2018-19 Toronto Maple Leafs - General Discussion

[disco]

https://twitter.com/thatsillyhelen/status/1102031795367890944
haha. Mooresy's forecheck totally setup the Petan goal.

 

[princedpw]

You know, when we talk about next year and the cap crunch when ever I've talked about Marleau potentially not being here I've gotten a lot of "You're crazy! Marleau won't just walk away without a cup! He'll leave over his dead body!" but I think we're sort of approaching a scenario that would make it very possible that Marleau isn't around.

I don't think it'll happen, because of the respect he's got in the dressing room primarily, but right now if hockey operated somewhat more like Basketball where a few nights off wasn't seen as some sort of horribly insulting demotion then I think the team would be right to be rotating a younger player in to spell Marleau occasionally. He's looked a step behind some nights and while I think he's still a net positive, it's fair to say that we're coming towards the end of his career.

So it would be very reasonable for Marleau to be faced with the reality that next year, if he wants to stick around, he might not be in the lineup every night or even most nights. Is that how he's going to want to end his career? Is sticking around for a cup worth it if he's not dressing in the playoffs?

Call me crazy but I don't think he's going to want to go out like that. I think there's a very good chance he "retires" and lets the Leafs trade him to Phoenix or Ottawa or someplace that wants to hit the minimum.

I hope you are right because without a zaitsev trade, it?s looking very tough to fit our upcoming forwards under the cap.

 

[disco]

17 games to play this team is tied for 4th overall in points and 2nd overall in goal-differential (+47). All fans want their good teams to be perfect (offense/defense/goaltending/cap-space/prospects, etc.), but in an era that works to extinguish possible dynasties even before they start, this is a real good club. And super fun to watch

 

[Bender]

17 games to play this team is tied for 4th overall in points and 2nd overall in goal-differential (+47). All fans want their good teams to be perfect (offense/defense/goaltending/cap-space/prospects, etc.), but in an era that works to extinguish possible dynasties even before they start, this is a real good club. And super fun to watch

But don't you know? The Leafs *insert tired narrative/cliche about why they actually suck even though this is the fastest Leafs team to 40 wins in franchise history

 

[Bill_Berg]

You know, when we talk about next year and the cap crunch when ever I've talked about Marleau potentially not being here I've gotten a lot of "You're crazy! Marleau won't just walk away without a cup! He'll leave over his dead body!" but I think we're sort of approaching a scenario that would make it very possible that Marleau isn't around.

I don't think it'll happen, because of the respect he's got in the dressing room primarily, but right now if hockey operated somewhat more like Basketball where a few nights off wasn't seen as some sort of horribly insulting demotion then I think the team would be right to be rotating a younger player in to spell Marleau occasionally. He's looked a step behind some nights and while I think he's still a net positive, it's fair to say that we're coming towards the end of his career.

So it would be very reasonable for Marleau to be faced with the reality that next year, if he wants to stick around, he might not be in the lineup every night or even most nights. Is that how he's going to want to end his career? Is sticking around for a cup worth it if he's not dressing in the playoffs?

Call me crazy but I don't think he's going to want to go out like that. I think there's a very good chance he "retires" and lets the Leafs trade him to Phoenix or Ottawa or someplace that wants to hit the minimum.

I hope you are right because without a zaitsev trade, it?s looking very tough to fit our upcoming forwards under the cap.

I don't think it's all that crazy that Marleau will go somewhere else next season, maybe not likely, but possible.  They need to get his contract or Zaitsev's off the books for sure.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Some  Leaf stats as outlined here, as compared to rest of league.  Ho hum, no problem. 
(DDF% = scoring chances):

[tweet]1101842679871074305[/tweet]

[tweet]1101641975785230341[/tweet]

 

[hockeyfan1]

While there are many of us who dread the idea of a Leafs /Bruins playoff tilt, there is enough evidence to imply that the Leafs stand more than a chance to nudge the Bruins out of there.  The team is stacked with plenty of depth.  All flaws aside, can they really go wrong again?  Not according to this...

[tweet]1102791125398519808[/tweet]
[tweet]1102787926201528320[/tweet]

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I feel like there's probably 3 line-up options for Babcock once Kadri returns. 5 of the top-6 spots are locked in for the rest of the year I think, the only variable being Matthews' RW.

Hyman-Tavares-Marner Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander    Marleau-Kadri-Kapanen Moore/Ennis-Gauthier-Brown

Hyman-Tavares-Marner Johnsson-Matthews-Kapanen    Marleau-Nylander-Brown Ennis-Kadri-Moore

Hyman-Tavares-Marner Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander Moore-Kadri-Kapanen Ennis-Marleau-Brown

Obviously even within these options there is remove for change, like swapping Nylander or Kapanen when Willie isn't at C, or swapping Moore and Ennis' spots.

Option 1 is probably the most likely thing we'll see, and honestly I'd be pretty surprised if that isn't what we get. Option 2 is the second likeliest especially if Babcock doesn't want to disturb the rest of the lines, and wants to play the best 12 forwards on the team (sorry/not sorry Goat). Option 3 is my personal choice, but also the least likely unfortunately.

 

[herman]

Moore-Petan-Ennis

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Moore-Petan-Ennis

Sure, seems pretty unlikely though. I think the Petan trade was made more for next season than this season. If the forwards stay mostly healthy I wouldn't expect him to get more than a handful of games the rest of the way here. Heck, it's possible he doesn't even play again.

 

[herman]

Moore-Petan-Ennis

Sure, seems pretty unlikely though. I think the Petan trade was made more for next season than this season. If the forwards stay mostly healthy I wouldn't expect him to get more than a handful of games the rest of the way here. Heck, it's possible he doesn't even play again.

Petan is really the Ennis of next season (or is it Moore?), similar to Muzzin for Gardiner. I do want to see all three in action at the same time though, as it'd be waterbuggy catch-me-if-you-can action.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I feel like there's probably 3 line-up options for Babcock once Kadri returns. 5 of the top-6 spots are locked in for the rest of the year I think, the only variable being Matthews' RW.

Hyman-Tavares-Marner Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander    Marleau-Kadri-Kapanen Moore/Ennis-Gauthier-Brown

Hyman-Tavares-Marner Johnsson-Matthews-Kapanen    Marleau-Nylander-Brown Ennis-Kadri-Moore

Hyman-Tavares-Marner Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander Moore-Kadri-Kapanen Ennis-Marleau-Brown

Obviously even within these options there is remove for change, like swapping Nylander or Kapanen when Willie isn't at C, or swapping Moore and Ennis' spots.

Option 1 is probably the most likely thing we'll see, and honestly I'd be pretty surprised if that isn't what we get. Option 2 is the second likeliest especially if Babcock doesn't want to disturb the rest of the lines, and wants to play the best 12 forwards on the team (sorry/not sorry Goat). Option 3 is my personal choice, but also the least likely unfortunately.

I think you're right with option 1. I think when Kadri comes back it's time to reunite Nylander and Matthews. I'd personally would like to see Brown sit while Moore and Ennis play but I doubt that happens. I doubt Gauthier comes out also and Brown has to be on the 4th line.

 

[herman]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/31-thoughts-golden-knights-won-mark-stone-sweepstakes/

Oldish news now:

7. Toronto was like a duck ? calm on top, churning water under the surface. They made the one trade with Par Lindholm going to Winnipeg for Nicolas Petan, but someday we?re going to get a clearer idea of what the Maple Leafs tried. They looked at Wayne Simmonds (at a similar price to what Nashville paid, I think) and Micheal Ferland (at a higher price), and passed. They did not want to deal Connor Brown for a rental, and discussed a Brown-for-Matt Benning swap with Edmonton. (Brian Burke thinks Jujhar Khaira came up between the two teams as well.) I had multiple denials on the Adam Larsson rumours. I suspect, though, the Maple Leafs attempted something bigger we haven?t figured out yet.

8. Toronto management believes in Justin Holl. They refused to put him on waivers, even though he played just two games this season. With Travis Dermott and Jake Gardiner hurt, Holl gets his shot. The Maple Leafs are hoping rest can ease Gardiner?s back issues. If surgery is needed, that?s going to be a problem and could jeopardize his season.

The Leafs were finalists for Czarnik in the offseason as well, which would've been a good depth get.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/jonassiegel/status/1102974822055923718

Mitch Marner (RFA) - Just do it
Andreas Johnsson (RFA), Kasperi Kapanen (RFA) - 1 year bridge
Tyler Ennis (UFA), Jake Gardiner (UFA) - Fly forth and get your moneys
Ron Hainsey (UFA), Igor Ozhiganov (RFA) - Bye
Martin Marincin (UFA) - if it's under 1.2M, he's the next Ron Hainsey, but 3rd pair
Nic Petan (RFA) - 2 year show-me-Moore deal

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/earlschwartz27/status/1102985755503312896

Leveraging judicious ELC signings and MLSE money to net one-way deals for fringe players to get them under league minimum (next season).

 

[Guilt Trip]

https://twitter.com/jonassiegel/status/1102974822055923718

Mitch Marner (RFA) - Just do it
Andreas Johnsson (RFA), Kasperi Kapanen (RFA) - 1 year bridge
Tyler Ennis (UFA), Jake Gardiner (UFA) - Fly forth and get your moneys
Ron Hainsey (UFA), Igor Ozhiganov (RFA) - Bye
Martin Marincin (UFA) - if it's under 1.2M, he's the next Ron Hainsey, but 3rd pair
Nic Petan (RFA) - 2 year show-me-Moore deal

Marner is getting paid 10+. I don't see Marincin coming back. If he is, there's no way he's getting anything over a million. Kappy and Johnsson should be at least 2 year bridge deals, not 1. Might not have a choice though.

 

[Bullfrog]

The 1-year deal suggestions for Kapanen and Johnsson are because of the cap squeeze next year. It's assumed they'd get considerable raises after that, assuming their production continues.

 

[pmrules]

The 1-year deal suggestions for Kapanen and Johnsson are because of the cap squeeze next year. It's assumed they'd get considerable raises after that, assuming their production continues.

How do you sell that to Johnsson who is currently on his "1 year" bridge deal.

 

[herman]

The 1-year deal suggestions for Kapanen and Johnsson are because of the cap squeeze next year. It's assumed they'd get considerable raises after that, assuming their production continues.

We can pad them a bit pushing Horton to LTIR, but that's 0 wiggle room elsewhere if we burn it on making two wingers slightly less unhappy. They're both RFAs with no arbitration rights and without Nylander's track record. Either they believe in the Leafs' chances and take a show-me 1-year deal (and split the Marleau pot after), or they sign whatever offersheet they take a shine to. They're on the higher end of replaceable, but still replaceable on the cheap with Moore, Petan, Marchment, Engvall, or UFA wingers who wants to pad his next contract playing alongside Matthews/Nylander.

 

[Bullfrog]

The 1-year deal suggestions for Kapanen and Johnsson are because of the cap squeeze next year. It's assumed they'd get considerable raises after that, assuming their production continues.

How do you sell that to Johnsson who is currently on his "1 year" bridge deal.

"Sign this one-year deal or we give the money to Kapanen and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors." ??