Speculation: Dermott does seem the most likely trade chip if they intend to deal from their roster - Spec

[Critical13]

Dermott looked really good last night, I thought.

I hate the idea of Lehtonen and Sandin rotting on the bench, though. I'd like to see Muzz/Mo get a game off once in a while, although not until after this break when we get into the beefy part of the schedule.

Nice to know we have 3 capable defender in the pressbox right now. 3 degrees of separation for my eyeballs and Marincin.

 

[Critical13]

Top teams don't trade young defenders who are in learning mode especially ones who can fly and play defense ... not for a freaking winger ... OMG how stupid ... too many people/fans think offense which means squat when you get into a tough playoff round ... you need 9 defenders ready to go to survive a war

I agree, but that really depends on the winger. For example, Rakell would be a good addition and could provide defence and goalscoring without dragging down the top 2 duos.

My biggest concern for Dermott is the expansion draft.

We MUST protect Muzzin, Holl and Brodie. No one here is interested in moving Rielly, so that's 4. That means we are losing either Dermott, Lehtonen or Kerfoot.

Another day's problem, yes, but still relevant. Dermott really has earned more minutes, though.

 

[A1LeafNation]

It's fine to trade Dermott for help if you need it.

My problem is you are going to need a 7th and 8th dman anyways for the playoffs when a major injury happens. Why not keep all of them together since they all know the system and have chemistry.

So what are the scenarios:

Lose Dermott in the ED

or

Have a deep group for a playoff run.

I'd rather keep him for the run.

Rielly Brodie
Muzzin Holl
Lehtonen Bogosian
Dermott Sandin
Liljegren

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I agree, but that really depends on the winger. For example, Rakell would be a good addition and could provide defence and goalscoring without dragging down the top 2 duos.

My biggest concern for Dermott is the expansion draft.

We MUST protect Muzzin, Holl and Brodie. No one here is interested in moving Rielly, so that's 4. That means we are losing either Dermott, Lehtonen or Kerfoot.

Another day's problem, yes, but still relevant. Dermott really has earned more minutes, though.

Lehtonen looks to me like a PP specialist who is not ready for NHL playoff hockey ... to me we got Rielly Muzzy Holl Brodie Bogo Dermy and (Sandin?) (Rosen??) ... i still think we are short on defense ... 1 more big nasty defensive defender so we can survive when Jets target Muzzy again at TDL ... playoffs are a war and defenders get hurt ... we are not in a position of strength right now ... even if it costs us a Vesey spot who cares Barabanov can move up no biggie ... any forward we can get will not be a difference maker

 

[A1LeafNation]

He's a good player. Unfortunately stuck behind some top end LHD and the RHDs have been just as good this year. And then we have Sandin waiting as well.

At the end of the day, I think the Leafs need to gain as much value as possible for him. Leafs need a LW upgrade badly and you have to give to get.

Just because injuries didn't happen yet doesn't mean we won't have them. It's inevitable.

What do we do when Rielly or Muzzin are out for a month? It's hard to see now but it's in the best interest for Leafs to hold on.

The top 6 is comparable to other contenders.

I don't see the need for a winger other than the bottom 6 and even we don't know this yet because we are still finding the right fits.

Vesey Kerfoot Simmonds could be a decent 3rd line.

Engvall Spezza Boyd could work if they all get to play together and play well.

Then you have Robertson Thornton Barabanov Anderson Brooks

 

[TMLAM34]

There’s multiple ripple effects in trading Dermott in a package for Rakell let’s say with the expansion draft in the off-season.

A move like that would force the Leafs to then protect 7 forwards and 3 defenceman opposed to 4 forwards and 4 defenceman leaving Holl exposed unless you want to leave Rakell exposed which wouldn’t make sense.

I see the Leafs keeping still. They’re playing good and it gives Lehtonen time to adjust through practices and getting into games here and there. Sandin will soon be playing AHL games again thankfully.

After the expansion draft I can see a few big moves happen. We’ll loose either Dermott or Kerfoot in the draft, most likely Dermott.

As of right now protecting 4 forwards (Matthews, Marner, Tavares and Nylander) and 4 defenceman (Reilly, Brodie, Muzzin and Holl) is our best option. Mikheyev and Robertson will be exempt. Hyman ideally you have a verbal contract extension to be signed after the expansion draft happens. And loosing either Dermott or Kerfoot isn’t going to make or break this team.

 

[SprDaVE]

Just because injuries didn't happen yet doesn't mean we won't have them. It's inevitable.

What do we do when Rielly or Muzzin are out for a month? It's hard to see now but it's in the best interest for Leafs to hold on.

The top 6 is comparable to other contenders.

I don't see the need for a winger other than the bottom 6 and even we don't know this yet because we are still finding the right fits.

Vesey Kerfoot Simmonds could be a decent 3rd line.

Engvall Spezza Boyd could work if they all get to play together and play well.

Then you have Robertson Thornton Barabanov Anderson Brooks

Depth is great to have. The point is trading a player at a crossroad with his value. Maybe you lose him for nothing in the expansion draft? Maybe he wants too much for his next contract? Maybe he has plateaued?

While upgrading the LW isn't completely needed, I think there's a big hole there and if the Leafs want to give more time to Sandin, Lehtonen and other depth defenseman they have, they have to make it work.

You can't always go "what if?" to trading players. Injuries happen and we still have a lot of depth with or without Dermott. If there is value for Dermott, the Leafs would be wise to strongly consider it.

 

[Notsince67]

I agree, but that really depends on the winger. For example, Rakell would be a good addition and could provide defence and goalscoring without dragging down the top 2 duos.

My biggest concern for Dermott is the expansion draft.

We MUST protect Muzzin, Holl and Brodie. No one here is interested in moving Rielly, so that's 4. That means we are losing either Dermott, Lehtonen or Kerfoot.

Another day's problem, yes, but still relevant. Dermott really has earned more minutes, though.

Protecting holl for 2 years after which you are going to need to pay him might not be realistic.
If Lehtonen works out, he will need to get paid
Hyman will need to get paid
Rielly needs to get paid.
left wing needs figuring out
Team needs to figure out what to do with their goalie situation.
There are a lot of moving parts

 

[Critical13]

Protecting holl for 2 years after which you are going to need to pay him might not be realistic.
If Lehtonen works out, he will need to get paid
Hyman will need to get paid
Rielly needs to get paid.
left wing needs figuring out
Team needs to figure out what to do with their goalie situation.
There are a lot of moving parts

The idea of not protecting Holl seems absurd to me. He's our best RHD right now and one of the few players who is putting up good defensive numbers.

Imagine signing Rielly to a long term deal and letting Holl walk? We'd be taking 1 step forward and 5 massive steps back to the pond hockey days.

 

[Stephen]

We should keep him until Lehtonen proves he can handle the role full time.

Dermott has been solid this season.

Only problem with this course of action is they’re not giving Lehtonen any legitimate looks. So even if he’s better than Dermott (or not) we are probably going to lose Dermott and not know what we have in Lehtonen.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Depth is great to have. The point is trading a player at a crossroad with his value. Maybe you lose him for nothing in the expansion draft? Maybe he wants too much for his next contract? Maybe he has plateaued?

While upgrading the LW isn't completely needed, I think there's a big hole there and if the Leafs want to give more time to Sandin, Lehtonen and other depth defenseman they have, they have to make it work.

You can't always go "what if?" to trading players. Injuries happen and we still have a lot of depth with or without Dermott. If there is value for Dermott, the Leafs would be wise to strongly consider it.

Ideally yes get the best asset back at its peak.

However, this could very well be a cup run year.

It's a big risk to either trade or to keep for a run.

Not an easy decision. I would lean towards keeping.

 

[Notsince67]

The idea of not protecting Holl seems absurd to me. He's our best RHD right now and one of the few players who is putting up good defensive numbers.

Imagine signing Rielly to a long term deal and letting Holl walk? We'd be taking 1 step forward and 5 massive steps back to the pond hockey days.

Dermott is 24 years old (from december). Any idea what kind of player Holl was at 24?
Dermott is under control for a few years.
You likely wouldnt want to sign Holl for more than 2-3 years after this contract and I guarantee, Dermott is better Dman when Holl finishes this contract.

 

[Critical13]

Dermott is 24 years old (from december). Any idea what kind of player Holl was at 24?
Dermott is under control for a few years.
You likely wouldnt want to sign Holl for more than 2-3 years after this contract and I guarantee, Dermott is better Dman when Holl finishes this contract.

The fact that Dermott could be as good doesn't make Holl a cast off, which is what I was referring to in the quote.

 

[Dog]

Dermott in package deal for Rakell

 

[Notsince67]

The fact that Dermott could be as good doesn't make Holl a cast off, which is what I was referring to in the quote.

Not a cast off but choices need to be made. I'd keep Dermott

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Lots of talk no substance in this thread. Right, its just speculation.

Dermott as a player you keep. Somebody wants to improve the team for us in a trade I’d agree moving them every day. Dermott is more a growing player than a growing problem. So it’s easy, you keep him.

 

[Papi 4 Hart]

Because of the expansion draft and cap issues it only makes sense for us to add a forward with an expiring contract that we wont have to protect and pay less draft capital for.

 

[ULF_55]

Not a cast off but choices need to be made. I'd keep Dermott

Leafs have to look at all their assets and determine who to protect regardless of contract.

Muzzin and Brodie have NMC's.

Eventually, Liljegren needs a determination.

Will Rielly sign long term with a manageable cap?

I believe Muzzin, Brodie and Dermott are local kids.

 

[Notsince67]

Leafs have to look at all their assets and determine who to protect regardless of contract.

Muzzin and Brodie have NMC's.

Eventually, Liljegren needs a determination.

Will Rielly sign long term with a manageable cap?

I believe Muzzin, Brodie and Dermott are local kids.

I agree. My point that in isolation, I would choose Dermott over Holl in the long run.
Holl probably has near term upside in a trade. He is currently solid and is a RHD. Pick up a stud prospect like Evan Bouchard from a desperate team like Edmonton and sign some replacement level player to expose.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Leafs have to look at all their assets and determine who to protect regardless of contract.

Muzzin and Brodie have NMC's.

Eventually, Liljegren needs a determination.

Will Rielly sign long term with a manageable cap?

I believe Muzzin, Brodie and Dermott are local kids.

Yes all 3 chose to come here to be home ... Dermy would leave depending on da $$$ but he wants to stay with Leafs and win ... no idea where Sandin and Lily and Lehtonen are at wrt TO but likely it is just another NHL team to each ... Rielly I believe now bleeds blue ... Bogo is a piece we need for playoffs ... and we need another Bogo type because sure as sun will shine again a defender or two will get injured this season on our run ... if it is Muzzy we are in deep sh*t ... and everyone on here knows it in their hearts ... last year we all saw what happens when you lose your best defender we lost to CLB ... we can't go there again

 

[TMLAM34]

I’d be more interested in possibly dealing Liljegren looking for an upgrade with our forwards.

Arizona could be a potential trading partner. Crouse would be someone that interests me. Would be a nice addition to the bottom six. I’d really like our chances this year having guys like Crouse, Simmonds, Hyman, Muzzin, Holl, Bogosian, etc.

We also wouldn’t have to worry about loosing Crouse in the expansion draft when other players like Kerfoot and Dermott/Holl would be exposed.

Sam Bennett could be another option if Calgary continues to struggle.

 

[Nylander88]

Don't love the idea of trading Dermott tbh. I understand they feel like they'll probably lose him for nothing otherwise in an expansion draft... But that'd likely be true of whoever we acquire as well. That said, if he's dealt, I'd rather see Sandin in rather than Lehtonen

 

[Cpt Maple Leaf]

There’s multiple ripple effects in trading Dermott in a package for Rakell let’s say with the expansion draft in the off-season.

A move like that would force the Leafs to then protect 7 forwards and 3 defenceman opposed to 4 forwards and 4 defenceman leaving Holl exposed unless you want to leave Rakell exposed which wouldn’t make sense.

I see the Leafs keeping still. They’re playing good and it gives Lehtonen time to adjust through practices and getting into games here and there. Sandin will soon be playing AHL games again thankfully.

After the expansion draft I can see a few big moves happen. We’ll loose either Dermott or Kerfoot in the draft, most likely Dermott.

As of right now protecting 4 forwards (Matthews, Marner, Tavares and Nylander) and 4 defenceman (Reilly, Brodie, Muzzin and Holl) is our best option. Mikheyev and Robertson will be exempt. Hyman ideally you have a verbal contract extension to be signed after the expansion draft happens. And loosing either Dermott or Kerfoot isn’t going to make or break this team.

Kerfoot has been solid, however; I would rather lose him in the expansion draft than Dermott. I really like what Dermott has shown thus far, he is seeing the ice and moving the puck well. Haven't seen a whole lot from Lehtonen, Dermott>Lehtonen imho.

 

[TMLAM34]

Kerfoot has been solid, however; I would rather lose him in the expansion draft than Dermott. I really like what Dermott has shown thus far, he is seeing the ice and moving the puck well. Haven't seen a whole lot from Lehtonen, Dermott>Lehtonen imho.

I agree, Dermott and Bogosian I think have looked great together. Probably the best third pairing we’ve seen in a very long time. If we go the 7-3 route in terms of the expansion draft then both Holl and Dermott would be exposed and we loose one of them, the other either stays paired with Muzzin or moves up to play with Muzzin. The best part of it, next season we have a great replacement in Sandin.

 

[Menzinger]

It us worth mentioning that the Leafs could also make a side deal with the Kraken to get them to take take someone like Engvall