2024 Offseason Thread: Changes

[Peter D.]

Bertuzzi was also on a one-year show-me deal.  It didn't work out, and the Leafs aren't obligated to him beyond this year.  He didn't live up to expectations, and he showed mere sneak peaks of what he was capable of only a handful of times.  We can bellyache all we want about him, but there is no attachment or investment to him any further in the same way our other big players.

Would I live with him on a 2-year deal worth less money?  I think I could, particularly in a different and refined role.  But I definitely would not make him a priority nor earmark a portion of the cap to make certain he returns.

 

[Bender]

A GM has a duty to look at all the alternatives.
Looking at what alternatives there are for Marner and Tavares contracts are some of those duties.

He can kick things around with Marner's agent who is reputed to want his players to test free agency.
He can kick deals around with other NHL GMs on potential sign and trade.

He has to be careful how he goes about it because Marner could take it the wrong way - and say "F U I'm counting the days to free agency like my agent wants. I'll go where I'm wanted and is desirable for me."

In that situation, it is hard to see how they fully recover the loss of his talent with a sign and trade. I don't just mean on the total return. The timing of the talent return is also quite important. Getting a 1st round pick doesn't help a lot now because Matthews-Nylander window is now and will largely be closed by the time the 1st round pick is pulling his weight.

As well, the timing of a sign and trade happens after July 1 so they're going to miss some of the UFA fireworks for this year with whatever cap space they might get. Then you look at what they'll spend it on. There are no top UFA goalies. UFA dmen are not deep and whatever there are now will drop off before July 1 as teams sign them up. They don't have a lot of young assets to trade and they need them to help with the cap.

If I had to bet on it, their best chance at a parade is building around Matthews-Nylander-Marner.
Marner may be so ticked off that may not be an option any longer. Hope not. In a years time, Tavares contract is gone and you have three of the top forwards in the league to take your runs. That is not a bad place to be.

I do think the Marner semi-apologist takes are a little out of hand. We're making it seem like we did something to Marner when Marner did this all to himself. Almost all of these issues are of his own making. I remember at the time of his previous deal a few commentators saying he could've taken less to get less scrutiny but he took the team to the wall and now he has to deliver and he absolutely hasn't. (The Leafs should've threatened to trade him there and then like the Canucks did with Pettersen but I digress). It's all well and good he got to ride shotgun with two premier goal scorers, but he wants to be as valuable as Willy or Auston but he's just not. AM proved he doesn't need Marner to be successful, seeing as Domi was in the top 5 of 5v5 points.

If Marner walks for nothing then I concede that it's not going to be pretty come next off season, but I really can't fathom him resigning anyway, so you may as well trade him if he'll waive. I also can't sit here and say just having Tavares come off the books puts the team in the best position going forward. It's totally possible that a trade works out for the better for both parties while not completely matching in talent. The lessons learned from Kadri & Tkachuk trades are that the pieces need to be adequate and they need to fit. Barrie and Kerfoot for Kadri was a blatant misread by Dubas, and I think Huberdeau is a good player but doesn't fit in Calgary's mix and he had age and contract concerns (plus Florida was the only team Tkachuk was willing to go to). If those lessons are learned then I think we can do ok. It's not a completely zero sum game.

 

[herman]

Those who aren't so terminally online can't really see how much the front office and the coaching staff bent over backwards for Marner.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I expected a lot more out of Bert. You can get a guy to muck it up for a lot less then what he'll seek. I'd take Bert back but only at a pay cut which isn't likely to happen.

I'm good to let Bert walk too. Would like to find more Knieses and McManns.

I'm indifferent on Bert too. I would not sign for $5 mil or long term which I think is what he wants. I felt he came in part to boost his stats to help him get a multi year deal. Some other team will undoubtedly sign him. I'd rather they spend on goaltending and defense.

We are seeing signs of them them beating the bushes. a couple of Benoit & McMann caliber players could really help their cap situation.

For sure. They also need some of their young guys to start performing.

 

[dappleganger]

As fans of the Leafs, we know Shanahan was the one with the ultimate call on decisions in regards to the make up of the hockey club. After 9 years, it would be inexcusable for him to remain in his role as President of Hockey Ops. He needs to go.

 

 

[herman]

As fans of the Leafs, we know Shanahan was the one with the ultimate call on decisions in regards to the make up of the hockey club. After 9 years, it would be inexcusable for him to remain in his role as President of Hockey Ops. He needs to go.

 

I hope he announces he's taking over DoPS again

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1788941702264193098
Hey that's what the other guy said before he got canned

https://x.com/dalter/status/1788944557041693120
Oh haha funny how that works

 

[Deebo]

They should give mics to the people asking questions.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I'll buy any reporter a coffee if they asked Treliving how his family handled him being the GM of the Leafs.

 

[Zee]

This press conference is one big circle jerk. Pelley comes in and has no issue keeping the guy who's had nothing but failure the last 10 years.  How he can come in and listen to the guy who HASN'T gotten it done for so long is beyond me.  "Oh Brendan knows how to fix this!"

Now the new company line is "we'll look at everything!"

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/koshtorontosun/status/1788947232248430597
https://twitter.com/koshtorontosun/status/1788946519170625743
https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1788946490078920902

I love Terry?s spicy commentary

 

[Redleaf]

My take from that presser is? finally, FINALLY, one of the core 4 guys is heading out the door.

More specifically, Marner and/or Tavares will not be a Leaf to either start the season or to start the playoffs next year.

 

[cabber24]

My take from that presser is? finally, FINALLY, one of the core 4 guys is heading out the door.

More specifically, Marner and/or Tavares will not be a Leaf to either start the season or to start the playoffs next year.

I didn't come to that conclusion. They will look at everything "like they always do".

 

[herman]

[youtube]2Dx29lZAM6k[/youtube]

 

[herman]

My take from that presser is? finally, FINALLY, one of the core 4 guys is heading out the door.

More specifically, Marner and/or Tavares will not be a Leaf to either start the season or to start the playoffs next year.

I didn't come to that conclusion. They will look at everything "like they always do".

You can't come right out and say you want to trade this one player; good way to sewer your negotiation position

 

[Kaberle15]

unless whoever's coaching the team next season has no use for him.

I think all the 32 Teams can use a 99 point player in the caliber of Marner...

 

[herman]

unless whoever's coaching the team next season has no use for him.

I think all the 32 Teams can use a 99 point player in the caliber of Marner...

I would like all teams to keep thinking that and forget about his quality of linemates.

 

[cabber24]

unless whoever's coaching the team next season has no use for him.

I think all the 32 Teams can use a 99 point player in the caliber of Marner...

Except for teams that intend to have him and his $11M+ contribute in the playoffs.

 

[L K]

More accountability talk from the organization keeping the guy with a track record of zero management success.  I was the star player on my baseball team when I was 10.  I guess that makes me a proven winner too. 

Pellet didn't come across great in this conference either.  Treliving was the best speaker there for me and the jury will be out in him this off-season

 

[herman]

https://x.com/rinkratreport/status/1788943392006701127
Leafs dealing with some injuries