2018-19 Toronto Maple Leafs - General Discussion
- Thread starter herman
- Start date
Bullfrog
Active member
CarltonTheBear said:
Agreed, but he doesn't necessarily need someone of Hamilton's level. Maybe a small step down? I know you didn't like the suggestion earlier, but I really think someone like Vatanen, who's a good puck mover, would make a good fit. Rielly still does the heavy-lifting, but Vatanen can at least carry the puck up ice, unlike Hainsey.
Zee
Active member
cabber24 said:
Why isn't it a possibility? Depends on the term and the cap hit no? A guy like Pietrangelo has this year and next year on his cap at $6.5M, you can easily fit that in if you somehow get rid of Zaitsev's contract. Parayko is an even better option @ $5.5M with 3 more seasons after this one, although the cost to acquire him would be high given the cap hit and his age at 25. Pietrangelo is more like a rental+1 so I wouldn't imagine the cost to acquire him would be crazy high.
Frank E said:
They're stuck in ELCs for at least a year, so yeah. Lindholm, Oz, Rosen, Borgman, and Aaltonen all signed for $925k.
They all had potential bonuses there too but considering their ice-time in depth roles those aren't really attainable.
https://www.thestar.com/sports/breakaway_blog/2018/12/04/nhl-s--83-million-cap-could-crunch-maple-leafs-in-2019-20.htmlZee said:
Even with a Zaitsev gone it would be tough to bring in a Pietrangelo or Parayko. An expiring Kronwall or Boumeester type might be, unfortunately, more realistic fit.
herman
Well-known member
Frank E said:
Under 25, they're constrained to ELCs, so yeah at the worst you're getting cheap depth for the Marlies or they cut bait and go back home. I don't think it's likely we're finding the types of players I previously named with the level of scouting and data available to teams now, but if you want to stop gap the seasons between today's roster and the draft picks developing for the future, this is how you do it without spending assets. Just because we're not likely to find a needle mover doesn't mean it's not worth the effort if even on the off chance one turns out.
Player development is not entirely linear, and for our purposes, we really just need one or two hot seasons before spinning them off either into the aether or assets.
It's been reported that overseas free agents have Toronto high on their wishlists.
herman
Well-known member
Zee said:
""You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky" - Michael Scott
It's a bet on our development program. It's a hedge against the crapshoot that is drafting.
Do we not currently appreciate having Trevor Moore who was an undrafted development camp invite? Do we win the Calder Cup without Calle Rosen and Mason Marchment and the aforementioned Moore? Do good prospects need more good players to play with at every level?
dappleganger
Active member
herman said:
The asset cost is nada so why not?
Highlander
Active member
I have a funny feeling that Lilypad will be part of some kind of package to bring in a new piece...Rook or Castle am not sure. I like the sound of a hard hitting Defenseman like Alexander Yelesin if available and they Rock, then why not. Sort of what I was talking about the other day.
You know Scott Stevens was a regarded a very good D Man with a hard edge....people were wondering and always looking for him....except for Lindros....
You know Scott Stevens was a regarded a very good D Man with a hard edge....people were wondering and always looking for him....except for Lindros....
Highlander
Active member
and glad Dubas is doing what is his paid for (whilst getting out of the office) 
;D
;D
Frank E said:
My god... the absolute worst thing about +/- is how every hockey writer acts like it's completely a measure of defensive ability. Here are Rielly's 5-on-5 on-ice goals for and goals against per 60 rates for his entire career:
| Season | GF/60 | GA/60 | GF% |
| 2013-14 | 2.54 | 2.92 | 46.46 |
| 2014-15 | 2.02 | 2.48 | 44.90 |
| 2015-16 | 1.91 | 2.87 | 40.00 |
| 2016-17 | 2.29 | 3.15 | 42.15 |
| 2017-18 | 2.64 | 2.64 | 52.10 |
| 2018-19 | 4.67 | 2.62 | 64.04 |
So yeah, Rielly's first positive +/- of his career is pretty much entirely because of his offensive improvement.
All of his different shots against numbers are also at career-worst levels, and this is the first season of his career where he's starting the majority of his shifts in the offensive zone.
Media people, read a book or something.
Frank E
Active member
I'm with you Carlton, and I think Nik eluded to it the other day, but even just to my eye test Rielly hasn't yet shown the elite stuff in the defensive zone. Your math above suggests same.
I get that the Norris isn't usually about the best all around defenseman, it's more about the point producing part of the job. I guess I'm surprised that given all the new statistical data that the NHL award voting people haven't really starting making the Norris about being a great well rounded defense guy.
I get that the Norris isn't usually about the best all around defenseman, it's more about the point producing part of the job. I guess I'm surprised that given all the new statistical data that the NHL award voting people haven't really starting making the Norris about being a great well rounded defense guy.
OldTimeHockey
Active member
Frank E said:
Much the way the Hart hasn't become a well rounded offense guy trophy.
herman
Well-known member
https://twitter.com/billius27/status/1083113155042201600
This shows pretty clearly how reliant we've been on Andersen (and how he has risen to the challenge).
The Leafs, despite what we see/choose to remember, haven't been terribad defensively in front of Andersen (above league average, really), but he has certainly elevated what the team has done in front of them.
This shows pretty clearly how reliant we've been on Andersen (and how he has risen to the challenge).
The Leafs, despite what we see/choose to remember, haven't been terribad defensively in front of Andersen (above league average, really), but he has certainly elevated what the team has done in front of them.