Because Rielly is partly at fault for our defensive struggles?
- Atomic Wedgie

And who replaces him? Trade Rielly if you can bring in a credible replacement.

I never missed him once after we traded him away.
- Scabeh

You got a 2nd and Greg Pateryn for him.

That 2nd was traded to Chicago for Robert Lang. Lang was okay. Only played one season, but he put up 18 goals.

The funny thing about that original 2nd was that Burke needed it back so that he could keep the threat of an offer sheet for Kessel alive - so we traded the 2011 2nd and a 2011 3rd to get it back - the 2011 2nd turned into Brandon Saad.

I had no problem with Grabovski, except for him being billed as a legitimately good player. He was decent.

Edit: Just 'cos I went down the rabbit hole - Pateryn was traded after about 55 mediocre games with the Habs along with a 4th for Jordie Benn. Benn left for Free Agency after 170 games.

Why would a team with defensive struggles look to move on from Rielly because of possible contract demands? Dubas probably has an idea of what it would take and will make a decision based off of that, but you won’t be able to replace Rielly easily, as Scabbies said, and there was an argument earlier that two Leafs’ prospects I’ve never heard of were ahead of Liljegren. It’s not like there is an heir apparent.

That makes no sense to me.
- RickJames77

I think the real argument is that he needs to be extended THIS summer before his agent has the UFA leverage card, and on the flip side, letting him walk for free is so fu3king dumb even if the Leafs feel they are winning the Cup this year.

Chances are they are not, so losing all these assets the past few years is getting really old and really shiity for the team's future.

It's down to extend or trade because there is no extra $ on this team for another bad deal.

For me, since Dubas can't seem to negotiate a Boston type deal with any of our players, Rielly needs to be traded or signed this summer unless Mitch is going next summer.

Simple rule:

My kids are not allowed to do any sport that they can’t continue to do in their 20s and 30s.

And if they can do it with friends in their 40s and go out for a beer afterwards, I’m twice as supportive.
- Atomic Wedgie

My kid still has friends from hockey

I think the real argument is that he needs to be extended THIS summer before his agent has the UFA leverage card, and on the flip side, letting him walk for free is so fu3king dumb even if the Leafs feel they are winning the Cup this year.

Chances are they are not, so losing all these assets the past few years is getting really old and really shiity for the team's future.

It's down to extend or trade because there is no extra $ on this team for another bad deal.

For me, since Dubas can't seem to negotiate a Boston type deal with any of our players, Rielly needs to be traded or signed this summer unless Mitch is going next summer.
- underhill14

Whether Pierre LeBrun was just speculating or aware of something more concrete, he had said that the Leafs have been in discussions with him and negotiations were to begin in earnest in August. If a deal can't be done, we should expect him to be moved.

I'm not entirely sure I know how that plays out. You trade Rielly for _something_ and then at the trade deadline you trade that something for a player like Rielly that you still can't afford next year.

Seems like it's best to just keep him whether you can afford next year or not.

Grabovski was a very capable 2nd/3rd line centre before he died. I'll defend that to the death.
- AdamFrench

What a year he had when it was MacArthur - Kuleman and him.

2010-11

Everything they touched bounced the right way it seemed.

there's some ugly stuff happening in Chicago regarding sexual abuse case.
Bowman under investigation for the cover up.

Whether Pierre LeBrun was just speculating or aware of something more concrete, he had said that the Leafs have been in discussions with him and negotiations were to begin in earnest in August. If a deal can't be done, we should expect him to be moved.

I'm not entirely sure I know how that plays out. You trade Rielly for _something_ and then at the trade deadline you trade that something for a player like Rielly that you still can't afford next year.

Seems like it's best to just keep him whether you can afford next year or not.
- Monkeypunk

Hope so.

They could sign him to an 8yr deal this summer and trade him next summer before his Cap hits the books just as long as its not a "hand hold to UFA" situation like Hyman, Andersen,.....

I like Rielly. He's been good for the Leafs. But, I also think if he can't agree to a deal that works with the Leafs Cap issues this summer then he has great trade value that this team shouldn't lose out on. TDL will be less. Next summer will be none.

Replacing Rielly is one thing, replacing the value of Rielly in a trade with NOTHING because he's allowed to walk off to UFA sunset is something else.

Whether Pierre LeBrun was just speculating or aware of something more concrete, he had said that the Leafs have been in discussions with him and negotiations were to begin in earnest in August. If a deal can't be done, we should expect him to be moved.

I'm not entirely sure I know how that plays out. You trade Rielly for _something_ and then at the trade deadline you trade that something for a player like Rielly that you still can't afford next year.

Seems like it's best to just keep him whether you can afford next year or not.
- Monkeypunk

If you’re thinking in terms of asset management, the most important asset the Leafs hold is 3 years of Auston Matthews. I look at decisions about trading Rielly in terms of those three years. Unless you’re getting back equal defensive value this year, trading Rielly significantly diminishes chances of winning in the first of those three years. I get that Leafs aren’t a favourite anyway, but I don’t accept that you don’t take a shot.

The potential upside of a trade is only if you get picks that you can use to trade for someone better for next year so you have better chance for two of Auston’s years. (Who’s available that we can afford?)

I find the automatic asset management = we gotta get picks for every player who becomes a free agent incredibly simplistic.

there's some ugly stuff happening in Chicago regarding sexual abuse case.
Bowman under investigation for the cover up.
- dmnted

This is one of those cases where the NHL's silence on the matter is sort of deafening. Especially in today's socially hyper-charged environment (not that I'm saying there's a good time for sexual harassment, but there are worse times and now is one of them) - where you see the MLB, NBA and NFL reacting to domestic assault cases or accusations in rapid fashion and getting in front - the NHL is really far behind.

Again, something like this - as soon as the story broke, get an investigator of your own in there and figure out what happened. Be ahead of the situation and story. Control the narrative. This is damage control 101. They haven't done it with Kane either - another case where I would have expected good leadership to get in front of a situation and determine the impacts and courses of action to take.

If you’re thinking in terms of asset management, the most important asset the Leafs hold is 3 years of Auston Matthews. I look at decisions about trading Rielly in terms of those three years. Unless you’re getting back equal defensive value this year, trading Rielly significantly diminishes chances of winning in the first of those three years. I get that Leafs aren’t a favourite anyway, but I don’t accept that you don’t take a shot.

The potential upside of a trade is only if you get picks that you can use to trade for someone better for next year so you have better chance for two of Auston’s years. (Who’s available that we can afford?)

I find the automatic asset management = we gotta get picks for every player who becomes a free agent incredibly simplistic.
- Canada Cup

Yeah. I agree. I trade Rielly for magic beans. Oh no! Now I don't have a player like Morgan Rielly! Better trade my magic beans for a player like Morgan Rielly!

When you're in the window, you burn assets if you don't have an heir apparent. If you have someone who can step in, then you trade the asset and get a return. I think I said a week ago - the Leafs are about 7 years behind Tampa in their rebuild. That's a lot of assets that we haven't filled our cupboards with. That's a lot of missing heir apparents that may arrive - but haven't yet.

This is one of those cases where the NHL's silence on the matter is sort of deafening. Especially in today's socially hyper-charged environment (not that I'm saying there's a good time for sexual harassment, but there are worse times and now is one of them) - where you see the MLB, NBA and NFL reacting to domestic assault cases or accusations in rapid fashion and getting in front - the NHL is really far behind.

Again, something like this - as soon as the story broke, get an investigator of your own in there and figure out what happened. Be ahead of the situation and story. Control the narrative. This is damage control 101. They haven't done it with Kane either - another case where I would have expected good leadership to get in front of a situation and determine the impacts and courses of action to take.
- Monkeypunk

For whatever reason, it seems like sports is unable to properly deal with these problems.

The absolute worst was Penn State.

You had people vigorously defending Joe Paterno because "he was a great football coach", and in the end they ended up suspending the football program - punishing student-athletes who weren't even at the school when the atrocities occurred.

FFS, this has nothing to do with sport.

It's a crime. And those who covered up the crime are guilty of crimes themselves.

It's not sport.

Toronto was seventh in the NHL in team defense last year. One slot behind Tampa

https://www.covers.com/sp...cs/team-defense/2020-2021
- winsix

I don’t believe the Leafs have the 7th best defense in the league through an 82 game regular season and I don’t think I’m alone there.

For whatever reason, it seems like sports is unable to properly deal with these problems.

The absolute worst was Penn State.

You had people vigorously defending Joe Paterno because "he was a great football coach", and in the end they ended up suspending the football program - punishing student-athletes who weren't even at the school when the atrocities occurred.

FFS, this has nothing to do with sport.

It's a crime. And those who covered up the crime are guilty of crimes themselves.

It's not sport.
- Atomic Wedgie

This.

I don't know how people can't differentiate a law-breaking criminal and their sport or the team that they love. We justify bad behaviour in the name of competitive spirit.

Like that rapist a few years back who got a light sentence because he can swim well. (frank) that guy.

What would make no sense is to let him walk away to free agency, if Dubus does know what he wants and Dubus isn't willing to pay it Rielly should be traded. He'll be easier to replace with incoming assets than without.
- bobbyisno1

Yeah agreed, but how is that different than any other player? Unless you’re pushing all of your chips to the center of the table.

I don’t believe the Leafs have the 7th best defense in the league through an 82 game regular season and I don’t think I’m alone there.
- RickJames77

Shouldn't you be eating chowder or being dragged by Malamutes through the wilds of Alaska about now instead of coming in here and pointing things like this out?

This is one of those cases where the NHL's silence on the matter is sort of deafening. Especially in today's socially hyper-charged environment (not that I'm saying there's a good time for sexual harassment, but there are worse times and now is one of them) - where you see the MLB, NBA and NFL reacting to domestic assault cases or accusations in rapid fashion and getting in front - the NHL is really far behind.

Again, something like this - as soon as the story broke, get an investigator of your own in there and figure out what happened. Be ahead of the situation and story. Control the narrative. This is damage control 101. They haven't done it with Kane either - another case where I would have expected good leadership to get in front of a situation and determine the impacts and courses of action to take.
- Monkeypunk

Gary will clean up for the owners when they tell him to. If Wirtz tells him to stay away and, there’s a Bowman involved, Gary won’t answer his phone.

Because Rielly is partly at fault for our defensive struggles?
- Atomic Wedgie

Could it be that decencies elsewhere make him appear to be at fault for those defensive struggles? I don’t know, but I’d venture to guess the team would look far worse without him.

I really hope RJ gives him my best wishes in Anchorage.
- AdamFrench

For you French?

Nah

I don’t believe the Leafs have the 7th best defense in the league through an 82 game regular season and I don’t think I’m alone there.
- RickJames77

Agreed. Most people here like to poop on the Leafs

Whether Pierre LeBrun was just speculating or aware of something more concrete, he had said that the Leafs have been in discussions with him and negotiations were to begin in earnest in August. If a deal can't be done, we should expect him to be moved.

I'm not entirely sure I know how that plays out. You trade Rielly for _something_ and then at the trade deadline you trade that something for a player like Rielly that you still can't afford next year.

Seems like it's best to just keep him whether you can afford next year or not.
- Monkeypunk

With Nurse getting 9.25M per season, if Rielly asks for something similar, trade him immediately

Holy frank, this is real:



Although he does not go on to explain how Sweden and Canada managed to end up in the finals...

I think the real argument is that he needs to be extended THIS summer before his agent has the UFA leverage card, and on the flip side, letting him walk for free is so fu3king dumb even if the Leafs feel they are winning the Cup this year.

Chances are they are not, so losing all these assets the past few years is getting really old and really shiity for the team's future.

It's down to extend or trade because there is no extra $ on this team for another bad deal.

For me, since Dubas can't seem to negotiate a Boston type deal with any of our players, Rielly needs to be traded or signed this summer unless Mitch is going next summer.
- underhill14

Well, that was part of my point in saying Dubas will know what it takes to sign him and can make that decision with that information that we don’t have. I do wonder, however, if he’ll hang onto him regardless to try and save his job. He can’t have a dual mandate of winning and retooling, which is what trading his #1 defenseman would be IMO. I don’t think Shanahan is going to want to wait a few years while he sorts out the backend.

Could it be that decencies elsewhere make him appear to be at fault for those defensive struggles? I don’t know, but I’d venture to guess the team would look far worse without him.
- RickJames77

Your typo makes this post much funnier.

Shouldn't you be eating chowder or being dragged by Malamutes through the wilds of Alaska about now instead of coming in here and pointing things like this out?
- Monkeypunk