Vatanen projections if he goes to the Leafs

[forsbergfan]

Does Vatanen's production change from last year if he is traded to the Leafs, which seems to be a very likely possibility? Or does he get PP time and produce more offense? And does he get more defensive responsibilities (without Lindholm around) and puts up much better peripherals (could his hits and blocks go up considerably)?

[lucafen4]

he has a higher offensive ceiling than he's shown the past two years. that said, don't expect a different player going to a different team, especially Babcock's team. 35ish points and similar peripherals is what I would expect from him. at the same time, expect top 4 minutes & an anchor defensively.

[Shift Disturber]

Assuming the Leafs acquired Vatanen, I would say he's a strong bet for 50+ points as he would get 1st team PP time - otherwise there is little point in trading for him. That said, why would the Leafs get a guy like Vatanen, essentially Shattenkirk-lite, when they need to improve their overall team defense? They already have one of the best attacks in the league and it will only improve as their young stars develop further. Also, you have the risk that a coach like Babcock would bench Vatanen, or move him down the lineup as happened in Anaheim, if he is a defensive liability.

[Axeman33]

What are you basing this "very likely to be a possibility" as far as Vatanen getting traded, let alone to the Leafs, on?

[ericdaoust]

Too many assumptions here.

[PenguinHunter]

What are you basing this "very likely to be a possibility" as far as Vatanen getting traded, let alone to the Leafs, on?

When I read the post I went searching to see if I missed something he said in post game interview last night... but I could not find a demand to be traded, let alone to the leafs.. thank goodness!

[Shift Disturber]

He just said "if", as in speculate what his production would be in such circumstances. Is that not what we do on this site?

[Axeman33]

His actual statement was

Does Vatanen's production change from last year if he is traded to the Leafs, which seems to be a very likely possibility?

It was the "which seems to be a very likely possibility" part that I was confused about. I was curious why he would say that. I was wondering if I missed something somewhere that he may have read/heard about Vatanen being connected to the Leafs that I was asking about.

[ericdaoust]

He just said "if", as in speculate what his production would be in such circumstances. Is that not what we do on this site?

Sure, and I gave my opinion in response. Is that not what we do on this site?

[forsbergfan]

What are you basing this "very likely to be a possibility" as far as Vatanen getting traded, let alone to the Leafs, on?

i'm not assuming he will be traded, but I've seen a whole bunch of articles the past few days which have focused on the ducks expansion draft problems, the leafs need for a D, and most of all, the fact that mike babcock left the world championships to go scout a game between Nashville and Anaheim. obviously that doesn't mean that vatanen is definitely getting traded at all, let alone to the leafs, but the leafs definitely need a defenceman, the ducks definitely need to trade a defenceman, and vatanen seems to me (and virtually every article I've read) the most likely duck to get traded. the leafs also have the forward depth that the ducks need to make such a deal.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/q...en-iihf-world/

i'm just trying to decide if I should be looking to trade vatanen based on his disappointing fantasy season (at least compared to what I was expecting) or if he'll be getting better.

[forsbergfan]

When I read the post I went searching to see if I missed something he said in post game interview last night... but I could not find a demand to be traded, let alone to the leafs.. thank goodness!

sorry to scare you. "very likely to be a possibility" was my own personal opinion. I didn't get that across properly.
that being said, the ducks are definitely trading a defenceman, the leafs need a defenceman, and the leafs have what the ducks need. match made in heaven.

[Axeman33]

Well if you (and others) think he will get traded, I would be holding him until you know exactly what's going on with him if you own him.

Personally I think anyone selling him simply on last years statistics is not looking far enough ahead in keeper leagues. Sure, he had a down year last year, but he's a right-handed shooting offensive Dman, and we all know that those are a rare bird in the NHL and always in high demand. There will be opportunities for him somewhere to be an offensive force somewhere and I can bet you dollars to donuts that there will be plenty of teams looking for his services should he hit the market, more than just the Leafs.

I dont expect him to be a 50p guy no matter where he lands, but 35-45pts shouldn't be out of the question with the odd season surging past that ever so slightly.

[SelkeSmooth]

Vatanen has always been a PP specialist (who doesn't hit Shattenkirk level numbers). In ANA this year though he got replaced on the PP by Fowler so I could see them moving him. He'd be a boost in TO over Rielly/Zaitsev/Gardiner or whoever they're using this week.

I'd figure in and around 40pts honestly wherever he plays assuming he gets a PP1 role and at least 2:30 of PP a game.

[JagrBomb]

similar to gardiner's production last season but i can't see the leafs trading for vatanen despite the need for a RD. they have enough small puck moving D in the system, they need a top 4 defensive specialist like Tanev.

[Chuk]

Based on the playoffs and the Leafs style of play, getting mobile puck moving defensemen is a priority, because you can never have too many. Unfortunately it seems to be a priority for everyone else in the league as well.

Anaheim does need to move a D so vatanen could be the guy, but with Montour value getting a boost, maybe they look to move him?
Besides Anaheim, NSH, MIN and CAR are the teams that look to have moveable pieces in that back end. I would say everyone outside of those 4 could be a buyer.

Besides, if Vatanen is seen as having 50 point upside (35-40 realistic) and you are not willing to move Nylander, you are looking at moving JVR. Unless Babcock can get Carlysle to drink the Hyman/Brown kool-aid he is serving. Then again, I think ANA has a full roster for next year so maybe a pick and a prospect have more leverage than usual here.