2018-19 Toronto Maple Leafs - General Discussion

[leafsjunkie]

The 1-year deal suggestions for Kapanen and Johnsson are because of the cap squeeze next year. It's assumed they'd get considerable raises after that, assuming their production continues.

We can pad them a bit pushing Horton to LTIR, but that's 0 wiggle room elsewhere if we burn it on making two wingers slightly less unhappy. They're both RFAs with no arbitration rights and without Nylander's track record. Either they believe in the Leafs' chances and take a show-me 1-year deal (and split the Marleau pot after), or they sign whatever offersheet they take a shine to. They're on the higher end of replaceable, but still replaceable on the cheap with Moore, Petan, Marchment, Engvall, or UFA wingers who wants to pad his next contract playing alongside Matthews/Nylander.

I believe Johnsson has arb. rights, but not Kapanen.

 

[Deebo]

The 1-year deal suggestions for Kapanen and Johnsson are because of the cap squeeze next year. It's assumed they'd get considerable raises after that, assuming their production continues.

We can pad them a bit pushing Horton to LTIR, but that's 0 wiggle room elsewhere if we burn it on making two wingers slightly less unhappy. They're both RFAs with no arbitration rights and without Nylander's track record. Either they believe in the Leafs' chances and take a show-me 1-year deal (and split the Marleau pot after), or they sign whatever offersheet they take a shine to. They're on the higher end of replaceable, but still replaceable on the cheap with Moore, Petan, Marchment, Engvall, or UFA wingers who wants to pad his next contract playing alongside Matthews/Nylander.

I believe Johnsson has arb. rights, but not Kapanen.

Yeah, Johnsson has arb rights and if he files for arbitration, then the Leafs can pretty much sit and wait until the hearing if he won't sign a 1 year deal.

 

[herman]

I believe Johnsson has arb. rights, but not Kapanen.

4 years of professional experience is the requirement for arbitration rights, right? I take it that includes SHL and AHL?

I now see he's flagged as such on CapFriendly and Deebo-confirmed.

 

[Guilt Trip]

The 1-year deal suggestions for Kapanen and Johnsson are because of the cap squeeze next year. It's assumed they'd get considerable raises after that, assuming their production continues.

How do you sell that to Johnsson who is currently on his "1 year" bridge deal.

He's a rookie and really hasn't proven himself yet. He has arb rights so he can also go that route. It's the same scenario for all of them. You want to play here or not? here's what we have in cap space here's all we can offer you.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Moore-Petan-Ennis

Sure, seems pretty unlikely though. I think the Petan trade was made more for next season than this season. If the forwards stay mostly healthy I wouldn't expect him to get more than a handful of games the rest of the way here. Heck, it's possible he doesn't even play again.

Petan is really the Ennis of next season (or is it Moore?), similar to Muzzin for Gardiner. I do want to see all three in action at the same time though, as it'd be waterbuggy catch-me-if-you-can action.

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1103045421310472192

Sometimes I'm pretty happy when I'm wrong. Still not convinced Babs will use Petan as the 4C going into the playoffs, but glad he's at least being given a chance there.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

How do you sell that to Johnsson who is currently on his "1 year" bridge deal.

He's a rookie and really hasn't proven himself yet. He has arb rights so he can also go that route. It's the same scenario for all of them. You want to play here or not? here's what we have in cap space here's all we can offer you.

This is getting pretty technical about something pretty pointless, but I wouldn't call the contract Johnsson signed last summer a "bridge" deal. It was more like an extension of his ELC since he really didn't get any/much NHL exposure during his actual ELC.

 

[herman]

Moore-Petan-Ennis

Sure, seems pretty unlikely though. I think the Petan trade was made more for next season than this season. If the forwards stay mostly healthy I wouldn't expect him to get more than a handful of games the rest of the way here. Heck, it's possible he doesn't even play again.

Petan is really the Ennis of next season (or is it Moore?), similar to Muzzin for Gardiner. I do want to see all three in action at the same time though, as it'd be waterbuggy catch-me-if-you-can action.

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1103045421310472192

Sometimes I'm pretty happy when I'm wrong. Still not convinced Babs will use Petan as the 4C going into the playoffs, but glad he's at least being given a chance there.

Holy forkin' shirtballs... it's time for Mo-P-Ennis!

BC kid going to play big for the hometown crowd (against the team that has no depth).

 

[Guilt Trip]

How do you sell that to Johnsson who is currently on his "1 year" bridge deal.

He's a rookie and really hasn't proven himself yet. He has arb rights so he can also go that route. It's the same scenario for all of them. You want to play here or not? here's what we have in cap space here's all we can offer you.

This is getting pretty technical about something pretty pointless, but I wouldn't call the contract Johnsson signed last summer a "bridge" deal. It was more like an extension of his ELC since he really didn't get any/much NHL exposure during his actual ELC.

Agreed, seeing he's still considered a rookie says so. I like him but if he demands too much or whatever, you say goodbye. He's not a core player, he's a complimentary piece that's  replaceable.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Moore-Petan-Ennis

Sure, seems pretty unlikely though. I think the Petan trade was made more for next season than this season. If the forwards stay mostly healthy I wouldn't expect him to get more than a handful of games the rest of the way here. Heck, it's possible he doesn't even play again.

Petan is really the Ennis of next season (or is it Moore?), similar to Muzzin for Gardiner. I do want to see all three in action at the same time though, as it'd be waterbuggy catch-me-if-you-can action.

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1103045421310472192

Sometimes I'm pretty happy when I'm wrong. Still not convinced Babs will use Petan as the 4C going into the playoffs, but glad he's at least being given a chance there.

Holy forkin' shirtballs... it's time for Mo-P-Ennis!

BC kid going to play big for the hometown crowd (against the team that has no depth).

I think Babs actually wants to see what a speedy 4th line could do. Hell they may be better then our current 3rd line although Marleau has looked better of late and Nylander is playing well. Question. What do we do when Kadri comes back? Willy has done well at centre. I think he's better at centre then wing so to keep him at centre....  What about putting Kadri,(he isn't going to the 4th line), with Matthews and Kappy? Put Johnsson with Nylander with Marleau? Brown, Goat, Ennis, Petan, Moore can rotate on the 4th line to keep everyone in game shape. Thoughts?

 

[pmrules]

How do you sell that to Johnsson who is currently on his "1 year" bridge deal.

He's a rookie and really hasn't proven himself yet. He has arb rights so he can also go that route. It's the same scenario for all of them. You want to play here or not? here's what we have in cap space here's all we can offer you.

This is getting pretty technical about something pretty pointless, but I wouldn't call the contract Johnsson signed last summer a "bridge" deal. It was more like an extension of his ELC since he really didn't get any/much NHL exposure during his actual ELC.

Agreed, seeing he's still considered a rookie says so. I like him but if he demands too much or whatever, you say goodbye. He's not a core player, he's a complimentary piece that's  replaceable.

That?s all great from the Leafs perspective.

My point is that The narrative when he signed his 1 year deal was that this year was to be his prove it year for all the reasons you all have stated.  He?s done very well and by all accounts has proven himself. From Johnsson?s perspective why would he sign another risky 1year deal? What if he declines or stays flat.  From the teams perspective I obviously get it, but from Johnsson?s I would obviously want more than a year of term given that he?s already signed a short term  bridge or whatever you want to call it. It?s just too risky.

If the team forces this to arbitration and forces him to another 1 year  deal, it?s possible he may not like it.  Especially when it was in both parties interests to sign a 2 year deal last year.

 

[herman]

I think Babs actually wants to see what a speedy 4th line could do. Hell they may be better then our current 3rd line although Marleau has looked better of late and Nylander is playing well. Question. What do we do when Kadri comes back? Willy has done well at centre. I think he's better at centre then wing so to keep him at centre....  What about putting Kadri,(he isn't going to the 4th line), with Matthews and Kappy? Put Johnsson with Nylander with Marleau? Brown, Goat, Ennis, Petan, Moore can rotate on the 4th line to keep everyone in game shape. Thoughts?

Actually, I don't think Babcock's natural inclination is to go with such a line (see all his previous 4th lines), but he loves to win and has seen the fruit of Dubas' work with the Marlies (Kapanen, Johnsson, Dermott, Gauthier, Moore) and is willing to try things out at this juncture for an edge.

And credit has to go to the players here. Babcock would not be comfortable with any of this if:

• Tavares wasn't carrying is line
• Matthews and Nylander weren't doing enough with their loads
• Moore and Ennis weren't demonstrating offensive gumption without defensive liability (cheating)

It's the coach's favourite thing in lineup building when no line needs sheltering. He might not fully trust Petan (only just met the guy) at the moment, but I think Babcock has slotted in Moore as the line driver (rightly so).

I like your idea of floating Kadri up to the wing (your lineup sounds fun), but knowing Babcock's tendencies, I think it'll be:

Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Marleau-Kadri-Kapanen
Moore/Ennis-Gauthier/Petan-Brown

We're covered for up to two centre injuries/suspensions thanks to Nylander/Petan, and every winger can flip between offense and defense mode (except Brown who is a PK specialist at this point).

 

[Guilt Trip]

I think Babs actually wants to see what a speedy 4th line could do. Hell they may be better then our current 3rd line although Marleau has looked better of late and Nylander is playing well. Question. What do we do when Kadri comes back? Willy has done well at centre. I think he's better at centre then wing so to keep him at centre....  What about putting Kadri,(he isn't going to the 4th line), with Matthews and Kappy? Put Johnsson with Nylander with Marleau? Brown, Goat, Ennis, Petan, Moore can rotate on the 4th line to keep everyone in game shape. Thoughts?

Actually, I don't think Babcock's natural inclination is to go with such a line (see all his previous 4th lines), but he loves to win and has seen the fruit of Dubas' work with the Marlies (Kapanen, Johnsson, Dermott, Gauthier, Moore) and is willing to try things out at this juncture for an edge.

And credit has to go to the players here. Babcock would not be comfortable with any of this if:

• Tavares wasn't carrying is line
• Matthews and Nylander weren't doing enough with their loads
• Moore and Ennis weren't demonstrating offensive gumption without defensive liability (cheating)

It's the coach's favourite thing in lineup building when no line needs sheltering. He might not fully trust Petan (only just met the guy) at the moment, but I think Babcock has slotted in Moore as the line driver (rightly so).

I like your idea of floating Kadri up to the wing (your lineup sounds fun), but knowing Babcock's tendencies, I think it'll be:

Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Marleau-Kadri-Kapanen
Moore/Ennis-Gauthier/Petan-Brown

We're covered for up to two centre injuries/suspensions thanks to Nylander/Petan, and every winger can flip between offense and defense mode (except Brown who is a PK specialist at this point).

I think you're right in the lines even though I think Nylander has been fine at centre. As long as Brown is moved to the 4th or rotated in and out, it's good with me. I expect Babs to try Moore on the pk also. Anyway, I would like to see Babs mix it up a little for a game or 3, just because. It's all good right now tho. Now I hope Rosen can be healthy and come up to fill in.

 

[Bullfrog]

I've wanted to see Kadri on the left wing for a long time.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1103429468616450049

Finally.

The home stretch is made up of 2 games vs playoff opponents (TBL, BOS NSH) and a bunch of non playoff teams.

 

[ZBBM]

56 games eh?  Huh.  And I got raked over the coals for suggesting 58 might be a good number.  :-X

 

[Guilt Trip]

This also tells us that home ice isn't a priority for the team. Resting Freddie is more important.

 

[herman]

56 games eh?  Huh.  And I got raked over the coals for suggesting 58 might be a good number.  :-X

Because you got it wrong.  ;D

 

[Kin]

56 games eh?  Huh.  And I got raked over the coals for suggesting 58 might be a good number.  :-X

Was it that? Or was it suggesting that playing him in, say, 60 games would doom the Leafs to a first round exit?

 

[ZBBM]

56 games eh?  Huh.  And I got raked over the coals for suggesting 58 might be a good number.  :-X

Was it that? Or was it suggesting that playing him in, say, 60 games would doom the Leafs to a first round exit?

8) 8) 8) :-*

 

[ZBBM]

56 games eh?  Huh.  And I got raked over the coals for suggesting 58 might be a good number.  :-X

Because you got it wrong.  ;D

Ja, but my wrongness was righteous wrongness.