Franson, Kadri, Gardiner, Reimer ... still Leafs at the deadline?

[ZBBM]

I tried to bump the Kadri/Franson contract thread to discuss this, but it seems to be locked.

Anyway, wondering what you all think the chances are of a trade happening before the deadline.  To me, Franson seems like the likeliest to go, maybe to a team with Cup designs but a poor PP (LA maybe?).

As for Kadri, I said in last night's GDT that I hope they stick with him because he's got high-end skills and a good worth ethic (though he sure seems stuck in neutral most nights and didn't grab the brass ring when Bozak was hurt ... so you wonder).  When Bolland comes back, they may just listen to offers for him.

Dreger's tweet about Rielly making Gardiner redundant is immensely stupid, but again, Nonis will probably get called with some intriguing offers.  Again, I hope they keep Jake and see where he and Rielly go next year with their games.

Reimer, I don't think will get moved this season.  The teams that could use him as a potential starter obviously aren't contenders so a deadline move seems unlikely.

 

[Tigger]

Franson seems like the most likely to be gone, followed distantly by Reimer. Kadri and Gardiner should be relatively sure to stay, barring a really good deal.

 

[Bullfrog]

What Tigger said.

And I wouldn't be so quick to get rid of Reimer. This Leafs don't have a tonne of quality in depth in goal beyond their two NHLers.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

What Tigger said.

And I wouldn't be so quick to get rid of Reimer. This Leafs don't have a tonne of quality in depth in goal beyond their two NHLers.

I think the issue becomes, you've already signed Bernier to a new deal, and Reimer's deal is up at the end of this season.  He's probably thinking he's good enough to be a starting goalie, so how much do you pay him and how much cap space do you tie up in your goaltending?  I think it's probably a position you hope to maximize your cap value if you can.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Reimer would be an UFA after next season too, so odds are he signs a 1-year contract this summer and leaves via free agency the next. Assuming of course Bernier keeps the starter role. So do you let him walk or do you trade him? If you're going to trade him you might as well do it in the summer so the team acquiring him gets a full season out of him. Goalie values seem to be even lower than they usually are midseason too.

 

[bustaheims]

The only one I see maybe being traded at the deadline is Franson. The types of deals the team seems to be open to making on the others are more likely off-season type moves.

 

[princedpw]

My guess is that the leafs will try to be buyers at the deadline, adding assets at the expense of the future in an attempt to make the playoffs ... to my dismay ...

 

[LuncheonMeat]

My guess is that the leafs will try to be buyers at the deadline, adding assets at the expense of the future in an attempt to make the playoffs ... to my dismay ...

Nonis has said repeatedly that he won't move a young player unless it's for an equally young player, so hopefully he doesn't.  I'm hoping if the Leafs do move a player like Kadri (unlikely) or Gardiner (more unlikely) that it turns out like the Schenn/JVR trade.

 

[mr grieves]

I think Nonis is sufficiently convinced of his own bull that he'll make a minor move at the deadline to bring something in. Nominally a buyer, but not in a way that sacrifices anything significant. Except for when he's taking Burke's orders, Nonis seems to be pretty conservative in trades, and I don't think that'll change.

But, since Reimer's on the outs and Franson's not been great (though his points and potential are still appealing), I'd like to see those two and maybe Kadri packaged to upgrade at center. Ideally someone would go for Bozak instead, but I'm resigned to the Leafs not making him available. Anyhow, there's talented youth on the team, and if it's youth they aren't committed to keeping, I hope there's attempt to turn two dimes and a nickel into a quarter, rather than selling them off piecemeal for middling prospects and draft picks.

 

[drummond]

Reimer is a keepr unless a decent backup is coming back, which makes the deal somewhat useless as the Leafs need to address other areas. Should Bernier go down (he has never played that many games, can he handle that workload) the Leafs need a reliable goalie.

Kadri is IMHO not going anywhere as well. Not this year. Maybe next year as his bridge contract is about to expire.

However, trading Franson seems very likely. If Rielly makes someone redundant it is Franson. The Leafs have too many offensive D-men. On first PP unit Gards is much better with Phaneuf, Rielly can QB the second PP unit with Ranger/Gunnar. Franson numbeers are not that bad. A team which needs to boost its PP scoring or generally offense from the D may be willing to send a pick or decent prospect. I do not expect anything spectacular in return.

The only scenario these guys are being dealt is as a package for  something bigger. But blockbuster deals are rare these days.

On a side note, Kulemin name is also mentioned from time to time. I believe, he is going nowhere at least as long as Carlyle remains on the bench. He loves Kuli and it seems he has certain say in shaping up the team.

 

[freer]

One of the four will be gone prior to the end of the season. Kadri IMO, has not inproved any since last season, and has regressed. This may be part of the way that the team is being coached I dont know. All I know is he is very inconsistant. I can see two or three of these guys wrapped up in a trade for the so called #1 center.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

My biggest issue with Kadri is this:

If what the media is saying is true, and he's just not 'this coaches type of player', was that not the same problem with Wilson when Kadri 1st arrived? He just didn't fit?

The kid has a boat load of skill though and unless the deal blows you out of the water, he stays put in my books.

 

[Kin]

I think Franson could go but even him I'd put at 50/50. In a way, though, I think the Leafs should look to make a move at the deadline because I think prices get so ridiculous that even a team with playoff hopes would be making a good decision to see what valuable but largely replaceable piece could get you.

 

[dappleganger]

Franson, Kadri, Gardiner for Yakupov and 2014 1st round pick.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Franson, Kadri, Gardiner for Yakupov and 2014 1st round pick.

Throw in Orr and you have a deal!

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Franson, Kadri, Gardiner for Yakupov and 2014 1st round pick.

I'd do Franson for Yakupov, but not much more than that. I'd also rather keep Gardiner and Kadri, than have Edmonton's 1st and I know that that could be a very valuable pick.

 

[Peter D.]

I mentioned in another thread not too long ago that my gut feeling was Reimer would be dealt before the Olympic break.  That's increasingly unlikely to happen, but I believe he ends up a Jet or Flame, possibly by the trade deadline.

Franson seems like a logical player to be dealt.  Whether they bring in someone else first before moving him remains to be seen.  He's the only right handed shot on the point right now -- however much emphasis is placed on that.

Kadri and Gardiner have too much potential to hastily move them.  They are the types of players you move at the draft when trying to make a big splash.

 

[Joe S.]

Franson, Kadri, Gardiner for Yakupov and 2014 1st round pick.

I'd do Franson for Yakupov, but not much more than that. I'd also rather keep Gardiner and Kadri, than have Edmonton's 1st and I know that that could be a very valuable pick.

So Franson, a 26 year old pending UFA, somewhat mediocre defenceman, is worth a former 1st overall pick, who is only 20 years old, and only has 90 career NHL games... but not much more than that.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Franson, Kadri, Gardiner for Yakupov and 2014 1st round pick.

I'd do Franson for Yakupov, but not much more than that. I'd also rather keep Gardiner and Kadri, than have Edmonton's 1st and I know that that could be a very valuable pick.

So Franson, a 26 year old pending UFA, somewhat mediocre defenceman, is worth a former 1st overall pick, who is only 20 years old, and only has 90 career NHL games... but not much more than that.

Franson is pending RFA, only 25 and better than his current season is showing. He's also in the top half of the league in scoring from the back end.

Yakupov's value is more about his situation than anything. Yeah he's a top pick, but what does that mean? He's not playing like one and may never. His defensive skills are brutal and it sounds like he just wants to score goals and not much else. If he was such a high value player, Edmonton would have already reaped the bag of gold for him in a trade, because by some accounts, he's been offered around the league and nobody wants him. What's the reason, if he's so good?

Oh and the KHL risk is there, regardless of what he says IMO.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Franson, Kadri, Gardiner for Yakupov and 2014 1st round pick.

I'd do Franson for Yakupov, but not much more than that. I'd also rather keep Gardiner and Kadri, than have Edmonton's 1st and I know that that could be a very valuable pick.

So Franson, a 26 year old pending UFA, somewhat mediocre defenceman, is worth a former 1st overall pick, who is only 20 years old, and only has 90 career NHL games... but not much more than that.

Yup, that's what he's saying. I mean, at least I offered up Orr