The Wild already have 5 LHD, we don't need another. We have more than enough space to buy Ennis out so trading him to lower the value in return wouldn't be smart. I don't think Toronto would be willing to give up what MN would be asking for Spurgeon (a package with say Coyle for Nylander). I could maybe see us trading for Kapanen+ but losing Spurgeon creates a big hole on the right side of our top 4 D

I am not sure Spurgeon is the target. Or rather, I think the Leafs would target and prefer Dumba. I also really am completely clueless as to what direction this team is going in. If they start selling off pieces like Coyle, Zucker, etc., then perhaps they are looking to retool/mini-rebuild, but based on the ages of much of their core, I would think they would try to gear up for at least 1 more push.

All fair and valid points. Is there any way for the Leafs to pay more to offset the 5 LHD issue? Gardiner + Brown + ? or are we just at a standstill here?

It is possible Brodin could be moved for a RHD, but at that point we're likely digging too deep into hypotheticals.

According to our owner and GM, we are making "tweaks" since the owner feels our team is close to being a Stanley cup team.

Seems like the team just wants to change some personelle after years of struggling to get deep into the playoffs. Probably still trying to remain competitive. My view on it anyway.

Dumba is definitely the more obvious target for the Leafs, but the price is also more obvious. And that's Nylander. Who I personally don't want to move.

So does tweaking mean a retool on the fly, like many other teams have tried to do and have failed? It makes sense, since the Wild have a star goalie who isn't getting any younger, and Eric Staal, who is on the last year of a very team-friendly deal. Chuck Fletcher was a great hockey mind, shame he couldn't get things done in Minnesota.

I feel like a lot of dominos will fall once Tavares makes his decision, and that is league-wide, not just with the Leafs. The first question is, how much will Dumba cost? Perhaps you convince him to take Reilly money, since that seems like a very reasonable comp, and I am not talking if the Leafs acquire Dumba, I am just talking generally. Next, you need to consider whether or not Dumba is a legitimate top pairing defenseman. He's gotten better on the defensive side of the game for sure, but I would say he is more of a top-4 and power play specialist then he is a top-pairing defenseman. Still young though and still has plenty to prove.

Maybe, I'm not very sure though. To understand our problems with defense you should know that Suter had a very rare injury at the end of the season. He broke his Talus (a small bone connecting the foot to the leg) which really only is seen in car accidents. He was told if he were a soccer or basketball player, he would likely never play again. So the problem with moving Brodin (who is the only guy that could play anywhere close to the amount Suter plays) is that we'd HAVE to know his replacement can play huge minutes.

Here's an article on Suter's injury right when it happened, if you're interested. The article says he broke his fibula, but it was later revealed that it actually was his talus.
https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/suter-injury-040418/c-297660636

I liked Fletcher, he built our team up drastically and he definitely made some stupid moves with trading away picks but overall he wasn't terrible. We also made a lot of dumb decisions drafting and I think our owner wanted to change that. To answer your question I'm really not sure. I think he means shaking up the core a bit, such as moving a roster player for another (a "hockey trade").



You're right on the nail here. Tavares is holding up a lot of transactions around the league. Dumba is absolutely ready to play top pairing minutes. He played the best hockey I've ever seen out of him when Spurgeon was injured to end the season and he was on the top pairing with Suter. It seems as if more minutes gives him more fire, I actually want him to play on our top pair if he stays here. Dumba is going to get paid, probably around the same amount as Nylander (in the $6M range, maybe slightly over) and to get Dumba the asking price will be Nylander.

That's a tough one.. Does that put his health in question long term? Gardiner led the Leafs in minutes these past 2 years, yet still played less than Spurgeon (Babcock effect) so I don't know if that necessarily solves your minutes issue if Suter is out. Though I'm sure Brodin could play 24+, Dumba 24+, and Gardiner 22+ pretty easily. I don't think Brodin/Gardiner could play the right side if Suter is healthy though.

I would say most general managers make at least a few dumb decisions. I don't know Minnesota as an organization well enough to further comment in that regard. I am not sure Dumba will get $6 million. My gut feeling is that whoever holds Dumba's rights will wait until Hanifan signs his deal. I know they aren't the same players, but their new deal will be a good comp for the other, and I just don't see Hanifan getting much over $5 million. If the Leafs were to somehow acquire Dumba, I think it would take a third team to get it done. I don't see Nylander going anywhere, and the Leafs biggest trade chip, Gardiner (offensive LHD) is already a strength for the Wild. Maybe it's the Blues, where they part with say a Robert Thomas, who heads to the Wild with Kasperi Kapanen and a draft pick or 2, the Leafs acquire Dumba and the Blues acquire Gardiner. Perhaps more would be needed, but I am just spittballing an idea that would make sense.

Yes the concern is that he won't ever be the same player that he was. Brodin actually used to play the right side but there was a rumor that Suter wanted to play with a RHD. Who knows if that was true or not, though.



The reason I think he'll be at or slightly over 6 is because our beat writer (who is a very reliable source of information) has said a couple times that Dumba's agents will start at way over 6. I really believe if the Leafs want Dumba, the asking price will be Nylander. If the Leafs aren't willing to give up Nylander, then the Wild won't be willing to give up Dumba. Kapanen for Dumba won't cut it, Kapanen is a nice prospect but again going back to what our owner and GM have said, we are looking to "tweak" not rebuild.

In my scenario of a 3-team deal, it would not be just Kapanen, you would be getting the Blues prized prospect (or one of them) in Robert Thomas, who I could see being NHL-ready. The move I proposed, and again, I didn't give it much thought, would allow the Wild the ability to retool with young controllable players. Anyhow, whatever Dumba does get this offseason, I am sure will be a comp for Gardiner's next deal, so it all, somehow, is completely intertwined :P