I think that the Leafs are not far to go over that bump, but they do still need to make a few moves to go over that bump. For me, it starts with trading one of the "Core 4" and get stronger on defense.
Personally, the one that is expendable is William Nylander. He was good during the playoffs, but inconsistent (pretty much like the rest of the Core 4). Marner is a local boy pretty much untouchable. Tavares is also local, but his contract is the issue for him to put him in a trade, no one would want an aging player with a cap hit of 11 million $. I would keep Matthews.
In this situation, St. Louis decides to retool (or rebuild however you like) and Colton Parayko is available. Yes, he just signed an extension, but his cap hit for 7 years could be an issue with a retooling (or rebuilding) team. I would trade Nylander, Nick Robertson and Boston's first round pick in exchange for Parayko, and Toronto get their 2nd round pick in 2024 back. It gives a solid defense, something that they really need, and would also help the penalty kill.
To replace Nylander on the 2nd line, I would acquire Conor Garland from Vancouver, another team on a rebuild. Garland would be a cheaper version of Nylander and could perform really well with Tavares in the middle. I traded a prospect in Villeneuve that could have an impact in Vancouver in the future. The Leafs have other prospects on the blue line that are similar to Villeneuve, but better.
In free agency, I decided to take a wild bet in Max Pacioretty. Comes back from a major injury, would probably take a big pay cut, and could have a big impact on the team's first line with Matthews and Marner. It might be a big risk, but it could be a high reward. Getting Corey Perry for the 4th line helps with the grit on the team, and quoting from Shoresy, "the guy hates to lose". He will give his 100% night in night out. I'm also bringing back guys like O'Rielly, Acciari, Bunting to help out with the depth.
In the crease, I'm buying out Murray. He's washed and shouldn't be back on the team next year. Replacing him with Woll with the intensions that he becomes the 1st goalie on the depth chart in the near future
Horrible trade for Toronto, Parayko isn't even a positive asset. 6.5M cap hit for at best a 2nd pair defender? Yikes
Have you watched the guy play? I would 100% have a pairing of Rielly-Parayko for the next 5 years what we have now. Nylander will ask north of 8 or even 9 million and we all know Toronto can't afford that
Quoting: xercuses
idk thats a good package for Parayko but i think the blues would want a replacement coming back in a Parayko trade
I tried to find a defensemen that could be in the trade also, but I don't think the Leafs have what St. Louis need to replace him right away. Maybe they find another trade for that replacement
For once, a respectable offer at least (though Robertson has zero value of any kind to the Blues). Sorry, I would pass anyway. Creates more needs than it serves for the Blues.
For once, a respectable offer at least (though Robertson has zero value of any kind to the Blues). Sorry, I would pass anyway. Creates more needs than it serves for the Blues.
You think a guy like Niemela would've been more appropriate for this trade?
You think a guy like Niemela would've been more appropriate for this trade?
No. The Blues have too many small offensive Dmen as is.
Honestly, I do not think the Blues and Leafs make for good trade partners right now. Their needs clash. The Leafs want to move pricey wingers with little term, which is the last thing the Blues need or want. The Blues seemingly want to move out probably Krug and/or Leddy so they can get Parayko a proper partner finally - the Leafs cannot help with any of that.
Swap Robertson for Liljegren and maybe do something different with the picks and that seems fine for Parayko. Maybe give TOR their 1st back instead of the 2nd and swap the BOS pick for a 24 2nd.
Parayko + ‘23 TOR 1st
For
Nylander + Liljegren + ‘24 TOR 2nd
Have you watched the guy play? I would 100% have a pairing of Rielly-Parayko for the next 5 years what we have now. Nylander will ask north of 8 or even 9 million and we all know Toronto can't afford that
I tried to find a defensemen that could be in the trade also, but I don't think the Leafs have what St. Louis need to replace him right away. Maybe they find another trade for that replacement
I have watched Parayko play. He has mobility issues and is spotty when it comes to connecting play with forwards. Probably still feeling the effects of that back injury he suffered
2nd pairing stay at home defensemen absolutely make that kinda money nowadays, especially RD.
Give me an example outside of Parayko. Who is a bonafied 2nd pair, but not top pair defender making between 6 and 7 million dollars annually? AND, is considered to be an efficient cap commitment
Like it or not, 6.5 millions $ is the new 3-4 millions $ with how lucrative the contracts are right now. And with the cap that is supposed to go up, you're going to see more money for role players
I have watched Parayko play. He has mobility issues and is spotty when it comes to connecting play with forwards. Probably still feeling the effects of that back injury he suffered
Spotty when it comes to connecting play with the forwards is accurate. Mobility issues is wildly incorrect. Parayko is a fantastic skater especially for his size.
He never developed a great first pass which is what’s holding him back. He’s not at best a 2nd pair defenseman. He is being deployed at the deployment you’d give a Norris winner who is defensively minded.
Spotty when it comes to connecting play with the forwards is accurate. Mobility issues is wildly incorrect. Parayko is a fantastic skater especially for his size.
He never developed a great first pass which is what’s holding him back. He’s not at best a 2nd pair defenseman. He is being deployed at the deployment you’d give a Norris winner who is defensively minded.
Since the Blues missed the playoffs, he's clearly not doing a good enough job, and if he's so mobile, why does everybody say he needs a mobile defense partner? Like a Nick Leddy, hmm?
Since the Blues missed the playoffs, he's clearly not doing a good enough job, and if he's so mobile, why does everybody say he needs a mobile defense partner? Like a Nick Leddy, hmm?
Because he’s thrown into a position of playing 20 minutes a night at 65%+ dzs. He needs a good partner who can handle the minutes.
Mobile partner isn’t true but anyone you throw into that role needs to be a very good player. He needs someone that can transition the puck themselves at times and play solid defense. Tell me, which one of Leddy, Mikkola, or Scandella fits that bill? Leddy is a good exit and entry player but isn’t worth much in his own zone. Scandella is at least engaged defensively, but somehow always is up around the net in the ozone, Mikkola handles the puck like it’s 2 seconds from exploding but was prettt solid defensively
Because he’s thrown into a position of playing 20 minutes a night at 65%+ dzs. He needs a good partner who can handle the minutes.
Mobile partner isn’t true but anyone you throw into that role needs to be a very good player. He needs someone that can transition the puck themselves at times and play solid defense. Tell me, which one of Leddy, Mikkola, or Scandella fits that bill? Leddy is a good exit and entry player but isn’t worth much in his own zone. Scandella is at least engaged defensively, but somehow always is up around the net in the ozone, Mikkola handles the puck like it’s 2 seconds from exploding but was prettt solid defensively
I never said that the answer was in the organization, just that Army is going to have to pull a rabbit out of a hat to find a solution
Like it or not, 6.5 millions $ is the new 3-4 millions $ with how lucrative the contracts are right now. And with the cap that is supposed to go up, you're going to see more money for role players
The Leafs would be better off trying to use Nylander to draft a high-end RD and/or signing on of the ufa RD until then. You don't win a Nylander for Parayko trade 1 for 1 let alone giving Nylander+. If Parayko can't handle Toronto or isn't a fit, he's immovable.
You don't even have a proper counter argument, that's the "saad" part. 2nd pair d-men just don't make that kind of money annually in today's market
your comment isnt worth arguing cause its so wrong.
but here, His stats from last year say otherwise. Aside from his rough start to the year he was really good
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