Armchair GM Thread 2022-2023

[Heroic Shrimp]

Can we really afford a 4M 3rd line centre?

I get that we probably can if we trade Kerfoot but is trading Kerfoot to acquire Strome a big enough upgrade?

Kind of ironic that Kerfoot was acquired when the Leafs moved on from ?a 4M 3rd line centre?.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/nhl_watcher/status/1531384619505004544
People are getting mad at Friedman for speculating about trading Sandin, but I think this was actually about trial ballooning the Muzzin trade.

 

[princedpw]

I really like Nazem but man this year really sticks out as a contract season level of production.

87 points against a career high of 61

32 in 56, 36 in 51, 44 in 73 in the previous three seasons.  Someone is going to pay Kadri a lot of money and while they are getting a good player, you probably aren't getting another season like this out of him.

Honestly, I'd be wary of signing anyone on the basis of this year. Maybe something's just different in the game but this year was just super screwy for some guys and point totals.

Not like I know anything but I kinda get the feeling that there must have been a tactical "a ha" by a bunch of coaches that is a little bit re-inforcing perhaps --- bringing the 3rd forward high while simultaneously always bringing the defencemen way down the boards all the way to the goal line to pinch.  Maybe that style can be exploited even more by a guy like Kadri (and a bunch of other guys with the nifty mittens).  And Kadri also personally benefitted from McKinnon being out for a while and playing with top end wingers.

 

[princedpw]

https://twitter.com/nhl_watcher/status/1531384619505004544
People are getting mad at Friedman for speculating about trading Sandin, but I think this was actually about trial ballooning the Muzzin trade.

On the one hand, there is a lot one could do with Muzzin's cap hit (and I would have to think that if Muzzin allowed a trade, the leafs would be able to get good assets for him ... like Rasmus Ristolainen was traded for a 1st, 2nd, and prospect and Muzzin is way, way, way better, right?). 

On the other hand, I can see our defense taking a huge hit when we sub in Sandin for Muzzin.

On the other other hand (I may or may not be a mutant; can't tell on the internet), I wonder if we can't get a cheap, young, top-6 forward for our cheap, young, top-4 D in Sandin.  Someone who might fill in beside Tavares.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/nylanderthews/status/1531709093009797120

 

[herman]

CarltontheInsiderrrrr

 

[louisstamos]

It would be hilarious to me considering the thought of who the Leafs should draft at #4 at the 2015 draft between Strome and Marner, and somehow ending up with both. 

 

[Frank E]

It would be hilarious to me considering the thought of who the Leafs should draft at #4 at the 2015 draft between Strome and Marner, and somehow ending up with both. 

I recall being quite disappointed that Strome went at #3.  He was my guy.

 

[L K]

I guess I'm just very confused but it seems like Strome should still have some value.  His career numbers are just ok but he had 48 points in 69 games last season.  Why would Chicago not qualify him and trade him?

 

[bustaheims]

I guess I'm just very confused but it seems like Strome should still have some value.  His career numbers are just ok but he had 48 points in 69 games last season.  Why would Chicago not qualify him and trade him?

It is curious, but Chicago has made some curious decisions over the last couple years. I suspect they're concerned about arbitration getting in the way of being able to trade him easily. Still doesn't feel like the right move, though.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Yeah I'd be surprised if they actually didn't qualify him but he'd been in trade rumours for a bit now and Chicago hasn't found a match so with an arbitration case that could possibly be higher than they'd like and where Chicago is as a franchise right now they might just think it's better to cut their losses here.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

It would be hilarious to me considering the thought of who the Leafs should draft at #4 at the 2015 draft between Strome and Marner, and somehow ending up with both. 

I recall being quite disappointed that Strome went at #3.  He was my guy.

Career stats:

Strome:  273 GP  67 G  103 A  170 P
Marner:  427 GP  138 G  317 A  455 P

I think the Leafs did okay with the #4 pick.

 

[herman]

Shopping season
Trade targets: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/trade-targets-chicagos-alex-debrincat-is-no-1-player-available-in-wild-nhl-offseason/
UFA: https://theathletic.com/3355725/2022/06/09/nhl-top-50-free-agents-2022/

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Shopping season
Trade targets: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/trade-targets-chicagos-alex-debrincat-is-no-1-player-available-in-wild-nhl-offseason/

Some names I'd be interested in:

John Gibson. I don't necessarily doubt that a change of scenery could revitalize Gibson after a number of below average seasons, but his recent play and his long contract would mean he would have to come fairly cheap (and with Mrazek going the other way) and Anaheim would have to be pretty motivated to move him in that case.

Philippe Myers. The article mentions that any team that buys him out this offseason would get a $616,666 credit on next season?s cap, followed by a $633,334 charge the following season. It also notes that the Leafs have done something like this before with Jared Cowen. I could see the Leafs either trying to get that cap credit by buying him out or scooping him up on a cheap deal after he gets bought out by another team to be the 7D.

Semyon Varlamov. I floated the idea of a Muzzin for Varlamov (hopefully with retention) trade earlier, still think it's something that makes a lot of sense for both teams.

Jesse Puljujarvi. Talked about him enough in the Oilers thread, but yeah solid buy low candidate here I think.

Tanner Pearson. He'd essentially just be a replacement/swap for Kerfoot if he gets dealt. This is going back a number of years but he had a lot of success with Jeff Carter as his centre in LA, so he might be a better fit with Tavares (another big, not-so-fast, scoring C) than Kerfoot was.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/thegoldenmuzzy/status/1536381889908449281

 

[Big Daddy]

Campbell is better than Gibson and he's possibly 2 M cheaper.  Would like to see them target Georgiyev as he is a RFA. Probably could sign him to 2.5X3 and have him and Campbell run with it.  He could be our Rask in a way, meaning a guy who was unwanted and then thrived.

 

[Joe S.]

https://twitter.com/thegoldenmuzzy/status/1536381889908449281

His cap hit is too high unless there?s some retention that will take place.

 

[princedpw]

Shopping season
Trade targets: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/trade-targets-chicagos-alex-debrincat-is-no-1-player-available-in-wild-nhl-offseason/
UFA: https://theathletic.com/3355725/2022/06/09/nhl-top-50-free-agents-2022/

Is this a thread that allows fantasy trades.  eg:  DeBrincat with 1/2 salary retained for Sandin (and if they ask nicely, we will throw in Mrazek, plus Antropov and a third).

 

[herman]

Since Goaltending is going to be the HOT TOPIC this offseason:
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/quick-shifts-how-2023s-superstar-ufas-could-shake-up-this-summer/

4. The Toronto Maple Leafs have long been reluctant, if not resistant, to allowing assistant coaches to speak on the record, relying on a singular voice of the head coach.

So, I found it rare and insightful to sit in on a lengthy presentation now-former goaltending coach Steve Briere gave during the 2018 off-season.

"I?m a short, fat, bald guy from Winnipeg. (I've) got a master?s degree, a beautiful wife. I?ve been around the world, all from being a goalie," Briere said during the TeamSnap Hockey Coaches Conference. "Facing adversity from a young age, that pressure ? it?s the greatest gift anybody could?ve ever given me.

"My dream is to be the best goalie coach in the world."

Briere is a fierce advocate for his pupils, as his defence of Frederik Andersen in the All or Nothing doc attests. And he placed great emphasis on the mental side of the position, believing 90 per cent of elite netminding takes place between the ears.

Here are some of Briere?s beliefs when it comes to coaching goalies:

? The goalie should be first on the ice at practice every day: "I want them to show their teammates without saying a word that they are the leaders of the team."

? Practice should be purposeful and intense. Hard work releases endorphins in the brain (think: runner?s high), which makes the goalie feel good about himself.

? Communication is key. Consistent, reliable cues should be established between the goalie and the players for how he handles the puck: Rim it! Pass it! Leave it!

? Goals should be short-term and set daily (rebound control, one-on-one contests with a forward). A long-term goal of, say, reaching a .920 save percentage will only pay off at the end of the year. Good-feeling serotonin is created from goal-reaching.

? Spend time working on vision and tracking through eye exercises: "If you can?t see the puck, you can?t stop the puck."

? Proper diet is integral to peak performance and mood.

? Head coaches should make the goalie feel part of the team, not a side project.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Campbell is better than Gibson and he's possibly 2 M cheaper.  Would like to see them target Georgiyev as he is a RFA. Probably could sign him to 2.5X3 and have him and Campbell run with it.  He could be our Rask in a way, meaning a guy who was unwanted and then thrived.

If the Leafs could get them to retain half, I'd grab Gibson at 3.2.

At 2M cheaper the Leafs would be paying Jack 4.4M plus 2.5
for Georgiev? Don't see the Leafs spending 7M on goalies.
Also the Leafs didn't trade Rask because they thought he wasn't good.