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What'd you guys think of this team? Should they be a contender?

Don't think Pittsburgh can afford his contract
Whats Islander motivation?

I know this is not the right place, but who is Nick Robertson's comparable? I heard he plays a similar style to Brad Marchand, but I may be wrong.

I really like some of the moves here. Interesting idea in acquiring cousins.
I think signing DeMelo for 7 years is a mistake. Maybe 4 years

Overall I like the team.

yep, you are wrong. nothing like Marchand. Closest comparable in size, skill, style would be Alex Debrincat from Chicago

Pens have too many LW as is, if he was right handed there would be significantly more interest

There was an article by Dave Molinari suggesting the Penguins could move Bjugstad, Johnson, Murray & even Hornqvist this offseason. If that’s the case, they will have enough room to add someone like Johnsson.

Still have Guentzel / Zucker / Poulin / Tanev / ZAR and likely at least one of Simon or Sheary on the left side. Cap isn't really the issue

There are articles written every day, Flames could move Gaudreau which would allow them to sign Hall. Doesn't mean it will happen though. Thinking teams will just move 4 players with 3 being overpaid without taking any cap back seems like a pipe dream.

Well then in that case, it’s going to be hard for TOR to move Johnsson. I don’t see many teams in need of a player like him, especially in a flat cap world.

I mean, you could move Zucker to RW so there’s room for someone like Johnsson. But I agree I think Pittsburgh needs a top line RW.

Hasn't played there as a Pen yet so not 100% sure but Minnesota fans seemed to say he's considerably worse on his off hand

I really like Nick Cousins. I think this would be a great add.

Maybe that’s true, but @Sidstick87 told me that he’s seen Zucker play on the right wing & did fine. So we shall see.

Yeah I saw you mention him on Twitter, so I went to check his stats & indeed they are impressive.

Sure you added DeMelo...but please four years max, but really the Leafs have to see what Sandin and Liljegren can do. Sandin looks like an NHLer now.
But the forwards are weak. Cousins ain't a 3rd line centre and if he was Vegas isn't trading him. I like Engvall but not as 3rd line winger, Barabanov is a hope and HoSang has proved isn't a NHLer

It's fine.... but that bottom 6 is weak

Thanks for the feedback. I feel you’re gonna have to give DeMelo 7 years cuz there will probably be other teams bidding as well. Unless Dermott establishes himself as a legitimate top 4 option, which he might, the Leafs desperately need someone like him.

I don’t think Vegas values Cousins as a 3C, but his on ice results suggest he is very solid. The Leafs would be smart to take a chance in him cuz he’ll be cheap.

Here’s an article explaining why Josh Ho-Sanf is an NHL quality forward. I feel he should be tempting for a guy like Dubas.

https://jfresh.substack.com/p/joshua-ho-sang-belongs-in-the-nhl

I mean, it’s hard to put together a tremendous bottom 6 if you’re giving 40 Million to 4 forwards. I think it will be fine though. You know what you’re getting Fromm spezza, Engvall & Kapanen. Ho-Sang & Cousins are solid from a statistical perspective.

Vegas takes that and runs.

I think the real issue is having a RH shot on the power play in the top 6. Because they don't use Rust.

I think that’s the area PIT misses Kessel the most.

I think this is your best post that I ever seen from you and you have built a solid team for the Leafs going forward. Like this Nick Cousins pick up but would probably pass on Ho-Sang, Joshua as he seems to have some attitude problems. I also think Nick Robertson is going to be playing on third line which moves Engvall to the 4th line and also think that the the Leafs will resign Gauthier as 4th line centre and platoon Spezza where needed. Not sure if we need DeMelo as Sandin is now ready but do think Leafs will sign a UFA defenceman as insurance policy. Would also not be surprised to see Adam Brooks moved into the line-up and think he could handle the 3rd line center position and know Keefe really trusts him and thinks he is ready.

Really glad that you are not moving out Marner and you know that I would really like to see him and Nylander be given a few shifts each game to confuse the opposition. I think Marner would be absolutely biting at the bit to show people what he can do at centre ice even if he is not the best faceoff man at this point in his career.

I have a really great feeling about this group of players and they are going to prove a lot of fans wrong in the years ahead as the dynasty is about to start.

I totally love how I got mentioned/tagged in this tweet. Does that make me some sort of community expert on the Leafs? :P haha! Thanks @MitchMarnerElite. Honestly, there are so many unknowns with this group you've put together it's hard to say. I don't think this team any sort of new level of competitiveness until the entire team is balanced better. Nick Cousin is a nice depth piece, as is Dal Colle, but Ho-Sang, in my opinion, is not the answer (and not that NYI would ever make that deal anyway). On the back end, DeMelo has never proved to be anything more than perhaps a fringe top-4, at the best of days. I see no Sandin, or Robertson for that matter either, which has me a bit curious. It makes total sense for the Leafs to move a Dermott and Kapanen in order to get those lineup holes filled with good (perhaps better) young players still on ELC deals. Also, you might want to consider Radko Gudas. I am not sure what sort of big-time minutes he can handle, but him playing with say, Sandin, seems like an idea that could work. Also, no Clifford? I honestly think this team will underperform this RTP and there will be some major changes coming to this group, like trading Nylander sort of major changes.

Decent team but 3C is pretty weak. Cousins is a big step down from Kerfoot.