Armchair GM 2019-2020

[herman]

If Horton's contract is still on the Leafs next season, we are most assuredly using LTIR. Is there any downside to just loading up on LTIR contracts to pad the our artificial cap ceiling to essentially cover Marleau's deal (and maybe pick up draft picks)? Clarke MacArthur, Marian Gaborik, David Clarkson, for example. Hyman and Dermott will be on the LTIR to start the season as well.

We have little to no performance bonuses this coming season, and Marleau's contract is off the books 2020, so we shouldn't care about roll over.

 

[bustaheims]

If Horton's contract is still on the Leafs next season, we are most assuredly using LTIR. Is there any downside to just loading up on LTIR contracts to pad the our artificial cap ceiling to essentially cover Marleau's deal (and maybe pick up draft picks)? Clarke MacArthur, Marian Gaborik, David Clarkson, for example. Hyman and Dermott will be on the LTIR to start the season as well.

We have little to no performance bonuses this coming season, and Marleau's contract is off the books 2020, so we shouldn't care about roll over.

Well, one obvious downside is the 50 contract limit, which LTIR players still count towards. Secondly, it doesn't really artificially pad the ceiling - the functional amount of cap space the Leafs would be able to use would remain the same, they'd just be paying out more real dollars to guys who aren't on the roster.

 

[herman]

Well, one obvious downside is the 50 contract limit, which LTIR players still count towards. Secondly, it doesn't really artificially pad the ceiling - the functional amount of cap space the Leafs would be able to use would remain the same, they'd just be paying out more real dollars to guys who aren't on the roster.

Ah yes, that pesky limit. The Leafs are at 37 before filling out the roster, so 43 before addressing any Marlies or prospect signings. There's probably room for one if we want a pick and another team is desperate to not deal with insurance or paying out an injury.

 

[bustaheims]

Ah yes, that pesky limit. The Leafs are at 37 before filling out the roster, so 43 before addressing any Marlies or prospect signings. There's probably room for one if we want a pick and another team is desperate to not deal with insurance or paying out an injury.

Unless there's a really good draft pick coming back, it's not really worth it.

 

[herman]

Unless there's a really good draft pick coming back, it's not really worth it.

Ah, okay.

On to the next thing:

Paul Fenton is shipping out ready to play parts. Minnesota is looking for right-shot scoring options with youth and speed.

Kapanen+ for Spurgeon?

 

[bustaheims]

Unless there's a really good draft pick coming back, it's not really worth it.

Ah, okay.

On to the next thing:

Paul Fenton is shipping out ready to play parts. Minnesota is looking for right-shot scoring options with youth and speed.

Kapanen+ for Spurgeon?

If they can clear the cap space to make it work, and get Spurgeon on a reasonably priced, reasonable term extension, I'm in. If not, then I'd save Kapanen to use in a deal for someone who has more years as a Leaf ahead of him.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

If the rumours of them looking at Kessel are true then that tells me that they're going for it in the next 2 seasons. Gotta think that means Spurgeon isn't going anywhere.

 

[herman]

Fenton has made assurances to Spurgeon, but I?m looking at their roster and I don?t know what he thinks he can do to climb out of the mushy middle.

 

[Zee]

I don't know about Kessel in Minnesota; him and Boudreau might destroy some buffets all over town

 

[Bender]

Fenton has made assurances to Spurgeon, but I?m looking at their roster and I don?t know what he thinks he can do to climb out of the mushy middle.

Spurgeon at 30 in 2019 for Kapanen at 23? I don't really like the sound of that....

 

[herman]

Fenton has made assurances to Spurgeon, but I?m looking at their roster and I don?t know what he thinks he can do to climb out of the mushy middle.

Spurgeon at 30 in 2019 for Kapanen at 23? I don't really like the sound of that....

That's a fair point; at a certain place in the build, you do need to make a push to try to get over the hump though.

Kapanen isn't going to stay cheap (breakaway goals) and I'd argue that his team contributions next year probably aren't going to outweigh adding a 1RD even if only for a year. I get that this is exactly what most people want to say about Nylander, but for me (and Dubas it seems) Nylander = elite and Kapanen = pretty good but mostly replaceable (hello Trevor Moore, Ilya Mikheyev).

 

[ZBBM]

I think they should take a hard look at moving Kadri as a way to sign Kapanen and/or Johnson before they get offer sheeted.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I think they should take a hard look at moving Kadri as a way to sign Kapanen and/or Johnson before they get offer sheeted.

And then what? Move Nylander to the middle and have just a single legit top-6 winger in the line-up?

 

[ZBBM]

I think they should take a hard look at moving Kadri as a way to sign Kapanen and/or Johnson before they get offer sheeted.

And then what? Move Nylander to the middle and have just a single legit top-6 winger in the line-up?

Kapanen and Johnsson aren't?

And yes, Nylander plays better as a center.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Kapanen and Johnsson aren't?

And yes, Nylander plays better as a center.

They're sub-50 point players despite spending most of their time with Matthews. I think that they're good 3rd liners who can certainly look not completely out of place in the top-6. We're probably at a semantics battle, but the way I see it is if one of them is the 2nd best player on a top-6 line then that line is in trouble. Is this even really debatable? Didn't we spend a decent amount of time this season and especially in the playoffs talking about how they were holding Matthews back on that line?

I definitely like Nylander as a centre, but I'm not sure I'd say he plays better there. His best hockey has come with Matthews as his centre. And Matthews' best hockey has come with Nylander as his winger. Don't over think things, just keep them together.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I'd say the only way to move Kadri would be if they felt Brooks, Engvall or someone else on the Marlies was ready. Not sure they do yet for a 3rd line role. I do agree with ZBBM and also think Kappy and Johnsson are top 6 talents and will only get better. Let's keep in mind that both just finished their 1st full NHL seasons and by all accounts did well. I see no reason for both not to keep progressing. Now instead of arguing about the top 6 thing, let's also keep in mind that not everyone who plays in the top 6 is a top 6 forward. Hyman has been in a top 6 position for 3 years now and not many bitch about it. Both Kappy and Johnsson have better numbers then him and can do just as good a job defensively.
I don't mind Nylander as a centre but he can't play with a Brown and Marleau type wingers. Fact is, no one can other then McDavid. Nylander needs a shooter or two with him as he's the puck carrier.

 

[cabber24]

Stressing about the offseason roster.

Worries:
How our D is shaping up
Losing Kappi/Johnsson
Having to trade a Nylander to make it all fit
No $ for July 1

 

[bustaheims]

That's a fair point; at a certain place in the build, you do need to make a push to try to get over the hump though.

Kapanen isn't going to stay cheap (breakaway goals) and I'd argue that his team contributions next year probably aren't going to outweigh adding a 1RD even if only for a year. I get that this is exactly what most people want to say about Nylander, but for me (and Dubas it seems) Nylander = elite and Kapanen = pretty good but mostly replaceable (hello Trevor Moore, Ilya Mikheyev).

I'm all for moving Kapanen - I think his decision making/instincts/hockey IQ/whatever you want to call it will keep him from being much more than what he already is, which is a good but not great 2nd line winger. He's not a player you absolutely need to hold on to, but, he's a valuable trade chip. So, I'm not on board with moving him for a short-term piece, like Spurgeon would be right now. If he's moved, it has to be for someone with more than one year left on his contract.

 

[Bender]

Stressing about the offseason roster.

Worries:
How our D is shaping up
Losing Kappi/Johnsson
Having to trade a Nylander to make it all fit
No $ for July 1

I think we're actually in decent shape and losing one of Johnsson or Kapanen isn't a big deal when we can get something back in trade. We have one year of pain next year and going forward we have a bunch of cap space and Sandin/Liljegren might be able to make the team in a year and a bit. I think we'll have a few more bits solved at that point, although you have to start wondering how long Freddy can be Freddy for, he's 30 this year.

 

[Highlander]

Stressing about the offseason roster.

Worries:
How our D is shaping up
Losing Kappi/Johnsson
Having to trade a Nylander to make it all fit
No $ for July 1

Positives
D is going to be fine, we have a lot of meat and potatoes on the farm. Just going to be young and very fast.
Won't lose either Kapi or Mango.
Not trading Nylander, however Brown and Kadri, Zaitzev may go and Gardiner is going.  Bridge deals for both Kapi and Mango (sounds like a new detective show).
A team without Cap problems not doing their job or competitive right now.

Somehow I hope that Dubas can fix the Marleau Conundrum (a hockey relativity problem that Einstein probably couldn't solve).