it was easy to do everyone would be standing there scoring 30 goals a year
- daeth

I did get a good laugh out of that the other day - I think it was an Ottawa fan saying that JVR only scores the easy goals.

So why doesn't everyone just score the easy goals?

Why can't I get more easy goals when I play hockey?

Why do fans poo-poo empty netters?

It shows that the coach trusts you to be on the ice, holding a slim lead, and that you got the job done and iced the win.
- Atomic Wedgie

as goals go, I think ENG are lowest on the totem pole of value.
23 5v5 goals is better than 18 + 5eng

I think its worth noting at least if you have over 20% of your goals into an empty net

Who replaces the production of JVR next year?
- pparam

Tavares.

Tavares.
- Atomic Wedgie

I got a chubby.

as goals go, I think ENG are lowest on the totem pole of value.
23 5v5 goals is better than 18 + 5eng

I think its worth noting at least if you have over 20% of your goals into an empty net
- senstroll

They may be lower value in terms of evaluating whether or not a guy can score goals, but they are an indicator that you do more than just score goals - coach trusts you in a defensive role late in the game.

It shows you are a more complete player.

Which is particularly relevant to the evaluation of Marleau - his detractors say he floats around and scores goals - nothing else.

5 empty net goals says otherwise.

At the risk of sounding like an old man, Komarov brings more to the table than offense.
- TheMussel

sure he has to, a few seasons ago I have no problems with what he was doing. Valuable player.. I just think he is not the same, and also the Leafs depth has caught up to him.

sure he has to, a few seasons ago I have no problems with what he was doing. Valuable player.. I just think he is not the same, and also the Leafs depth has caught up to him.
- senstroll

But the depth that we'd replace him with wouldn't be as physical, as reliable defensively, or able to play the PK as well

Also no playoff experience

Maaaaybe.

But could the leafs line up at the beginning of next season not be as good as the line is right now? Due to cap concerns. Maybe.

Here's a thought......Hope the leafs skip out on trying to get JT and go for Seguin.
He's one year younger and faster.
JT's skating could be a concern in a 4 years.....maybe.

That's if either makes it to FA.
- Fakepartofme

Who replaces the production of JVR next year?
- pparam

a healthy matthews might make up the difference