I just picked teams at random for trades and didnt include any piece going/coming cause it really doesnt matter. This is going to be a summer mostly based in cap management I believe. Really hate to see Muzzin go, and in all honesty I dont think he actually gets moved, but he does clear the most space and enable this type of roster shuffle.
Goalies: Think the Dubas might do a cheap option such as Murray or Talbot, while having an ok 1B such as Holtby or Comrie. I think the team is good enough to keep the team in a playoff spot with bang average goaltending and Dubas can swing an in season trade for one if an upgrade is desperately needed (Varlamov, Gibson, Hellebuyck, etc).
A bit of cap room left to account for FA contracts (+/- aav depending on term, market, etc)
Other names I’d see pursuing: Perron (personal favorite, doubt he wants to play for the Leafs though), Rakell, Stromes/White/Puljaarvi (maybe not a time to bet on potential, other younger, playoff-bubble teams might be more willing to overpay banking on potential).
I also think the Leafs could use a bit more tenacity/size in the bottom 6, but I just dont know who fits the bill for the right price. Unsure on Sanford, havent seen much of him but like his size.
Finally, I secretly hope the Leafs stumble out of the gate so Keefe gets canned. He is an antrocious head coach. The best coaches in the league arent the ones who make their teams & players analytic/stats darlings, the best coaches make their teams hard to play against and have the leadership, communication skills & relationships with players to make every single guy on the team willing to run through a brick wall to win. Watch the AllorNothing series, watch interviews and press conferences and see if you think Keefe is guy you’d want leading you into battle. I dont think so, he’s a whiny b-h and I’ve said from day one. IMO Keefe ranks in the bottom half of the league coaches. Dubas has been doing cap gymnastics to conistentlu give him a quality roster. Hopefully the fans, media and more importantly management take notice early in the season. Time for a new voice. Too bad we’ve missed out 2 years in a row on so many quality, coaches, proper leaders, these past two summers. Rant over.
Smith and Vegas have already agreed on a 3x5m contract. Just can't sign him for tagging reasons.
Didnt realize that. Wow, good on him for getting another contract with term at 5M aav, didnt expect Vegas to afford that. Replaced here with Perron or Rakell maybe..?
Didnt realize that. Wow, good on him for getting another contract with term at 5M aav, didnt expect Vegas to afford that. Replaced here with Perron or Rakell maybe..?
I'm thinking dubas is filling spots internally. But that doesn't go with your theme.
I'm thinking dubas is filling spots internally. But that doesn't go with your theme.
Honestly I do too. I dont think Mizzin gets moved, so the limited cap space gets filled up by the Envgalls, Abruzzeses, Holmbergs, etc. I just dont see any of these guys being difference makers. Going to rely even more on AM & MM this year as JT keeps regressing offensively and doubt Robertson is really ready for top 6 role yet
Honestly I do too. I dont think Mizzin gets moved, so the limited cap space gets filled up by the Envgalls, Abruzzeses, Holmbergs, etc. I just dont see any of these guys being difference makers. Going to rely even more on AM & MM this year as JT keeps regressing offensively and doubt Robertson is really ready for top 6 role yet
I think Robertson is 100% ready but Keefe would disagree. 89-91-88 would be an excellent line. Can only hope that Robbie kills it at camp to force keefes hand.