Armchair GM 2021-2022: Catharsis

[CarltonTheBear]

I like the idea of signing Bunting but if the move of the offseason is let Hyman walk and replace him with Bunting we aren't going to be a great team next year.

Yeah I'm at least somewhat kidding around here. I mean I definitely want the Leafs to sign him but expectations wouldn't exactly be through the roof. The good news is he of course wouldn't exactly eat into the cap space the Leafs would have been likely earmarking Hyman for (I'd guess $4.5mil-ish). With him and Kerfoot both potentially gone the Leafs actually have a decent amount of cap space to play around with.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I like the idea of signing Bunting but if the move of the offseason is let Hyman walk and replace him with Bunting we aren't going to be a great team next year.

Yeah I'm at least somewhat kidding around here. I mean I definitely want the Leafs to sign him but expectations wouldn't exactly be through the roof. The good news is he of course wouldn't exactly eat into the cap space the Leafs would have been likely earmarking Hyman for (I'd guess $4.5mil-ish). With him and Kerfoot both potentially gone the Leafs actually have a decent amount of cap space to play around with.

He's a star and we need to sign him. You can't build him up for a big letdown...that's not fair lol. From reading about him I think he's a late bloomer, much like Hyman. I'm sure Dubas and Keefe know him well. I guess we'll find out in a month or so.

 

[L K]

I like the idea of signing Bunting but if the move of the offseason is let Hyman walk and replace him with Bunting we aren't going to be a great team next year.

Yeah I'm at least somewhat kidding around here. I mean I definitely want the Leafs to sign him but expectations wouldn't exactly be through the roof. The good news is he of course wouldn't exactly eat into the cap space the Leafs would have been likely earmarking Hyman for (I'd guess $4.5mil-ish). With him and Kerfoot both potentially gone the Leafs actually have a decent amount of cap space to play around with.

Me too.  I really do like the idea of guys like Bunting.  It seems like he would be a guy who at worst case can play in the bottom six and be a middling player but potentially has that complementary game to play PP or top 6 as long as he's the 3rd wheel to Matthews+winger or Tavares+winger.

With rumbling that Coleman might want to go play in Dallas to be around family next year (damn I wanted him as the "Hyman replacement") I think we need to get more guys who we don't feel as bad about moving up and down the lineup.  Mikheyev playing in the top 6 is bad because he isn't a guy who can pass and he can't shoot. 

 

[CarltonTheBear]

If the Leafs wanted to go after one of the bigger names in free agency this summer, here's a way for them to make that possible:

1) One of Kerfoot/Dermott gets selected in the expansion draft, the other gets dealt for some kind of futures return to clear cap/roster space

2) Foligno comes back on a 1-year, $2.5mil contract. This might seem a bit low but we're also talking about a guy who's scored at a 37-point pace over his last 4 seasons and isn't getting any younger. I think he could get $3-3.5mil from someone else but he does us a solid for being a jerk and getting injured after we gave up a 1st for him.

3) Galchenyuk, Bunting, and Hutton all sign 1-year deals at $950k to fill out the roster.

At this point in time we have $8.2mil in cap space with 12 forwards signed, 7 defencemen, and 1 goalie.

So that would give the Leafs room to either a) sign Hall to a $6mil AAV deal + have $2mil to sign/acquire a goalie or b) trade Holl to clear out $2mil and go after Hamilton on a $8mil AAV + have $2mil to sign/acquire a goalie.

 

[Guilt Trip]

If the Leafs wanted to go after one of the bigger names in free agency this summer, here's a way for them to make that possible:

1) One of Kerfoot/Dermott gets selected in the expansion draft, the other gets dealt for some kind of futures return to clear cap/roster space

2) Foligno comes back on a 1-year, $2.5mil contract. This might seem a bit low but we're also talking about a guy who's scored at a 37-point pace over his last 4 seasons and isn't getting any younger. I think he could get $3-3.5mil from someone else but he does us a solid for being a jerk and getting injured after we gave up a 1st for him.

3) Galchenyuk, Bunting, and Hutton all sign 1-year deals at $950k to fill out the roster.

At this point in time we have $8.2mil in cap space with 12 forwards signed, 7 defencemen, and 1 goalie.

So that would give the Leafs room to either a) sign Hall to a $6mil AAV deal + have $2mil to sign/acquire a goalie or b) trade Holl to clear out $2mil and go after Hamilton on a $8mil AAV + have $2mil to sign/acquire a goalie.

Well get on the phone to Dubas. I like the way you think and I'd be happy with these moves.

 

[L K]

If the Leafs wanted to go after one of the bigger names in free agency this summer, here's a way for them to make that possible:

1) One of Kerfoot/Dermott gets selected in the expansion draft, the other gets dealt for some kind of futures return to clear cap/roster space

2) Foligno comes back on a 1-year, $2.5mil contract. This might seem a bit low but we're also talking about a guy who's scored at a 37-point pace over his last 4 seasons and isn't getting any younger. I think he could get $3-3.5mil from someone else but he does us a solid for being a jerk and getting injured after we gave up a 1st for him.

3) Galchenyuk, Bunting, and Hutton all sign 1-year deals at $950k to fill out the roster.

At this point in time we have $8.2mil in cap space with 12 forwards signed, 7 defencemen, and 1 goalie.

So that would give the Leafs room to either a) sign Hall to a $6mil AAV deal + have $2mil to sign/acquire a goalie or b) trade Holl to clear out $2mil and go after Hamilton on a $8mil AAV + have $2mil to sign/acquire a goalie.

I like this line of thinking on Hamilton.  Can we also trade Rielly to recoup assets and then use Rielly's contract to sign Alec Martinez?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I like this line of thinking on Hamilton.  Can we also trade Rielly to recoup assets and then use Rielly's contract to sign Alec Martinez?

I like Martinez but with $10mil+ already dedicated to two other 30+ year old defensive defencemen I'm not sure that'd be the best use of cap space.

I think upgrading from Holl to Hamilton does put the team in a better position to bump Sandin (or even Dermott) to the 4D spot though so trading Rielly for futures and using his cap space to boost the forwards (3C is definitely a bit of a problem in my scenarios) could still be on the table.

 

[Bullfrog]

I'm not convinced Foligno wants to sign here.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I'm not convinced Foligno wants to sign here.

Nobody but Foligno knows. I'm sure Dubas has talked with him. I'd take him back on a mid 2 hit.

 

[berserker]

I don't care how it gets done.
But go get Tkachuck from Calgary
This is the big trade we need.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I don't care how it gets done.
But go get Tkachuck from Calgary
This is the big trade we need.

Let's ignore the fact that I don't think it's really likely that Tkachuk wants out and let's think about that one for a second:
Who would have to get moved for Calgary to consider the trade? (Marner? Matthews? Nylander?)

Ok great. Now should Toronto still make the trade? I mean, if it is true that he wants out....Why? Is it the team's struggles this past season? Is it a fall out in the dressingroom? Is it a fall out with Sutter? I mean, you'd figure him and Sutter would be perfect for eachother.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Let's ignore the fact that I don't think it's really likely that Tkachuk wants out and let's think about that one for a second:
Who would have to get moved for Calgary to consider the trade? (Marner? Matthews? Nylander?)

One thing we should also keep in mind is that he's 2 years away from unrestricted free agency where there's a lot of speculation swirling that he's St. Louis bound. His 22/23 AAV will also likely be $9mil via his qualifying offer.

With that in mind, all three of those suggestions are pretty hard no's I think. It would have to be something like Tkachuk for Rielly+. Think both players provide fairy similar value to their teams on the ice. Tkachuk's a UFA in 2 years, Rielly's a UFA in 1 year. Rielly would replace an aging Giordano and Calgary could even work on maybe getting him extended in the process.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

With that in mind, all three of those suggestions are pretty hard no's I think. It would have to be something like Tkachuk for Rielly+. Think both players provide fairy similar value to their teams on the ice. Tkachuk's a UFA in 2 years, Rielly's a UFA in 1 year. Rielly would replace an aging Giordano and Calgary could even work on maybe getting him extended in the process.

And Calgary would be a hard pass on that I'd think.

My thought is Calgary is heading directly towards a rebuild. I'd assume Tkachuk would be a big part of that.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1407737799412006914

4. Conor Garland
Right Wing, Arizona Coyotes
Age: 25
Contract: RFA (Arbitration Eligible)

Scoop: The Coyotes have not treated Garland like the player who was the heartbeat of their team. Garland?s camp, led by agent Peter Cooney, submitted two contract proposals (as requested by the club) on May 20 and there has been zero communication or dialogue since. ?We?re just looking for Conor to be paid respectfully like the core player he was for the Coyotes,? Cooney told Daily Faceoff on Tuesday. It appears that will be elsewhere, which is no real shock given that Arizona nearly moved Garland in the days prior to April?s trade deadline.

Conor Garland was future-Toronto Maple Leafs great Michael Bunting's most common linemate in Arizona last season, and Friedman reported that the Leafs checked in on his availability at the deadline before getting Foligno.

 

[herman]

Do you think we have the cash to pull in:
Bunting - Reinhart - Garland
Ullmark

 

[CarltonTheBear]

My thought is Calgary is heading directly towards a rebuild. I'd assume Tkachuk would be a big part of that.

I think Calgary should go for a full-blown rebuild too but that would involve trading both Tkachuk and Gaudreau for as many picks/future assets as possible. Neither of them will likely re-sign there long-term, and they aren't winning a Cup in the next 2 years. Not sure a team that just signed a 30-year old goalie to a 6-year, $36mil contract has their eyes on a rebuild though.

 

[berserker]

After watching Mathews smile as the Montreal
Defense manhandled him ,it seemed like
I was the only one pissed off. We need an injection of attitude but that attitude has to be able to play the game . Tkachuck is the player
needed . I would do Marner for Tkachuck

 

[herman]

Isn't Tkachuk the guy that lost his marbles when Muzzin flipped the puck gently to him at the end of a game?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Do you think we have the cash to pull in:
Bunting - Reinhart - Garland
Ullmark

I mean anything's possible but... no. In the event we got him I'd also put him in the top-6 and move Nylander to the left wing (Keefe talked about Willy wanting to play there but not having anyone to play on the right).

 

[Guilt Trip]

Do you think we have the cash to pull in:
Bunting - Reinhart - Garland
Ullmark

Depends who's going out and the cost. I think Reinhart would cost too much. I would try to get Granlund and those 2 guys.