Eklund: Busy Summer In Store For Leafs

Leafs agenda:

Ask Willy, Tavares, and Rielly to waive their NMC’s. Can’t win with them. Liljegren, Brodie, Robertson, Kampf all gone.

Bring in Crouse, Jenner, Tarasov, Parayko, Bean, Jiricek, M.Folgino, Díckenson.

Re-sign Marner, Domi, Bertuzzi.

Not written by Ek.

Leafs agenda:

Ask Willy, Tavares, and Rielly to waive their NMC’s. Can’t win with them. Liljegren, Brodie, Robertson, Kampf all gone.

Bring in Crouse, Jenner, Tarasov, Parayko, Bean, Jiricek, M.Folgino, Díckenson.

Re-sign Marner, Domi, Bertuzzi.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Stamkos stays.

Cirelli and/or Cernak go.

Lilleberg is a cheaper Cernak and Cirelli has no trade protection.

- eichiefs9

we know

we know
- dmnted

I always knew you were a flake.

Nobody has to go for Tampa. If anything Sheary.

Bringing back McDonough locks in Stamkos. Stamkos will sign lower AAV for longer term deal. The salary cap broke this team up, Stamkos and Hedman will take discounts to stay in Tampa, where they will once again contend for the cup.

We just need one of the big body young guys to play Killorn/Palat type minutes and the team will again be the class of the NHL.

Stamkos stays.

Cirelli and/or Cernak go.

Lilleberg is a cheaper Cernak and Cirelli has no trade protection.
- GalacticStone

Nobody goes. Stammer takes 5 mill for 5 years. Likely past his shelf life

Nobody goes. Stammer takes 5 mill for 5 years. Likely past his shelf life
- TrueGrit

Not a chance in hell he signs for $5 mil

If Tampa brings back Stamkos, and then extends Hedman, then they will be making the same mistake that Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh did. The window will soon slam shut. I would think about a bold move. Build around Kucherov, Point up front. Build around Sergachev and Cernak on the blueline. So not only would I let Stamkos walk, but I'd be trading Hedman. A Hedman trade gets back some draft capital and young assets. The cap space is invaluable to rebuild depth. So perhaps you regress next year, but re-open a window for the coming years. They probably won't do that. Seems Vegas is the only organization that is aggressive like that.

If Tampa brings back Stamkos, and then extends Hedman, then they will be making the same mistake that Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh did. The window will soon slam shut. I would think about a bold move. Build around Kucherov, Point up front. Build around Sergachev and Cernak on the blueline. So not only would I let Stamkos walk, but I'd be trading Hedman. A Hedman trade gets back some draft capital and young assets. The cap space is invaluable to rebuild depth. So perhaps you regress next year, but re-open a window for the coming years. They probably won't do that. Seems Vegas is the only organization that is aggressive like that.
- Cooleus

What makes Tampa Tampa is that they won't make the same mistakes. The difference is, they are not going to spend 6 or 7 or 8 mill a season on guys over 35.

They guys will take a haircut, both Stamkos and Hedman to allow the team to add the pieces to compete again.

These guys LOVE Tampa and their legacy. if they want a pay day, they will forgo that and find greener pastures. Just not going to happen.

Not a chance in hell he signs for $5 mil
- bchiaro

They will trade salary for term. The lightning will circumvent the cap this way, having had their team destroyed by it. Killorn, Johnson, Palat, Goodrow, Coleman, Gourde, JT Miller, Verhage all elsewhere because of Cap.

Stamkos will have to trade legacy and family for more dollars elsewhere. Won't happen.

Nobody goes. Stammer takes 5 mill for 5 years. Likely past his shelf life
- TrueGrit

Maybe for 7/8 years with a full NMC. He can get close to $25m over the next three seasons if he wants to. I think Sergachev or Cernak will need to be moved before July 1 when their NTCs if Stamkos is staying.

If Tampa brings back Stamkos, and then extends Hedman, then they will be making the same mistake that Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh did. The window will soon slam shut. I would think about a bold move. Build around Kucherov, Point up front. Build around Sergachev and Cernak on the blueline. So not only would I let Stamkos walk, but I'd be trading Hedman. A Hedman trade gets back some draft capital and young assets. The cap space is invaluable to rebuild depth. So perhaps you regress next year, but re-open a window for the coming years. They probably won't do that. Seems Vegas is the only organization that is aggressive like that.
- Cooleus

Cap era dynasties have a finite time frame. Can't buy a team or monopolize draft entries like teams of past eras. Decline is inevitable and even if TBL makes all the right moves, the lack of developing prospects and an aging core guarantees decline.

Maybe for 7/8 years with a full NMC. He can get close to $25m over the next three seasons if he wants to. I think Sergachev or Cernak will need to be moved before July 1 when their NTCs if Stamkos is staying.
- jfkst1

Respectfully, watch how this plays out. The lightning will not close their window by doing what Pittsburg did with old guys. Let alone the idiotic trade for Karlson.

McDonoughs first call was from Stamkos. Stamkos was on the ice with Kucherov practicing.

If they were going to have to move Sergachev or Cernak, they would not have made the move. Look around the league. Lighting instantly back in top 5 d core now.

Maybe Tyler Johnson comes back for a Connor sheary type deal. The lighting have a lot to prove and their Core will not change.

Hedman roles off the books next year as well. Watch them set the trend on sunsetting stars with cap friendly deals.

Hedman and Segachev first pair, McDonough and Cernak, second pair, shut down. Crozier and Lillberg third pair.

Word is, Stamkos is going to sign a 1 year 1 MM contract and he and Hedman will extend after the first game at 5 for 5.

The league goes nuts as the Lightning add a few more pieces...

Trotz. Much respect.

Respectfully, watch how this plays out. The lightning will not close their window by doing what Pittsburg did with old guys. Let alone the idiotic trade for Karlson.

McDonoughs first call was from Stamkos. Stamkos was on the ice with Kucherov practicing.

If they were going to have to move Sergachev or Cernak, they would not have made the move. Look around the league. Lighting instantly back in top 5 d core now.

Maybe Tyler Johnson comes back for a Connor sheary type deal. The lighting have a lot to prove and their Core will not change.

Hedman roles off the books next year as well. Watch them set the trend on sunsetting stars with cap friendly deals.

Hedman and Segachev first pair, McDonough and Cernak, second pair, shut down. Crozier and Lillberg third pair.
- TrueGrit

Acquiring McDonagh and then bringing back Stamkos and Hedman, who will each be 34, with plenty of hard miles is precisely what Pittsburgh did. Crosby and Malkin took discounts too. That leaves the window open for say 1-2 years and the franchise needs a full reset.

Let Stamkos walk and with his $8.5M you can sign a guy like DeBrusk + another younger depth player.

A team who thinks they are one player away could go all in for Hedman and hope to extend him. What if Toronto offers Marner 1 for 1? You just got 6 years younger. Or Philly doesn't think they can extend Konecny and offers him with a 1st for Hedman. Now use the cap space to bring in a guy like Pesce, Roy, etc...

That's how you retool on the fly. But enjoy bringing back the whole gang on senior discounts...

Respectfully, watch how this plays out. The lightning will not close their window by doing what Pittsburg did with old guys. Let alone the idiotic trade for Karlson.

McDonoughs first call was from Stamkos. Stamkos was on the ice with Kucherov practicing.

If they were going to have to move Sergachev or Cernak, they would not have made the move. Look around the league. Lighting instantly back in top 5 d core now.

Maybe Tyler Johnson comes back for a Connor sheary type deal. The lighting have a lot to prove and their Core will not change.

Hedman roles off the books next year as well. Watch them set the trend on sunsetting stars with cap friendly deals.

Hedman and Segachev first pair, McDonough and Cernak, second pair, shut down. Crozier and Lillberg third pair.
- TrueGrit

Tampa is already following the EXACT same trajectory as the other dynasties did. It's inevitable. Their core is aging out and they lack the depth of the SC winners. Hence why they have not won a playoff round in two seasons. They could EASILY miss the playoffs this coming season as they weren't even comfortably in a playoff spot for much of this season. It's obvious decline to anyone with a functioning brain.

Tampa is already following the EXACT same trajectory as the other dynasties did. It's inevitable. Their core is aging out and they lack the depth of the SC winners. Hence why they have not won a playoff round in two seasons. They could EASILY miss the playoffs this coming season as they weren't even comfortably in a playoff spot for much of this season. It's obvious decline to anyone with a functioning brain.
- jfkst1

Which is precisely why I would take a bold action. Letting Stamkos walk and trading Hedman gives you some cap space, allows you to add picks or younger assets, helps improve depth. Imagine if Pitt traded Malkin 4 or 5 years ago?

Which is precisely why I would take a bold action. Letting Stamkos walk and trading Hedman gives you some cap space, allows you to add picks or younger assets, helps improve depth. Imagine if Pitt traded Malkin 4 or 5 years ago?
- HockeyBuzzed

He coulda been the man.

It does not matter how much Stamkos signs for in Tampa. Reality sucks. This is an old team. Elite players achieve career peak performance in the 24-28 age range. Past 30, it is exceptional for a player to achieve levels consistent their peak performance years (Pavelski might be the best example of someone who has challenged peak performance theory).

It is a problem for each individual player. But, it is even more problematic for a team that ages as a whole and all your best players have lost a step on their top skating gear.

It means they often look good. They can even sometimes outplay younger more talented teams. But, they lose when it matters. Pittsburgh, Tampa and Washington are hanging unto dreams made up from years ago. Old is old.

He coulda been the man.
- Minnyhock

He will always be the man... in my heart.

Tampa is already following the EXACT same trajectory as the other dynasties did. It's inevitable. Their core is aging out and they lack the depth of the SC winners. Hence why they have not won a playoff round in two seasons. They could EASILY miss the playoffs this coming season as they weren't even comfortably in a playoff spot for much of this season. It's obvious decline to anyone with a functioning brain.
- jfkst1

LOL.

Ok These are not the penguins. They are not paying 35 and up guys 7 mill a season for the next 4.

Tampa, unlike all the other recent "dynasties" have a new core of players committed, Sergachev, Hagel, Cernak and Cirelli. None of the other teams, Chicago, Pitssburg etc...had that.. Plus Kucherov is 30 and Point is 28.

They played without thier starting goalie for a quarter of the season and were top 6 in NHL the rest of the way, without their 2nd best defenseman. Go ahead and write them off...enjoy watching the Pens and their new sponsors, visiting Angels and the Reverse Mortgage companies.