Eklund: Leafs Trade for Dakota Joshua. (A trade made to play Panthers?)

I think you mean Joshua not Johnson.

Big Dakota Joshua to Leafs for a 2028 4th rd pk

This is one of the worst contracts in the league, and VAN got paid to escape.

Within weeks of TOR fan elation after the team finally freed itself from Covid-related cap constraints, the GM foolishly takes on a dratically overpaid 4th liner, sqaundering one of the teams few remaining pick to do so.

I suspect TOR's next GM will pay another pick to rid this contract.

Cause a fringe bottom 6 guy is gonna be the difference to beat florida !! lol can’t make this stuff up

I think the stuff was though….just made up!

Not only is the name wrong, but so is the cap hit. It's $3.25M.

Some deeper analysis might be nice. Leafs have improved bottom 6 but now have just $3M of cap space left. The defense consisting of Rielly, Tanev, McCabe, OEL is pretty mediocre. Also a big hole in top 6 scorer. Adding Joshua at $3.25M limits what else they can do.

Are sources suggesting a sneaky move coming up?

Not only is the name wrong, but so is the cap hit. It's $3.25M.

Some deeper analysis might be nice. Leafs have improved bottom 6 but now have just $3M of cap space left. The defense consisting of Rielly, Tanev, McCabe, OEL is pretty mediocre. Also a big hole in top 6 scorer. Adding Joshua at $3.25M limits what else they can do.

Are sources suggesting a sneaky move coming up?
- HockeyBuzzed

So you get banned for being a wienerhead, acknowledge that your responses are sarcastic in nature. But you add the final sentence thinking hey this is going to to be edgy and funny.
Good luck without another long term ban

So you get banned for being a wienerhead, acknowledge that your responses are sarcastic in nature. But you add the final sentence thinking hey this is going to to be edgy and funny.
Good luck without another long term ban
- Makita

Genuinely curious what sources say the Leafs have planned. They blew $10M on Maccelli, Joshua, and Roy. Nice depth. But never addressed defense. Rumours of Karlsson but thats not possible now. Maybe they have something sneaky in mind? Rasmus Andersson maybe?

Genuinely curious what sources say the Leafs have planned. They blew $10M on Maccelli, Joshua, and Roy. Nice depth. But never addressed defense. Rumours of Karlsson but thats not possible now. Maybe they have something sneaky in mind? Rasmus Andersson maybe?
- HockeyBuzzed

yeah ok then, nothing to do with the mocking of previous blogs about sneaky moves, sources, etc. anyway all good on man.

Genuinely curious what sources say the Leafs have planned. They blew $10M on Maccelli, Joshua, and Roy. Nice depth. But never addressed defense. Rumours of Karlsson but thats not possible now. Maybe they have something sneaky in mind? Rasmus Andersson maybe?
- HockeyBuzzed

Oh BTW, I am not a fan of Joshua being anymore than a limited minute 4th line player, at 3.25 not someone I would call great depth. But maybe he will rebound into something good for the leafs, I’m not sure.

yeah ok then, nothing to do with the mocking of previous blogs about sneaky moves, sources, etc. anyway all good on man.
- Makita

People talk about sources all the time. That's the main appeal of coming here...we get to hear what sources are talking about.

Also, most flashy moves don't pan out. It's the small, sneaky ones that sometimes have a big impact. Like say Mangiapane for $3.6M might have a bigger impact than Ehlers and his mega deal. Leafs have run out of cap space so they'll have to do something sneaky now.

Not here to argue. Have a good night.

People talk about sources all the time. That's the main appeal of coming here...we get to hear what sources are talking about.

Also, most flashy moves don't pan out. It's the small, sneaky ones that sometimes have a big impact. Like say Mangiapane for $3.6M might have a bigger impact than Ehlers and his mega deal. Leafs have run out of cap space so they'll have to do something sneaky now.

Not here to argue. Have a good night.
- HockeyBuzzed

I wonder if some of the Leaf decisions over the past couple of weeks are a mere attempt to distract from Marner's decision to walk.

There are some Leaf fans who got exactly what they wanted. They believe that everything related to Marner is addition by subtraction.

New motto for Leafs next year..."when pigs can fly."

Treliving is trying to make the Leafs a bigger, harder team to play against. I can't fault him for that.

A 4th round pick for Joshua is nothing. How many 4th round Leafs picks have panned out over the last 20 years? There's rumours of Kampfe, Jarnkrok, and Robertson all on the block - I'm sure trading one of them will at least recoup that pick.

Leafs do need a good puck moving D who can also shoot from the point on the PP. Other than this, forward depth is needed and addressed with this trade. There is nobody left in FA that is going to move the needle offensively for this team. I don't expect any more signings before the end of the year. Maybe a trade or two to try and free up some more cap space. If the Leafs go into the 26/27 season with 3 milly in cap room that can hopefully be used at the deadline to land a bigger fish if they are in contention status.

Regardless of the above, I still don't think they are good enough to beat Florida in a 7 game playoff series. I more inclinded to see the fighting for 3rd or a wildcard in the Atlantic this year.

I wonder if some of the Leaf decisions over the past couple of weeks are a mere attempt to distract from Marner's decision to walk.

There are some Leaf fans who got exactly what they wanted. They believe that everything related to Marner is addition by subtraction.

New motto for Leafs next year..."when pigs can fly."
- spatso

Everyone and their mother knew that Marner was walking long before this happened. There is zero need to distract from this.

I don't expect a GM to sit idly by during the offseason and do nothing - making trades is part of doing their job, nothing more to see here.

Without Marner this team still mops the floor with the Sens in a playoff series. Are you done crying about your first round loss yet?

Everyone and their mother knew that Marner was walking long before this happened. There is zero need to distract from this.

I don't expect a GM to sit idly by during the offseason and do nothing - making trades is part of doing their job, nothing more to see here.

Without Marner this team still mops the floor with the Sens in a playoff series. Are you done crying about your first round loss yet?
- Kinger34

That meatstick will never get over losing to the Leafs again. lol

Between him trying to bait Leaf fans while posting some of the worst takes about the Sens in history for years (I mean there is an entire thread of just his terrible and absolutely laughable takes) & an Oilers fan criticizing another teams D you can't make this poop up. lol

And you are bang on in that Marner decided he was leaving and from what I have read and seeing him talk he decided that in the offseason or the start of the season last year.

I do wonder how long it will take for some Leaf fans to forgive and forget that he did that and then blocked a couple trades before walking away from the team he claims he loves.

I'm curious to see what move Florida does to become cap compliant. They are currently $3.725 over with really only one player they can send to the minors.

I'm curious to see what move Florida does to become cap compliant. They are currently $3.725 over with really only one player they can send to the minors.
- mames11

They are going to LTIR Tkachuk.

I just read an article that it's anticipated that he will be out until Christmas due to his injuries and the associated surgery. Granted the source is Nick Kyperos so take it with a bit of salt but here is the story:

https://ca.sports.yahoo.c...s-panthers-220345277.html

@Cush

It's going to be a long time before Leafs fans forgive and forget this. Maybe if he comes back to play at the end of his career (doubtful) he may get some relief. If not I don't think it will happen until he retires.

They are going to LTIR Tkachuk.

I just read an article that it's anticipated that he will be out until Christmas due to his injuries and the associated surgery. Granted the source is Nick Kyperos so take it with a bit of salt but here is the story:

https://ca.sports.yahoo.c...s-panthers-220345277.html
- Cush29

Wow...crazy. Appreciate the story. I do have to say Tkachuk appears to be heading towards a short NHL career. He seems to be injured...a lot...and for extended periods of time to boot. His contract will not age well at all, which is a shame since he helped bring two Cups to Florida.

I'm curious to see what move Florida does to become cap compliant. They are currently $3.725 over with really only one player they can send to the minors.
- mames11

They will LTIR Tkachuk. Worst case scenario they give away Rodrigues.