They need to add good players that will provide some talent and stability during the transition.
- -Doh-

Plenty of that available in the UFA market this summer.

Scoring down the middle - Sam Reinhart, Matt Duchene

Grit down the middle - Chandler Stephenson, Sam Lafferty

Scoring Wingers - Steven Stamkos, Jake Guentzel, Mike Hoffman, Anthony Duclair, T Teravainen.

Grit Wingers - David Perron, Jake Debrusk, AJ Greer, Nick Foligno

All KD needs is a big balance in his chequng account. Let him know who you want.

As D pointed out earlier, if the Hawks do get Nylander they may be forced to play hardball with Bedard. Nylander becomes the Hawks John Tavares a guy who may not be who they need in 5 years but who becomes a cap albatross. The stupid Leaf management can see their predicament but don’t want to do anything about it. (frank) em!
- paulr

I thoroughly enjoyed the OT loss in Columbus last night and look forward to Carolina giving them a spanking tonight on home ice.

Plenty of that available in the UFA market this summer.

Scoring down the middle - Samr Reinhart, Matt Duchene

Grit down the middle - Chandler Stephenson, Sam Lafferty

Scoring Wingers - Steven Stamkos, Jake Guentzel, Mike Hoffman, Anthony Duclair, T Teravainen.

Grit Wingers - David Perron, Jake Debrusk, AJ Greer, Nick Foligno

All KD needs is a big balance in his chequng account. Let him know who you want.


- RickJ

And don’t over term and no NMCs. Stamkos would look good playing alongside Bedard.

I thoroughly enjoyed the OT loss in Columbus last night and look forward to Carolina giving them a spanking tonight on home ice.
- RickJ

What a mess, no defense or goalie. A star centerman whose focus is self serving. A winger who has outstanding offensive and defensive skills but is afraid of his own shadow. An all round centerman who probably shouldn’t have been signed. A very good winger who if he’s signed ensures the team’s mediocrity.

And don’t over term and no NMCs. Stamkos would look good playing alongside Bedard.
- paulr

One thing Stamkos would do is convert some of those laser passes from Bedard into goals. Unlike most of the fumble bumble wingers playing up front this year.

One thing Stamkos would do is convert some of those laser passes from Bedard into goals. Unlike most of the fumble bumble wingers playing up front this year.
- RickJ

That and when Bedard is on a rush and looks to see who’s with him Stamkos will be there . So many times Bedard looks up sees three or four opponents and no one in a Hawks jersey. Foligno, Stamkos and another winger or two on short term contracts would transition the team for the influx of prospects over the next few years.

What a mess, no defense or goalie. A star centerman whose focus is self serving. A winger who has outstanding offensive and defensive skills but is afraid of his own shadow. An all round centerman who probably shouldn’t have been signed. A very good winger who if he’s signed ensures the team’s mediocrity.
- paulr

I mentioned yesterday that their best option is to trade Tavares this offseason. Yes he has a NMC and makes $11M, but only one year left on that stupid contract. If he waves I’d take him for a year, but they better add a very nice sweetener. As far as Lindholm from Calgary, he would be a nice fit, but I would not go more than five years, which means he will not sign here. TBH, the Hawks best option is to add scoring help through trades, KD will need to move a couple of defensemen, bring in young forward(s) that can grow with the team.

No Nylander for me, absolutely no need for an expensive contract like that right now. But the grossly overrated Maple Laffs are in a box with him right now - can't be paying Mitch Marner $11M and deny Nylander about the same. They will pay him and hope their Junior B goaltending and crap defence works, which it won't.

Standings check: so far the Maple Loafs have only 2 more regulation wins than the Hawks (10 vs 8).
- RickJ

Oh I agree. Now isn't the time to be giving players 8x$12M deals. Paul's mentioned before, you give that kind of deal to Wee Willy, and KFC is going to have a hard time convincing Bedard and others to leave anything on the table to build the team.

I mentioned yesterday that their best option is to trade Tavares this offseason. Yes he has a NMC and makes $11M, but only one year left on that stupid contract. If he waves I’d take him for a year, but they better add a very nice sweetener. As far as Lindholm from Calgary, he would be a nice fit, but I would not go more than five years, which means he will not sign here. TBH, the Hawks best option is to add scoring help through trades, KD will need to move a couple of defensemen, bring in young forward(s) that can grow with the team.
- Angotti

I don’t have a problem with Tavares, he is a solid second line center who plays a two way game and can score. Add in Stamkos, Foligno and a couple of gritty wingers and you have a playoff team next season. But why would Tavares want to waive and I doubt Stamkos would want to sign for a team who won’t be a contender.

I would rather have a 3rd round pick than a B prospect. You can always bundle some 3rd and fourth round picks to move up a few spots in the 2nd round of the draft or add them as part of a larger trade. We have a ton of B prospects.
- -Doh-

I have to admit the way KD traded Nylander for Lafferty then packaged him with McCabe, half his salary, to Toronto for a 1st and 2nd was brilliant. It's about assets, if that B prospect has qualities that KD and co like i think its the same difference.

I know many say we have enough draft picks but those are assets as well. Does anyone say i have enough money i don't need anymore.

Tyler Johnson must have heard the rumors about him being on the trade block. By scoring a couple last night, is he thinking "Yes, get me out of here?"

If traded, whatever comes back won't move the needle much down the road. 3rd round pick or a B prospect would probably be the return IMO.
- boilermaker100

Was thinking the same thing Boiler. He was playing like a madman.

I mentioned yesterday that their best option is to trade Tavares this offseason. Yes he has a NMC and makes $11M, but only one year left on that stupid contract. If he waves I’d take him for a year, but they better add a very nice sweetener. As far as Lindholm from Calgary, he would be a nice fit, but I would not go more than five years, which means he will not sign here. TBH, the Hawks best option is to add scoring help through trades, KD will need to move a couple of defensemen, bring in young forward(s) that can grow with the team.
- Angotti

I think you rank as the #1 Tavares hater on this site. Thats a little unfair just because of his contract, he still is a very decent player, not fast or the best of skaters but knows how to play the game and has scored some very key playoff goals in his career. And it was the Leafs that chased him, was he supposed to turn down that money?

He wouldn't do it, but I would take him on the Hawks for a year. Him and Stamkos - boyhood friends. They could teach Bedard a thing or 2.

I have to admit the way KD traded Nylander for Lafferty then packaged him with McCabe, half his salary, to Toronto for a 1st and 2nd was brilliant. It's about assets, if that B prospect has qualities that KD and co like i think its the same difference.

I know many say we have enough draft picks but those are assets as well. Does anyone say i have enough money i don't need anymore.
- BetweenTheDots

Mentioned it yesterday and like you say, they are assets. Who’s to say, sides LA, that KFC doesn’t package one of the later first rounders or one of the 2nd’s or whatever along with one of our own prospects for a player he likes.

I don’t have a problem with Tavares, he is a solid second line center who plays a two way game and can score. Add in Stamkos, Foligno and a couple of gritty wingers and you have a playoff team next season. But why would Tavares want to waive and I doubt Stamkos would want to sign for a team who won’t be a contender.
- paulr

I’m going to respectfully disagree on Tavares having a two way game. IMHO he’s below average defensively, at least it seems that way when I watch him. He puts up points and is good at the dot, which is fine, but not worth $11M in AAV, but for one year with a sweetener, I’ll take him.

I’m going to respectfully disagree on Tavares having a two way game. IMHO he’s below average defensively, at least it seems that way when I watch him. He puts up points and is good at the dot, which is fine, but not worth $11M in AAV, but for one year with a sweetener, I’ll take him.
- Angotti

Absolutely then when teams need a top 6 center for a playoff run next year, you get an asset to take him and you get one when you trade him and carry half his contract. I know i know we have enough draft picks but if I'm given the green light for a complete rebuild this is how i do it.

I don’t have a problem with Tavares, he is a solid second line center who plays a two way game and can score. Add in Stamkos, Foligno and a couple of gritty wingers and you have a playoff team next season. But why would Tavares want to waive and I doubt Stamkos would want to sign for a team who won’t be a contender.
- paulr

3x$10 for Stamkos would be why he would sign with Chicago.

And don’t over term and no NMCs. Stamkos would look good playing alongside Bedard.
- paulr

Good idea about Stamkos. Maybe offer him 3 x 8.5M. TB won't be able to match that, or come close enough to offset the difference in state taxes. That's IF he doesn't wants to pursue another cup and wants to play with a rebuilding team for a few years.

I think you rank as the #1 Tavares hater on this site. Thats a little unfair just because of his contract, he still is a very decent player, not fast or the best of skaters but knows how to play the game and has scored some very key playoff goals in his career. And it was the Leafs that chased him, was he supposed to turn down that money?

He wouldn't do it, but I would take him on the Hawks for a year. Him and Stamkos - boyhood friends. They could teach Bedard a thing or 2.
- RickJ

You’re probably right on the bolded, good player but they could have done so much better with that $11M. He was always hyped up in NY, but when the Hawks played them our own JT would shut him down. I’m just not a fan Rick, he’s great on the power play as he goes to the gritty areas, but 5 on 5 he’s a -32 for his career, and -14 in the last three years. I know that plus/minus stats could be skewed, but with the talent that the Leafs have, -14 in the last 2.5 years is well, not good.

I have to admit the way KD traded Nylander for Lafferty then packaged him with McCabe, half his salary, to Toronto for a 1st and 2nd was brilliant. It's about assets, if that B prospect has qualities that KD and co like i think its the same difference.

I know many say we have enough draft picks but those are assets as well. Does anyone say i have enough money i don't need anymore.
- BetweenTheDots

Without getting political Dots, some politicians will say you have too much money, no matter what your financial situation is.

I agree with targeting mid-level FA would be a good option. Guentzel, Mantha, Bertuzzi would be some of the zfA I would kick the tires on.

Some on here would want to resign Richardinson (yes I am in the camp of keeping Mrazek). If I was KFC, I would trade Richardson, talking about having a career year!, maybe KFC can do a Lafferty/McCabe type trade with Richardinson and Murphy.

I’m going to respectfully disagree on Tavares having a two way game. IMHO he’s below average defensively, at least it seems that way when I watch him. He puts up points and is good at the dot, which is fine, but not worth $11M in AAV, but for one year with a sweetener, I’ll take him.
- Angotti

His analytical stats don’t bear out he’s good two way player but I’ve always thought he was a decent two way player strictly by watching him. He’s not a good skater but he plays hard and he can score. I’m not really big on him but if the Hawks can get a decent return to take in his contract he won’t hurt for a season.

Leafs fans here should read the latest Toronto blog here. Aguello with nothing nice to say about Samsonov. (Funny he doesn't mention Toronto's D or lack thereof.)

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...Leafs-vs-Canes/120/123881

Note this statement within his blog.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on his recent “32 Thoughts” podcast quoted an unnamed NHL GM stating that the current prices being asked for available goaltenders on the trade market border on extortion, which leaves Toronto with very few options.


I wonder what KD's asking price for Mrazek was if contacted.

Leafs fans here should read the latest Toronto blog here. Aguello with nothing nice to say about Samsonov. (Funny he doesn't mention Toronto's D or lack thereof.)

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...Leafs-vs-Canes/120/123881

Note this statement within his blog.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on his recent “32 Thoughts” podcast quoted an unnamed NHL GM stating that the current prices being asked for available goaltenders on the trade market border on extortion, which leaves Toronto with very few options.


I wonder what KD's asking price for Mrazek was if contacted.
- boilermaker100[/quot

I would hope to the level of extortion. Do you think the Lesfs are interested in Mrazek considering they included a first to get rid of him?

EDIT: Mrazek has a NTC, think he would want to go back to Toronto?

Raddysh to IR, Katchouk recalled.

Raddysh to IR, Katchouk recalled.
- Angotti

Outside of one shoots right and one shoots left, would we notice the difference?

Without getting political Dots, some politicians will say you have too much money, no matter what your financial situation is.

I agree with targeting mid-level FA would be a good option. Guentzel, Mantha, Bertuzzi would be some of the zfA I would kick the tires on.

Some on here would want to resign Richardinson (yes I am in the camp of keeping Mrazek). If I was KFC, I would trade Richardson, talking about having a career year!, maybe KFC can do a Lafferty/McCabe type trade with Richardinson and Murphy.
- LAHawk

There will be interest from playoff teams in D$ckinson particularly (expiring contract/manageable cap hit) and to a lesser extent Tyler Johnson.

Teams like Colorado, NYR, Boston, Edmonton, Toronto all could use some depth down the middle and don't have much cap space. What they would give in return is another story. Winning even 1 playoff round is worth big $.