Also ...

We heard from the Tree man 4 days ago. He didn't sound committed to anything with Keefe other than meeting with him (and the players to discuss him). And he said his M.O. was to keep everything out of the media.

So Friedmans piece reads like this ...

While there is no confirmation of which direction the Leafs are leaning, it is believed that if Keefe is back, he will be given an extension and not go into the final year of his contract.

But it should be read like this ...

While I have no (frank)ing information at all about what Treeliving and the Leafs are going to do, the thought I just pulled out of my ass is that if Keefe is back, he will be given an extension and not go into the final year of his contract.

And I probably agree with Friedman's ass-thought - if they decide to keep Keefe on for a show-me year then they have to give him an extension to ensure he's got leverage in the room. Makes sense.

None of that is to say they won't can his ass tomorrow if they have a better option.

I feel like when goalies get traded, regardless of how great they are, the return is never incredible for the team trading him.

Seen't a-lot on the twitter saying (frank)ing Marner for him.

A pick and a prospect is likely what it'd take. Not Marner, not Liljegren, not even a top prospect in Knies. A 1st, a next level of prospect, maybe another pick or a lesser prospect, and that should be it. So, like, 3 pieces.

If it costs more than that, then walk away. Also if Hellebyuck is looking for insane $$$, walk away from that, too.

Breath man ...it's June 5th.
- The Law

To be fair, June 5th is the worst day of the year. It's the longest time until June 4th again; the best day of the year.

Also ...

We heard from the Tree man 4 days ago. He didn't sound committed to anything with Keefe other than meeting with him (and the players to discuss him). And he said his M.O. was to keep everything out of the media.

So Friedmans piece reads like this ...

While there is no confirmation of which direction the Leafs are leaning, it is believed that if Keefe is back, he will be given an extension and not go into the final year of his contract.

But it should be read like this ...

While I have no (frank)ing information at all about what Treeliving and the Leafs are going to do, the thought I just pulled out of my ass is that if Keefe is back, he will be given an extension and not go into the final year of his contract.
- The Law

I’ll believe it if Dreger says it. I think he has the best sources, he seems to break every story before it happens. Friedman seems like he’s a day late these days.

A common comment from last blog regarding Hellebuyck is his next contract - and I'd agree. I wouldn't be approaching any deal unless an extension could be discussed.

He will be 31 and 4 years removed from his last Vezina when this contract expires. He's an excellent goalie, but I can't see how he can command more than $8m at this point in his career. That said, Bobrovsky was 30; Price was coming up on 30 and Vasilevskiy was 25.

It's those waning years that should worry someone.

If I could get a #1 Dman instead, I would take that over Helly, but having a guy who can cover up your mistakes more than most is an asset.
- Monkeypunk

Leafs cant afford helly, even if they could, i prefer that money to upgrade the back end.
Simply not mean or tough enough

34 - 3 x 12.634 ...keeps the P.A. happy as it pushes the needle and allows AM to hit the market the year after McDavid sets the new parameters by which all elite deals are measured.
- The Law

If its only 3 years, cant be anymore then 11.5m per.
He honestly hasnt earned a raise imo.

If its only 3 years, cant be anymore then 11.5m per.
- Fakepartofme

But obviously it will

Re: Keefe extension

I don’t get it personally. A couple weeks ago or at least rumoured - the Buds were prepared to keep Shanny, Dubas, Core, Keefe. This just makes no sense.

As I’ve said on here before (my opinion) whether or not you think it’s the coach, gm, players, direction, etc., it has not been successful in achieving the ultimate goal or even getting close enough to it - means it’s time for a new set of eyes/ears you know. Absolutely not a blow up or trade multiple core players or anything like that.

To me a trade of one of the top guys (again because of what they can get in return), coach, and take a hard look at the GM and President of Hockey and maybe one of them too.

Things needed to get a refresh and have a bit of new blood thrown in there.

…I say 34 signs 5yrs @ 14M - that’s what I think will happen

Don’t buy high on Hellebuyck

Find the next Hellebuyck ✔️


Could be….
Woll + Hildebeast 🤷

Breath man ...it's June 5th.
- The Law

cant breath, its Smokey here

Re: Keefe extension

I don’t get it personally. A couple weeks ago or at least rumoured - the Buds were prepared to keep Shanny, Dubas, Core, Keefe. This just makes no sense.

As I’ve said on here before (my opinion) whether or not you think it’s the coach, gm, players, direction, etc., it has not been successful in achieving the ultimate goal or even getting close enough to it - means it’s time for a new set of eyes/ears you know. Absolutely not a blow up or trade multiple core players or anything like that.

To me a trade of one of the top guys (again because of what they can get in return), coach, and take a hard look at the GM and President of Hockey and maybe one of them too.

Things needed to get a refresh and have a bit of new blood thrown in there.

…I say 34 signs 5yrs @ 14M - that’s what I think will happen
- Big23Questions

Ugh 14m....that is really going to hinder the leafs cap wise

Ugh 14m....that is really going to hinder the leafs cap wise
- Fakepartofme

Ya I mean who knows though - I’m no GM just my thought….that’s why trading a big boy matters more as well this off-season.

If its only 3 years, cant be anymore then 11.5m per.
He honestly hasnt earned a raise imo.
- Fakepartofme

I understand the sentiment but 32 GMs would write a cheque bigger than that today.

Prepare to be disappointed Fakesy.

If its only 3 years, cant be anymore then 11.5m per.
He honestly hasnt earned a raise imo.
- Fakepartofme

He won a Hart, a Pearson and 2 Rocket Richards. He has been a 1st team All-Star centre and a 2nd team All-Star centre.

The 1st team all-star for a decade has been Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, John Tavares, Leon Draisaitl and Auston Matthews.

The Pearson winners have been Crosby, Price, McDavid, Kane, Kucherov, Draisaitl and Matthews.

Outside of the fact that the Crosby is underpaid and Draisaitl hasn't renegotiated his contract yet, all of those guys are or have been in the elite payment category.

Elite contracts aren't reserved for Conn Smythe winners only. Nathan MacKinnon is currently the 2nd highest paid player in the league and his largest individual trophy since the Calder is the Byng.

Sometimes you recognize elite talent for what it is.

The only reason to keep Keefe is if his brilliant coaching instincts were overruled by Dubas/management and the coaching we've seen is not his real coaching strategies.

I understand the sentiment but 32 GMs would write a cheque bigger than that today.

Prepare to be disappointed Fakesy.
- The Law

Im ok with letting them
Having big contracts on players that dont consistently show up in big games in the playoffs has been a big issue for the leafs

He won a Hart, a Pearson and 2 Rocket Richards. He has been a 1st team All-Star centre and a 2nd team All-Star centre.

The 1st team all-star for a decade has been Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, John Tavares, Leon Draisaitl and Auston Matthews.

The Pearson winners have been Crosby, Price, McDavid, Kane, Kucherov, Draisaitl and Matthews.

Outside of the fact that the Crosby is underpaid and Draisaitl hasn't renegotiated his contract yet, all of those guys are or have been in the elite payment category.

Elite contracts aren't reserved for Conn Smythe winners only. Nathan MacKinnon is currently the 2nd highest paid player in the league and his largest individual trophy since the Calder is the Byng.

Sometimes you recognize elite talent for what it is.
- Monkeypunk

This.

Every single team in this league is taking Matthews at the number he signs at.

He won a Hart, a Pearson and 2 Rocket Richards. He has been a 1st team All-Star centre and a 2nd team All-Star centre.

The 1st team all-star for a decade has been Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, John Tavares, Leon Draisaitl and Auston Matthews.

The Pearson winners have been Crosby, Price, McDavid, Kane, Kucherov, Draisaitl and Matthews.

Outside of the fact that the Crosby is underpaid and Draisaitl hasn't renegotiated his contract yet, all of those guys are or have been in the elite payment category.

Elite contracts aren't reserved for Conn Smythe winners only. Nathan MacKinnon is currently the 2nd highest paid player in the league and his largest individual trophy since the Calder is the Byng.

Sometimes you recognize elite talent for what it is.
- Monkeypunk

Its someone that hasnt showned up in big playoff games. MacKinnon has a cup, hes earned his big payday.
None of AMs reg season awards mean anything if he doesnt dominate in the playoffs...and in big games, he hasnt.

Its someone that hasnt showned up in big playoff games. MacKinnon has a cup, hes earned his big payday.
None of AMs reg season awards mean anything if he doesnt dominate in the playoffs...and in big games, he hasnt.
- Fakepartofme

So you are saying if Macs contract ended in 2021 and wanted the high number he was going to get you'd say no because "he hasn't won yet?"

Seems like a recipe for failure.

Having a good laugh at the headlines on SN and TSN regarding the Caulfield signing...
When they say what a team friendly deal it is, you can almost hear the silent "unlike some teams stars..."

Having a good laugh at the headlines on SN and TSN regarding the Caulfield signing...
When they say what a team friendly deal it is, you can almost hear the silent "unlike some teams stars..."

- oldstyle

Sid Seixeiro left sports talk but still has the same horrible opinions that he did when he was in the business.

Anyone read the article about Nylander for Byram straight up?

Anyone read the article about Nylander for Byram straight up?
- Tee-Dot

no but I hope there would be more coming from the Avs since he an RFA

Its someone that hasnt showned up in big playoff games. MacKinnon has a cup, hes earned his big payday.
None of AMs reg season awards mean anything if he doesnt dominate in the playoffs...and in big games, he hasnt.
- Fakepartofme

Aube-Kubel has a cup. He was waived this year. The "he has a cup" trope is a crock of poop. Ray Bourque was always one of the best defensemen of all time whether he ended up winning that cup with the Avs or not.

Hockey is a team game and one guy doesn't get it done alone. Auston Matthews led the entire second round in expected goals / game but didn't score. It wasn't for lack of being in the right place, or shooting from the right areas. He did his part. Thinking he's not worth it because Bobrovsky finally reached a deal with the devil? Seems wise to lose Matthews for a million bucks over that myopic viewpoint.

Not only the leafs who pay fired coaches. Darryl Sutter's 2 years extension kicks in from next season. So Flames have to pay 8 mill, while Darryl is feeding his cows. 🐄