I’ve decided I’m all in and just can’t wait for that Marner for Wright and Larson trade to become a reality!

Big RHD on a one year test drive for 4M.

Low risk possible high reward if Wright figures it out.

Freeing up 6M in cap space to use to shore up other needs.

What’s not to love about this deal!

That's pretty f'n cool.

It's . . . uh . . . dark outside here. With a chance of alcohol.
- Monkeypunk

Yeah we’re lucky here, minimal clouds..

I have my GoPro set up in the dock with time lapse night mode set up.. hopefully I get some cool shots. I could’ve went flying tonight too. I guess I still can.. probably more intense at 12,000 ft..

The Marner gobblers totally ignoring the pts per 60 in playoff game 5-7
- jribout

Not to mention Wright was 4th overall

Marner is the 7th highest scoring player (more points than Nylander) the past 5 seasons. 3rd highest scoring winger, 2nd highest scoring RW. 5th highest in assists.

Sorry, but that doesn't equate to a guy that has played 16 games in his first two seasons after falling from his projected 1st overall pick status. Marner had over 120 points in his first 2 years after being drafted. The value is not even close to the same.

And Marner, no matter what anybody says about his playoff performances, still has more career playoff points than Matthews and Nylander. So this whole "playoff bust" bullpoop applies to Matthews and Nylander if it applies to Marner.

Larsson is a 20 point RHD. Why the (frank) would the Leafs trade one of their best players for a guy they can get as a UFA (Brett Pesce) for free?

For all the same reasons Nylander wasn't traded for a garbage package of low ranking D is the same reasons why Marner should not be traded for one either.

It's a horrid trade idea. End of story.
- Rare_Jewel

Marner isn’t going anywhere.

The whine warriors will either have to find a way to accept that, or go cheer for a different team.

Or keep whining for another 9 years. Which is what’ll probably happen.

This was a great cover of The Hockey News.

https://twitter.com/ralls...tatus/1789068414629097683

Trust the process. Fairweather, Fickle Fans that want to blow it up. Don’t be a quitter like the two goofs.

Not to mention Wright was 4th overall
- golfingsince

I watched him a couple of times live his last year of junior. He was underwhelming. Could be he was frustrated at being sent back and not trying though.

Yeah we’re lucky here, minimal clouds..

I have my GoPro set up in the dock with time lapse night mode set up.. hopefully I get some cool shots. I could’ve went flying tonight too. I guess I still can.. probably more intense at 12,000 ft..


- Arctic_AARDVARK

Beauty. I’d definitely go flying if I had the chance this evening. Enjoy.

Has any hockeybuzzonian ever been as wrong so often and for so long and individually bullied someone as much as Willie Nylander was on here.

Has any hockeybuzzonian ever been as wrong so often and for so long and individually bullied someone as much as Willie Nylander was on here.
- jribout

👍

Yes, it is the answer because you'll have three 100 point scorers in their prime with 54 million left to fill the rest.

...

I don't think they'd have to eat that much if they take some salary in return.

For example, Buffalo. Close to Oakville so he's not far from home. If they send us Clifton or Greenway and the Leafs retain 2 million, they're essentially getting Tavares for a 5 million cap increase and 700K in real dollars. That's a pretty good deal for a 25-30 goal and 65-70 point top-six center.

And for the Leafs, they get an affordable big top-six winger or a 2nd pair RHD and eat the 2 million cap hit for one year

...

The change is letting Tavares go. Change of captaincy and opening up for 11 million in cap space for UFAs in different areas. The only question is, does it happen now (if Tavares waives his NMC) or if you have to wait him out and do it next year.
- Rare_Jewel

I will start by saying that Tavares is the guy who _should_ go. The problem is that I'm not sure it works as well as you think - even assuming he's willing to waive.

I question whether that juice is worth the squeeze, so to speak. You probably have to trade Tavares and then use up the remaining cap from that deal to get back what you lost. Any residual is basically in the $2m range - so it's pretty nominal.

I want to make it clear that I think Marner, especially when healthy (which he was not in the playoffs), is a dynamic and game changing player. The Leafs have never found a way to insulate him to make things a little easier on him by pairing him with non-physical players. Put some size and muscle with him and he'll be fine.

If they are unwilling to build that team properly then Marner will continue to fail when it gets heavy. That's, unfortunately, a reality we've seen before. If they are willing to do the right thing and insulate him with some talented size and make those necessary changes then I think trading him would be preposterous.

Do I trust this GM and management team to recognize that need? I guess I just don't know. They sure didn't under Dubas. Treliving last year did some decent things in adding some grit with Bertuzzi, Domi, even Lyubushkin and Edmundson - but not enough to support the forwards with real size.

Beauty. I’d definitely go flying if I had the chance this evening. Enjoy.
- DrunkenCanuck

I’m tired of flying after my trip haha. And I can do this anytime. I just really hope my time lapse on my GoPro works. It’s my first time doing it.. I’m standing on the dock beside it, and I want to grab it and go home but it keeps getting better lol.

Has any hockeybuzzonian ever been as wrong so often and for so long and individually bullied someone as much as Willie Nylander was on here.
- jribout

Your dog-whistlin’ isn’t having much of an effect..

I’ve decided I’m all in and just can’t wait for that Marner for Wright and Larson trade to become a reality!

Big RHD on a one year test drive for 4M.

Low risk possible high reward if Wright figures it out.

Freeing up 6M in cap space to use to shore up other needs.

What’s not to love about this deal!
- Cush29

you are giving up a legit top line forward. Yeah his playoffs have been underwhelming, but so has the entire team, every year.

I’m tired of flying after my trip haha. And I can do this anytime. I just really hope my time lapse on my GoPro works. It’s my first time doing it.. I’m standing on the dock beside it, and I want to grab it and go home but it keeps getting better lol.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Understandable. Heck of a game going on.

3-2 for Canada’s Team after two.

Mcdavid just slashed Hughes in the face, no call. I don't see how it could possibly be an accident.

Then the ref sends Hughes off because he is bleeding

Mcdavid just slashed Hughes in the face, no call. I don't see how it could possibly be an accident.

Then the ref sends Hughes off because he is bleeding
- Aetherial

Did Kerry Fraser come out of retirement?

Marner is the 7th highest scoring player (more points than Nylander) the past 5 seasons. 3rd highest scoring winger, 2nd highest scoring RW. 5th highest in assists.

Sorry, but that doesn't equate to a guy that has played 16 games in his first two seasons after falling from his projected 1st overall pick status. Marner had over 120 points in his first 2 years after being drafted. The value is not even close to the same.

And Marner, no matter what anybody says about his playoff performances, still has more career playoff points than Matthews and Nylander. So this whole "playoff bust" bullpoop applies to Matthews and Nylander if it applies to Marner.

Larsson is a 20 point RHD. Why the (frank) would the Leafs trade one of their best players for a guy they can get as a UFA (Brett Pesce) for free?

For all the same reasons Nylander wasn't traded for a garbage package of low ranking D is the same reasons why Marner should not be traded for one either.

It's a horrid trade idea. End of story.
- Rare_Jewel

Again: “End of story”? Bud it’s your opinion and I think you’re wrong. If anything I could point all the ex NHL players/coaches/GMs who all were on the same page that Marner was not and has not got it going in playoffs. I suppose o could just keep my personal opinion to myself and just point to the NHL (ex players/coaches/gms) and say: Well they all thing you’re wrong so I guess you’re wrong, end of story.

I think I probably didn’t explain myself well enough. I know I didn’t with Wright in that I was referencing he was ‘the #1’ until he wasn’t. I was making a point that you said he’s an NHL bust and he clearly is a player who will have a career in the NHL.

You also draw a comparison I didn’t. Marner is and will always be a far better player than Wright so I’m not sure where you thought I was ‘equating’ Wright to Marner. I was talking about a deal that is hypothetical that I personally can see benefiting the Leafs.

Larsson would provide the Leafs with what they need on back end (well one thing cause they need a puck over too), a dman who is actually good at defending. A RD that play big minutes.

I see you making the Marner gets points thing: first go look at his primary points then compare them to Nylander primary points then go to CapFriendly and compote how much they’ve made over last 8 years. Also, take a peek at Mitchy in the dzone giveaways then Willy. While you’re at it take a peek at takeaways…still worth the ridiculous cost differential last bunch of years? Nope.

Also - regular season Mitch sure does get a ton of points playing with a guy who in a bad year nets 40.

Mitch is MAYBE the 7th best winger in the league.

You are also comparing what Marner did his first 2 years in the league vs Wright? Jesus man. One played for one of the best regular season offences in the Planet and the other for an expansion team where the most gifted player was Eberle. Give it a shake bud.

Brett Pesce will 100% sign with Buds eh? You state made up hypotheticals as facts way too often. Silly.

I do agree that it would be better for Matthews to score more in playoffs - but if you watch the game he’s a centre. He is doing so much in all 3 zones every game. He also draws attention when on ice and that provides space for his line. Willy is clutch as hell bud - Marner floats, avoids all contact, gives the puck aways at both blues constantly, and looses his man in super important Game 7’s.

Your dog-whistlin’ isn’t having much of an effect..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Congrats, you're the dumbest leafs fan. It's quite the mantle, wear it proudly.

I watched him a couple of times live his last year of junior. He was underwhelming. Could be he was frustrated at being sent back and not trying though.
- jribout

I personally don’t see him topping out as an atop line centre but I think his game will come around and he will be a solid 2C/3C depending on how his defensive game comes along. At 918K or whatever it is coming over with a solid top pair RD is a good start to an idea.

But it’s funny - I didn’t like his look at WJC the draft year. Looked a bit lazy at times. He is only 20 though right.

Will you leave here & go post in the blog comments of the new team if Marner gets traded? I think I speak for most when I say that would be best for all parties.

Recharge my life alert? Man your chirps are pretty pathetic and honestly sad - I mean I'm sure not as sad as you get anytime anyone says anything other than that Mitch is the straw that stirs the drink on the Leafs but still sad.

Cry more AA your salty tears of Marner being bullied will make the spring flowers bloom even more beautifully.


- Cush29

lmfaooooooooo 🤣

I will start by saying that Tavares is the guy who _should_ go. The problem is that I'm not sure it works as well as you think - even assuming he's willing to waive.
- Monkeypunk

Either he's willing to waive and he goes now or he becomes a UFA and goes next year. In either scenario, he goes and nobody else does. If they have to burn next year, so be it. It's still better than making the team worse to clear cap space just for next season.

I question whether that juice is worth the squeeze, so to speak. You probably have to trade Tavares and then use up the remaining cap from that deal to get back what you lost. Any residual is basically in the $2m range - so it's pretty nominal.

It's not nominal if you get a player in return who can be a middle of the line-up contributor.

For example, Tavares with 2 AAV retained for Clifton + sign DeMelo or Pesce for 4.5 AAV and suddenly you got two top 4 RHD for the same cap hit as Tavares.

And still another 13-14 million left over to sign a top-six C and a top-six winger. If that's Domi and Bertuzzi at 4.5 each, you still have 5 AAV to sign a goalie (Markstrom with 1 AAV retained?). A lot of options open up.

Or, you wait Tavares out, sign Pesce or DeMelo then sign another RHD and a top-six forward next UFA season. Add a goalie like Logan Thompson and see how it plays out.

In both scenarios, the Leafs are still getting progress in other areas for the same cap hit, just a matter of how quickly it gets done.

I want to make it clear that I think Marner, especially when healthy (which he was not in the playoffs), is a dynamic and game changing player. The Leafs have never found a way to insulate him to make things a little easier on him by pairing him with non-physical players. Put some size and muscle with him and he'll be fine.

100% correct. Marner is an elite player in the NHL who does it at both ends of the ice. He's not perfect but neither is Matthews or Nylander. But together, they give you as good an offensive core as anybody. They just need to be built around better in other areas.

If they are unwilling to build that team properly then Marner will continue to fail when it gets heavy. That's, unfortunately, a reality we've seen before. If they are willing to do the right thing and insulate him with some talented size and make those necessary changes then I think trading him would be preposterous.

Do I trust this GM and management team to recognize that need? I guess I just don't know. They sure didn't under Dubas. Treliving last year did some decent things in adding some grit with Bertuzzi, Domi, even Lyubushkin and Edmundson - but not enough to support the forwards with real size.

I have zero faith in Treliving and Shanahan. Treliving was a career loser in Calgary and Shanahan has no proven pedigree as a hockey manager. He was a winner on the ice but so was Gretzky and we all saw how he failed as a coach. Shanahan has been given entirely too much time and leeway in this entire process.

They had an opportunity last offseason to sign some big body, RHD and they absolutely refused to do so. Instead, they wasted the majority of UFA contracts on useless players. They brought back Samsonov and that was a big mistake. I don't see them learning from their mistakes.

- Skalapy

I’m calling your bluff - no way that’s Mitchy! I don’t see Paul.

I’m calling your bluff - no way that’s Mitchy! I don’t see Paul.
- Big23Questions

Not to mention he is not that big.

you are giving up a legit top line forward. Yeah his playoffs have been underwhelming, but so has the entire team, every year.
- Aetherial

They can’t afford to keep them all, they have to give up something to gain the necessary cap space to restructure and no just moving JT isn’t enough.

So is it Willy, Matthews or Marner?

Ans when I said what’s not to love I didn’t mean there was no downside because losing a player as talented as Marner is a net loss but he’s the odd man out here IMO because he’s going to want more than he is worth (again).