It wasn’t meant to be “awesome,” and you shouldn’t thank AA, or myself.

It’s just really awkward watching you try to fit in.
- Horsey Sauce

Thats great AA, good to hear

Thats great AA, good to hear
- Santo_44

Ok.

Those types of Cliff Fletcher deals aren't really a thing anymore. I mean, outside of some Chiarelli bungling, not many teams get fleeced in this era.

If the Leafs aren't getting the best player in the deal but they come out with massive cap flexibility and some other valuable assets (1st rounders, blue chip prospects) I think you can see a "win-win" possibility.

Cap flexibility means you can go after a guy like Landeskog and/or Hamilton. A picks and prospects package (coupled with a player with some salary coming back) gives you assets to work with to acquire other key ingredients.

VGK, NYI, and the Habs are making a clear case that you don't need to have a Top 5 regular season point leader to make a deep run of it. I don't see why Mitch Marner should be untouchable.

I don't think he'll get moved either... but there's a chance, especially if Mitch reads these boards and gets butthurt. To which I say: I'm doing my part.
- mjones242

Bruins lost the trade when they traded Thorton. But the Cap space allowed them to sign Chara.

So no.

Fair enough. At least you are committed.
- Leafs43

Bruins lost the trade when they traded Thorton. But the Cap space allowed them to sign Chara.

- Nasty_Duck

Choosing cokehead Redden over Chara was a stroke of genius by the Sens. Muckler was it?

Choosing cokehead Redden over Chara was a stroke of genius by the Sens. Muckler was it?
- gergeswillems

Don't recall. But the Bruins owe whomever a huge debt of gratitude.

Don't recall. But the Bruins owe whomever a huge debt of gratitude.

- Nasty_Duck

I recall being jealous of the Bruins because the Red Wings were too capped out to make an offer. Pre cap Holland would've backed up the Brinks truck for a player like Chara.

I recall being jealous of the Bruins because the Red Wings were too capped out to make an offer. Pre cap Holland would've backed up the Brinks truck for a player like Chara.
- gergeswillems

Well, Chia-pet put an end to that for the Bruins before he left. You'd think a Harvard grad would be a little better at math.

I recall being jealous of the Bruins because the Red Wings were too capped out to make an offer. Pre cap Holland would've backed up the Brinks truck for a player like Chara.
- gergeswillems

Leafs could’ve had Chara, but they signed Kubina.

Leafs could’ve had Chara, but they signed Kubina.
- Steven_Seagull

Chara didn’t even hit the market. Him and Chiarelli had an understanding.

I see Kyle adding to his expensive group of shiny toys. But not give any of them up. He really does believe in Jimmy Tanner's studs and duds approach. It only works if your studs are earning their contracts. Like Tampa.
- gergeswillems

My guess is that they’re still committed to the plan or don’t see an easy off ramp. The one potential variation is if they decide that Marner just can’t cut it. But I don’t believe they move him because they think the $ is too concentrated or because they want to go chasing Hamilton or Jones.

If Rielly has to be moved, they move him for somebody who makes the same or less, not more.

They made progress in improving the defence and adding a few pieces that are tougher to play against - Foligno and Bogo (and they thought Simmonds). There’s an element missing and some money available. It’s not studs and duds.

Chara didn’t even hit the market. Him and Chiarelli had an understanding.
- shack67

Wasn’t Gorton the GM?

Santo, you’re that kid in school who everyone actually doesn’t like, who tries to fit in by elevating yourself above someone else.

It’s awkward and pathetic.
- Horsey Sauce

So like the Ted Cruz of the HB Boards?

I thought Shanny was facing pressure after losing to Columbus. But maybe the Tavares injury buys him another year? I think the Leafs adding "grit" was Shanny telling Kyle he had to do it or else pack your bags. So what happens now? Does Kyle swing for the fences? Or does he continue reshufflling deck chairs on the Titanic?
- gergeswillems

You've got to think he swings for the fences and doesn't merely reshuffle the deck chairs.

I mean, a sane person would swing for the fences knowing full well that their job - and reputation going forward - is on the line.

Choosing cokehead Redden over Chara was a stroke of genius by the Sens. Muckler was it?
- gergeswillems

Muckler made an even bigger mistake before that when he traded Hossa for Heatley. Heatley and Reddon over Hossa and Chara. But, in Muckler's mind, two Canadian boys would always rank ahead of two Slovaks, despite their well known behavioural issues.

Bruins lost the trade when they traded Thorton. But the Cap space allowed them to sign Chara.

- Nasty_Duck

Exactly - people like to point out and wax poetic about the pieces directly involved in a trade but curiously fail to mention or contemplate the indirect pieces that come about because the trade was made.

You've got to think he swings for the fences and doesn't merely reshuffle the deck chairs.

I mean, a sane person would swing for the fences knowing full well that their job - and reputation going forward - is on the line.
- mjones242

Ekblad to the Leafs

Wasn’t Gorton the GM?
- Steven_Seagull

Chiarelli moved from Ottawa to Boston and more or less took Chara with him.

My guess is that they’re still committed to the plan or don’t see an easy off ramp. The one potential variation is if they decide that Marner just can’t cut it. But I don’t believe they move him because they think the $ is too concentrated or because they want to go chasing Hamilton or Jones.

If Rielly has to be moved, they move him for somebody who makes the same or less, not more.

They made progress in improving the defence and adding a few pieces that are tougher to play against - Foligno and Bogo (and they thought Simmonds). There’s an element missing and some money available. It’s not studs and duds.
- Canada Cup

Muzzin-Brodie
Oleksiak-Savard
Sandin-Liljegren/Bogo

Maybe? I mean, if we're going to downgrade from Rielly I suppose something like that could work. I'm not really sure what returns Rielly would bring or if there would be a d-man coming back that fits better than either guy I (kinda) proposed.

Sandin becomes your PP1 QB and Oleksiak-Savard become your shutdown crew (though don't expect much offence from those two).

Ekblad to the Leafs
- Steven_Seagull

So Rielly+ for Ekblad?

Chiarelli moved from Ottawa to Boston and more or less took Chara with him.
- shack67

I’m still gonna rant and blame Dubas.

How the (frank) is Mitch Marner not a power play monster? I think this is one of the biggest questions I have about last season.

If we're going with the Core 4 again, this is how I'd set it up:

Nylander-Tavares-Matthews
Sandin-Marner

That's 3 shooters for Mitch to give it to and I think Sandin has the potential to get some pucks through at the point.

PP2? Who gives a flying (frank).

How do the Leafs bring in Kane at his cap hit? One of the big 4 needs to be moved somewhere
- PatC80

they wait until he’s jumbo joke’s age
lmfaooooooooo 🤣

Wasn’t Gorton the GM?
- Steven_Seagull

yeah he ran the draft that year and signed Chara and Marc Savard.

I’m still gonna rant and blame Dubas.
- Steven_Seagull

Or Marner.