2018-19 Toronto Maple Leafs - General Discussion

[herman]

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2018/11/30/leafs-grab-bag-on-auston-matthews-and-the-power-play-the-leafs-speed-linemates-for-nazem-kadri-travis-dermotts-top-four-case-patrick-marleau-gud-pros/

Big write up by MLHS earlier this week and their spotlight on Marleau highlights how Marleau has been pretty key to shepherding our kids.

And his biological kids are imprinting and getting pretty settled into playing their own hockey. I have difficulty seeing him uproot again so soon.

I can see the Leafs making room for him to stay for the full duration of his contract. The anecdotes of Marleau naturally modelling how to spend and treat younger players is not going to show up on the stat sheet, but I can?t see how that doesn?t make a difference in how Matthews and Marner and co. go forward with their big pay days.

 

[Kin]

And his biological kids are imprinting and getting pretty settled into playing their own hockey. I have difficulty seeing him uproot again so soon.

It'd be a pretty different situation though. He'd be in the last year of what figures to be his last contract. He wouldn't have to uproot, he'd just have to be away on business for 6 months.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I know people are probably not that into talking about another contract negotiation but last night they were talking about the Leafs apparently having some optimism that Gardiner could get re-signed.

Yeah that intrigued me too. If they can get Gardiner signed for anything under $6mil I think they have to find a way to make that fit. If it's not moving Marleau (which I don't think happens unless they win the Cup this season or if they're able to pull an Orpik situation) then trading Zaitsev+Brown should make enough room too. Then when Marleau's contract comes off the books we'll have some extra money to play around with.

 

[Frank E]

I know people are probably not that into talking about another contract negotiation but last night they were talking about the Leafs apparently having some optimism that Gardiner could get re-signed.

Yeah that intrigued me too. If they can get Gardiner signed for anything under $6mil I think they have to find a way to make that fit. If it's not moving Marleau (which I don't think happens unless they win the Cup this season or if they're able to pull an Orpik situation) then trading Zaitsev+Brown should make enough room too. Then when Marleau's contract comes off the books we'll have some extra money to play around with.

I love Brown and all, but if he's the difference between signing Gardiner to something nice and reasonable, well then I'll help him pack his bags.

 

[mr grieves]

I know people are probably not that into talking about another contract negotiation but last night they were talking about the Leafs apparently having some optimism that Gardiner could get re-signed.

Yeah that intrigued me too. If they can get Gardiner signed for anything under $6mil I think they have to find a way to make that fit. If it's not moving Marleau (which I don't think happens unless they win the Cup this season or if they're able to pull an Orpik situation) then trading Zaitsev+Brown should make enough room too. Then when Marleau's contract comes off the books we'll have some extra money to play around with.

I love Brown and all, but if he's the difference between signing Gardiner to something nice and reasonable, well then I'll help him pack his bags.

Yeah, Brown's loveable.... but I think I could learn to love Trevor Moore or Mason Marchment or Pierre Engvall or any other Marlie who can do 80-90% of what Brown does for 30-40% of the salary.

I think they'd still have to find a taker for Zaitsev too.

 

[ZBBM]

Zaitsev has been playing better of late.  He keeps it up and I think he's definitely tradeable.  And much as I have criticized Gardiner in the past (and still want to see him demoinstrate that he will not melt down in G7s) he has solidified his game.  It would be great to keep him.

Boy, I hope Liljegren and Sandin are paying close attention this year because they are going to be on the blueline one way or the other real soon.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

So who comes out of the line-up: Ennis or Leivo?

 

[mr grieves]

So who comes out of the line-up: Ennis or Leivo?

Brown.

But probably Leivo.

 

[Zee]

So who comes out of the line-up: Ennis or Leivo?

Brown.

But probably Leivo.

Leivo probably has more offense than Brown but I think Brown will always give a better effort than Leivo.  Like last night for example, it was Brown's hustle that set up the winning goal, no denying that. 

 

[bustaheims]

So who comes out of the line-up: Ennis or Leivo?

In typical Babcock fashion, it'll depend on who they're playing where, with very little in terms of logic to backup the decisions.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

In typical Babcock fashion, it'll depend on who they're playing where, with very little in terms of logic to backup the decisions.

I mean this is probably the best way to do it though. I'd hope neither of them are sitting for long stretches of time... assuming one of them doesn't end up on waivers soon.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I don't think Marleau is going anywhere. Like his cap hit or not, he's an important part of this team. I could see Brown getting moved and despite what Kypreos said, I don't think Gardiner is taking 5 mill when he could probably get a lot more on the open market.
There will be tough decisions coming up and those might include losing a Kappy or Johnsson. We can't pay them all.

 

[princedpw]

I don't think Marleau is going anywhere. Like his cap hit or not, he's an important part of this team. I could see Brown getting moved and despite what Kypreos said, I don't think Gardiner is taking 5 mill when he could probably get a lot more on the open market.
There will be tough decisions coming up and those might include losing a Kappy or Johnsson. We can't pay them all.

Cap hits are going to be pretty damn important next year.

Ideally, we win the cup this year. He retires and we disappear his hit. Gardiner stays. We win the cup next year. Everyone?s happy. Some people are happy twice. 

 

[Kin]

I don't think Marleau is going anywhere. Like his cap hit or not, he's an important part of this team.

This year or the next, he's going pretty soon.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I don't think Marleau is going anywhere. Like his cap hit or not, he's an important part of this team.

This year or the next, he's going pretty soon.

He'll be on the team until his contract runs out.

 

[Kin]

He'll be on the team until his contract runs out.

On a team, anyway.

 

[mr grieves]

So who comes out of the line-up: Ennis or Leivo?

Brown.

But probably Leivo.

Leivo probably has more offense than Brown but I think Brown will always give a better effort than Leivo.  Like last night for example, it was Brown's hustle that set up the winning goal, no denying that.

It's less obvious than streaking into the offensive zone, but Leivo's a lot better on the forecheck and cycle. He doesn't get the puck in, but he keeps it there. That certainly takes "effort" and "hustle." And, like you say and as scoring chances and shot generation numbers confirm, he's got more offense than Brown.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1069380929238589440

Just a little paper transaction to make the Leafs roster compliant. Surprised they picked Dermott, but really doesn't matter. They'll waive a body tomorrow, assign that guy to the Marlies (if he clears) on Tuesday and call Dermott back up then.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1069380929238589440

Just a little paper transaction to make the Leafs roster compliant. Surprised they picked Dermott, but really doesn't matter. They'll waive a body tomorrow, assign that guy to the Marlies (if he clears) on Tuesday and call Dermott back up then.

The only difference is that Dermott?s cap hit is fully buriable. I suspect they just picked the youngest player.

I thought it would make more sense to loan Oz or Lindholm to get the full 1 days worth of 1.025M of cap relief, rather than just Dermott?s 863k. The difference is basically negligible.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1069380929238589440

Just a little paper transaction to make the Leafs roster compliant. Surprised they picked Dermott, but really doesn't matter. They'll waive a body tomorrow, assign that guy to the Marlies (if he clears) on Tuesday and call Dermott back up then.

The only difference is that Dermott?s cap hit is fully buriable. I suspect they just picked the youngest player.

I thought it would make more sense to loan Oz or Lindholm to get the full 1 days worth of 1.025M of cap relief, rather than just Dermott?s 863k.

Oz or Lindholm makes more sense purely from a cap standpoint, but I think it's a bad idea otherwise in terms of managing people.  Even if it's only a paper transaction, it still has the chance to be taken otherwise by a European who has committed to coming to the Leafs to play, whereas Dermott will get it.