Leafs free agent options look slim to none

[slapshot]

I don't see much from the list of available free agents to help with the retooling.

Mostly a bunch of old guys, retreads and guys like Vanek, Moulson, etc who were moved at the deadline and if they like their new teams, Mon, Min, probably have inside track on resigning them.

For Leafs to improve next year will probably take 1) structural system and possibly coaching changes 2) cultural change, buy-in commitment to improve team defensive play, 3) improvement from within young players development and some bounce years from vets 4) a savvy trade or two.

 

[bustaheims]

I've said it in a few other places, but, I'll say it again here - outside of maybe Vanek (and, that's depending on what sort of trades the team might make between now and July 1st), they shouldn't sign any UFAs looking contracts longer than 2 seasons or looking for significant dollars. The team needs the cap flexibility and UFA contracts are almost never good value. Outside of some depth guys to compete with the kids for some of the depth roles, I'd sign pretty much no one this summer.

 

[Redleaf]

I've said it in a few other places, but, I'll say it again here - outside of maybe Vanek (and, that's depending on what sort of trades the team might make between now and July 1st), they shouldn't sign any UFAs looking contracts longer than 2 seasons or looking for significant dollars. The team needs the cap flexibility and UFA contracts are almost never good value. Outside of some depth guys to compete with the kids for some of the depth roles, I'd sign pretty much no one this summer.

So where will the improvements for next season come from, the draft? Otherwise, we probably shouldn't count on making the playoffs next year either.

If thats the case, why bother to carry Kessel & Phaneuf along anymore? This team probably won't be ready to seriously compete for another 3-4 years.

Should we forge ahead next season or concentrate our efforts on acquiring more building blocks for the future?

I mean, these are some of the serious questions Shanahan and crew will have to ask themselves now..

 

[bustaheims]

So where will the improvements for next season come from, the draft? Otherwise, we probably shouldn't count on making the playoffs next year either.

Trades, strategic changes from the new coaching staff, internal options, etc. There are much more cost effective ways to improve the team than bringing in UFAs. This team isn't going to be fixed in one off-season. No sense in making future off seasons more difficult by tying up a bunch of cap space on mediocre UFAs.

 

[Bullfrog]

I've said it in a few other places, but, I'll say it again here - outside of maybe Vanek (and, that's depending on what sort of trades the team might make between now and July 1st), they shouldn't sign any UFAs looking contracts longer than 2 seasons or looking for significant dollars. The team needs the cap flexibility and UFA contracts are almost never good value. Outside of some depth guys to compete with the kids for some of the depth roles, I'd sign pretty much no one this summer.

I'm supportive of re-signing Bodie for one of those depth spots.

 

[Redleaf]

So where will the improvements for next season come from, the draft? Otherwise, we probably shouldn't count on making the playoffs next year either.

Trades, strategic changes from the new coaching staff, internal options, etc. There are much more cost effective ways to improve the team than bringing in UFAs. This team isn't going to be fixed in one off-season. No sense in making future off seasons more difficult by tying up a bunch of cap space on mediocre UFAs.

Cost effective, yes. Effective enough in general would be my concern.

 

[bustaheims]

Cost effective, yes. Effective enough in general would be my concern.

The team isn't going to be a Cup contender next season. Knowing that, cost effective going forward is much more of a concern. The guys on the UFA market this summer are pretty much either on the verge of retirement or replaceable parts. Outside of 2 or 3 guys who might make it to July, none of them are guys you should be giving big money, longer term deals to, but, because of the way the UFA market works, that's exactly what they'll be getting.

 

[Redleaf]

Cost effective, yes. Effective enough in general would be my concern.

The team isn't going to be a Cup contender next season. Knowing that, cost effective going forward is much more of a concern. The guys on the UFA market this summer are pretty much either on the verge of retirement or replaceable parts. Outside of 2 or 3 guys who might make it to July, none of them are guys you should be giving big money, longer term deals to, but, because of the way the UFA market works, that's exactly what they'll be getting.

Im not disagreeing with you. Im just saying the situation doesn't look good from an 'improvement' standpoint for next season. Unless there are some blockbuster trades in the summer,  I don't see how a coaching change, some Marlie call-ups, and a few minor deals are going to have much of an impact on this club, if any.

 

[bustaheims]

Im not disagreeing with you. Im just saying the situation doesn't look good from an 'improvement' standpoint for next season. Unless there are some blockbuster trades in the summer,  I don't see how a coaching change, some Marlie call-ups, and a few minor deals are going to have much of an impact on this club, if any.

Well, we've had this discussion before, and you're not seeing it because you're dismissive dismissive of the level of impact a coaching change could have on the team.

 

[Mike1]

This team needs better depth moving forward. They're aren't boatloads of stars but I'm sure there are guys that can help, provided they don't have ridiculous salary demands.

The Leafs need to take the MacArthur/Raymond approach instead of the Clarkson/Komisarek approach. Sign guys who fall through the cracks that want to prove they can still play. You'll probably get more productive players in the end than you would signing players to big money contracts.

 

[Redleaf]

Im not disagreeing with you. Im just saying the situation doesn't look good from an 'improvement' standpoint for next season. Unless there are some blockbuster trades in the summer,  I don't see how a coaching change, some Marlie call-ups, and a few minor deals are going to have much of an impact on this club, if any.

Well, we've had this discussion before, and you're not seeing it because you're dismissive dismissive of the level of impact a coaching change could have on the team.

You got me there. I am 'dismissive' of the idea that a new coach will fix what ails this team. As I've stated many times before, the problems with this club run much deeper than just coaching (and a few minor tweaks).

This organization and its fans must continue to be patient and collect 1st round draft picks (preferably in the top 5-10) for the next few seasons, or have Shanahan pressure Nonis into deviating from that plan, and trade away picks and prospects to address the immediate needs of this team.

It will certainly be interesting to see what approach this new management team, with Shanahan at the head, decide to take this summer...

 

[azzurri63]

McDavid

 

[CarltonTheBear]

McDavid

I guess I'd settle for Eichel if I had to.

 

[gunnar36]

Brooks Orpick would be a great addition to our d-core.  A  strong, hard hitting defensive dman.

The cap is the issue here and I feel they already need to try to unload Gleason and/or Gunnarson to make room for new Franson and Gardiner contracts.

 

[bustaheims]

Brooks Orpick would be a great addition to our d-core.  A  strong, hard hitting defensive dman.

The cap is the issue here and I feel they already need to try to unload Gleason and/or Gunnarson to make room for new Franson and Gardiner contracts.

4 or 5 years ago, maybe, but, he's starting to get up there in age for that type of defenceman, and the injuries are starting to slow him down and reduce his effectiveness. He's a mistake contract waiting to happen.

Also, Franson desperately needs to go. He's slow and easily taken advantage of defensively, while Gunnarsson needs to stay. He's the type of defensive minded defenceman that actually fits in today's NHL.

 

[L K]

The guys I'm more interested in on defense would be:

Niskanen, Boyle (2 year deal), Gilbert, Mitchell (2 year deal), Stralman, Robidas

 

[louisstamos]

If Kuli walks to another team, I'm not adverse to signing Moss (PHX), Winnik (ANA) or Ott (STL), but not for longer than 3 years in any case.

 

[Redleaf]

Brooks Orpick would be a great addition to our d-core.  A  strong, hard hitting defensive dman.

The cap is the issue here and I feel they already need to try to unload Gleason and/or Gunnarson to make room for new Franson and Gardiner contracts.

4 or 5 years ago, maybe, but, he's starting to get up there in age for that type of defenceman, and the injuries are starting to slow him down and reduce his effectiveness. He's a mistake contract waiting to happen.

Also, Franson desperately needs to go. He's slow and easily taken advantage of defensively, while Gunnarsson needs to stay. He's the type of defensive minded defenceman that actually fits in today's NHL.

Yeah. I won't comment on Orpick, but I do agree with your assessments of Gunnar and Franson, and I'm pretty sure Nonis and his team recognize this as well.

It wouldn't take more than a few games with just a sheet of paper and a pencil, giving X's and checkmarks to the gaffs and good plays by each of these guys to get a pretty good read on their defensive and offensive abilities.

Then imagine having season upon season, and stacks upon stacks of advanced player analysis for each guy, and you'd get a real clear picture of a players value. While a player like Franson has some good offensive numbers, his defensive mistakes simply trump the positives. The opposite is almost true in Gunnarson's case.

 

[slapshot]

In terms of improvement, I am wondering if the Leafs can swing a deal, a two for one package in return for a better player. Part of the package could be Reimer and either Gunner for Franson to find another legitimate top four defenseman to go with Gardiner, Rielly and Phaneuf.

 

[lamajama]

This team needs better depth moving forward. They're aren't boatloads of stars but I'm sure there are guys that can help, provided they don't have ridiculous salary demands.

The Leafs need to take the MacArthur/Raymond approach instead of the Clarkson/Komisarek approach. Sign guys who fall through the cracks that want to prove they can still play. You'll probably get more productive players in the end than you would signing players to big money contracts.

Exactly. Certainly at this point if not as a matter of policy. Really slam-dunk desirable UFA's just do not seem to make it to UFA status anymore hence the stupid contracts given to 2nd tier players like....Clarkson.