I agree entirely with this.

I love Samsomov and all, but if you can get one of those guys, that's excellent. And run Woll as the backup.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Exactly. You have Woll for cheap for a few more years as a backup. You could try and trade Samsonov as part of the package, or as a seperate trade for value.

Winepeg clearly looks like they need to rebuild, and Helly just said he doesnt want to be part of a rebuild. Looks like a good fit to me.

Pretty sure they are in a rebuild now. They just traded Ekholm, and missed the playoffs. Why trade him if they are going to try and contend?
- Archaic

Well they only retained a small amount.

They have the 6M to replace him in FA. the assets they received plus lets say getting Severson as a replacement is a no brainer for the position they were in.

I agree entirely with this.

I love Samsomov and all, but if you can get one of those guys, that's excellent. And run Woll as the backup.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I'm still confused as to why adding Gavrikov (or someone of his ilk) is mutually exclusive to bringing in an elite goalie.

Exactly. You have Woll for cheap for a few more years as a backup. You could try and trade Samsonov as part of the package, or as a seperate trade for value.

Winepeg clearly looks like they need to rebuild, and Helly just said he doesnt want to be part of a rebuild. Looks like a good fit to me.
- Archaic

Depending on the new GMs belief in Woll a Helly for Sammy like trade wouldn't be terrible.

But I don't know. If you can sign Sammy 2x3 or 3.5M its hard to pass up. 4ishM for a legit tandem for 2 years allows you to allocate dollars elsewhere.

I'm not sure what they're doing - or if they know! They moved Ekholm with term (3 years left) and ate $250k / year (who cares, I know, but there's the principal of it) and received Edmonton's 1st, Reid Schaefer (the 2022 #32 pick), and a 4th - as well as Tyson Barrie, who does have one more year.

That's not a hockey trade. Ekholm is vastly superior to Barrie, so there's a rebuilding undertone to that move.
- Monkeypunk

Barrie wouldn't be too difficult to dump though either.

Well they only retained a small amount.

They have the 6M to replace him in FA. the assets they received plus lets say getting Severson as a replacement is a no brainer for the position they were in.
- Santo_44

Why trade a very good dman if you are going to contend? It doesnt make a lot of sense. They arent replacing him with someone better in free agency.

They look primed for a rebuild honestly. Look at their lineup next year. with the cap space they have, there is nothing they can do to make themselves a contender. Likely wont make the playoffs.

I'm still confused as to why adding Gavrikov (or someone of his ilk) is mutually exclusive to bringing in an elite goalie.
- mjones242

Gavrikov is apparently looking for a big $$$ increase. And for me personally, I've not liked his game and don't think he'd be worth it. And if the Leafs signed him, he should be 3rd pairing. I hope they don't drop big $$$ on a 3rd pairing guy.

So I'm on the stay away from him train and also trade for one of the top goalies in the world.

Depending on the new GMs belief in Woll a Helly for Sammy like trade wouldn't be terrible.

But I don't know. If you can sign Sammy 2x3 or 3.5M its hard to pass up. 4ishM for a legit tandem for 2 years allows you to allocate dollars elsewhere.
- Santo_44

Not IMO. I trade Sammy+ all day for Helly.

Karlsson is also a direct cause of goals against. He's abysmal defensively.

It's a hard no from me for the Leafs getting that mess.
- GreatGigInTheSky

im all for trying something fun and different, no more farting around on the fringes.
adding 4th line grinders who never see the other teams net.

at this point who cares

Wonder what it takes to pry PLD out of the Peg.

Unlike a lot of people in here, I've never hated Freddy and would've liked him still here.

Bob at least has a past of being a Vezina winner, but man, was he horrible all season.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Yeah I did not mind Freddie either, just figured he was mentally done in Toronto. My point is I do not think it is like the old days when you can rely on a goalie to take you to the finals because you never know which one will get hot. I like running with Woll and Samsonov if we can get him on a decent deal

I'm still confused as to why adding Gavrikov (or someone of his ilk) is mutually exclusive to bringing in an elite goalie.
- mjones242

They have limited cap space. Its wasted space for a player like him on the Leafs IMO. The Leafs have big holes to fill at center, and in the top 6.

Depending on the new GMs belief in Woll a Helly for Sammy like trade wouldn't be terrible.

But I don't know. If you can sign Sammy 2x3 or 3.5M its hard to pass up. 4ishM for a legit tandem for 2 years allows you to allocate dollars elsewhere.
- Santo_44

Agreed. That would be a great deal for the Leafs.

Although, maybe not so much now....if playing with the great Bedard appeals to them.....
- hawk35

They're 28 and 30 ....B'Hawks might be great in 4 or 5 years.

Agreed. That would be a great deal for the Leafs.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Samsonov had a sub 900 SV% in the playoffs, and while it wasnt his fault, he didnt exactly bail the team out either. There has been no series in the Matthews/Marner era where we went into and said "We have the better goalie".

They need an elite goalie, if Helly is available, or Saros, you do everything you can. Samsonov be damned.

Wonder what it takes to pry PLD out of the Peg.
- gravyface

What'll it take to pry my peg du bois into you?

im all for trying something fun and different, no more farting around on the fringes.
adding 4th line grinders who never see the other teams net.

at this point who cares
- senstroll

If he made a lot less and also had less years, I could probably get behind it.

But as is, he's not worth it, imo.

Plus, it's the off-season, so that means it's officially imagination time. Maybe in 2 years, Niemelä can be the offensive guy of dreams.

Wonder what it takes to pry PLD out of the Peg.
- gravyface

He's too big of a douche and not good enough a player to both with, for me.

He'll fit in perfectly in Montreal.

Gavrikov is apparently looking for a big $$$ increase. And for me personally, I've not liked his game and don't think he'd be worth it. And if the Leafs signed him, he should be 3rd pairing. I hope they don't drop big $$$ on a 3rd pairing guy.

So I'm on the stay away from him train and also trade for one of the top goalies in the world.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I don't think his "big $$$ increase" is nearly as much as you might think. Again, I don't see how acquiring him would necessarily impact the Leafs getting a guy like Helly.

And remember, your boy Holl and his 2M are off the books. The Leafs have a lot of cap space to get some things done.

Not that I want to hitch my wagon necessarily to Gav, but the Leafs defence MUST improve. Getting an all-world goalie like Helly isn't enough.

Samsonov had a sub 900 SV% in the playoffs, and while it wasnt his fault, he didnt exactly bail the team out either. There has been no series in the Matthews/Marner era where we went into and said "We have the better goalie".

They need an elite goalie, if Helly is available, or Saros, you do everything you can. Samsonov be damned.
- Archaic

He also could have been injured.

That 2nd or 3rd last game in regular season.

The Leafs know that more than we do.

im all for trying something fun and different, no more farting around on the fringes.
adding 4th line grinders who never see the other teams net.

at this point who cares
- senstroll

Yeah adding a 100 point D would be pretty sweet.

I am sure AM would be happy having him dishing him the puck.

If he made a lot less and also had less years, I could probably get behind it.

But as is, he's not worth it, imo.

Plus, it's the off-season, so that means it's officially imagination time. Maybe in 2 years, Niemelä can be the offensive guy of dreams.
- GreatGigInTheSky

no more farting around

Samsonov had a sub 900 SV% in the playoffs, and while it wasnt his fault, he didnt exactly bail the team out either. There has been no series in the Matthews/Marner era where we went into and said "We have the better goalie".

They need an elite goalie, if Helly is available, or Saros, you do everything you can. Samsonov be damned.
- Archaic

I mean, he was hurt. And also, he made a number of game saving saves.

Bolded- I don't disagree. In fact, I agree entirely.

Only problem is that Hellebyuck has 1 year left. What's an extension look like?

I don't think his "big $$$ increase" is nearly as much as you might think. Again, I don't see how acquiring him would necessarily impact the Leafs getting a guy like Helly.

And remember, your boy Holl and his 2M are off the books. The Leafs have a lot of cap space to get some things done.

Not that I want to hitch my wagon necessarily to Gav, but the Leafs defence MUST improve. Getting an all-world goalie like Helly isn't enough.
- mjones242

If they Leafs are going to spend big on a dman 5M+ They need to get someone who can score, and has an offensive game. The Leafs get almost no production from the backend. Gavrikov is just more of what the Leafs have. He is not what they should be looking for.

What is he going to bring exactly that will push the needle?

Soooo seeing the baseline set for majors.. does Benn get only one game.. we know Bunting would'a got a dozen.

Also those calling for Domi.. that boneheaded play that took him out when Stars were already down 2 F's is why you don't sign the chucklehead.