Mike Augello: Podcast Sunday - The Leafs Convo
- mikeinbuffalo

treedying should deal greedy female dog to columbus for poon jenner, gavrikok and plus👊

then he could get back to tattletaling to babs in his big hat🤦🏿‍♂️

what a (frank)ing joke🤦‍♂️

edit: nice alliteration 👍🏿

Holmberg and Abruzzese need new contracts still and Steeves is still an $835K hit.

Also, do the leafs truly want to rely on a bottom six loaded with low experienced NHLers just so they can sign one good one? Doubt it. It will be evened out.
- Dozzer

Holmberg played 37 games. Aston Reese was on a PTO and signed for 840k and played 77 games. The corpse of Wayne Simmonds played 18 games. Robertson 15 games, we saw a few other Marlies for stretches...

I have no problem believing them or any team would start the season leaning on the farm system and whacking a few moles in there knowing they will find their Acciari's and Laffertys at the deadline.

Lafferty and Jarnkrok are signed, I wouldn't be surprised to see Acciari back. That's 50% of the bottom six filled out if they can extend him. Robertson perhaps gets a real good look, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think maybe they sign an Aube - Kubel or Kampf type for 1-1.5 and see what Marlies have what for the last spot.

There are a number of options that have to float around. One consideration is to buy out Murray, qualify Samsonov and use him as a part of a trade for an older but more established goalie.

I don't see Murray being on this team next year in any circumstance.

I think you can pretty much say that none of the RFAs have done enough to merit a substantial raise, so the QO should suffice ($765k for Abruzzese, $750k for Holmberg, $750k for Mete, should they keep him). That doesn't help the bottom 6 enough, but it's depth.

Rumour was Schenn would probably come in around $1.5m. Acciari wants to stay. He was making $1.67m . . .$2m ballpark seems fair.

It should leave enough for at least one moderately big swing or a couple of decent ones.
- Monkeypunk

Honest question, why would Schenn be about double his salary from this past season? He has been riding less than a million/season since 2018/19.

_ Matthews Marner
Knies Tavares Nylander
_ _ Jarnkrok
Lafferty _ _

Rielly Brodie
McCabe Liljegren
Giordano Timmins

Murray / Woll

No extras currently signed.

Cap space after Muzzin is put onto LTIR:

$14,768,550.00

Minimum 5 forwards and it’s safe to assume there will be at least 1 extra forward and one extra d man as well.
- Dozzer

Knies is a bit too much of an unknown to be a lock for the 2nd line. Playing well for 10 or 12 games is a lot different than playing for 82 plus playoffs.

Jarnkrok might have to go to clear that cap space. Think they need more guys like Lafferty and Acciari and at 2 million, I'd rather have a guy like Donato than Jarnkrok. A 3rd / 4th line of Donato / Lafferty / Acciari would be a great playoff shutdown and grind line.

The entire blueline should be traded except Rielly and Liljegren. McCabe, Brodie, Giordano; they all gotta go. They proved rather weak in the playoffs.

Murray sucks, he's gotta disappear too.

There are a number of options that have to float around. One consideration is to buy out Murray, qualify Samsonov and use him as a part of a trade for an older but more established goalie.

I don't see Murray being on this team next year in any circumstance.

I think you can pretty much say that none of the RFAs have done enough to merit a substantial raise, so the QO should suffice ($765k for Abruzzese, $750k for Holmberg, $750k for Mete, should they keep him). That doesn't help the bottom 6 enough, but it's depth.

Rumour was Schenn would probably come in around $1.5m. Acciari wants to stay. He was making $1.67m . . .$2m ballpark seems fair.

It should leave enough for at least one moderately big swing or a couple of decent ones.
- Monkeypunk

I like the idea of a sign and trade with Samsonov, especially if it means he's going to Winnipeg as part of something for Hellebuyck. That's a really, really good idea.

If they buy-out Murray, 2024/2025 it costs them 2 AAV. That's gonna sting a bit since it will be the same season that Matthews and Nylander both potentially get new deals with much higher cap hits. You may have to find a deal for Murray to avoid that buy-out cap hit when we need the space the most.

Schenn and Acciari at those prices would be fair and affordable.

The big swing they gotta make is to do everything they can to convince Tavares to waive that NMC. I know it won't be easy but that 11 million in cap space would solve virtually all of their problems at once. They can retain Matthews and Nylander easily and still have plenty of left over to balance out the roster.

Knies is a bit too much of an unknown to be a lock for the 2nd line. Playing well for 10 or 12 games is a lot different than playing for 82 plus playoffs.

Jarnkrok might have to go to clear that cap space. Think they need more guys like Lafferty and Acciari and at 2 million, I'd rather have a guy like Donato than Jarnkrok. A 3rd / 4th line of Donato / Lafferty / Acciari would be a great playoff shutdown and grind line.

The entire blueline should be traded except Rielly and Liljegren. McCabe, Brodie, Giordano; they all gotta go. They proved rather weak in the playoffs.

Murray sucks, he's gotta disappear too.



I like the idea of a sign and trade with Samsonov, especially if it means he's going to Winnipeg as part of something for Hellebuyck. That's a really, really good idea.

If they buy-out Murray, 2024/2025 it costs them 2 AAV. That's gonna sting a bit since it will be the same season that Matthews and Nylander both potentially get new deals with much higher cap hits. You may have to find a deal for Murray to avoid that buy-out cap hit when we need the space the most.

Schenn and Acciari at those prices would be fair and affordable.

The big swing they gotta make is to do everything they can to convince Tavares to waive that NMC. I know it won't be easy but that 11 million in cap space would solve virtually all of their problems at once. They can retain Matthews and Nylander easily and still have plenty of left over to balance out the roster.
- Rare_Jewel

You're not doing better than McCabe for 2 million bucks, trading him would be ridiculous. He was really good in round 1, a couple rough outings in round 2 when the entire team was largely exposed doesn't make punting him a smart idea.

If your bottom pair is McCabe/Liljegren, that's a really good problem to have.

You're probably not doing better than Jarnkrok at his cap hit either. Not every guy on the team needs to be physical...

You're not doing better than McCabe for 2 million bucks, trading him would be ridiculous. He was really good in round 1, a couple rough outings in round 2 when the entire team was largely exposed doesn't make punting him a smart idea.

If your bottom pair is McCabe/Liljegren, that's a really good problem to have.
- joel878

He was on the ice for the most EVGA of all Leafs D in the playoffs; 12 in 11 games. Holl, Giordano and McCabe were all -7 for EVGF / EVGA differential.

He's a smaller, more injury prone, left handed version of Holl. Throws hits (which I like) however he can't play defense for poop. He's the future whipping boy, only a matter of time.

Schenn was playing the hard minutes at half the price.

Honest question, why would Schenn be about double his salary from this past season? He has been riding less than a million/season since 2018/19.
- Aaron_85

A bit of supply and demand coupled with an evidenced improvement in how he's playing despite his age. When he's been given opportunities, he's done with them (within reason). That $850k was a steal what he was giving.

A bit of supply and demand coupled with an evidenced improvement in how he's playing despite his age. When he's been given opportunities, he's done with them (within reason). That $850k was a steal what he was giving.
- Monkeypunk

I agree with you but there's a couple guys the Leafs might convince to take a discount.

I think Schenn would. I think you could do the same with O'Reilly after a career worst season and perhaps the feeling of unfinished business.

I would go after Perry and Max Domi too. I think both could have potential home team discounts.

If you can find 3 or 4 guys who save you 500K - 1 million each, you're basically getting 1 player for "free" through accumulated savings.

He was on the ice for the most EVGA of all Leafs D in the playoffs; 12 in 11 games. Holl, Giordano and McCabe were all -7 for EVGF / EVGA differential.

He's a smaller, more injury prone, left handed version of Holl. Throws hits (which I like) however he can't play defense for poop. He's the future whipping boy, only a matter of time.

Schenn was playing the hard minutes at half the price.
- Rare_Jewel

I'm not going to say you're wrong because McCabe has that _feel_ about his game.
He's also 29 so he's not apt to get much more skilled, but if they can focus him better, use him in the 2nd or 3rd pairing as opposed to top minutes and get him to use his physical side in smarter ways, he can be useful. He was, as someone else had noted, beaten around in the Florida series (crushed by the top-6), but was fine against Tampa. At $2m, I'm fine with him. He's better than Holl.

I agree with you but there's a couple guys the Leafs might convince to take a discount.

I think Schenn would. I think you could do the same with O'Reilly after a career worst season and perhaps the feeling of unfinished business.

I would go after Perry and Max Domi too. I think both could have potential home team discounts.

If you can find 3 or 4 guys who save you 500K - 1 million each, you're basically getting 1 player for "free" through accumulated savings.
- Rare_Jewel

I'm in on Domi.

Perry just turned 38. I know what a Richardhole he can be and how good he is at it, but he's fading. This year was the lowest hit rate of his career, the second lowest goal rate (worst was in Dallas a few years back) and worst points rate of his career.

He may not be done-done, but he is swimming into Simmonds territory for usefulness.

If they can get ROR at a discount, I'd be in for it. He has, historically, gone after the top dollar. I don't know if he's changing at this point of his career. Even his language at the locker clear out day didn't sound like a guy sticking around .

I'm not going to say you're wrong because McCabe has that _feel_ about his game.
He's also 29 so he's not apt to get much more skilled, but if they can focus him better, use him in the 2nd or 3rd pairing as opposed to top minutes and get him to use his physical side in smarter ways, he can be useful. He was, as someone else had noted, beaten around in the Florida series (crushed by the top-6), but was fine against Tampa. At $2m, I'm fine with him. He's better than Holl.
- Monkeypunk

I think he's an absolute pylon. He's 29 but that was his first ever playoff series. I think the reason he's down to 2 million AAV is because a rebuilding Blackhawks team didn't even want him and dumped him while they could. And Dubas jumped at the chance for a discount, low rent version of Muzzin.

I don't think he did well against Tampa Bay either. Took a few penalties I didn't like and was routinely beaten around the ice. I did like that he threw hits but wasn't enough to make it up to me.

He's never going to put up points and I would rather have a player with more proven, positive, playoff experience and/or more size. I'd take a Dumoulin or a Mayfield or a Gavrikov over him any day of the week. Are they they same price? No. But I'd rather dump the 2 million and put it towards a legit top 4 D who can play well when the games matter the most. Same reason I'd replace Brodie. Didn't like his play at all and definitely don't like his price tag either.

If they're going to have a low rent bottom pairing D, I'd rather it be Giordano taking that 3rd pair LD spot at 800K as long as he is rested during the season and doesn't run out of gas for the playoffs.

I'm in on Domi.

Perry just turned 38. I know what a Richardhole he can be and how good he is at it, but he's fading. This year was the lowest hit rate of his career, the second lowest goal rate (worst was in Dallas a few years back) and worst points rate of his career.

He may not be done-done, but he is swimming into Simmonds territory for usefulness.

If they can get ROR at a discount, I'd be in for it. He has, historically, gone after the top dollar. I don't know if he's changing at this point of his career. Even his language at the locker clear out day didn't sound like a guy sticking around .
- Monkeypunk

I think Domi is going to be a Leaf, it's just a matter of when. He literally grew up at the ACC and idolized Sundin.

I agree that Perry's window is closing however, if that means he plays 40 games but is 100% for the playoffs, I make that deal. He can bring so much to the table and he's been to the Finals 3 times, on 3 different teams, 3 years in a row after 35. I think he's a much higher ceiling player than Simmonds and he's worth the 1 year gamble.

In the past 4 years, Perry has played 78 playoff games with 17 goals and 36 points. I think that's exceptional for a 4th liner. And some of those goals and points came against the Leafs in elimination games. You sign this guy just so he can't score against you anymore and it's worth it.

ROR can leave to make his money, but after last season, he might be best suited to stay here for 1 more year and use that as a better springboard to cash in on a long term deal next year. I doubt anybody breaks the bank on him after that statistically horrid season he just had. But if he stays here for cheap, gets PP time, maybe scores 20+ goals, maybe has a deeper playoff run, then somebody gives him his retirement contract a la Kadri for example.

Holmberg played 37 games. Aston Reese was on a PTO and signed for 840k and played 77 games. The corpse of Wayne Simmonds played 18 games. Robertson 15 games, we saw a few other Marlies for stretches...

I have no problem believing them or any team would start the season leaning on the farm system and whacking a few moles in there knowing they will find their Acciari's and Laffertys at the deadline.

Lafferty and Jarnkrok are signed, I wouldn't be surprised to see Acciari back. That's 50% of the bottom six filled out if they can extend him. Robertson perhaps gets a real good look, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think maybe they sign an Aube - Kubel or Kampf type for 1-1.5 and see what Marlies have what for the last spot.
- joel878

I thought Holmberg did a great job last year.. No problem with him as 3/4C

I thought Holmberg did a great job last year.. No problem with him as 3/4C
- Azuredoom

42 FO%. That'd be a problem as any kind of bottom-six C.

_ Matthews Marner
Knies Tavares Nylander
_ _ Jarnkrok
Lafferty _ _

Rielly Brodie
McCabe Liljegren
Giordano Timmins

Murray / Woll

No extras currently signed.

Cap space after Muzzin is put onto LTIR:

$14,768,550.00

Minimum 5 forwards and it’s safe to assume there will be at least 1 extra forward and one extra d man as well.
- Dozzer

Great, the team loses every year so let’s change the Manager and a couple of oeriferal players, and the results will be different. Yeah ok. I’ll check in this time next year and see how that went for you.

I'm in on Domi.

Perry just turned 38. I know what a Richardhole he can be and how good he is at it, but he's fading. This year was the lowest hit rate of his career, the second lowest goal rate (worst was in Dallas a few years back) and worst points rate of his career.

He may not be done-done, but he is swimming into Simmonds territory for usefulness.

If they can get ROR at a discount, I'd be in for it. He has, historically, gone after the top dollar. I don't know if he's changing at this point of his career. Even his language at the locker clear out day didn't sound like a guy sticking around .
- Monkeypunk

Here we go filling the holes with plugs again and expecting a different outcome! Same core, same result.

Great, the team loses every year so let’s change the Manager and a couple of oeriferal players, and the results will be different. Yeah ok. I’ll check in this time next year and see how that went for you.
- Bullot

Pretty sure not only did he not say that, he actually advocated for trading one of the top 4.

Please don't check in until this time next year.

I think he's an absolute pylon. He's 29 but that was his first ever playoff series. I think the reason he's down to 2 million AAV is because a rebuilding Blackhawks team didn't even want him and dumped him while they could. And Dubas jumped at the chance for a discount, low rent version of Muzzin.

I don't think he did well against Tampa Bay either. Took a few penalties I didn't like and was routinely beaten around the ice. I did like that he threw hits but wasn't enough to make it up to me.

He's never going to put up points and I would rather have a player with more proven, positive, playoff experience and/or more size. I'd take a Dumoulin or a Mayfield or a Gavrikov over him any day of the week. Are they they same price? No. But I'd rather dump the 2 million and put it towards a legit top 4 D who can play well when the games matter the most. Same reason I'd replace Brodie. Didn't like his play at all and definitely don't like his price tag either.

If they're going to have a low rent bottom pairing D, I'd rather it be Giordano taking that 3rd pair LD spot at 800K as long as he is rested during the season and doesn't run out of gas for the playoffs.
- Rare_Jewel

McCabe is a strange case. If I'm not mistaken, he was the only full-time player on the Hawks who with a positive +/- before he was traded. Say what you will about that stat, it says something on a team that was as bad as they were this year.

I always saw him as one of those not bad, but not great guys where he needs the right partner to help make up for his feet. His mind is good, but his legs don't always allow him to go where he wants/needs.

I think Domi is going to be a Leaf, it's just a matter of when. He literally grew up at the ACC and idolized Sundin.

I agree that Perry's window is closing however, if that means he plays 40 games but is 100% for the playoffs, I make that deal. He can bring so much to the table and he's been to the Finals 3 times, on 3 different teams, 3 years in a row after 35. I think he's a much higher ceiling player than Simmonds and he's worth the 1 year gamble.

In the past 4 years, Perry has played 78 playoff games with 17 goals and 36 points. I think that's exceptional for a 4th liner. And some of those goals and points came against the Leafs in elimination games. You sign this guy just so he can't score against you anymore and it's worth it.

ROR can leave to make his money, but after last season, he might be best suited to stay here for 1 more year and use that as a better springboard to cash in on a long term deal next year. I doubt anybody breaks the bank on him after that statistically horrid season he just had. But if he stays here for cheap, gets PP time, maybe scores 20+ goals, maybe has a deeper playoff run, then somebody gives him his retirement contract a la Kadri for example.
- Rare_Jewel

No idea about his willingness to go for a discount, but he is definitely looking for term, and will likely lean to the team that provides that. A few people have hinted that he would like to come back to CHI, since he likes Richardson, and would definitely get top 6 minutes, but not sure if they would be willing to give him the term he wants. I personally don't see it happening.

Honestly, I think being on Dallas to finish the year will make him want to do what he can to play for a contender (or at least a playoff team). He brings a lot to a team, but loses his poop at some really strange times.

Curious where you see him playing if on the Leafs. he can put up points, but typically needs high end linemates to do so. When he was away from Kane for a stretch, he wasn't generating much, and similar thing happened with him in MTL.

I think Domi is going to be a Leaf, it's just a matter of when. He literally grew up at the ACC and idolized Sundin.

I agree that Perry's window is closing however, if that means he plays 40 games but is 100% for the playoffs, I make that deal. He can bring so much to the table and he's been to the Finals 3 times, on 3 different teams, 3 years in a row after 35. I think he's a much higher ceiling player than Simmonds and he's worth the 1 year gamble.

In the past 4 years, Perry has played 78 playoff games with 17 goals and 36 points. I think that's exceptional for a 4th liner. And some of those goals and points came against the Leafs in elimination games. You sign this guy just so he can't score against you anymore and it's worth it.

ROR can leave to make his money, but after last season, he might be best suited to stay here for 1 more year and use that as a better springboard to cash in on a long term deal next year. I doubt anybody breaks the bank on him after that statistically horrid season he just had. But if he stays here for cheap, gets PP time, maybe scores 20+ goals, maybe has a deeper playoff run, then somebody gives him his retirement contract a la Kadri for example.
- Rare_Jewel

I don't think ROR is a one year show me contract type player though. Enough history to get a solid contract. Not sure where it ends up, but I don't see a cheap 1 year contract there.

I see VGK scored more than 2 goals on Bob last night.
Something the Leafs could not manage
- dmnted

True:

Something else the Leafs didn't manage was 8 power plays against the Panthers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yplrxlpoLE

True:

Something else the Leafs didn't manage was 8 power plays against the Panthers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yplrxlpoLE
- winsix

wait. Florida had 8 PP in 1 game?

True:

Something else the Leafs didn't manage was 8 power plays against the Panthers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yplrxlpoLE
- winsix

Wes McCauley, ruining one playoff game at a time.

Caufield

Caufield
- Scabeh

must be nice that they sign 8yr deals