Jeremy Laura: Justin Holl and Alex Kerfoot may be available as Toronto balances budget

Kerfoot has been much maligned in Trono. But I think Stevie has bigger fish to catch than him. If he can be signed for around $3M AAV, he could be a decent 3rd liner. But then there would bigger moves Stevie will have to do before he signs his depth pieces.

There’s no “maybe” about it. Holl and Kerfoot will 100% be up for grabs. The Leafs have no interest in signing either.

O’Reilly won’t be back either, but that has more to do with age and AAV / term on a new deal.

Kerfoot is fine. He has his moments and could prob produce a bit more if given the chance. $3M x 4 years feels about right.

Holl is useless. Call up whatever plug is currently on the second pairing of your AHL team and he will likely be comparable to Holl.

Holl could be maybe a third pairing guy. Hard no on Kerfoot. Also please,please don't look at those two morons Gudas and Bunting! I'd hate if either became Wings.

Why would we need 3rd liners and bottom pairing D when we drafted a boatload of those in the past 4-5 years?

Zero interest in either Kerfoot or Holl. Neither is enough of an improvement to waste time or money on. No thank you.

Why would we need 3rd liners and bottom pairing D when we drafted a boatload of those in the past 4-5 years?
- StargateSG1

It’s a fair question. Kerfoot would essentially replace Suter who is moving on. Of the other draft pieces, it would be great to see someone grab a job at camp. Lindstrom, Suter and Erne seem to be moving on but I keep everything as “maybe” because this market is very odd. Someone may take a pay cut to avoid uprooting or lack of options.

Zero interest in either Kerfoot or Holl. Neither is enough of an improvement to waste time or money on. No thank you.
- Iago

It’s a fair point. We just found out about a couple of refuted offers where Kerfoot would essentially slot in for Suter. I’m hoping for something good in terms of trade around the draft. We’re not getting numbers, but with Bertuzzi and Suter, the offer wasn’t what they wanted so they’re looking at the market. If they find similar offers out there it could well see someone circle back. I honestly have no clue what these deals that were turned down entailed.

If Kasper makes it out of camp, he'd be a suitable "replacement" for Suter....Kasper wouldn't be a 2C right away, I'd think. I liked Suter, but he did fall off this past season. Copp needs to improve from last season.....was a bit of a disappointment, but did he rush coming back from surgery?

The question about bringing in 3d & 4th liners was a good point, but we don't know how the kids will do in camp. The implication of having bigger fish is spot-on; we need some heavy pipe-hitters for sure. We have a good draw; pushed for SCPO last season, The Captain, Mo Sides, etc... but the biggest is the fact that this team's built to last for a while and have a sustained push to go deep in a few years....or less. And the lure of HockeyTown.

I don't think UFA will be a major event for us. I'd think the TDL will be more active.....and I have several GM of the Year awards to prove I'm correct 🤣🤣🤣🤣

If Kasper makes it out of camp, he'd be a suitable "replacement" for Suter....Kasper wouldn't be a 2C right away, I'd think. I liked Suter, but he did fall off this past season. Copp needs to improve from last season.....was a bit of a disappointment, but did he rush coming back from surgery?

The question about bringing in 3d & 4th liners was a good point, but we don't know how the kids will do in camp. The implication of having bigger fish is spot-on; we need some heavy pipe-hitters for sure. We have a good draw; pushed for SCPO last season, The Captain, Mo Sides, etc... but the biggest is the fact that this team's built to last for a while and have a sustained push to go deep in a few years....or less. And the lure of HockeyTown.

I don't think UFA will be a major event for us. I'd think the TDL will be more active.....and I have several GM of the Year awards to prove I'm correct 🤣🤣🤣🤣
- mcmastermike1968

I’m not sure what the plan is off the bat for Kasper. By dollars it would look like Larkin at 1, Copp at 2 and possibly put Kasper on a wing? I went back through Copp’s goals and they’re not that much different than Kerfoot. Copp has 91 goals (244p) in 595 games and Kerfoot has 74 (219p) in 442. Neither has broken 20 in the regular season if I’m reading the stats right.

Maybe available? No doubt....they are E5.

Holl is a replacement level player. A prospect on a league minimum contract would be better.

Holl is a replacement level player. A prospect on a league minimum contract would be better.
- GalacticStone

As long as they can fill the gap I’m fine with that. Lindstrom was essentially that player but may not be given the opportunity. Tuomisto may be up for a crack. Somewhere we have to find a 2nd line right shot to slot in for Hronek

I’m not sure what the plan is off the bat for Kasper. By dollars it would look like Larkin at 1, Copp at 2 and possibly put Kasper on a wing? I went back through Copp’s goals and they’re not that much different than Kerfoot. Copp has 91 goals (244p) in 595 games and Kerfoot has 74 (219p) in 442. Neither has broken 20 in the regular season if I’m reading the stats right.
- Jeremy Laura

I'm witholding final judgement on Copp, he seemed to pick it up later in the season so that indicates he may not have been fully healed. That being said, I'd be remiss by not saying this may be a fan-assessed "prove it" year for him. But what do we have to lose by giving him more time? Not like we project a deep run in the SCPO next season. Kasper needs time to grow into the NA game, so I'd keep rolling with what we have and continue to stock the cupboard. I would've imagined Copp would've been stronger stat-wise that Kerfoot! We need fillers for now, but I think the roster this season will see some more of the kids stepping into the NHL.

Am really interested to see how the Draft & player moves evolve over the next few weeks. Spending more time looking around rumor sites than working!!! Well, rumors and revenue....your insights into the financials have really opened my eyes into the complexity of running an NHL club.