Happy July 1st, the most wonderful mistake filled time of the year!
Here’s a list of things that would make the Leafs better in the short term that probably won’t happen.
Trade Andrae, Robertson and Rielly to SEA for McCann.
Trade Stolarz to VGK for Adin Hill + 1st in 2028.
Trade Joshua to DET for 4th round pick.
Sign Arvidsson, 5.25 AAV, 3 years. Sundin / Hiller connection discount?
Sign Jenner, 5.25 AAV, 3 years. Home town discount?
Sign Ferraro, 5 AAV, 5 years. Home town discount?
Sign Stenlund, 2.5 AAV, 3 years. Sundin discount?
Sign Sissons, 2.25 AAV, 3 years.
Sign Acciari, 2.25 AAV, 2 years.
Sign Schenn, 1.35 AAV, 1 year. Home town discount?
(Domi LTIR)
Cap space: 2 million. Allows wiggle room for potential UFA contract increases and seasonal adjustments.
McKenna | Matthews | McCann – 18 min/G – Primarily O-Zone / Offensive Neutral Zone FOs
Knies | Tavares | Nylander – 16 min/G – Exclusively O-Zone FOs
Jenner | Stenlund | Arvidsson – 14 min/G – Primarily D-Zone / Defensive Neutral Zone FOs
Cowan | Acciari | Sissons – 12 min/G – Exclusively D-Zone FOs
Lorentz
General Pairings:
McCabe | Raddysh – 21 min/G
Ferraro | Tanev – 20 min/G
OEL | Stecher – 19 min/G
Schenn
O-Zone Pairings:
OEL | Raddysh
Ferraro | Stecher
D-Zone Pairings:
Ferraro | Tanev
McCabe | Stecher (Schenn)
Hill | Hildeby (50/34)
*Inquire about Murray for depth if healthy.
PP1 – Nylander (Left Wall) | Tavares (Net Front) | McKenna (Right Wall) | Raddysh (Left Point) | Matthews (Right Point)
PP2 – Knies (Left Wall) | Jenner (Net Front) | McCann (Right Wall) | Arvidsson (Left Point) | OEL (Right Point)
PK1 – Stenlund, Jenner | McCabe, Tanev
PK2 – Acciari, Cowan (Lorentz) | Ferraro, Stecher (Schenn)
PK3 – Sissons, McCann | OEL, Raddysh
PK4 – Matthews, Knies
This line-up gives the Leafs very specialized offensive and defensive roles. The top-six take all the O-Zone FOs and play the PP while staying away from the D-Zone at all costs. The bottom-six take all the D-Zone FOs and play the PK. This reduces the wear and tear on Matthews and Tavares to keep them healthy. Bottom-six plays regular shifts and roll all four lines to increase physicality, forecheck, O-Zone time and create energy. Defensive pairings are balanced and no single pairing plays too much or too little while sticking to defined roles for offensive and defensive situations.