He said put down the crack pipe, not take another puff and then follow up with some ecstasy. Jeez!





Although I agree Matthews probably wouldn't be worth both Ekblad and Barkov. As a Leafs fan though, I'd be pretty torn if we made a trade like that.
- Thecakeisalie

That's an easy trade. Barkov is a very good two-way center (78 points too) and Ekblad is a 1st overall RHD, with huge size, two-way ability, scored 10-15 goals every year he's played. It'd be a no-brainer. Adam French would explode just for Barkov alone.

Matthews for Ekblad, that's more debatable but considering the Leafs have Tavares, they could afford to make that deal too especially if one day Matthews wants to test the UFA market and you know you have to move him.

Whatever the situation is, if the Leafs can get a top pairing D for Nylander, they'd be stupid not to do it. You can't compete in the NHL playoffs without defense, especially now that Tampa Bay has a stacked blueline and the Leafs #1 D might not even crack their top-four.
- Unholy_Goalie

My comment was more geared towards explaining why Tampa might be getting Karlsson without giving up the moon. Sens are just in a terrible position.

If you could actually get a legitimate, fairly young #1 dman for Nylander and picks, sure go for it. I also agree with the previous poster that it's likely wishful thinking unless there's another Karlsson who with 1 year left til FA won't sign an extension with his team and says he's only going to sign an extension in Toronto. Then we might be able to make it happen...

That's an easy trade. Barkov is a very good two-way center (78 points too) and Ekblad is a 1st overall RHD, with huge size, two-way ability, scored 10-15 goals every year he's played. It'd be a no-brainer. Adam French would explode just for Barkov alone.

Matthews for Ekblad, that's more debatable but considering the Leafs have Tavares, they could afford to make that deal too especially if one day Matthews wants to test the UFA market and you know you have to move him.
- Unholy_Goalie

Sure, I suppose logically it makes sense. I meant I'd be torn more because I'm emotionally invested in Matthews as a Leaf, not because I actually would dislike the deal.

My comment was more geared towards explaining why Tampa might be getting Karlsson without giving up the moon. Sens are just in a terrible position.

If you could actually get a legitimate, fairly young #1 dman for Nylander and picks, sure go for it. I also agree with the previous poster that it's likely wishful thinking unless there's another Karlsson who with 1 year left til FA won't sign an extension with his team and says he's only going to sign an extension in Toronto. Then we might be able to make it happen...
- Thecakeisalie

Pietrangelo has 2 years left on his deal. If St. Louis can't sign him, he could become available. And Nylander plus a little more could get you him.

Sure, I suppose logically it makes sense. I meant I'd be torn more because I'm emotionally invested in Matthews as a Leaf, not because I actually would dislike the deal.
- Thecakeisalie

Team comes first. If the team gets better, favorite players don't matter, especially if it wins you a Cup.

Right. Matthews is worth McDavid + Crosby to the exponent Gretzky.
- Unholy_Goalie

Only if Edmonton retains some of that cap hit.

Pietrangelo has 2 years left on his deal. If St. Louis can't sign him, he could become available. And Nylander plus a little more could get you him.
- Unholy_Goalie

Maybe if he hits his last year and won't resign. Not sure why he wouldn't though. They just addressed a big need by adding two decent centers. They're a pretty good team. Maybe if he thinks they aren't good enough for a cup and won't get good enough, but unlike with Tavares, his team is at least competitive and generally makes the playoffs. Missed by 1 point last year, as opposed to the Isles who missed by 16.

Only if Edmonton retains some of that cap hit.




- Steven_Seagull

(frank)in right. Overpaid bum.

Hey bird. Apparently the Leafs signed John Tavares!

Maybe if he hits his last year and won't resign. Not sure why he wouldn't though. They just addressed a big need by adding two decent centers. They're a pretty good team. Maybe if he thinks they aren't good enough for a cup and won't get good enough, but unlike with Tavares, his team is at least competitive and generally makes the playoffs. Missed by 1 point last year, as opposed to the Isles who missed by 16.
- Thecakeisalie

Because he's from Tarana and had a Leafs bed spread when he was 10.

Why does it have to be Nylander? If you really want a true elite D that means Marner has to go. No one's gonna trade a true 1D for Nylander. You gotta give to get. If you really want balance on the team that's the risky call that has to be made. Thinking Nylander gets it done is some wishful thinking Leafs goggles tunnel vision.
- Zezel

Agree. .tho marner isn't going anywhere! ..Nylander could be part of a package for a number 1 (which don't get traded )..well Webb . Subang..Karlsson. .and Jones ..but Nylander could be possibly traded for a number 2 righty?... .a team with depth. .Carolina (not Faulk) ..Anaheim. .Manson? ..Anaheim by the way apparently was interested in brown. .Montour? ..another route could be getting a righty that projects to be a top 4. .Anaheims Larsson. .Carolinas McKeown? ..fox?..San Jose.. Roy?..so Tampa getting Karlsson is a great move ..but depending on the return? ..Sergey. .point? ..and the pieces going to the Rangers?it could be a subtraction?..if God forbid Karlssons health is ..it could go sideways quick!

Barkov and Ekblad for Matthews would be robbery. It's debatable Matthews is even worth Ekblad.
- Unholy_Goalie

...Florida would have to add ..robbie earl

Because he's from Tarana and had a Leafs bed spread when he was 10.
- Unholy_Goalie

If only MLSE had been manufacturing and selling those in Europe (specifically sweden) a decade or two ago. We could've gotten Karlsson.

- MR.Hunter

It's debatable but Ekblad is 6'4, 218, RHD, plays PK, plays PP, scores goals from the blueline, plays 20+ min a night, 1st overall, OHL exceptional player, total stud defender.

Considering the Leafs have Tavares, Nylander, Marner and Kadri who can all play center, I wouldn't be that upset if they traded Matthews for Ekblad.

It's debatable but Ekblad is 6'4, 218, RHD, plays PK, plays PP, scores goals from the blueline, plays 20+ min a night, 1st overall, OHL exceptional player, total stud defender.

Considering the Leafs have Tavares, Nylander, Marner and Kadri who can all play center, I wouldn't be that upset if they traded Matthews for Ekblad.
- Unholy_Goalie

Delete your account.

Delete your account.
- Steven_Seagull

Delete your......wait a minute, wait a minute! Are you telling me UG is that Alfie guy from the Sens thread all along?!!



But seriously, Ekblad is a pretty damn good player too. Matthews is awesome and I'm attached to him cause he's a Leaf, but it's not like he's suggesting trading him for Faulk. Ekblad, like Matthews, is a phenomenal, franchise player.

Delete your......wait a minute, wait a minute! Are you telling me UG is that Alfie guy from the Sens thread all along?!!



But seriously, Ekblad is a pretty damn good player too. Matthews is awesome and I'm attached to him cause he's a Leaf, but it's not like he's suggesting trading him for Faulk. Ekblad, like Matthews, is a phenomenal, franchise player.
- Thecakeisalie

Matthews had almost as many goals as Ekblad had in points this year, despite missing 20 games...

A PPG, 40+ goal scoring, elite defensively centre for a d-man who has never reached 40 points? Hall for Larsson 2.0. Pass.

Matthews had almost as many goals as Ekblad had in points this year, despite missing 20 games...

A PPG, 40+ goal scoring, elite defensively centre for a d-man who has never reached 40 points? Hall for Larsson 2.0. Pass.
- Steven_Seagull

Elite defensive center with a grand total of 1 minute and 33 seconds of total PK time all year. Riiiight.

The Larsson comparison is the real laugher though. Comparing Ekblad, who had 16 goals last year, to Larsson who has 17 career goals. Riiiight.

After their first 4 seasons, Ekblad had more goals than Doughty. Playing in Florida has made him fairly underappreciated by most people.

Elite defensive center with a grand total of 1 minute and 33 seconds of PK time all year. Riiiight.

The Larsson comparison is the real laugher though. Comparing Ekblad, who had 16 goals last year, to Larsson who has 17 career goals. Riiiight.


- Unholy_Goalie

Yep, Matthews sucks and Ekblad is the best d-man in the league.

Yep, Matthews sucks and Ekblad is the best d-man in the league.
- Steven_Seagull

After their first 4 seasons, Ekblad had more goals than Doughty. Playing in Florida has made him fairly underappreciated by most people.

Never said that but if you're going to call Matthews an elite defensive center, there might have to be some facts that go with that. He's pretty good defensively and can steal the puck pretty well but let's not go crazy just because he plays for the Leafs.

After their first 4 seasons, Ekblad had more goals than Doughty. Playing in Florida has made him fairly underappreciated by most people.


- Unholy_Goalie

Right, so Matthews sucks and Ekblad is better than Doughty. Gotcha.

Yep, Matthews sucks and Ekblad is the best d-man in the league.
- Steven_Seagull

Why get sucked into an argument with Eugene? You know hes making hot takes to get someone riled up.

Why get sucked into an argument with Eugene? You know hes making hot takes to get someone riled up.
- Aaron_85

Because Matthews is bae and he’s being mean.

Because Matthews is bae and he’s being mean.
- Steven_Seagull

Can't we all just agree Matthews and Ekblad are both great players any team would be lucky to have?

I think this whole thing started due to some weird proposal of Matthews for Barkov and Ekblad that UG laughed at. I mean, as great as Matthews is, that would still probably be an over-payment by Florida. As awesome as Matthews is, those others are also great young players.

Can't we all just agree Matthews and Ekblad are both great players any team would be lucky to have?

I think this whole thing started due to some weird proposal of Matthews for Barkov and Ekblad that UG laughed at. I mean, as great as Matthews is, that would still probably be an over-payment by Florida. As awesome as Matthews is, those others are also great young players.
- Thecakeisalie

Because Matthews is bae and he’s being mean.
- Steven_Seagull

Bias confirmed.