Mike Augello: Q & A, January 21st Edition, Leafs vs Senators

Oh hi

You never answered my question about the hair in the lasagna, whether you'd think Matthews would have been grossed out too.

How many shifts before Jake is being double shifted on the 1st pair and 2nd pair.

I see you replied to wingmanwilles comment.. which was the exact same thing i asked like 5 minutes prior but in a more thought out manner..

I see you replied to wingmanwilles comment.. which was the exact same thing i asked like 5 minutes prior but in a more thought out manner..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

It got answered...that's all that matters.

It got answered...that's all that matters.
- Garnie

BUT I PUT MY HAND UP FIRST!!!

I see you replied to wingmanwilles comment.. which was the exact same thing i asked like 5 minutes prior but in a more thought out manner..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

To hell with him man. You and me both know you're the one who got the ball rolling.

I love uncle Leo..

But let's face it, he's not important to this team.. Very easily replaced, and he seems to be less of a pest now..

To hell with him man. You and me both know you're the one who got the ball rolling.
- weirdoh

right?

maybe MIB thinks im too close to Lums (his arch nemesis) and theres some conspiracy at play..

or maybe, like other people employed by HB ignore 100% of everything i say

right?

maybe MIB thinks im too close to Lums (his arch nemesis) and theres some conspiracy at play..

or maybe, like other people employed by HB ignore 100% of everything i say
- Arctic_AARDVARK

TEAM LUMVARK REUNITED!!!!

food for thought:
I think depending on where they're sitting near TDL the Braintrust might want to ponder the following options as far as replacement D:
1. High risk: trade JVR for a high upside D (eg. Vaatenen) and hope the drop off in O is covered by an improved team D and that some of the scoring slack is picked up by another rookie.
2. Lower risk: trade 'high potential' FWD prospect (Marlie) for high potential D prospect (potentially a guy ready to make jump from some other team's minor league eg. Theodore) and hope that the new D is ready to jump in and help without risking a loss on current TML fwd ranks.
3. Low Risk: Trade a 'maybe' potential prospect FWD at the cost of a 'maybe' potential D and hope your instincts / scouting are correct that new guy can make jump sooner.
4. No Risk: ditch some depth at deadline (maybe someone still values the NHL cast-offs on the marlies as depth?) for a few late, late picks to give a few more longshot draft D options.

TEAM LUMVARK REUNITED!!!!
- lumlums

food for thought:
I think depending on where they're sitting near TDL the Braintrust might want to ponder the following options as far as replacement D:
1. High risk: trade JVR for a high upside D (eg. Vaatenen) and hope the drop off in O is covered by an improved team D and that some of the scoring slack is picked up by another rookie.
2. Lower risk: trade 'high potential' FWD prospect (Marlie) for high potential D prospect (potentially a guy ready to make jump from some other team's minor league eg. Theodore) and hope that the new D is ready to jump in and help without risking a loss on current TML fwd ranks.
3. Low Risk: Trade a 'maybe' potential prospect FWD at the cost of a 'maybe' potential D and hope your instincts / scouting are correct that new guy can make jump sooner.
4. No Risk: ditch some depth at deadline (maybe someone still values the NHL cast-offs on the marlies as depth?) for a few late, late picks to give a few more longshot draft D options.
- Morris_Wanchuk

I like option #2. Trade F prospects and picks for D prospects. Keep and resign JVR. Win Cup. Repeat.

One unique thing from a timing perspective is that this year in particular may make for a better than avg opportunity to actually scoop a young D from another team prior to the expansion draft. I think it's actually fortunate for a team that needs an infusion of younger (but not necessarily rookie) D men that there is an expansion draft this year - ideally they will be able to pay less to get good young D from someone that needs to move one out to avoid losing for nothing....unfortunate that they have to wait for end of season though.....

food for thought:
I think depending on where they're sitting near TDL the Braintrust might want to ponder the following options as far as replacement D:
1. High risk: trade JVR for a high upside D (eg. Vaatenen) and hope the drop off in O is covered by an improved team D and that some of the scoring slack is picked up by another rookie.
2. Lower risk: trade 'high potential' FWD prospect (Marlie) for high potential D prospect (potentially a guy ready to make jump from some other team's minor league eg. Theodore) and hope that the new D is ready to jump in and help without risking a loss on current TML fwd ranks.
3. Low Risk: Trade a 'maybe' potential prospect FWD at the cost of a 'maybe' potential D and hope your instincts / scouting are correct that new guy can make jump sooner.
4. No Risk: ditch some depth at deadline (maybe someone still values the NHL cast-offs on the marlies as depth?) for a few late, late picks to give a few more longshot draft D options.
- Morris_Wanchuk

Bracco? Kap??

Kinda B+ prospects imo.. Leafs don't have a deep prospect pool anymore.. people dont seem to understand this..

One unique thing from a timing perspective is that this year in particular may make for a better than avg opportunity to actually scoop a young D from another team prior to the expansion draft. I think it's actually fortunate for a team that needs an infusion of younger (but not necessarily rookie) D men that there is an expansion draft this year - ideally they will be able to pay less to get good young D from someone that needs to move one out to avoid losing for nothing....unfortunate that they have to wait for end of season though.....
- Morris_Wanchuk

Leafs can only move a roster player for a good young D..

They simply don't have the depth to deal prospects or picks right now..

(frank) the sens


Go leafs

Bracco? Kap??

Kinda B+ prospects imo.. Leafs don't have a deep prospect pool anymore.. people dont seem to understand this..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Well I'm not sure you are going to get guaranteed "A" prospects for seemingly "B+" or "maybe" prospects. It's a risk, but frankly some prospects are valued more when they are prospects based only on potential, but it works both ways, maybe some other teams "B+" D prospect turns into more than that just like maybe our B+ FWD prospect turns into more. If you trust your scouting - not something we could do until recently - then it's a calculated risk that you take...

Leafs can only move a roster player for a good young D..

They simply don't have the depth to deal prospects or picks right now..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Disagree.

I think they're strength is depth. Lack of high-end 'prospects' is what they don't have (in junior leagues, ahl).

I don't think we're in a position to waste picks/prospects on rentals. But we do have enough to make a trade without hurting our depth.

Well I'm not sure you are going to get guaranteed "A" prospects for seemingly "B+" or "maybe" prospects. It's a risk, but frankly some prospects are valued more when they are prospects based only on potential, but it works both ways, maybe some other teams "B+" D prospect turns into more than that just like maybe our B+ FWD prospect turns into more. If you trust your scouting - not something we could do until recently - then it's a calculated risk that you take...
- Morris_Wanchuk

Leafs can't trade what they don't have.. And it goes against everything they are trying to do right now.

Forget Matthews, Zaitsev and Marner, heres last years prospects who are legit NHLers now.. Nylander, Brown, Hyman, Soshnikov, Gauthier, Carrick..

The Marlies are depleted. The cupboards are already bare.. Their goal is obviously to restock them and continue the "detroit model" if you will... The Leafs of course trust their scouting because look what it did for them in the last 3 years lol.. So picks and prospects are out of the question... Plus we have a very juicy commodity in JVR whos value will never be higher..

Leafs can only move a roster player for a good young D..

They simply don't have the depth to deal prospects or picks right now..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Not necessarily, if the plan is to grow as a team and they identify some guy 21-22 that their scouts feel is undervalued by another team or is stuck behind a few other guys and that other team needs FWD skill maybe there is a deal in that scenario. We don't know for eg. what Kapenen will turn into or moreso some guy like Bracco. No one really does. You project out based on comparables but with D I find it's harder to know who can handle the bigger responsibility. If you think your scouts are better at spotting those guys than other teams, and they have a surplus of similar types you use that to your advantage.

Disagree.

I think they're strength is depth. Lack of high-end 'prospects' is what they don't have (in junior leagues, ahl).

I don't think we're in a position to waste picks/prospects on rentals. But we do have enough to make a trade without hurting our depth.
- Tumbleweed

I disagree 100%

Marlies suck... There needs to be a successful culture in the AHL in order to nurish up and coming players.. We'll see what happens but id be absolutley surprised if Lou moves any decent prospects (not korshkov or whoever) or a pick higher than a 3rd...

Not necessarily, if the plan is to grow as a team and they identify some guy 21-22 that their scouts feel is undervalued by another team or is stuck behind a few other guys and that other team needs FWD skill maybe there is a deal in that scenario. We don't know for eg. what Kapenen will turn into or moreso some guy like Bracco. No one really does. You project out based on comparables but with D I find it's harder to know who can handle the bigger responsibility. If you think your scouts are better at spotting those guys than other teams, and they have a surplus of similar types you use that to your advantage.
- Morris_Wanchuk

they did a great job of finding them, that why the Leafs have like 8 rookies playing right now lol... and they are still a good team.. and thats also why i think they value picks more than a team with lousy scouts..

Leafs can't trade what they don't have.. And it goes against everything they are trying to do right now.

- Arctic_AARDVARK

I'm not talking about throwing away picks, I was talking about taking a shot in 'like for like' trades using what they have on the Marlies. That's not a loss, its a wash unless one excels and the other fails. And it's exactly what they are trying to do now - grow as a young core into a powerhouse. They appear to have a gap in young D ready to compete now and grow with the top guys. That's where they should fill in a gap using what means they can. I'm ok with the JVR scenario but I was pointing out that they could also try to even out the prospect cupboard by swapping like for like aged FWDs for D