Zaitsev and Brown traded to Ottawa

[Frycer14]

Trade.

Trade who? And for who? And what reason is there to believe that the Forward for Defense trade market has gotten a lot better?

There's literally no answer I can give you that you won't nitpick on either of those questions, even if I was to give you an answer that actually came to fruition 5 minutes later - so I'm not going to take the bait.

[herman]

It’s not bait. It’s a legitimate question we all have for anyone who insists on changes being made but without presenting any viable options.

No team goes into the playoffs with the exact same lineup as Opening Day. The Leafs core drivers are largely intact (sans Gardiner) and none of them are 30 yet. There are maybe only two teams that wouldn’t kill everyone to be in our situation.

[CarltonTheBear]

No team goes into the playoffs with the exact same lineup as Opening Day. The Leafs core drivers are largely intact (sans Gardiner) and none of them are 30 yet. There are maybe only two teams that wouldn’t kill everyone to be in our situation.

The healthy defence this season vs our starting defence last season is pretty close to being equal. Arguably even better if Dermott can outperform Hainsey on the top pair:

Rielly-Dermott > Rielly-Hainsey
Muzzin-Ceci  = Gardiner-Zaitsev
Rosen-anybodynotOz = Dermott-Oz

[Frank E]

I quite liked Brown's game, so I'll miss watching him.

I'm a little concerned about the PK, given it looks like Hainsey is gone along with Brown. 

[herman]

Justin Holl, baby!

[Frycer14]

It’s not bait. It’s a legitimate question we all have for anyone who insists on changes being made but without presenting any viable options.

It is bait when it isn't asked as genuine interest, rather as an excuse to argue. If someone else asked the question, I'd say likely Kadri or Johnsson would be a prime candidate, targeting Carolina or another team either weak at C or rich in defense.

[CarltonTheBear]

Justin Holl, baby!

[bustaheims]

I'm a little concerned about the PK, given it looks like Hainsey is gone along with Brown.

The PK wasn’t exactly amazing last season. It could use new faces to go with the new strategies from the new assistant coaches.

[herman]

It’s not bait. It’s a legitimate question we all have for anyone who insists on changes being made but without presenting any viable options.

It is bait when it isn't asked as genuine interest, rather as an excuse to argue. If someone else asked the question, I'd say likely Kadri or Johnsson would be a prime candidate, targeting Carolina or another team either weak at C or rich in defense.

He has asked previously. I always ask when people just shout traaaade or GET A D-Man, because they tend to blame Dubas for not doing anything. People need to recognize the market that exists or does not exist. Situations can materialize down the road (injuries, positioning).

I have eyeballs for Rasmus Andersson or Pesce. Both Calgary and Carolina are looking for 2C, but if we bump Kadri, we need a good defensive 3C as part of the package.

[Frycer14]

He has asked previously. I always ask when people just shout traaaade or GET A D-Man, because they tend to blame Dubas for not doing anything. People need to recognize the market that exists or does not exist. Situations can materialize down the road (injuries, positioning).

I have eyeballs for Rasmus Andersson or Pesce. Both Calgary and Carolina are looking for 2C, but if we bump Kadri, we need a good defensive 3C as part of the package.

One can tell based on the way a question is phrased whether it's a lead in for further enjoyable discussion (like yours), or just an excuse for contradiction. Better to take the high road.

I like both those players; Pesce in particular. I'm less concerned about the 3C, considering we have the flexibility to potentially slot Nylander in there for occasional shifts, or possibly even Spezza. I think the need is too great on D, assuming Gardiner is gone, to necessarily require addressing the 3C hole if it compromises targeting the right guy on defense.

[Significantly Insignificant]

It’s not bait. It’s a legitimate question we all have for anyone who insists on changes being made but without presenting any viable options.

It is bait when it isn't asked as genuine interest, rather as an excuse to argue. If someone else asked the question, I'd say likely Kadri or Johnsson would be a prime candidate, targeting Carolina or another team either weak at C or rich in defense.

He has asked previously. I always ask when people just shout traaaade or GET A D-Man, because they tend to blame Dubas for not doing anything. People need to recognize the market that exists or does not exist. Situations can materialize down the road (injuries, positioning).

I have eyeballs for Rasmus Andersson or Pesce. Both Calgary and Carolina are looking for 2C, but if we bump Kadri, we need a good defensive 3C as part of the package.

And that's where it gets tough.  Kadri isn't going to fetch a right d-man and a dependable 3 line center by himself.  Maybe they sign a Sheahan or someone like that to try and stop gap it.  Love it or hate it, this team only goes as far as Matthews, Tavares, Nylander, and Marner take it.   

[CarltonTheBear]

He has asked previously. I always ask when people just shout traaaade or GET A D-Man, because they tend to blame Dubas for not doing anything. People need to recognize the market that exists or does not exist. Situations can materialize down the road (injuries, positioning).

I have eyeballs for Rasmus Andersson or Pesce. Both Calgary and Carolina are looking for 2C, but if we bump Kadri, we need a good defensive 3C as part of the package.

Rumours have Stralman signing with the Panthers, that drops Mark Pysyk down to their 3rd pairing. If we could dump Ceci somewhere he'd be a guy I'd target.

[Frycer14]

He has asked previously. I always ask when people just shout traaaade or GET A D-Man, because they tend to blame Dubas for not doing anything. People need to recognize the market that exists or does not exist. Situations can materialize down the road (injuries, positioning).

I have eyeballs for Rasmus Andersson or Pesce. Both Calgary and Carolina are looking for 2C, but if we bump Kadri, we need a good defensive 3C as part of the package.

Rumours have Stralman signing with the Panthers, that drops Mark Pysyk down to their 3rd pairing. If we could dump Ceci somewhere he'd be a guy I'd target.

Assuming the latter could occur, would it not be possible to have the room to sign Gardiner as plan "A"?

[Frank E]

He has asked previously. I always ask when people just shout traaaade or GET A D-Man, because they tend to blame Dubas for not doing anything. People need to recognize the market that exists or does not exist. Situations can materialize down the road (injuries, positioning).

I have eyeballs for Rasmus Andersson or Pesce. Both Calgary and Carolina are looking for 2C, but if we bump Kadri, we need a good defensive 3C as part of the package.

Rumours have Stralman signing with the Panthers, that drops Mark Pysyk down to their 3rd pairing. If we could dump Ceci somewhere he'd be a guy I'd target.

Big Ceci fan, eh? 

What's the deal with this guy?...seems very polarizing.

[CarltonTheBear]

Assuming the latter could occur, would it not be possible to have the room to sign Gardiner as plan "A"?

Hypothetically if Marner gets $10mil and we dump Ceci I think that we're very roughly at $75-76mil (with Horton on LTIR). So possible, but Gardiner would probably need to take a bit of a discount.