[Rumors] Toronto Maple Leafs - Here is what we know

[Dobber]

So much happening today and the Leafs seem to be in the thick of it. Here is what we know for sure:

1. Toronto now has strong management and a new scouting staff (that already seems to be strong, given last year's draft)

2. Toronto is in an amazing salary cap position both for this year and into the future

3. Toronto GM Lou Lamoriello has stated on the record that 50% of the roster will be new next year

4. This summer has the strongest free agent market I've ever seen

5. The Leafs have several very good prospects knocking on the door



Here is what we've 'heard' about the Leafs:

1. Toronto is a (if not 'the') front runner for Steven Stamkos

2. Toronto is the front runner for top college player Jimmy Vesey. Vesey, today, has declared his intentions of becoming a free agent. This, despite being promised playoff ice time and a spot on a line with Ryan Johansen, plus burning a year of his entry-level deal (making him, eventually, an unrestricted free agent a full year earlier than otherwise)

3. Toronto is likely going to sign top offensive KHL defenseman Nikita Zaitsev

4. Toronto is now linked to signing Alexander Radulov



So what kind of team are the Maple Leafs going to have next year? All of the above? They can outspend any NHL team - by far - when it comes to free agents. So they're going to land some, I guarantee it. And some good ones. But which ones? Can they possible run the table here (including Matthews)?

Best case:

JVR - Stamkos - Radulov
Matthews - Kadri - Vesey
Nylander - Bozak - Lupul
Hyman - Holland - Komarov
Soshnikov

Rielly - Gardiner
Hamhuis - Zaitsev
Carrick - Marincin
???


What's the "likely"?

[JohnScott AllStarMVP]

Hamhuis won't sign in TO, stamkos will. The team is still three years from the playoffs

[newfcollins]

I just keep imagining how much the Leafs will spend on Backes if Stamkos doesn't sign there.

[Atomic Wedgy]

I think TB is the front runner to sign Stamkos.

[Bomm Bastic]

I think TB is the front runner to sign Stamkos.

Normally I would agree with you, but this is a coach/management that allowed Connolly to walk, plays Stamkos on the wing and refused to play Drouin (avoiding the current kerfuffle). I wouldn't put anything past them.

[Axeman33]

I just keep imagining how much the Leafs will spend on Backes if Stamkos doesn't sign there.

I was more on the lines of Eric Staal more-so than Backes, assuming Stamkos doesn't go there.

[2014olympicgold]

Vesey = 90% a leaf, which means he’s in the lineup next yr for obvious reasons.
Radulov = 25%. Just don’t see it. They do that, and they have a massive log jam on the team
Matthews = 13.5%. Leafs finish 2^nd last.
Stamkos = slightly below the chance he signs in Tampa. I’m going about this like I did with Babcock. If he’s not resigning, he’s signing with the Leafs.
Hamhuis = 10%. He’s not going to a sinful city like Toronto. But really, I can’t see him outside of Vancouver.
Holland = MIA, I feel like he goes MIA out of nowhere. He’ll be chilling next to Robidas.
Sosh = in the lineup every game if he continues to play like he does. Babcock loves him.
Hyman = PK specialist is my guess. He’ll be the new Grabner on the team.
Kadri = gone if they get Matthews.

My guess for the defense would be the following because of LH-RH obsession with Babcock. Marincin being the only unsafe bet, but he hasn’t been off that top line since Phaneuf left it seems:
Rielly-Marincin
Gardiner-Carrick
Valiev/other - Zaitsev/Corrado

[Big Ev]

Vesey is hardly 90% a Leaf. I would rank Boston higher, but every team now has a chance. Schultz didn't seem to have one team in mind when he declined Anaheim (stupid decision passing on Anaheim then Ottawa).

[JagrBomb]

Stamkos - I finally caved, I think he will come to Toronto. Tampa would be screwed if they paid him 10-11M+, whereas Toronto can easily afford that. He'll be overpaid for sure, but considering you are getting a #1 franchise C for free, paying him an extra couple mil that he isn't worth isn't that bad.

Zaitsev - Toronto, seems to be confirmed.

Vesey - I'd say Toronto is definitely in the mix but Boston is the frontrunner as they are his favorite team.

Hamhuis - He would only leave to join a top contender. He'll re-sign in Vancouver.

Radulov - LOL

Matthews - leafs won't get him. the odds are so bad this year that i can see a fluke win from a higher ranked team (like the year Chicago won at 5th overall).


I do think a lot of people are underestimating the value of cap space. If the leafs decide to spend to the cap (wisely) they will already be better than most of the canadian teams.

List of UFA/RFAs (not updated post re-signings):

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl-free-agent-cla...trong-1.350699


I think Backes will re-sign in STL. Staal is almost certain to hit UFA, but I don't think he'll come to Toronto given he only waived for NYR. I could see him re-signing with CAR.

Eriksson will likely sign with a contender/bubble team.

I would love to sign Okposo but I'm sure there will be plenty of suitors.

So while the UFA class may be very good, the biggest prizes won't be coming to Toronto aside from potentially Stamkos.

I could see the leafs signing cheaper options with the promise of more ice time than they would get elsewhere.

Guys like Perron, Hudler, etc.

I think management has learned (hopefully) not to blow their cap space on UFAs. So my plan would be:


- Do what it takes to sign Stamkos and give him the C. I'd go up to 11M...11.5 MAX. And for those of you complaining that he's getting more than Toews/Kane/Kopi, lets try to remember that they re-signed on their current teams with a smaller Salary Cap than next season (most likely). And the biggest point to mention is that they got 8 years, whereas Stamkos can only get 7 in Toronto, so naturally the cap hit will be higher to make up for the extra year.

- Trade Kadri+ for a top 4 D (or top 4 potential). I think management is using their high picks on forwards in the draft, which is smart given how long D take to pan out and the value you can find in later rounds for them. So eventually we won't have room for Kadri in the top 6, and our D needs upgrading badly. He's not going to get a top 4 straight up, but if we add picks/prospects it should be enough.

- Draft Matthews/Pulju/Laine. I'll be pretty disappointed if we fall out of top 3 but given how terrible Vancouver and Edmonton are it's highly possible. In that case I'd go with Tkachuk..I haven't seen enough of Dubois but I hear he's climbing the rankings so wouldn't be disappointed with him either. And absolute worst case we fall mid top 10 I'd go Juolevi/Chychrun/Nylander.

- Goaltending: If we sign Stamkos, then trade for Andersen. Otherwise if we stick with the slow rebuild then stick with Bernier/Sparks, and try and trade for a prospect goalie although that probably won't work out.

[Instant Karma]

Dobber, you had me until you included Hamhuis in there. If I were in the room with you I'd be checking to see if your eyes were dilated.

[2014olympicgold]

Of all the possibilities mentioned, I'd only put Zaitsev at > 50% of happening.

I personally don't care what their forwards look like next year, or the year after. I'd be happy with the group they have right now - they're competitive in every game, and guys like Nylander and Brown should keep getting better.

I don't want them making the same mistake Edmonton's made for years: allowing mediocre d-men to stifle their elite forwards. Give Babcock 2 more solid d-men (to complement Rielly and Gardiner) and find a goalie somehow... & they'll likely be a playoff team sooner than most people think.

I think they got one of the 2 you’re looking for in Carrick actually. I think he’s a solid low end 3, high 4 kind of thing.

[Rodgort]

My notes:
- I doubt Radulov would leave the KHL, especially for a coach like Babcock, unless they pay him like $6+ million
- Hamhuis will not leave Van unless they decide not sign him, and if then he'll stay in the west

- Why do you want to stunt Nylander's growth and potential by sticking him with Bozak and 22 games of Lupul for next season! hahahaha

[hawkdog]

Leafs played well last night. Keep up the good work so Matthews can go to Vancouver

Unlikely Hamhuis signs in TO. He could even retire if the nucks don't sign him back. Hard to imagine the nucks not signing him.

Agree Vesey's home town is Boston so chances are he signs there.
Stamkos in Canada would be great. Better yet trade for the twins!!

[2014olympicgold]

Step 1 is complete, Lock up last.
And per roster, we may not have to worry about Lupul finding a spot in the lineup.

[Zorro]

Instead of throwing in the Marlies to play every night, I think it would be awesome if they signed some of their alumni..

Could you imagine a defence of: J.Macoun, T.Gill, D.Ellett, B.Rouse, L.Murphy, B.McCabe, and T.Kaberle??