Carlson vs Tavares: I'll take JC over JT for $8m, Alex.

[firstemperor]

Carlson will get a lot. Washington paid a ton for Oshie and Orlov and Carlson is worth more than both.

That said, he isn't in the same class of player Tavares has been in. Closer to a #2 than a #1.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I don't think that management would go for Carlson over Tavares given the choice.

Personally i believe short term fillers like Hainsey will work until Lilly and Ras are developed.

Thats two quality RHD prospects.

 

[Knies iT]

You don't pass up Matthews-Tavares down the middle. That rivals Crosby-Malkin and is a younger duo to boot. Plus the Leafs would have what the Pens don't: Nazem Kadri in the 3 slot long-term. That centre depth would almost assure a couple ECF appearances at the very least.

Carlson is a great option though. If he can be lured for 6-7 mill for 6-8 years, you've got one hell of a D core with Rielly, Carlson, Gardiner, Dermott, Zaitsev, Liljegren. Unfortunately he's going to be highly coveted as a battle-tested rare RHD with 50+ points. Also, he comes across as a a pretty patriotic guy who I could see either sticking with the Caps, or looking at Boston/Jersey/etc.

 

[MapleLeafs9]

eight million dollars for John Carlson?
he's not that good.

Fortunately for himself, John Carlson is having a very good year, so he is likely going to get 8 million this free agency.

 

[Spirit of 67]

First of all, Washington has said they will do what it takes to re-sign Carlson.
Secondly, I'm not sure either player is signing for $8M/.
Lastly, according to Bobby Mac the Shaniplan calls for defensemen making in the $5/6M range and more of them. Rather than some higher priced and lower priced defenders. Spend the money on scorers.

 

[Liferleafer]

Carlson for 7m or JT for 9.5m and you’ve got a debate IMO

If i can only choose 1, it's Carlson...much more of a need. Tavares would be a luxury....a dam good one, but the point remains.

 

[Jozay]

Carlson at 8 mill is a no go.

Id rather go after Tavares.

 

[Prince N]

I'll take both for 13mil. Nylander stays on wing. Let JVR, Bozak, Kom walk. Polak and Martin out as well

 

[Canada4Gold]

I'll take both for 13mil. Nylander stays on wing. Let JVR, Bozak, Kom walk. Polak and Martin out as well

wait, both Tavares and John Carlson for 13 million total? As in both of them combined? No shit. Combined they'll probably make closer to 16 million or more. You won't get both for 13.

 

[The Best Leafs Ever]

Carlsson is worth 4mil.

 

[Torontonian]

8m for John Carlson is laughable.

If you had the choice of getting one of the two, you take the elite centerman for 8m

 

[member 147413]

Carlson at $8mil? Huge pass for me.

Tavares at $11+mil? He’s been letting down the Islanders for awhile now, I’ll take a pass on that too.

 

[AppsSyl]

Tavares.
He is a franchise player and would give us a Crosby/Malkin like dynamic down the middle. Dermott could be that rock-steady minute muncher we need to to compliment Rielly on the other pair. We could look at the 2019 UFA for D as well. You can't pass up on getting a Tavares for free.

 

[Prince N]

8-9mil Tav
4-5mil Carl
Make it ****in happen

 

[Mitchy]

I would be extremely disappointed if we signed Carlson to an 8M AAV contract.

He's having a terrific year no doubt, but Carlson would absolutely get destroyed in a market like Toronto. I doubt he'll replicate these numbers again and he's not good defensively, so I really don't see the need for him.

 

[Fogelhund]

Carlson for 7m or JT for 9.5m and you’ve got a debate IMO

Except it will be closer to $11-12 for JT. Carlson is likely to get somewhere between $7-8.

Carlson is third in points among D right now, and is decent on the D side.

Vlasic got $7 last year.

Browse - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

D by Cap hit.

 

[Gallagbi]

Except it will be closer to $11-12 for JT. Carlson is likely to get somewhere between $7-8.

Carlson is third in points among D right now, and is decent on the D side.

Vlasic got $7 last year.

Browse - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

D by Cap hit.

He's bad defensively and propped up by a fantastic Caps PP where he isn't the primary option (Ovi is). He's a fine offensive defenseman to have in your top 4, but not worth 7+.

Vlasic isn't either IMO, but he's a much, much different player.

I see JT in the 10-11 range personally, I don't think he comes close to McDavid even with the cap rising.

 

[Legion34]

JT has barely been top 10’in scoring for years now. I don’t see him making mcdavid money. 10-11 I’m in. 13 no chance

 

[Terrible GM]

JT has barely been top 10’in scoring for years now. I don’t see him making mcdavid money. 10-11 I’m in. 13 no chance

Unless your a desperate GM with no center depth at all. Bergevin throwing huge dollars at JT to get at least 1 competent player down the middle, and extend his job longer would not be a shocker at all.

 

[Legion34]

Unless your a desperate GM with no center depth at all. Bergevin throwing huge dollars at JT to get at least 1 competent player down the middle, and extend his job longer would not be a shocker at all.

Sure. But how can they?

Price is 10.5. Webber is 8. Alzner is 5. Petty is 5. Tavares at 13? That’s over half the cap on 1 f 3 d and a g.

Carolina could. That’s abojt it really?

 

[Hogan86]

I'd rather sign De Haan for 4-4.5. Would solidify our top four, and not cost a fortune. I don't think we will have the cap space for John Carlson.

 

[GardinerTheForward]

John Tavares. He is a 10/10 player. I know his sister as well who works in Mississauaga. She is a 10/10 as well.

probably her great personity and wholesome roots

 

[Pi]

John Tavares over John Carlson. I doubt any come here but if I had a choice and they were both down to come, I would easily choose Tavares. Defense is so overrated in this league. You can just downright bludgeon teams with Tavares as your 2nd/3rd line C.

 

[Daisy Jane]

John Tavares over John Carlson. I doubt any come here but if I had a choice and they were both down to come, I would easily choose Tavares. Defense is so overrated in this league. You can just downright bludgeon teams with Tavares as your 2nd/3rd line C.

why do you think that?

 

[Liminality]

It's tough, Carlson is probably a bit overrated and Tavares would give us a monstrous top 9 but I keep going back to thinking Carlson would fit in better. Carlson kills penalties, plays tons of PP time and could potentially fix some of our PP issues. A big minute RD who does a bit of everything is pretty much what we've been looking for right? He might not be the best defensive defender but he can insulate everyone on the right side and push them down. I think the age fits too, turned 28 in January so he's still got some quality years left. Babcock's going to like that he's 6'3 and 215 pounds and can skate too.