I think Comtois signed in the KHL now.

They can always bring back Aston-Reese
- PatC80

Yeesh. So I guess I circle all the way back to my blathering from yesterday: Based on all the LW that's available and out there - why would you not be putting the screws to Nicky Bobby and getting him to sign? He is the best LW option for this team right now and this team's LW option is probably the best option for him right now.

I have to admit that Comtois' availability wouldn't changed my conclusion here.

Let's just hope that person knows more about electricity than hockey.
- Scabeh

that would be a shock

I don't like the idea of the Leafs getting slower (JVR/Max/Hoffman etc.) unless they are actually good and not placeholders living off past glory or specific circumstances.

Not surprisingly Pastrnak, Marchand and McAvoy dominated the Bruins' powerplay last year - each averaging about 3.5 minutes/game. Van Riemsdyk was right behind those three at 2.5 minutes. Zacha actually had more average TOI on the PP than JVR and he was decent at it but overall Zacha didn't seem like he deserved his opportunities in Boston.

If you average out Goals/Game to an 82 game season and look at EV goals/season, you see this trend with Van Riemsdyk:

12
20
17
22
22
18
18
23
25
24
19
10
15
13
6

I bolded his Toronto years to give a sense of what he was like here and where his trajectory has moved since he left and as he aged. He's 35 now and while he had about 2:30 / game on the PP in Boston, I think you halve that for his time in Toronto.

I mean if I'm rolling out next year's Leafs PP I probably have Matthews / Marner / Nylander / Tavares / OEL as PP1 and then PP2 would be Knies / Domi / Rielly and 2 other guys. Now if they spread the wealth around a little and try to redistribute the PP to more even times then perhaps a guy like JVR gets a shot - but even with the PP included he had 11 goals all of last year. Unfortunately I just don't see value from him - especially when you have 15-20 sitting there in Robertson in a third line role with PP2 time, who they just have to convince to sign.
- Monkeypunk

Oh I'm not saying he's a perfect fit. I agree with your post, compeltely.

But as far as "cheap LW options" goes and next to the guys you listed, he's not any worse than them imho.

Yeesh. So I guess I circle all the way back to my blathering from yesterday: Based on all the LW that's available and out there - why would you not be putting the screws to Nicky Bobby and getting him to sign? He is the best LW option for this team right now and this team's LW option is probably the best option for him right now.

I have to admit that Comtois' availability wouldn't changed my conclusion here.
- Monkeypunk

Kubalik is probably the best option, butI don't know if he's better than anyone the Leafs currently have

Oh I'm not saying he's a perfect fit. I agree with your post, compeltely.

But as far as "cheap LW options" goes and next to the guys you listed, he's not any worse than them imho.
- Scabeh

He isn't worse than the other options, really. His numbers, in my mind, track to retiring. Like this was Iginla - he probably knew it was time to retire the year before he did:

13
15
21
18
22
36
26
33
18
30
35
25
22
29
24
15
27
21
9
7

Yeesh. So I guess I circle all the way back to my blathering from yesterday: Based on all the LW that's available and out there - why would you not be putting the screws to Nicky Bobby and getting him to sign? He is the best LW option for this team right now and this team's LW option is probably the best option for him right now.

I have to admit that Comtois' availability wouldn't changed my conclusion here.
- Monkeypunk

Offer sheet Lucas Raymond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Offer sheet Lucas Raymond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- AdamFrench

GMs need to use this tool a helluva lot more.

Offer sheet Lucas Raymond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- AdamFrench

No, PTO Mason Raymond.

Who is #23 god dammit....the suspense is killing us, c'mon MiB

Who is #23 god dammit....the suspense is killing us, c'mon MiB
- Symba007

Training camp around the corner and we're still at #23.

Every year man, every year.

LW? I don't get it.

Domi Matthews Marner
Knies JT Nylander
Mcmann Holmberg Jarnkrok
Dewar Kampf Reaves

...add in Robertson and Cowan and Minten battling for looks.

3C is the obvious need. If they move Domi to 3C they're (frank)ed. His only good hockey is playing wing man to the big boys where he'll be sheltered.

Save your bullets and add a real 3C at the deadline if you can't snag one now.

LW? I don't get it.

Domi Matthews Marner
Knies JT Nylander
Mcmann Holmberg Jarnkrok
Dewar Kampf Reaves

...add in Robertson and Cowan and Minten battling for looks.

3C is the obvious need. If they move Domi to 3C they're (frank)ed. His only good hockey is playing wing man to the big boys where he'll be sheltered.

Save your bullets and add a real 3C at the deadline if you can't snag one now.
- The Law

Domi-Matthews-Nylander
Knies-Tavares-Mitchy

Thisworks better in my opinion. Domi and Marner on the same line, would be too many passers.

I agree on getting a sold 3C though, but the available options are just as bad as the LW options

Here's what I have:

Hoffman (LW, 34, in considerable decline in his play - personally not a fan. He's exceptionally one dimensional and selfish)
Labanc (RW, 28, can play left, but has been in obvious decline after a good start earlier in his career)
Pacioretty (LW, 36, fresh off of a 4 goal season and not having had a decent season since before anyone died of COVID, you have Patches. He not only stinks, he still stinks of Hab. Pass.)
Tyler Johnson (C, 34, shoots right. Could this 34 year old Centre move our 34 year old Centre to LW? Seems pointless)
Max Comtois (LW, 25, 6'2 / 210, doesn't require a lot of encouragement to hit people. It's sort of a shame he sucks - but you know who would be cheap? Max Comtois.)
Nick Cousins (C/LW, 31, the answer to the question, "What if an all-day female genitalia could skate?" This guy gives Avery a good name and I, personally, want no part of that garbage.)

Out of all of them - if you had to pick from that oh-so-uncreamy-soup . . . probably Johnson for his experience, but not his size; Comtois for his size, but not his ability, and maybe just convince Robertson to sign if that's the option.

If there's something out there on the trade market, that's where I'd be looking instead of this dismal group. I mean I didn't mention Van Riemsdyk, but this is a guy trending towards about 7 goals this year. He doesn't deserve top-9 minutes anymore and he's too slow to do anything at all and shouldn't even get a role on our second power play. We won that trade and we let him walk at the right time. No need to go down that avenue now that the neighbourhood has gone to poop!
- Monkeypunk

lol all-day female genitalia, I'm gonna use that one

Offer sheet Lucas Raymond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- AdamFrench

now that is a thought

Offer sheet Lucas Raymond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- AdamFrench

only if the Leafs had draft picks to use

Training camp around the corner and we're still at #23.

Every year man, every year.

- Scabeh

still 3 weeks to finish up the top 40 grasshopper

only if the Leafs had draft picks to use
- dmnted

this means the shiny '27 picks can't be used??

this means the shiny '27 picks can't be used??
- 21peter

not until 2026 RFA market is open
they could also be gone by then.

not until 2026 RFA market is open
they could also be gone by then.
- dmnted

there's only a 99% possibility for that to happen

Training camp around the corner and we're still at #23.

Every year man, every year.

- Scabeh

It's the ultimate phone-it-in drivel imaginable.

Pogge to Canucks

LEAFS LEAFS LEAFS
LEAFS LEAFS LEAFS
LEAFS LEAFS LEAFS
LEAFS LEAFS LEAFS

LEAFS LEAFS
LEAFS LEAFS
LEAFS LEAFS

LEAFS
LEAFS

I was on the keep Robertson train…but CJ says he’s sticking to his guns.

Time to trade him for a pick or similar player.

I’d take a pick, use it at the TDL this year.

Whoever is giving him this advice is ruining his career.

Yeesh. So I guess I circle all the way back to my blathering from yesterday: Based on all the LW that's available and out there - why would you not be putting the screws to Nicky Bobby and getting him to sign? He is the best LW option for this team right now and this team's LW option is probably the best option for him right now.

I have to admit that Comtois' availability wouldn't changed my conclusion here.
- Monkeypunk

There are a lot of RFAs unsigned, you wonder if there’s a deal somewhere.

I read today Zadina has a contract ready to be signed by another club.

Perfetti?