Getting hammered out here on the East Coast with quite a storm.
Looking at how the Leafs have played after the Allstar Break and here are some of my opinions:
Who are the 'veteran' leadership on the Leafs? I suspect Bozak, JVR, Uncle Leo, Martin, Hunwick and Polak.
Out of them who can the Leafs afford to lose by the TDL? Bozak, JVR, Polak??
JVR / Bozak / Marner
JVR still plays a soft game, doesn't have a defensive game to speak of BUT has soft hands and size. Playing with Getzlaf and Perry would be a fantastic 1st line in the playoffs. So to Anaheim for Lindholm before the TDL or the offseason?
Bozak is great in the faceoff circle...and Columbus needs that as well for the playoffs... so would they trade struggling Jenner straight up for Bozak before the TDL?
That would rush Nylander into the role of playing center but I don't think the trade would be available in the offseason which is when I would prefer to see it.
Marner has fantastic chemistry with JVR and Bozak and I would hate to break it up but for these TDL trades that I feel are hockey trades and for the future... do you do it?
Hyman / Matthews / Brown
As someone pointed out Matthews is anchored with Hyman and Brown who have a COMBINED 1 REGULATION GOAL in the last 12 games. I have seen some passionate Leaf fans argue that they are both going to get close to $3 MIL a year in their bridge deals from Lou. Get real!!
Komarov / Kadri / Nylander
If Bozak gets moved before the summer I can see Nylander leaving this line and taking the center spot with Marner.
Komarov is a player I like a lot. He is barely a 3rd line winger skill-wise though and is over paid for the 4th line. Rychel has decent skill and seems to be pulling his game together finally on the Marlies. I am hoping that Rychel will be hitting on all cylinders by next season or at the latest next season's TDL and will be able to take the 3rd line LW position.
Martin / Smith / Soshnikov
Martin is Martin and will be with the team for another 3 years.
Smith is 6 games away from matching Draft Expansion criteria. That is Thursday Feb 23 against the NYR...not that I am counting. I feel that Gauthier was better suited for the role but is also getting top minutes on the Marlies. I hope Feb 24th the Leafs recall center man Froese who has 23 goals in 46 games to replace Smith for at least 12 games to make him Draft Expansion qualifying as well.
Soshnikov is a player a really like. Skill, speed and tenacity. He is draft exempt. I think he is excellent trade bait.
Reilly / Zaitsev - better than I thought they would be. Not sure how much higher their ceiling is but they are still getting better.
Gardiner / Carrick
Gardiner was finally becoming a favorite player of mine with his consistent play but since the All Star break has been making bad/weird decisions again every game which negates his positive impact.
Carrick is solid but more suited for sheltered 3rd pairing minutes.
Offseason trade of Gardiner and Carrick for Trouba makes sense for both teams. I don't put much stock in the reports that Trouba only wants to play for a US team. That is like Stamkos wanting to play in Toronto. These guys are professionals and will play where they are paid and fit in.
Hunwick / Polak
Polak is a warrior and I expect will be going to a playoff team before the TDL.
Hunwick I suspect will stay but could also being going to a playoff team before the TDL.
Marincin and Marchenko are big, soft dmen. Don't really care if they stay or if they go.
So in summary I am hoping:
TDL deals:
Polak for 3rd pick or included in trade with Anaheim
Hunwick for 4th pick
Offseason (possibly before the Expansion Draft)
Bozak for Jenner
Gardiner and Carrick for Trouba
Blockbuster:
JVR, Marincin, Polak, Soshnikov, Lindberg and Corrado for Lindholm, Manson, Ritchie, Stoner
Edit: Started this post Sunday night