Wasn't Cale Makar in the NCAA Rick?

I feel like he was better but maybe that's just me.
- Scabeh

Umass Amherst. There's also plenty of other better defensemen in the NCAA. Dante Fabbro anyone?

The rangers could be a playoff bubble team this year.
Jersey should be better as well.

I actually think the Zaitsev hate has gone too far. He's an adequate #4 dman if paired with someone who is adequate defensively. If he's allowed to be a bit more offensive, he seems to get involved in the play better. The issue i see is he's not allowed in the offensive zone and was basically tasked with staying back because of Gardiner.

Once paired with Muzzin, he was fine. If the Leafs had a plethora of options, I could see him traded, but i don't know how they fix losing Gardiner, Hainsey, Zaitsev and Dermott (for most of the season) in one summer.

I've been wrong before, but i doubt Zaitsev is moved this offseason. His contract is too long, but that doesn't affect them now.
- walshyleafsfan

I also don't see them being able to move Zaitsev, more because of team need than the fact that he can't be traded.
I agree with you. Zaitsev isn't the biggest problem on that D core and if you put him in more of a Jake Gardiner situation (minus the Jake Gardiner), I think he's totally serviceable. At 3.5 million I don't think the Leafs would even consider moving him. Does a million really make that big of a difference?
You can't change your entire D in one year. Start with Gardiner and Hainsey and see where you're at.

The rangers could be a playoff bubble team this year.
Jersey should be better as well.
- Fakepartofme

Yeah, some teams got big upgrades so far. I think the Devils adding Hugues and Subban, will be considerably improved.

Others, like Columbus, could be significantly worse.

I would still do the same now.
They got Kap and 1st that they used to Get Anderson.

I remember that Dubas was criticized pretty hard by a lot of fans for not getting enough for Kessel.

He was schooled on that deal I was told.
- senstroll

And look at the pile of crap Nashville got for subban

All hearsay....no one knows if that was true or not. Looking back at it, it turned out pretty well for the Leafs...Kap/Andersen. Not bad
- Archaic

no hearsay - Justin Bourne (who was working with Marlies at the time) explicitly mentions it: https://gb.ivoox.com/en/t...os-mp3_rf_22995517_1.html

from approx minute 7 onwards (on Boucher almost being new Leafs coach instead of Babcock -- and impact on franchise) and in particular from 9:30 onwards on Kessel trade and players offered by Pitts -- explicitly mentions Matt Murray (10:25).

The rangers could be a playoff bubble team this year.
Jersey should be better as well.
- Fakepartofme

I see Jersey as back in, Isles out and Pens could be too if they don't upgrade. Florida and Buffalo should be better. I'm not convined of Carolina being back in yet.

Yeah, some teams got big upgrades so far. I think the Devils adding Hugues and Subban, will be considerably improved.

Others, like Columbus, could be significantly worse.
- Scabeh

Devils need to sort out their goaltending yet.

Devils need to sort out their goaltending yet.
- Tumbleweed

I don't know how to feel about Schneider.

He went from one of the best in the NHL to a complete mess in such a short time.

Maybe he bounces back?

But it doesn't look good, you're right.

How did Tavares not deserve 11 per? He was offered 13 by other teams.

Eichel and Matthews are not the same player at all.
- RogerRoeper

Not diving in to what certain players are worth but I’ve always hated this argument that defends what a player is worth based on what another team may have been offering. That’s like saying Tyler Myers is worth over 6 mill a year because teams are willing to pay him more. He is not!!(more like 4) . Just because some teams are dumb in what they offer it doesn’t mean that’s what the player is worth. Again this is not directed at any player just overall statement.

Yeah, some teams got big upgrades so far. I think the Devils adding Hugues and Subban, will be considerably improved.

Others, like Columbus, could be significantly worse.
- Scabeh

I read a few times how Columbus has some young guys ready to step up and that they may surprise. Then I think to myself that that team barely made the playoffs with a full season of Bobrovskiy and Panarin with a little Duchene sprinkled in there and call their bullpoop.

I see Jersey as back in, Isles out and Pens could be too if they don't upgrade. Florida and Buffalo should be better. I'm not convined of Carolina being back in yet.
- RogerRoeper

I agree -

Though, it seems every year we're expecting Florida and Buffalo to make a step forward and they just fall flat on their faces. Something hast o give with both of those teams though.

Umass Amherst. There's also plenty of other better defensemen in the NCAA. Dante Fabbro anyone?
- RickJames77

Sorry boys...didn't mean to overstep.

Worded poorly I guess. He was the best of the NCAA free agent D and his scoring numbers are totally on par with anyone in NCAA. Better?

I don't know how to feel about Schneider.

He went from one of the best in the NHL to a complete mess in such a short time.

Maybe he bounces back?

But it doesn't look good, you're right.
- Scabeh

If he bounces back, that is a playoff team imo.

But without a decent goalie, they are bottom 5.

Not diving in to what certain players are worth but I’ve always hated this argument that defends what a player is worth based on what another team may have been offering. That’s like saying Tyler Myers is worth over 6 mill a year because teams are willing to pay him more. He is not!!(more like 4) . Just because some teams are dumb in what they offer it doesn’t mean that’s what the player is worth. Again this is not directed at any player just overall statement.
- Ross77

Like Karlsson getting 11.5 something for 8 friggin years.. OMG.

I agree -

Though, it seems every year we're expecting Florida and Buffalo to make a step forward and they just fall flat on their faces. Something hast o give with both of those teams though.
- RickJames77

Have to wait and see how all these teams
Goalies shake out, that will be the big factor.

Out: Kadri + Johnsson + 2nd 2020 (to Dallas)
In: Faksa + Hintz

Out: Nylander + Muzzin + 2nd 2021 (to Anaheim)
In: Lindholm + Manson

Out: Brown + Holl + 3rd 2020 (to Arizona)
In: Crouse

==

Hyman - Tavares - Marner (11.25mln)
Hintz - Matthews - Kapanen
Crouse - Faksa - Moore
Petan - Gauthier - Mikheyev
13: Korshkov / Bracco / UFA

Rielly - Lindholm
Dermott - Manson
Borgman - Zaitsev
7th: Liljegren / Hainsey / UFA (Fedun/Heed?)

Andersen
UFA (Elliott?)


Much better roster - GM'ing is easy
- MaximusAurelius

In this scenario, the Leafs don't make their 1st pick till the 4th rnd in 2020 draft.
I can't see Anaheim parting with 2 Dman in the same trade.
What about Zaitsev ? Where was he moved to ?

If he bounces back, that is a playoff team imo.

But without a decent goalie, they are bottom 5.
- Tumbleweed

With pk and hughes they wont be bottom 5

Sorry boys...didn't mean to overstep.

Worded poorly I guess. He was the best of the NCAA free agent D and his scoring numbers are totally on par with anyone in NCAA. Better?
- MrBen

No worries...his scoring numbers should be high too, due to the division he plays in. There are a lot of strong defensemen in the NCAA is all I was trying to point out. Last year alone there was Quinn Hughes, Adam Fox, Cale Makar, K'Andre Miller, Scott Perunovich, etc, etc.

I see Jersey as back in, Isles out and Pens could be too if they don't upgrade. Florida and Buffalo should be better. I'm not convined of Carolina being back in yet.
- RogerRoeper

Best analytics in the league, finished 1 point behind the Leafs. Why don't you think they'll be back? They could even be better I would think...top of the league or close for Corsi and bottom 4 for shooting percentage. Sort of how Nylander will bounce back after shooting 5%

edit: oooops, Carolina...my bad.

Wasn't Cale Makar in the NCAA Rick?

I feel like he was better but maybe that's just me.
- Scabeh

It's just you.

In this scenario, the Leafs don't make their 1st pick till the 4th rnd in 2020 draft.
I can't see Anaheim parting with 2 Dman in the same trade.
What about Zaitsev ? Where was he moved to ?
- zazzle

Zaitsev is on the 3rd line with the CyBorg

Not diving in to what certain players are worth but I’ve always hated this argument that defends what a player is worth based on what another team may have been offering. That’s like saying Tyler Myers is worth over 6 mill a year because teams are willing to pay him more. He is not!!(more like 4) . Just because some teams are dumb in what they offer it doesn’t mean that’s what the player is worth. Again this is not directed at any player just overall statement.
- Ross77

You hionestly think John Tavares is overpaid? Keep in mind, he was UFA

- TrashPanda