Armchair GM Thread 2024-25

[herman]

It's getting harder and harder to see Cowan going back to the OHL next season. That means our LW currently has Knies, McMann, Cowan, Holmberg/Dewar. Certainly no all-stars (yet?) but adding Bert to that group makes it seem a little crowded, both next season and beyond. So unless he's taking one heck of a discount to stay here (doubtufl) the $5-6mil or so that it'd take to re-sign him would probably be better utilized anywhere else (C, RW, D, G).

Don't forget Robertson (who probably gets moved if we are keeping Domi and calling up Cowan).

 

[dappleganger]

How many points does Marner get on the wing with Bedard?

115 and 0 in the playoffs.

So there will be no complaints then.

(Cuz Chicago won't be playing any playoff games)

 

[caver]

I like the idea of getting some cheap bluey chip prospects that are already contributing, with a solid goalie, and looking at 24-25 as a reset of sorts? 

And if it all goes well, load up a little at the deadline, and if not, offload. 

And another thing...I'm not sold with Rielly as your horse on the blueline.

And another thing...if Bert and Domi want to come back, are we good with that?

Domi showed some strong chemistry with Matthews. I'd like to have him back.

The Bertuzzi that showed up for the last couple months of the season? I'd have him back in a heartbeat. The full package? I'd be open to it, if he's willing to sign for less than he earned this past season. He fit pretty well with Matthews and Domi in the end. If he goes, though, what did provide shouldn't be that difficult to replace.

that's where I am too.. Domi showed passing skill that might make a loss of Marner less impactful to Matthews..and the snot of course..

 

[herman]

https://x.com/hockeywthhannah/status/1791103328128004260

 

[Palmateer29]

Pretty sure it was 2018-2019 he played on the wing with Taveres and recorded 94 points. Tavares netted 47 so that shuts down that point pretty easy.

Tavares went on a heater that season (big hype coming off the signing), and it was a contract season for Marner during Nylander's negotiation. Tavares never touched that again, even when reunited with Marner after things went stale.

Tavares normally hovers at 13-20 5v5 goals at just under 10% shooting.
That season he spiked to 33 5v5 goals shooting 16%. Was it Marner or a combination of Marner + Hyman + opportunity?

Matthews shoots about 15% at 5v5 regardless of his winger, save for his busted wrist season (still got to 40G).

So unless Marner lands with another shooting C that hits 15+% sh% on the regular, he's going to have a tough time getting to 90+.

This sounds like the beginning of Nylanders season...huge points gets the big contract and tapers off. Just 16 points in March and April. Marner had 12 and he missed almost a month. 3 points in the playoffs for Nylander, 3 for Marner. Not sure why everyone is jumping on Marner coming off the high ankle sprain. Apparently his off the ice people aren't great for him....someone's daddy had him holding out into November so there's that as well. Hard to compare a 2-way, penalty killing, powerplay forward against a 1 dimensional, powerplay forward who floats backchecking. Too bad he couldn't skate as fast in both directions.... 

 

[Highlander]

Don't trade just for Saros, the other pieces that Herman mentions are intriguing.

 

[herman]

Pretty sure it was 2018-2019 he played on the wing with Taveres and recorded 94 points. Tavares netted 47 so that shuts down that point pretty easy.

Tavares went on a heater that season (big hype coming off the signing), and it was a contract season for Marner during Nylander's negotiation. Tavares never touched that again, even when reunited with Marner after things went stale.

Tavares normally hovers at 13-20 5v5 goals at just under 10% shooting.
That season he spiked to 33 5v5 goals shooting 16%. Was it Marner or a combination of Marner + Hyman + opportunity?

Matthews shoots about 15% at 5v5 regardless of his winger, save for his busted wrist season (still got to 40G).

So unless Marner lands with another shooting C that hits 15+% sh% on the regular, he's going to have a tough time getting to 90+.

This sounds like the beginning of Nylanders season...huge points gets the big contract and tapers off. Just 16 points in March and April. Marner had 12 and he missed almost a month. 3 points in the playoffs for Nylander, 3 for Marner. Not sure why everyone is jumping on Marner coming off the high ankle sprain. Apparently his off the ice people aren't great for him....someone's daddy had him holding out into November so there's that as well. Hard to compare a 2-way, penalty killing, powerplay forward against a 1 dimensional, powerplay forward who floats backchecking. Too bad he couldn't skate as fast in both directions.... 

This reads exactly like a Paul Marner DM

https://x.com/danielroyyyy/status/1074764784422318081

 

[Palmateer29]

Don't trade just for Saros, the other pieces that Herman mentions are intriguing.

How long has it been since we have had a true #1 defenseman? Phaneuf was okay but more 2-3, Kaberle same, Borje? Tim Horton? It's been forever to be sure.

 

[Palmateer29]

Pretty sure it was 2018-2019 he played on the wing with Taveres and recorded 94 points. Tavares netted 47 so that shuts down that point pretty easy.

Tavares went on a heater that season (big hype coming off the signing), and it was a contract season for Marner during Nylander's negotiation. Tavares never touched that again, even when reunited with Marner after things went stale.

Tavares normally hovers at 13-20 5v5 goals at just under 10% shooting.
That season he spiked to 33 5v5 goals shooting 16%. Was it Marner or a combination of Marner + Hyman + opportunity?

Matthews shoots about 15% at 5v5 regardless of his winger, save for his busted wrist season (still got to 40G).

So unless Marner lands with another shooting C that hits 15+% sh% on the regular, he's going to have a tough time getting to 90+.

This sounds like the beginning of Nylanders season...huge points gets the big contract and tapers off. Just 16 points in March and April. Marner had 12 and he missed almost a month. 3 points in the playoffs for Nylander, 3 for Marner. Not sure why everyone is jumping on Marner coming off the high ankle sprain. Apparently his off the ice people aren't great for him....someone's daddy had him holding out into November so there's that as well. Hard to compare a 2-way, penalty killing, powerplay forward against a 1 dimensional, powerplay forward who floats backchecking. Too bad he couldn't skate as fast in both directions.... 

This reads exactly like a Paul Marner DM

Of course it does when you are busy swinging from Willy's balls

 

[herman]

Pretty sure it was 2018-2019 he played on the wing with Taveres and recorded 94 points. Tavares netted 47 so that shuts down that point pretty easy.

Tavares went on a heater that season (big hype coming off the signing), and it was a contract season for Marner during Nylander's negotiation. Tavares never touched that again, even when reunited with Marner after things went stale.

Tavares normally hovers at 13-20 5v5 goals at just under 10% shooting.
That season he spiked to 33 5v5 goals shooting 16%. Was it Marner or a combination of Marner + Hyman + opportunity?

Matthews shoots about 15% at 5v5 regardless of his winger, save for his busted wrist season (still got to 40G).

So unless Marner lands with another shooting C that hits 15+% sh% on the regular, he's going to have a tough time getting to 90+.

This sounds like the beginning of Nylanders season...huge points gets the big contract and tapers off. Just 16 points in March and April. Marner had 12 and he missed almost a month. 3 points in the playoffs for Nylander, 3 for Marner. Not sure why everyone is jumping on Marner coming off the high ankle sprain. Apparently his off the ice people aren't great for him....someone's daddy had him holding out into November so there's that as well. Hard to compare a 2-way, penalty killing, powerplay forward against a 1 dimensional, powerplay forward who floats backchecking. Too bad he couldn't skate as fast in both directions.... 

This reads exactly like a Paul Marner DM

Of course it does when you are busy swinging from Willy's balls

You see how this conversation started as a discussion about stats and observations and then devolved into character attacks? Literally how Paul Marner talks.

 

[Bullfrog]

...
So unless Marner lands with another shooting C that hits 15+% sh% on the regular, he's going to have a tough time getting to 90+.

I don't think it'll be that surprising if he hits it. He'll be on the top line of whatever team he's on. So he won't have Matthews, but he'll have someone capable of potting the puck.

 

[Bender]

https://twitter.com/hockeywthhannah/status/1791103328128004260

I don't like these.

 

[herman]

...
So unless Marner lands with another shooting C that hits 15+% sh% on the regular, he's going to have a tough time getting to 90+.

I don't think it'll be that surprising if he hits it. He'll be on the top line of whatever team he's on. So he won't have Matthews, but he'll have someone capable of potting the puck.

23 Players hit 85 this season, Marner would've had more if he didn't get injured, but was the 23rd here.
They all get significant PPs time and play on good teams with good regular season PPs.

If he were going to TBL, BOS, CAR, NYR, COL, FLA, VAN then he'd have a good shot at it. I would be surprised if he landed in any of those teams.

 

[Bullfrog]

I mean, Aho did it on Carolina; I'm positive Marner would as well.

 

[Champ Kind]

Pretty sure it was 2018-2019 he played on the wing with Taveres and recorded 94 points. Tavares netted 47 so that shuts down that point pretty easy.

Tavares went on a heater that season (big hype coming off the signing), and it was a contract season for Marner during Nylander's negotiation. Tavares never touched that again, even when reunited with Marner after things went stale.

Tavares normally hovers at 13-20 5v5 goals at just under 10% shooting.
That season he spiked to 33 5v5 goals shooting 16%. Was it Marner or a combination of Marner + Hyman + opportunity?

Matthews shoots about 15% at 5v5 regardless of his winger, save for his busted wrist season (still got to 40G).

So unless Marner lands with another shooting C that hits 15+% sh% on the regular, he's going to have a tough time getting to 90+.

This sounds like the beginning of Nylanders season...huge points gets the big contract and tapers off. Just 16 points in March and April. Marner had 12 and he missed almost a month. 3 points in the playoffs for Nylander, 3 for Marner. Not sure why everyone is jumping on Marner coming off the high ankle sprain. Apparently his off the ice people aren't great for him....someone's daddy had him holding out into November so there's that as well. Hard to compare a 2-way, penalty killing, powerplay forward against a 1 dimensional, powerplay forward who floats backchecking. Too bad he couldn't skate as fast in both directions.... 

So, just wondering, but why do you qualify Marner's regular season point totals by saying "he missed almost a month" and, yet, you say Mitch and Willy had the same number of playoff points?  Surely an unbiased argument would note that Willy missed several playoff games and had come off some concerning head-related symptoms to start.

 

[Palmateer29]

Pretty sure it was 2018-2019 he played on the wing with Taveres and recorded 94 points. Tavares netted 47 so that shuts down that point pretty easy.

Tavares went on a heater that season (big hype coming off the signing), and it was a contract season for Marner during Nylander's negotiation. Tavares never touched that again, even when reunited with Marner after things went stale.

Tavares normally hovers at 13-20 5v5 goals at just under 10% shooting.
That season he spiked to 33 5v5 goals shooting 16%. Was it Marner or a combination of Marner + Hyman + opportunity?

Matthews shoots about 15% at 5v5 regardless of his winger, save for his busted wrist season (still got to 40G).

So unless Marner lands with another shooting C that hits 15+% sh% on the regular, he's going to have a tough time getting to 90+.

This sounds like the beginning of Nylanders season...huge points gets the big contract and tapers off. Just 16 points in March and April. Marner had 12 and he missed almost a month. 3 points in the playoffs for Nylander, 3 for Marner. Not sure why everyone is jumping on Marner coming off the high ankle sprain. Apparently his off the ice people aren't great for him....someone's daddy had him holding out into November so there's that as well. Hard to compare a 2-way, penalty killing, powerplay forward against a 1 dimensional, powerplay forward who floats backchecking. Too bad he couldn't skate as fast in both directions.... 

So, just wondering, but why do you qualify Marner's regular season point totals by saying "he missed almost a month" and, yet, you say Mitch and Willy had the same number of playoff points?  Surely an unbiased argument would note that Willy missed several playoff games and had come off some concerning head-related symptoms to start.

Marner missed a month during that period. Nylander missed 3 playoff games of the 7. Marner, Tavares and Knies played mainly in a checking role against Pasta. An unbiased (not really saying I am) opinion would say Marner did not look the same after being out for a month with the ankle sprain. Nylander missed 2 games with migranes which suck donkeys as I know and didn't look the same UNTIL he scored that first goal.

 

[herman]

Every clip I see of Zadorov that's between the whistles makes me want him on the Leafs.
https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1789414785399804399
https://twitter.com/CanuckSkate/status/1790464791313805740
https://twitter.com/GinoHard_/status/1791319542779584948

This is also wild
https://x.com/hockey_robinson/status/1791518474709225497

 

[Guilt Trip]

Every clip I see of Zadorov that's between the whistles makes me want him on the Leafs.
https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1789414785399804399
https://twitter.com/CanuckSkate/status/1790464791313805740
https://twitter.com/GinoHard_/status/1791319542779584948

This is also wild
https://twitter.com/hockey_robinson/status/1791518474709225497

Have to be careful not to overpay if Van doesn't keep him. Good in interviews tho

 

[L K]

I like the idea of getting some cheap bluey chip prospects that are already contributing, with a solid goalie, and looking at 24-25 as a reset of sorts? 

And if it all goes well, load up a little at the deadline, and if not, offload. 

And another thing...I'm not sold with Rielly as your horse on the blueline.

And another thing...if Bert and Domi want to come back, are we good with that?

Domi showed some strong chemistry with Matthews. I'd like to have him back.

The Bertuzzi that showed up for the last couple months of the season? I'd have him back in a heartbeat. The full package? I'd be open to it, if he's willing to sign for less than he earned this past season. He fit pretty well with Matthews and Domi in the end. If he goes, though, what did provide shouldn't be that difficult to replace.

I didn't really see playoff Bertuzzi doing all that much.  He got into scuffles with Marchand but I wanted to see more production from him. I'd bring him back, but I don't think he's a 5M player.

 

[Peter D.]

https://twitter.com/hockeywthhannah/status/1791103328128004260

Just had a chance to finally read this.  Holy...this are flat out terrible.  Especially that Utah one -- that has to be a joke...right?!

Do I think trading Marner is the right choice?  Possibly...probably.  Particularly if the team is looking to shake things up with this core.  But an extremely talented player like Marner is going to be damn near impossible to replace, let alone find.  So a Marner deal being a home run deal is a must.

I get wanting to grab some assets and alloting any salary savings to other areas.  I definitely don't think Saros is the way to go as a first step in trying to achieve that, either.

I'm on the fence.  I'd rather be inclined to view this upcoming year as a transition/punt year, whatever happens happens, and wait until Tavares's contract is up next year to funnel that money back into the team.

Beyond all that, Treliving must do a better job at the drafts than the team has seen in recent years by his predecessor(s).  The pipeline isn't flowing, and we need some internal, homegrown youth injected into this lineup than having to keep going to the scrap heap to round out the roster.  Tall task ahead because we're seeing the prime years of three of the best players in the league slowly vanishing right before our eyes.