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Random Ideas

Created by: ryanma260
Team: 2023-24 Toronto Maple Leafs
Initial Creation Date: Jun. 7, 2023
Published: Jun. 7, 2023
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
The assumption in this Armchair-GM is that Giordano will retire as has been rumoured over the last few weeks.

Priorities Addressed in this offseason for Toronto:
1) Clear Murray's Cap
2) Move on from Muzzin in order to allow for Cap Space Accrual
3) Treliving is looking to leave his mark on the blueline, so expect at least one noticeable move/signing
4) Address the Goalie tandem going into 2024
5) Find bottom 6 scoring

RFA Signing Rationale:
Depth:
Kral, Hollowell, and Abruzzese all get Minor raises as they'll continue to play with the Marlies for the most part. Abruzzese is one of many forwards that are in consideration for 4th line minutes for Toronto alongside Lafferty, Steeves, McMann, Holmberg, Kerfoot (yes I know), and Robertson.

Samsonov gets a bag but not the one you might expect:
I dont think Samsonov gets over 4 AAV. I think with the way contracts like Markstrom, Grubauer and Campbell have looked in recent years NHL teams are going to be much more hesitant to offer big AAV and big term to goaltenders with injury concerns or inconsistency. Samsonov's play this season has certainly earned him a raise, but with Toronto still holding his RFA rights, if a team were to offer Samsonov 4 AAV it would cost them a 2nd round pick. If they offer 4.25 AAV it would cost them a 1st and a third. Anything less than 4 and Toronto matches. The term is flexible, personally I think Toronto prefers a shorter term deal, but this can range from anywhere between 3 - 5 years. Toronto rolls into 2024 with a Samsonov - Woll tandem, Ingram as a potential 3rd goalie, but even if he gets claimed on waivers, the Leafs have a trio of young goalies in the minors to call up.

We need more from Pontus Holmberg:
Kampf, and ZAR have likely played their way out of Toronto's budget. I expect Kampf to get upwards of 2.5 AAV and ZAR certainly get more than the 700K he made last season. Holmberg gets a slight raise with promises that he will get another real shot to man 4C minutes for the big club. He showed flashes last season but with the cap squeezing the Leafs, they need him to be a beacon at sea, not a flashlight running low on battery. Flashes aren't enough next season.

UFA Signing Rationale:
Treliving finishes what Kyle started:
Kyle Dubas made it a point to re-vamp Toronto's defense with physical minute munchers that could punish opposing stars with bone-crushing hits and physicality in McCabe and Schenn. Treliving has been known to value that as well throughout his tenure with Calgary (See Tanev, Zadorov and Weegar). Carson Soucy fits everything Treliving wants. He's physical, hits everything that moves, can play the penalty kill, and can absolutely eat minutes. Coming off a deep playoff run with Seattle, Soucy will cost a pretty penny especially in a weaker than usual FA class. I expect his cap hit to be around a 4 AAV x 4. He played bottom pair minutes for Seattle but is capable of playing more minutes if necessary. He probably gets 3.25 - 3.5 in a normal market, but with a weaker free agent group than usual, Toronto will have to overpay a bit to secure his services. His ability to play both the left and right benefit Toronto especially if they keep Keefe who's been known to put his defense pairs (and lines) in a blender.

PaSchenn remains in Toronto:
Luke Schenn has always wanted to return to Toronto, has bought a home here after his trade and is likely the newest installment of players to sign in Toronto for cheap. 950K AAV x 2 for the former 5th overall pick is a bargain given his play with Rielly in the playoffs.

A short-tenured fan favourite and a unfairly criticized long-term vet:
Noel Acciari is a fan favourite in Toronto for the same reasons Luke Schenn has been. He hits. A lot. He also scores every so often. His play with Toronto and St. Louis will likely net him a raise in a weak FA class so once again, Toronto will pay 1.85 AAV x 3 to make sure that Matthews and Marner aren't the ones getting blown up by Cookie on the forecheck (Or scoring important goals against them in the playoffs, that hasn't happened before right?).

Alex Kerfoot is a much maligned player amongst Leafs fans. However, he did have the OT winner against Tampa, and the locker room loves him. Is it his fault he was included in the Nazem Kadri trade where he was only meant to be a secondary piece that became the main piece after Tyson Barrie busted under Mike Babcock? No. Was it his fault that he was offered a 3.5 AAV contract? No. Kerfoot did not meet expectations as a 3rd line staple and really did not perform as one, but he had a very good series against MTL 2 years ago, a huge moment against Tampa. He has versatility which is very valuable, and if Toronto can re-secure is services at less than 1.5 AAV for a year, Toronto could do worse.
Free Agent Signings
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
2$875,000
2$950,000
2$800,000
2$925,000
3$3,850,000
1$950,000
UFAYEARSCAP HIT
2$975,000
4$3,975,000
3$1,850,000
1$1,350,000
Trades
1.
TOR
  1. 2023 2nd round pick (COL)
  2. 2023 4th round pick (ANA)
Additional Details:
Similar to the Mrazek Trade, Toronto is moving down in the draft to offload Murray's deal with Anaheim. Toronto moved down only 13 slots, in this trade they would be moving down 30+ picks as Colorado's 2nd is projected to be 57th overall so I've added a 4th round pick to even the trade.

Murray has a M-NTC but I doubt he'd decline it for the opportunity to play real games next year while enjoying the California weather. There won't be the burden of expectations on him and Toronto will be able to offload his contract while building some much needed Draft Capital in the mid rounds.
ANA
  1. Murray, Matt
  2. 2023 1st round pick (BOS)
Additional Details:
Anaheim gets another 1st round pick in a very deep draft class, and all they had to do is pick up Murray's contract which actually helps them reach the cap floor.

This trade is also contingent on Anaheim committing to finally trading away John Gibson meaning they need a stop gap starter for the next 1/2 seasons while players like Dostal and Clang develop into NHL regulars.
2.
TOR
  1. Ingram, Connor [RFA Rights]
Additional Details:
Much like the Jakub Voracek deal earlier last season, (Voracek and a late round pick to Arizona for G Jon Gillies) Toronto moves an LTIR Contract to Arizona with a 7th round pick for a goalie that likely doesn't fit into Arizona's long term plans.

With Erik Kallgren likely looking for a back up role elsewhere now he has fallen out of favour in Toronto to Joseph Woll, an extension is unlikely. Especially since Kallgren is a Group 6 UFA, Toronto has no way to force him to stay while Ingram is a pending RFA. All things equal, Ingram likely never plays a game for Toronto even if he does sign as he'll probably get claimed off waivers by a team the moment Toronto tries to send him to the AHL Marlies, but the dart throw is worth it as Toronto is currently without a 3rd option in goal especially with the injury concerns of the existing goalies on their roster/

Additionally, moving on from Muzzin allows Toronto to accrue cap space during the regular season which will be incredibly important as this team moves towards the trade deadline. As we saw with Edmonton's trade for Nick Bjugstad just this past trade deadline, every little bit of cap space counts.
ARI
  1. Muzzin, Jake
  2. 2024 7th round pick (TOR)
Additional Details:
hile Ingram played 27 games for Arizona, with 24 year old Ivan Prosvetov staying up with the team at the end of last season, there's no reason to believe he will start the season with the AHL Tucscon Roadrunners and he will likely be afforded every opportunity to be the back up to Vejmelka.

Given the likelihood that Arizona will not even tender Ingram a contract or qualifying offer, getting any form of draft capital for him makes this trade worthwhile.

In short Toronto gives up a 7th to be able to accrue cap space and get a goalie that can serve as their 3rd option IF he manages to clear waivers. Arizona gets a 7th for taking on a guy who helps them reach the cap floor and gives up a player they likely won't extend anyways.
3.
TOR
  1. Konecny, Travis
  2. Laughton, Scott ($1,500,000 retained)
Additional Details:
Toronto gets 2 important pieces to their Middle 6 group for a combined 7 Mill AAV.

Here's my way of looking at the deal:

A first round pick, Roni Hirvonen, Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, Artur Aktyamov for Travis Konecny

a Third Round Pick and Ryan Tverberg for Scott Laughton at 50% retained for 3 years.

Konecny is obviously exactly what Leafs fans have been looking for. A pesky top 6 player who has the talent to back it up, and offers Toronto another scoring option in the top 6 for when the top guns just can't find it in the playoffs. A PPG game player last season on a 40 goal pace is exactly what Toronto needs.

Looking at Laughton, while he's had very good seasons (43 points last season, he had one season where he was on a 50 point pace 3 or 4 years ago), for most of his career he has been a mid 30 point per season player. On the high-end, Laughton will offer a legitimate 3C who can solve Toronto's depth scoring anguish in the Playoffs at a fraction of the cost. On the low-end Laughton will be a slower version of what Pierre Engvall was for Toronto, but much more physical and has the ability to actually play center.
PHI
  1. Akhtiamov, Artur [Reserve List]
  2. Der-Arguchintsev, Semyon [RFA Rights]
  3. Hirvonen, Roni
  4. Tverberg, Ryan
  5. 2024 1st round pick (TOR)
  6. 2024 3rd round pick (NYI)
Additional Details:
Philadelphia is currently in the midst of a full on rebuild, shelving off Provorov just earlier this week for picks and prospects as well as taking on bad contracts like Cal Petersen.

Carter Hart (only 24 years old), was arguably a top 10 goalie last season, is also now being actively shopped so there is no reason players like Konecny (26) and Laughton (29) shouldn't also be available for trade.

The pieces Philly are getting back are also substantial.

For Konecny:
We all know the asking price for Konecny will start at a first unless Toronto is willing to shell out a Knies or Minten (which they shouldn't).

Roni Hirvonen is a top 5-7 prospect in Toronto's deep farm system by most rankings and was a 2nd round pick in 2020 and will likely make the jump to the NHL in 2-3 seasons time.

Artur Akhtyamov is an intriguing prospect Toronto took in the 4th round in 2020. Scott Wheeler ranked him as Toronto's 14th best prospect and with Hart on the block, it would be prudent for Philadelphia to acquire a young prospect between the pipes (21 years old).

SDA has been a prospect Leafs fans have been excited about but hasn't quite made it translate enough to find an NHL roster spot (made his NHL debut last season). He's going back to the KHL after his most productive season in the AHL last year (40 points in 52 games). Toronto will likely offer him a QO in order to keep his rights, but he's a player that could become a bottom 6 player if his play off the puck and in his own zone improve.

For Laughton:
The third round pick is right along the lines of what Toronto got for Engvall who was only making 1.25 AAV. Laughton is undoubtedly the better player with a longer track record which is why Toronto would be offering Ryan Tverberg for him at 50% retention for 3 years. I think the offer is pretty fair to market value for a career 35-38 point guy.

Ryan Tverberg nearly made Team Canada's WJC team last season. He was invited to camp and one of the last players to be cut. (Scott Wheeler's last rankings had Tverberg as a top 10 prospect in Toronto's farm system). Another high end potential prospect for Philly to work with.

In short Philadelphia gets:
A first and 3rd round pick
Three Top 15 Prospects in Toronto's Farm System
Semyon Der-Arguchinstev
4.
TOR
  1. Dubé, Dillon
  2. Lindholm, Elias
Additional Details:
This is probably the most interesting trade.

Could Treliving work out a deal with his former team? He definitely knows the players better than anyone else so if Lindholm and Dube are worth getting he'd be the first one to do it.

Clearly Calgary can't rebuild given the monster amount of money they gave to guys like Kadri, Huberdeau, Weegar and Markstrom.

However, Lindholm likely isn't going to sign an extension in Calgary and silently looks to want a trade out. While his extension will likely come out to Horvat's contract with NY (8.5 AAV x 8)

Dube is an interesting one. While he's coming off a career year with 45 points in 82 games, I'm not sure his extension next season will exceed 4.5 AAV depending on how this season goes. Lawson Crouse would be my comparable contract which would come out to (4.3 AAV x 4). Adding these two guys together would get Toronto 12.8 in cap hit next season. Considering Nylander will likely ask for 10 AAV x 8, it'll be important to decide whether Toronto is willing to go into 2024 with 4 players making above 10 AAV.

The extra 2.8-3 Mill Toronto pays for these 2 players will likely be offloaded with Treliving finding value on the blueline to replace Brodie next season. Toronto diversifies their cap space into two very useful middle 6 forwards that should theoretically give them more depth scoring options, but loses arguably their 2nd best forward from last season.

Toronto would probably like some additional draft compensation in return, however Calgary may feel like they've already given up too much. In these cases, I find that when both teams feel like they've kind of lost the trade, the trade's pretty fair.
CGY
  1. Nylander, William
Additional Details:
Nylander is from Calgary and would likely re-sign with the Flames. He'd get a 10 AAV x 8 contract extension but given it's only 1.5 more than Lindholm would have gotten, Calgary probably wouldn't mind. They get a younger, and more offensively dynamic, and overall better player.

The main priority for Calgary this offseason is one thing. Or rather two things. GET KADRI AND HUBDERDEAU GOING. If they fail to do this those two contracts will become anchors. Playing them alongside a play driver and offensive supernova in Nylander both 5 on 5 and on the Powerplay could be what re-ignites both of their offensive production. While giving up Lindholm and Dube will hurt, Huberdeau and Kadri not performing in the long term will hurt more. Playing them with an offensive superstar is as good of a bet Calgary will get to get those two going. Put simply, Calgary gets the best player in this trade.

Losing the only 24 year old Dube will certainly hurt, but Calgary has players like Coronato, Zary and Pelletier to fill his shoes. With Huberdeau and Kadri's contracts, Calgary likely would need contributions from their top forward prospects next season regardless. Losing Dube after a career year hurts but not having to account for his raise next season will allow Calgary more flexibility and creative options to address the 2024 offseason with Toffoli, Backlund, Hanifan, Tanev and Zadorov all coming off the books.

Perhaps not having to bring back Dube will let Calgary be more aggressive in the 2024 free agency period, or also give them more flexibility making trades. This trade does leave Calgary short a Third Line C but perhaps this means they need to bank on Blake Coleman to live up to the contract they gave him last season (Coleman did come in 22nd in Selke voting the last time he played Center full time back in the 2019/2020 season). If that is the case, CGY would only need to sign two 4th line contracts which they could easily fit with their roughly 1.5 Mill in cap space.

This is what Calgary's lineup could look like with a Nylander trade. I've just plugged in Aston-Reese and Brassard as examples for Minimum Contracts

Nylander - Kadri - Huberdeau
Toffoli - Backlund - Pelletier
Mangiapane - Coleman - Coronato
Aston-Reese - Brassard - Zary

Hanifan - Andersson
Zadorov - Weegar
Tanev - Kylington

Markstrom
Wolf

If Markstrom can return to form and Nylander ignites Kadri and Huberdeau's offensive production this team can still be a contender in the Western Conference.
Buried
DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2023
Logo of the COL
Logo of the ANA
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
2024
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the CHI
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the OTT
2025
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the CHI
Logo of the TOR
Logo of the TOR
ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
23$83,500,000$83,381,584$0$0$118,416

Roster

Left WingCentreRight Wing
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$925,000$925,000
LW, RW
RFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$11,640,250$11,640,250
C
NMC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$10,903,000$10,903,000
RW
NMC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$11,000,000$11,000,000
C, LW
NMC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Calgary Flames
$4,850,000$4,850,000
C, RW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Philadelphia Flyers
$5,500,000$5,500,000
RW, LW
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$796,667$796,667
LW, RW
RFA - 1
Logo of the Philadelphia Flyers
$1,500,000$1,500,000
C, LW
UFA - 3
Logo of the Calgary Flames
$2,300,000$2,300,000
LW, RW, C
RFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$2,100,000$2,100,000
RW, C, LW
M-NTC
UFA - 3
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$950,000$950,000
C, LW
RFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$1,850,000$1,850,000
C, RW
UFA - 3
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$2,000,000$2,000,000
LD/RD
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$5,000,000$5,000,000
LD/RD
M-NTC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$3,850,000$3,850,000
G
UFA - 1
$3,975,000$3,975,000
LD/RD
UFA - 3
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$1,400,000$1,400,000
RD
RFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$766,667$766,667
G
RFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$7,500,000$7,500,000
LD
NMC
UFA - 7
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$975,000$975,000
RD
UFA - 3
ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$1,100,000$1,100,000
RD
RFA - 2
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$1,150,000$1,150,000
RW, C, LW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs
$1,350,000$1,350,000
LW, C, RW
UFA - 2

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Jun. 7, 2023 at 5:49 p.m.
#1
Wolf.for.Vezina
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I dont get why cgy will be adding lmao
Jun. 7, 2023 at 5:54 p.m.
#2
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Hard pass from Calgary. I wouldn't move Lindholm for Nylander straight up.
Jun. 7, 2023 at 6:10 p.m.
#3
Once a Kings Fan Too
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I would accept that offer as the Anaheim GM, and it wouldn't be contingent upon trading John Gibson. We'll sign the paperwork now.
Jun. 7, 2023 at 6:29 p.m.
#4
Banned
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Flyers easily pass, most of that trade is scraps and you want TK and Laughton with retention lmao
Jun. 7, 2023 at 6:55 p.m.
#5
Dr_Invictus
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I appreciate all the effort you put into this ACGM. However, trading Lindholm to get Nylander so we can have a RW on our top line defeats the purpose of trading for him to begin with. Is Kadri a 1C? No, he certainly isn't. Nor is Backlund. So then Calgary needs to consider how to get a top line center, which isn't readily available. They either need to retool or rebuild and Nylander doesn't help them do that. The flames don't get better by making this trade so there is little incentive to do it.

Konecny would be a great fit in most teams, but I doubt Philly takes that deal. None of the prospects listed are tantalizing enough to warrant moving Konecny, and other teams could easily top that: Quality over Quantity.

Arizona may take the deal if they move Keller and need to boost themselves to the cap floor. Anaheim may ask for more given the cap crunch is worse this year.
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Jun. 7, 2023 at 7:01 p.m.
#6
Briere Masterclass
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I like the effort put into this post but I think the Flyers say no pretty easily. Firstly I don’t think they get a piece valuable enough that makes them want to pull the trigger. TK can easily land a very talented prospect and I believe Laughton at 50% can land a first round pick because of his low AAV and versatility (think Coleman/Goodrow deals)
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Jun. 7, 2023 at 7:07 p.m.
#7
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Flames don't consider that
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