Opening Roster

[bustaheims]

There a potentially interesting development that could make some potential 3rd pairing upgrades available. Right now, Vegas has 10 defencemen on the roster who are not exempt from waivers, so, at least 3 of them will likely be hitting waivers soon, if they can't find a trade they like. The guys likely to be available aren't super exciting - it's probably Stoner, Sbisa, and G. Reinhart - but they are conceivably better options than Marincin (Reinhart less so than the other two). Stoner and Sbisa come with larger cap hits than would be ideal, so a straight waiver claim probably not the way to go, but, they are also pending UFAs, so, Vegas would probably be open to retaining a substantial portion of the cap if they get an actual asset in return. Something worth considering, I suppose.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

There a potentially interesting development that could make some potential 3rd pairing upgrades available. Right now, Vegas has 10 defencemen on the roster who are not exempt from waivers, so, at least 3 of them will likely be hitting waivers soon, if they can't find a trade they like. The guys likely to be available aren't super exciting - it's probably Stoner, Sbisa, and G. Reinhart - but they are conceivably better options than Marincin (Reinhart less so than the other two). Stoner and Sbisa come with larger cap hits than would be ideal, so a straight waiver claim probably not the way to go, but, they are also pending UFAs, so, Vegas would probably be open to retaining a substantial portion of the cap if they get an actual asset in return. Something worth considering, I suppose.

Yeah, hard pass on all 3. I really don't think any are upgrades on Marincin.

 

[Frank E]

There a potentially interesting development that could make some potential 3rd pairing upgrades available. Right now, Vegas has 10 defencemen on the roster who are not exempt from waivers, so, at least 3 of them will likely be hitting waivers soon, if they can't find a trade they like. The guys likely to be available aren't super exciting - it's probably Stoner, Sbisa, and G. Reinhart - but they are conceivably better options than Marincin (Reinhart less so than the other two). Stoner and Sbisa come with larger cap hits than would be ideal, so a straight waiver claim probably not the way to go, but, they are also pending UFAs, so, Vegas would probably be open to retaining a substantial portion of the cap if they get an actual asset in return. Something worth considering, I suppose.

Yeah, hard pass on all 3. I really don't think any are upgrades on Marincin.

I'm with C on this one...I'd love an upgrade on Hainsey that would push him into the third pairing though, as I think we all would.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I'm with C on this one...I'd love an upgrade on Hainsey that would push him into the third pairing though, as I think we all would.

Rielly-Demers
Gardiner-Zaitsev
Hainsey-Carrick/Rosen/Borgman

*sigh*

 

[Frank E]

I'm with C on this one...I'd love an upgrade on Hainsey that would push him into the third pairing though, as I think we all would.

Rielly-Demers
Gardiner-Zaitsev
Hainsey-Carrick/Rosen/Borgman

*sigh*

With vultures circling St. Louis, would anyone consider a couple of years of Jay Bouwmeester at $5.4m?

 

[herman]

With vultures circling St. Louis, would anyone consider a couple of years of Jay Bouwmeester at $5.4m?

He of the currently fractured ankle?

 

[Frank E]

With vultures circling St. Louis, would anyone consider a couple of years of Jay Bouwmeester at $5.4m?

He of the currently fractured ankle?

I know, but still?

 

[herman]

With vultures circling St. Louis, would anyone consider a couple of years of Jay Bouwmeester at $5.4m?

He of the currently fractured ankle?

I know, but still?

Probably not, for me. He's a lefty, and we're set for the next 5+ years on LD.

Ville Pokka is on waivers today, btw. (I doubt he makes it past Colorado)

 

[Frank E]

With vultures circling St. Louis, would anyone consider a couple of years of Jay Bouwmeester at $5.4m?

He of the currently fractured ankle?

I know, but still?

Probably not, for me. He's a lefty, and we're set for the next 5+ years on LD.

Ville Pokka is on waivers today, btw. (I doubt he makes it past Colorado)

huh...capfriendly has him as a left shooting RHD.

 

[herman]

With vultures circling St. Louis, would anyone consider a couple of years of Jay Bouwmeester at $5.4m?

He of the currently fractured ankle?

I know, but still?

Probably not, for me. He's a lefty, and we're set for the next 5+ years on LD.

Ville Pokka is on waivers today, btw. (I doubt he makes it past Colorado)

huh...capfriendly has him as a left shooting RHD.

He's normally with Pietrangelo, right? I've been 'burned' a few times with CapFriendly's position assignment.

St. Louis had Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk, and Parayko down the right side last year.

 

[Frank E]

With vultures circling St. Louis, would anyone consider a couple of years of Jay Bouwmeester at $5.4m?

He of the currently fractured ankle?

I know, but still?

Probably not, for me. He's a lefty, and we're set for the next 5+ years on LD.

Ville Pokka is on waivers today, btw. (I doubt he makes it past Colorado)

huh...capfriendly has him as a left shooting RHD.

He's normally with Pietrangelo, right? I've been 'burned' a few times with CapFriendly's position assignment.

St. Louis had Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk, and Parayko down the right side last year.

Fine, then they should just acquire Doughty and get on with things.

 

[bustaheims]

Yeah, hard pass on all 3. I really don't think any are upgrades on Marincin.

None of them are substantial upgrades, for sure. Sbisa and Stoner are more experienced, but, that's about the only area where there's an obvious difference.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I was really hoping for a trade before the season, but I'm willing to wait for another around the 20 game mark that nets us a top two defenseman, for a few excess forwards we have and a pick or two...
If not and we're going to ride out the season and if I had to pick from our crop in Toronto;

Hyman - Mathews - Nylander
JVR - Bozak - Marner
Marleau - Kadri - Komarov
Leivo - Aaltonen - Brown
Martin - Moore

Reilly - Hainsey
Gardiner - Zaitsev
Dermott - Carrick
Rosen

Andersen
Whoever

I'm not in Babcock's camp that would keep Hyman on the top line, I would have another scoring lefty there. From what I've seen, Mathews can get his own puck and Nylander is no slouch at stealing the puck either.
Either way, it's the most talent I've seen in Toronto in a long time and I think I'm going to enjoy the ride this season...

 

[slapshot]

This is what I'd like to see, not what I expect to see:

Hyman, Matthews, Nylander
JVR, Bozak, Marner
Marleau Kadri Brown
Martin Komarov Kapanen
Moore, Leivo extras

Rielly Hainsey (for now)
Gardiner Zaitsev
Rosen Carrick
Marincin (if Polak is not ready, then eventually Polak 7th guy, Marincin gets waved).
Eventually Liljegren gets into the right side D and one of Borgman, Rosen, Dermott (or longer shot Nielson) becomes the 3rd pairing guy behind Gardiner and Rielly. I really like Borgman and would actually rate him slightly higher than Rosen based on training camp. I'd just like him to get 20+ minutes a game with the Marlies first. He won't get that playing third pairing with the Leafs now.

Anderson, McElhenny (for some reason I always associate his name with the song Macarena...so when he's playing well my Leaf buddies and I have taken to singing that song substituting his name in..."Do the McElhenny"...weird I know)

 

[sickbeast]

I've gotta say that the one big standout for me is Kapanen not making the team.  I really do feel that he deserves a shot.  Watching the game last night, he is very slick with the puck.  I realize that the Leafs have a lot of skilled young forwards but I really do feel that Kapanen is a much better option than some of the other guys they are keeping up with the big club.  I'm guessing that this decision was made because some of the other guys will have to clear waivers in order to be sent down.  Apparently guys like Leivo won't clear waivers and the Leafs would lose them for nothing.  Perhaps they will trade some of their guys like this, hopefully either for some defense or else draft picks, even if they are kind of low.

 

[Bender]

I'm ok with having depth. As long as we don't lose anyone for nothing we can slot guys in once injuries occur. I think our depth will be a strength this year.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Bullfrog]

I'm confident Kapanen will be up sooner than later.

I've also been very happy with Leivo and am convinced he's a legit NHLer.

I guess we'll have to wait to see what happens with JvR and Komarov

 

[Andy007]

I was really hoping that JVR and Bozak would be shipped out for picks before the season started. Both would be coveted by contending/playoff seeking teams so I'd think that at least a 1st for JVR and maybe something like a 3rd for Bozak would be reasonable returns. Then you could shop your 1st, Dermott/Nielson plus a Brooks or Bracco type prospect + for a legitimate top-pairing defenceman. Moving out all (or most) of Bozak/JVR's salary could allow for a more established D with a higher cap hit that, ultimately, would be easier to acquire and cost less than a Trouba or young, high-ceiling guy. You'd have a much stronger D core and, imo, a forward group that was really just as good:

Hyman        Matthews          Nylander
Komarov      Kadri                Marner
Kapanen      Marleau              Brown
Leivo      Moore/Aaltinen/Fehr  Martin/Soshkinov

    Reilly      D (trade)
  Gardiner  Zaitsev
  Carrick    Hainsey
      Borgman/Marincin/Rosen

 

[Kin]

I'm ok with having depth.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure nobody's complaint is "I hate all this depth".

 

[sickbeast]

I was really hoping that JVR and Bozak would be shipped out for picks before the season started. Both would be coveted by contending/playoff seeking teams so I'd think that at least a 1st for JVR and maybe something like a 3rd for Bozak would be reasonable returns. Then you could shop your 1st, Dermott/Nielson plus a Brooks or Bracco type prospect + for a legitimate top-pairing defenceman. Moving out all (or most) of Bozak/JVR's salary could allow for a more established D with a higher cap hit that, ultimately, would be easier to acquire and cost less than a Trouba or young, high-ceiling guy. You'd have a much stronger D core and, imo, a forward group that was really just as good:

Hyman        Matthews          Nylander
Komarov      Kadri                Marner
Kapanen      Marleau              Brown
Leivo      Moore/Aaltinen/Fehr  Martin/Soshkinov

    Reilly      D (trade)
  Gardiner  Zaitsev
  Carrick    Hainsey
      Borgman/Marincin/Rosen

Yeah that's a great idea actually.  Something to that effect may happen in the near future.  Management probably just wants to have a better idea of what they've got in their young players before they start making trades like that.