Quoting: Juice
I have to imagine that Dubas knows he’s not going to have an easy time getting Marner, Kapanen and Johnsson on deals considered on the lower end of fair market value...he seemed to have very little interest in a UFA rental and couldn’t bring on anyone with term unless money was going back the other way...and finding a trading partner willing to take cap hit back probably wasn’t getting him very far in trade negotiations.
It’s not the flashy move most would have liked to see today but probably the safer one for him to just stay the course and give himself the most flexibility heading into the off season.
I cringed anytime I heard someone say their window was ‘now’ and they had to go ‘all-in’ this year. We have a core of 21-24 yr old’s and a top 5 team in the league. No sense making risky moves right now, IMO.
Can’t lie, part of me sees that McQuaid trade and still feels like that price would be well worth it even if he’s a 6/7 d-man but I gotta respect that Dubas wants a fast, skilled team and didn’t want to plug in beef just for the sake of it.
Yea, since McQuaid went for 4th and 7th....could the Leafs offered a 3rd, and Matt Hendricks went for a 7th, maybe those are two heavy players. Agree with you "the window is closing" statement. Heck even if the Leafs are cap crunched and need to trade a big name (Nylander) they still have a good core and will get some good assets (ELCs or prospects) in the trade.
I like what Columbus did, not selling their UFAs and went on a buying spree. Told their players fans they are "going for it "this year. Even if those UFAs walk next year, they have 30m in cap space to acquire other players.
Thought San Jose did well just trading a 2nd for Nyquist. Like what Nashville, Jets and Vegas did too. Despite all the criticism, thought the Senators did OK. Now with those picks and cap space...a real chance to rebuild. IF UFA players weren't going g to resign....what choice to the Senators have?
Trading Lindholm, is Gauthier are 4th centre...He went on a scoring spree last night...a goal and assist. I made suggestion yesterday when Kadri comes back having four centres of Tavares, Matthews, Nylander and Kadri....Ennis and Moore good enough for fourth line duty.