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

LA if KFC trades D!ckinson are you sure you’d be ok with it? It’s exactly the type of move you’re arguing against, moving a capable player for futures.

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.
- Angotti

At one point the thought was the Loafs would move Tavares to wing as he got older and speed/skating became more of an issue. Then they found out Nylander isn't very good at center. Then last year they made a big trade for Ryan O'Reilly who screwed off as fast as he could. So to fix all that this year they spent money on Max Domi and Bertuzzi.

And at the time Tavares signed that contract, it was Mike Babcock who pushed so hard to sign him. And as usual the idiots that make up Leaf management decided they needed to keep the coach happy. Then they fired the coach because he thought he was the GM's boss and had to pay out the rest of his $50M contract.

The Leafs are just a gift that keeps on giving across the NHL.

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 $.
- RickJ

I think D!ckinson might be part of the future. He's in the right age group, he looks really good as a 3rd line center. Plays a heavy 200 foot game. I think they are working on an extension if not now, soon.

[quote=boilermaker100]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.
- LAHawk[/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?

Don't know what Mrazek thinks about Toronto. He signed there as a free agent. Dubas traded him, but now Treliving is GM so maybe he has a higher opinion of Mrazek. He has a 10 team no trade list BTW.

Don't know what Mrazek thinks about Toronto. He signed there a free agent. Dubas traded him, but now Treliving is GM so maybe he has a higher opinion of Mrazek. He has a 10 team no trade list BTW.
- boilermaker100

It would be perfect if the Leafs gave Chicago a first to reaquire him.

LA if KFC trades D!ckinson are you sure you’d be ok with it? It’s exactly the type of move you’re arguing against, moving a capable player for futures.
- paulr

Yes because 1) He is having a career year, and although a nice player, I think you can find a replacement for him.

2) Per a Powers tweet, looks like Foligno is going to definitely be back next year,

3) Readon for signing Mrazek, is I see no replacement for him either internally or in free agency? Do the Hawks get a point last night without him? Did you see Keefe’s rant about Samsanov after last nights loss to Columbus. Very Orville Tessie’s like. I am sure at this point you n his career he would like some stability too.

As far as the injury issue, Mrazek has been no more laid up for injuries than any other goalie that will be available to pick up.

That being said, I wouldn’t offer more than a 2 year contract.

EDIT Typing from my phone, too lazy to fix misspellings and punctuation.

Yes because 1) He is having a career year, and although a nice player, I think you can find a replacement for him.

2) Per a Powers tweet, looks like Foligno is going to definitely be back next year,

3) Readon for signing Mrazek, is I see no replacement for him either internally or in free agency? Do the Hawks get a point last night without him? Did you see Keefe’s rant about Samsanov after last nights loss to Columbus. Very Orville Tessie’s like. I am sure at this point you n his career he would like some stability too.

As far as the injury issue, Mrazek has been no more laid up for injuries than any other goalie that will be available to pick up.

That being said, I wouldn’t offer more than a 2 year contract.

EDIT Typing from my phone, too lazy to fix misspellings and punctuation.
- LAHawk

That’s alright, I’ll just call you Wiz or JHawk59.

I think D!ckinson might be part of the future. He's in the right age group, he looks really good as a 3rd line center. Plays a heavy 200 foot game. I think they are working on an extension if not now, soon.
- BetweenTheDots

No issue if they decide to keep D$ckinson and resign him to a decent contract. But he will be 29 next season, can he duplicate what he's done this season? KD will listen to offers - he'd be crazy not to.

It would be perfect if the Leafs gave Chicago a first to reaquire him.
- paulr

Leafs #1 unprotected in 2026 or 2027 would just fine. They will be where the Hawks are now in the standings - sucking dirty pond water.

Leafs #1 unprotected in 2026 or 2027 would just fine. They will be where the Hawks are now in the standings - sucking dirty pond water.
- RickJ

But without three Championships

No issue if they decide to keep D$ckinson and resign him to a decent contract. But he will be 29 next season, can he duplicate what he's done this season? KD will listen to offers - he'd be crazy not to.
- RickJ

Yea absolutely, as far as I'm concerned Bedard and our young dcore are off the table otherwise ears wide open.

Leafs #1 unprotected in 2026 or 2027 would just fine. They will be where the Hawks are now in the standings - sucking dirty pond water.
- RickJ

Mrazek for Samsonov and Fraser Minten. Cap $$$ offset. Hawks get a goalie for the rest of the season to play with Soderblom. (Waite will have to work overtime to straighten out those two.) Chicago can also retain on Mrazek to increase/justify the value of the return. That would give TOR about 2M in net cap space to add to their D. Trade likely ensures a top 3 pick this draft. Hawks also get a decent prospect instead of a future pick. KD figures out near term goalie situation over the summer. Git it done KFC.

Mrazek for Samsonov and Fraser Minten. Cap $$$ offset. Hawks get a goalie for the rest of the season to play with Soderblom. (Waite will have to work overtime to straighten out those two.) Chicago can also retain on Mrazek to increase/justify the value of the return. That would give TOR about 2M in net cap space to add to their D. Trade likely ensures a top 3 pick this draft. Hawks also get a decent prospect instead of a future pick. KD figures out near term goalie situation over the summer. Git it done KFC.
- boilermaker100

Interesting trade idea, the Leafs definitely can't go much further with Samsonov, behind that D group he is headed for the psychiatric ward.

Can't say I have watched Minten much, wasn't overly impressed with his game yesterday vs the Swedes.

Interesting trade idea, the Leafs definitely can't go much further with Samsonov, behind that D group he is headed for the psychiatric ward.

Can't say I have watched Minten much, wasn't overly impressed with his game yesterday vs the Swedes.
- RickJ

A scouting report on Minten.

https://www.capfriendly.c...port/fraser-minten-293127

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

I had forgotten the details/chronology of the Nylander/Lafferty/McCabe deals. Thanks for the reminder and feel free to share these nuggets from time to time, Dots.....

Who's gonna turn away draft picks? I agree the more the merrier but just like your money/wealth it's best to diversify and insulate yourself from as much risk as possible. If you can strike a balance between NHLers, prospects, draft picks and age groups in theory you're not weak anywhere and are versatile/nimble enough to jump on opportunities as they arise.

Cuz, like the real world, markets dictate everything in the sport.

To the hockey scouts out there on this site, here's one to possibly keep an eye out for in a few years. Looks like he is comparable to Cale Makar. He's eligible for the 2027 draft.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...t-shines-in-minor-hockey/
- boilermaker100

Thanks for posting, BM. ..... And, like Makar, the kid is a righty. .. Did not realize Velano had Exceptional status.

Yo LA, my guess is Dupont's draft yr will be the last yr KD tanks. The kid will be the final piece ending the rebuild. ..... You on board?

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

Yes, IMO Katchouk is a better all around player than Raddysh. But LR ain't diggin Katchouk anymore so who knows...... Raddysh has been top 6 most of the yr. Wonder who gets bumped up to his spot?

Thanks for posting, BM. ..... And, like Makar, the kid is a righty. .. Did not realize Velano had Exceptional status.

Yo LA, my guess is Dupont's draft yr will be the last yr KD tanks. The kid will be the final piece ending the rebuild. ..... You on board?
- Mr Ricochet

As long as Dupont isn't related to Jerome Dupont, our 1980 first round draft pick. {We got Savard with Quebec's first round draft pick}. Also thought it was a mistake to send Bedard out with thirty-six seconds left in OT. Should have put out a second defenseman.

Thanks for posting, BM. ..... And, like Makar, the kid is a righty. .. Did not realize Velano had Exceptional status.

Yo LA, my guess is Dupont's draft yr will be the last yr KD tanks. The kid will be the final piece ending the rebuild. ..... You on board?
- Mr Ricochet

.

I am fine with rebuilding, but to me rebuilding means progressing every year, and not necessarily measured in points.

40 % in this year here is what I see:

Positives: Bedard, exceeding expectations
Vlasic, can,’t ask for more
Phillips exceeding expectations, but do
the Hawks brass agree ?

On timetable: Kaiser, can’t say anything about Allen and Del Mastro, very little info. On their development.

Disappointments: Soderblom
Raddysh
Reichel thought he would take the next step
Kurashev, only a disappointment because he is proving he is what he is, a middle six guy who is inconsistent. Tantalizes with talent but Doesn’t put it together.

The rest really do not matter. I just wish KFC get better players that do not matter in the long run.

The Hawks have 6 RFA’s excluding Reichel at forward who IMO who top out as 4th liners at best. I could care less if KD doesn’t sign any of them.

Does C. Dach earn a spot next year? Is Nazar being signed or one more year in Michigan.?

No illusions, Hawks will be a bottom feeder team against next year. I just hope they start winning games by being the better team, not that the goalie has to stand on its head.

EDIT: forgot KK, I am surprised he stayed the entire year, has he progressed this year? IDK, so would rate him as expected, hope he takes a jump next year.

What a nice problem to have Vlasic, Korbustky and Phillips playing some good hockey.
- BetweenTheDots

What do you think of Elias Lindholm (Flames)? 29 years old, 6'1", 202 lbs, Center, expiring contract with $4,85 million cap hit, averaged 60 pts per season over last 4 years, plays 19 minutes per night, over 50% at the dot.  
How much and how long will his next contract be with the higher salary cap? $8.5 mil for 7 years? (similar to the Scheifele contract)
How much would it take to acquire him if he agreed to a contract extension? Tampa's 1st round pick this year, a 2nd round pick next year, Reichel, Kaiser? more? less? 
I, like almost everyone else on this board, wants to wait until the Hawks are closer to contention to make a Marian Hossa contract like investment (kind of a final piece of the puzzle). But is it too early to add a really good player to the team at this point? Maybe someone for medium high money and longer term. 

#1 center Bedard
#2 center Elias Lindholm traded for and signed for 7 years (until 2031) at $8.5 mil
#3 center D!ckinson resign him for 4 years (until at 2028) at $4.25 mil 

Add our 1st round pick this year (a top 3 overall), Moore, Nazar, C. Dach, G. Hayes, Lardis, Ludwinski, Missak, a couple of Russians, Donato, Beauvillier, Gutman, Anderson, Raddysh to this mix.

It would be aggressive, but I would be ok with it. 
- -Doh-

Lindholm would okay but for a lot less money and term. Like maybe 6 for 3 years.
And no way do you sign JD for anywhere close to that in terms of money or term. He is a one year guy at best. There is a reason he is close to 29 and finally getting a reg shift.

Was he gliding back after failing to intercept a pass?

Anyone have an estimate how much time NHL teams and junior/collegiate spend practice the art of passing? It varies? Some players pass well, others so so or not too good. Any examples of players who pass skills were horrific but became much better?

As well, nowadays teams crave players who can execute passing shooting playmaking while skating fast. And or make good decisions while playing at a high speed. Forsling is cited as an example
- jhawk59

Honestly I don't think so - iirc he'd been out there and it was nearing the end of his shift. Before anyone goes on about extending the shifts which does happen - it can get a little tougher to do a changes in 3 on 3. Dallas did it really well - but the did it by pulling the puck back out of the zone. That was a clinic on how to play 3 on 3 effectively, and change up.

Passing - you know if you make me think about it Jayhawk -- for a player - it probably is more understanding risk(like as an instinct) -and as you rightly point out - it is doing that with not a lot of time to sit around and think about it.

I was meaning it probably more in either a breakout, or even ozone play - but not off of a rush (although I guess it can - and then ends up being working out when there is no other play available - and you have to dump it in). I was rewatching some old stuff from the 80's the other day (some unkind person keeps posting Vancouver - Chicago games ... where the Hawks LOST ...lol) - but I mean it was interesting to get an idea of how 'poorly' things worked when they actually called freezing the puck, and used the red line - none of this homerun pass stuff that is essentially an invitation to see if you can't ice the puck... and speaking of icing ... having to race to touch up the puck....

Then this one occurred me -- if you put 98, 55, and 23 out there in 3 on 3 ... er ... I am damned near older than their combined age. When the hell did that happen?! Now I feel ancient.

It would be perfect if the Leafs gave Chicago a first to reaquire him.
- paulr

Leafs might win a round or two in playoffs with Mrazak

And KD is salivating over prospects he is watching in the WJC

Common sense If potential realized among our goaltending prospects …..Gajan size and athleticism makes him a fortress difficult to penetrate with goals. Gajan > Commeso.

Is Basse a sleeper since others receive the ink?

Q: How good/touted is T Harding and the other dman at Providence?

Mrazek for Samsonov and Fraser Minten. Cap $$$ offset. Hawks get a goalie for the rest of the season to play with Soderblom. (Waite will have to work overtime to straighten out those two.) Chicago can also retain on Mrazek to increase/justify the value of the return. That would give TOR about 2M in net cap space to add to their D. Trade likely ensures a top 3 pick this draft. Hawks also get a decent prospect instead of a future pick. KD figures out near term goalie situation over the summer. Git it done KFC.
- boilermaker100

Not a bad trade idea. But Samsonov is terrible, he’s worse than Soderblom. On the bright side, he’d help the Hawks finish 32nd.

I had forgotten the details/chronology of the Nylander/Lafferty/McCabe deals. Thanks for the reminder and feel free to share these nuggets from time to time, Dots.....

Who's gonna turn away draft picks? I agree the more the merrier but just like your money/wealth it's best to diversify and insulate yourself from as much risk as possible. If you can strike a balance between NHLers, prospects, draft picks and age groups in theory you're not weak anywhere and are versatile/nimble enough to jump on opportunities as they arise.

Cuz, like the real world, markets dictate everything in the sport.
- Mr Ricochet

Oh man Rico that is the truth, but you got to start somewhere and I know for me it started with hard earned cash. Without it the rest doesn't happen, but i do hope KD does make some investments and diversifies and so on.

Added just think we were cap strapped and ranked late 20ish in the prospect pool when Bowman got his walking papers.