I heard somewhere that Nashville contacted the Leafs to "keep them in the loop" if Mitchy is available for trade. Not sure if that's accurate at all, but I fully expect there to be lots of interest in a player like him. I also don't think he'll be available till July 1st, 2025 if the Leafs play hardball, but more than likely available July 1st, 2033
- Whipper

I would imagine that there are a number of teams that need an offensive player exactly like Marner. The Toronto Maple Leafs are a team that could use an offensive player exactly like Marner. Due to his, Nylander's, Matthews' and Tavares' contracts, the question is both whether they can afford it, and whether they can afford that much allocation up front with so little attention paid to the back-end. We've all seen how that's playing out.

I would also expect there to be a lot of interest, especially with there being a large number of teams with cap space available in the off-season. It would be up to Marner if he wants to go. While I've heard lots of "I don't want Saros" comments from some talking heads (like Bourne, who I do like), I haven't seen enough real goaltending analytics on him to know if he's a byproduct of good defense, or if he's the real deal. I know his playoff numbers haven't been great - they were decent against Vancouver, but in general he's 5-11 in playoff games and his performance has typically been mediocre.

But we definitely need an elite starter.

I would imagine that there are a number of teams that need an offensive player exactly like Marner. The Toronto Maple Leafs are a team that could use an offensive player exactly like Marner. Due to his, Nylander's, Matthews' and Tavares' contracts, the question is both whether they can afford it, and whether they can afford that much allocation up front with so little attention paid to the back-end. We've all seen how that's playing out.

I would also expect there to be a lot of interest, especially with there being a large number of teams with cap space available in the off-season. It would be up to Marner if he wants to go. While I've heard lots of "I don't want Saros" comments from some talking heads (like Bourne, who I do like), I haven't seen enough real goaltending analytics on him to know if he's a byproduct of good defense, or if he's the real deal. I know his playoff numbers haven't been great - they were decent against Vancouver, but in general he's 5-11 in playoff games and his performance has typically been mediocre.

But we definitely need an elite starter.
- Monkeypunk

What I read was his screened shot save percentage last year was 47th out of 56 goaltenders...which makes sense given his size.

I think there is a fit with the way Tre builds his D.

It's like Shanahan doesn't even read these forums, WTF?!?!?
- Whipper

I don't expect that he reads the entire forum but you'd think, at the very least, he'd skip through and read my posts.

It would have been interesting to see if they could have traded them.

Not many deals like this anymore.
- Atomic Wedgie

Treeliving told us (when he signed Willie) that he had discussions last summer about 88 and that he wasn't getting offers of equal value (a high end blue liner) back so he declined.

I imagine that this summer he's a little less demanding if, in fact, they want to make a significant change.

When was the last big Leafs trade?

I can't really think of one in the last few years.

Probably Kessel to Pittsburgh.
- Atomic Wedgie

Ya, probably 2014/15 under stage 1 of the Shanaplan - burn and sell the roster.

Stage 2 was "draft and be patient" so not much room for big trades.

Unfortunately we never left Stage 2.

Hope you have better luck than I did with BB. 60% of y feminized seeds, weren't, and one of the ladies grew balls later.

The 'real' ladies grow very nicely in southern ON though

- oldstyle

I need a new source of seeds. My current batch is a bunch of (frank)ing duds. I'm about to just order some from the internet somewhere. I just don't have the connections I used to when I was younger.

I have some old sativa landrace seeds that are good, but I am tired of it and want some dank indica.

Marner wants to be THE MAN.

I need a new source of seeds. My current batch is a bunch of (frank)ing duds. I'm about to just order some from the internet somewhere. I just don't have the connections I used to when I was younger.

I have some old sativa landrace seeds that are good, but I am tired of it and want some dank indica.
- GalacticStone

https://www.cropkingseeds.ca/

Oh, I know. That's why I have this 1 in a 1000 pipe dream that Mitch has a moment of enlightenment and thinks, "hey, if I get max $$$ from this team, they're never going to be able to compete at the top level. Why don't I take a reasonable pay cut to stay in my home town, playing for the team I grew up cheering for, and become THE ONE GUY that took a team friendly deal."

*snaps back to reality*

So, $12M x 8?
- Whipper

If he did do that he'd be treated like a G....oh, wait.

When was the last big Leafs trade?

I can't really think of one in the last few years.

Probably Kessel to Pittsburgh.
- Atomic Wedgie

Do you mean trade out? If you do, it's definitely Kessel.

I'd say you skip the TDL, because there are some sizeable but not impactful deals in there. Muzzin? Lesser than Kessel but probably close. Andersen probably similar - maybe moreso in terms of his importance and overall benefit to the team.

The Leafs have been acquiring assets at the expense of the future. One of the things Dubas used to say was that it was easier to trade skill for grit - until he wanted to do it, apparently.

I'm just hoping that if Treliving gets the go ahead to move a piece he doesn't screw it up.

Which is why you would like to be able to trade them if there was a chance they were not going to re-sign.

(Or, the flexibility to move off a "plan" - a plan that literally has never been proven to win anything before - should it prove to be a complete and utter failure, as it has).
- fifty__missions

So you would trade Nylander - who is having a career year - just before the playoffs start?

And what do you think you are getting for a pending UFA? Certainly not a return that will make up for the loss of his offense?

tell me why

if the leafs tell him they are not re signing him why are his odds so low?
- Santo_44

If you play hardball with Marner, he'll move. They just need to tell him, give me a list of 12 teams you'll go to and we'll make it happen. If you don't, you'll play out your final year on the 4th line with no powerplay time and limited minutes. We'll drive down your numbers and teams will only see a 60 point player, not a 90 point player. Your next contract will be less then $9M because teams will bargain on the last year of your contract and you won't get paid. Agree to be traded and you can negotiate a contract with your new team or we can do a sign and trade. It's your choice Mitch?

Marner wants to be A MAN.
- GalacticStone

He should start conversion therapy ASAP

RIP Dutch

https://www.tsn.ca/long-t...sses-away-at-57-1.2121798

I don't blame them for drafting those guys, but by the summer of 21' they knew about the flat cap and they knew that the Core4 were struggling to get "it" done in the playoffs. My blame-o-meter goes into the red as of that summer. They had opportunities to alter the roster by moving value for value and they chose not to.
- The Law

Exactly.

Sign two more meh goalies for a million each
That will create about 2.4m in cap space
Trade one of kampf or Jarnkrok- that would save about 2.1 - 2.4m. Bring up steeves or someone to fill in or a 1m player via ufa.
If the cap hits 90m, that leaves the leafs with 18.4m to work with to fill 3 forward and 4 D spots.

Ugh
- Fakepartofme

You're forgetting that the Leafs will probably have Fraser Minten making the jump next year, on an entry level deal. He's Knies 2.0 and will slot in at 3C. It's also possible that Easton Cowan makes it as well. He's taking the same trajectory as Mitch Marner, winning the OHL MVP and the OHL Playoff MVP. If he does the same in the Memorial Cup, he'll possibly make the Leafs. Both entry level contracts and you can move on from a couple of guys like Bertuzzi and Jankrok. I'd like to keep Bertuzzi, but his cap hit must stay at $5M per season over 3 years. Anything above that and he can walk. Marner and Brodie's money need to be used to shore up the defense, especially on the right side. Leafs are fine without Marner.

You're forgetting that the Leafs will probably have Fraser Minten making the jump next year, on an entry level deal. He's Knies 2.0 and will slot in at 3C. It's also possible that Easton Cowan makes it as well. He's taking the same trajectory as Mitch Marner, winning the OHL MVP and the OHL Playoff MVP. If he does the same in the Memorial Cup, he'll possibly make the Leafs. Both entry level contracts and you can move on from a couple of guys like Bertuzzi and Jankrok. I'd like to keep Bertuzzi, but his cap hit must stay at $5M per season over 3 years. Anything above that and he can walk. Marner and Brodie's money need to be used to shore up the defense, especially on the right side. Leafs are fine without Marner.
- PrinceLH

Was listening to Jason Bukala talk about Minten. Bukala is really into looking at prospects/organizational depth. He says Minten's going to need time in the AHL. He's a C, projected as 3C, so a lot of detail needed in his game - faceoffs, defensive zone responsibilities, penalty kill work, etc. He's not really like Knies at all.

Bukala actually said it's more likely that Cowan sticks next year than Minten.

Run it back, Kerouac.

Was listening to Jason Bukala talk about Minten. Bukala is really into looking at prospects/organizational depth. He says Minten's going to need time in the AHL. He's a C, projected as 3C, so a lot of detail needed in his game - faceoffs, defensive zone responsibilities, penalty kill work, etc. He's not really like Knies at all.

Bukala actually said it's more likely that Cowan sticks next year than Minten.
- fifty__missions

It's very possible. Minten does have an NHL body, but Cowan needs to grow into his. Last year, Minten got his cup of coffee, before they sent him back. Maybe, with NHL caliber coaching, he might become a player they ease into the lineup slowly. Hopefully, Minten comes to Toronto for the summer and works on his game in the off season. It should be interesting to see how Cowan plays in the Memorial Cup. He does remind you a lot like Mitch Marner in his last year of junior. Smaller player with great skating and passing ability. I'm thinking that Cowan has a bit more of a chip on his shoulder that should help him adjust to the NHL game.

Cap is going up.

Also makes it easy for a cap strapped team to trade for him, a lot cheaper getting a Chicago to retain half when its only 350K in real dollars.

The 775k is massive.

These are businesses at the end of the day.
- Santo_44

you can't think about as the "real dollars"
you need to think cap hit! that's what is important but you want to skim over that part with blinders on.
so the "real money" has some effect but not much.

When was the last big Leafs trade?

I can't really think of one in the last few years.

Probably Kessel to Pittsburgh.
- Atomic Wedgie

Courtnall for Kordic

I don't expect that he reads the entire forum but you'd think, at the very least, he'd skip through and read my posts.
- The Law

because it's your the Law

It's very possible. Minten does have an NHL body, but Cowan needs to grow into his. Last year, Minten got his cup of coffee, before they sent him back. Maybe, with NHL caliber coaching, he might become a player they ease into the lineup slowly. Hopefully, Minten comes to Toronto for the summer and works on his game in the off season. It should be interesting to see how Cowan plays in the Memorial Cup. He does remind you a lot like Mitch Marner in his last year of junior. Smaller player with great skating and passing ability. I'm thinking that Cowan has a bit more of a chip on his shoulder that should help him adjust to the NHL game.
- PrinceLH

What Bukala said about Cowan is that unlike Marner who avoids contact, Cowan actually challenges contact and drives through it.

If you play hardball with Marner, he'll move. They just need to tell him, give me a list of 12 teams you'll go to and we'll make it happen. If you don't, you'll play out your final year on the 4th line with no powerplay time and limited minutes. We'll drive down your numbers and teams will only see a 60 point player, not a 90 point player. Your next contract will be less then $9M because teams will bargain on the last year of your contract and you won't get paid. Agree to be traded and you can negotiate a contract with your new team or we can do a sign and trade. It's your choice Mitch?
- PrinceLH

I think the players union would have an issue with this.

Courtnall for Kordic
- drexel

Plekanec to the Leafs