2017-18 Toronto Maple Leafs - General Discussion

[Kin]

Just reporting what I read whether he was a crazy person or not.

Ron Howard: He was.

 

[herman]

I'm curious to see Rosen. I initially liked him more than Borgman in pre-season but then wasn't impressed with his short stint in the regular season. From the sounds of it the AHL has been a bit of a learning curve for him but he's been getting better.

Keefe recently noted Rosen has become one of the Marlies' best defenders. He's been seeing PK time, and the Marlies are so many fire emojis on the PK. Or is it no fire emojis whatsoever? I don't know how to rate the teams ability to just say no to power play goals.

 

[herman]

Today is also a good opportunity to remind folks that Andreas Johnsson fell to the 7th round in 2013 largely due questions about his work ethic, which it turns out was the result of undiagnosed asthma. His production ramped up once they sorted that out in 2014.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/973592293474107392

No surprise. As herm mentioned he'll be on the 4th line with Plekanec and Kapanen, as well as on Nylander's PP unit.

 

[ZBBM]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/973592293474107392

No surprise. As herm mentioned he'll be on the 4th line with Plekanec and Kapanen, as well as on Nylander's PP unit.

This is exciting.  If I have read the buzz on this board correctly, he's the next Marlie folks think is ready to make the step into the Show.

 

[Kin]

This is exciting.  If I have read the buzz on this board correctly, he's the next Marlie folks think is ready to make the step into the Show.

I know nothing about his game or who he is but I've decided he will be our Tomas Holmstrom.

 

[Highlander]

As long as he is not our new Inge Hammerstrom

 

[herman]

Think left-shot Connor Brown in terms of size, dependability, and style, but feistier and with better shooting and passing. Always in the right spot defensively and offensively, plays PP and PK, and can handle either wing. He's maybe average at prolonged puckhandling, but he's better suited to be the 'don't need the puck' guy (a la Marleau, JvR). He is basically one of the Leafs system's best plug-and-play options.

He doesn't have the high octane skill of Nylander or Marner, or the dynamic speed of Kapanen, and he has run into penalty trouble as of late. But he has so much lineup flexibility and utility that it's very obvious why checks in above Martin, Leivo, and Moore.

 

[Kin]

Herman, man, I already decided.

 

[herman]

Herman, man, I already decided.

JvR is the La-Z-Holmstrom.

 

[Bullfrog]

This is exciting.  If I have read the buzz on this board correctly, he's the next Marlie folks think is ready to make the step into the Show.

I know nothing about his game or who he is but I've decided he will be our Tomas Holmstrom.

He's basically like Bobby Orr, but on left wing.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

This is exciting.  If I have read the buzz on this board correctly, he's the next Marlie folks think is ready to make the step into the Show.

I know nothing about his game or who he is but I've decided he will be our Tomas Holmstrom.

He's basically like Bobby Orr, but on left wing.

You mean like Morgan Rielly?

 

[Frank E]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/973577773137752064

It's so beautiful

Honestly, I can't understand what the thinking was in extending Leivo.

 

[herman]

Honestly, I can't understand what the thinking was in extending Leivo.

For the Leafs: they didn't have to keep counting his games played before UFA, placates a roster slot warmer, makes him a more attractive trade piece (contract control on a depth scoring winger).

For Leivo: guaranteed money next season and a shot somewhere.

 

[Kin]

For the Leafs: they didn't have to keep counting his games played before UFA, placates a roster slot warmer, makes him a more attractive trade piece (contract control on a depth scoring winger).

Except it didn't seem to placate him and having to pay him more than the minimum(and surrendering an asset) almost certainly makes him a less attractive option to other teams than just signing a UFA for their depth needs.

 

[Frank E]

For the Leafs: they didn't have to keep counting his games played before UFA, placates a roster slot warmer, makes him a more attractive trade piece (contract control on a depth scoring winger).

Except it didn't seem to placate him and having to pay him more than the minimum(and surrendering an asset) almost certainly makes him a less attractive option to other teams than just signing a UFA for their depth needs.

This is my thinking as well. 

 

[herman]

For the Leafs: they didn't have to keep counting his games played before UFA, placates a roster slot warmer, makes him a more attractive trade piece (contract control on a depth scoring winger).

Except it didn't seem to placate him and having to pay him more than the minimum(and surrendering an asset) almost certainly makes him a less attractive option to other teams than just signing a UFA for their depth needs.

It looks like it worked for a bit! It's a one-way deal so Leivo gets paid regardless of where (NHL/AHL) he plays.

Leivo is still an RFA after his next contract expires, so there's a bit more value there for the recipient team.

 

[Kin]

It looks like it worked for a bit!

Well, no, playing him seems to have placated him for a bit. 

Leivo is still an RFA after his next contract expires, so there's a bit more value there for the recipient team.

A bit more value than just in choosing a UFA they like and not giving anything up?

 

[Frank E]

Paying a guy that can't make a roster (which is essentially what he is) $925K vs. a UFA that can for $700K?  I'm not really seeing any value here.

 

[herman]

I see your points and I think they make sense too, depending on context. What if a team out there wants an RFA player? What if Leivo comes to them as part of a larger deal? I think there's still more value now than say the Leafs letting Leivo walk for free due to the logjam, especially for Leivo (guaranteed money for at least 1 more year, and the chance to make a mark). A middle round pick or two for Leivo is a far better bet than actually drafting a player there, particularly for teams that want their depth now, rather than 3+ years later if at all.

Also, I don't know how many young scoring forwards are signed at sub-$1M out of UFA.
https://capfriendly.com/signings/all/standard/forwards/1-1/500000-1000000

Nail Yakupov, I guess? That's a special case. Seth Griffith?