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Armchair GM Thread 2026/27

On what planet and at what cost would it take to get the Norris trophy guy?

I cannot see it, Knies and Cowen? Ideally, we would trade a Dman in the package, but any they may want have trade protection, which I assume would not be waived to go CLB.
 
cabber24 said:
On what planet and at what cost would it take to get the Norris trophy guy?

I cannot see it, Knies and Cowen? Ideally, we would trade a Dman in the package, but any they may want have trade protection, which I assume would not be waived to go CLB.
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Knies + Danford + COL 2027 1st Rd would be a start.

I don't think a Werenski trade is a good fit for the Leafs. They have bigger needs.
 
dappleganger said:
Knies + Danford + COL 2027 1st Rd would be a start.

I don't think a Werenski trade is a good fit for the Leafs. They have bigger needs.
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Everyone has a current Norris trophy winner need.

I am drinking the Kool-Aid a little bit with this speculation, as well as McDavid on the horizon. Why not congregate in Toronto and become hockey Gods?
 
bustaheims said:
What bigger need do they have other than a true #1D that can realistically get filled? I can't think of any.
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Leafs currently only have 3 (healthy) centers on the roster (if Groulx can fill one of those spots). I'd say by default Center is the biggest area of need for the Leafs.

Raddysh was the top D-man (in minutes per game) for a very good Lightning squad, had 22 goals and 70 points, finished top 12 in Norris voting. Leafs have their number 1 D-man. Is he as good as Werenski, no, but there is certainly overlap there as I think you can only play one on your top power play. Leafs already have that guy.

Trading for Werenski would leave a big hole on the wing, so now you need a wing and a center.

If Werenski were a free agent, sure. Nothing to lose except cap space, but I think they'd be plugging one hole while creating another. I just don't think it's good resource management. You'd be sitting (or moving) one of OEL, McCabe or Andrae.
 
dappleganger said:
Leafs currently only have 3 (healthy) centers on the roster (if Groulx can fill one of those spots). I'd say by default Center is the biggest area of need for the Leafs.
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They need two to go with Matthews & Tavares. Tavares probably isn't a true #2 anymore due to age.
There are no true #2 centers available on the UFA market
I think they have to shoot for a 2/3 and another
I didn't see any RFA centers of great interest (could have missed one)
Here's my 'list' which is still a work-in-progress - they all have warts
Jenner, Boone
Haula, Eric
Laughton, Scott
Giroux, Claude
Roslovic, Jack
Kerfoot, Alexander
Blueger, Teddy
Sissons, Colton
Acciari, Noel
Nosek, Tomas
They should be able to find a 4th line center but winning the bidding on a 2/3 center could be tough
I think it is the most critical signing they have to get on July 1.

I see Groulx, Quillan & Haymes as depth - the latter two, waivers exempt
 
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Bobby Brink (small, fast, two-way), Cole Schwindt (medium sized, forechecky, defensive), Paul Cotter (medium sized, zippy with nasty hands, but DZ idiot) as RW UFA options.
 
mr grieves said:
There are plenty of wing options that can give you 70-80% of what Knies can. How much would Werenski improve the defense?
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It would be wild to have the depth flipped to the D for a change. Historically, adding 2-3 dman every deadline, hoping throwing shit against the wall would actually stick.
 
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Bender said:
At that age, at that cost and as that physical specimen? I'm not trying to be difficult here but who are they?
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All those listed reasons are why Knies is a compelling trade piece, and valuable to the Leafs as well.

I think it depends on what role they're envisioning Knies to be playing. Teams pay extra for players that bundle multiple roles at above average performance. Knies plays a role that is essentially the third banana on a top 6 line. Potentially a line driver for L3, but if we slot Tavares down there, he just needs fast smushers (cheap) who can put their stick down heavy in the slot.

A stout, fast, PK-usable forechecker on the RW is how I'd replace him, because that would unlock Cowan and McKenna options in the top 6. This is literally Brandon Buhr's profile (NCAA free agent signed by the Leafs), and we'll get a bit of a look at him this week with the Dev Camp. Not sure he's a step into top-6 complementary winger role right away option, but he's basically right-shot Bobby McMann.
 
When did JT drop off? I missed when that happened. 71 points in 82 games are pretty awesome 2C numbers. Hopefully we can get a decent 3C via trade/UFA. I don't think we're as screwed at C as everyone seems to think.
 
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