Who adds what?
Joined: Jul. 2017
Posts: 13,677
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Having that big question mark at 3C makes the other one scary. Hamonic and Gudas seem like the types of defensemen Leafs fans have been asking about for a few years. I agree with your guess that Dubas will replace Barrie with a low-priced similar style of player in DeMelo. Low risk signing that could turn out pretty good, especially at a 3M cap hit.
Holl and Dermott have their moments, for sure. They know the team. They play okay with the other guys.
Hamonic is exactly what Toronto fans have been asking for on here. But when you present a roster with "placeholder 1.5M" at 3C, that does strike worry into any reader. Keeping Andersen is another move that gives readers some confidence.
If Pietrangelo is out of touch with the market, and not worth gutting the team for, there's nothing too wrong with how they finished in 19-20, and no big need to rebuild.
At the same time, this could be a really slow free agency year. Like, maybe nobody gets any bids. At that point, the Leafs might find a supporting player or two, and they might decide to clear some cap space here and there.
But if you wanted a passable 3C under a 1.5M cap hit, on the trade market, that's like, a two-day project. Week, max. Just have to decide whether you're planning a third offensive line or a checking line. Won't get a great two-way player at that price-point without overpaying to get someone on an ELC. The simples solution, though, on that other build, is to just give Engvall a shot. Not a popular option, but neither was Holl a year ago, and he's getting better.