Mike Augello: Free agent decisions first on the agenda for Dubas – RFA’s

Mike Augello: Free agent decisions first on the agenda for Dubas – RFA’s
- mikeinbuffalo

Not sure post concussion Kase was that effective. Maybe it was rust but it might have been a bit of apprehension about throwing his body around the way he used to. Totally understandable if it was the latter but that was part of what made him effective.

Pass on both forwards. Sandin worth keeping. Lily a trade chip.

Pass on both forwards. Sandin worth keeping. Lily a trade chip.
- BlackSwan

I'm entirely in for Engvall. Kase depends on what he wants. He's skilled - but he may have shown enough on his 'show me' deal to be shown the door.

Pass on both forwards. Sandin worth keeping. Lily a trade chip.
- BlackSwan

It seems to be the consensus that one of Sandin or Lily is going to be needed to rid themselves of Mrazek if indeed that is Dubas plan....

unless of course Mrazek is pack'd with Willy in a blockbuster deal.

I'm entirely in for Engvall. Kase depends on what he wants. He's skilled - but he may have shown enough on his 'show me' deal to be shown the door.
- Monkeypunk

Would've agreed on the regular season Engvall, but not playoff Engvall. That line was a let down.

Korpisalo @ 1.3 .... that probably sets a lower bar for Soup..

It seems to be the consensus that one of Sandin or Lily is going to be needed to rid themselves of Mrazek if indeed that is Dubas plan....

unless of course Mrazek is pack'd with Willy in a blockbuster deal.

- dozerD10

Blockbuster to Arizona? Yes please.

I'm entirely in for Engvall. Kase depends on what he wants. He's skilled - but he may have shown enough on his 'show me' deal to be shown the door.
- Monkeypunk

Engvall was probably the worst player on either team in the series. Yes he made progress this year. But he was just so *soft* v. Tampa.

Korpisalo @ 1.3 .... that probably sets a lower bar for Soup..
- dozerD10

And he's a starter....I've been told soup is a career backup...league minimum for him.

It seems to be the consensus that one of Sandin or Lily is going to be needed to rid themselves of Mrazek if indeed that is Dubas plan....

unless of course Mrazek is pack'd with Willy in a blockbuster deal.

- dozerD10

That is (frank)ing UGLY.

Would've agreed on the regular season Engvall, but not playoff Engvall. That line was a let down.
- BlackSwan

Engvall is 25 and was a 7th round pick - so they knew he was a project when they drafted him. This year was the first time he's played more than 50 games in a season, and the first time he played in all of the playoff games. In other words, it's the first time he's earned the trust of the management team. You could argue that he lost that trust with his performance, but there's a lot of blame to go around in terms of forwards who could have performed better (Blackwell, Mikheyev, Tavares, Kerfoot, Bunting and obviously Simmonds and Clifford for their cameo appearances). No forward on the team had more defensive zone starts than Engvall against Tampa, so he also had more of a hill to climb.

I think he's still got some room to grow in his overall game and his consistency level, but I like him. He's smart and a good penalty killer. He pops in 10-20 goals / year and he's a keeper at the right price for me.

Waiting at ⛴

4 day tournament at Burnaby winter club

Engvall was probably the worst player on either team in the series. Yes he made progress this year. But he was just so *soft* v. Tampa.
- fifty__missions

That's very hyperbolic. He had some distinctly noticeable plays where he coughed up the puck, looked intimidated physically on a few, and (frank)ed up plays in the O-Zone. He ended up being -2 at 5v5, which was tied for worst amongst forwards, but again he led all forwards in D-Zone starts. Blackwell played in less than half the ice time and was also -2. It's not intended as a "well he's not as bad as THIS guy" type of argument 'cos those are pointless arguments, but it's noting that there were a few guys who had their challenges as well.

I absolutely expected more of him, so I'm not excusing his play - but I don't think one playoff round is a reason I give up on a player who is emerging as very useful, if the price is right.

It seems to be the consensus that one of Sandin or Lily is going to be needed to rid themselves of Mrazek if indeed that is Dubas plan....

unless of course Mrazek is pack'd with Willy in a blockbuster deal.

- dozerD10

Consensus among who? Who are these people consensusing this decision?

Engvall is 25 and was a 7th round pick - so they knew he was a project when they drafted him. This year was the first time he's played more than 50 games in a season, and the first time he played in all of the playoff games. In other words, it's the first time he's earned the trust of the management team. You could argue that he lost that trust with his performance, but there's a lot of blame to go around in terms of forwards who could have performed better (Blackwell, Mikheyev, Tavares, Kerfoot, Bunting and obviously Simmonds and Clifford for their cameo appearances). No forward on the team had more defensive zone starts than Engvall against Tampa, so he also had more of a hill to climb.

I think he's still got some room to grow in his overall game and his consistency level, but I like him. He's smart and a good penalty killer. He pops in 10-20 goals / year and he's a keeper at the right price for me.
- Monkeypunk

I'm with you on Engvall.. I think he's suited for 3rd/4th line duties with Kampf and someone else to provide that shutdown line that is needed.

I do hope Blackwell stays. I like what he brought

Consensus among who? Who are these people consensusing this decision?
- Monkeypunk

I mean, he's not wrong.. The Leafs will need Liljegren and Sandin to play better next year if both Campbell and Mrazek are gone

Consensus among who? Who are these people consensusing this decision?
- Monkeypunk

I've seen that on Leafs Twatter and other sites... and of Course here at HB Leaf central...

I've seen that on Leafs Twatter and other sites... and of Course here at HB Leaf central...

- dozerD10

They won't do that.. No need to give up Lily or Sandin to rid themselves of Mrazek..

They won't do that.. No need to give up Lily or Sandin to rid themselves of Mrazek..
- PatC80

I hope you're correct.. but that does seem overly optimistic.

I hope you're correct.. but that does seem overly optimistic.

- dozerD10

No, it's not.. 3.8M is not a hard sell for a guy that had 10 decent seasons before this injury riddled season..

I hope you're correct.. but that does seem overly optimistic.

- dozerD10

They have been very, very patient in the development of Sandin and Lilligren. They’re not going to toss them to rid them of a contract. They’d buy out Mrazek way before doing that. Scary to think there’s a dumber place than here

No, it's not.. 3.8M is not a hard sell for a guy that had 10 decent seasons before this injury riddled season..
- PatC80

Just to point this out..With the Korpi signing @ 1.3 - I don't see people lining up for 3.8 for 2 more years.. injury or not... to a guy who blew behind the offensive juggernaut that the Leafs are.

Perhaps Dubas finds a sucker for that contract without a kicker.. I just don't see it.

And if Soup leaves that I would think leaves Mrazek as Leafs starter ...

They have been very, very patient in the development of Sandin and Lilligren. They’re not going to toss them to rid them of a contract. They’d buy out Mrazek way before doing that. Scary to think there’s a dumber place than here
- Canada Cup

Buying him out.. man that handicaps the hell out of them .. At this point I don't see them having extra money to waste on buyouts.



Yes they have spent time and energy on both.. for sure on that.

Engvall is 25 and was a 7th round pick - so they knew he was a project when they drafted him. This year was the first time he's played more than 50 games in a season, and the first time he played in all of the playoff games. In other words, it's the first time he's earned the trust of the management team. You could argue that he lost that trust with his performance, but there's a lot of blame to go around in terms of forwards who could have performed better (Blackwell, Mikheyev, Tavares, Kerfoot, Bunting and obviously Simmonds and Clifford for their cameo appearances). No forward on the team had more defensive zone starts than Engvall against Tampa, so he also had more of a hill to climb.

I think he's still got some room to grow in his overall game and his consistency level, but I like him. He's smart and a good penalty killer. He pops in 10-20 goals / year and he's a keeper at the right price for me.
- Monkeypunk

Agreed. He was a useful piece of a third line that did a good job for Keefe this year. I’d be fine if he and Kampf made up 2/3s of it again if the price was right. If not, I imagine they could find another.