Who will the Marlies play next?
- nbboy

Winner of Leigh valley or Charlotte, Leigh valley up 2-1

It's this weird franking group-think that has taken over the Toronto sports media.

Hunter and Dubas are both the greatest rising stars in NHL managementdom - their track record speaks for itself.

What the frank have they actually done?????

You don't get credit for drafting Matthews. Sorry.

Selecting Marner? It has worked out well, but quite frankly, Hunter has shown an alarming disposition for too much loyalty to London Knights players. Remember Harrington?

Other than that, what else have they done?

Traded down for Dermott - as I demonstrated above, that doesn't look good on them.

Kadri's contract extension - I'm guessing most of the credit for that goes to Lou.

Signing Marleau? Let's be honest - they pushed a giant pile of cash up to his garage - no other club was going to make that offer.

Zaitsev is probably the worst contract in the NHL right now.

They signed Matt Martin.

They brought in Polak.

They brought in Hainsey (not bad, but not exactly a blockbuster move).

They traded Kessel for pennies on the dollar (they even franking retained salary). Kapanen looks OK (just OK) and a 1st rounder. We should have received more.

They traded Phaneuf. Not a bad deal for the Leafs, but it was long-term salary dump for Sens giving up a lot of up-front salary dump. Once again, you can't really say that either team won that deal.

Am I missing something else?
- Atomic Wedgie

Woo hoo! Novel inbound! I'll throw in my take cause I'm bored and trying to avoid doing work. I'm not nearly as salty on the moves that our management has made.

Drafting Matthews - Agreed. Braindead simple.
Drafting Marner - Hardly a slam dunk. I remember the draft, and at the time a lot of folks were in the Hanifin camp. The ultimate litmus test: would you straight-up Marner for Hanifin? I don't think I would, so looks like a good pick.
Trading down from Konecny - At the time, I thought this was a bad move. It's looking pretty good now to be honest. Dermott alone is probably not enough to offset Konecny, but the kicker is Bracco--he looks like he could be a real player. Same litmus test: If we go to Philly and offer Dermott, Bracco, and Dzierkals for Konecny, would they take it? Not sure... but I bet they would at least think about it. It might end up pretty good of Bracco really matures well.
Kadri's extension- Pure awesome. I think you agree. Great deal for a very good player, and an example of a management group win. Probably was Lou, but unsure--I think the Toronto management does more collaboration than a Burke-style org.
Marleau signing - I'm a fan. Maybe 1 year too long, but otherwise I'm a fan. The Leafs needed a veteran who could still contribute significantly, but also serve as a real role model for all the kids. Great find. Just maybe a year too long is all; that's not much to sneeze at.
Zaitsev signing - Hard to say. I think if I had to guess, it's probably one we'll regret a little bit. Not sure it's a disaster; maybe just a "miss". It's laughable to call this the "probably the worst contract in the NHL". Not even close. It's just a bit bad, at most. We'll see.
Matt Martin signing - Meh. We haven't been in cap trouble, so I see little harm here. I think it was fine. If they re-sign Martin... then I'll be a little more salty on this.
Brought in Polak - Good move. Yes, Polak is a 6/7 defender, but it turns out our team's defense sucks and he was a positive contributor in light of the lack of defensive talent we have. They also just gave him a year. No harm done. In fact, 1 more year might not be tragic, at the right price. (a low price)
Brought in Hainsey - Agreed that it wasn't "blockbuster", but this was an excellent move. Hainsey was great, a steadying presence, brings experience, and really contributes. He's the kind of guy you want our management to bring in. You're underselling this, Wedgie. This was a win.
Kessel trade - I tend to agree we should have made out better on this deal. I do think the market was a bit low on him at the time--the Toronto media helped tank his value too. I would have been happy with the return, sans the retained salary. The worst part of this deal was the salary retention--I hope Dubas or whoever signed off on this deal learned their lesson on that. Another slight "miss" here, IMO.
Trading Phaneuf - Did you like the David Clarkson trade? Cause if you liked that, then you liked this. This was pure gold. We definitely won this trade, lol.
Trading for Andersen - Yeah, it was a bit on the high side, but we got a very good goalie. Bringing out the litmus test: would I use a time machine to go back and undo this trade? Heck no--we got good value for those picks in Andersen. We can't always fleece everyone, every time. Sometimes you just get a base hit--not everything is a grand slam. Anderson was at least a double.

Looking back at this, pretty happy with our management. I suppose you can speculate that this was all Lou (well, some of it couldn't have been Lou but most could have been), but that's speculation. I think our management has earned an 'A'. An A+ would go to the management of the Golden Knights, lol.

...oh, and all that nonsense about selling our contracts at the deadline: cmon. The Leafs were good this year, and yes, they actually were a legitimate cup threat. Certainly not a shoe-in -- I would characterize them as a long shot for sure -- but it wasn't inconceivable. You only get to make cup runs so often in the cycle of the salary cap era. You don't waste a year for a late 1st or a couple of 2nds. Ridiculous.

Woo hoo! Novel inbound! I'll throw in my take cause I'm bored and trying to avoid doing work. I'm not nearly as salty on the moves that our management has made.

Drafting Matthews - Agreed. Braindead simple.
Drafting Marner - Hardly a slam dunk. I remember the draft, and at the time a lot of folks were in the Hanifin camp. The ultimate litmus test: would you straight-up Marner for Hanifin? I don't think I would, so looks like a good pick.
Trading down from Konecny - At the time, I thought this was a bad move. It's looking pretty good now to be honest. Dermott alone is probably not enough to offset Konecny, but the kicker is Bracco--he looks like he could be a real player. Same litmus test: If we go to Philly and offer Dermott, Bracco, and Dzierkals for Konecny, would they take it? Not sure... but I bet they would at least think about it. It might end up pretty good of Bracco really matures well.
Kadri's extension- Pure awesome. I think you agree. Great deal for a very good player, and an example of a management group win. Probably was Lou, but unsure--I think the Toronto management does more collaboration than a Burke-style org.
Marleau signing - I'm a fan. Maybe 1 year too long, but otherwise I'm a fan. The Leafs needed a veteran who could still contribute significantly, but also serve as a real role model for all the kids. Great find. Just maybe a year too long is all; that's not much to sneeze at.
Zaitsev signing - Hard to say. I think if I had to guess, it's probably one we'll regret a little bit. Not sure it's a disaster; maybe just a "miss". It's laughable to call this the "probably the worst contract in the NHL". Not even close. It's just a bit bad, at most. We'll see.
Matt Martin signing - Meh. We haven't been in cap trouble, so I see little harm here. I think it was fine. If they re-sign Martin... then I'll be a little more salty on this.
Brought in Polak - Good move. Yes, Polak is a 6/7 defender, but it turns out our team's defense sucks and he was a positive contributor in light of the lack of defensive talent we have. They also just gave him a year. No harm done. In fact, 1 more year might not be tragic, at the right price. (a low price)
Brought in Hainsey - Agreed that it wasn't "blockbuster", but this was an excellent move. Hainsey was great, a steadying presence, brings experience, and really contributes. He's the kind of guy you want our management to bring in. You're underselling this, Wedgie. This was a win.
Kessel trade - I tend to agree we should have made out better on this deal. I do think the market was a bit low on him at the time--the Toronto media helped tank his value too. I would have been happy with the return, sans the retained salary. The worst part of this deal was the salary retention--I hope Dubas or whoever signed off on this deal learned their lesson on that. Another slight "miss" here, IMO.
Trading Phaneuf - Did you like the David Clarkson trade? Cause if you liked that, then you liked this. This was pure gold. We definitely won this trade, lol.
Trading for Andersen - Yeah, it was a bit on the high side, but we got a very good goalie. Bringing out the litmus test: would I use a time machine to go back and undo this trade? Heck no--we got good value for those picks in Andersen. We can't always fleece everyone, every time. Sometimes you just get a base hit--not everything is a grand slam. Anderson was at least a double.

Looking back at this, pretty happy with our management. I suppose you can speculate that this was all Lou (well, some of it couldn't have been Lou but most could have been), but that's speculation. I think our management has earned an 'A'. An A+ would go to the management of the Golden Knights, lol.

...oh, and all that nonsense about selling our contracts at the deadline: cmon. The Leafs were good this year, and yes, they actually were a legitimate cup threat. Certainly not a shoe-in -- I would characterize them as a long shot for sure -- but it wasn't inconceivable. You only get to make cup runs so often in the cycle of the salary cap era. You don't waste a year for a late 1st or a couple of 2nds. Ridiculous.

- --Lamp--

Excellent post.

Leafs were playoff bound before the deadline. From a business point of view strictly, and having had a season where you scored over 100 points, and knowing that your extremely loyal fans pay upwards of five figures to take a family to a playoff game in the platinum section, did you even consider that throwing in the towel for a couple of maybe picks was not a sane option?

In addition, in 2016-17 (fairly recent history) the DEAD-LAST QUALIFYING TEAM for the stanley cup playoffs was Nashville. They did ok.

So change the topic - please.
- winsix

Leafs fans are paying the same price and don't give a poop. Trading JVR, Bozak and Komarov doesn't make all the corporate season ticket holders cancel their tickets. It's a non-issue.

Nashville doesn't play the way the Leafs play and they vindicated that with their results this season by being one of the best teams. Using Nashville as a comparison is a weak argument.

Excited to be in Toronto in a few days!


All my friends not flying into Billy Bishop are pissed realizing they should’ve listened to me

Excited to be in Toronto in a few days!


All my friends not flying into Billy Bishop are pissed realizing they should’ve listened to me
- RickJames77

Excited to be in Toronto in a few days!


All my friends not flying into Billy Bishop are pissed realizing they should’ve listened to me
- RickJames77

If the Leafs offered Khokhlachev (spelling this guy's name is a (frank)ing nightmare) an offer sheet of 4 years at 3.9 million, you think the Bruins match the offer or take the 2nd round pick?

If the Leafs offered Khokhlachev (spelling this guy's name is a (frank)ing nightmare) an offer sheet of 4 years at 3.9 million, you think the Bruins match the offer or take the 2nd round pick?
- Unholy_Goalie

we don't care..

we don't care..
- bobbyisno1

You don't care if the Leafs could potentially get a 24 year old C/LW who lit up the KHL and who could slide into the Leafs top-six for just a 2nd round pick and 3.9 million a year? Seems like something you should care about if you're a Leafs fan who wants the Leafs to get better.

You don't care if the Leafs could potentially get a 24 year old C/LW who lit up the KHL and who could slide into the Leafs top-six for just a 2nd round pick and 3.9 million a year? Seems like something you should care about if you're a Leafs fan who wants the Leafs to get better.
- Unholy_Goalie

You're fantasy land is crazier than I thought if you think Khokhlachev comes over and is immediately in the leafs top 6. He spent 3 full seasons in the ahl and couldn't make the jump so he took off back to Russia where they play on bigger ice and a lighter game, so of course he's going to score more as a smaller centreman. Funny that he is immediately in the top six but Lindholm who is expected to sign is already being given no chance by most yet he is bigger and has a game more suited for the smaller North American ice. Give it up with the failed NHLers... there is a reason they aren't in the NHL anymore.

You're fantasy land is crazier than I thought if you think Khokhlachev comes over and is immediately in the leafs top 6. He spent 3 full seasons in the ahl and couldn't make the jump so he took off back to Russia where they play on bigger ice and a lighter game, so of course he's going to score more as a smaller centreman. Funny that he is immediately in the top six but Lindholm who is expected to sign is already being given no chance by most yet he is bigger and has a game more suited for the smaller North American ice. Give it up with the failed NHLers... there is a reason they aren't in the NHL anymore.
- harps43

He spent 3 seasons in the AHL when he was very early in his career. It wasn't about not being able to make the jump, he was still young and cracking the Bruins roster isn't as easy as you think. They play a certain style that he couldn't play at 20 or 21.

He did very well on North American ice in the OHL and the AHL. He never got a real shot at the NHL. The bigger ice surface is not even close to an issue. You've invented that in your head for lack of a better argument.

He has six seasons of experience with the North American ice and he put up very good point totals in all of them. He scored 193 points in 152 OHL games over 3 years and 171 points in 197 games over 3 years in Providence. You didn't do your research at all obviously because he didn't go back to Russia to score more, he went there to make money and he wasn't getting his chance to play in the NHL.

He's 24, he hasn't had a real shot at the NHL. That's not even close to being a failed NHLer. Lindholm is two years older and a 4th liner because that's what his talent level is. He played in the SHL which doesn't have the same level of competition as the KHL nor does he have any proven track record in North America. And you want to talk about the big ice surface? Par Lindholm has never played on North American ice. Your comparison is very weak. Khokhlachev is a way better fit in the top-six because he's proven he can score points, it's just a matter of somebody giving him a chance to do it in the NHL.

He spent 3 seasons in the AHL when he was very early in his career. It wasn't about not being able to make the jump, he was still young and cracking the Bruins roster isn't as easy as you think. They play a certain style that he couldn't play at 20 or 21.

He did very well on North American ice in the OHL and the AHL. He never got a real shot at the NHL. The bigger ice surface is not even close to an issue. You've invented that in your head for lack of a better argument.

He has six seasons of experience with the North American ice and he put up very good point totals in all of them. He scored 193 points in 152 OHL games over 3 years and 171 points in 197 games over 3 years in Providence. You didn't do your research at all obviously because he didn't go back to Russia to score more, he went there to make money and he wasn't getting his chance to play in the NHL.

He's 24, he hasn't had a real shot at the NHL. That's not even close to being a failed NHLer. Lindholm is two years older and a 4th liner because that's what his talent level is. He played in the SHL which doesn't have the same level of competition as the KHL nor does he have any proven track record in North America. And you want to talk about the big ice surface? Par Lindholm has never played on North American ice. Your comparison is very weak. Khokhlachev is a way better fit in the top-six because he's proven he can score points, it's just a matter of somebody giving him a chance to do it in the NHL.
- Unholy_Goalie

Kokhlakhev might turn out to be a decent 2nd/3rd line NHL'er.
However, Leafs definitely are not going to make a 3.9mln RFA offer on him, that's a salary higher than Brown, Hyman, Hainsey, and similar to Gardiner.
It just doesn't work like that.

If Leafs bring in a player from KHL, he'd be on a 1-2mln salary.

Kokhlakhev might turn out to be a decent 2nd/3rd line NHL'er.
However, Leafs definitely are not going to make a 3.9mln RFA offer on him, that's a salary higher than Brown, Hyman, Hainsey, and similar to Gardiner.
It just doesn't work like that.

If Leafs bring in a player from KHL, he'd be on a 1-2mln salary.
- MaximusAurelius

Or he's a legit 1st line LW or 2nd line C who can score 60+ points and becomes a steal at 3.9 million. He has at least as much talent as Brown, if not more.

And 3.9 million is the potential cost of doing business. It might be lower than that but that's as high as it can be without giving up more than a 2nd round pick. He could agree to 2 or 3 million but the Bruins might match. Or the Bruins might not care and let him go for less. Either way, it's a small price to pay to acquire a 24 year old with a lot of talent and potential.

Or he's a legit 1st line LW or 2nd line C who can score 60+ points and becomes a steal at 3.9 million. He has at least as much talent as Brown, if not more.

And 3.9 million is the potential cost of doing business. It might be lower than that but that's as high as it can be without giving up more than a 2nd round pick. He could agree to 2 or 3 million but the Bruins might match. Or the Bruins might not care and let him go for less. Either way, it's a small price to pay to acquire a 24 year old with a lot of talent and potential.
- Unholy_Goalie

I'm sure you have much better insight in Kokhlakhev's potential than the Bruins organization..

I'm sure you have much better insight in Kokhlakhev's potential than the Bruins organization..
- MaximusAurelius

Yeah because the Bruins have never given up on great players too early before. Thornton, Seguin, Hamilton all say hi for no reason in particular.

I'm sure the Bruins also have an incredible amount of cap space to sign anybody they want too.

Not like the Bruins have any depth at C either. Or a coach who didn't want him that made the decision to cut him whom they have since fired.

Yeah because the Bruins have never given up on great players too early before. Thornton, Seguin, Hamilton all say hi for no reason in particular.

I'm sure the Bruins also have an incredible amount of cap space to sign anybody they want too.
- Unholy_Goalie

It seems very likely Bruins would just give him a chance themselves though - don't even know why you are arguing so strongly that Alexander Khokhlachev is the solution to all of Leafs' problems..

IF he'd consider coming back to NHL, he'd probably first consider playing for the coach that gave him opportunities in AHL.. not going to Leafs where he might see himself back in AHL before the season starts.

If not the Bruins, a team like Vancouver or Chicago or Arizona would be much more likely - from Khokhlachev's perspective, but as well from Bruins' perspective.

Yeah because the Bruins have never given up on great players too early before. Thornton, Seguin, Hamilton all say hi for no reason in particular.

I'm sure the Bruins also have an incredible amount of cap space to sign anybody they want too.

Not like the Bruins have any depth at C either. Or a coach who didn't want him that made the decision to cut him whom they have since fired.
- Unholy_Goalie

Bergeron
Krejci
Backes
Kuraly
Heinen
Riley Nash
Anders Bjork

all can play C and would probably be ahead of Khokhlachev on C...

It seems very likely Bruins would just give him a chance themselves though - don't even know why you are arguing so strongly that Alexander Khokhlachev is the solution to all of Leafs' problems..

IF he'd consider coming back to NHL, he'd probably first consider playing for the coach that gave him opportunities in AHL.. not going to Leafs where he might see himself back in AHL before the season starts.

If not the Bruins, a team like Vancouver or Chicago or Arizona would be much more likely - from Khokhlachev's perspective, but as well from Bruins' perspective.
- MaximusAurelius

Because he's a top-six center and he's blocked by Bergeron and Krejci. They're not going to disrupt that.

Nobody said he's the solution to all the Leafs' problems. He's just a young, talented, potentially available top-six forward. They are losing JVR and Bozak. Both are older and are going to get overpaid. Khokhlachev is cheaper than both of them and can potentially help replace them. He fits a need.

He might go back to Boston but he also might not. The Bruins have cap space issues and he's making better money in Russia that they can't necessarily afford to compete with. That's part of the reason why he went to Russia in the first place; a chance to play high level hockey and get paid. Coming to Toronto gives him a chance to make the same money and get top-six minutes that he can't get in Boston.

Bergeron
Krejci
Backes
Kuraly
Heinen
Riley Nash
Anders Bjork

all can play C and would probably be ahead of Khokhlachev on C...
- MaximusAurelius

Oh. No really. It's almost as if I was being sarcastic and you took it seriously and then proceeded to prove my point exactly.

The Bruins have depth at center, they have cap problems and they can't give Khokhlachev what he wants; money and top-six minutes. Toronto can.

Thanks for playing.

Because he's a top-six center and he's blocked by Bergeron and Krejci. They're not going to disrupt that.

Nobody said he's the solution to all the Leafs' problems. He's just a young, talented, potentially available top-six forward. They are losing JVR and Bozak. Both are older and are going to get overpaid. Khokhlachev is cheaper than both of them and can potentially help replace them. He fits a need.

He might go back to Boston but he also might not. The Bruins have cap space issues and he's making better money in Russia that they can't necessarily afford to compete with. That's part of the reason why he went to Russia in the first place; a chance to play high level hockey and get paid. Coming to Toronto gives him a chance to make the same money and get top-six minutes that he can't get in Boston.
- Unholy_Goalie

Honestly, I have heard it was two things:

1/ taxes
2/ ability to walk on the streets without contstanly being bothered by the media and fans.

Matthews - Hyman - Marner - Marleau - Kadri will be on Leafs' top6 going forward.
Instead of spending 3-4mln on a guy like Khokhlakev, Leafs would definitely prefer to option to spend 6mln on Kovalchuk, or 9.5mln on Tavares. (and there are about 20 other options they would prefer over Khokhlakev; including Connor Brown).

Oh. No really. It's almost as if I was being sarcastic and you took it seriously and then proceeded to prove my point exactly.

The Bruins have depth at center, they have cap problems and they can't give Khokhlachev what he wants; money and top-six minutes. Toronto can.

Thanks for playing.
- Unholy_Goalie

better options than Alexander 'NHL bust' Khokhlachev to complete Leafs' top6 coming season:

1/ JVR
2/ Bozak
3/ Connor Brown
4/ John Tavares
5/ Kovalchuk
6/ Joe Thornton
7/ Stastny
8/ E. Kane (frank him though)
9/ James Neal (frank him as well)
10/ Perron
11/ Maroon (yes friggin Maroon)
12/ Hartnell (yes, friggin Hartnell)
13/ Jagr
14-50: trade options plenty.

Honestly, I have heard it was two things:

1/ taxes
2/ ability to walk on the streets without contstanly being bothered by the media and fans.

Matthews - Hyman - Marner - Marleau - Kadri will be on Leafs' top6 going forward.
Instead of spending 3-4mln on a guy like Khokhlakev, Leafs would definitely prefer to option to spend 6mln on Kovalchuk, or 9.5mln on Tavares. (and there are about 20 other options they would prefer over Khokhlakev; including Connor Brown).
- MaximusAurelius

For a player like Tavares, where he can get big money from multiple teams, it definitely is. For a 24 year old who hasn't established himself yet in the NHL, it's about playing time and getting paid. Russia's taxes and salaries are way better than whatever he was getting in Providence, that's why he left. But coming to Toronto could give him more money and more playing time (which becomes more money in the future if he performs well). It's not that hard to understand.

Hyman is a good 3rd liner but he's not a legit 1st line LW. It needs to be upgraded. Marleau is old and overpaid. His time with the team is short. The Leafs are losing JVR and Bozak, two more guys who play PP time that they need to replace. There is definitely room to add Khokhlachev and improve the team both now and for the future.

Brown, Kapanen and Johnsson are all good and adding Khokhlachev would be like adding another one of them to the mix at the cost of a 2nd round pick and some money, which they can easily afford. It's a very good fit.

better options than Alexander 'NHL bust' Khokhlachev to complete Leafs' top6 coming season:

1/ JVR
2/ Bozak
3/ Connor Brown
4/ John Tavares
5/ Kovalchuk
6/ Joe Thornton
7/ Stastny
8/ E. Kane (frank him though)
9/ James Neal (frank him as well)
10/ Perron
11/ Maroon (yes friggin Maroon)
12/ Hartnell (yes, friggin Hartnell)
13/ Jagr
14-50: trade options plenty.
- MaximusAurelius

1. Walking. Gone. Goodbye. Or getting overpaid into his mid 30s to stay.
2. Walking. Gone. Goodbye. Or getting overpaid into his mid 30s to stay.
3. Equal to Khokhlachev. Why not add another good player?
4. Pipe dream.
5. Older than dirt. No future with the team.
6. Older than dirt. No future with the team.
7. Getting overpaid into his mid 30s, other contenders he'd probably go to like just staying in Winnipeg.
8. I like Kane, I'd sign him too. He'd be way better than Hyman as the 1st line LW. But, he's probably going to stay in San Jose and get paid big time.
9. Over 30, likely to get overpaid long term and stay in Vegas.
10. Nope.
11. Not even close. Old, no future.
12. Even further away. Old, no future.
13. Pre-dates carbon, no future with the team.
14. Name them and find a better bargain than a 2nd round pick for a 24 year old with top-six offensive potential and under 4 million in salary.

1. Walking. Gone. Goodbye. Or getting overpaid into his mid 30s to stay.
2. Walking. Gone. Goodbye. Or getting overpaid into his mid 30s to stay.
3. Equal to Khokhlachev. Why not add another good player?
4. Pipe dream.
5. Older than dirt. No future with the team.
6. Older than dirt. No future with the team.
7. Getting overpaid into his mid 30s, other contenders he'd probably go to like just staying in Winnipeg.
8. I like Kane, I'd sign him too. He'd be way better than Hyman as the 1st line LW. But, he's probably going to stay in San Jose and get paid big time.
9. Over 30, likely to get overpaid long term and stay in Vegas.
10. Nope.
11. Not even close. Old, no future.
12. Even further away. Old, no future.
13. Pre-dates carbon, no future with the team.
14. Name them and find a better bargain than a 2nd round pick for a 24 year old with top-six offensive potential and under 4 million in salary.



- Unholy_Goalie

Looking at the Calder Memorial Trophy conditions - seems like we already have a winner for the 2018-2019 season if Sasha indeed comes over to NHL..

Or he's a legit 1st line LW or 2nd line C who can score 60+ points and becomes a steal at 3.9 million. He has at least as much talent as Brown, if not more.

And 3.9 million is the potential cost of doing business. It might be lower than that but that's as high as it can be without giving up more than a 2nd round pick. He could agree to 2 or 3 million but the Bruins might match. Or the Bruins might not care and let him go for less. Either way, it's a small price to pay to acquire a 24 year old with a lot of talent and potential.
- Unholy_Goalie