Armchair GM Thread 2024-25

[herman]

I want 3 attack lines, and maybe that means one kid per line, and I'm counting Knies as a kid.

Knies-Matthews-Jarnkrok
Cowan-Nylander-Marner
Minten-Tavares-McMann
Dewar-Kampf-Holmberg
Robertson

Each top 9 centre has wingers that cover their weakness: Matthews' body on the forecheck, Nylander's absentminded defense, Tavares' speed. Each of the kids is also understudying with a veteran who matches their playstyle. Berube would also be happy with the level of forechecking ability across the board, save for the Nylander line which will be a rush-attack group.

Robertson rotates in with any of the non-Knies kids, and takes over if one goes back to junior.

I am uncertain of Minten's eligibilities (WHL vs AHL) as he is turning 20 at the beginning of July. I think he is eligible for AHL, or the WHL as one of 3 overagers?

If we shuttle off Marner, then I'd expect at least one mid-class or better forward coming back (or UFA'd) to fill that slot. If it's a centre, then obviously Nylander goes back to winging it.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Oh yeah, Robertson exists.

 

[Arn]

I want 3 attack lines, and maybe that means one kid per line, and I'm counting Knies as a kid.

Knies-Matthews-Jarnkrok
Cowan-Nylander-Marner
Minten-Tavares-McMann
Dewar-Kampf-Holmberg
Robertson

Each top 9 centre has wingers that cover their weakness: Matthews' body on the forecheck, Nylander's absentminded defense, Tavares' speed. Each of the kids is also understudying with a veteran who matches their playstyle. Berube would also be happy with the level of forechecking ability across the board, save for the Nylander line which will be a rush-attack group.

Robertson rotates in with any of the non-Knies kids, and takes over if one goes back to junior.

I am uncertain of Minten's eligibilities (WHL vs AHL) as he is turning 20 at the beginning of July. I think he is eligible for AHL, or the WHL as one of 3 overagers?

If we shuttle off Marner, then I'd expect at least one mid-class or better forward coming back (or UFA'd) to fill that slot. If it's a centre, then obviously Nylander goes back to winging it.

Any way of bringing Domi back to slot him alongside Knies and Matthews on your top line?

Jarnkrok could be a valuable trade piece too.

 

[dappleganger]

I want 3 attack lines, and maybe that means one kid per line, and I'm counting Knies as a kid.

Knies-Matthews-Jarnkrok
Cowan-Nylander-Marner
Minten-Tavares-McMann
Dewar-Kampf-Holmberg
Robertson

Each top 9 centre has wingers that cover their weakness: Matthews' body on the forecheck, Nylander's absentminded defense, Tavares' speed. Each of the kids is also understudying with a veteran who matches their playstyle. Berube would also be happy with the level of forechecking ability across the board, save for the Nylander line which will be a rush-attack group.

Robertson rotates in with any of the non-Knies kids, and takes over if one goes back to junior.

I am uncertain of Minten's eligibilities (WHL vs AHL) as he is turning 20 at the beginning of July. I think he is eligible for AHL, or the WHL as one of 3 overagers?

If we shuttle off Marner, then I'd expect at least one mid-class or better forward coming back (or UFA'd) to fill that slot. If it's a centre, then obviously Nylander goes back to winging it.

Any way of bringing Domi back to slot him alongside Knies and Matthews on your top line?

Jarnkrok could be a valuable trade piece too.

Yes, and actually I think re-signing Domi is a priority. If either Matthews or Tavares miss any substantial time, they will need a Center who can play on the top two lines. Domi would be insurance for that. No one else on the roster would be a good fit for that, imo.

 

[herman]

Any way of bringing Domi back to slot him alongside Knies and Matthews on your top line?

Jarnkrok could be a valuable trade piece too.

Domi, I'm a bit torn on. He is useful and frustrating, but maybe that was just how Keefe was using him? I think he'd be good get at a certain price point and he's looking for term here more than anything else, so I think he'd be affordable (like 3M for 3 years?). But he's also like not that good and puts himself in the box a lot? but cheap and works with Matthews goes a long way.

Yes, I would absolutely start with Domi on Matthews' wing and switch it around from there as needed, but it will push more defensive responsibility elsewhere.

I'd like to keep Jarnkrok, our Swedish Connor Brown. He's cheaper than most UFA gets at his level and can play on all 4 lines.

Yes, and actually I think re-signing Domi is a priority. If either Matthews or Tavares miss any substantial time, they will need a Center who can play on the top two lines. Domi would be insurance for that. No one else on the roster would be a good fit for that, imo.

Cowan-Domi-Marner would be insufferable but kind of hilarious.

 

[herman]

Question:
Max Domi or Matt Duchene for a couple million more?

edit: wait, might not even be a couple million more, as he can just live off his buyout.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Question:
Max Domi or Matt Duchene for a couple million more?

edit: wait, might not even be a couple million more, as he can just live off his buyout.

The time to get Duchene was last year when his stock was down. He'll be looking to cash in pretty big here now.

Also, me-thinks him and his family have become accustomed to the Nashville/Dallas vibe-y cities so I just don't see Toronto being in the cards with him.

 

[herman]

Question:
Max Domi or Matt Duchene for a couple million more?

edit: wait, might not even be a couple million more, as he can just live off his buyout.

The time to get Duchene was last year when his stock was down. He'll be looking to cash in pretty big here now.

Also, me-thinks him and his family have become accustomed to the Nashville/Dallas vibe-y cities so I just don't see Toronto being in the cards with him.

We should've probably gotten to work on that time machine by now. Maybe tomorrow.

 

[cw]

Spit-balling a "what if we cheap out on forwards (for now) and go big name shopping on D" idea:

Trade Kampf and Lily to recoup some draft picks, re-sign Dewar to $1mil deal, sign Skjei (or Montour) long-term for $7.5mil, sign Tanev medium term for $5mil, sign Stolarz (or Broissoit) medium term for $3.25mil:

Knies-Matthews-Nylander
McMann-Tavares-Marner
Cowan-Minten-Jarnkrok
Holmberg-Dewar-Tverberg
Reaves

Skjei-McCabe
Rielly-Tanev
Benoit-Timmins
Rifai

Stolarz
Woll

That's a 22-man roster with $1.7mil in cap space left. Some candidates to yo-yo with the Marlies in order to accrue more cap space on off days without the hassle of LTIR now. Reconsider whether a replacement is needed for Timmins or go shopping for a forward later on in the season.

I did a line up very similar to that in a spreadsheet a couple of days ago.
It is the gist of what I might do.

I had Robertson as potential trade bait too. Not sure on that.
I think they might have a tough time moving Kampf's contract. But after his WC Gold, that might help.
I didn't mind Liljegren. He just turned 25. He did well when Rielly was out. But his arbitration rights make me nervous. I don't know if I would qualify him. If they get a top 4 pair who can help offensively, I'd rather they get a physical RHD who can PK and I think they could be had for less dough.

If it is still too early for Minten, AHL is an option for him. Not so for Cowan.
But they'd be getting NHL schooling - on the job training. Like Knies this year, by the following season, it will probably pay dividends and have them help more in the last three years of Matthews window.

I like what I've seen so far of Tverberg too. I also have liked what I've seen of Rifai.
The Leafs seem to be the wealthiest team. They don't have a lot of draft picks. They should maybe add scouts or divert some of them to focus more on finding players flying under the radar. If they could find another Benoit for the #6 RH dman spot who PKs & another McMann for the bottom six and maybe a goalie over the next couple of seasons, the cap picture starts to look pretty decent and the lack of prospects isn't as painful.

 

[Arn]

I played with Cap Friendly too and this is kind of what I come up with. I?ve tried to pick ?Treliving types? where I can. It?s not perfect, but?

Knies-Matthews-Domi
Cowan-Nylander-Marner
Minten-Tavares-McMann
Holmberg-Kampf-Robertson
Dewar

Rielly-Tanev
Skjei-McCabe
Benoit-Chatfield
Webber

Woll-Brossoit



I?ve also replenished our draft picks trading out Reaves, the rights to Liljegren and Jarnkrok. I?d say you could get player return for Liljegren?s rights but it was easier to do it this way

Were left with around $500,000 in cap space based on my guesses at some of the UFA signings deals (I?ve gone with Domi 4 years at $3m, Skjei 5 years at $7m, Brossoit 2 years at $2m)

 

[Joe S.]

Why is there such an urgency to get rid of Jarnkrok? 2.1 mil for what he brings seems perfectly reasonable to me. What am I missing?

 

[Guilt Trip]

I want 3 attack lines, and maybe that means one kid per line, and I'm counting Knies as a kid.

Knies-Matthews-Jarnkrok
Cowan-Nylander-Marner
Minten-Tavares-McMann
Dewar-Kampf-Holmberg
Robertson

Each top 9 centre has wingers that cover their weakness: Matthews' body on the forecheck, Nylander's absentminded defense, Tavares' speed. Each of the kids is also understudying with a veteran who matches their playstyle. Berube would also be happy with the level of forechecking ability across the board, save for the Nylander line which will be a rush-attack group.

Robertson rotates in with any of the non-Knies kids, and takes over if one goes back to junior.

I am uncertain of Minten's eligibilities (WHL vs AHL) as he is turning 20 at the beginning of July. I think he is eligible for AHL, or the WHL as one of 3 overagers?

If we shuttle off Marner, then I'd expect at least one mid-class or better forward coming back (or UFA'd) to fill that slot. If it's a centre, then obviously Nylander goes back to winging it.

Any way of bringing Domi back to slot him alongside Knies and Matthews on your top line?

Jarnkrok could be a valuable trade piece too.

Jarnkrok needs to go. 2.1M is too much for a guy that does nothing in the playoffs.

 

[Joe S.]

Jarnkrok needs to go. 2.1M is too much for a guy that does nothing in the playoffs.

I?m genuinely asking this but what 2.1 million player is a ?playoff performer??

 

[bustaheims]

Why is there such an urgency to get rid of Jarnkrok? 2.1 mil for what he brings seems perfectly reasonable to me. What am I missing?

That one confuses me, too. He brings plenty value for that price. He wasn?t brought in to be a significant offensive contributor, nor should that be expected of a $2.1M forward. He?s a third line, defensively responsible, checking forward who chips in 15ish goals a year.

 

[bustaheims]

Jarnkrok needs to go. 2.1M is too much for a guy that does nothing in the playoffs.

I?m genuinely asking this but what 2.1 million player is a ?playoff performer??

Exactly. The problem isn?t that Jarnkrok doesn?t produce in the playoffs. The problem is that the Leafs? depth up front has been so poor that they?ve needed him to do so. Moving his salary doesn?t do much to help the team fix that, but it will hurt them defensively and takeaway another penalty killer - an area they need more help in, not less.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Jarnkrok needs to go. 2.1M is too much for a guy that does nothing in the playoffs.

I?m genuinely asking this but what 2.1 million player is a ?playoff performer??

The fact he does nothing in the playoffs means hes not needed. They can use the 1+M elsewhere.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Jarnkrok needs to go. 2.1M is too much for a guy that does nothing in the playoffs.

I?m genuinely asking this but what 2.1 million player is a ?playoff performer??

Exactly. The problem isn?t that Jarnkrok doesn?t produce in the playoffs. The problem is that the Leafs? depth up front has been so poor that they?ve needed him to do so. Moving his salary doesn?t do much to help the team fix that, but it will hurt them defensively and takeaway another penalty killer - an area they need more help in, not less.

It won't hurt them defensively. You can teach anyone willing to PK. Removing over 1M for a guy that really adds little is important when up at the cap. He can be replaced pretty easily. Kampf is much better on the PK, scores more in the playoffs and lots want him gone because they have Holmberg. 

 

[Arn]

Why is there such an urgency to get rid of Jarnkrok? 2.1 mil for what he brings seems perfectly reasonable to me. What am I missing?

For me to clear a bit of cap space fit others in plus for the reasons you state I think he has value at his price point so others would trade for him.

I'd actually prefer to keep him and trade Kampf, but I think his cap hit is too high and he's harder to move.  And Jarnkrok brings back higher picks.

 

[bustaheims]

It won't hurt them defensively. You can teach anyone willing to PK. Removing over 1M for a guy that really adds little is important when up at the cap. He can be replaced pretty easily. Kampf is much better on the PK, scores more in the playoffs and lots want him gone because they have Holmberg. 

If that were true, there'd be a lot more quality PKers in the league than there are. Lots of players would have been able to extend their careers by becoming defensively responsible forwards who can kill penalties. We haven't seen that, because of a lot it is based on instinct and feel. A lot of players can't handle that in a meaningful way.

 

[Bullfrog]

Jarnkrok needs to go. 2.1M is too much for a guy that does nothing in the playoffs.

I?m genuinely asking this but what 2.1 million player is a ?playoff performer??

Exactly. The problem isn?t that Jarnkrok doesn?t produce in the playoffs. The problem is that the Leafs? depth up front has been so poor that they?ve needed him to do so. Moving his salary doesn?t do much to help the team fix that, but it will hurt them defensively and takeaway another penalty killer - an area they need more help in, not less.

Not to mention he just came back from injuries.

I think he's the perfect player that amount. I'd definitely be keeping him.