Similar cap percentage to nylanders contract.

Fair deal.

It will look good in the mid to back half of the deal.
- Santo_44

He will get to play with Kopitar and Kempe and will put up good numbers

And all these options make us...better??
- fifty__missions

It all depends on opinions really.

Personally, I think of the 3 listed:

Fleury - Better
Varlomov - Better
Husso - Same-ish…maybe better?

But I don’t think Campbell is good. That’s just my opinion. Who knows who’s available, but if the ones I’ve read or heard are rumoured to be:

Binnington - better
Gibson - better
Keumper - better
Francouze - better
Georgiev - ?? Wild Card much better or the same

Again though just depends on opinions

He will get to play with Kopitar and Kempe and will put up good numbers
- Canada Cup

I think Kempe is an RFA and is going to asking for a big contract. LAK is going to run close to the cap. Everyone needs to be patient for a few weeks. There will be some great bargain opportunities as teams exhaust their cap flexibility. Everybody want to imitate the Leafs.

It all depends on opinions really.

Personally, I think of the 3 listed:

Fleury - Better
Varlomov - Better
Husso - Same-ish…maybe better?

But I don’t think Campbell is good. That’s just my opinion. Who knows who’s available, but if the ones I’ve read or heard are rumoured to be:

Binnington - better
Gibson - better
Keumper - better
Francouze - better
Georgiev - ?? Wild Card much better or the same

Again though just depends on opinions
- Big23Questions

I think Campbell is better then probably 75% of this list honestly.

Husso to me is on par with Campbell but somehow even less proven. I would call Keumper better but not worlds better. Can see him getting overpaid on the open market too.

Binnington and Gibson have far to much sketch at their sure to be pricetags and cap hits. You would have to (frank) the team up to fit them.

Georgiev hasn't proven a thing and really shouldn't even be in this group, the Rangers are reportedly considering not even qualifying him.

Francouz is older then Campbell and hasn't proven much either, although he did hold the fort with Keumper out.

Varlamov... Meh. Why not just go with what you know at that point. Fleury was dogpoop last year, he sat on the bench when it mattered.

I like Samsonov personally, a former first rounder at his age... I don't even think he's scratched his ceiling. If the caps are willing to give up on him, why not take a swing. I think him and Comrie would make a nice combo with affordable cap hits and plenty of upside, and you wouldn't have to gut the team to land them.

Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
·
1m
Kevin Fiala and the #LAKings have a seven-year extension at slightly less than $8M AAV.

__________________________

That's a lot
- GreatGigInTheSky

Thats nuts.
Oh well, glad its them.

I think Campbell is better then probably 75% of this list honestly.

Husso to me is on par with Campbell but somehow even less proven. I would call Keumper better but not worlds better. Can see him getting overpaid on the open market too.

Binnington and Gibson have far to much sketch at their sure to be pricetags and cap hits. You would have to (frank) the team up to fit them.

Georgiev hasn't proven a thing and really shouldn't even be in this group, the Rangers are reportedly considering not even qualifying him.

Francouz is older then Campbell and hasn't proven much either, although he did hold the fort with Keumper out.

Varlamov... Meh. Why not just go with what you know at that point. Fleury was dogpoop last year, he sat on the bench when it mattered.

I like Samsonov personally, a former first rounder at his age... I don't even think he's scratched his ceiling. If the caps are willing to give up on him, why not take a swing. I think him and Comrie would make a nice combo with affordable cap hits and plenty of upside, and you wouldn't have to gut the team to land them.
- joel878

Ya man for sure. Like I said - all depends on who you personally like and what you think when you watch.
I personally watch Campbell and see a career #2 backup. Others see him as a Starter and others as a 1B…in the eye of the beholder. Look at the weirdo journalists in Montreal who hit one of them voted 34 for MVP. That’s part of the fun to be honest.

I think Campbell is better then probably 75% of this list honestly.

Husso to me is on par with Campbell but somehow even less proven. I would call Keumper better but not worlds better. Can see him getting overpaid on the open market too.

Binnington and Gibson have far to much sketch at their sure to be pricetags and cap hits. You would have to (frank) the team up to fit them.

Georgiev hasn't proven a thing and really shouldn't even be in this group, the Rangers are reportedly considering not even qualifying him.

Francouz is older then Campbell and hasn't proven much either, although he did hold the fort with Keumper out.

Varlamov... Meh. Why not just go with what you know at that point. Fleury was dogpoop last year, he sat on the bench when it mattered.

I like Samsonov personally, a former first rounder at his age... I don't even think he's scratched his ceiling. If the caps are willing to give up on him, why not take a swing. I think him and Comrie would make a nice combo with affordable cap hits and plenty of upside, and you wouldn't have to gut the team to land them.
- joel878

The answer is in NJ, Washington, Pittsburgh, California, Columbus or Nashville 👍

Maybe🤷

The answer is in NJ, Washington, Pittsburgh, California, Columbus or Nashville 👍

Maybe🤷
- mr.sir

I don't want anything going on in NJ or Columbus. Nashville and Pittsburgh? Sure if it's Saros or Jarry, the backups do nothing for me, there's better for cheap on the open market.

I think I'll pass on California outside of San Jose and I don't think they're trading Hill. Even if they were to, he's a one year solution at his pricetag, if it goes well it's this again next summer.

Perhaps I'm tempted in Georgiev as a UFA on the cheap with Comrie.

so Kadri getting 9
- drexel

I suspect his age will bring that down a bunch.

I think Campbell is better then probably 75% of this list honestly.

Husso to me is on par with Campbell but somehow even less proven. I would call Keumper better but not worlds better. Can see him getting overpaid on the open market too.

Binnington and Gibson have far to much sketch at their sure to be pricetags and cap hits. You would have to (frank) the team up to fit them.

Georgiev hasn't proven a thing and really shouldn't even be in this group, the Rangers are reportedly considering not even qualifying him.

Francouz is older then Campbell and hasn't proven much either, although he did hold the fort with Keumper out.

Varlamov... Meh. Why not just go with what you know at that point. Fleury was dogpoop last year, he sat on the bench when it mattered.

I like Samsonov personally, a former first rounder at his age... I don't even think he's scratched his ceiling. If the caps are willing to give up on him, why not take a swing. I think him and Comrie would make a nice combo with affordable cap hits and plenty of upside, and you wouldn't have to gut the team to land them.
- joel878

Agreed with most but I'd say that the reason you would prefer Varlamov over Campbell is that he's a 1 yr commitment. If Soupy wants 4+ years at more than 4.5M ......that's a bigger roll of the dice.

I like the Samsonov option too. Pair him with a 1B vet.

Since those options include every goalie in the league, yes
- Canada Cup

What I'm asking is what is something Dubas can do with the netminding position that actually makes us better? Or other positions as well for that matter?? Nice mind experiment, but he cannot acquire "every goalie in the league". What assets do you think he will part with to secure the goaltending position?

It's clear this team will need to improve to beat Tampa or Colorado.

I suspect his age will bring that down a bunch.
- The Law

That’s fair. Unless he goes 4x9. Or does he want 7 x 7

What I'm asking is what is something Dubas can actually do with the netminding position that makes us better? Or other positions as well for that matter?? Nice mind experiment, but he cannot acquire "every goalie in the league".

It's clear this team will need to improve to beat Tampa or Colorado.
- fifty__missions

My question would be what if he can find budget value which results in close to the same production between the pipes, but manages to upgrade somewhere else too? Be it the top six or on the blueline. Would that count as improvement? Or is it irrelevant if there isn't a clear upgrade in goal. 🤔

My question would be what if he can find budget value which results in close to the same production between the pipes, but manages to upgrade somewhere else too? Be it the top six or on the blueline. Would that count as improvement? Or is it irrelevant if there isn't a clear upgrade in goal. 🤔
- joel878

You think you're going to get that on a budget? You really think cheaping out on goaltending is the way to go? Pretty huge gamble. This is the whole problem with our roster. We're just strapped every which way by 4f @ 40M.

That’s fair. Unless he goes 4x9. Or does he want 7 x 7
- drexel

Will anybody give him more than 4 x 7.5? He'll be 32 soon and has a long history of being a 50'ish point guy.

Buyer beware but I know these GM's are like kids in candy shops.

My question would be what if he can find budget value which results in close to the same production between the pipes, but manages to upgrade somewhere else too? Be it the top six or on the blueline. Would that count as improvement? Or is it irrelevant if there isn't a clear upgrade in goal. 🤔
- joel878

I struggle to find many goalies - outside of the 5 or 6 best - that really give you any sure "improvement". I don't think Kuemper is much better than the glut of sometimes-good, sometimes-not goaltenders out there and the Avs won a Cup with him.... and perhaps in spite of him.

It's why I might lean to Varlamov. 1 yr commitment.... good results prior to last year. If he's still got the will to win he might be the perfect storm.

You think you're going to get that on a budget? You really think cheaping out on goaltending is the way to go? Pretty huge gamble. This is the whole problem with our roster. We're just strapped every which way by 4f @ 40M.
- fifty__missions

I won't count him out, Dubas has pulled some rabbits out of hats. The team just had the best season in franchise history and it was done with the starting goalie making 1.6 million and a complete rookie backup largely.

I think this team is not as dependent on goaltending as some might believe, and just as was said above there's kind of a drop off after the leagues top 5 or so goaltenders. You're not getting proven game stealers outside of that.

I was genuinely curious if you would see that as an upgrade is all, but we're definitely on glass half empty glass half full sides of the fence. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I struggle to find many goalies - outside of the 5 or 6 best - that really give you any sure "improvement". I don't think Kuemper is much better than the glut of sometimes-good, sometimes-not goaltenders out there and the Avs won a Cup with him.... and perhaps in spite of him.

It's why I might lean to Varlamov. 1 yr commitment.... good results prior to last year. If he's still got the will to win he might be the perfect storm.
- The Law

I agree, I think if anything Colorado just proved that a tandem setup in goal can bring a cup in. Neither is exactly a stud. Keumper is decent but he has his warts and will cost money.

I'm not a big fan of the cap hit Varlamov comes with for what he's done in his career, but I do think we could do worse. If Dubas could catch Lou on a bad day and get him retained, I would like him a lot more.

I agree, I think if anything Colorado just proved that a tandem setup in goal can bring a cup in. Neither is exactly a stud. Keumper is decent but he has his warts and will cost money.

I'm not a big fan of the cap hit Varlamov comes with for what he's done in his career, but I do think we could do worse. If Dubas could catch Lou on a bad day and get him retained, I would like him a lot more.
- joel878

We don't have as balanced a group in front of the goaltender as Colorado.

They can insulate average goaltending. We lose with average goaltending. Six years straight.

We don't have as balanced a group in front of the goaltender as Colorado.

They can insulate average goaltending. We lose with average goaltending. Six years straight.
- fifty__missions

Sure, you can look at it like that. Or... Colorado lost a lot of years straight too and then they didn't. The leafs missed the playoffs for 9 years at one point, and then they didn't.

None of that is next year, and if I'm going to let the past consume me and control my every thought about the future, I'm cheering for the wrong team.

I agree, there's work to be done elsewhere too.

Sure, you can look at it like that. Or... Colorado lost a lot of years straight too and then they didn't.

I agree, there's work to be done elsewhere too.
- joel878

Colorado also traded two absolute core pieces - Matt Duschene, and Ryan O Reilly - during this process when the knew they had to do something to get better. Sakic was not afraid to change his core. They didn't just magically stop losing by running the same group back again and again.

We don't have as balanced a group in front of the goaltender as Colorado.

They can insulate average goaltending. We lose with average goaltending. Six years straight.
- fifty__missions

Not a fan of the Bold - just seems negative to be negative…but I agree that the Leafs cat necessarily look at Avs and say they are able to run the same type goalie situation.
Leafs system defensively (forwards and d) is quite different than that of Avs and their d are definitely not alike.
Also, Keumper/Francouze is real good tandem Francouze only played 6 or 7 I believe. Wasn’t really a split type thing…injury.
I will say though that I think if the buds get a goalie better than Campbell but not quite a stand alone starter then they could run it as long as Campbell is the 1B so to speak of the pair…with a couple roster adds to make a more compete team (another solid dman) and some skilled girth upfront.

Not a fan of the Bold - just seems negative to be negative…but I agree that the Leafs cat necessarily look at Avs and say they are able to run the same type goalie situation.
Leafs system defensively (forwards and d) is quite different than that of Avs and their d are definitely not alike.
Also, Keumper/Francouze is real good tandem Francouze only played 6 or 7 I believe. Wasn’t really a split type thing…injury.
I will say though that I think if the buds get a goalie better than Campbell but not quite a stand alone starter then they could run it as long as Campbell is the 1B so to speak of the pair…with a couple roster adds to make a more compete team (another solid dman) and some skilled girth upfront.
- Big23Questions

No chance we can afford Campbell plus another goalie equal to him.

Colorado also traded two absolute core pieces - Matt Duschene, and Ryan O Reilly - during this process when the knew they had to do something to get better. Sakic was not afraid to change his core. They didn't just magically stop losing by running the same group back again and again.
- fifty__missions

They sucked at the time, big difference. They also didn't want to pay OReilly

From what I understand, MAF biggest priority is to find a place where his family can settle for a while so his kids can stop making friends only to lose them the year after.

Toronto makes sense if he plans to retire in his home in Ste-Julie on the southshore of Montreal where he spends his summer (I cleaned the guy's pool as a student like 15 years ago), since his family could easily come see him next door.
- Scabeh

So he's going to ottawa? After they buy out Murray.

Oh you were curious about Campbell earlier. Heard on the radio that his numbers are even HIGHER than 5 million per. I figure if the leafs could do 4 x 4 he would still be a leaf.

I have no interest in DeSmith as he has like 97 games and is age like 30? Campbell 2.0 and likely worse.

I've come around to the Gibson idea depending on the assets required to do the trade. Mrazek, Sandin and some pick? I'd likely do that for Gibson. Maybe they retain 1 million and the pick goes from a 4th to like a 2nd.