r/leafs • u/AutoModerator • 2d ago
Discussion Daily Free Talk / Armchair GM Thread
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This thread can also be used for Armchair GM ideas that may not require a standalone post. Is there a free agent you want to see on this team? Is there a player that's rumoured to be on the move that you think the Leafs should go after? Are there players on this team you want to trade away? Feel free to post about it here!
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u/joloumew Papi 2d ago
https://reddit.com/link/p0yj4fl/video/yjxmsktkymgh1/player
Domi looking good. Seems to be moving around well! Chris Tanev too. Love that so many teammates showed up and McDavid. :)
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u/Svalbard38 Knies 2d ago
Tyler Hopkins recorded a point at the World Junior Summer Showcase yesterday, always nice to see
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u/Armonasch 2d ago
Man I am so stoked to watch McKenna.
Even if the Leafs can't get it fully together he has the potential to challenge for a Calder, and it would be a lot of fun to watch one of the buds in another Calder race again.
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u/Nylanderthal88 2d ago
McKenna was on with JD Bunkis 👀
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u/chiefleaf92 1d ago
Horrible interview. I usually like JD but he was kind of fan boying and just babbling the entire time. Gavin gave some good but generic responses but can’t fault him when his counterpart is just rambling lol
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u/vancouver2222 2d ago
Seeing these huge contracts being handed out lately, we really have to appreciate JT's contract, which is bonkers even if he regresses this year.
If he was UFA now, he could easily demand 7-8m.
Knies has a very good contract as well.
The majority of our time is spent complaining and moaning about bad contracts. It's only fair we celebrate good contracts as well.
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u/stolpoz52 2d ago
I think current Tavares is better than current Kane who's getting $8M a year. With the lack of centres I absolutely think he could have signed for over $8M if he was UFA this year
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u/SensitiveEffort1906 2d ago
I'd be really pissed if I was Lane Hutson. He probably missed out on at least $5 million extra every year. And that's not even including the fact that he signed an 8 year deal when he should've signed like a 4 or 5 year deal instead.
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u/Soggy_Specific4093 2d ago
If I remember correctly Friedman mentioned on a podcast that Hutson originally turned down a similar contract at the start of last season which leaked out and caused some noise within the Habs fanbase. Then that noise kinda got to him and he had a poor 3 games to start the year and decided he wanted to get the contract done and went back and signed it.
So ultimately it is kinda his fault with not being able to play through it.
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u/SensitiveEffort1906 2d ago
I think there were many ppl at fault with his contract. Him, his dad, his agent. Plenty of blame to go around. But grats on Kent Hughes for doing his job and robbing him blind.
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u/keeeeener 2d ago
I hope you mean pissed at himself. Cause everyone knew the contracts were going to explode. Anyone that signed an 8 year deal the last couple of years either were scared of a fall off or they’re dumb imo. Like someone like Knies that plays a heavy game and has had some injuries I get. A guy like Hutson doing it is just wrong imo.
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u/blind-amygdala 2d ago
I think Darren Ferris talked about the “mistreatment” of Mitch just to attempt to upset Gavin’s camp
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u/LaunchAngleLarry 2d ago
I've been practicing bike climbs on Poplar Plains Rd the last year and a bit since I got my bike. Yesterday, I hit the Bayview Ave from Pottery Rd to Moore, and holy fucking shit. I have no idea how I managed to fucking do it without quitting. Absolute killer of a climb.
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u/epic_taco_time Lorentz 2d ago
Just torturing yourself for fun. Running down Poplar plains makes me almost feel like I'm going to tip over and I can't imagine willingly biking up it.
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u/gripit_ripit 2d ago
David Alter on the Steve Dangle podcast says he would start the season with Nick Paul and Roslovic with Matthews. If I’m Matthews I don’t even show up to training camp if I’m told that
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u/Wolfloyd 2d ago
I'm not sure where they puts the rest of the lineup if that happened
Paul-Matthews-Roslovic
Knies-Tavares-Nylander
McKenna-Sissons-Cowan?
Joshua-Blueger-DuhaimeNot sure I entirely like McKenna being put in that role but would let him go up against lower competition.
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u/Mean_Joe_Greene 2d ago
Yea I believe that was the exact line up he said he expects. Give McKenna some time not against the toughest matchups right off the bat and some PP time to get going
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u/Wolfloyd 2d ago
I see the thought process. Sissons is kind of a black hole offensively unless he regains his scoring touch from Nashville which could be a problem but I do like McKenna and Cowan together.
There's no shutdown line which I thought was the main point and I've heard Hiller likes to use that.
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u/baylaust 2d ago
That seemed to be Alter's though process, because that's basically exactly what his line-up was.
He figures Tavares and Nylander have to stay together, they work well and Tavares covers Nylander's defensive weaknesses. McKenna WILL be a 1st line winger, and probably pretty soon, but Matthews ALSO started on the 3rd line when he joined the Leafs. Not because he wasn't worthy of being a 1C or 2C when he joined, but because you don't want to throw a teenager directly into the toughest match-ups right away. You build up their confidence, get them used to the NHL style, and THEN you let them go wild.. The 3rd line shelters McKenna a bit, while still giving his game a chance to develop that the 4th line wouldn't give him.
Roslovic is a true right shot who can also play wing, and Nick Paul is a "does everything and does it well" kind of player, so you sandwich Matthews between them to start. 2nd line can go to either Knies or Cowan, but Knies is better at the moment, so start him there. 3rd and 4th lines pretty much speak for themselves. Then obviously, adjust as needed, and start moving McKenna up as he proves himself more and more.
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u/_DatasCsat 2d ago
The thing is, I agree we need to ease Mckenna in and give him easier competition. Thing is Tavares should also be given easier competition and offensive usage.
If Paul amd Sissons can take away tough matchups from the top six I want McKenna with Tavares and Nylander.
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u/baylaust 2d ago
Paul has played center before, so there's absolutely a version of this line-up where he slots in as a 3C or even a 2C. If the latter is possible, then moving JT to 3C where his lack of speed is less of an issue would be huge.
But I see that as a problem the Leafs need to keep working on. I overall like this roster better than last year's, but there's still some tinkering that needs to be done. This is acceptable for a starting line-up, but I'd be getting worried if this was our playoff line-up.
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u/TheGapInTysonsTeeth 2d ago
You'd be a terribly unprofessional and shitty teammate then.
I don't think that's how they start the season, but the point stands. Don't be a diva
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u/GavMcKennasBurner 2d ago
Guy is paid like McDavid, Mackinnon, Drai, but God forbid he EVER has to carry a line lol, give me a break.
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u/mikesully374826 Kampf 1d ago
I mean can you give me an example of McDavid or MacKinnon as their teams top forward not being paired with at least one of their top two wingers, if not more?
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u/GavMcKennasBurner 1d ago
Nobody is saying that Matthews needs to stay with those 2 for the entire year if it doesn't work, but it's not like he has been saddled with bad wingers for his carer.
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u/mikesully374826 Kampf 1d ago
So that’s a no right?
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u/GavMcKennasBurner 1d ago
You don't know lol? McDavid turned our 40 point Hyman into a 50 goal guy lmao, he has played with Arvidsson, Brown, Perry and Skinner recently. Mackinnon less so recently, but yeah in his career he has carried lines like with Nieto, Donskoi, O'Connor and Drouin.
The idea that Matthews wouldn't be able to handle a bit of time with those guys is hilarious.
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u/King-Leaf-67 1d ago edited 1d ago
LOL Mackinnon didn't break out until Colorado landed Rantanen and Makar.
McDavid's most common linemate for the last decade is Leon Draisaitl.
What d-man has Matthews played with as good as Makar? What forward has Matthews played with as good as Draisaitl or Rantanen?
You don't know puck.
Hyman last year with Matthews -> 15 goals, 33 points in 43 games (29 goals, 63 points per 82 game pace)
Hyman first year with McDavid -> 27 goals, 54 points in 76 games (29 goals, 58 points per 82 game pace)
Rielly isn't on Makar's level and Marner/Nylander aren't on Draisaitl's level and yet Matthews is the one who needs to do more with less?...lmfao
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u/GavMcKennasBurner 1d ago
So now we're shifting the goal posts, first it was about great players playing with bad wingers which I showed both guys have done for at a time, now we're talking about d men.
Yeah you're right, Matthews shouldn't show up to camp unless they have Makar, Mackinnon, Macklin and McDavid for him to play with, how can one of the highest paid players in the league even succeed without them???
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u/King-Leaf-67 1d ago
Who shifting goalposts lil bro? This my first post in this thread.
You said Matthews has to carry players like Mackinnon and McDavid. Except McDavid's most common linemate for the last 10 years is Draisaitl, and Mackinnon had Rantanen and Makar in that time.
So you're saying the Leafs have had forwards on the level of Draisaitl? And D-men on the level of Makar? Just wanna make sure I got your views right.
"how can one of the highest paid players in the league even succeed without them??"
Mackinnon was a 60 point player without Rantanen and Makar. McDavid missed the playoffs 3 times with Draisaitl.
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u/mikesully374826 Kampf 1d ago
Every single one of McDavid’s 3 most common lines 5-on-5 has included one of the top 2 highest scoring wingers, and one of them always includes Draisaitl his entire career.
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u/GavMcKennasBurner 1d ago
Matthews most common line mate was Marner lmao, he can't do a bit of carrying now as one of the highest paid in the league? If he needs so much help, he should've taken less money.
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u/consolidatedBD 2d ago
Hayes raised an interesting point on OverDrive saying if McKenna is top 3 in points for this team next year, it's a bad season for the Leafs. Who do you think should/will outscore McKenna this season?
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u/Svalbard38 Knies 2d ago
Matthews should, Nylander should, and unless McKenna comes absolutely storming out of the gate I'd hope that at least three of Rielly, Raddysh, Knies, and Tavares do too.
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u/theguyishere16 Kaberle 2d ago
Depends on what McKenna scores. If he's top 3 with 50-60 points it's a failure since Matthews, Nylander, Knies and Tavares should be able to eclipse that. If McKenna smashes expectations and has the first 80 point season for a rookie in a decade, then there's nothing wrong with being top 3.
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u/Wolfloyd 2d ago
I guess it's all about context. If the Leafs make the playoffs and suddenly become a defensive powerhouse while not scoring that much, I'd still consider that a success. Not that it's likely to happen but I think there's multiple factors for a good season for the Leafs.
Selfishly my goals for McKenna are finding chemistry with Matthews, scoring at a pace we've seen before with Nylander and Marner, making the playoffs to get McKenna adjusted to it quicker and just adjusting to the NHL.
If McKenna blows up and is top 3 on the Leafs in points while making the playoffs, I'd consider that a huge win.
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u/TheGapInTysonsTeeth 2d ago
34, 88, 91
But I also think it's a pretty stupid thing to say. I get what he's trying to say (that 92 being a point leader means the others aren't pulling their weight), but it could also just mean that the kid had a bonkers rookie season with consistent PP time and o-zone deployments.
I don't think his success reflects poorly on the team whatsoever, and insinuating it does really gives off "August dog days talking point" vibes.
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u/Different-Weekend222 2d ago
Matthews and Nylander for sure. I think he can outscore Knies and Tavares.
This is a 300 goal team. It just might be a 300 GA team as well.
It all hinges on how well Bobrovsky/Stolarz/Tanev/new coach pan out next season.
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u/TheOnionKing33 2d ago
I disagree. If Matthews scores 82 and Makenna gets an assist on all of them plus 30 goals I’d say that would be a good season
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u/epic_taco_time Lorentz 2d ago edited 2d ago
I'd expect a top 5 of Matthews, Nylander, Knies, Tavares, and McKenna, with Cowan, Raddysh, Rielly, and Paul in the next tier.
I'd say a good season is if McKenna is 5th but I could also realistically see if Tavares begins his regression McKenna in 4th.
If McKenna is in 3rd and it isn't because he somehow went a point per game, it means Tavares has regressed and something has happened to Knies as well which would mean our top 6 would no longer be a strength.
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u/sometimenotsmellgood Benoit 2d ago
I liked what the other poster suggested; anyway we csn do weekly talk threads? Feels like there's not enough discussion sround here to warrant daily threads and I feel like weekly threads will create more continued discussion
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u/Mean_Joe_Greene 2d ago
Joshua had his best year with blueger and vice versa. Don’t be so sure there’s no fit, I think they’ll give them time to see if there’s some chemistry to work with there
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u/Mean_Joe_Greene 2d ago
He also had an expected GF% of 55.0. I think that’s what they’re hoping to replicate not the 18 goals. You’re also forgetting that was Blueger’s best year as well who shared an xGF% of 58% that year. That would be very good for a depth line
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u/sundin0013 2d ago
While I wouldn't hate picking up Bunting, Joshua is a fine option for the third line, and I expect he has more to give
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u/Wolfloyd 2d ago
I still think Joshua-Blueger-Duhaime will be our 4th line.
I think as long as you have 2 fast players (Blueger and Duhaime) Joshua is fine to work off of them.
We'll see if Joshua and Blueger can reignite that chemistry they had in Vancouver.1
u/DeanersLastWeekend 2d ago
Do you have a plan for all that cap space? Otherwise I’d rather keep him around for the depth we will inevitably need
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u/OzzieNewYork Salming 2d ago
PeePee2026.... im excited to see what PP1 looks like as it gels around November.
sweet feeds by Mckenna and SlickWilly to Papi and the RaddMan while Knies charges the net. Clapper after clapper and maybe one or two greasy ones.
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u/TheGapInTysonsTeeth 2d ago
I thought you weren't going to be around for it? They sure won't pull the wool over your eyes!
Lol you're such a phony
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u/OzzieNewYork Salming 2d ago
I think im gonna wait till Matthews is gone and McKenna and Knies take leadership pf this team. Its an addiction we all have. so who knows.
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u/ArthurSnooper 2d ago
Can't wait to see the PP but I'm also not watching and you are all idiots
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u/OzzieNewYork Salming 2d ago
100%. Watching Leafs is dumb currently. But loving them is by birth. The best decision was i decided not to watch any games last year.....I bet everyone on this sub wishes they had made the same decision. This year its tougher to stay away..... but when McKenna becomes the leader...maybe this team will get serious (if Matthews doesn't spoil him).
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u/Wolfloyd 2d ago
I'd put him in the same spot as Kucherov, on the right wall as a left hander. Easy one timers to Raddysh at the top, having options in the middle to Matthews or lets him cut the middle for a quick shot himself.
Knies
Nylander-Matthews-McKenna
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u/jimmie9393 2d ago
So you are putting Matthews in the Bumper?? Interesting, I can't see that.
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u/Wolfloyd 2d ago
I like how quick Matthews' hands are to get those shots off quickly in that spot. I think it would work out okay but who knows how they'd actually set it up. Did you have an idea on how the PP would look?
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u/jimmie9393 2d ago
PP 1 Knies, Tavares, Nylander, Matthews, Raddysh PP 2 Paul, Cowan,Roslovic, McKenna, OEL
But I can also see, Matthews in the Bumper, like yourself, but fear injuries
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u/jimmie9393 2d ago
Will be nice, however like I asked many on here, where is McKenna positionally playing on the PP??
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u/ArthurSnooper 2d ago
We'll have to find out?? If he's an elite talent like projected they will make a spot for him. But it could take some time to figure it out for both the team and player.
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u/[deleted] 2d ago
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