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Nice breakdown M.P.
I’ve been a big proponent of breaking up JT/Willie …for me they don’t work when it matters. I’ve always been of the opinion that JT’s one of those guys that works best with a pair of grindy mobile wingers. Okposo, Moulson, etc…. I’d give him Knies and McMann (or someone new) and let them role. Nylander is dying for an excuse to be that guy that looked like the best player in the world for 4 months (pre-contract). He wants more minutes, more responsibility, etc… put him with Matthews and play them 22 mins per night. I like the idea of Marchand barking in both their ears. I think/hope that Marchand and Nylander help elevate 34.
For me that’s how I’d draw up the top 6 for the playoffs.
I still think Laughton has some 3rd line in him. Him, Domi, Roy could be good. Love your 4th line options …Jeannot and Tanev would be instant energy every time they’re on the ice. Laughton could centre them or add a 4th line PK/Banger.
I’m with you ..I don’t see Rielly waiving so I’m expecting the D to look the same.
Jarnkrok becomes 775k on a 1 yr deal around noon tomorrow (Cap hit stays at 2.1) so he should be easy to move. Kampf less so but he’ll be ~ 1.7M over two years in cash so there’s hope.
Leafs look like this to me so far …
XXX-Math-Nyl
Kni-Tava-XXX
Dom-Roy-McM
XXX-Lau-XXXIf they find homes for Kampf and Jarnkrok then they’ll have about $16.2M to fill things out (and that includes the overage salaries for Patches, Reaves and Benning).
Maybe they can move the rights to Robertson and Holmberg for stuff too.
Probably enough to add Marchand, a middle six RW, and a pair of torpedo’s to play on the fourth line. I like Jeannot on the 4th if he’s willing to be $2M or less and short term.
I tend to think it’s more like:
Knies-Matthews-1RW
2LW-Tavares-Nylander
Domi-3C-McMann
4LW-Laughton-4RWI think most people are roughly of the opinion that Kampf, Jarnkrok and Robertson are probably not back. Ironically Jarnkrok was one of the best defensive forwards in the playoffs but he just contributed so little offensively, that his decent xGA and GA numbers were still lost minutes. REgardless, the above leaves about $20.7m (noting that it excludes a 13F or 7D, which you do need to have room to support) -I’m not sure if the Leafs have any carry-over bonuses attributable, but Reaves & Benning net out to $300k after buried salaries.
I don’t think Marchand is going to be available. I think Florida can swing both him and Bennett and they let Ekblad hit the market.
The top options on the right side are probably Boeser ($8.5m) or Kane ($4m?) and on the left side are probably Ehlers ($8.5m) and Mangiapane ($4m)
Internal promotion of Domi to 1RW is a possibility. Playing with Matthews and Knies might offer him more protection defensively.
I like the opportunity here to really revamp the entire bottom 6 into a more checking/physical entity – which would sort of leave Domi out of that mix. Guys like Tanev ($2m), Lorentz ($1.5m), Faksa ($1.5m), Jeannot ($1.5m), Bjugstad ($2.5m), Suter ($4.5m) could remake the bottom 6 into a more effective group – but that 1RW spot is going to be a big gap. If we could get a guy like Mangiapane on 2LW, it might an affordable option. Guys like Drouin or Skinner are affordable options but they are defensive liabilities who probably are the opposite of what Tavares/Nylander would need.
I’d be suitably happy if they managed to sign Ekblad and got Rielly to waive his NMC, but that doesn’t feel plausible.
Jarnkrok becomes 775k on a 1 yr deal around noon tomorrow (Cap hit stays at 2.1) so he should be easy to move. Kampf less so but he’ll be ~ 1.7M over two years in cash so there’s hope.
Leafs look like this to me so far …
XXX-Math-Nyl
Kni-Tava-XXX
Dom-Roy-McM
XXX-Lau-XXXIf they find homes for Kampf and Jarnkrok then they’ll have about $16.2M to fill things out (and that includes the overage salaries for Patches, Reaves and Benning).
Maybe they can move the rights to Robertson and Holmberg for stuff too.
Probably enough to add Marchand, a middle six RW, and a pair of torpedo’s to play on the fourth line. I like Jeannot on the 4th if he’s willing to be $2M or less and short term.
I dont see any issues in moving these low end guys. They are certainly NHL players with a bit of cost certainty. The cap is going up so Kampf’s deal won’t hinder a team taking him on. So hopefully some basic moves in the coming weeks.
Brad Marchand still finished third on Boston in scoring despite his age, injury and being traded. I don’t think he has 4 years left in him, but he’s still a gamer and would be perfect. I doubt it happens even if they dump all the money at him.
Leafs have $13m in cap and desparately need to improv their bottom 6.
Wasting $8m – 9m on Marchand is simply not a good idea and honestly doesnt move the needle much come playoff time as it would take cap away from getting quality bottom 6 players.
Sign P Kane if you can, get some quality players for the bottom 6 on short term deals. Save most of the cap for next off seasonKane is also 36
Leafs have 14.5 in space, if you dont count Myers. But could also move a couple players to make more room.
Yes Kane is a year younger and would be about 2 – 3 million cheaper….and probably spend less time in the penalty box.
I think Kane extends with Detroit….but Id prefer him over MarchandJarnkrok becomes 775k on a 1 yr deal around noon tomorrow (Cap hit stays at 2.1) so he should be easy to move. Kampf less so but he’ll be ~ 1.7M over two years in cash so there’s hope.
Leafs look like this to me so far …
XXX-Math-Nyl
Kni-Tava-XXX
Dom-Roy-McM
XXX-Lau-XXXIf they find homes for Kampf and Jarnkrok then they’ll have about $16.2M to fill things out (and that includes the overage salaries for Patches, Reaves and Benning).
Maybe they can move the rights to Robertson and Holmberg for stuff too.
Probably enough to add Marchand, a middle six RW, and a pair of torpedo’s to play on the fourth line. I like Jeannot on the 4th if he’s willing to be $2M or less and short term.
Leafs have $13m in cap and desparately need to improv their bottom 6.
Wasting $8m – 9m on Marchand is simply not a good idea and honestly doesnt move the needle much come playoff time as it would take cap away from getting quality bottom 6 players.
Sign P Kane if you can, get some quality players for the bottom 6 on short term deals. Save most of the cap for next off seasonKane is also 36
Leafs have 14.5 in space, if you dont count Myers. But could also move a couple players to make more room.
37 years old. Hes not the answer for $8 – $9m and hes simply not a top/2nd line player on a playoff team that wants to win the cup.
Just another player the leafs will miscast.Leafs need the player who elevate in the playoffs. Id hope that Tre wouldnt hand out a stupid deal. if its too much, then sure pass and move on.
Leafs have $13m in cap and desparately need to improv their bottom 6.
Wasting $8m – 9m on Marchand is simply not a good idea and honestly doesnt move the needle much come playoff time as it would take cap away from getting quality bottom 6 players.
Sign P Kane if you can, get some quality players for the bottom 6 on short term deals. Save most of the cap for next off season
