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Kapanen traded

CarltonTheBear said:
I wouldn't really be surprised if the Leafs attempt to keep Evan Rodrigues in the fold. He doesn't get qualified at $2mil, but the Leafs could still work something else out. His numbers with Buffalo in the 17/18 and 18/19 make him look like a decent bottom-6 forward option.
I think the Leafs will do as Button said. We're not qualifying you but if you want to negotiate a deal for x amount come talk to us. Button figures a lot of teams wont qualify their arbitration rights players.
 
Sounds good, but I'm real sorry to see Kapanen go.  He's not quite so narrow a player as you all have been making out.  For one thing, he was damn good PKer.

Nonetheless, this was inevitable.  I see the first rounder being packaged with Marner for a stud defenseman.  You heard it from me, a really tied in source, first.
 
herman said:
I think it has a lot to do with our centres though. We have two of the premiere goal scoring centres. If one of them was more of a playmaker, Kapanen would fit.

He looked real effective with Kerfoot and Mikheyev albeit against depth opposition. He?d be first line winger on a few garbage teams right now and would probably be a 30G winger next to Crosby.

Got?em :)
 
herman said:
https://theathletic.com/2022224/2020/08/25/lebrun-maple-leafs-accomplish-their-goal-in-recouping-first-rounder-for-kapanen/

Of course any Toronto Pittsburgh grade is going to bring up the question of goalies. LeBrun reports that former Soo Greyhound Matt Murray, the goalie Rutherford is shopping, was not part of this trade conversation at all.

Can't talk about Murray when your top target is still playing.
 
I made the mistake of reading the comments over at Sportsnet with this article and you?d think this trade was Rask for Raycroft in how badly the leafs did in this trade.
 
Joe S. said:
I made the mistake of reading the comments over at Sportsnet with this article and you?d think this trade was Rask for Raycroft in how badly the leafs did in this trade.

It's a classic two in the bush, one in the hand. Leafs could end up with nothing, but the cap is an issue and the cap savings of $3.2m is valuable. I just don't think Kapanen had a sufficient role with this team, possibly no fault of his own.
 
Good luck in Pittsburgh Kappy!

After the wave of old-guard that went out the door for the cap (Bozak, JVR, Kadri), Kap is our first servicable young player out the door. Had some great moments here. I'll miss his breakaways and PK dangerousness. His offensive IQ just wasn't top-six forward calibre. Have to give to get, and both teams did well it looks like.
 
Kapanen had wheels and was a half decent penalty killer because of it, but that was all. He had no vision or hockey sense on the ice. When the puck was on his stick, the play generally ran into a wall and failed.
 
I would say that Kapanen was probably "overpaid"* for what he brought, but he was worth the gamble in paying that in case he hit his potential which may have been worth more than that.

Interesting first move. Also very early first move considering the playoffs are still ongoing. Will be fun to see what other dominos might tumble now
 
-The return for Kapanen was good considering we were selling low
Some thoughts however...
-You would think he was making 6 milion plus for how so many are claiming that we shed so much cap room
-don't forget, Kapanen was scoring at a 25 goal pace for a good part of 18/19 season and slumped at end....if he goes on to score 25 or 30+, 3.2 million will be a huge bargain
- we lose our fastest player and probably most effective PK guy
- although he wasn't a consistent enough forechecker, we are losing some more grit in our top 9....now the only guy opposing D have to worry about being run thru the boards is Hyman
- Robertson will not strike any fear in opposing D if he fills that spot
 
Joe S. said:
I made the mistake of reading the comments over at Sportsnet with this article and you?d think this trade was Rask for Raycroft in how badly the leafs did in this trade.

The joys of the instant analysis crew.

Yes, the trade makes the roster a little worse right now, on paper - but, considering the Leafs aren't playing meaningful hockey until December (probably), that doesn't matter. The asset value of the return and the cap space freed up by the move exceeds the value Kapanen had as a 3rd line winger. To really judge the impact of the trade, we need to see what the team does with the cap space and the pick. Off-season moves need to judge as a collective, not just at as individual transactions. The goal is to make the team better next season. Sometimes, that will involve moves that seem to set the team back in order to allow for others that move it even further forward. This trade adds valuable future assets to the team, creates some breathing room for additional moves, and moves out a player who, though he has great speed and a great shot, seem to lack the instincts to be much more than we've seen from him so far. ~20 goal, ~45 pt guys are easily replaced.
 
Arn said:
I would say that Kapanen was probably "overpaid"* for what he brought, but he was worth the gamble in paying that in case he hit his potential which may have been worth more than that.

Kapanen's a guy who is overpaid for our salary structure but could be underpaid on another teams. Particularly in a flat cap world.
 
Guilt Trip said:
I didn't hear that but if the right D man were to be made available, I'm sure they'd use the pick if needed.

Obviously if it's the only option to getting that elusive top-4 defenceman Dubas should probably do it, but man I'd love to be able to keep the pick considering our prospect system right now. Hallander and whoever we select would arguably be our top-2 prospects if you assume Sandin and Robertson are "graduated"
 
He has 41 goals in 202 NHL games at this point so while a one off 30 goal season isn't out of the question I just don't see Kapanen being that kind of consistent guy.  That being said, both Tavares and Matthews are scorers more than facilitators so if he plays with Crosby who knows.  His game doesn't really seem to be one that works great within an offense though.  He will be a good addition to their team though.  Penalty killing and speed are always worthwhile and if he can continue to be a 40-50 point player at his salary that's not bad.

I love the trade from the Leafs point though.  Getting the cap relief, a 1st round pick and a decent prospect is more than I expected.  Hopefully that 3.2 can cover most of Dermott and Mikheyev's salary for next year.
 
L K said:
He has 41 goals in 202 NHL games at this point so while a one off 30 goal season isn't out of the question I just don't see Kapanen being that kind of consistent guy.  That being said, both Tavares and Matthews are scorers more than facilitators so if he plays with Crosby who knows.  His game doesn't really seem to be one that works great within an offense though.  He will be a good addition to their team though.  Penalty killing and speed are always worthwhile and if he can continue to be a 40-50 point player at his salary that's not bad.

I love the trade from the Leafs point though.  Getting the cap relief, a 1st round pick and a decent prospect is more than I expected.  Hopefully that 3.2 can cover most of Dermott and Mikheyev's salary for next year.
3.2 should cover all of Mikheyev and Dermott.
 
It feels pointless to speculate about this since more moves are certainly coming, but this also opens up a forward slot in the expansion draft of course. So now we've got:

F: Matthews, Tavares, Marner, Nylander, Kerfoot, Johnsson, ________ (Hyman? Envgall?)
D: Rielly, Muzzin, ________ (Holl? Dermott? Offseason acquisition?)
G: Andersen/Campbell/whoever
 
CarltonTheBear said:
Guilt Trip said:
3.2 should cover all of Mikheyev and Dermott.

Before this move I said both those guys should get an AAV that starts with a 1. I don't think this changes that.
Agree. Both aren't due huge raises and are replaceable. I think the flat cap world gives Dubas a bit of an edge here in negotiations.
 

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