Armchair GM 2018-2019

[Guilt Trip]

I think people are going to have to come around to the fact that if they want the Leafs to make a major addition on the blueline they're not going to be able to be the choosiest beggars in the world. It's either going to involve paying through the nose or taking on someone with warts.

Not blueline, but speaking of warts, I bet Spezza could be had for peanuts to fill a hole at centre.

He's got 1 year to go, and he's due $7.5m real money.

And 7.5 million in cap hit. No thanks.

 

[Frank E]

I think people are going to have to come around to the fact that if they want the Leafs to make a major addition on the blueline they're not going to be able to be the choosiest beggars in the world. It's either going to involve paying through the nose or taking on someone with warts.

Not blueline, but speaking of warts, I bet Spezza could be had for peanuts to fill a hole at centre.

He's got 1 year to go, and he's due $7.5m real money.

And 7.5 million in cap hit. No thanks.

Cap space really isn't an issue next season:  https://capfriendly.com/teams/mapleleafs

I'm looking at low asset cost options to fill the 3rd line centre job, but with some offensive upside.

 

[herman]

I think our centre deficiency doesn't require too much creativity to deal with.
Swing for the fences for Tavares. That's an easy one. If it doesn't work, see what Thornton is looking for for 1 year. Internally, the options are: Nylander, Aaltonen. 4C is either Aaltonen or cheap UFA filler (maybe even Bozak).

Improvements to the backend are where more creativity and assessment are required, because a real-deal player will require moving a real-deal player in return (which shuffles things). Zaitsev started to round into form this season, stilted a run as it was. I am not entirely ready to cut bait there unless a better opportunity lands in our laps.

I'd love to see Martin Marincin get a fresh new chance with the Leafs. He has looked good with Zaitsev in the past.

This honestly would not bother me, but probably isn't Babcock's cup of tea:
Rielly - Gardiner
Marincin - Zaitsev
Dermott - Carrick

 

[Frank E]

I think our centre deficiency doesn't require too much creativity to deal with.
Swing for the fences for Tavares. That's an easy one. If it doesn't work, see what Thornton is looking for for 1 year. Internally, the options are: Nylander, Aaltonen. 4C is either Aaltonen or cheap UFA filler (maybe even Bozak).

Improvements to the backend are where more creativity and assessment are required, because a real-deal player will require moving a real-deal player in return (which shuffles things). Zaitsev started to round into form this season, stilted a run as it was. I am not entirely ready to cut bait there unless a better opportunity lands in our laps.

I'd love to see Martin Marincin get a fresh new chance with the Leafs. He has looked good with Zaitsev in the past.

This honestly would not bother me, but probably isn't Babcock's cup of tea:
Rielly - Gardiner
Marincin - Zaitsev
Dermott - Carrick

I will take this post as an invitation to debate further in a respectful manner.

You're an absolutely bananas crazy person on the defense lineup you posted there. 

I don't think Nylander ends up at centre, especially after the past 7 games.  And really, Aaltonen might fill the 4th line spot, or maybe not.  I think he'd be a backup plan, at best.

I'm all for going after Tavares and Thornton, but I think that's a long shot.  I'm more thinking of Spezza as a 3rd line centre, assuming we strike out on those 2 guys.

Where we'll agree is that if they want a quality RHD, it'll cost us a very good roster player.  I'd be fine with that, as long as his name isn't Auston or Mitch.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I think people are going to have to come around to the fact that if they want the Leafs to make a major addition on the blueline they're not going to be able to be the choosiest beggars in the world. It's either going to involve paying through the nose or taking on someone with warts.

Not blueline, but speaking of warts, I bet Spezza could be had for peanuts to fill a hole at centre.

He's got 1 year to go, and he's due $7.5m real money.

And 7.5 million in cap hit. No thanks.

Cap space really isn't an issue next season:  https://capfriendly.com/teams/mapleleafs

I'm looking at low asset cost options to fill the 3rd line centre job, but with some offensive upside.

I realize that but Spezza is hardly an offensive guy going by last year's stats.
78 GP 8G 18A 26PTS  -12 .... I can't see the Leafs paying 7.5 million for that.

 

[Bill_Berg]

I like the idea of getting Tavares. The best defense is a good offense sort of thing. The defense still needs improvement, but maybe the improvement they would need if they signed Tavares would actually be available.

I also like the idea of getting a top guy like Doughty, but I don't know how realistic that is. So if the options are stay the course with the current roster give or take, sign Tavares, or lament not being able to land a top 1 defenseman. My pick is easy.

 

[Coco-puffs]

I think our centre deficiency doesn't require too much creativity to deal with.
Swing for the fences for Tavares. That's an easy one. If it doesn't work, see what Thornton is looking for for 1 year. Internally, the options are: Nylander, Aaltonen. 4C is either Aaltonen or cheap UFA filler (maybe even Bozak).

I think Aaltonen and Bozak may not be Babcock's cup of tea on the 4th line.  My bet is he wants a Plekanec type- strong defensively, strong in the dot (Bozak does fill this but nothing else), and good PKer.

Now, if we get a 3rd line C that can fill that PK/defensive/dot criteria, then sure I can see Aaltonen being 4C (and Nylander staying on RW).

 

[herman]

I will take this post as an invitation to debate further in a respectful manner.

You're an absolutely bananas crazy person on the defense lineup you posted there. 

I don't think Nylander ends up at centre, especially after the past 7 games.  And really, Aaltonen might fill the 4th line spot, or maybe not.  I think he'd be a backup plan, at best.

I'm all for going after Tavares and Thornton, but I think that's a long shot.  I'm more thinking of Spezza as a 3rd line centre, assuming we strike out on those 2 guys.

Where we'll agree is that if they want a quality RHD, it'll cost us a very good roster player.  I'd be fine with that, as long as his name isn't Auston or Mitch.

Thank you for accepting my invitation to debate further.

Thank you as well for noticing that I'm absolutely crazy bananas. I think Zaitsev is at his best when he's the go option, rather than the stop option. This season, the entire right side was assigned the 'stop' role. I know Zaitsev prides himself for defensive acumen, but he's really a good deal more effective when he's not playing as 'safe', whereas Marincin is the exact opposite and is very effective at denying zone entries (which is what Zaitsev gives away like Halloween candy 2 weeks after). This group has 5 PK options (MM, NZ, MR, TD) and 5 PP options (MR, JG, TD, CC, NZ).

I think our front office knows better than to gauge a player on the performance in 7 games vs one team. Nylander was more than adequate during the season filling in for Matthews. A right shot centre also makes it easier to put Hyman back on the right side, which has additional dividends (Babcock likes the fetch guy to be on the off-wing of the centre because he doesn't need to puck as much).

Without an outside addition:
Marleau - Kadri - Marner
Hyman - Matthews - Kapanen
Johnsson - Nylander - Brown
? - Aaltonen - Leivo

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I realize that but Spezza is hardly an offensive guy going by last year's stats.
78 GP 8G 18A 26PTS  -12 .... I can't see the Leafs paying 7.5 million for that.

He scored at a 60-point pace last season though, so it's not like he's that removed from being an offensive threat. This season his most common linemates were Mattias Janmark, Devin Shore, Brett Ritchie, Remi Elie, who I assume are all hockey players but don't hold me to that.

His positive possession numbers and crazy low shooting/on-ice shooting percentages would lead me to believe that there was a lot of bad luck involved this season. He'd be a good bounce back candidate next season. If the Leafs strike out on Tavares and Thornton, and Babcock still prefers Nylander on the wing, and Spezza comes cheap with maybe some salary retention involved, I'd definitely go for it.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Thank you as well for noticing that I'm absolutely crazy bananas. I think Zaitsev is at his best when he's the go option, rather than the stop option. This season, the entire right side was assigned the 'stop' role. I know Zaitsev prides himself for defensive acumen, but he's really a good deal more effective when he's not playing as 'safe', whereas Marincin is the exact opposite and is very effective at denying zone entries (which is what Zaitsev gives away like Halloween candy 2 weeks after). This group has 5 PK options (MM, NZ, MR, TD) and 5 PP options (MR, JG, TD, CC, NZ).

This is coming from somebody who used to be probably his biggest fan here... stop trying to make Marincin happen.

 

[herman]

I think our centre deficiency doesn't require too much creativity to deal with.
Swing for the fences for Tavares. That's an easy one. If it doesn't work, see what Thornton is looking for for 1 year. Internally, the options are: Nylander, Aaltonen. 4C is either Aaltonen or cheap UFA filler (maybe even Bozak).

I think Aaltonen and Bozak may not be Babcock's cup of tea on the 4th line.  My bet is he wants a Plekanec type- strong defensively, strong in the dot (Bozak does fill this but nothing else), and good PKer.

Now, if we get a 3rd line C that can fill that PK/defensive/dot criteria, then sure I can see Aaltonen being 4C (and Nylander staying on RW).

No doubt about that. Which is why I'm hoping Babcock spends a lot of time watching the Marlies work this post-season. Granted, the Marlies' depth is a couple steps up on the rest of the AHL. One of the first things Dubas did in the Soo was play a skilled and speedy 4th line to capitalize on traditional thinking.

 

[herman]

This is coming from somebody who used to be probably his biggest fan here... stop trying to make Marincin happen.

Where did your faith go, friend?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Where did your faith go, friend?

I still think that he'd be a fine bottom pairing/PK guy, but 65-25-2 suggests that that ship has definitely sailed here.

 

[Coco-puffs]

I think our centre deficiency doesn't require too much creativity to deal with.
Swing for the fences for Tavares. That's an easy one. If it doesn't work, see what Thornton is looking for for 1 year. Internally, the options are: Nylander, Aaltonen. 4C is either Aaltonen or cheap UFA filler (maybe even Bozak).

I think Aaltonen and Bozak may not be Babcock's cup of tea on the 4th line.  My bet is he wants a Plekanec type- strong defensively, strong in the dot (Bozak does fill this but nothing else), and good PKer.

Now, if we get a 3rd line C that can fill that PK/defensive/dot criteria, then sure I can see Aaltonen being 4C (and Nylander staying on RW).

No doubt about that. Which is why I'm hoping Babcock spends a lot of time watching the Marlies work this post-season. Granted, the Marlies' depth is a couple steps up on the rest of the AHL. One of the first things Dubas did in the Soo was play a skilled and speedy 4th line to capitalize on traditional thinking.

Speed and skill vs brawn is not my argument.  Being defensively responsible and good on the PK generally means speed in today's NHL.  Its why Gauthier is never really going to be an option- unless his skating takes another huge leap.

Now, has Aaltonen improved on the PK/defensive aspects of his game enough to fill that role?  I don't watch enough Marlies game to know. 

 

[cabber24]

I think our centre deficiency doesn't require too much creativity to deal with.
Swing for the fences for Tavares. That's an easy one. If it doesn't work, see what Thornton is looking for for 1 year. Internally, the options are: Nylander, Aaltonen. 4C is either Aaltonen or cheap UFA filler (maybe even Bozak).

Improvements to the backend are where more creativity and assessment are required, because a real-deal player will require moving a real-deal player in return (which shuffles things). Zaitsev started to round into form this season, stilted a run as it was. I am not entirely ready to cut bait there unless a better opportunity lands in our laps.

I'd love to see Martin Marincin get a fresh new chance with the Leafs. He has looked good with Zaitsev in the past.

This honestly would not bother me, but probably isn't Babcock's cup of tea:
Rielly - Gardiner
Marincin - Zaitsev
Dermott - Carrick

I don't believe in the current group on the blueline.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I think our centre deficiency doesn't require too much creativity to deal with.
Swing for the fences for Tavares. That's an easy one. If it doesn't work, see what Thornton is looking for for 1 year. Internally, the options are: Nylander, Aaltonen. 4C is either Aaltonen or cheap UFA filler (maybe even Bozak).

Improvements to the backend are where more creativity and assessment are required, because a real-deal player will require moving a real-deal player in return (which shuffles things). Zaitsev started to round into form this season, stilted a run as it was. I am not entirely ready to cut bait there unless a better opportunity lands in our laps.

I'd love to see Martin Marincin get a fresh new chance with the Leafs. He has looked good with Zaitsev in the past.

This honestly would not bother me, but probably isn't Babcock's cup of tea:
Rielly - Gardiner
Marincin - Zaitsev
Dermott - Carrick

I don't believe in the current group on the blueline.

Agree. We need a change back there.

 

[bustaheims]

Our trade chips:
On D one of Gardiner/Dermott/Reilly and at W one of Kappi/Johnsson and picks.

Potential return (I tried to include only "realistic" targets, expiring contracts or teams looking for a shakeup):

Car: Faulk
Dal: Methot
Edm: Russell
LA: Doughty/Martinez/Muzzin
Min: Dumba (doubt it but maybe budget constraints?)
MTL: Petry/Weber (post firing of their GM)
NSH: Ellis (dream on)
Ott: Karlsson/Ceci
Phi: MacDonald
Pit: Oleksiak
SJ: Martin/Braun/Dillon
STL: Gunnarsson/Bouwmeester (actually think B is a fairly realistic option and the type of D Tor is lacking)
VAN: Edler/Del Zotto

Crossed out are guys the Leafs should not be considering, as they're not an upgrade defensively on the guys already available to them - and, in some cases, would be a downgrade.

 

[herman]

I don't believe in the current group on the blueline.

Cool. Tell me why you believe that that is, if you have the time and want to elaborate.

 

[herman]

Where did your faith go, friend?

I still think that he'd be a fine bottom pairing/PK guy, but 65-25-2 suggests that that ship has definitely sailed here.

I've been looking at this a bit... is it your locker combination?

I know it's games played.

 

[ZBBM]

God and I both love Martin Marincin.  But ... no.

He and I also don't believe in the current blueline.  (Don't question God, herman, He told me He doesn't like it.)

OK, I'll give this lineup thing a spin, using my earlier suggestion of dealing Kadri coupled with trading Gardiner, not because "he sucks!" but because with have two other similar LHs in Rielly and Dermott.


Hyman - Matthews - Kapanen
Marleau - Tavares (or Bozak/Spezza etc.) - Marner
Johnsson - Nylander - Brown
from Kadri or Gardiner trade - Aaltonen/Moore - Leivo or new

Rielly / RHD from Kadri trade
Dermott / RHD from Gardiner trade
Hainsey / Zaitsev
spares