NHL Trade Deadline Discussion Thread

[Leafsman]

I'm just speculating on what the price might me... as I would expect the Rangers are looking for young players + a pick. Dermott has been really good when called up this year, and the hockey world seems to think the Leafs got a steal in the draft with Liljegren.

Not a contender yet? I would say "why not??" I wouldn't anoint them the favorite in the east (IMO, that's Tampa right now) but who is a serious contender? I really believe the league is wide open. There's two teams that I think are really, really, really good (Tampa, Nashville) and then a whole bunch of other decent teams. If Columbus wins the east, or New Jersey, or Toronto, or Boston, or Pittsbrugh (again) none of that would shock me.

For the Leafs, they've got this season & next before roster management becomes a lot tougher. Earlier posts about the pending UFAs (Bozak, Komarov, JVR) I suggest they'll be gone after this year. It's not that they're bad players, but Toronto isn't going to be able to keep them.

William Nylander is going to make more money next year than JVR makes this year. They might be able to get him on a "bridge deal" that pays in the range of 5-6 million... or they could lock him long term, but it'll probably cost them between 7 & 8. Marner will be in the same boat one year later, and Matthews is going to want McDavid money (12.5).

I can't imagine those three guys wont be costing the Leafs AT LEAST 24 million (combined) in the 2019-20 season... so I'll look at other salary commitments. Assume the cap continues to rise, the ceiling might be around 78. They'll have another 15.5 tied up in Kadri, Marleau, Martin, Hyman, and Brown. 9.5 between Reily & Zaitev, and 5 more to Freddy Anderson. That would leave them (roughly) 24 million to sign 4 forwards, 4 defense, and a backup goalie. Wait, more like 23 million, since they're still paying some of Phil Kessel's salary.

Not all of those contracts are long term commitments after that (19-20 is the last year of Marleau) but this is sort of my point. Right now the Leafs have an embarrassment of riches up front. They've done an awesome job assembling the deepest group of forwards in the leagues. Next year that depth will be less. The year after it will be less again (unless they can find young / cheap players to come in and fill the holes that escalating salaries to star players create).

This might not be the year to go for it, but their window of "easy" roster management closes after next year. That doesn't mean their contender window closes... but it'll be harder to keep good players around in depth roles.

That's why I'd go for it now if I'm the Leafs. Nothing is certain, but I really think they've got a strong enough group that a bonafide #1 dman takes them from being "sorta contenders" to "legit contenders".

As for not trading your best defensive prospects.... I dunno. How often have teams traded their best defensive prospect, and that player went on to be an elite player? If you've got a defensman that grows up to be a steady 2nd pairing guy for you, for a decade, that's a really good thing. If Dermott or Liljegren turn into that - the Leafs have a couple of very good players on their hands. If you trade one and they go on to be as good as Ryan McDonagh is now - yes, that's trade you do want to make. I guess that's where the scouts come in. How good do you really thing that player is?

(Oh, one obvious is example of a top d prospect being deal is..... Ryan McDonagh. I asume Habs fans wish they could have a do over on that one)

If the Leafs are convinced that one (or both) of those guys are only time away from being top pairing NHL defenceman - then they're not for trade. Most the talk I've heard is that everyone believes Liljegren could be that guy, and there is no way the Leafs would part with him. Dermott I only used in my example - because nobody is giving up top pairing dmen for nothing.

No, I honestly don't believe the Leafs are a contender. Playoff team, yes, but not a contender. This is coming from a Leafs fan.

"Playoff team" and "Stanley Cup contender" are very different things. A contender, in my opinion, consistently makes it to the conference finals, at the very least. For a long time, the Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Chicago Blackhawks are three examples of cup contenders. In order for Toronto to be considered consistent cup contenders, they have to be able to beat Boston AND Tampa Bay. They won't do that this year, and I doubt that trading Liljegren or Dermott for McDonagh will make that much of a difference at this time.

Regarding the Nylander situation, I'll be surprised if he signs for more than $6 million (maybe a one-year contract?). I don't think they'll have an issue signing either of the big three because the salary cap is increasing next season and Bozak, Van Riemsdyk, and Komarov likely will not return. That frees up a lot of cap space. I just hope those three players bring a return instead of walking for nothing.

Forget Matt Martin. I think he's gone if they can trade him. I don't care if they have to retain salary to make it work. He's been a scratch lately because, as Mike Babcock put it "there's no room". If he's not traded by the draft, I bet he plays in the AHL next season.

[Devlin]

Not sure of this, gave up quite a bit (B's)

[MR.M's Cards]

great deal for the rangers

[piper1]

The Bruins got fleeced.

[mingus_md]

great deal for the rangers

I agree. The Rangers just need to draft well so this deal still looks good for them a few years from now. That is the part that makes me nervous.

[RGM81]

Two big dominoes this morning!

Nash to the Bruins for a package including Spooner, Beleskey and draft picks.

Plekanec to Toronto for a 2nd, Kerby Rychel, and Valiev.


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[piper1]

Two big dominoes this morning!

Nash to the Bruins for a package including Spooner, Beleskey and draft picks.

Plekanec to Toronto for a 2nd, Kerby Rychel, and Valiev.

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Plekanec is hardly a big Domino anymore and hasn't been the same player the past couple of seasons so I think the Habs should be satisfied with the second round pick. I am not sure why the Leafs think that he improves or enhances their current lineup, so perhaps old Lou is living in the past.

[subban7677]

I love that deal for Montreal. Very good return.

[scottkoz20]

for those that think the Bruins got fleeced, they got rid of a TERRIBLE contract and the Rangers are paying 50% of Nash's contract for the rest for this season. It would have been probably a 2nd or 3rd otherwise + Spooner and the prospect (that is not a top prospect).

This is probably what the Sabres would get for EKane9 - 2nd/3rd + younger roster player and/or prospect

aka: Kane to St. Louis for a 2nd + Vince Dunn or Jordan Schmaltz and maybe a roster forward (I would say Fabbri, but his contract is not big enough.

[Maggot]

(I would say Fabbri, but his contract is not big enough.

Sadly, I think Fabbri's career is over after blowing out his surgically repaired knee almost as soon as he returned to the ice.