The only guy I'd want is Hertl and even then . . .I don't know. He's 30, has never been a PPG player - even with the 17% retention, $7m salary for the next 6 years of his decline - and it cost them the equivalent of Easton Cowan and a 1st. Now THAT is a lot to pay.

Kostin, Maroon and Johnson . . .barf.
- Monkeypunk

I agree Hertl is more of the fancy guy type we are already paying a poopload too. I think overrated

Where does JT go?
- Woderwick

HoF

I have no issues with Dewar

Just looking for more toughness vs Bruins
- mr.sir

I’m seeing on FB there are quite a few Minnesota fans not pleased with this trade

I'm hooked on Blue and White Kool Aid

Here's what I'd like to see:

Knies Matthews Jarnkrok
Bertuzzi Domi Marner
McMann Tavares Nylander
Dewar Kampf Reaves

Rielly Boosh
Benoit McCabe
Brodie Edmundson
- gravyface

That's exactly what I would like to see too.

Separate the talent of the forward group so it's not so easy to stifle the offense.

Then you have Gio/Timmins for injury relief on their respective sides for the defense.

Then fingers crossed on the goalie situation....which I have a feeling Sammy will take the #1 spot this year before the playoffs. Woll can have it next year, I just don't feel confident with him as #1 in the playoffs yet.

I’m seeing on FB there are quite a few Minnesota fans not pleased with this trade
- Dozzer

Obviously the most important thing is how he performs on the ice. But until we see that, the response from the fans speaks volumes.

I'm hooked on Blue and White Kool Aid
- Zezel

You don't say?

Too many detectives in TO
Never get away with it
- mr.sir

🕵️‍♂️

I have no issues with Dewar

Just looking for more toughness vs Bruins
- mr.sir

I think the bottom line is that we need to see that toughness from Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tavares. Not necessarily in the form of fighting back or throwing punches - but not being dummied and fighting through the bullpoop. They can't give up like they are accustomed to doing. The only way any of them are ever going to see success is to actually fight through it and be tough.

The surrounding guys should be doling out some punishment - you're right - but inherently the Leafs success rides on the shoulders of the Core getting it done when it counts.

only in TO would people be bellyaching over getting a depth forward that can PK for a sandwich

Anyone see how pissed Crosby seemed to be when asked about the TDL?

He didn't seem to agree with boy-wonders moves.

I'm hooked on Blue and White Kool Aid
- Zezel

I'm working on a new Blue and White beverage for the discerning fan of hockey greatness.

It contains Blue Kool Aid and White Lightning moonshine.

I call it "Victory Par-ade"

Obviously the most important thing is how he performs on the ice. But until we see that, the response from the fans speaks volumes.
- Whipper

Yup, they all seem to be saying how much they’ll miss his gritty, full of effort, game play, etc. Hell even one of their fans was upset because she named her puppy Dewar lol

I feel bad for them but on our end it’s good to see them getting upset over this deal

I think the bottom line is that we need to see that toughness from Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tavares. Not necessarily in the form of fighting back or throwing punches - but not being dummied and fighting through the bullpoop. They can't give up like they are accustomed to doing. The only way any of them are ever going to see success is to actually fight through it and be tough.

The surrounding guys should be doling out some punishment - you're right - but inherently the Leafs success rides on the shoulders of the Core getting it done when it counts.
- Monkeypunk

This. You aint gotta punch faces, but you can't skate away either. You gotta stand your ground. And yes, if it comes to it, you gotta drop the gloves to defend yourself or a teammate, even if you get creamed in the process. You bounce back up and talk more poop.

I'm working on a new Blue and White beverage for the discerning fan of hockey greatness.

It contains Blue Kool Aid and White Lightning moonshine.

I call it "Victory Par-ade"
- GalacticStone

Sounds like a golf drink.

Sounds like a golf drink.
- jribout

When you drink it, you send your opponents golfing.

Here's what I'd like to see:

Knies Matthews Jarnkrok
Bertuzzi Domi Marner
McMann Tavares Nylander
Dewar Kampf Reaves

Rielly Boosh
Benoit McCabe
Brodie Edmundson
- gravyface

I wouldn’t put two pass first guys on a line with Bertuzzi who can’t shoot. Marner needs to be with AM or WN, IMO

When you drink it, you send your opponents golfing.
- GalacticStone

This. You aint gotta punch faces, but you can't skate away either. You gotta stand your ground. And yes, if it comes to it, you gotta drop the gloves to defend yourself or a teammate, even if you get creamed in the process. You bounce back up and talk more poop.
- GalacticStone

Sorry but that’s just not in the DNA of Matthews, Nylander or Marner. The fights they need are to get where they need to get on the ice to score.

Sorry but that’s just not in the DNA of Matthews, Nylander or Marner. The fights they need are to get where they need to get on the ice to score.
- Canada Cup

Not every guy, especially your elites, need to break their hands in a fight. But, you gotta have somebody on the ice every shift who is ready to drop, push, shove, get in faces, talk poop, etc. Being a cool, calm, and collected sniper like Matthews is scary in it's own right, but if somebody slewfoots him, there better be a scrum immediately after and somebody gets their number taken for later.

Not to mention, imagine the reaction on the bench and crowd if Matthews or Tavares lost their poop on somebody and started dancing. Friggin glorious. Would pump everybody up. But yeah, you can't make a habit of it. Guys like Benoit, Gio, Bert, Domi, and Reaver can throw the mits, but you gotta let them too. Queefe oddly seems reluctant to let the Leafs play line brawl shenanigans, which is ironic considering his background as a player, for the Lightning no less.

FACK

The trade with Minny now says the Leafs included Ovchinnikov...wtf

Since 2000 here are your 4th round segments broken into chunks of 5 - bolded is where the Leafs would likely end up, barring winning the cup:

96 - 100: 1.1% chance of being elite, and 25.3% chance of being players.
101 - 105: 1.1% chance of being elite, and 17.9% chance of being players.
106 - 110: 1.1% chance of being elite, and 17.9% chance of being players.
111 - 115: 1.1% chance of being elite, and 20% chance of being players.
116 - 120: 1.1% chance of being elite, and 19.1% chance of being players.
121 - 125: 0% chance of being elite, and 15.8% chance of being players.
126 - 130: 1.1% chance of being elite, and 17.9% chance of being players.


There is less than a 1 in 5 chance of finding a player who will play more than 100 NHL games in his career and about a 1% chance of finding an elite player. This isn't a waste of assets. They can dump other guys and get a 4th back if they so desperately want one. Basically it's this to me - I can have a guy who may offer me value now as opposed to possibly landing a player who could provide that same value in 5 years - or if I'm ridiculously lucky, I draft a star player out of the blue in the 4th round. If your scouts like a guy that much - go get a 4th for the draft - you know what I mean?

They paid a 3rd for Lyubushkin and a 5th for retention. I'd argue that Boosh is probably closer to a 4th in value as well, but at the TDL some prices are higher than you'd expect. I still don't think Dewar goes for a much different price at another time of the year. Maybe a 5th?
- Monkeypunk

I'd like to add to this in a way:

If we look at the current leafs roster here are all the guys they drafted and are taking a regular spot in the line up.

Matthews - 1st overall (Could have been Yakupov)
Marner - 4th overall - Plenty of these guys arent as good as he is
Nylander - 8th overall - Definitely could have missed on this. 40 goal scorer!
Rielly - 5th overall - Top d-man. Got 72 pts one year!
Knies - Late 2nd round (basically a 3rd) - Skates on top line. Young but with high upside
Holmberg - 6th round pick - takes regular shifts. Will be a NHL player
Lilijgren - Late 1st round - Definitely a nhl player
Woll - 3rd round pick in 2016 for a goalie. Totally could be a bonafide starter and looks like it!

Lots of drafted players playing throughout the line up. Let's not get caught up with selling or moving late round draft picks considering they take years to get in the like up. Like how many more top guys do the leafs need to hit on in the draft to be satisified for some fans?

Not even on the team but Kadri turned out too and he was a early - mid pick like Nylander.

Also let's also realize very few teams have consistent playoff appearances like the leafs have since 2016. If you include the blue jacket play in as playoffs or not. Avs missed 2015 - 2017 WITH McKinnon.
Tampa missed 2013.
Washington missed 2023 and 2014.

Leafs make the playoffs this year it's a solid 9 years in a row. Time for them to show up though with some success.

Not every guy, especially your elites, need to break their hands in a fight. But, you gotta have somebody on the ice every shift who is ready to drop, push, shove, get in faces, talk poop, etc. Being a cool, calm, and collected sniper like Matthews is scary in it's own right, but if somebody slewfoots him, there better be a scrum immediately after and somebody gets their number taken for later.

Not to mention, imagine the reaction on the bench and crowd if Matthews or Tavares lost their poop on somebody and started dancing. Friggin glorious. Would pump everybody up. But yeah, you can't make a habit of it. Guys like Benoit, Gio, Bert, Domi, and Reaver can throw the mits, but you gotta let them too. Queefe oddly seems reluctant to let the Leafs play line brawl shenanigans, which is ironic considering his background as a player, for the Lightning no less.


- GalacticStone

Keefe's whole system/strategy seems to be skate around drop passing and curling back and hope we can get in and score. Fly by stick checks for all and collapse down about the net and pray.

Sorry but that’s just not in the DNA of Matthews, Nylander or Marner. The fights they need are to get where they need to get on the ice to score.
- Canada Cup

But the truth is that it wasn't in the DNA of Jorts-boy or guys like Point, Stamkos, Palat, Johnson, Rantanen, Newhook or even Burakovsky despite his size either. You learn and evolve as a player or you never win.

You could argue that a couple of the mentors they got for these guys - Marleau and Thornton - are two great examples of guys who honestly never quite stepped up consistently when the going got tough.

FACK

The trade with Minny now says the Leafs uncluded Ovchinnikov...wtf
- paulozz

Weak