And the cost of finding the cap space to sign him in the short term. To me it comes to whether you can do it without moving one of the big four. I hate the idea of moving a skilled 22 year old for a skilled 30 year old. I know how big the skill and the positional need is but I still don’t like it.

If that’s the cost, and we’re still tight throughout the lineup, I’d rather trade for or sign a very good, less expensive guy instead. Somebody at $5 or so million. Maybe you can do a Freddy trade. Or maybe you can do a Willie trade for somebody good and young and of expensive.
- Canada Cup

Ya, if anything what 'history' seems to show is that a big anchor on D is important to have but he's got to be in that 24-30 age range. Hedmen this year, AP last year, Carlsson, Letang, Keith, Chara and Doughty.

The last 30+ anchor dman to lead his team to a Cup was Lidstrom and he's just a little bit of a tough comparison unless your name is Orr.

But, again if you think your window is NOW then - (frank) - you probably, maybe, sort of, ..... do it.

But we know it isn't a slam dunk.

Signing Pietro is a risk. But it fills a massive hole and gives us a chance in the next three years to make a run.

I could take or leave Pietrangelo. But I want the leafs to acquire a significant upgrade on D, and the idea of getting that upgrade without giving up assets is enticing.
- Leafs43

I’m pretty sure he’s going to have to leave money on the table to play here. I don’t think that’s going to happen. The scenario seems very different than JT who seemed reluctant to leave NYI. I get the impression that Pietrangelo does want to test the waters or even if he initially wanted to stay now that it didn’t work out, he’ll see what he can get.

I can see Toronto “getting points” for being home and all that but it won’t be the deciding factor.

Ya, if anything what 'history' seems to show is that a big anchor on D is important to have but he's got to be in that 24-30 age range. Hedmen this year, AP last year, Carlsson, Letang, Keith, Chara and Doughty.

The last 30+ anchor dman to lead his team to a Cup was Lidstrom and he's just a little bit of a tough comparison unless your name is Orr.

But, again if you think your window is NOW then - (frank) - you probably, maybe, sort of, ..... do it.
- The Law

Chara was 33 when he lead the charge to the Cup. He lead them back to the Cup when he was 35.

Scott talking about the Kessel fight.
Interesting

https://youtu.be/lx0UgoN48BQ

Chara was 33 when he lead the charge to the Cup. He lead them back to the Cup when he was 35.
- mjones242

Chara/Nieds/Pronger/Lidstrom are/were freaks of nature.

Chara/Nieds/Pronger/Weber/Lidstrom are/were freaks of nature.
- AdamFrench

Fixed.

Ya, if anything what 'history' seems to show is that a big anchor on D is important to have but he's got to be in that 24-30 age range. Hedmen this year, AP last year, Carlsson, Letang, Keith, Chara and Doughty.

The last 30+ anchor dman to lead his team to a Cup was Lidstrom and he's just a little bit of a tough comparison unless your name is Orr.

But, again if you think your window is NOW then - (frank) - you probably, maybe, sort of, ..... do it.
- The Law

IF you decide that’s the best way to go for it. If you have to decimate you lineup, and put yourself in a bind going forward, maybe there are better ways.

Again, maybe you can get a defencemen that give Rielly a good partner for a lot less that gives them way more options throughout the lineup.

Chara/Nieds/Pronger/Lidstrom are/were freaks of nature.
- AdamFrench

The best comparable I can think of would be Ryan Suter who, decidedly, isn't a "freak of nature" and his play hasn't declined one bit at 35.

Pietrangelo is better than Suter and he's only 30. Why are we so concerned about a possible decline? We can argue whether he's comparable to the list you gave but the point should be taken: elite D who play big minutes don't necessarily decline until their late 30s.

He's a total stud and has lead his team to a Cup. No reason he couldn't do it again.

Chara/Nieds/Pronger/Lidstrom are/were freaks of nature.
- AdamFrench

if we sign Pietrangelo and then sign Schenn as a UFA, we would have 2 of the top 5 picks from the 2008 NHL draft.

Fixed.
- Scabeh

I can think of one thing Weber doesn't have that those others do.

I can think of one thing Weber doesn't have that those others do.
- mjones242

A future in this league?

I can think of one thing Weber doesn't have that those others do.
- mjones242

A Cup

Chara was 33 when he lead the charge to the Cup. He lead them back to the Cup when he was 35.
- mjones242

Corrected, thanks. So Chara and Lidstrom at 37/38.

Were it me here's what I'd be asking myself ...

Can Rielly evolve into the 25-30 yr old defensive anchor that leads the team to a Cup? If so maybe it's best to add the pieces around him ..the strong supporting cast.

If not then can they find one via trade? Not looking good.

If neither is an options then you've atleast got to look to AP ...can he be elite for another handful of years?

A Habs jersey?
- PatC80

Turns out we can name many things.

EDIT: YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO CHANGE YOUR ANSWER! SORRY!

Chara/Nieds/Pronger/Lidstrom are/were freaks of nature.
- AdamFrench

and Marincin is only 28, so lots of time

Corrected, thanks. So Chara and Lidstrom at 37/38.

Were it me here's what I'd be asking myself ...

Can Rielly evolve into the 25-30 yr old defensive anchor that leads the team to a Cup? If so maybe it's best to add the pieces around him ..the strong supporting cast.

If not then can they find one via trade? Not looking good.

If neither is an options then you've atleast got to look to AP ...can he be elite for another handful of years?
- The Law

It depends... Do people see Rielly as a legit #1D or as maybe, at best, a #2 defenseman?

Well since Marner and Nylander are both way overpaid and good trade material on this thread, what would you expect to get in return for each player? Not a package , just a one for one deal.

Turns out we can name many things.

EDIT: YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO CHANGE YOUR ANSWER! SORRY!
- Scabeh

too late.. You're too quick

Scott talking about the Kessel fight.
Interesting

https://youtu.be/lx0UgoN48BQ
- Fakepartofme

Love these videos! Would love to have a beer with Scott -- seems like a genuinely great guy.

Well since Marner and Nylander are both way overpaid and good trade material on this thread, what would you expect to get in return for each player? Not a package , just a one for one deal.
- Leafsmart

Marner for Seth Jones
Nylander for Pesce

too late.. You're too quick
- PatC80

My girlfriend agrees.

The best comparable I can think of would be Ryan Suter who, decidedly, isn't a "freak of nature" and his play hasn't declined one bit at 35.

Pietrangelo is better than Suter and he's only 30. Why are we so concerned about a possible decline? We can argue whether he's comparable to the list you gave but the point should be taken: elite D who play big minutes don't necessarily decline until their late 30s.

He's a total stud and has lead his team to a Cup. No reason he couldn't do it again.
- mjones242

My girlfriend agrees.

- Scabeh

yeah, I know

Corrected, thanks. So Chara and Lidstrom at 37/38.

Were it me here's what I'd be asking myself ...

Can Rielly evolve into the 25-30 yr old defensive anchor that leads the team to a Cup? If so maybe it's best to add the pieces around him ..the strong supporting cast.

If not then can they find one via trade? Not looking good.

If neither is an options then you've atleast got to look to AP ...can he be elite for another handful of years?
- The Law

I think the answer has to be yes.

Having said that, the moment the Leafs sign him:

a) he's no longer elite (at the very least, perceived by every non-Leafs fan)

b) he'll likely suffer an, if not a career then season ending, injury right out of the gate.

The Leafy script really does write itself.

- bixll

If the Leafs get 4 really good years and win the Cup with Pietrangelo, do you really care about the last 3 years of the contract?