It may be a pipe dream but I think the primary option is looking for a good young RHD on a good contract. Will it cost Kapanen, +, Nylander ...or Marner.

I'm sure Dubas has been looking for this same thing for his entire 2 years of GM'ing. Not easy to find. Gotta look at teams that have depth on D, need some scoring, and can make the Cap work.

Pesce? Klingberg? Severson? Savard? Manson?
- The Law

It's why signing Pietrangelo would be such a steal. Just like signing Tavares was. You're giving up no assets. Just cap space. It's not very often a bonafide #1 defenseman hits UFA. Leafs should be all over Petro like Roeper on pornhub.

I don't see it ..maybe, but I think at his age he's looking to max out his final prime negotiating status. 7 or 8 years at 9+ milly.
- The Law

I've come to the conclusion that it's folly to predict any contracts for the upcoming offseason.

It will be very interesting to watch college football (if it happens) and the NFL.

If the NFL shuts down, or at least has great difficulties, can you really imagine a 2020-21 NHL season? What does it look like? Bubble for 6 weeks, 2 weeks off, bubble for 6 weeks, 2 weeks off?

I'm going to hold off on making any predictions until at least October 1st.

What teams have won a star for a package trade?
- Santo_44

If I can modify the question to "aging star', the answer is "every team who has ever make that trade with the Leafs."

It's why signing Pietrangelo would be such a steal. Just like signing Tavares was. You're giving up no assets. Just cap space. It's not very often a bonafide #1 defenseman hits UFA. Leafs should be all over Petro like Roeper on pornhub.
- gergeswillems

Exactly.

"But what about your cap hit?"

Trade those assets.

2 + 1 - 1 + 0.5 > 2

If you look at the numbers, he's very tradeable for 2020-21, after his bonus has been paid. $7M average per year in actual dollars paid.

For 2021-22, after his bonus is paid, he's ridiculously cheap. $6.2M average per year in actual dollars paid.
- Atomic Wedgie

I think a lot of fans don't realize how many teams operate on a budget.

Exactly.

"But what about your cap hit?"

Trade those assets.

2 + 1 - 1 + 0.5 > 2
- Atomic Wedgie

I guess when you put it that way Marner makes the most sense to be traded to fit Pietrangelo in.

I guess when you put it that way Marner makes the most sense to be traded to fit Pietrangelo in.
- gergeswillems

He does.

Which is unfortunate. But this team would look much better if you add Pietrangelo and subtract Marner.

You can then use some of the assets from a Marner deal to get a defense partner for Muzzin.

Team would certainly be more balanced.

If they can get Petro

NSH is desperate for elite forward talent.

Marner, AJ

Ardvidson, Bonino, 11th overall, 42nd overall

Aj and Bonino need to be added to make the cap work for NSH so they can resign their depth.

Hyman-AM-Nylander
Mikheyev-JT-Ardvidson
Robertson-Bonino-Kap
Kerfoot-Spezza-Barabanov


Poille is a bold GM too.
- Santo_44

Yes, I like that idea. My biggest deal is having more balance throughout the lineup. As in, less 10 million guys... More 4-5 million guys. I'm all about Pietro but not so much if it means more voids at the bottom of the lineup.

Another option I see the Leafs doing to get more cap space is a 1A/1B scenario

You can probably sign Crawford to a 2 year 4 million deal. Or even go cheaper with Talbot or Griess.

saving 1-2 million in cap at G would help adding the the D.

Another option I see the Leafs doing to get more cap space is a 1A/1B scenario

You can probably sign Crawford to a 2 year 4 million deal. Or even go cheaper with Talbot or Griess.

saving 1-2 million in cap at G would help adding the the D.
- Santo_44

Do you really want to roll the dice with Crawford's injury history?

Did we fire Dubas yet?

Yes, I like that idea. My biggest deal is having more balance throughout the lineup. As in, less 10 million guys... More 4-5 million guys. I'm all about Pietro but not so much if it means more voids at the bottom of the lineup.
- joel878

If the Leafs sign Petro they will have to find a good deal with Marner.

The Leafs are going to lose said deal....but worth it if Petro signed long term.

Did we fire Dubas yet?
- Hockey_Reverend

Yep. Roger Roeper is Leafs new GM.

Do you really want to roll the dice with Crawford's injury history?
- gergeswillems

I am starting to question if its worth paying any goalie to be a starter....By the time playoffs start it seems like any goalie can get hot or cold.

Being healthy enough for playoffs is all that matters.

Reimer, Mrazek, Korpisalo, Smith, Halak. 8 years ago these goalies would be considered backups and would never see the ice in a playoff game
.

I've come to the conclusion that it's folly to predict any contracts for the upcoming offseason.

It will be very interesting to watch college football (if it happens) and the NFL.

If the NFL shuts down, or at least has great difficulties, can you really imagine a 2020-21 NHL season? What does it look like? Bubble for 6 weeks, 2 weeks off, bubble for 6 weeks, 2 weeks off?

I'm going to hold off on making any predictions until at least October 1st.
- Atomic Wedgie

Have 4 bubbles?
3 of 8 teams, 1 of 7 teams. They play eachother for a few weeks/month. Then mix up the bubbles for another month. Take a week off in between in no cases come up after change. Each team rotates the bubbles?
Dunno.

apart from being young and woke, what has dubas done to get another chance as the GM after 2 years of (frank)-ups?

didn't address the d.
took him ages to get a reliable backup goalie after trading the one that was actually really good.]
thinks ceci is good.
overvalues 3rd/4th liners by paying them as 2nd liners.
- MaximusAurelius

I'm not going to jump into the whole "woke" debate... I don't understand and don't particularly want to. I will say.. I don't really care if the GM is young or the GM is old...
what I care about is if they appear to have a plan and how they react when sh_t doesn't go exactly as planned.


Its pretty clear Dubas has a plan, its also VERY clear that the plan("philosophy") has flaws... and it isn't just execution.

small, quick, puck possession - pressure the puck

I get the intent... but whether you blame Dubas for the contracts or you don't, whether you blame for the 1st rounder to get rid of Marleau - or you don't... he owns the roster construction.

1) he took FAR too long to address the back-up goalie situation - that he created -1
2) he traded a value player (Kadri) for two experiments - and rewarded one the experiments with about a 1M$ greater contract than he deserves - the 2nd experiment was intended to shore-up the defense. On paper, probably on spreadsheet a good gamble to take - but one you'd have to classify as an abject failure at this point. Barrie didn't really contribute anything to the powerplay at all (yes he was given plenty of opportunity after Babcock's departure) and Barrie's play in his own zone, was ... crap (I'm being polite). He's a defenseman who has no idea how to defend. I'm throwing up in my mouth a bit.. he makes Gardiner look like a Norris candidate. Even the Dubas-lovers would have to admit that the "analysis" that was done ahead of acquiring Barrie was not exactly great. -1.5
3) he(Dubas) resigned Martin Marincin. Let that sink in... we all screamed at Babcock for playing the guy... and why (if anyone can explain it) would he sign him ahead of time? was there going to be rush of offers for him?

4) the whole Zaitsev to Ottawa - Ceci to Toronto thing. From my observations of this season, Ceci's a borderline but only slightly better version of Marincin. They are both biggish guys who get bounced around regularly by much smaller players. And each one guarantees a complete brain-fart or two EACH game they play. Acquiring Ceci was a fail, signing to 4.5 was a fail -1.5
We gave a really useful utility player Connor Brown who can play up and down the lineup to get of Zaitsev's contract - and then still had to take Ceci in return.
major fail
5) acquires Calle Rosen.... why? getting someone like Scandella for a 4th round pick wouldn't have fit the philosophy I guess..
6) Malgin for Marchment? why? oh yeah... I forgot Marchment was too tall.
7) Campell and Clifford for Trevor Moore and 2x 3rd round pick - good move, addressed some needs in the line-up - got some value for a borderline NHLer little guy. +1 But remind me why does a Dubas need Clifford? - I'm not thinking he fits the philosophy

you can blame LouLams if you like, but Lou didn't construct the Leafs D.. that's on Dubas all day long. What's the Leafs biggest achilles heel?

you can try and blame LouLams for the forwards, but that's on Dubas as well. He's built roster around 4 salaries... and what he's fill the roster out will look largely the same... largely small guys who were/are easily separated from the puck, aren't robust in their own zone and who disappear largely when the playoff intensity picks up. Tell me again why the fourth line was largely effective against Columbus?

stop defending Dubas. He should not be fired - yet. He MUST start making adjustments that reflect that his "philosophy" is flawed.

I am starting to question if its worth paying any goalie to be a starter....By the time playoffs start it seems like any goalie can get hot or cold.

Being healthy enough for playoffs is all that matters.
- Santo_44

I don't like paying a goalie over 6 million. Florida is screwed with Bob. Freddy will want a big payday and I can't see Dubas keeping him. Lehner is a UFA but he'll want to cash in so you wouldn't be saving much cap space with him.

Do you give Campbell a shot at being the #1 guy? Trade for Murray or Jarry? Lots of goalie options. That's for sure. Holtby will want a Bob deal. No thanks.

If the Leafs sign Petro they will have to find a good deal with Marner.

The Leafs are going to lose said deal....but worth it if Petro signed long term.
- Santo_44

I like Pietro...but at 30 I'd be very cautious at signing him long term for large amounts of money.
If he gets injured, we are back to where we are now...sans willie or Marner.
Maybe take the 9-10 million and get a quality 4-5 million D and find a quality 3-4 million D to fill out the top 4 with Reilly and Muzz.
that drops Dermott and whoever down to 3rd pairing where they should be. If one the new or current top 4 D gets injure, you can move up dermott for a bit.

lol ...I can live with that.

I'd be shocked to see MM traded. I still think he's got the makeup to be elite for a bunch of years plus I think his contract is tough to move - it would have to be a perfect storm.
- The Law

I agree. He is just too soft of a player. Play the body in the playoffs. Different game, they have to understand this. Blood, sweat and tears.

I feel he owes the Leafs about 4 mill

Have 4 bubbles?
3 of 8 teams, 1 of 7 teams. They play eachother for a few weeks/month. Then mix up the bubbles for another month. Take a week off in between in no cases come up after change. Each team rotates the bubbles?
Dunno.
- Fakepartofme

some hybrid of this.. .there's what 6 divisions - so go 6 hubs.. play everyone in your division for a month, then cross over within conference - east and west remain wholly separate

I'm not going to jump into the whole "woke" debate... I don't understand and don't particularly want to. I will say.. I don't really care if the GM is young or the GM is old...
what I care about is if they appear to have a plan and how they react when sh_t doesn't go exactly as planned.


Its pretty clear Dubas has a plan, its also VERY clear that the plan("philosophy") has flaws... and it isn't just execution.

small, quick, puck possession - pressure the puck

I get the intent... but whether you blame Dubas for the contracts or you don't, whether you blame for the 1st rounder to get rid of Marleau - or you don't... he owns the roster construction.

1) he took FAR too long to address the back-up goalie situation - that he created -1
2) he traded a value player (Kadri) for two experiments - and rewarded one the experiments with about a 1M$ greater contract than he deserves - the 2nd experiment was intended to shore-up the defense. On paper, probably on spreadsheet a good gamble to take - but one you'd have to classify as an abject failure at this point. Barrie didn't really contribute anything to the powerplay at all (yes he was given plenty of opportunity after Babcock's departure) and Barrie's play in his own zone, was ... crap (I'm being polite). He's a defenseman who has no idea how to defend. I'm throwing up in my mouth a bit.. he makes Gardiner look like a Norris candidate. Even the Dubas-lovers would have to admit that the "analysis" that was done ahead of acquiring Barrie was not exactly great. -1.5
3) he(Dubas) resigned Martin Marincin. Let that sink in... we all screamed at Babcock for playing the guy... and why (if anyone can explain it) would he sign him ahead of time? was there going to be rush of offers for him?

4) the whole Zaitsev to Ottawa - Ceci to Toronto thing. From my observations of this season, Ceci's a borderline but only slightly better version of Marincin. They are both biggish guys who get bounced around regularly by much smaller players. And each one guarantees a complete brain-fart or two EACH game they play. Acquiring Ceci was a fail, signing to 4.5 was a fail -1.5
We gave a really useful utility player Connor Brown who can play up and down the lineup to get of Zaitsev's contract - and then still had to take Ceci in return.
major fail
5) acquires Calle Rosen.... why? getting someone like Scandella for a 4th round pick wouldn't have fit the philosophy I guess..
6) Malgin for Marchment? why? oh yeah... I forgot Marchment was too tall.
7) Campell and Clifford for Trevor Moore and 2x 3rd round pick - good move, addressed some needs in the line-up - got some value for a borderline NHLer little guy. +1 But remind me why does a Dubas need Clifford? - I'm not thinking he fits the philosophy

you can blame LouLams if you like, but Lou didn't construct the Leafs D.. that's on Dubas all day long. What's the Leafs biggest achilles heel?

you can try and blame LouLams for the forwards, but that's on Dubas as well. He's built roster around 4 salaries... and what he's fill the roster out will look largely the same... largely small guys who were/are easily separated from the puck, aren't robust in their own zone and who disappear largely when the playoff intensity picks up. Tell me again why the fourth line was largely effective against Columbus?

stop defending Dubas. He should not be fired - yet. He MUST start making adjustments that reflect that his "philosophy" is flawed.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Agreed, its time for a new direction or change in his current plan.
You cant have 40 million in 4 forwards, then have 3- 4 cheap NHL'ers and the rest AHL or borderline NHL fillers. Maybe 2 fillers max.

He does.

Which is unfortunate. But this team would look much better if you add Pietrangelo and subtract Marner.

You can then use some of the assets from a Marner deal to get a defense partner for Muzzin.

Team would certainly be more balanced.
- Leafs43

I worry we might look better for a year. Pietro is 8 years older than Marner.

If the Leafs sign Petro they will have to find a good deal with Marner.

The Leafs are going to lose said deal....but worth it if Petro signed long term.
- Santo_44

If Pietro can be signed at a reasonable number... I'm in. I don't see it. Just opinion of course but I see Pietro raking 10 mil on the open market. Doughty and Karlsson are going to be comparables, he's going to flout that they took their money without even touching the market... And he's gonna have more than one team wanting to back the truck up.

That doesn't work for me. Because we will still be left with 40+ million between 4 players. That kind of lineup structure is one we need to get away from... In my opinion.

At that point, I'd rather trade Marner for a replacement winger at 5ish, a top 4 RHD at 4ish...and some picks and prospects or whatever. It's just better use of cap.

i will never understand fans female doging about a 7th or 8th D who makes 700k

Agreed, its time for a new direction or change in his current plan.
You cant have 40 million in 4 forwards, then have 3- 4 cheap NHL'ers and the rest AHL or borderline NHL fillers. Maybe 2 fillers max.
- Fakepartofme

You should have cheap NHL players on the 4th line though.

Jason Spezza-700K GP58 G9 A16 PTS25
Patrick Marleau-6.25M GP66 G11 A11 PTS22 (If he stayed on the Leafs)