They definitely sign ZAR. If the numbers require, Simmonds, Cliff, Anderson and Gaudette go on waivers easy. I think Malgin is ahead of them as well
- Canada Cup

It’s not solely about talent. Cap restraint plays half the role these days.

We’ll see what they do.

It’s not solely about talent. Cap restraint plays half the role these days.

We’ll see what they do.
- Dozzer

But then why are you saying Leafs have to replace Holl with the exact same talent?

Leafs have a good D core, a good team. They would survive without Holl.

And I like Holl, it is unfortunate they may have to lose him but its the flat cap.

The only one I see is Engvall since both Holl and Kerfoot would need to be replaced with someone who is pretty much exactly like them…. And good luck finding that cheaper.
- Dozzer

IMO, the Leafs feel good about their regular season chances. I think they could approach the season with Sandin and Lilly (once he's back) getting lots of developmental minutes. Those two ...plus the 4 big vets (Brodie, Muzzin, Rielly, and Gio) is still good. Benn and Mete getting back up minutes in a pinch.

If the kids aren't giving you confidence then the deadline is for adding a vet d'man.

But, maybe it's easier to move Engvall and replace his 2.25M with a pair of minimum wage guys like Robertson and Malgin.

They have been playing ZAR and NAK together all pre season. They likely are going to sign him.

Starting the season a man short, not being able to play Robertson when he has earned it, not being able to sign ZAR when there is a clear fit and won't cost a lot is not worth it.
- Santo_44

Neither guy can replace Kerfoot who brings both offence and defence.

Also, who cares that they’ve played a lot? They’re not playing NHL teams… they’re playing their prospects for the most part as well… yesterday was the closest to an NHL game we’ve seen so far and it was against a team who will be in the first overall convo for the summer of 2023.

So yes, of course the coaches are considering that. For instance, yes Robertson had 3 assists last night but Kerfoot had two goals and is also a far more well rounded and experienced player. For a team that considers itself a cup contender that matters.

They definitely sign ZAR. If the numbers require, Simmonds, Cliff, Anderson and Gaudette go on waivers easy. I think Malgin is ahead of them as well
- Canada Cup

None of them will be grabbed by another team.

I'll be sad to see Simmonds go, but I couldn't pick the other three out of a police lineup.

IMO, the Leafs feel good about their regular season chances. I think they could approach the season with Sandin and Lilly (once he's back) getting lots of developmental minutes. Those two ...plus the 4 big vets (Brodie, Muzzin, Rielly, and Gio) is still good. Benn and Mete getting back up minutes in a pinch.

If the kids aren't giving you confidence then the deadline is for adding a vet d'man.

But, maybe it's easier to move Engvall and replace his 2.25M with a pair of minimum wage guys like Robertson and Malgin.
- The Law

Exactly.

I don't hate Engvall, but his $2.25M can be spent better elsewhere.

IMO, the Leafs feel good about their regular season chances. I think they could approach the season with Sandin and Lilly (once he's back) getting lots of developmental minutes. Those two ...plus the 4 big vets (Brodie, Muzzin, Rielly, and Gio) is still good. Benn and Mete getting back up minutes in a pinch.

If the kids aren't giving you confidence then the deadline is for adding a vet d'man.

But, maybe it's easier to move Engvall and replace his 2.25M with a pair of minimum wage guys like Robertson and Malgin.
- The Law

They’re not going to roll with Liljegren as their only rightie… if they didn’t consider themselves a cup contender maybe they would but they do.

It’s going to be Rielly, Brodie, Muzzin, Holl, and Gio routinely with Sandin and Liljegren switching back and forth to be alongside Gio is my bet.

None of them will be grabbed by another team.

I'll be sad to see Simmonds go, but I couldn't pick the other three out of a police lineup.
- Atomic Wedgie

I’m not saying the leafs won’t send them down but until they do I won’t say they will either.

Neither guy can replace Kerfoot who brings both offence and defence.

Also, who cares that they’ve played a lot? They’re not playing NHL teams… they’re playing their prospects for the most part as well… yesterday was the closest to an NHL game we’ve seen so far and it was against a team who will be in the first overall convo for the summer of 2023.

So yes, of course the coaches are considering that. For instance, yes Robertson had 3 assists last night but Kerfoot had two goals and is also a far more well rounded and experienced player. For a team that considers itself a cup contender that matters.
- Dozzer

They are signing ZAR. In my view it is obvious. Which means we won't agree on them starting the season a man short.

Agree to disagree then. But if we see the ZAR signing happen we will have a different conversation.

The Kerfoot/Holl/etc cap speculation discussion is absolutely electrifying.
- Zezel

How 'bout them Blue Jays?

They’re not going to roll with Liljegren as their only rightie… if they didn’t consider themselves a cup contender maybe they would but they do.

It’s going to be Rielly, Brodie, Muzzin, Holl, and Gio routinely with Sandin and Liljegren switching back and forth to be alongside Gio is my bet.
- Dozzer

I hear you ...but keep in mind that Brodie might as well be a righty. He's played the majority of his career there.

They’re not going to roll with Liljegren as their only rightie… if they didn’t consider themselves a cup contender maybe they would but they do.

It’s going to be Rielly, Brodie, Muzzin, Holl, and Gio routinely with Sandin and Liljegren switching back and forth to be alongside Gio is my bet.
- Dozzer

Brodie plays the right side.

I think you are taking the handiness a little too far here. Brodie has played the RS 99% of his time here and has produced excellent results in the top 4.

I hear you ...but keep in mind that Brodie might as well be a righty. He's played the majority of his career there.
- The Law

This^

They are signing ZAR. In my view it is obvious. Which means we won't agree on them starting the season a man short.

Agree to disagree then. But if we see the ZAR signing happen we will have a different conversation.
- Santo_44

Ok how about I put it like this?

I’m not sure how they’ll do it but I hope you’re right and do indeed get him signed.

That work for you?

sushi burrito... just, why?
- prock

Right?! Holy poop.

I mean, some of the food looked really amazing, though. I just ain't gonna drop the money they're probably gonna be asking for it.

I hear you ...but keep in mind that Brodie might as well be a righty. He's played the majority of his career there.
- The Law

He’s not tho. He’s capable but he’s not the guy on their shutdown pairing… they tried it last year and I truly believe they want a rightie on that 2nd pairing again or Holl would have been moved to make room by now.

Brodie plays the right side.

I think you are taking the handiness a little too far here. Brodie has played the RS 99% of his time here and has produced excellent results in the top 4.
- Santo_44

And they bumped him off the shutdown pairing as soon as last season ended

That’s not what the coaching wants… him on the shutdown pair.

And they bumped him off the shutdown pairing as soon as last season ended

That’s not what the coaching wants… him on the shutdown pair.
- Dozzer

I just don't agree with your mindset here. Muzzin, Gio, Brodie are all good D in their own end.

They will experiment and figure it out.

I like Holl, but he is not detrimental to the D cores success.

I'd rather have him there, but unfortunately it might not be possible.

sushi burrito... just, why?
- prock

i dont know about you, but whenever I am eating sushi, i think about how good it would be as a Burrito.

oh wait hold on, that never happens

Maybe, which is what brought me to the "it has to be one/more of Engvall, Holl, or Kerfoot" result. OR, somebody else hits LTIR.
- The Law

Yeah, I mean the math just doesn't play out - especially when you remember that they have $212,500 in Bonus carry-over that comes out of the cap. They are so tight that this $213k is problematic.

I like Engvall, and I disagree (with Wedgie) that you could replace him with just about anybody. He scored 15. He was an excellent penalty killer. If he plays anywhere in the bottom-6, that line is immediately better by his presence. He is not a top-6 player. He's probably overpaid by $200k if you're being nitpicky, but 15 goals isn't peanuts - especially with no power play or top-6 minutes. I mean as a comparable, Danton Heinen does more in about the same ice time, and makes only $1m this year. But there are a number of others guys who are similar in 5v5 performance - like Alex Newhook, Johansen or Domi that most teams wouldn't mind.

Justin Holl is better than stated here, but overpaid as well. He's probably about $200k overpaid, and if we slotted Mete in his place, you'd notice. Holl is better than Mete. Penalty killing effectiveness can't be understated. Any defenseman who isn't a top pairing guy in the NHL generally relies heavily on their partner and last year Holl was saddled with some awful partnership performances.

Kerfoot makes the most, offers the most relief, and is probably he most overpaid - for $3.5m - but it shouldn't be discounted that he played most of his year at 5v5 with little to no PP time, and compared to his contemporaries at 5v5 in ice time, he out produced guys like Marchand, Hall, Aho, Atkinson - trailing guys like Huberdeau and Fiala.

In terms of who we would miss the least? It's probably Engvall. Second least would probably be Holl; we could argue that the additions of ZAR, Aube-Kubel and Jarnkrok probably make Engvall expendable. And with the additional $1.25m you get above his $1m replacement salary, there's enough bang there to help.

None of them will be grabbed by another team.

I'll be sad to see Simmonds go, but I couldn't pick the other three out of a police lineup.
- Atomic Wedgie

(frank), if Holl exercises his m-ntc and doesn't accept the trade to Arizona, put the bum on waivers and they get 1st crack at him.

Basically like trading him there.

He’s not tho. He’s capable but he’s not the guy on their shutdown pairing… they tried it last year and I truly believe they want a rightie on that 2nd pairing again or Holl would have been moved to make room by now.
- Dozzer

I think its more they'd rather have camp play out incase there are more injuries. The longer they dont have to trade someone the better.

(frank), if Holl exercises his m-ntcand doesn't accept the trade to Arizona, put the bum on waivers and they get 1st crack at him.

Basically like trading him there.
- GreatGigInTheSky

The Wild makes sense.

They like their homegrown players too.

They have 5.7M in cap space.

I just don't agree with your mindset here. Muzzin, Gio, Brodie are all good D in their own end.

They will experiment and figure it out.

I like Holl, but he is not detrimental to the D cores success.

I'd rather have him there, but unfortunately it might not be possible.
- Santo_44

If they get rid of their only veteran right handed D to play a guy who is essentially a rookie they don’t deserve to win a cup.

Liljegren got pulled from last years post season for a reason, like it or not Holl is still better defensively than him.

I still remember when Habs fans thought Caufield was going to outscore Matthews

I had a choice to take Boldy or Caufield in my fantasy draft and I chose Boldy all day.

I do think he scores 25-30 though. Unless he is really bad he should get a leash from MSL.

Still think consistency will be an issue but he will get his looks.
- Santo_44

He's in 2nd NHL season.

Give him time.

And picking Boldy wasn't a bad choice. But it was the wrong choice.