I hope Leafs management is taking a good look at Montreal.

Montreal has managed to put together a nice roster while rebuilding the past few years.
- RedRevenge

I don't think anyone is jealous of that roster to be honest. They wouldn't have even qualified for the playoffs in a regular 82-game season.

Trading Robertson when we are in a cap crunch is just plain dumb. He is the one prospect we have on an ELC that might have the chance to play in our top 6 in the next couple of years.
- jribout

Yup.

Robertson, Sandin, and Liljegren are all necessary pieces at this point if we're totally committed to running with the Core 4 philosophy.

Yup.

Robertson, Sandin, and Liljegren are all necessary pieces at this point if we're totally committed to running with the Core 4 philosophy.
- mjones242

I think in any philosophy, good players on ELCs are nice to have

I would give both Sandin and Liljegren 50+ games and then make a decision from there to maybe bring in an experienced low-price D-Man at the TDL.

No need to swing for the fences at the deadline, just bring in pieces to compliment the team
- PatC80

I definitely like this sports psychology strategy!

"You guys are great!"

"Don't worry about the past - this is the Leafs year!"

"Auston, that 'stache is glorious. You go show that team what it's made of!"

"Jack, you're good enough, smart enough, and gosh darnit, people like you!"

"Mitch score some (frank)ing goals relax and let those apples come!"

I think in any philosophy, good players on ELCs are nice to have
- Canada Cup

Agreed. And it's especially necessary when you've backed up the Brink's trucks into 4 mammoth contracts.

Agreed. And it's especially necessary when you've backed up the Brink's trucks into 4 mammoth contracts.
- mjones242

I really don't think it's fair to include Nylander in the Mammoth contract conversation.

Marner/Matthews/Tavares are all fair game.

I really don't think it's fair to include Nylander in the Mammoth contract conversation.

Marner/Matthews/Tavares are all fair game.
- Leafs43

You're totally correct. I should have referred to the Core 4 as mammoth in totality.

Nylander has one of the best value contracts in the league which I think the Leafs would be insane to trade at this point. Is he a super attractive (double-entendre intended) player for other teams? Yup. But he has precisely the type of contract the Leafs need more of.

I don't think anyone is jealous of that roster to be honest. They wouldn't have even qualified for the playoffs in a regular 82-game season.
- gravyface

have to give them credit

Price still has it

have to give them credit

Price still has it
- senstroll

I miss when Price was apparently washed up.

I think they buy a nice young winger for the top 6. Amirov/Robertson plus a 1st.

Then use Rielly to recoup some assets and hopefully sign a cheaper D. Maybe Gologoski.
- Santo_44

So why can't the Leafs try Nick Robertson at his entry level contract as that 'nice young winger' to play on the 2nd line at least to start the season? Hard pass on trading away a young, cost controlled player in Robertson who (as someone else pointed out) may very well be capable of playing a top 6 role here.

If he needs to bump down to the 3rd line ok, time to then see what you have in players that can perhaps bump up to play the wing on line 2 or make a move.

I just don't understand the need to trade away talent the Leafs draft and develop before even knowing what they are? It's been tried and failed miserably in the past, why keep doing the same? Successful teams draft and develop players and bring them into the fold and add complimentary pieces in the summer and at the deadline - they do not draft, develop and then trade them away for a new shiny toy.

And yes I saw your "got to give to get" reply, it doesn't mean you have to give up Robertson or Amirov.

Leafs will have money if the let Freddy and Hyman leave to add new pieces and I'd consider moving Reilly for the right replacement on the blue line & again start the year with Lillybust and Sandin in your top 6 rotation.

They need to know what the have in several of these low cost options that are in house before deciding to trade them away.

My opinion.

Yup.

Robertson, Sandin, and Liljegren are all necessary pieces at this point if we're totally committed to running with the Core 4 philosophy.
- mjones242

Yup.

Robertson, Sandin, and Liljegren are all necessary pieces at this point if we're totally committed to running with the Core 4 philosophy.
- mjones242

[quote=Cush29]
They can try anything they want, doesn't mean it would be smart to bet on.

I like Robertsons potential but as we know prospects can easily be duds as they can be good...maybe even more often than not they are duds.

I dont feel good betting on Robertson improving this team next year.

Yup.

Robertson, Sandin, and Liljegren are all necessary pieces at this point if we're totally committed to running with the Core 4 philosophy.
- mjones242

I hope Leafs management is taking a good look at Montreal.

Montreal has managed to put together a nice roster while rebuilding the past few years.
- RedRevenge

of all the teams they should look at Montreal?

[quote=Santo_44]

This team should be holding on to their first round picks and young prospects for the foreseable future.

The whole "win now" thing only works if you actually win.

They can try anything they want, doesn't mean it would be smart to bet on.

I like Robertsons potential but as we know prospects can easily be duds as they can be good...maybe even more often than not they are duds.

I dont feel good betting on Robertson improving this team next year.



They CAN try anything they want - doesn't mean it's not the smart thing to do, even if you don't agree.

Trading Robertson because prospects sometimes turn out to be duds would definitely NOT be smart to bet on.

Good to know your opinion (or as you say how you feel) on how much of an impact Robertson would or would not have on this team next year, I guess there is no point in even trying it then right?

Come on man, you are talking about trading him for a 'nice young winger' so your sure this phantom player will have that much more of an impact on the team than the guy who hasn't even been given a chance?

That's nuts.

Side note - Robertson also has a positive impact on the Leafs salary cap situation.

They can try anything they want, doesn't mean it would be smart to bet on.

I like Robertsons potential but as we know prospects can easily be duds as they can be good...maybe even more often than not they are duds.

I dont feel good betting on Robertson improving this team next year.



They CAN try anything they want - doesn't mean it's not the smart thing to do, even if you don't agree.

Trading Robertson because prospects sometimes turn out to be duds would definitely NOT be smart to bet on.

Good to know your opinion (or as you say how you feel) on how much of an impact Robertson would or would not have on this team next year, I guess there is no point in even trying it then right?

Come on man, you are talking about trading him for a 'nice young winger' so your sure this phantom player will have that much more of an impact on the team than the guy who hasn't even been given a chance?

That's nuts.

Side note - Robertson also has a positive impact on the Leafs salary cap situation.

- Cush29

Leafs are competitive now, I'd like an impact player over a guy who might not even be ready to be in the NHL this season let alone be impactful.

I like Robertson and I am completely fine with using prospect capital to improve the team.

I definitely like this sports psychology strategy!

"You guys are great!"

"Don't worry about the past - this is the Leafs year!"

"Auston, that 'stache is glorious. You go show that team what it's made of!"

"Jack, you're good enough, smart enough, and gosh darnit, people like you!"

"Mitch score some (frank)ing goals relax and let those apples come!"
- mjones242

Na, next year big shake up.

"Auston - stop with the porno 'stache - time to grow a full on Lanny McDonald lip sweater. GO DO IT NOW".

"Jack - stop being so GD nice. Go hang out with Ronny Hextall for a few weeks and when your done there go spend a couple with Billy Smith".

"Mitch - Lose the mullet, lose the "nice boyish charm" and tell your parents you hate them and no longer want them to be your parents. Patty M and Jumbo are your new Mom and Dad and Mike Keenan is your crazy uncle who will beat your ass if you don't produce in the playoffs".

Plan the parade.

have to give them credit

Price still has it
- senstroll

Leafs are competitive now, I'd like an impact player over a guy who might not even be ready to be in the NHL this season let alone be impactful.

I like Robertson and I am completely fine with using prospect capital to improve the team.
- Santo_44

"Might not be ready" - he hasn't even been given a chance for the love of god, so making the statement "He very well might be ready for a top 6 role next year" is just as correct as saying he might not be ready.

Prospect capital is not what most people would describe Nick Robertson as.

I'm not saying Robertson is untouchable and can't be traded but it better be a very well proven winger with term and a very nice contract and playoff success coming back and that's a pretty short list.

I'll keep the kid the Leafs drafted and have developed over someone else's fringe winger who had a good stretch here and there.

"Might not be ready" - he hasn't even been given a chance for the love of god, so making the statement "He very well might be ready for a top 6 role next year" is just as correct as saying he might not be ready.

Prospect capital is not what most people would describe Nick Robertson as.

I'm not saying Robertson is untouchable and can't be traded but it better be a very well proven winger with term and a very nice contract and playoff success coming back and that's a pretty short list.

I'll keep the kid the Leafs drafted and have developed over someone else's fringe winger who had a good stretch here and there.
- Cush29

Some around here said Caufield wasn't ready before the playoffs. They were dead wrong.

You won't know until you give the kid a chance. Robertson has plenty of talent but needs to be put in a position to succeed.

Leafs are competitive now, I'd like an impact player over a guy who might not even be ready to be in the NHL this season let alone be impactful.

I like Robertson and I am completely fine with using prospect capital to improve the team.
- Santo_44

Robertsen will be on the team next year. It would be dumb to trade him at this point.

It seems most of you still haven't noticed that having a good team is better than having great individual players.

Vegas is the best example: they did a great job by picking the players with the right attitude/character in expansion draft that would jointly form a great team (ready to be bottom feeders for 2-3 seasons) -- by having such a great team spirit, they constructed a Stanley Cup contender from scratch.

Then added a few other character players (Stone as the primary example there) and again might reach the next round after defeating one two top favourite teams to win it all.

hockey isn't basketball.
- MaximusAurelius

Vegas didn't add just character guys. Mark Stone is best forward on the team, He pushed every one else down a peg. If we are talking about just building a team to win for one year, I'd trade anyone on the leafs not named Matthews for Stone. Then they also added a Star defender in Pietrangelo, who also pushed all their defensemen down a peg. You make it sound like they are adding guys like what the leafs tried to do with Foligno, Simmonds, Thornton etc. They are adding star players year after year since their first year. They've added 30 goals in Pacioretty, a PPG winger in Stone, and a legitimate # 1 defensemen in Pietrangelo. They even went out and signed another # 1 goalie in Lehner.

"Might not be ready" - he hasn't even been given a chance for the love of god, so making the statement "He very well might be ready for a top 6 role next year" is just as correct as saying he might not be ready.

Prospect capital is not what most people would describe Nick Robertson as.

I'm not saying Robertson is untouchable and can't be traded but it better be a very well proven winger with term and a very nice contract and playoff success coming back and that's a pretty short list.

I'll keep the kid the Leafs drafted and have developed over someone else's fringe winger who had a good stretch here and there.
- Cush29

Yes, that is correct.

No one has to be right here. I am willing to trade prospect capital(unknown potential) for an impact player. Not a fringe player.