Thank god we dodged that bullet. Amirite?
- Steven_Seagull

Wheeler's coming to the Leafs?
- Garnie

Right after Karlsson

He's got the Cup and he's gotten a Vezina, a Jennings and three All-Star appearances.

He's getting 10
- AdamFrench

Will be interesting, with Backstrom a UFA at the same time (2 years from now) Holtby might just be the one that got away - in the same fashion as Fleury was for Vegas. Can't visualize the team paying $10 mil for term for a 30 year old goalie that was on the bench when the playoffs started. Also - if he has a sh!t year this year might just be on his list of teams for his M-NTC.

Will be interesting, with Backstrom a UFA at the same time (2 years from now) Holtby might just be the one that got away - in the same fashion as Fleury was for Vegas. Can't visualize the team paying $10 mil for term for a 30 year old goalie that was on the bench when the playoffs started. Also - if he has a sh!t year this year might just be on his list of teams for his M-NTC.
- winsix

Holtby will play out his contract in Washington and leave. Iyla Samasonov is their future in net.

- RickJames77

Holtby will play out his contract in Washington and leave. Iyla Samasonov is their future in net.
- RickJames77

Holtby will replace Andersen. SS4

Right after Karlsson
- Archaic

and Karlsson?

Holtby will replace Andersen. SS4
- Steven_Seagull

He will then be known as Hotlb'y

Say around the trade deadline the Leafs are vying for the division lead with the Lightning - who do you target for a rental defenseman? Do you? At what cost?

I don't see there being a need at forward. Maybe some cheap veteran depth?
- RickJames77

It's so dependent. Personally, I'm cautiously optimistic about the Leafs' D. They don't have a real elite D-Man, but I don't see that being available at the deadline. If Zaitsev recovers, and Dermott continues to play as he was, then we have a reasonable top 4.

If the chance to acquire an elite level player comes along that you can fit in the cap, then go for it. If Dermott falters, or if Zaitsev fails to return to form, then they'd need to target a top-4 guy.

Frankly, I think it depends on who under performs and has an RHD available. Looking at a cursory of RHD upcoming UFA, the best names are all not likely to be available (Karlsson, Myers, Stralman, McQuaid, Lovejoy, Ellis) . . . which leaves you into the 6-7 weeds with guys like Sustr, Chris Wideman, Shenn.

If the Leafs are going to improve through trade, it appears as though it'll have to be a real hockey trade, not a TDL pickup.

He will then be known as Hotlb'y
- RickJames77

It's so dependent. Personally, I'm cautiously optimistic about the Leafs' D. They don't have a real elite D-Man, but I don't see that being available at the deadline. If Zaitsev recovers, and Dermott continues to play as he was, then we have a reasonable top 4.

If the chance to acquire an elite level player comes along that you can fit in the cap, then go for it. If Dermott falters, or if Zaitsev fails to return to form, then they'd need to target a top-4 guy.

Frankly, I think it depends on who under performs and has an RHD available. Looking at a cursory of RHD upcoming UFA, the best names are all not likely to be available (Karlsson, Myers, Stralman, McQuaid, Lovejoy, Ellis) . . . which leaves you into the 6-7 weeds with guys like Sustr, Chris Wideman, Shenn.

If the Leafs are going to improve through trade, it appears as though it'll have to be a real hockey trade, not a TDL pickup.
- Monkeypunk

Dermott played really well on the right for the Marlies. I wonder if they try him there with the Leafs

It's so dependent. Personally, I'm cautiously optimistic about the Leafs' D. They don't have a real elite D-Man, but I don't see that being available at the deadline. If Zaitsev recovers, and Dermott continues to play as he was, then we have a reasonable top 4.

If the chance to acquire an elite level player comes along that you can fit in the cap, then go for it. If Dermott falters, or if Zaitsev fails to return to form, then they'd need to target a top-4 guy.

Frankly, I think it depends on who under performs and has an RHD available. Looking at a cursory of RHD upcoming UFA, the best names are all not likely to be available (Karlsson, Myers, Stralman, McQuaid, Lovejoy, Ellis) . . . which leaves you into the 6-7 weeds with guys like Sustr, Chris Wideman, Shenn.

If the Leafs are going to improve through trade, it appears as though it'll have to be a real hockey trade, not a TDL pickup.
- Monkeypunk

in a trade, i think our best bet is to pick up a young rhdman. potentially ahl or limited nhl experience.

mckeown in carolina, r.andersson in calgary, roy in sj or montour in anaheim are some potential guys.

He will then be known as Hotlb'y
- RickJames77

Yeah, forget I said anything...

Dermott played really well on the right for the Marlies. I wonder if they try him there with the Leafs
- walshyleafsfan

I really like him. He's a smooth skater, a good passer, has a decent shot, generally makes smart plays, takes advantages of opportunities, and recognizes the opportunities well.

I think you're right. They almost have to play him on the right side to get him in the top-4.

It's so dependent. Personally, I'm cautiously optimistic about the Leafs' D. They don't have a real elite D-Man, but I don't see that being available at the deadline. If Zaitsev recovers, and Dermott continues to play as he was, then we have a reasonable top 4.

If the chance to acquire an elite level player comes along that you can fit in the cap, then go for it. If Dermott falters, or if Zaitsev fails to return to form, then they'd need to target a top-4 guy.

Frankly, I think it depends on who under performs and has an RHD available. Looking at a cursory of RHD upcoming UFA, the best names are all not likely to be available (Karlsson, Myers, Stralman, McQuaid, Lovejoy, Ellis) . . . which leaves you into the 6-7 weeds with guys like Sustr, Chris Wideman, Shenn.

If the Leafs are going to improve through trade, it appears as though it'll have to be a real hockey trade, not a TDL pickup.
- Monkeypunk

If the Bruins are out of the picture maybe we can loan you our tree

Yeah, forget I said anything...
- Steven_Seagull

If the Bruins are out of the picture maybe we can loan you our tree
- RickJames77

I'll trade you a Z for Z?

Zaitsev for Zdeno?

in a trade, i think our best bet is to pick up a young rhdman. potentially ahl or limited nhl experience.

mckeown in carolina, r.andersson in calgary, roy in sj or montour in anaheim are some potential guys.
- Tumbleweed

Outside of Montour, I'm not that familiar with these guys. I can look them up on Elite Prospects and get a sense, obviously - and they all look to have promise from that brief look.

Anaheim always seems like a decent target because they're always trying to squeeze one more year out of that core before they give up the ghost.

I think Wilson in SJ is too shrewd to give up Roy.

Carolina is so deep on D, that McKeown might be the most "expendable" of the bunch.

Outside of Montour, I'm not that familiar with these guys. I can look them up on Elite Prospects and get a sense, obviously - and they all look to have promise from that brief look.

Anaheim always seems like a decent target because they're always trying to squeeze one more year out of that core before they give up the ghost.

I think Wilson in SJ is too shrewd to give up Roy.

Carolina is so deep on D, that McKeown might be the most "expendable" of the bunch.
- Monkeypunk

i think most of those teams have some depth on the right side and are in need of help on the wing.

guys like kapanen or brown might be good starting points. montour would be the most expensive of the bunch imo.

I'll trade you a Z for Z?

Zaitsev for Zdeno?
- PatC80

- RickJames77

We'll trade you Kapanen plus Liljegren for McAvoy.

We'll trade you Kapanen plus Liljegren for McAvoy.
- plantheparade

Please see the above.

I wouldn't go that far. Wait until he has a few consistent years. Look what happened to Talbot.. it happens to many goalies where they have a random good season, then go back to being mediocre. Dude did have a great year though let's see if he can keep it up. Having good defense in front of him certainly helps.
- LeafGuy89

Difference is, Talbot went from good backup to a #1 spot, while Hellebuyck has been excellent and a good #1 at every level he has played.

But I understand there are risks involved.

Please see the above.
- RickJames77

fair enough.
we'll throw in Marincin.

Here's a beauty.





On John Tavares and the Islanders management …
Jimmy Murphy: A source that is part of an NHL teams management: “Your tweet earlier on #Tavares staying if Garth and Doug stay is right. Tavares didn’t want Lou and I don’t think Lou wanted JT and that contract. Lou doesn’t do big contracts. Kovalchuk’s in NJ was owners’ doing not his!”