Brian Boyle to Leafs

[Kin]

So...who they waiving to make room for Boyle?

Smith seems like a pretty safe assumption.

 

[Frank E]

So...who they waiving to make room for Boyle?

Smith seems like a pretty safe assumption.

That's where my money is, seems logical.  Would imagine we'll hear the announcement shortly.

 

[rdowdall]

While I don't disagree on the price, the move itself didn't need to be made.  Let Gauthier grow in to that role.  I don't understand what the difference is between letting Matthews learn on the job in his role, but Gauthier isn't allowed to make mistakes and learn at his while at the pro level.  Competing for a playoff spot shouldn't be the end goal for this year.   

I agree this move wasn't necessary but I'm guessing with the season wearing on there are likely going to be quite a few nights where both Boyle and Gauthier might be in the lineup. Having Gauthier in a 5th C line and getting an occasional game doesn't strike me as cutting off his opportunity to learn and develop.

So if as you say, they move Bozak, JVR, and Komarov, then this move on it's own isn't overly bad.  However, this deal pretty much signifies that they are making a serious attempt at the playoffs.  The concern I have there is that having that mindset is going to impact what they do with those three, or Polak and Hunwick. 

 

[herman]

While I don't disagree on the price, the move itself didn't need to be made.  Let Gauthier grow in to that role.  I don't understand what the difference is between letting Matthews learn on the job in his role, but Gauthier isn't allowed to make mistakes and learn at his while at the pro level.  Competing for a playoff spot shouldn't be the end goal for this year.   

I'm speculating from Babcock's perspective, but a Matthews error usually just means we didn't score, while a Gauthier error usually means we got scored on, just based on how the lines are deployed.

 

[lamajama]

They have 1 of the 3 seconds left now, the other one is accounted for as part of another trade, all that remains is to determine which one of the two the other team takes.

Tampa gets the earliest/best pick. Anaheim gets the middle one. Toronto keeps the latest/worst pick.

Don't the Leafs owe a 2nd round compensation pick for Babcock or Lou or something like that??

 

[CarltonTheBear]

So...who they waiving to make room for Boyle?

Assuming no other moves, they'd probably assign Gauthier to the Marlies. After the trade deadline the 23-player limit is lifted on rosters, so they can call him back up then if they wish.

 

[Kin]

So if as you say, they move Bozak, JVR, and Komarov, then this move on it's own isn't overly bad.  However, this deal pretty much signifies that they are making a serious attempt at the playoffs.  The concern I have there is that having that mindset is going to impact what they do with those three, or Polak and Hunwick.

When I talk about moving those three, I generally agree with what busta said the other day about JVR/Bozak being draft deals and Komarov being the only one with a real chance to move before tomorrow's deadline.

Right now I think they'll go with a C depth chart of

Matthews - Kadri - Bozak - Boyle - Gauthier

Gauthier will, hopefully, practice with the club and get an occasional game.

All that said, I agree that this trade makes me feel like we probably won't see the Hunwick/Polak/Komarov deals I'd like to see tomorrow.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Don't the Leafs owe a 2nd round compensation pick for Babcock or Lou or something like that??

3rd rounders both. Toronto's 2017 pick for Babcock and 2018 pick for Lou.

 

[rdowdall]

While I don't disagree on the price, the move itself didn't need to be made.  Let Gauthier grow in to that role.  I don't understand what the difference is between letting Matthews learn on the job in his role, but Gauthier isn't allowed to make mistakes and learn at his while at the pro level.  Competing for a playoff spot shouldn't be the end goal for this year.   

I'm speculating from Babcock's perspective, but a Matthews error usually just means we didn't score, while a Gauthier error usually means we got scored on, just based on how the lines are deployed.

Agreed, but the thing is, it isn't supposed to be the end of the world if the Leafs get scored on, or lose the game.  Gauthier learning from those mistakes, or learning if Gauthier can learn from those mistakes, is supposed to be part of the process.

The thinking that "they have to get Boyle so that they can lock down a game" is the worrisome part of the equation, in my humble opinion.

 

[bustaheims]

While I don't disagree on the price, the move itself didn't need to be made.

I disagree. Depth down the middle is the Leafs' biggest weakness. And, there's a significant difference between Matthews learning on the job and Gauthier doing the same. Matthews was clearly ready for the NHL - the only question was whether that was as a #1 center or not. With Gauthier, his NHL-readiness is still very much in question. Getting him more time in the AHL (which, incidentally, is still the pro level) - at least this season - isn't a bad thing at all.

 

[Kin]

I'm speculating from Babcock's perspective, but a Matthews error usually just means we didn't score, while a Gauthier error usually means we got scored on, just based on how the lines are deployed.

I don't think that tracks. Both guys make defensive zone mistakes but I doubt the majority of anyone's mistakes result in goals against.

 

[Kin]

I disagree. Depth down the middle is the Leafs' biggest weakness.

I think the point there is that given that we should be generally ok if the team doesn't make the playoffs, addressing immediate weaknesses doesn't really rise to the level of necessity.

 

[herman]

I'm speculating from Babcock's perspective, but a Matthews error usually just means we didn't score, while a Gauthier error usually means we got scored on, just based on how the lines are deployed.

I don't think that tracks. Both guys make defensive zone mistakes but I doubt the majority of anyone's mistakes result in goals against.

Congratulations on post #20,000!

That's very true, but I'm surmising based on Babcock's deployment at the beginning of the year with his null-out assignments (Hunlak, 4th line). Historically, Babcock needs a group he can count on to make the other team stand on their head and do triple salcows coming out of backflips to potentially pot a goal.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Froese and a 2nd this year.

Reasonable - especially if Lou and Co. move Polak/Hunwick/Komarov for picks, and use internal or cheap replacements. Boyle makes for a pretty good 4th line C.

While I don't disagree on the price, the move itself didn't need to be made.  Let Gauthier grow in to that role.  I don't understand what the difference is between letting Matthews learn on the job in his role, but Gauthier isn't allowed to make mistakes and learn at his while at the pro level.  Competing for a playoff spot shouldn't be the end goal for this year.     

Competing for a playoff spot should always be the goal as long as you don't sacrifice the future and the Leafs didn't with this trade. Bringing in Boyle is nothing but positive for the future of these kids. There's never a bad word against this guy and he can truly play anywhere in your line up. As for Gauthier. You can't have too many kids learn on the job and the Leafs are weak up the middle. Watching Smith in the third slot Sat was the clincher for me. He shouldn't even be on the Leaf roster.
And in the grand scheme of things, they paid nothing off the roster for Boyle besides an easily recouped 2nd rounder. Great deal.

 

[Kin]

That's very true, but I'm surmising based on Babcock's deployment at the beginning of the year with his null-out assignments (Hunlak, 4th line). Historically, Babcock needs a group he can count on to make the other team stand on their head and do triple salcows coming out of backflips to potentially pot a goal.

I don't know what that means.

 

[rdowdall]

Froese and a 2nd this year.

Reasonable - especially if Lou and Co. move Polak/Hunwick/Komarov for picks, and use internal or cheap replacements. Boyle makes for a pretty good 4th line C.

While I don't disagree on the price, the move itself didn't need to be made.  Let Gauthier grow in to that role.  I don't understand what the difference is between letting Matthews learn on the job in his role, but Gauthier isn't allowed to make mistakes and learn at his while at the pro level.  Competing for a playoff spot shouldn't be the end goal for this year.     

Competing for a playoff spot should always be the goal as long as you don't sacrifice the future and the Leafs didn't with this trade. Bringing in Boyle is nothing but positive for the future of these kids. There's never a bad word against this guy and he can truly play anywhere in your line up. As for Gauthier. You can't have too many kids learn on the job and the Leafs are weak up the middle. Watching Smith in the third slot Sat was the clincher for me. He shouldn't even be on the Leaf roster.
And in the grand scheme of things, they paid nothing off the roster for Boyle besides an easily recouped 2nd rounder. Great deal.

Sacrificing a 2nd round pick is technically giving up a bit of the future. 

 

[KW Sluggo]

Froese and a 2nd this year.

Reasonable - especially if Lou and Co. move Polak/Hunwick/Komarov for picks, and use internal or cheap replacements. Boyle makes for a pretty good 4th line C.

While I don't disagree on the price, the move itself didn't need to be made.  Let Gauthier grow in to that role.  I don't understand what the difference is between letting Matthews learn on the job in his role, but Gauthier isn't allowed to make mistakes and learn at his while at the pro level.  Competing for a playoff spot shouldn't be the end goal for this year.   

I completely agree

 

[TBLeafer]

Good move, especially in a weak draft. Seeya Froese.

Really good center depth for the Leafs now to make a good push.

Welcome Boyle!

Go Lou go!

 

[ZBBM]

Froese and a 2nd this year.

Reasonable - especially if Lou and Co. move Polak/Hunwick/Komarov for picks, and use internal or cheap replacements. Boyle makes for a pretty good 4th line C.

While I don't disagree on the price, the move itself didn't need to be made.  Let Gauthier grow in to that role.  I don't understand what the difference is between letting Matthews learn on the job in his role, but Gauthier isn't allowed to make mistakes and learn at his while at the pro level.  Competing for a playoff spot shouldn't be the end goal for this year.   

They're telling us Gauthier isn't going to make it in this league.

 

[Jolly good show chaps]

Would have preferred the Leafs to sign Boyle as a UFA in the summer. Maybe this is a step towards that.