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TML_GM

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Toronto Maple Leafs
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Forum: Armchair-GMFeb. 13, 2023 at 4:10 p.m.
Thread: Addressing needs without chasing big name UFAs or giving up prime assets
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Herb_Brooks</b></div><div>the fact that hits was the only stat stated about the incoming guys tells you all you need to know</div></div>

It seems to tell me that you don't know how to use the Internet to look up other stats on your own or perhaps that you missed the point of this CapFriendly team? The statement at the very start of the description of this post mentioned the perceived need to get more physical to be "playoff ready". Hence hits is the stat I chose to highlight for the incoming players.

If you are at all familiar with these players, they are anything but one-dimensional. I mean, if the Leafs want they can certainly spend more assets to bring in more of exactly what they have already, likely for a single playoff run, however that would be the equivalent of trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

By no means do I think the Leafs will hit their way to a Stanley Cup, but if you have paid attention to the playoffs (beyond when the Leafs get eliminated each year) you will note that there is a need for a hard forecheck and playing "big" (you don't necessarily need to be big just play without fear). You could think of it as being tough to play against throughout the grind of the playoffs. It wears teams down over the course of a series.

These moves add that element, while maintaining (and supporting) the players that drive the long bar charts on the analytics side of the equation. I would argue it makes it easier for those players to drive play when they don't also feel like if they don't have it that night the team has nothing to bring or swing momentum.
Forum: Armchair-GMFeb. 13, 2023 at 3:27 p.m.
Thread: Addressing needs without chasing big name UFAs or giving up prime assets
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Goal_Dancers</b></div><div>I believe this scenario puts the Leafs at 53 standard player contracts, the limit is 50. Even NHL 23 wouldn't let you do this.</div></div>

This is a good point. I meant to make note of it in the description that additional lower-end prospects can be included in deal to make contract counts work. I usually do that but didn't think of it until after and didn't want to revert all the trades. (Dear CapFriendly, please add an edit trade function.)

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Goal_Dancers</b></div><div>3rd, 5th, young goalie prospect for old goalie and out for the year forward. That one isn't adding up to me, regardless if Nyquist can come back and be free money.</div></div>

Since I asked for retention on Korpisalo (who is only 28 by the way) as well as the wildcard of Nyquist, I felt a 3rd+5th was fair. There will likely be a few teams looking to add him. I could drop it to a 4th+5th, but I feel CLB will want a 3rd due to the retention.
Forum: Armchair-GMFeb. 13, 2023 at 3:21 p.m.
Thread: Addressing needs without chasing big name UFAs or giving up prime assets
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>EvanderKanesLawyer</b></div><div>Physical and defensive grit is good for lineup matches. Jeannot plays 15 minutes TOI and takes hard matchups. Having a good and physical bottom 6 is great for wearing down your opponents and shutting them out, something Toronto's bottom 6 lacked last playoffs.</div></div>

This is bang on. In my opinion Jeannot isn't your typical "tough guy". Yes he can throw down with anyone in the league and is a willing combatant, but as you say he plays a regular shift in a shutdown role, kills penalties, is hard on D with a forecheck. And only 1 year ago showed he can score on a Nashville team that, let's face it, isn't as talented in that department as the Leafs. You're getting a power forward that is entering his prime, when they generally take time to settle into their roles and find balance and a D-man that can play playoff-style hockey as well - both under team control.
Forum: Armchair-GMFeb. 10, 2023 at 2:11 p.m.
Thread: If Dubas just tinkers
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>bogdown</b></div><div>Canucks are opposed to trading Schenn now, and rightfully so. He makes Hughes better and is a cheap, effective leader that is liked by the team and coaches. It’s gonna take more than a third and a C level prospect to pry him away. Starts with a second or Niemela.</div></div>

Values vary and if they want to hold onto him that's certainly an option. They can ask for a higher price, but it is unlikely any contender is going to pay that for Schenn as they all have solid D cores already. While he is a top-pairing D on Vancouver, on a contending team he is a 5/6/7 at best. His low cap hit, physicality, and experience drive his value. He can always return to Vancouver next season (as that would likely be his preferred signing destination), so they would be wise to take the best offer they receive and bring him back in my opinion. Hughes will be fine without him for the last 25% of this season I'm sure.
Forum: Armchair-GMFeb. 8, 2023 at 4:33 p.m.
Thread: Double Dipping on Retention
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>AC14</b></div><div>The level of backlash Armstrong would get for this sort of return would be immense.

If this is the price you’re looking to pay. Shop for Toews instead.

Blues are better off working an extension on ROR and or biting the bullet of the possibility of him walking. There’s no protection on ROR, it’s a very minimal salary. There’s very little reason he shouldn’t return a 1st.</div></div>

I respectfully disagree based on his performance and injury this season as I mentioned in my comments. That said, if I were a Blues fan, I would certainly be of a similar opinion of the value of my captain, playoff MVP (many years removed now), and heart and soul type player. While several years older, Toews has out performed O'Reilly this season and I would expect similar values for both at the TDL. On the plus side, if the return comes in lower than the STL fanbase hopes, there is always the opportunity to re-sign him in the off season after the trade and still enjoy your bag of picks and prospects. :)
Forum: Armchair-GMJan. 19, 2023 at 4:29 p.m.
Thread: 2023 TDL Mostly Tweaks and Depth
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>CHAR</b></div><div>The Ducks really mismanaged their defensive pipeline if you ask me and it's a big part of both the NHL and AHL teams being terrible at the same time. In 2017 and 2018 they selected zero blue liners in the draft and then in 2019 they took a few from the NCAA that look like solid prospects still but stayed in school all 4 years. They took 1 defenseman in both 2015 and 2016, neither panned out. The three they drafted in 2013 and 2014 are all top-4 guys on other teams but were basically traded away for nothing. It's been a real **** show for years.

The future looks real bright with Drysdale, Zellweger, Mintyukov, Warren, etc but it's going to be another year or more likely two. God help us Ducks fans if any of those kids bust.</div></div>

Ouch, that's poor asset management for sure. Since the Ducks were screwed over by the lockout in the Crosby draft, I would love to see you luck out and get Bedard in the draft this year. Putting him with Zegras and Terry would give you pretty much what the Leafs had in Matthews, Marner and Nylander after we bottomed out. It took the Leafs a while for the D to catch up as well, but our 2017 and 2018 first round D picks are finally blossoming into legit top-4s this season with Liligren and Sandin. You'll get there! Stay strong and stay patient.
Forum: Armchair-GMJan. 19, 2023 at 2:59 p.m.
Thread: 2023 TDL Mostly Tweaks and Depth
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>EvanderKanesLawyer</b></div><div>I had a Leafs fan rip my head off and dismissed my opinion because I suggested that Jeannot would be a good fit for the leafs, seeing as they need more bottom 6 physicality.

I wouldn't mind this move, but we'd probably rather part with a pick.</div></div>

The problem with having such a large fanbase is that there are a lot of different attitudes and ideas about what this team needs. Do a Twitter search for Kyle Dubas and see just how fragmented this fanbase is when it comes to what has been done, what needs to be done, what the team's needs are, etc.

Jeannot is essentially a wager, a gamble. When acquiring him, you are hoping this season is a hiccup and he continues to progress as a power forward in the future. At minimum he checks the needs boxes for a physical winger that can skate with this group and won't cost a lot on the cap short term. Ideally the Leafs would acquire him and sign him to a 3-year extension deal between 900k and 1.5M, which takes him through the end of Tavares contract and if he has proven himself a top power forward at that time, then there will be cap to pay him appropriately (between a rising cap and money coming off the books). There is, sadly, a real possibility that Bunting will have priced himself out of Toronto by the end of this season (similar to Hyman). If so, Jeannot could slide into that spot with a similar cap hit, at least as an experiment, to see if riding shotgun with Matthews and Nylander/Marner boosts his production in a similar fashion. Whether he goes "Bunting" or goes "Ritchie" is hard to predict. He would have the added benefit of keeping the flies off Matthews and company in the top-6 as well (the non-stop cross checks to 34's ribs and back would end quickly). Topi Niemelä or a 1st rounder is a high price to pay for a gamble, but if it pays off the Leafs will have found the unicorn power forward they have wanted (and the fanbase will fall in love with their new "blue collar hero").

It just seems unlikely Dubas will make a long term gamble like that with so much at stake this season.
Forum: Armchair-GMJan. 19, 2023 at 2:17 p.m.
Thread: 2023 TDL Mostly Tweaks and Depth
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>OldNYIfan</b></div><div>I'll echo my esteemed colleague GiggyWithGibby and say Thanks for the great read and here's a second gold star.

I really wish that more ACGMs were of the "express and invite opinions" type (like this one is) rather than the "pronouncement" type. I guess we should all infer the former intention even when not explicit; it would make for greater enjoyment of this site. The "Team Description" is the most under-used facility in CapFriendly ACGMs.</div></div>

Thanks kindly. Gold stars are like draft picks, you can never have too many.

This site was pretty toxic for a while which is why I stopped posting, but it is nice to see that there are still some civilized AGMs on here with the ability and desire to read and converse, not just blindly argue.
Forum: Armchair-GMJan. 19, 2023 at 2:01 p.m.
Thread: 2023 TDL Mostly Tweaks and Depth
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Dominot</b></div><div>In terms of prospect, maybe Abruzzese or SDA?

Call me delusional, but I feel that Barbashev can be for the Leafs similar to what Lehkonen was for COL in their championship run.
We saw in 2022 that Barbashev has great offensive potential and that can definitely be utilized more by playing 2nd line with JT and Marner.

Lehkonen wasn't exactly the biggest threat offensively in MTL because he was on the 3rd line, but coming to a contender did wonders for him.
I think that would help with someone like Barbashev.
Maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.


And yeah, maybe you can't enough defensemen considering the Leafs blueline woes this season.</div></div>

Fair. Seems my NSH trade fell through so we can move Abruzzese out instead. I just don't see him as working his way into the Leaf lineup next season, but he could in STL as they begin to retool.

The Lehkonen comparison is a good one, though it seems like every playoffs some players just seem to catch lightening in a bottle and out perform expectations. We saw that in the TOR/TBL series last season with Nick Paul as well. If Barbashev had more history of performing like he did last season, I would be more inclined to pursue him. It all depends on the ask from STL ultimately. He might be a better free agent gamble as he could likely be signed without much term at a reasonable contract in a "prove-it" type deal (and the Toronto top 6 is a great place to prove yourself and get paid - ask Bunting this summer).
Forum: Armchair-GMJan. 19, 2023 at 1:55 p.m.
Thread: 2023 TDL Mostly Tweaks and Depth
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Just_A_Guess</b></div><div>It's honestly a value that's tough to pinpoint imo. NA &amp; NR just really don't do anything for us (or me anyway, I won't speak for everyone) and the 3rd is a longshot. We honestly probably won't move him unless it's an overpay.

We need a legit top 6 winger but we have quality prospects waiting in the minors who could easily fill that void. We also need another quality, young RD which I see you guys have... While I doubt you'd want to pay it, we're probably looking for something that equates to the value of a 1st round pick minimum otherwise we'll just sharpen pencils and sign him ourselves hoping he returns to form.</div></div>

Nick Robertson, once upon a time, could have filled that top 6 winger need but he is now in reclamation project territory thanks to his injuries. The Leafs still need a top-6 LW of their own so we aren't a good match there.

When it comes to young RHD, our prize jewel is Topi Niemelä, who is currently playing in the Finnish League and likely to come to North America next season. Highly skilled offensive minded D, who won top D at the World Juniors a couple of years ago IIRC. I doubt our GM would part with him for Jeannot though, especially since he would be fighting for 4th line minutes on the Leafs, it would have to be for a more solidified player. I suppose we can let you sign him and see if he continues to stutter offensively and try to nab him at a lower price later or find an alternative. Most of the older fanbase in Toronto has a bit of a thing for rough and tumble players from Saskatchewan (probably because of some guy named Wendel in the 80s and 90s).
Forum: Armchair-GMJan. 19, 2023 at 1:44 p.m.
Thread: 2023 TDL Mostly Tweaks and Depth
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>CHAR</b></div><div>&gt;&gt; Del Zotto: Anaheim would likely take anything for him or even move him for future considerations.

Anaheim acquired Del Zotto a month ago because the Gulls desperately needed a veteran defenseman to stabilize the AHL blue line. Trading him away isn't going to happen, especially for a forward. Granted this is an inconsequential trade in the grand scheme but your read of the Anaheim situation couldn't be further from the truth.</div></div>

Good insight. I wasn't aware that Anaheim had D issues in the AHL (though it isn't surprising given where the franchise is in their rebuild). If MDZ is happy there and helping then you're right he may not be available unless it is for a similar D asset or if ANA acquires more D as cap dumps at the deadline for picks/prospects. I think MDZ, being from the Toronto area, would likely be open to a trade to Toronto at the deadline if circumstances were correct and your GM may be open to helping him end his NHL career in a Leafs (practice) jersey if an offer was made. But again, it isn't a must for TOR to acquire him, just the sort of deal that they should look for to bolster depth without impacting the NHL roster.
Forum: Armchair-GMJan. 19, 2023 at 1:17 p.m.
Thread: 2023 TDL Mostly Tweaks and Depth
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Dominot</b></div><div>Chicago trade seems fair. Might need to add a late round pick for the retention.

Nashville easily rejects. Jeannot's contract is highly valuable and he's a player that's hard to find these days.
It'll be an overpay to acquire him.

That's an overpay for Acciari. 3rd and 5th is fine for a 3rd/4th line C. No need to add Hirvonen.
If that's the case, I'd go after Barbashev instead who is a better fit to fill the Leafs' glaring hole at LW.

Anaheim trade doesn't help either team. Leafs have enough capable defensemen right now.</div></div>

Jeannot deal is more of a pipe dream, I know it is unlikely that NSH has any desire to part with him for actual value. If Roberston was healthy (it happens on occassion) I would have included him.

I have a feeling Acciari will draw more interest from more teams at the deadline since he is affordable for most cap-tight contenders which may drive up his price. Happy to remove Hirvonen, but need to move a contract out since we're at 50 with a signed Knies - suggestions? Personally, I'm not sold on Barbashev, he'd cost more and hasn't had a great season this year if I recall correctly. I feel Domi fills that LW hole better, at least in the short term and helps with that lacking NHL top-6 C depth for the Leafs after 34 and 91.

There's never "enough" capable D if there's a long playoff run. But the depth D deals are just examples, there will likely be other similar options out there as well.
Forum: Armchair-GMMay 21, 2019 at 8:06 p.m.
Thread: Two Trades - MIN amp CGY
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>TML1991</b></div><div>Greenway can also play centre if you dont do the flames trade.

Stacks the top 2 lines which I like a little more as you leave nylander with matthews. Role with Marleau/Greenway/Bracco, and then Brown/Gauthier/Moore. Definitely taking a hit up front with the Kadri trade, but worth it for spurgeon.</div></div>

How much centre has Greenway played? That was news to me. A big 3C is certainly interesting, though I would prefer a natural centre who can PK well in that slot.

Personally I prefer the more stacked lines. The "big advantage" the Leafs expected to have with their top 9 this year didn't really play out. Plus I would like to try and get more minutes for Tavares/Matthews and less for Marleau on a consistent basis.
Forum: Armchair-GMMay 21, 2019 at 7:48 p.m.
Thread: Two Trades - MIN amp CGY
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>SDSUFRATMAN</b></div><div>no backup eh?</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>palhal</b></div><div>As you suggest this type of trade might be the way to do it for the Leafs and Minni. Leafs are still short two roster spots. Don't do the Calgary would save 1m...and Nylander goes to centre. and one of Korshov. Marchment, Timashov is the other winger.</div></div>

Yes, I rushed it and published before I was complete. While I don't hate Nylander at 3C, I think that handcuffs Matthews a bit too much as far as talent to play with. Really depends on how big a step players like Bracco or Greenway can make if paired with him. Similar to how Kapanen and Johnsson did this year.

I would also really like a 3C that can actually be used effectively on the PK.