If the Leafs would only look at making a deal for Nylander, going to Seattle. Shane Wright and their first would do the trick. Seattle wants to win now. Wright is going to be a great two way Center and just needs a bit of time to get into a top 6 position at 2C. In two year, Tavares will be gone and put this guy in behind Matthews, if his contract can get done. Everybody believes that Matthews is going to be pissy, because Dubas left. Matthews is all about the business and getting a top contract and having the top hockey market to play in. He'll get a ton more endorsements staying in Toronto. If you do make the Seattle trade, a lot of cap room opens up and you could possibly get a decent winger on the free market for less money.

On their A game for sure…
- dozerD10

This team is really not talented, top to bottom. They've bought in to a philosophy and getting the breaks plus a goaltending performance for the ages. Maple Leafs lost two overtime games to them. They also carried the play a bit more of the time. The difference was the top line of Florida, outplayed the top line of Toronto. Joseph Woll played very well and for a timely goal here and there, they're up in the series, instead of out in 5. If Bob plays like this for 5 more games, it will be the most memorable Goalie win in my 65 years of life.

If the Leafs would only look at making a deal for Nylander, going to Seattle. Shane Wright and their first would do the trick. Seattle wants to win now. Wright is going to be a great two way Center and just needs a bit of time to get into a top 6 position at 2C. In two year, Tavares will be gone and put this guy in behind Matthews, if his contract can get done.
- PrinceLH

I like this deal for Toronto so it will likely never happen.

First Seattle has no need or spot for Nylander and he would only screw up the team pay scale. With Eberle, McCann, Burakovsky, Schwartz, Kartye etc wtc even with the teams current rfa/ufa simply not a hole or fit.

Second Seattle, while having an amazing cinderella run, is a second year expansion team building depth. They are not all in and going for it. They are not planning deep runs every year or close to it yet and hell Francis didnt even break the bank loading up this year! The weak pacific division really is a benefit but... thinking Francis is going to trade off picks/prospects isnt really his style or expected.

Really there is no fit at all and its just so far off base its why you got asked if you were joking.

I'd pay more attention perhaps to LA but really? Colorado! No Landeskog next year now they could benefit adding Willy and look to move assets as they're still a playoff and cup contender.

If the Leafs would only look at making a deal for Nylander, going to Seattle. Shane Wright and their first would do the trick. Seattle wants to win now. Wright is going to be a great two way Center and just needs a bit of time to get into a top 6 position at 2C. In two year, Tavares will be gone and put this guy in behind Matthews, if his contract can get done. Everybody believes that Matthews is going to be pissy, because Dubas left. Matthews is all about the business and getting a top contract and having the top hockey market to play in. He'll get a ton more endorsements staying in Toronto. If you do make the Seattle trade, a lot of cap room opens up and you could possibly get a decent winger on the free market for less money.
- PrinceLH

So the deal is an about-to-be UFA floater winger who will ask for 9+M a year for a cost controlled top five pick, likely top six centre who they haven't even really seen play yet... plus a first? I'm all for dreaming but let's come back to earth a bit here. You can talk about trading for Lafrenière like this, he's more of a known commodity. But you simply don't flip top picks before seeing what they can do in this era.

Wow we agree twice in like 2 days.

Leafs have the best odds of re-signing Matthews.
- Aaron_85

Agreed. All the agreeing in here! ♥️

If the Leafs would only look at making a deal for Nylander, going to Seattle. Shane Wright and their first would do the trick. Seattle wants to win now. Wright is going to be a great two way Center and just needs a bit of time to get into a top 6 position at 2C. In two year, Tavares will be gone and put this guy in behind Matthews, if his contract can get done. Everybody believes that Matthews is going to be pissy, because Dubas left. Matthews is all about the business and getting a top contract and having the top hockey market to play in. He'll get a ton more endorsements staying in Toronto. If you do make the Seattle trade, a lot of cap room opens up and you could possibly get a decent winger on the free market for less money.
- PrinceLH

Friedman was reporting that the Leafs players were very blunt in their exit meetings on why they failed v. the Panthers. It's very probable that some players within the core 4 realize they need to balance the roster.

At least i have the Jays to keep me in my sports misery while the Leafs figure out how to (frank) things up

go sports!

I would've been ok with Dubas returning (given that he intimated the need for change) but now I'm just kind of excited about the bigger change.

New voice, tonnes of assets, tonnes of cap flexibility, and maybe the best part ....no loyalties.

And no need to stress about 34 and 88 - they can sign longer here than anywhere else. And "If" they wanted to go elsewhere they'd want to do it sooner rather than later so they could sign for 8 in a new location. The whole NMC thing isn't as oppressive as it seems.

I would've been ok with Dubas returning (given that he intimated the need for change) but now I'm just kind of excited about the bigger change.

New voice, tonnes of assets, tonnes of cap flexibility, and maybe the best part ....no loyalties.

And no need to stress about 34 and 88 - they can sign longer here than anywhere else. And "If" they wanted to go elsewhere they'd want to do it sooner rather than later so they could sign for 8 in a new location. The whole NMC thing isn't as oppressive as it seems.
- The Law

ill hold off any optimism until we know who is the next GM.
some of the names floating out there is ...cringe. but i know that doesnt mean much..just media throwing darts.

It sounds like tree living may be the one they are targeting?
I personally would like Tulsky.

Friedman was reporting that the Leafs players were very blunt in their exit meetings on why they failed v. the Panthers. It's very probable that some players within the core 4 realize they need to balance the roster.
- fifty__missions

Interesting NY Post (Brooks) is reporting that Marty Walsh newly appointed head of the NHL PA is about to have his first meeting with Bettman. Walsh will advise that the PA will not agree to any increase to the cap beyond 6% per year over the next 3 years. So, a cap of $100m 3 years from now.

Bettman will likely counter with a proposal for an even higher cap if PA can agree to 84 game regular season with cuts in the training camp and exhibition schedule. Translates into a top salary range above $15m for the best players negotiating new deals. MacKinnon is currently $12.6m and McDavid is $12.5m.

Theoretically teams would be able to offer a max deal deal of 20% of cap. So, think in terms of a UFA offer of $20m for a 30 year old McDavid.

This is not a bad time for some teams to think about how they rebalance their line up.

Leafs should act prudently. This is a time for fine turning. Not a series of rash changes.

Interesting NY Post (Brooks) is reporting that Marty Walsh newly appointed head of the NHL PA is about to have his first meeting with Bettman. Walsh will advise that the PA will not agree to any increase to the cap beyond 6% per year over the next 3 years. So, a cap of $100m 3 years from now.

Bettman will likely counter with a proposal for an even higher cap if PA can agree to 84 game regular season with cuts in the training camp and exhibition schedule. Translates into a top salary range above $15m for the best players negotiating new deals. MacKinnon is currently $12.6m and McDavid is $12.5m.

Theoretically teams would be able to offer a max deal deal of 20% of cap. So, think in terms of a UFA offer of $20m for a 30 year old McDavid.

This is not a bad time for some teams to think about how they rebalance their line up.

Leafs should act prudently. This is a time for fine turning. Not a series of rash changes.
- spatso

Ek will make sure your advice is forwarded to the next Leafs GM.

This is shaping up to be the least-interesting final I have seen ever. I can't think of 4 teams that I am less interested in. Why am I still here?

lI guess I am here to watch teams get steamrolled by dirty hits and a hot goalie.

Let me make a prediction : Assuming Florida advances, we get to see Vegas or Dallas fail to set the tone early, then we watch Bennett/Tkachuk/Gudas go UFC on anyone in reach, lather rinse repeat.

What are the odds that we bring Trevor Van Reimsdyk in as a player/GM or at very least player/Assistant GM. He's proven to be a strong defender in the NHL and also undoubtedly has the intelligence/skillset to manage this teams future. He's also a guy that Shanahan could trust and not micro manage.
TVR is the way to go in my opninion

If the Leafs would only look at making a deal for Nylander, going to Seattle. Shane Wright and their first would do the trick. Seattle wants to win now. Wright is going to be a great two way Center and just needs a bit of time to get into a top 6 position at 2C. In two year, Tavares will be gone and put this guy in behind Matthews, if his contract can get done. Everybody believes that Matthews is going to be pissy, because Dubas left. Matthews is all about the business and getting a top contract and having the top hockey market to play in. He'll get a ton more endorsements staying in Toronto. If you do make the Seattle trade, a lot of cap room opens up and you could possibly get a decent winger on the free market for less money.
- PrinceLH

every bet starts at bet..........

The MLSE board nearly cost the Raptors Masai Ujiri. They've plunged Toronto FC into chaos. Now, they've ushered out Kyle Dubas and it may cost them Auston Matthews.
This is more about MLSE's board than it is about the Leafs, and that's the major issue.

Didn’t know all this - pretty bad indictment of MLSE -
- dozerD10

This is what I'm thinkig as well. At first I blamed Shanahan but what I'm starting to hear is chatter about people above him meddling. Someone or some people with no moral compass didnt like Dubas putting familly first and mafia styled this. Basically the axe is coming down on your head if you don't do the butchering. Explains why Shanny looked so out of sorts trying to explain poop, its his head if it wasn't done...

ill hold off any optimism until we know who is the next GM.
some of the names floating out there is ...cringe. but i know that doesnt mean much..just media throwing darts.

It sounds like tree living may be the one they are targeting?
I personally would like Tulsky.
- senstroll

with Shanahan pulling all the strings Haley Winkenhiezer could be making history as the 1st female GM in the league and Leafs somewhat.

I blame David Ayre

First Seattle has no need or spot for Nylander and he would only screw up the team pay scale. With Eberle, McCann, Burakovsky, Schwartz, Kartye etc wtc even with the teams current rfa/ufa simply not a hole or fit.

Second Seattle, while having an amazing cinderella run, is a second year expansion team building depth. They are not all in and going for it. They are not planning deep runs every year or close to it yet and hell Francis didnt even break the bank loading up this year! The weak pacific division really is a benefit but... thinking Francis is going to trade off picks/prospects isnt really his style or expected.

Really there is no fit at all and its just so far off base its why you got asked if you were joking.

I'd pay more attention perhaps to LA but really? Colorado! No Landeskog next year now they could benefit adding Willy and look to move assets as they're still a playoff and cup contender.
- Roadrunner75

Seattle also has no one that makes sense.

We have to be careful here, this is about winning a Stanley Cup not making a change to make a change.

I feel like a lot of the obvious teams don't make sense. I don't want to trade Willy for a lesser Willy and a top 9 forward you can sign in free agency.

ill hold off any optimism until we know who is the next GM.
some of the names floating out there is ...cringe. but i know that doesnt mean much..just media throwing darts.

It sounds like tree living may be the one they are targeting?
I personally would like Tulsky.
- senstroll

I think it will be more telling than an optimistic process initially. If, as reported, Shanahan was blocking Dubas from making moves and forcing him to make others, then the new GM will either want more autonomy - which might mean Shanahan refuses to hire a more experienced GM - or they will be less experienced allowing Shanahan to continue to pull the strings.

If you're an up and comer like Tulsky, this is definitely bright lights / big city, but it's not necessarily enacting your plan. The other thing is that Tulsky is a very bright guy, but he might be better suited to the role is doing now - super analyst - and letting another guy deal with the other GMs and Free Agent negotiations and so on.

I don't know what deals Shanahan blocked nor what deals he forced, so it's hard to be too judgemental (what if he was behind all the good moves?), but he is either the GM or the GM is the GM.

I think it will be more telling than an optimistic process initially. If, as reported, Shanahan was blocking Dubas from making moves and forcing him to make others, then the new GM will either want more autonomy - which might mean Shanahan refuses to hire a more experienced GM - or they will be less experienced allowing Shanahan to continue to pull the strings.

If you're an up and comer like Tulsky, this is definitely bright lights / big city, but it's not necessarily enacting your plan. The other thing is that Tulsky is a very bright guy, but he might be better suited to the role is doing now - super analyst - and letting another guy deal with the other GMs and Free Agent negotiations and so on.

I don't know what deals Shanahan blocked nor what deals he forced, so it's hard to be too judgemental (what if he was behind all the good moves?), but he is either the GM or the GM is the GM.
- Monkeypunk

I do wonder if there is smoke with Armstrong.

From his comments to Lebrun it seems like this would be his dream opportunity.

Just don’t make a trade for the sake of making a trade. Get value.
- Canada Cup

This.

There are teams out there that have players asking to leave, that is not the leafs.

This is what I'm thinkig as well. At first I blamed Shanahan but what I'm starting to hear is chatter about people above him meddling. Someone or some people with no moral compass didnt like Dubas putting familly first and mafia styled this. Basically the axe is coming down on your head if you don't do the butchering. Explains why Shanny looked so out of sorts trying to explain poop, its his head if it wasn't done...
- Buck Norris

Exhibit "A" ....why the internet is a dangerous place.

Reading through Canes twitter...hilarious and looks just like leafs twitter.

"Trade Necas he is too soft"

"Do a Florida Tkachuck like trade"

"This team is too soft"

Laviolette