Trouba was not going to a Canadian city so that's not a logical argument
- RogerRoeper

Maybe not. But it's Dumbass's job to find what the team needs. Hawks got Maatta and deHaan...no stud players, but better than wht Leafs will trot out as their #5 and #6, NJ got Souppan, again...not exactly the type the Leafs need, but certainly an upgrade over and other guy they have on "D" not named Reilly. I am just stating that Leafs have WAYYYYY over spent on their top 4 forwards...by the time Marner signs there will be over 40 million on 4 forwards. $$$ should have been better allocated to help the "D" out. But, obviously you see it as sound management.....and I learned many moons ago it is useless to argue many Leaf fans on the merits of any "Hockey Move" cuz instead of talking hockey they either deflect by attacking another team or get their panties in a knot and defend every move made since 1967.
So, I will concede. There is NO WAY to improve the defense, so Tavarez was the ONLY option. Well done Dubas! Carry on.

There are teams that a desperate in so many ways.

Toronto - Arguably one of the most star lined rosters that hasn't shown in the playoffs. The level of desperation is high. 2019/2020 is a year they need to hit before salary cap issues start begin to toll on roster moves.

Montreal - I don't know how many more seasons Carey Price has left where he can bail that team out. Seem's like a massive waste of a potential HOF goaltender for a team that has had little presence in the Playoffs. Not sure how Bergevin STILL has a job.

Ottawa - This franchise has done nothing for a very long time. They don't appear to be desperate, but they need to show some urgency. They've now traded away 2 marquee players with little to show. You can't rebuild forever (it's been painful to watch in Edmonton).

Vancouver - I would spot them similarly to Ottawa, although they are much further ahead, they have a great pool of prospects in the post Sundin era. This team needs to push for the playoffs.

Edmonton - Every season is now desperate when you have Connor McDavid and Draisaitl. The team needs to capitalize on having two elite forwards. Ownership has shown urgency. The new management has echoed that with coaching staff and moving out an "unmovable" contract. Edmonton now also has surprising good defensive picks. If each player buys in and has an average year, they can be a playoff contender. Anything above that puts them in the mix to go deeper.

Florida/Carolina/Arizona - Needs to sell some seats at home games. The fact that Bettman hasn't put these teams on notice is a shock.

Calgary - A bit of an anomaly, they haven't bottomed out to the level of the Oiler's in the past. With a proposed new arena on the way, they need to sell some season tickets. I don't think they are in so much trouble, but I do think they need to have some more consistently to become a playoff threat.
- Eersel

Good Post for sure...For TO though I think people are mistaking pressure for desperation. There are a lot of teams up against the cap and some of those teams have a window that is closing not opening. If they lock Marner up that increases the pressure but gives them a good four-five years to win before desperation kicks in....

Maybe not. But it's Dumbass's job to find what the team needs. Hawks got Maatta and deHaan...no stud players, but better than wht Leafs will trot out as their #5 and #6, NJ got Souppan, again...not exactly the type the Leafs need, but certainly an upgrade over and other guy they have on "D" not named Reilly. I am just stating that Leafs have WAYYYYY over spent on their top 4 forwards...by the time Marner signs there will be over 40 million on 4 forwards. $$$ should have been better allocated to help the "D" out. But, obviously you see it as sound management.....and I learned many moons ago it is useless to argue many Leaf fans on the merits of any "Hockey Move" cuz instead of talking hockey they either deflect by attacking another team or get their panties in a knot and defend every move made since 1967.
So, I will concede. There is NO WAY to improve the defense, so Tavarez was the ONLY option. Well done Dubas! Carry on.
- hawk35

Why would the Leafs want Dehaan's huge contract to be a third-pairing guy?

Would you rather see 40 million on 7 players instead, all worse? Leafs cap look sfine. They can move people if they won't. 0 bad contracts.

Its the Leafs by far. Not winning the cup for 53 years coupled with an impatient fan base and over critical media the pressure is always on this team. The players are terrified to make a mistake for fear that the media and fans jump on them and try to run them out of town. Look how they are treating their hometown boy Marner.

Why would the Leafs want Dehaan's huge contract to be a third-pairing guy?

Would you rather see 40 million on 7 players instead, all worse? Leafs cap look sfine. They can move people if they won't. 0 bad contracts.
- RogerRoeper

De Haan is a 2nd line guy.

Leafs cap is not fine... This year they had to trade a 1st to free up cap space (trading the future). Marner still hasn't signed....

Look at next year? They need to resign 3 of their top 4 defense this year. Where will be the cap for that?

De Haan is a 2nd line guy.

Leafs cap is not fine... This year they had to trade a 1st to free up cap space (trading the future). Marner still hasn't signed....

Look at next year? They need to resign 3 of their top 4 defense this year. Where will be the cap for that?
- RedRevenge

They have minimum 16 million after Marner signs for next season.

Find me 1 bad contract they have. All these iditoic teams overpaying for bottom 6 talent are killing themselves.

BTW, wasn't Nylander supposed tio be trade and Marner signed an offersheet already?

And why bother with DEhaan when you have Dernott?

"Shouldn't have signed Taavares because you could have had Calvin DEhaan". What???

True...also, Offense and another forward was NOT their problem. Should have passed on Tavarez and added one or even TWO good D-men for the 11 million.
- hawk35

Leafs should have passed on Tavares?? You do realize that they could trade him tomorrow for a bounty of picks and prospects, right? So please explain how acquiring him without sacrificing a single asset was not a wise strategy

Leafs should have passed on Tavares?? You do realize that they could trade him tomorrow for a bounty of picks and prospects, right? So please explain how acquiring him without sacrificing a single asset was not a wise strategy
- AxlRose91

Tavares is the best UFA signing by any team in years.

I just don't see the Leafs as the most desperate team or even a slightly desperate team. The Leafs are such a young team that they have time to keep getting better.

Tampa IMO is by far the most desperate. They have been so aggressive in bringing in excellent players and have nothing to show for it. Yes, they are competitive, but this is a team that should have made it the cup once in the last four or five years.

They missed the window with that stacked defense they built.

EDIT: Tampa was also a grossly top-heavy team last year. Their defense and goaltending hid a lot of depth issues. I'm not trying to spell doom and gloom for Tampa. They're going to be competitive for a long time, but I think their "contender" window is about the same as the Penguins.

They have minimum 16 million after Marner signs for next season.

Find me 1 bad contract they have. All these iditoic teams overpaying for bottom 6 talent are killing themselves.

BTW, wasn't Nylander supposed tio be trade and Marner signed an offersheet already?
- RogerRoeper

16M to sign 6 defensemen and 3 forwards. I don't see the point that you're trying to make?

Not having bad contracts is an obvious plus, but it still doesn't matter if your team isn't built right. Leafs biggest weakness is lack of a solid 4th line / checking line + proven Top 4 defensive depth.

I don't expect Marner to sign and offer sheet (never have stated that). But he still hasn't signed with the Leafs (which should concern you).

16M to sign 6 defensemen and 3 forwards. I don't see the point that you're trying to make?

Not having bad contracts is an obvious plus, but it still doesn't matter if your team isn't built right. Leafs biggest weakness is lack of a solid 4th line / checking line + proven Top 4 defensive depth.

I don't expect Marner to sign and offer sheet (never have stated that). But he still hasn't signed with the Leafs (which should concern you).
- RedRevenge

They're going to sign a bunch of guys for 700K like they did this year. And they don't need to sign 6 D. They'll have Sandin and Lilljegren on Entry deals.

Plenty of $ to sign Barrie, have Rielly, Dernott, Lelljegren, Sandin and 1 more addition. I don't believe they'l bother with Muzzin.

I just don't see the Leafs as the most desperate team or even a slightly desperate team. The Leafs are such a young team that they have time to keep getting better.

Tampa IMO is by far the most desperate. They have been so aggressive in bringing in excellent players and have nothing to show for it. Yes, they are competitive, but this is a team that should have made it the cup once in the last four or five years.

They missed the window with that stacked defense they built.
- Rinosaur

The only thing that makes the Leafs desperate is that they have the longest cup drought comboed with the inevitable future cap casualties year after year.

Tampa really dropped the ball this year and their window is closing rapidly.

They're going to sign a bunch of guys for 700K like they did this year. And they don't need to sign 6 D. They'll have Sandin and Lilljegren on Entry deals.
- RogerRoeper

So you expect to fill your top 4 with guys for 700K?

So you expect to fill your top 4 with guys for 700K?
- RedRevenge

Again, plenty of $ for Barrie, Dermott is a good young D and Rielly is a #1 D at a steal. Sandin and Lilljegren wiill be entry-level.

This idea they need to go out and sign overpaid supporting guys like Calvin freeaking DEhaan is hilarious.

The only thing that makes the Leafs desperate is that they have the longest cup drought comboed with the inevitable future cap casualties year after year.

Tampa really dropped the ball this year and their window is closing rapidly.
- RedRevenge

I get that about Toronto, but they're such a young team and haven't even seen the peak of of guys like Marner, Matthews or even Nylander and Kapanen. They still have time to earn their stripes.

Tampa totally dropped the ball. They need to be careful how the fill out their remaining spots.

I get that about Toronto, but they're such a young team and haven't even seen the peak of of guys like Marner, Matthews or even Nylander and Kapanen. They still have time to earn their stripes.

Tampa totally dropped the ball. They need to be careful how the fill out their remaining spots.
- Rinosaur

Yzerman leaving is a red flag. I bet he thinks their window has closed.

So you expect to fill your top 4 with guys for 700K?
- RedRevenge

I hope your Blackhawk takes are more insightful that your views on the Leafs.

Again, plenty of $ for Barrie, Dermott is a good young D and Rielly is a #1 D at a steal. Sandin and Lilljegren wiill be entry-level.

This idea they need to go out and sign overpaid supporting guys like Calvin freeaking DEhaan is hilarious.
- RogerRoeper

So there you have it. A cap casualty (my argument entirely). Muzzin gone. Barrie making 7-8M. Dermott has yet to prove he's a reliable top 4. This will impact his salary. Sandin and Lillgren have yet to prove anything at the NHL level. I wouldn't pencil these guys into your line-up .

Overpay? 4.5M for a #3. Since when is that an overpay?

Yzerman leaving is a red flag. I bet he thinks their window has closed.
- RedRevenge

I'm gonna go all conspiracy-theory for a minute, but I wouldn't be shocked to learn they wanted him out and gave him the option to step down.

Tampa can still be a true cup contender, but they have some tough decisions to make to keep Point and fill out the rest of their roster.

Oilers. McDavid wants to win now, and he has a full NMC so the return will never be good enough in a trade. I could see the Oilers folding in a few years. Players have so much power so they can veto trades to the cities they don't like.

Edmonton Oilers. By far.

The Rags, in that they need to figure out a way to get all their new shiny toys under the Cap without gutting their depth

The Leafs for sure. Was looking into it and they haven't even won in the past 50+ years!

They are so close to the cap, but get bounced in the first round EVERY season. Add to that their best player (by far), Mitch Marner, is probably going to get offer sheeted and leave for 4 first round draft picks that will all be 28-31 because Marner makes any team an instant favorite to win. If he does somehow sign in Toronto, it will be a massive overpayment that will cripple the team and make it impossible for them to win.

Things are bad in Toronto, and I can't think of any team that is even close.
- SolidGoldBricks

Found him. He finally came up front under the riddle bridge. The Troll is here!

I just don't see the Leafs as the most desperate team or even a slightly desperate team. The Leafs are such a young team that they have time to keep getting better.

Tampa IMO is by far the most desperate. They have been so aggressive in bringing in excellent players and have nothing to show for it. Yes, they are competitive, but this is a team that should have made it the cup once in the last four or five years.

They missed the window with that stacked defense they built.

EDIT: Tampa was also a grossly top-heavy team last year. Their defense and goaltending hid a lot of depth issues. I'm not trying to spell doom and gloom for Tampa. They're going to be competitive for a long time, but I think their "contender" window is about the same as the Penguins.
- Rinosaur

Definitely Tampa. Stamkos Hedman Johnson Palat and Mcdonagh all 29 or older. First time in Tampa the leadership was questioned after worst loss in nhl playoff history.

Toronto’s best player is 21 the window is wide open

San Jose is win now. Old team. Window being held open by a brick

Nashville isn’t getting any younger or faster. Window definitely shutting soon

Penguins 4 best players all 32 or older. Window gonna crash soon

Winterpeg Vegas and Washington all have windows closing

Ottawa. We desperately want a new owner.