Indeed those would be all intangibles if it could ever get done. Likely there would be 3 or 4 teams involved.
I think back to what the lindros trade did for quebec/ colorado... colorado definitely benefited with multiple cups.
This trade would eclipse that by far in terms of return
It would go down in history as the biggest blockbuster trade ever. Likely to never be topped.
Like said before Austin is a geat asset and force for the team, utilized correctly could bring similar results.
- spazzbot

its fun to think about, but with the Cap now I just dont think those are realistic anymore

It's not only about physicality. It's about the simple fact that the Leafs style of play does not work in the playoffs because of the coaching.

The way they forecheck, the way their PP and PK are organized, the lack of secondary scoring, the lack of experienced veterans with winning experience; there's a long list of reasons.

If you're watching Dallas and Colorado right now, these teams are both skating 100 mph. They aren't hitting each other nearly as much as you would expect "playoff hitting". They move the puck, they skate fast and they use speed to their advantage. The Leafs play like that for 82 games and then try to play a style they have no idea how to play for 7 games.

If the Leafs want to beat the Bruins, they should stick their speed game and let other members of the team worry about crashing and banging like Florida is doing.
- Rare_Jewel

If you think just changing the coach is going to fix things you're delusional.

We can't even (frank)ing score on the powerplay.

We have significant personnel and roster imbalance issues and have for YEARS.

The roster construction of this core is flawed.

Shanahan had to sit there Friday and eat a huuuge poopt sandwich and finally admit it. The Shanaplan is officially over. He's a dead man walking. This is Tree's project now.

Maybe they kept Shanny to be the hatchet man with JT and Mitch. That would be the way the mob would do it - force you to clean up your own (frank)ing mess.

How is it that every person who has played 4 minutes as a Leaf has a media job?
- AdamFrench

Something to think about if you are an aging vet - is it better to sign with the Leafs at minimum for two years, increase your media presence during those two years, and get a job after your hockey retirement?

Lilly Robertson +
for
Pulock
- mr.sir

It's spelled Parayko

Something to think about if you are an aging vet - is it better to sign with the Leafs at minimum for two years, increase your media presence during those two years, and get a job after your hockey retirement?
- Atomic Wedgie

We don't need any more "aging vets". Tried that, didn't work. Tavares already is one. We need some (frank)ing horses in the core, not show ponies.

Something to think about if you are an aging vet - is it better to sign with the Leafs at minimum for two years, increase your media presence during those two years, and get a job after your hockey retirement?
- Atomic Wedgie

Agreed, Stamkos and should do that ASAP. Crosby next year. And just to be safe, McDavid should do that when his contract is up.

We don't need any more "aging vets". Tavares already is one. We need some (frank)ing horses, not show ponies.
- fifty__missions

After Spezza, Thornton, Giordano... who's the next over 37 player to sign with the Leafs at league minimum?

I would have said Brent Burns but he still has a year on his deal.

It's a toss up between Perry and Parise I think.

Any PP coach who includes that stupid "drop it back pass" to the trailing man at the red line in his playbook should be shot into the Sun immediately. I am sick to death of that set play and the entire league is addicted to it like crack. And most of the time, it sucks and doesn't work because it was 100% telegraphed and expected. It's like trying to run a flea-flicker on every play in football.
- GalacticStone

I don't understand it.

It freezes your forwards, so they have no momentum entering the zone.

Did we already unlock the Wedgie prediction thread?
- mr.sir

It never gets unlocked.

But I usually post a self-evaluation after they award the Stanley Cup, and encourage others to do so.

After Spezza, Thornton, Giordano... who's the next over 37 player to sign with the Leafs at league minimum?

I would have said Brent Burns but he still has a year on his deal.

It's a toss up between Perry and Parise I think.
- Scabeh

No thanks.

It's not only about physicality. It's about the simple fact that the Leafs style of play does not work in the playoffs because of the coaching.

The way they forecheck, the way their PP and PK are organized, the lack of secondary scoring, the lack of experienced veterans with winning experience; there's a long list of reasons.

If you're watching Dallas and Colorado right now, these teams are both skating 100 mph. They aren't hitting each other nearly as much as you would expect "playoff hitting". They move the puck, they skate fast and they use speed to their advantage. The Leafs play like that for 82 games and then try to play a style they have no idea how to play for 7 games.

If the Leafs want to beat the Bruins, they should stick their speed game and let other members of the team worry about crashing and banging like Florida is doing.
- Rare_Jewel

This is coaching. They got away from their speedy, north south game. They play puck possession and turn back towards their own end all the time, so the forwards were always standing still. This doesn't work in playoffs. They need to get back to north south like the avs etc.

I know i will get roasted, but its a hypothetical trade

Austin mathews, i know the beloved ,rocket richard winner. Players like him are gems. That you can either hold on to and admire and boast that its yours. or cash in and make obscene profits.

The return would likely start at 3,1st round picks. A plethoria of prospects and at least 2 or 3 well established high end players. Plus take a bad contract.

The return if done right could bolster the team to that next level and set up decades of success.
- spazzbot

And you deserve it.

We don't need any more "aging vets". Tried that, didn't work. Tavares already is one. We need some (frank)ing horses in the core, not show ponies.
- fifty__missions

You can always use 1 guy who is 35 years old, could get a $2.5M contract elsewhere, but agrees to $1.25M with the Leafs.

As long as he isn't Reaves.

This is coaching. They got away from their speedy, north south game. They play puck possession and turn back towards their own end all the time, so the forwards were always standing still. This doesn't work in playoffs. They need to get back to north south like the avs etc.
- TincupCanuck

You guys are (frank)ing clueless. Special teams and goaltending lost us the series. The Leafs were good 5v5 for the most part, minus Marner, who was (frank)ing awful.

After Spezza, Thornton, Giordano... who's the next over 37 player to sign with the Leafs at league minimum?

I would have said Brent Burns but he still has a year on his deal.

It's a toss up between Perry and Parise I think.
- Scabeh

go Joe Pavelski

You can always use 1 guy who is 35 years old, could get a $2.5M contract elsewhere, but agrees to $1.25M with the Leafs.

As long as he isn't Reaves.
- Atomic Wedgie

Ok let's pay JT 1.5M if he won't agree to move.

I don't understand it.

It freezes your forwards, so they have no momentum entering the zone.
- Atomic Wedgie

There are teams that do it well, and it's basically a coordinated entry with three moving forwards - so everyone crosses the blue line in motion causing the D to retreat, especially if the puck carrier gets a clean lane - which the slingshot from their own blue line often gives them.

The Leafs have the slingshot (Nylander, Marner or Matthews) enter the zone and then leave the puck for the winger standing at the point while the original carrier goes deep in the zone. Teams just swarm the stationary forward at the point and dump the puck. You have to be in motion for this to work. If teams retreat off of the stationary point, then they can move in and distribute, but good PK teams don't let that happen. They swarm the stationary guy and block the lane deep, positioning another guy in the middle to block seam passes to the other winger.

I hate the drop back because it's so telegraphed, but the idea of entering the zone with speed and onside is the appealing part of it. In Edmonton having a McDavid really helps; similarly in Colorado with MacKinnon. I think if you left Nylander to his own devices he'd carry it deeper and then distribute, but that's not what the coaches seemed to want.

You guys are (frank)ing clueless. Special teams and goaltending lost us the series. The Leafs were good 5v5 for the most part, minus Marner, who was (frank)ing awful.
- fifty__missions

I have an honest question, why is your hobby and passion to be miserable and mad at a pro sports franchise not doing what you want them to do? Honest question!

How much does Zadorov cost?

4.5M?

I have an honest question, why is your hobby and passion to be miserable and mad at a pro sports franchise not doing what you want them to do? Honest question!
- Aaron_85

My passions/hobbies are guitar, gardening, golf, canoe tripping with family, and running/working out.

I've been a Leaf fan since the late 70s. My idea of being a sports fan is informed by also being Liverpool FC supporter. LFC fans simply do not accept the poop that's gone on with this Leaf team. Neither do Yankee fans, Real Madrid,etc. A segment of theeafs fanbase has accepted and embraced losing. I can and will not do that. If you don't like my opinions, don't read them.

I have an honest question, why is your hobby and passion to be miserable and mad at a pro sports franchise not doing what you want them to do? Honest question!
- Aaron_85

Cuz they keep losing and he's not wrong half the time?

There are teams that do it well, and it's basically a coordinated entry with three moving forwards - so everyone crosses the blue line in motion causing the D to retreat, especially if the puck carrier gets a clean lane - which the slingshot from their own blue line often gives them.

The Leafs have the slingshot (Nylander, Marner or Matthews) enter the zone and then leave the puck for the winger standing at the point while the original carrier goes deep in the zone. Teams just swarm the stationary forward at the point and dump the puck. You have to be in motion for this to work. If teams retreat off of the stationary point, then they can move in and distribute, but good PK teams don't let that happen. They swarm the stationary guy and block the lane deep, positioning another guy in the middle to block seam passes to the other winger.

I hate the drop back because it's so telegraphed, but the idea of entering the zone with speed and onside is the appealing part of it. In Edmonton having a McDavid really helps; similarly in Colorado with MacKinnon. I think if you left Nylander to his own devices he'd carry it deeper and then distribute, but that's not what the coaches seemed to want.
- Monkeypunk

They need to just give the puck to Nylander.

The guy is top 10 in the league for entering the zone with the puck.

Just give the franking puck to Nylander, and have the other two forwards flood the zone with him.

FFS.

My hobbies are guitar, gardening, golf, and running/working out.

I've been a Leaf fan since the late 70s. My idea of being a fan is informed by also being Liverpool FC supporter. LFC fans simply do not accept the poop that's gone on with this Leaf team. A segment of outmr fanbase has accepted and embraced losing. I can and will not do that. If you don't like my opinions, dont read them.
- fifty__missions

You avoided the question. Pro sports is a hobby. It isn't a lifestyle since it has no bearing on your life win or lose. You gain nothing if they win and you lose nothing if they lose. Again, why do you choose to be this miserable?

You can "go against the grain" as a fan but it literally won't change anything.

Cuz they keep losing and he's not wrong half the time?
- underhill14

But why make yourself miserable? So you can be right 50% of the time on the internet? Sounds like a lot of misery for literal HOURS upon HOURS a year for a few fleeting moments of "got em".

They need to just give the puck to Nylander.

The guy is top 10 in the league for entering the zone with the puck.

Just give the franking puck to Nylander, and have the other two forwards flood the zone with him.

FFS.
- Atomic Wedgie

It felt like this was the issue in the first 3 games against Boston. Then he got back and he didn't take lead of the zone entry as often as I thought he should and it showed.