Toronto Maple Leafs

[Axeman33]

Until this team starts investing in the arse end, they will continue to be unsuccessful in the NHL playoffs.

[2014olympicgold]

Until this team starts investing in the arse end, they will continue to be unsuccessful in the NHL playoffs.

They need more speed either up front or more mobility on the back end. The M.O. of having D that do nothing offensively but give the puck to the forwards for them to cook isn't right.

I don't have an issue with the D last yr if they created more, but now with Keefe returning, essentially the same D, I don't like their D-core right now.

But I also think if they brought in offensive D-men, Keefe would clip their wings and still have a gameplan of having the D let the forwards cook.

There's also rumours Kampf wants 3mill aav. If he wants that, he's not getting that in Toronto.

[Daydream Nation]

It does sound though that Nylander wants around 9m aav. Which, honestly isn't bad value for him if he is a PPG player who performs in the playoffs.

I agree. Gotta keep it under 10 for Nylander. 9 * 8 would work,

[lucafen4]

Beyond Rielly.
The Leafs don't have another Dman that can reliably move the puck out of their own zone.
This was exploited by TB and Fla in the playoffs.
Rielly is being relied on too much. He needs help.

Leafs need two top 4 Dmen.
one to pair with Rielly.
one to pair with Brodie

Whoever they bring in as a puck mover needs to be able to move the puck as good as Rielly, or better.
Whoever they bring in to pair with Rielly, needs to play large and heavy - and be able to skate.

Liljegren has upside to make a real solid 2nd pair Dman, perhaps in 24/25 he takes that step.
don't see it happening this season.

McCabe isn't that 3/4 you can throw out in every situation.
He's better as a really good #5

Timmins is a real wildcard here.
he was overwhelmed a lot last year but he's probably the best top 4 upside internally.

I can see Ryan Graves being a target in FA, big, mobile.

The answer is not Schenn. Love him, they'll probably sign him, but he's not a #2.
On a really deep team, he's a difference making 3rd pair Dman

Sanheim is not the answer. At 27, I don't know what he is.
Hanifin is the closest of recent names tossed around.

Sandin would probably be solving one of those holes alongside Brodie this year


I'm fully expecting one significant trade with Cgy.
GM's & Coaches have their favorites & Treleving definitely has his favorite players (Tanev, Zadorov, Backlund, Toffoli, Lindholm, Hanifin, Mangiapagne)

[2014olympicgold]

I think you pair Rielly with a Hainsey/Schenn style player. Not saying Schenn is the guy, but taking a load off physically from Rielly seems to save his legs for the offensive pushes.

Brodie needs to be paired with that offensive pushing guy who can hold their own physically. Gio in Calgary kind of player. I don't know who, but a gym rat who might not be the offensive point guy, but someone who can skate it out and make the first pass but can play with a physical edge.

McCabe on your 3rd line would be a huge bonus for their PK (takes time off the top 4), and allows him to be physical without getting taxed.

Rielly - Defensive Dman
Offensive Dman - Brodie
McCabe - Liljegren
Timmins

A 6'5" Graves to play with Brodie might be the guy. Soucy might price himself out of the role for the Leafs. Mayfield to play with Rielly might be a spot too. But I would assume you would only be adding one of Graves, Soucy, and Mayfield.

Some lesser guys I wouldn't mind the Leafs take a shot on for cheap would be Calvin De Haan, Gustafsson, Juulsen, or Michael Stone

[tweetdrivr]

I agree with Luca in that have what they need in Timmins. He’s just young and raw.

[lucafen4]

What they need is a Seth Jones.
Nylander for Jones 1-1. Outside of Chi having nothing left on D, I don't know who says no... maybe Jones himself with the NMC.
But he might waive to play for a contender & AM vs. waiting for Bedard to reach his potential of becoming the second coming.

I agree, Rielly seems to play better with a Hainsey/Schenn type player.
I'd just like to see him paired with a higher end version of that type of player.
I'm not sure Dumba is the right style of Dman for Rielly, but he's going to be close to half the price of his last contract. and brings a elements to the game Schenn/Hainsey don't have

Leafs also need a 3rd line with punch. Physical and offensive

Buying out Murray and moving Muzzin to LTIR gives them the most cap flexibility they've had in years.

Holmberg is an offensive upgrade on Kampf & not much of a defensive downgrade.

I'd like to see them go after Miles Wood
Lars Eller/Teddy Bleuger would be good #3 options

There's also going to be some legit veteran options for cheap.
Connor Brown - injuries = discounted contract
Max Pacioretty - 1yr 1m to try and save his career?
james Van Riemsdyk - he's lost a step and is going to sign for 60% less.
Jason Zucker - to a lesser extent - expect he'll still get paid by someone.

If we break it down
Leafs need

1st line W - I'm not ready to anoint Knies top 6.
2nd line C - or wing - who bring the best value will determine if JT can move to wing
3rd line C - Holmberg & UFA can flip-flop (it's what keefe does
3rd line W - have Jarnkrok
2 4th liners - Lafferty currently
2 top 4 Dmen
Get rid of Murray's contract

[2014olympicgold]

Seattle, Carolina and Toronto have been in contact with SJS about Karlsson.

[kovalchuk17]

Seattle, Carolina and Toronto have been in contact with SJS about Karlsson.

I dont see how the Leafs can add another big money player without moving out one of the Core 4. That being said, a new gm making a splash would be more than understandable.

[lucafen4]

Seattle, Carolina and Toronto have been in contact with SJS about Karlsson.

Seattle's the only team that makes sense - they have the cap space to just take the whole cake

Tor would need to ship Murray + another $4m really. I can't see it fitting.
4 players making 50% of the cap? Disaster in waiting

Carolina should have learned from Burns & Karlsson in SJ - the two together never gelled or worked.

[2014olympicgold]

Treliving confirms Keefe will be back in October and will get an extension this summer. Also confirms he's allowed at the Leafs draft table AFTER Calgary makes their pick at 16.

[2014olympicgold]

Treliving "I'm confident we're going to get both players (Nylander and Matthews) signed until proven otherwise"

[hockeyrobot]

Treliving confirms Keefe will be back in October and will get an extension this summer. Also confirms he's allowed at the Leafs draft table AFTER Calgary makes their pick at 16.

Too bad Shanny didn't make the difficult decision last year when there were A TON of viable replacement options.

[Axeman33]

Treliving confirms Keefe will be back in October and will get an extension this summer. Also confirms he's allowed at the Leafs draft table AFTER Calgary makes their pick at 16.

I am not surprised. This gives Treliving his one "freebee" bullet if they don't succeed again next year. It wasn't his hire so he can pull that excuse out of his back pocket if/when the time comes to fire Keefe. He's getting an extension too but as we saw with Babcock, they aren't as worried about paying a coach not to work for them seeing as it doesn't count against the cap.

[2014olympicgold]

Seravalli said on Fan590 that he believes Matthews isn't going to set records on his new deal and is willing to leave money on the table to build a team, but needs to find a spot where he is paid appropriately to his talent.

Last week he said pretty much the opposite of that on the Fan as well.