The statement above was it’s a huge if. You can’t just say trade away guys who have ntc’s. As I mentioned, Tampa currently has 4.45 in cap space. That’s based on 21 out of 23 roster spots. Depending on what you give up in trade, it’ll be really tight squeezing in Karlsson salary this year. They do have 3 UFA defensemen next year, but Karlsson extension will account for another 4 mil probably. What will Kucherov get? Paqiette currently has no contract, plus the others mentioned next year. So yeah, Karlsson probably can be squeezed in, but who are you losing as cap casualties plus those that go in trade? He’s really not a big need in Tampa
- junaka3

Good post. Can Tampa beat Washington next year with the existing line up? More important, other teams are quickly improving. Does Tampa go forward with the existing line up? If they fail, there will be changes next year. Saw one report that Yzerman knows he has to make it happen this year or he won't be there next year. I think that is crazy. But, everyone sees the window and how it might close.

Leetch definitely was a hell of a player, I was so pumped when Toronto got him I really thought that 03-04 Leafs team had the stuff to go all the way.

Sundin, Mogilny, Roberts, Francis, Nieuwendyk, Nolan(missed playoffs), Tucker, Leetch, McCabe, Kaberle etc.


I've hated Roenick ever since.
- Blazed

Leetch blew a tire in the neutral zone on that goal.

Rangers definitely not involved, not straying from their rebuild
- jimbro83

Rangers are wise to stay on sidelines.

I think there are only a few teams that can get into the discussion. Tampa owns the inside track. Edmonton will make a push and Karlsson will be intrigued with the idea of playing with McDavid. Nashville wants to move Subban. Ottawa would not take him. So, they will try a three way of moving Subban in one direction and acquiring Karlsson from another. (I don't think the Leafs would take Subban, too many young guys that can be led astray).

Las Vegas can probably do the best at satisfying Melnyk by offering immediate cash relief.

Rangers are wise to stay on sidelines.

I think there are only a few teams that can get into the discussion. Tampa owns the inside track. Edmonton will make a push and Karlsson will be intrigued with the idea of playing with McDavid. Nashville wants to move Subban. Ottawa would not take him. So, they will try a three way of moving Subban in one direction and acquiring Karlsson from another. (I don't think the Leafs would take Subban, too many young guys that can be led astray).

Las Vegas can probably do the best at satisfying Melnyk by offering immediate cash relief.
- spatso

rrright

rrright
- Not_Yan

Good summary of rumours on Nashville trading Subban, lots of smoke. I think there is a real fire there.

https://thehockeywriters....tors-subban-rumors-trade/

If Melnyk thinks it's expensive to keep Karlsson, just wait until he sees how expensive it is to send him away. The return has to be fair, or there's gonna be a whole lot more unflattering billboards up with his namesake on them .

If Melnyk thinks it's expensive to keep Karlsson, just wait until he sees how expensive it is to send him away. The return has to be fair, or there's gonna be a whole lot more unflattering billboards up with his namesake on them .
- sportsdataguy

Everything that is happening is all part of Melnyk having to exit the team. Can you imagine the reaction if Melnyk ever shows himself at an Ottawa game. He is doing what he is doing because it is financially convenient for him to do so.

This is what terrifies me.

Tampa with Karlsson is scary.

Tampa with Karlsson, having given up nothing of value makes me poop my pants.
- Atomic Wedgie

Then call up Dubas and get him to pony something up to increase what the Bolts would have to give up in value.

Good summary of rumours on Nashville trading Subban, lots of smoke. I think there is a real fire there.

https://thehockeywriters....tors-subban-rumors-trade/
- spatso

That was in May and debunked weeks ago. The rumors were just recycling something out of Montreal 2 years ago. Poile has been told by his players that they want to keep the lineup as it is.

But IF Toronto can get Subban, it would be (frank)ing amazing for the Leafs.

This x100.

If the Sens manage to trade EK right now (prior to the next season), which honestly is the best thing to do at this point considering all of this speculation and the fact that Ottawa has actually given other teams permission to talk with EK (signalling that EK is most likely on his way out), they can still get a solid piece to incorporate into their future plans, but it isn't going to cost other teams as much as some people think.

It would be foolish to even think that Ottawa can garner anything close to his actual value at this point.
- EdmHockeyMan

While this is true, I do think it's possible that return could be significant. All it takes is two GMs who decide they want him and the bidding would start to increase.

If another GM wants Karlsson badly enough then it the fact that Ottawa is known to be trading him becomes less relevant.

That was in May and debunked weeks ago. The rumors were just recycling something out of Montreal 2 years ago. Poile has been told by his players that they want to keep as it is.

But IF Toronto can get Subban, it would be (frank)ing amazing for the Leafs.
- Not_Yan

Subban is not a good option for the Leafs. Despite the different positives that people spin out of Nashville there is an underlying rumble about management being less than happy for exactly the same reasons as Montreal.

Subban is not a good option for the Leafs. Despite the different positives that people spin out of Nashville there is an underlying rumble about management being less than happy for exactly the same reasons as Montreal.
- spatso

Oh my, I'm convinced!

While this is true, I do think it's possible that return could be significant. All it takes is two GMs who decide they want him and the bidding would start to increase.

If another GM wants Karlsson badly enough then it the fact that Ottawa is known to be trading him becomes less relevant.
- david22

I think this is a lot like the Duchene trade between Ottawa, Colorado and Nashville. Hard deal for any one team to do on their own. So, it becomes more like an NBA type trade. One team is trying to win now, another is trying to improve to a next level and the other is laying a foundation for the future.

There are at least three teams that move up on the list as serious Stanley Cup challengers if they had Karlsson in their line up (Tampa, Nashville and my dark horse candidate Edmonton). There are even more teams that do not want to see Karlsson going to one of those teams.

The GMs know it will be decided fast. Nobody is going to waste time by putting up less than their best offer. It is for this reason I think that it is almost impossible for anyone to compete with Tampa. Yzerman has the kind of stable of signed entry level players that Dorion wants. I don't think Dorion opens the door for discussions with other teams unless he already knows and has been satisfied that the player he wants is available from a future deal.

On a lighter note, I was not a fan of the Ottawa pick at the draft. I was all in on Zadina. However, I was impressed by the reports on the prospect camp. Tkachuck was high energy and a force in all the scrimmages leading his team in winning the 3 on 3 competition.

More important, he is off the work out this summer with Gary Roberts to improve strength and speed. Tkachuck did not score high at the Buffalo camp in term of his overall fitness. Makes me nervous. But, some scouts really like this because they see this as an opportunity for significant improvement.

STL and SJ 1st Round Picks
Buffalo 2nd Round pick
McCabe
Nylander
Girgensons/Larsson

I assume this is not even close though.

STL and SJ 1st Round Picks
Buffalo 2nd Round pick
McCabe
Nylander
Girgensons/Larsson

I assume this is not even close though.
- ImThatGuy

Actually Karlsson might go to Buffalo. They are coming on fairly strong.

I think Dorion would target Mittlstadt, this would be really hard for Buffalo to do after dealing ROR.

Actually Karlsson might go to Buffalo. They are coming on fairly strong.

I think Dorion would target Mittlstadt, this would be really hard for Buffalo to do after dealing ROR.
- spatso

He is untouchable, IMO.

Eichel and Middlestadt. They have no other center prospects worth a damn.

Dahlin being mentored by Karlsson gets me excited in places!

He is untouchable, IMO.

Eichel and Middlestadt. They have no other center prospects worth a damn.

Dahlin being mentored by Karlsson gets me excited in places!
- ImThatGuy

I thought most of the guys coming over from St. Louis could play centre.

I will not support a Melnyk run organization any longer. Bettman better pay attention to the fan base here. We will definitely support a senators organization, but not one run by this train wreck of an owner. It’s time to lobby city council, mayor and NCC to cancel the downtown arena project until the ownership has changed hands. Right now, Melnyk is using the land deal as his ace in the hole to get a higher price for the Sens. Time to take away that advantage and put the screws to him.

This has been a rage-filled babbling so please forgive...lol

Honestly, I hate to see him go, but at this point I blame Karlsson. The team clearly is bending over backwards for him and he is simply being selfish about it.

We traded our best goal scorer for nothing just to get him out of town for Karlsson, then gave Karlsson an offer July 1st and it's not even reported if Karlsson even gave a counter offer. At this point trade him for as much as possible and next time we play against his ungrateful ass, send out a goon to take him out.

I never side with EM or PD but this is on Karlsson. There is something to be said about Leadership and Loyalty and Karlsson is showing he has neither.

I will not support a Melnyk run organization any longer. Bettman better pay attention to the fan base here. We will definitely support a senators organization, but not one run by this train wreck of an owner. It’s time to lobby city council, mayor and NCC to cancel the downtown arena project until the ownership has changed hands. Right now, Melnyk is using the land deal as his ace in the hole to get a higher price for the Sens. Time to take away that advantage and put the screws to him.

This has been a rage-filled babbling so please forgive...lol
- jaz258

I'm almost there with you, I'm just waiting to see what the return is.

Honestly, I hate to see him go, but at this point I blame Karlsson. The team clearly is bending over backwards for him and he is simply being selfish about it.

We traded our best goal scorer for nothing just to get him out of town for Karlsson, then gave Karlsson an offer July 1st. At this point trade him for as much as possible and next time we play against his ungrateful ass, send out a goon to take him out.

I never side with EM or PD but this is on Karlsson. There is something to be said about Leadership and Loyalty and Karlsson is showing he has neither.
- Maverick1818

Wow, you're ready to pounce on him this soon, w/o even knowing what was said or offered between EK and management? Wow.

Wow, you're ready to pounce on him this soon, w/o even knowing what was said or offered between EK and management? Wow.
- sportsdataguy

They were talking about it on Sportsnet yesterday, saying that the Sens made a very generous offer and apparently Karlsson didn't even give a counter offer and now it's reported that PD is letting Karlsson talk to other teams to try to get more value for him. Meaning the team knows he wont resign.

To me, loyalty is a big thing and Karlsson is showing that he doesn't have that.

At this point, even if he did resign in Ottawa. I think they should take away his "C", he's a great player but terrible leader.

can you even attempt to make your posts more unbiased.

Karlsson is world class - it would take Makar ++
- AlfieisKing

Im not being biased or homerish you simpleton. ITs called proper asset management and not screw yourself cap wise.

Look at things holistically for once. The sens are in a bad spot and they arent getting their own 1st round pick and one of the better D prospects in the NHL.

If you throw away all your high end prospects, you lose your chance to contend as if you are getting meaningful impact from guys on ELCs. If your roster is full of 2nd and 3rd contract guys...you will lack depth.

Keep up and read how I have explained that with Otts 1st and Barrie is the only thing that makes sense. If not Avs say see ya later. But no you are too dumb to follow along and are once again trying your hardest to paint a narrative that doesnt exist.

So do you admit your dishonesty?

Are you that ashamed of your past comments?
- Feeling Glucky?

What he's saying with his continued silence is,

"The Leafs were, are, and will continue to be in a far better situation than the Sens for the foreseeable future but I'm too petty and small to actually say or type the words so instead I'll just ignore people calling me out on all my years of stupidity and trolling and hide here in what I thought was my safe space."

It's quite evident that he's pretty embarrassed but he's also still shameless.