[quote=PatC80]

Apart from Brodin, there's probably not 1 player on the Minnesota NHL roster that Leafs could have an interest in.

I wouldn't, just based on the idea that our blueline as a whole is in such disarray. He's only one player, and he can't play the entire game.

I think we've seen the same premise play out at forward, you can stack the top line all you want... If the bottom lines can't cut it it's all for nothing.

A team needs balance to be successful in this league. There are no teams going deep that are stacked on the top end and weak throughout the rest of the lineup, these teams are reliable regardless which line and pairing is on the ice.

His contract will be to restrictive given the makeup of this team as well, they just can't add another high end contract that probably won't age well and have the flexibility to roll with the punches over the next few years.

Toronto's blueline has been awful for years, they need two guys far more than they need one.
- joel878

Getting two mid talent defenders may push the needle a bit, but do you really think it would push them towards contender status? You need the top pair dman to push the needle forward, JMO.

No, only players with a NMC
- Archaic

Thanks, thought as much!

Saw a bunch of Holl talk earlier and wasn't sure if his M-NTC would make him have to be protected or not.

Apart from Brodin, there's probably not 1 player on the Minnesota NHL roster that Leafs could have an interest in.
- MaximusAurelius

Suter... if the Wild retained some salary.

Getting two mid talent defenders may push the needle a bit, but do you really think it would push them towards contender status? You need the top pair dman to push the needle forward, JMO.
- Archaic

Completely agreed. You need a guy who can play 27-28 hard mins in the playoffs when needed.

Guys like... Petro.

Getting two mid talent defenders may push the needle a bit, but do you really think it would push them towards contender status? You need the top pair dman to push the needle forward, JMO.
- Archaic

Yes I do. 3 reliable pairings completely changes this entire team. The forwards suddenly have the capability to play to their offense first style, and the goaltender isn't expected to be the deciding factor every single night.

Would make for a dramatic shift in how teams play against the leafs. Add Pietrangelo and every coach out there is still going hey if we can avoid that one pairing we light them up all night.

Suter... if the Wild retained some salary.
- mjones242

He gets injured alot, and his contract goes for another 5 years. He also has a NMC, so hes going nowhere.

Yes I do. 3 reliable pairings completely changes this entire team. The forwards suddenly have the capability to play to their offense first style, and the goaltender isn't expected to be the deciding factor every single night.

Would make for a dramatic shift in how teams play against the leafs. Add Pietrangelo and every coach out there is still going hey if we can avoid that one pairing we light them up all night.
- joel878

I think youd be sadly dissapointed with what you get with these 4.5M dmen. Better, yes, much better is debateable. Also, you have to expose one in the expansion draft.

[quote=Leafs43]


I’m not ignoring the difference in quality between AP and the next best, the same way I’m not ignoring the difference between AP and trading for Herman or Josi. Assess the trade off between skill and cost. The cost for AP is exaggerated because he is in a class by himself and because we can’t count on a rising cap to compensate for diminishing skills over time.

There are good alternatives in the next group. Getting the best guy but hamstringing the team from addressing their other needs this year and potentially going forward makes me nervous.

I’d love to have him and maybe the smart money guys working for Dubas have a plan. You know me, I’m a cautious guy.

I wouldn't, just based on the idea that our blueline as a whole is in such disarray. He's only one player, and he can't play the entire game.

I think we've seen the same premise play out at forward, you can stack the top line all you want... If the bottom lines can't cut it it's all for nothing.

A team needs balance to be successful in this league. There are no teams going deep that are stacked on the top end and weak throughout the rest of the lineup, these teams are reliable regardless which line and pairing is on the ice.

His contract will be to restrictive given the makeup of this team as well, they just can't add another high end contract that probably won't age well and have the flexibility to roll with the punches over the next few years.

Toronto's blueline has been awful for years, they need two guys far more than they need one.
- joel878

I agree.

He gets injured alot, and his contract goes for another 5 years. He also has a NMC, so hes going nowhere.
- Archaic

What? Suter is one of the most durable d-men in the league!

Granted, he is 35 and does have a NMC... but I was giving a hypothetical answer for which player the Leafs would be interested in if they were available.

I propose that the Leafs identify all of the very best contracts in the league and then get those players for their roster.

- TheMussel

Looks like half the job is already done. Now the easy part. Gitterdonedubas

Completely agreed. You need a guy who can play 27-28 hard mins in the playoffs when needed.

Guys like... Petro.
- mjones242

Exactly, and can easily handle top line assignments. The Leafs have struggled with this mightily in the playoffs.

Getting two mid talent defenders may push the needle a bit, but do you really think it would push them towards contender status? You need the top pair dman to push the needle forward, JMO.
- Archaic

i thought morgan was a top end dman.
Muzzin is a great 2nd line dman.
Find two guys to play with them via trade or ufa.
That pushes all our other dmen down the line to help them excel with less mins.

What? Suter is one of the most durable d-men in the league!

Granted, he is 35 and does have a NMC... but I was giving a hypothetical answer for which player the Leafs would be interested in if they were available.
- mjones242

Maybe I was thinking of someone else. Looking at this GP, it looks like you were right.

Yes I do. 3 reliable pairings completely changes this entire team. The forwards suddenly have the capability to play to their offense first style, and the goaltender isn't expected to be the deciding factor every single night.

Would make for a dramatic shift in how teams play against the leafs. Add Pietrangelo and every coach out there is still going hey if we can avoid that one pairing we light them up all night.
- joel878

Again.
Agreed

I think youd be sadly dissapointed with what you get with these 4.5M dmen. Better, yes, much better is debateable. Also, you have to expose one in the expansion draft.
- Archaic

I disagree, if they could somehow trade for a Parayko, Larsson, Severson, Murphy, Pesce, Ellis, etc.. And sign a Demelo, you have the potential for 3 pretty solid pairings at that point.

Rielly/Parayko
Muzzin/Demelo
Lehtonen/Holl

I take that all day over

Rielly/Pietrangelo
Muzzin/Holl
Dermott/Lehtonon

There were a chunk of teams in the league last time around who managed to negotiate their way out of losing quality blueliners, and the format on protecting defenseman left so many quality guys available Vegas was wiling to jump all over it.

Not a good enough reason for me to not want to ice a well rounded reliable top to bottom blueline for the first time in... Well... Ever...

What? Suter is one of the most durable d-men in the league!

Granted, he is 35 and does have a NMC... but I was giving a hypothetical answer for which player the Leafs would be interested in if they were available.
- mjones242

I don't want Suter because I hated his dad more than any other player of the era.

i thought morgan was a top end dman.
Muzzin is a great 2nd line dman.
Find two guys to play with them via trade or ufa.
That pushes all our other dmen down the line to help them excel with less mins.
- Fakepartofme

I dont think Reilly is a 1A defensive dman(he is top pair material though). AP is better them him, and much better on the defensive side IMO.

Exactly, and can easily handle top line assignments. The Leafs have struggled with this mightily in the playoffs.
- Archaic

Pietrangelo may not be able to play the whole game but, with Rielly, we would have a 1-2 punch that can play huge minutes and all situations.

If a player of this calibre - a game changer and a former Cup-winning Captain - like this is available you do everything in your power to add him to your lineup.

Holl may be mediocre but he's not terrible. Lehtonen may turn out to be a capable defender, so I'm thinking Muzzin with one of those two should be decent enough to ride at least until the TDL.

i thought morgan was a top end dman.
Muzzin is a great 2nd line dman.
Find two guys to play with them via trade or ufa.
That pushes all our other dmen down the line to help them excel with less mins.
- Fakepartofme

Call Doug Armstrong and tell him you’ll help him sign Pietrangelo if he agrees to trade Paryko. Get permission to talk to AP, sadly come to the conclusion that a deal with the Leafs won’t work, he re-signs and we get a younger, cheaper guy.

I think youd be sadly dissapointed with what you get with these 4.5M dmen. Better, yes, much better is debateable. Also, you have to expose one in the expansion draft.
- Archaic

If Leafs would add 2 new d-man on that top4 (was was proposed/discussed), it would be Muzzin that would be exposed.
Surely a deal can be worked out with Seattle as well in order for Leafs to keep the four d-men.

btw - Leafs also could opt to protect 8 skaters instead of 7fw, 3d -- e.g. in my example Rielly - Savard - Muzzin - Leddy & Matthews - Tavares - Marner - Hyman. (willy traded)

I disagree, if they could somehow trade for a Parayko, Larsson, Severson, Murphy, Pesce, Ellis, etc.. And sign a Demelo, you have the potential for 3 pretty solid pairings at that point.

Rielly/Parayko
Muzzin/Demelo
Lehtonen/Holl

I take that all day over

Rielly/Pietrangelo
Muzzin/Holl
Dermott/Lehtonon

There were a chunk of teams in the league last time around who managed to negotiate their way out of losing quality blueliners, and the format on protecting defenseman left so many quality guys available Vegas was wiling to jump all over it.

Not a good enough reason for me to not want to ice a well rounded reliable top to bottom blueline for the first time in... Well... Ever...
- joel878

Larsson and Murphy arent that good. I wouldnt waste assets on them.

Parayko IMO isnt getting traded even if the Blues resign Petro. Id love to have him, I just think its a pipe dream.

Maybe I was thinking of someone else. Looking at this GP, it looks like you were right.
- Archaic

I suppose one of the biggest reasons against Suter is that he's an LHD.

Rielly was 5th in Norris voting last year, If he's healthy he's a #1 D. He's in his prime these next few years.