Your TML Rebuild Plan

[Frank E]

My plan:
1. Trade whatever you can of Bozak, Komarov, the expiring UFAs at the draft for picks
2. Take Matthews
3. Trade JvR, picks, B prospect to upgrade defense, either moving into middle of first round or targeting an RFA defenseman (Vatanen?)
5. Use later picks to add to defense, goalie prospect pool
6. Try to sign Stamkos, walk away if it's going over $10m
7. Trade for promising, cheap young goalie or sign stopgap vet
8. Bargain bin UFAs!
9. Take on bad contract for picks from contender, as cap space allows
10. More PTOs! Competition at camp, option of keeping Marlies down if they aren't ready
11. Year of experimentation with core of Stamkos, Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Kadri, Rielly, Gardiner, Zaitsev, and new D (if RFA in trade).
12. Ice young team, see what happens.
13. Let whoever go to the World Juniors.
14. Move out whichever of the expiring UFAs you can at the deadline. Work in some Marlies.
15. Enjoy 9+ picks in 2017 draft

This is mine.  Everything stated here, even the $10m on Stamkos.

I'd really like a couple of strong d-man prospects that are 20-24 years old, and that's where JVR comes into play for Vatanen. 

I really wanted Chychrun, so I'd be elated if they found their way to get him too.

 

[bustaheims]

My plan:
1. Trade whatever you can of Bozak, Komarov, the expiring UFAs at the draft for picks
2. Take Matthews
3. Trade JvR, picks, B prospect to upgrade defense, either moving into middle of first round or targeting an RFA defenseman (Vatanen?)
5. Use later picks to add to defense, goalie prospect pool
6. Try to sign Stamkos, walk away if it's going over $10m
7. Trade for promising, cheap young goalie or sign stopgap vet
8. Bargain bin UFAs!
9. Take on bad contract for picks from contender in Cowen deal, as cap space allows, buyout Cowen, if no reasoanble trade available
10. More PTOs! Competition at camp, option of keeping Marlies down if they aren't ready
11. Year of experimentation gaining experience/development with core of Stamkos, Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Kadri, Rielly, Gardiner, Zaitsev, and new D (if RFA in trade).
12. Ice young team, see what happens.
13. Let whoever go to the World Juniors.
14. Move out whichever of the expiring UFAs you can at the deadline. Work in some Marlies.
15. Enjoy 9+ picks in 2017 draft

 

[Frank E]

My plan:
1. Trade whatever you can of Bozak, Komarov, the expiring UFAs at the draft for picks
2. Take Matthews
3. Trade JvR, picks, B prospect to upgrade defense, either moving into middle of first round or targeting an RFA defenseman (Vatanen?)
5. Use later picks to add to defense, goalie prospect pool
6. Try to sign Stamkos, walk away if it's going over $10m
7. Trade for promising, cheap young goalie or sign stopgap vet
8. Bargain bin UFAs!
9. Take on bad contract for picks from contender in Cowen deal, as cap space allows, buyout Cowen, if no reasoanble trade available
10. More PTOs! Competition at camp, option of keeping Marlies down if they aren't ready
11. Year of experimentation gaining experience/development with core of Stamkos, Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Kadri, Rielly, Gardiner, Zaitsev, and new D (if RFA in trade).
12. Ice young team, see what happens.
13. Let whoever go to the World Juniors.
14. Move out whichever of the expiring UFAs you can at the deadline. Work in some Marlies.
15. Enjoy 9+ picks in 2017 draft

Yah, well, you're wrong.

Why do you want to keep the UFAs?

 

[herman]

My plan:
1. Trade whatever you can of Bozak, Komarov, the expiring UFAs at the draft for picks
2. Take Matthews
3. Trade JvR, picks, B prospect to upgrade defense, either moving into middle of first round or targeting an RFA defenseman (Vatanen?)
5. Use later picks to add to defense, goalie prospect pool
6. Try to sign Stamkos, walk away if it's going over $10m
7. Trade for promising, cheap young goalie or sign stopgap vet
8. Bargain bin UFAs!
9. Take on bad contract for picks from contender in Cowen deal, as cap space allows, buyout Cowen, if no reasoanble trade available
10. More PTOs! Competition at camp, option of keeping Marlies down if they aren't ready
11. Year of experimentation gaining experience/development with core of Stamkos, Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Kadri, Rielly, Gardiner, Zaitsev, and new D (if RFA in trade).
12. Ice young team, see what happens.
13. Let whoever go to the World Juniors.
14. Move out whichever of the expiring UFAs you can at the deadline. Work in some Marlies.
15. Enjoy 9+ picks in 2017 draft

Yah, well, you're wrong.

Why do you want to keep the UFAs?

Expiring UFAs get traded at the deadline (step 14) usually, rather than the draft. Our existing Expiring UFAs are of the expensive variety (Greening, Laich, Michalek), so the deadline is a more palatable time for recipients.

 

[Frank E]

My plan:
1. Trade whatever you can of Bozak, Komarov, the expiring UFAs at the draft for picks
2. Take Matthews
3. Trade JvR, picks, B prospect to upgrade defense, either moving into middle of first round or targeting an RFA defenseman (Vatanen?)
5. Use later picks to add to defense, goalie prospect pool
6. Try to sign Stamkos, walk away if it's going over $10m
7. Trade for promising, cheap young goalie or sign stopgap vet
8. Bargain bin UFAs!
9. Take on bad contract for picks from contender in Cowen deal, as cap space allows, buyout Cowen, if no reasoanble trade available
10. More PTOs! Competition at camp, option of keeping Marlies down if they aren't ready
11. Year of experimentation gaining experience/development with core of Stamkos, Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Kadri, Rielly, Gardiner, Zaitsev, and new D (if RFA in trade).
12. Ice young team, see what happens.
13. Let whoever go to the World Juniors.
14. Move out whichever of the expiring UFAs you can at the deadline. Work in some Marlies.
15. Enjoy 9+ picks in 2017 draft

Yah, well, you're wrong.

Why do you want to keep the UFAs?

Expiring UFAs get traded at the deadline (step 14) usually, rather than the draft. Our existing Expiring UFAs are of the expensive variety (Greening, Laich, Michalek), so the deadline is a more palatable time for recipients.

OF COURSE I KNOW THAT!!! 

I actually thought that's what grieves meant, just used the wrong term.

 

[herman]

My plan:
1. Trade whatever you can of Bozak, Komarov, the expiring UFAs at the draft for picks
2. Take Matthews
3. Trade JvR, picks, B prospect to upgrade defense, either moving into middle of first round or targeting an RFA defenseman (Vatanen?)
5. Use later picks to add to defense, goalie prospect pool
6. Try to sign Stamkos, walk away if it's going over $10m
7. Trade for promising, cheap young goalie or sign stopgap vet
8. Bargain bin UFAs!
9. Take on bad contract for picks from contender in Cowen deal, as cap space allows, buyout Cowen, if no reasoanble trade available
10. More PTOs! Competition at camp, option of keeping Marlies down if they aren't ready
11. Year of experimentation gaining experience/development with core of Stamkos, Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Kadri, Rielly, Gardiner, Zaitsev, and new D (if RFA in trade).
12. Ice young team, see what happens.
13. Let whoever go to the World Juniors.
14. Move out whichever of the expiring UFAs you can at the deadline. Work in some Marlies.
15. Enjoy 9+ picks in 2017 draft

Yah, well, you're wrong.

Why do you want to keep the UFAs?

Expiring UFAs get traded at the deadline (step 14) usually, rather than the draft. Our existing Expiring UFAs are of the expensive variety (Greening, Laich, Michalek), so the deadline is a more palatable time for recipients.

OF COURSE I KNOW THAT!!! 

I actually thought that's what grieves meant, just used the wrong term.

I can't speak for mr grieves, but if I wrote that, my reason would be to open up room for the graduating Marlies/waiver eligibles/salary dumps.

I probably wouldn't bother with UFA signings, unless it's for a goalie, or unless the cheapo is a significant upgrade over what our pending RFAs/waiver eligibles can provide.

 

[mr grieves]

Expiring UFAs get traded at the deadline (step 14) usually, rather than the draft. Our existing Expiring UFAs are of the expensive variety (Greening, Laich, Michalek), so the deadline is a more palatable time for recipients.

OF COURSE I KNOW THAT!!! 

I actually thought that's what grieves meant, just used the wrong term.

<ring, ring... ring, ring>
Lou: Hello?
GM: Hello?
Lou: Hello?
GM: Hello?
Lou: ..... Hel--
GM: -- I really liked what I saw of Colin Greening last spring, so I was wondering if--
Lou: FEBRUARY!
<click>

Move em whenever there are takers. I know those guys tend not to move until the trade deadline, but, if you can get a low pick sooner, sooner you can add another cheap UFA to maybe move for a pick. Unlikely though it might be. That was only point of that there.

As for cheap UFAs vs. waiver eligibles, hadn't thought of that. Hold the RFAs if they're cheaper/better. In general, I'm happy to have a team where the bottom of the line-up is a rotation of cheap players replaced by young players when the former are moved out for picks. When the young cheap becomes tradable, trade for whatever and replace with something from the system, or if he looks like a contributor higher up the depth chart, move someone more established/expensive for a higher pick. Keep the pipeline pumping.

As for Stamkos, will Leafs be a stronger contender in 3 years with or without him?

 

[McGarnagle]

I probably wouldn't bother with UFA signings, unless it's for a goalie, or unless the cheapo is a significant upgrade over what our pending RFAs/waiver eligibles can provide.

I'm pretty much in this camp as well regarding UFAs. I remember there was a quote from Shanahan saying that winning the draft wouldn't change his UFA plans - I'm hoping that was because he doesn't have any.

 

[bustaheims]

Move em whenever there are takers. I know those guys tend not to move until the trade deadline, but, if you can get a low pick sooner, sooner you can add another cheap UFA to maybe move for a pick. Unlikely though it might be. That was only point of that there.

I mean, if there's a reasonable offer put forward, sure, but, unlike the others you mention in that point, I wouldn't be shopping them. I also wouldn't just ship them out for wahtever later pick gets offered this summer. Quality over quantity.

 

[McGarnagle]

Move em whenever there are takers. I know those guys tend not to move until the trade deadline, but, if you can get a low pick sooner, sooner you can add another cheap UFA to maybe move for a pick. Unlikely though it might be. That was only point of that there.

I think we'll have to see a different philosophy this year, simply due to the icetime required to assess the younger players. Boyes, Spaling, Winnik, Parenteau, Grabner, etc - ate icetime, but also kept younger players with the Marlies. Backfilling them with more trade deadline bait in 16/17 isn't going to work in terms of player development. I'm guessing if we take anyone on, it will be based on burying cap hits for other teams.

 

[mr grieves]

Move em whenever there are takers. I know those guys tend not to move until the trade deadline, but, if you can get a low pick sooner, sooner you can add another cheap UFA to maybe move for a pick. Unlikely though it might be. That was only point of that there.

I mean, if there's a reasonable offer put forward, sure, but, unlike the others you mention in that point, I wouldn't be shopping them. I also wouldn't just ship them out for wahtever later pick gets offered this summer. Quality over quantity.

I don't remember what the draft pick value chart said the difference was between two 4ths and a 3rd. Thought it was quantity over quality after you're out of the first round?

 

[Highlander]

We all know that great players show up in the later rounds.  There is a lot of skill and intangibles involved so people lie Hunter can discover these Gems, so after the first round ya quantity is a good thing

 

[mr grieves]

Move em whenever there are takers. I know those guys tend not to move until the trade deadline, but, if you can get a low pick sooner, sooner you can add another cheap UFA to maybe move for a pick. Unlikely though it might be. That was only point of that there.

I think we'll have to see a different philosophy this year, simply due to the icetime required to assess the younger players. Boyes, Spaling, Winnik, Parenteau, Grabner, etc - ate icetime, but also kept younger players with the Marlies. Backfilling them with more trade deadline bait in 16/17 isn't going to work in terms of player development. I'm guessing if we take anyone on, it will be based on burying cap hits for other teams.

I would guess that they'll be giving some older players ice time one way or another. I thought Babcock's preferred way of breaking players in was to have one vet on the line with them. If the plan is to trade Bozak, Komarov, JvR, and to Robidas Lupul, then they're down to Michalek and Greening. Oh, and Laich. I guess that works.

Soshnikov - Stamkos - Nylander
Michalek - Kadri - Hyman
Greening - Matthews - Marner
Laich - Gauthier - Brown

 

[Britishbulldog]

I can't speak for mr grieves, but if I wrote that, my reason would be to open up room for the graduating Marlies/waiver eligibles/salary dumps.

I probably wouldn't bother with UFA signings, unless it's for a goalie, or unless the cheapo is a significant upgrade over what our pending RFAs/waiver eligibles can provide.

I was trying to find that list of Leaf players for next season.

I found this but I couldn't tell if it was last season or next season:
https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/mapleleafs

 

[herman]

I can't speak for mr grieves, but if I wrote that, my reason would be to open up room for the graduating Marlies/waiver eligibles/salary dumps.

I probably wouldn't bother with UFA signings, unless it's for a goalie, or unless the cheapo is a significant upgrade over what our pending RFAs/waiver eligibles can provide.

I was trying to find that list of Leaf players for next season.

I found this but I couldn't tell if it was last season or next season:
https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/mapleleafs

They're showing this season's eligibility. Clicking the waiver button per player will show when they become eligible.

 

[Redleaf]

Do people really think we're going to get a major upgrade on defence by trading away a few 'B' grade prospects or players? That will just get us more of what we have already. What's needed to bring in a top notch, stud D-man is the trading of Kadri, Marner, or Nylander. Anything less would probably just bring in another Carrick, Harrington or Percy. We have those type of defenseman already.

 

[McGarnagle]

Do people really think we're going to get a major upgrade on defence by trading away a few 'B' grade prospects or players?

I didn't see anyone suggest as much....?

 

[Britishbulldog]

I was trying to find that list of Leaf players for next season.

I found this but I couldn't tell if it was last season or next season:
https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/mapleleafs

They're showing this season's eligibility. Clicking the waiver button per player will show when they become eligible.

Wow, I hovered over the symbol and didn't realize it was a button.  Thanks Herman.

 

[mr grieves]

Do people really think we're going to get a major upgrade on defence by trading away a few 'B' grade prospects or players? That will just get us more of what we have already. What's needed to bring in a top notch, stud D-man is the trading of Kadri, Marner, or Nylander. Anything less would probably just bring in another Carrick, Harrington or Percy. We have those type of defenseman already.

There's a lot of real estate between Harrington, Carrick, or Percy and "a top notch, stud D-man." Combine a deep system, expiring RFA, present cap troubles, need to win now (Anaheim?), with the Leafs' stockpile of picks, forward prospects, cap space, and JvR, and you've maybe got a way to upgrade at the position. Could get another Gardiner that way, maybe.

 

[Al14]

Do people really think we're going to get a major upgrade on defence by trading away a few 'B' grade prospects or players? That will just get us more of what we have already. What's needed to bring in a top notch, stud D-man is the trading of Kadri, Marner, or Nylander. Anything less would probably just bring in another Carrick, Harrington or Percy. We have those type of defenseman already.

There's a lot of real estate between Harrington, Carrick, or Percy and "a top notch, stud D-man." Combine a deep system, expiring RFA, present cap troubles, need to win now (Anaheim?), with the Leafs' stockpile of picks, forward prospects, cap space, and JvR, and you've maybe got a way to upgrade at the position. Could get another Gardiner that way, maybe.

JvR alone should be able to get us another Gardiner type player, IMHO.

Now, if you add a forward prospect, and/or picks, we should be able to acquire a 1b or 2a type D at least.  It depends on the needs of the other team.  If they need a player like JvR and have the D to replace what they end up trading, then, we're good.  No?