Armchair GM Thread 2022-2023

[Guilt Trip]

I think the Leafs greatest need for a playoff run is a few more 'punishing' players. I'd say at least 1 more up front and 1 more on the back end.

They're on a collision course with Tampa and then (hopefully) Boston. They need a little more edge to their team for those matchups.

Maybe Knies is the answer up front. Hard to say without seeing at least a sneak peak. If they believe he can fit that need then I'd bet Dubas goes for a D-man with a little bite that can essentially replace Muzzin. Should be interesting to watch as we approach the deadline .

I saw Knies in a recent game and was not impressed, however if its possible throw him on the fire and see if he can cut it, if not off to the Marlies for a while to learn the systems.

I think he'd do fine in a bottom 6 role. If they do sign him they better make sure because he will count against the cap.

[Bill33]

I'm not as positive about Knies as some. I'm not saying he won't play in the NHL, but I think that his size and strength that has served him well at the college level won't stand out playing against mature players, and while he has good numbers, they're not outrageously good.

So I'd be pretty meh about him being an addition even at the bottom 6, and wouldn't say he'd be untouchable as a trade piece either.

But hey, total speculation on my part.

[bustaheims]

Would like Crouse with retention. Laughton is interesting because he's having a career year this season but previously had never scored more then 12 goals. Don't know if I see him as a 2LW.

I think, worst case, Laughton shores up the 3rd line some and can provide a little bit of depth offence. What makes him more appealing to me than Crouse is the acquisition cost is likely to be a lot smaller. Also, the huge jump in Crouse' shooting percentage over the last season and a half feels unsustainable, whereas Laughton isn't that far off from his career norm - he's just shooting more.

[Significantly Insignificant]

I think we should all be prepared to be underwhelmed this year at the trade deadline.  I do agree with Busta's take that the teams that make a run usually don't add big pieces, but rather more depth on the fringes.

In my opinion, I think it would be good to see if they can add a couple of Luke Schenn types on the backend (maybe Jordie Benn is already one of them), and a big body up front that can wear down an opposing defense, a la Nick Paul last year.

If they did that, I'd be pretty content. 

[Guilt Trip]

Would like Crouse with retention. Laughton is interesting because he's having a career year this season but previously had never scored more then 12 goals. Don't know if I see him as a 2LW.

I think, worst case, Laughton shores up the 3rd line some and can provide a little bit of depth offence. What makes him more appealing to me than Crouse is the acquisition cost is likely to be a lot smaller. Also, the huge jump in Crouse' shooting percentage over the last season and a half feels unsustainable, whereas Laughton isn't that far off from his career norm - he's just shooting more.

3M x 3 for a 3rd liner doesn't fit well going forward and can he produce there? Just looking into things a little, my guess is no. Half of his points have come from the PP. Only 12 of his 30 are at 5v5. Engvall, Kampf, Holmberg, Anderson all  produce at a better rate at 5v5. He'd be 18th on the Leafs in 5v5 production. I know the teams aren't the same and maybe he can produce better on the Leafs but I wouldn't be giving much up for him and like I said, I don't think paying 3M for a 3rd liner is a good thing.
For the bottom 6 I think you def go cheaper. I wouldn't mind seeing the Leafs grab Barbashev for 2LW. He's having a down year and I think they could get him cheap. He scores at the same rate as Tarasenko and just under Buchnevich and if retained would cost 1.125M. He also likes to hit. They might even be able to resign him at a decent rate.
Anpther guy I like but purely for the 4th line and some PKing is Acciari. He doesn't do much offensively but he can kill plays. And Acciari produces at a better rate then Laughton 5v5 and def likes to hit. He makes 1.25M.

[Frank E]

Would like Crouse with retention. Laughton is interesting because he's having a career year this season but previously had never scored more then 12 goals. Don't know if I see him as a 2LW.

I think, worst case, Laughton shores up the 3rd line some and can provide a little bit of depth offence. What makes him more appealing to me than Crouse is the acquisition cost is likely to be a lot smaller. Also, the huge jump in Crouse' shooting percentage over the last season and a half feels unsustainable, whereas Laughton isn't that far off from his career norm - he's just shooting more.

3M x 3 for a 3rd liner doesn't fit well going forward and can he produce there? Just looking into things a little, my guess is no. Half of his points have come from the PP. Only 12 of his 30 are at 5v5. Engvall, Kampf, Holmberg, Anderson all  produce at a better rate at 5v5. He'd be 18th on the Leafs in 5v5 production. I know the teams aren't the same and maybe he can produce better on the Leafs but I wouldn't be giving much up for him and like I said, I don't think paying 3M for a 3rd liner is a good thing.
For the bottom 6 I think you def go cheaper. I wouldn't mind seeing the Leafs grab Barbashev for 2LW. He's having a down year and I think they could get him cheap. He scores at the same rate as Tarasenko and just under Buchnevich and if retained would cost 1.125M. He also likes to hit. They might even be able to resign him at a decent rate.
Anpther guy I like but purely for the 4th line and some PKing is Acciari. He doesn't do much offensively but he can kill plays. And Acciari produces at a better rate then Laughton 5v5 and def likes to hit. He makes 1.25M.

I think getting retention on Crouse is a pipe dream. 

He's trending upwards in production.  Leafs could use that big body in the top six, I agree, but he's just going to be too expensive for the current structure the Leafs have.

But they've got a guy named Nick Ritchie on an expiring deal that might fit in nicely...wait never mind.

[Guilt Trip]

But they've got a guy named Nick Ritchie on an expiring deal that might fit in nicely...wait never mind.

Haha....

[Big Daddy]

Since this is just us all guessing or hoping
Sooo...
I would like to see
Knies-Matthews-Josh Anderson
Nylander-Tavares-Marner
Bunting-Kerfoot-Holmberg
Jarnkrok-Kampf-Engvall
ZAR
Rielly-Brodie
Giordano-Holl
Sandin-Liljegren
Scheen-Benn

Can't imagine how they could swing that but I would love to see it.

[Dappleganger]

Since this is just us all guessing or hoping
Sooo...
I would like to see
Knies-Matthews-Josh Anderson
Nylander-Tavares-Marner
Bunting-Kerfoot-Holmberg
Jarnkrok-Kampf-Engvall
ZAR
Rielly-Brodie
Giordano-Holl
Sandin-Liljegren
Scheen-Benn

Can't imagine how they could swing that but I would love to see it.

OK, I'll play too.

Bunting-Matthews-Patrick Kane
Jarnkrok-Tavares-Marner
Knies-Kerfoot-Nylander
ZAR-Kampf-Engvall


Rielly-Brodie
Giordano-Holl
Sandin-Liljegren
Benn-Timmins

[caveman]

Nick Deslauriers for the 4th line... low salary.. good on the PK.. and tough..

[louisstamos]

Part of me jonesing for some early 00's nostalgia wants the Leafs to acquire both McCabe and Domi from Chicago. :D

[Significantly Insignificant]

Part of me jonesing for some early 00's nostalgia wants the Leafs to acquire both McCabe and Domi from Chicago. :D

That's hilarious, I was thinking that ame thing last night.  I was even justifying it weakly with "well the last time the Leafs got a McCabe from Chicago it turned out okay."

[Dappleganger]

Nick Seeler from Philadelphia is someone the Leafs should definitely target at the deadline. Signed for another season at $775k.

[Zee]

Exactly 2 weeks until we know what the team looks like going into the playoffs.  I for one will be glad all the rumours are behind us after that, always the same song and dance every year with names thrown around, "Leafs interest" by the insiders and crazy asking prices.

[Dappleganger]

Exactly 2 weeks until we know what the team looks like going into the playoffs.  I for one will be glad all the rumours are behind us after that, always the same song and dance every year with names thrown around, "Leafs interest" by the insiders and crazy asking prices.

I don't think 2-2nd round picks will be a crazy asking price for Patrick Kane. :)