CarltonTheBear said:
A likely 23-man roster stands to soon look like this:
Knies-Matthews-Marner
Bertuzzi-Domi-Nylander
McMann-Tavares-Jarnkrok
Holmberg-Kampf-Reaves
Robertson
Rielly-Lyubushkin
Brodie-Liljegren
Benoit-McCabe
Lagesson
Samsonov
Woll
Jones
That's assuming Gio and Timmins both go to the LTIR. Neither are locks, especially since Timmins is skating, but if Timmins does return him or Lagesson would need to get waived, or Robertson would need to get loaned to the Marlies.
That line-up still has about $2mil in cap space, roughly $775-800k more if another guy who gets brought in means Robertson or Lagesson get bumped off the roster one way or another. (edit): worth noting if the Leafs acquired another player at just a $2mil AAV they could temporarily send Robertson down to the Marlies before the trade deadline and then call him back up after since roster size limits go away then.
Again, since the Leafs paid such a high premium to get Lyubushkin at a reduced rate there has to be another move coming in order to take advantage of that. Otherwise it looks even more questionable.
I presume that assumes, and I'd guess it is a reasonable assumption, that Gregor will be waived?
They could send Robertson down with Jarnkrok returns to save Gregor. But with other moves likely, I might be getting too far ahead of myself.
I came back too quickly from mono. My swollen spleen didn't appreciate it.
Timmins is very likely out until well after the deadline (8 days away) - minimum 28 days from Feb 13 so he's an easy case for LTIR
Giordano looked like he got his bell rung - no need to rush him back with this trade.
I think they have the cap space for Giordano to be on the IR (for the moment)
A number of GMs have commented that earlier trades are preferable because it takes time to work new players into the team. This is not what I would characterize as one of those trades but ..
Looking for a positive in a trade I'm not too crazy about:
Rielly-Lyubushkin - have played together before so that should help them pull together (until their next move ..)
These pairings have shown promise:
Brodie-Liljegren
Benoit-McCabe
If they can stay healthy, 20 games should tighten them up.
Lyubushkin trade assures Treliving is not left entirely at the dman alter.
Worst case: Lyubushkin is depth & insurance.
So Treliving hopefully doesn't have to do something like a Klingberg deal in desperation
"Do nothing" is always an option in good management.
I think his options were limited for a good physical RH D who could PK
I agree that getting cap retained is a sign they are not done.
Maybe a physical forward/PKer?
With getting Woll in a game quickly, I continue to wonder if they're looking at moving a goalie.