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Forums/Armchair-GM

Adding Cernak And Some Forecheckers

Created by: AnalyticsGeek
Team: 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs
Initial Creation Date: Aug. 12, 2020
Published: Aug. 12, 2020
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
Before I showcase and explain this armchair team, I want to make 1 thing clear. Until the Leafs make some noise in the Stanley Cup playoffs, I will always be on the "Trade Marner" bandwagon. I just don't think it's right to keep the guy who handcuffed his own team by asking for the highest and most unreasonable salary possible, plus he didn't play particularly well this season which set them back even further. I also think Marner could use a change of scenery, cuz even during the nights where he is giving a good effort, he just doesn't look like he has any confidence.

However, Elliot Friedman did say that Kyle Dubas wants to give the big 4 one more season to figure it out. Whether that's true or not, I decided to create an armchair team looking at how the team can possibly be improved under this scenario.

First, I traded for a defenceman. There are a few different options but I decided to go after Erik Cernak. Just a big body player who is great at preventing scoring chances as well as moving the puck out of his own end. His quality of competition is pretty high, so I feel putting him with Muzzin on a shutdown pair should work. I could only afford to keep 1 of Dermott and Holl. I chose Dermott because he's younger and has more potential. I also felt he played better in the playoffs as Holl had trouble handling the speed of the Blue Jackets in transition, but either would work.

While I'm not a big believer in size and physicality, I do think this team could use more guys like Hyman who just forecheck the opposition relentlessly, retrieve pucks and generate an offensive zone cycle. Even the 2016 Penguins, who were the definition of a finesse puck possession team, had a few guys who could play that type of style such as Chris Kunitz, Carl Hagelin and Conor Sheary. In order to make room for these players, I traded Kasperi Kapanen, who didn't have a great playoffs but I feel on a team that needs right wingers, he could establish himself as a full time top 6 player. He seems to be too straight line to play the possession game Keefe wants to play. I had to trade Johnsson as well to fit under the cap.

I probably overpaid in the trades but these are the players I'd target in this armchair thread. Overall, I think this team has all the pieces to make a deep run in the playoffs as their defence is improved plus they have the right complimentary forwards, so if they disappoint again, major changes need to be made to the core.

What'd y'all think?
Free Agent Signings
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
2$900,000
2$3,850,000
2$1,700,000
2$1,700,000
UFAYEARSCAP HIT
4$1,500,000
2$700,000
Trades
1.
TOR
  1. Cernak, Erik [RFA Rights]
  2. Verhaeghe, Carter [RFA Rights]
TBL
  1. Liljegren, Timothy
  2. 2021 1st round pick (TOR)
2.
TOR
  1. 2021 2nd round pick (PIT)
  2. 2022 2nd round pick (PIT)
3.
TOR
  1. 2020 2nd round pick (COL)
4.
NYR
  1. 2020 2nd round pick (COL)
Retained Salary Transactions
DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2020
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the VGK
Logo of the VGK
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the CAR
Logo of the COL
Logo of the SJS
Logo of the STL
Logo of the WPG
2021
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the PIT
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
2022
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the PIT
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
23$81,500,000$81,459,783$0$300,000$40,217

Roster

Left WingCentreRight Wing
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$2,250,000$2,250,000
RW, LW
M-NTC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$11,000,000$11,000,000
C, LW
NMC
UFA - 5
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$10,903,000$10,903,000
RW
UFA - 5
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$821,667$821,667
LW, RW
RFA - 4
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$11,640,250$11,640,250
C
UFA - 4
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$6,962,366$6,962,366
RW
UFA - 4
$1,500,000$1,500,000
LW, RW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$3,500,000$3,500,000
LW, C, RW
UFA - 3
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$1,700,000$1,700,000
LW, RW
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$1,250,000$1,250,000
RW, LW
UFA - 2
$900,000$900,000
LW
UFA - 2
Logo of the New York Rangers
$863,333$863,333 (Performance Bonus$300,000$300K)
RW
UFA - 1
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$5,625,000$5,625,000
LD
NMC
UFA - 4
$3,850,000$3,850,000
RD
UFA - 3
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$5,000,000$5,000,000
G
M-NTC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$5,000,000$5,000,000
LD
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$1,700,000$1,700,000
LD/RD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$1,650,000$1,650,000
G
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$894,167$894,167
LD
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$925,000$925,000
LD
UFA - 1
ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$925,000$925,000
RW, LW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$700,000$700,000
C, RW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$700,000$700,000
LD
UFA - 1

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Aug. 12, 2020 at 2:35 p.m.
#1
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Aug. 12, 2020 at 2:36 p.m.
#2
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Least u didn’t trade Marner
Pens3lieve, Yojimbo, Leafs_fan13 and 1 other person liked this.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 2:38 p.m.
#3
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I hope Dubas learned his lesson not to trade away 1st round draft picks.

If you're gonna give him that much money you should just offer sheet. That way you only give up a 2nd round pick.

That Pittsburgh trade is terrible if they want Kapanen they'll have to give up a 1st let alone Holl too.

Also where is Spezza? He said he'd sign for league minimum and he plays way better than that.
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Aug. 12, 2020 at 2:40 p.m.
#4
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ok you can ping me now since you put "don't quote this".

That is a huge over payment for Cernak. If thats his cost, then we should probably go after someone else
MMXD and firezfurx liked this.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 2:42 p.m.
#5
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I definitely like the Cernak acquisition, but that is a steep price. Could just offer sheet him for that price and give up just a 2nd
Aug. 12, 2020 at 2:43 p.m.
#6
Am Yisrael Chai
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Only Gauthier trade worthwhile is Kasperi Kapanen.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 2:46 p.m.
#7
Hockey IQ
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still a "first round exit" team if they face NYI/CBJ/BOS/etc. basically any team that plays hard defense...
Sheary lol fits that team perfectly....
Aug. 12, 2020 at 2:47 p.m.
#8
Once a Kings Fan Too
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I like the overall strategy. People will differ about the respective values in certain trades, but this is an entirely reasonable approach. Nice job.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 2:50 p.m.
#9
Leafs Sufferer
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Even with Cernak, I am still not confident in that D-core.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:06 p.m.
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Hakuna Matata
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Edited Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:49 p.m.
Quoting: Leafs_and_Sens_Fan
I hope Dubas learned his lesson not to trade away 1st round draft picks.

If you're gonna give him that much money you should just offer sheet. That way you only give up a 2nd round pick.

That Pittsburgh trade is terrible if they want Kapanen they'll have to give up a 1st let alone Holl too.

Also where is Spezza? He said he'd sign for league minimum and he plays way better than that.


I mean he had to in order to dump marleau. Thanks Lou. I was okay with him trading the 1st for muzzin as he has been great the year before
MMXD liked this.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:11 p.m.
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I kinda like it, though I would have liked to see Barabanov in. I’m also not a huge fan of Sheary but that’s just me. Getting Cernak was good tho however I’m not keen on moving Liljegren.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:19 p.m.
#12
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Quoting: Leafs_and_Sens_Fan
I hope Dubas learned his lesson not to trade away 1st round draft picks.

If you're gonna give him that much money you should just offer sheet. That way you only give up a 2nd round pick.

That Pittsburgh trade is terrible if they want Kapanen they'll have to give up a 1st let alone Holl too.

Also where is Spezza? He said he'd sign for league minimum and he plays way better than that.


I have Spezza on the roster. The plan would be to rotate with Sheary every other game.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:19 p.m.
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Quoting: keep_ups12
ok you can ping me now since you put "don't quote this".

That is a huge over payment for Cernak. If thats his cost, then we should probably go after someone else


Quoting: TheresAlwaysNextYear
I definitely like the Cernak acquisition, but that is a steep price. Could just offer sheet him for that price and give up just a 2nd


Yeah I guess you could offer sheet him. But I went for the trade because I felt TBL might match.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:20 p.m.
#14
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Quoting: Stanley_Cup_To_Manhattan
Only Gauthier trade worthwhile is Kasperi Kapanen.


Sure, I'd be willing to do that.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:20 p.m.
#15
Am Yisrael Chai
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Quoting: MitchMarnerElite
Sure, I'd be willing to do that.


Sounds good.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:21 p.m.
#16
Dubas isnt a genius
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Overypay on Cernak. Liljegren 1 for 1 is probably fine.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:23 p.m.
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Quoting: Pens3lieve
still a "first round exit" team if they face NYI/CBJ/BOS/etc. basically any team that plays hard defense...
Sheary lol fits that team perfectly....


I think on this team, the Leafs have forwards that are more aggressive and relentless when it comes to pressuring the opposition. They'll be able to win puck battles and force the defence to make mistakes. Sheary is actually a good puck retriever and forechecker, his issue is he doesn't have any skill.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:24 p.m.
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Quoting: OldNYIfan
I like the overall strategy. People will differ about the respective values in certain trades, but this is an entirely reasonable approach. Nice job.


Thanks. I feel that it's important to have skilled players but the whole roster can't be like that or else they just get outworked. Tampa has gone down on a similar strategy too.
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Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:25 p.m.
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Quoting: MMXD
I kinda like it, though I would have liked to see Barabanov in. I’m also not a huge fan of Sheary but that’s just me. Getting Cernak was good tho however I’m not keen on moving Liljegren.


Yep forgot about Barabanov. He can play over Sheary.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:25 p.m.
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Quoting: firezfurx
Overypay on Cernak. Liljegren 1 for 1 is probably fine.


Yeah I guess it works. Might have to add a pick to get Verhaeghe though.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:26 p.m.
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Dubas isnt a genius
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Quoting: MitchMarnerElite
Yeah I guess it works. Might have to add a pick to get Verhaeghe though.


I don't think we need Verhaeghe though. Barabanov will probably be better and he is also an aggressive forchecker.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:28 p.m.
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Quoting: MitchMarnerElite
Sure, I'd be willing to do that.


Are you kidding me? That makes no sense at all.

Gauthier has 3 points in 20 games... what makes him worth Kapanen?
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:29 p.m.
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If the Sharks want Johnsson, we're not overpaying for him. A 3rd is the most we'll do.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:41 p.m.
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Quoting: firezfurx
I don't think we need Verhaeghe though. Barabanov will probably be better and he is also an aggressive forchecker.


Maybe his game will translate, but until he proves it we can’t say for sure.
Aug. 12, 2020 at 3:42 p.m.
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Quoting: Leafs_and_Sens_Fan
Are you kidding me? That makes no sense at all.

Gauthier has 3 points in 20 games... what makes him worth Kapanen?


Well, he’s not worth Kapanen, NYR would have to add. But he’s an ELC player who’s extremely fast, has got great size & is a good forechecker.
 
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