Which witch is which
Joined: Nov. 2022
Posts: 45
Likes: 28
The key to setting this team right is cap relief to allow for flexability.
You can't trade Mathews or Tavares. Rielly is a no-move and recently signed longterm. Trading Nylander provides some cap relief but the loss of his offense for a smaller return is not as beneficial as freeing 10.9 in cap space and the significant return for Mitch Marner. (I also prefer Nylanders ability to break through defensive lines, his ability to physical protect the puck is superior to Marner. Yes, he is frustrating, but he's performed very well in play-offs and if he's pushed he performs where-as Marner has tantrums. I also respect Nylanders ability to remain calm and poised. He doesn't get unglued the way Marner does. I totally get that when he's off it's horrendous, but the difference is that the opposition is incapable of getting under his skin. Marner is a target – EVERY NIGHT by EVERYONE because they know he get's emotional, frustrated and he shows it openly. Get to Marner and you affect Mathews - that is a huge detriment to the team).
Marner is a franchise player for half the teams in the league... the Leafs already have their franchise player – Mathews. Keeping both of them is redundant. Marner is susceptible to pressure and this is exploited by opposition, rendering him ineffective in high pressure games (ie play-offs). When Marner is shut-down you effectively eliminate 50% of Mathews offense, which ultimately kills the first line.
Based on this perspective Marner is the greatest asset for another team to acquire and the Leafs to use to build depth.
So who would want him?
Everyone... because his offense and skill is fantastic. I have focused on 5 teams that would probably love to take a swing on acquiring Marner who have assets the Leafs could use.
Seattle – would love a franchise player and have Yanni Gourde, Adam Larrson and Jared McEwan as potential trade options.
Vancouver – less options, but a conversation of acquiring Quinn Hughes wouldn't be off the table. But that's probably unattractive to the Canucks.
New Jersey – assets galore, but things are finally clicking there and I doubt they would want to derail their momentum.
Nashville – Taner Jeanot and Dante Fabbro would be great additions, but Leafs would have to take back a heavy contract as well and the options there aren't appealing to Nashville or the Leafs.
So.... I have focused on L.A..
The trade to L.A. Is not to bring back offense. It's to round out the depth and add size, grit and tenacity. Which the Leafs are sorely lacking. There is no trade involving Marner that will come out as a win for the Leafs based on a return of offense. SO... the best way to win a Marner trade is to address what the Leafs need, not an “equal” return. This means you have to bite the bullet, accept the disparity in return and take a chance. L.A. Is one of the few teams that has the pieces and still holds on to their own depth at the price of attaining a franchise superstar. I include Nick Robinson in this trade as he's an L.A. Boy and is an attractive prospect for the Kings.
In return the Leafs get....
Matt Roy - a tough, physical right handed depth defenseman. He also can fight.
Lemieux is a tenacious depth winger. He dictates the drive of his line and finishes checks.
Trevor Moore is big solid winger who is becoming a top 6 power winger, he can also be a bottom 6 offensive threat. I think we collectively groaned when Leafs traded him... I'd love to have him back.
Viktor Arvidsson is a return of salary as L.A. Needs some cap space to take Marners contract. He's skilled offensive player if the Leafs keep him, good top 6 winger.... but I would flip him for Foligno.
Acquiring a player of Marcus Foligno's ilk is a literal imperative for Toronto. This is the type of forward they are lacking. He's big, he throws hits, he fights, he can score, he's dependable and dammit he's a Foligno... and I love the Foligno's.
Trading Alex kerfoot just feels like a “it's time” move. Send him back home to Vancouver (they could use some more offense) and just bring back a return of 4th line center and a late draft pick. It's a steal for Vancouver really, but desperate times requires some unpleasant moves. He's gone for nothing in the off-season anyways. Nils Aman is turning into a good 4th liner in only his 2nd year. He was drafted in 6th round and it's staring to look like he's got more to offer than just 6-8 mins / game.
Malgin, Holl and Engvall are just not worth the time anymore. These guys can bring back some late picks. We've held onto these guys for too long and it's obvious they cannot improve beyond what we've already seen. This is the type of bottom 6 the Leafs need to move away from.