If there was a out of left field move if VGK traded for Schenn I could see the Leafs being involved and getting one of Roy or Howden to give VGK some cap relief.

Meh, I just think tinkering with the forward group shouldn't be the priority at all when the backend looks atrocious without Tanev.

Our 3rd line has been good and Kampf, everyone's fav punching bag, just quietly plays an effective 4C/PK role getting zero OZ time and doesn't ask for anything in return.
- gravyface

I disagree.

If Leafs want to win this year Tanev needs to be healthy. "If" Tanev is injured is silly....its like saying "if" Nylander is injured. They need their core guys to be healthy to win like every cup contender.

They need a 3C desperately.

"I heard Leafs asked about Larsson but Kraken told them to kick rocks"

-EF

I am expecting some sort of depth addition like Edmondson where double retained he was around 600K in cap space. Maybe Brazeu? Mirtle left out that sort of cap gymnastics. If they find two players like that then it creates a lot of space. I have mentioned Toropchenko in a Schenn trade as well.

If they find the right C they will move Domi or Kampf if needed. I think Tre would like Mccaron over Kampf if they wanted to make room.

Mirtle's articles are always too simple when he does this.
- Santo_44

have to spend more draft picks to get more retention. not ideal

He's awesome in Righteous Gemstone


- GalacticStone

Best show on TV.

I like Justified too.

have to spend more draft picks to get more retention. not ideal
- senstroll

I don't care about hoarding mid round picks to not get better this year.

He is awesome in every role he plays.
- Aetherial

This is true.

EF also says Leafs looking for a right shot C as well and links them again to Kunin. Could see them moving out Kampf and replacing them with a cheaper contract.

Nobody wants to talk about Florida placing Tkachuk on LTIR?
- Atomic Wedgie

Why bother.
Who cares, the league allows it.

Ya, I was just being cute.

If the Leafs are looking at adding a 3C and a RHD then they've got lots of wiggle room. In those Mirtle numbers their are 15F and 7D so they're already one above necessity/allowance.

If they are adding pretty modest 3C and D (eg. Gourde, with retention and a chep D) options then they can make room by swapping/dropping Dewar and Timmins. Basically any Centre under 3M they can add easily.

If they're going for bigger tickets (eg. Schenn or Risto) then someone like Domi and/or Kampf would need shipped out.

All of the options are on the table.
- The Law

I dont think risto as a good option. Not a great player and extremely overpaid.
Avoid imo.

Best show on TV.

I like Justified too.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I think I heard that the upcoming season of Righteous Gemstones will be the last. Kinda sucks because it's one of the few shows I watch. But I also get it. Go out on top before the quality starts to slip.

Danny McBride is (frank)ing awesome. I didn't fully appreciate that guy until this series.

Meh, I just think tinkering with the forward group shouldn't be the priority at all when the backend looks atrocious without Tanev.

Our 3rd line has been good and Kampf, everyone's fav punching bag, just quietly plays an effective 4C/PK role getting zero OZ time and doesn't ask for anything in return.
- gravyface

Agreed. We need a top 4 d. Tanev is awesome but i dont expect him to survive a deep playoff run.
And get a cheap 3c.

I disagree.

If Leafs want to win this year Tanev needs to be healthy. "If" Tanev is injured is silly....its like saying "if" Nylander is injured. They need their core guys to be healthy to win like every cup contender.

They need a 3C desperately.
- Santo_44

If Nylander was injured, this team has 3 other elite forwards plus a bunch of on-the-cusp guys like Knies and McMann, and a bunch of role players who generally win their minutes, minus Reaves, who's not going to see a minute of ice-time in the playoffs.

Our 3rd line has been playing well since the break, and while that's not a long stretch, compare that to our D since Tanev has been out, which has been terrible.

D is far greater of a priority than the forward group.

If Nylander was injured, this team has 3 other elite forwards plus a bunch of on-the-cusp guys like Knies and McMann, and a bunch of role players who generally win their minutes, minus Reaves, who's not going to see a minute of ice-time in the playoffs.

Our 3rd line has been playing well since the break, and while that's not a long stretch, compare that to our D since Tanev has been out, which has been terrible.

D is far greater of a priority than the forward group.
- gravyface

The 3rd line also has horrid stretches too.

That is not a 3rd line you like against a top team in a 7 game series. Regular season is so different than playoffs.

If Tanev is out they are (frank)ed. Not going to go into playoffs trying to find Tanev insurance. They will get a 3rd pair D but top 4 option likely is not in the cards.

Meh, I just think tinkering with the forward group shouldn't be the priority at all when the backend looks atrocious without Tanev.

Our 3rd line has been good and Kampf, everyone's fav punching bag, just quietly plays an effective 4C/PK role getting zero OZ time and doesn't ask for anything in return.
- gravyface

Kampf makes 2.4 million to provide what an endless number of players who make league minimum do. Who gets paid 3.5 times their worth and asks for more things in return?

Right, but what 3C are we finding with a 2M cap hit and same for 2RD?
- gravyface

Best guess ...

They won't waive Reaves. If they need his cap space he's a "pro" and will hit ltir for the next 6 weeks. So that takes Mirtles $4M in cap space to $4.2M. They also have Dewar and Patches and fwds 13 and 14 on the books. They could dump Dewar and then they're up to $5.4M.

Gourde at 50% (for example) would be $2.5M and then they'd have about $2.9M for a dman. That'd net them Luke Schenn if they wanted or a rental with some salary retention.

If they want to add a bigger salary then they need to move Domi or Kampf out the door to make some more room.

The 3rd line also has horrid stretches too.

That is not a 3rd line you like against a top team in a 7 game series. Regular season is so different than playoffs.

If Tanev is out they are (frank)ed. Not going to go into playoffs trying to find Tanev insurance. They will get a 3rd pair D but top 4 option likely is not in the cards.
- Santo_44

Exactly, and that's why if they're adding anything of significance, it has to be a D. If Domi was out, we wouldn't be (frank)ed.

The 3rd line also has horrid stretches too.

That is not a 3rd line you like against a top team in a 7 game series. Regular season is so different than playoffs.

If Tanev is out they are (frank)ed. Not going to go into playoffs trying to find Tanev insurance. They will get a 3rd pair D but top 4 option likely is not in the cards.
- Santo_44

Even though his play has looked a bit better in last few games, JT’s numbers since mid December have been awful. If they resign him and add Schenn, they’ve got two 3Cs and no room to add an upgrade for the second line. I’d be very surprised if they don’t bring Johnny back.

I’d rather see them go cheaper for the 3rd line spot or even bring in a rental.

Possible D for the leafs?
Oleksiak, soucy, Ferraro (questionable underlying #'s), provorov ( not sure cbus moves him), dumoulin.

Andersson and parayko are the dreams but the cost would be high.

I dont see boston trading with the leafs and I don't want karlsson at all...even with retention

Kampf makes 2.4 million to provide what an endless number of players who make league minimum do. Who gets paid 3.5 times their worth and asks for more things in return?
- joel878

There is not an endless number of good 4Cs, I'm sorry. We have another one, his name is Dewar, and he's not nearly as effective as Kampf is.

Is Kampf overpaid? Maybe, but cap is going up and dude is a rock. I don't know why you're obsessing over the forward group when it actually has looked better than it has in years.

I think I heard that the upcoming season of Righteous Gemstones will be the last. Kinda sucks because it's one of the few shows I watch. But I also get it. Go out on top before the quality starts to slip.

Danny McBride is (frank)ing awesome. I didn't fully appreciate that guy until this series.
- GalacticStone

I always thought Eastbound and Down didn’t get enough respect. One of the funniest shows ever. Much like Gemstones.

Possible D for the leafs?
Oleksiak, soucy, Ferraro (questionable underlying #'s), provorov ( not sure cbus moves him), dumoulin.

Andersson and parayko are the dreams but the cost would be high.

I dont see boston trading with the leafs and I don't want karlsson at all...even with retention
- Fakepartofme

Won’t ever happen. And shouldn’t.

Right, but what 3C are we finding with a 2M cap hit and same for 2RD?
- gravyface

Lundestrom or Blueger

Schenn (retained)

🤷

I dont think risto as a good option. Not a great player and extremely overpaid.
Avoid imo.
- Fakepartofme

Apparently (some deep write-up on the Athletic) says he's been much better the last year or so. He's (according to the stats) settled in as a good defensive d'man and is earning his $5M.

I don't know who's right but I like the idea of a top 4 righty.

There is not an endless number of good 4Cs, I'm sorry. We have another one, his name is Dewar, and he's not nearly as effective as Kampf is.

Is Kampf overpaid? Maybe, but cap is going up and dude is a rock. I don't know why you're obsessing over the forward group when it actually has looked better than it has in years.
- gravyface

Kampf is dog ass and the money could be better used.

I'm not sure one comment is grounds for obsession. The forward group has largely struggled to score all year until lately and has a massive drop off at centre. This is no secret to anyone.

That being said if I could call my TDL shots I'd be adding a centre and 2 RHD. You can want to see both areas get support.