why would edmonton whose clearly missing the playoffs trade RNH for a UFA rentals?
Speculation: Is D or Center more of a need.
- Thread starter jrgtml67
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why would edmonton whose clearly missing the playoffs trade RNH for a UFA rentals?
Mess
Global Moderator
With Bozak likely leaving via UFA and Freddy Gauthier the best the Leafs have in the system, it means Leafs enter next season with Matthews -- Kadri -- Goat as their top 3 centers and that wouldn't take much convincing to anyone that is a bad position to be in for the Leafs next year that they find themselves.
Leafs are relying on 2 of 3 to be provided by Burke/Nonis era, and and epic successful tank to get #1OA to get to this point. (excluding free wallet Bozak from the future).
Leafs need a hail marry and hope and prayer that JT might hit the UFA market.
Leafs are relying on 2 of 3 to be provided by Burke/Nonis era, and and epic successful tank to get #1OA to get to this point. (excluding free wallet Bozak from the future).
Leafs need a hail marry and hope and prayer that JT might hit the UFA market.
its the opposite. we have weak C depth and good D depth
nylander, marleau and komarov aren't playing C, so you can't call them C, moore is gone after this season, goat sucks, aaltonen doesn't look like anything special, brooks hasn't been good and this thread is discussing C depth in terms of the organization beyond this season, not who we have on the team right now.
BlueForever75
Registered User
- Oct 4, 2017
- 5,691
- 2,303
I would go for C more then D. I think we have some good young D coming up in Llijgren, Dermott and others in the future. What we don't have is quality C to fill in behind Matthews and Kadri. If somehow we can get another Kadri that would be ideal. Offensively gifted two-way gritty center. Two of those behind Matthews would be ideal in a Stanley Cup dynasty.
BlueBaron
Registered User
We really don't....Kadri is among the best #2 C in the league.With Bozak likely leaving via UFA and Freddy Gauthier the best the Leafs have in the system, it means Leafs enter next season with Matthews -- Kadri -- Goat as their top 3 centers and that wouldn't take much convincing to anyone that is a bad position to be in for the Leafs next year that they find themselves.
Leafs are relying on 2 of 3 to be provided by Burke/Nonis era, and and epic successful tank to get #1OA to get to this point. (excluding free wallet Bozak from the future).
Leafs need a hail marry and hope and prayer that JT might hit the UFA market.
We need a #3 C. Taveres is overkill, not that I would say no but that money is probably better on a D.
Maybe we could just get a #3C? Or start the year with Nylander at C and if it doesn't work see what our options are?
Menzinger
Kessel4LadyByng
The centre question depends on one’s interpretation of the question.
In terms of end Cs the Leafs are fine with Matthews/Kadri and maybe Nylander ina season or two. What the team is lacking is depth guys to fill out the third scoring line and 4th line.
In terms of end Cs the Leafs are fine with Matthews/Kadri and maybe Nylander ina season or two. What the team is lacking is depth guys to fill out the third scoring line and 4th line.
ShaneFalco
Registered User
If youre old school or have tunnel vision, ignore this post ...
If Marner is considered the driver of a line from the wing, doesn't that make him "more important" than the center on that line? This gives us 3 young center/anchors on the top 9 and Willie.
If Marner is considered the driver of a line from the wing, doesn't that make him "more important" than the center on that line? This gives us 3 young center/anchors on the top 9 and Willie.
- Matthews
- Kadri
- Marner/wing
I'm with the more in need of C depth crowd. Our RHD situation long term actually looks like it could have a chance to be very good, Carrick is still young, Liljegren is going to be a top 4 guy, guys like Holl, Räsänen I think there's potential there. And while some of these guys are developing, we can hopefully sign another cheap veteran RHD like Hainsey. With C once Bozak is gone, our C depth looks really bad. Nylander may or may not be a center long term, too much stake on that I think. So if we're talking hypotheticals of Doughty vs Tavares (don't think either is realistic, though I hope I'm wrong), give me JT.
Diamond Joe Quimby
A$AP Joffrey
With Bozak likely leaving via UFA and Freddy Gauthier the best the Leafs have in the system, it means Leafs enter next season with Matthews -- Kadri -- Goat as their top 3 centers and that wouldn't take much convincing to anyone that is a bad position to be in for the Leafs next year that they find themselves.
Leafs are relying on 2 of 3 to be provided by Burke/Nonis era, and and epic successful tank to get #1OA to get to this point. (excluding free wallet Bozak from the future).
Leafs need a hail marry and hope and prayer that JT might hit the UFA market.
Only you could make needing a 3rd line C seem like a catastrophic event. As if JT re-signs with NYI, management cannot turnaround and sign Mikael Backlund or Lars Eller or Derek Ryan because.....YOU say so. Its ridiculous.
Spirit of 67
Registered User
At this point, Aaltonen is nobody. Until he's played at the NHL level and at least shown he can hold his own, he's nothing but a hopeful.
Tak7
Registered User
Realistically, both.
I don't think the blueline is good enough. However, I think the team's defensive issues go deeper than that - systematically, they aren't very good, and when a team isn't good defensively, you have to point fingers at the forwards as well.
A strong two-way center would help this team just as much as an upgrade to the team's top 4, IMO.
With that being said, as far as the blueline goes, I wouldn't be looking at hitting any major home-run deals this deadline - you have to see/know what you have in this group first, and so far, we haven't seen a fully optimized blueline that includes a healthy Zaitsev, a regularly playing Dermott, and no Polak.
I don't think the blueline is good enough. However, I think the team's defensive issues go deeper than that - systematically, they aren't very good, and when a team isn't good defensively, you have to point fingers at the forwards as well.
A strong two-way center would help this team just as much as an upgrade to the team's top 4, IMO.
With that being said, as far as the blueline goes, I wouldn't be looking at hitting any major home-run deals this deadline - you have to see/know what you have in this group first, and so far, we haven't seen a fully optimized blueline that includes a healthy Zaitsev, a regularly playing Dermott, and no Polak.
Menzinger
Kessel4LadyByng
Having Marner on that line does mean the Leafs don’t need to get a higher end scorer for that centre slot. If anything the smarter move may be to get a (cheaper) defensive orientated guy, who Marner can elevate their offensive stats.
If Hainsey goes down, the old crumbling d-core will re-appear in full force. No way Leaf's management knew the impact Hainsey would have had, what an incredibly safe Dman. If he goes down, there goes the PK from the back end and the stabilizing force for Reilly or Gardiner or any other dman he is paired with. He cost a second round pick at the deadline to the Pens last year. Leafs can possibly find someone similar to him and not pay big-time for it.
JVR should net u a first round pick at the deadline, its a must he is moved to gain this asset. Having him for 30 plus games and the playoffs is not greater than a good prospect or first round pick that can be used to fill D and 3C positions.
JVR should net u a first round pick at the deadline, its a must he is moved to gain this asset. Having him for 30 plus games and the playoffs is not greater than a good prospect or first round pick that can be used to fill D and 3C positions.
tokyoite
I changed my name from "nipponjin" last summer.
With Dermott turning into a nice surprise, defensive depth is not an issue. We still need a top pairing or strong #3 RHD, but that's not something we can easily address.
Our center high end is great, Matthews/Kadri is top 5 in the NHL for 1/2 punches. Bozak is a good 3/4 this year, but likely not returning. None of Moore/Goat/Aaltonen/Fehr look like they're above replacement level. Goat/Aaltonen will be fine to keep around as injury insurance, but we'll need two more possession driving, defensively responsible bottom 6 centers before next season.
Our center high end is great, Matthews/Kadri is top 5 in the NHL for 1/2 punches. Bozak is a good 3/4 this year, but likely not returning. None of Moore/Goat/Aaltonen/Fehr look like they're above replacement level. Goat/Aaltonen will be fine to keep around as injury insurance, but we'll need two more possession driving, defensively responsible bottom 6 centers before next season.
A1LeafNation
Obsession beats talent everytime!!
- Oct 17, 2010
- 27,387
- 17,324
1 Rielly
2 Dermott
3 Gardiner
4 Zaitsev
5 Hainsey
6 Carrick
7 Borgman
8 Polak
9 Holl
10 Marincin
11 Rosen
12 Liljegren
This is why I still would go after a center. The forwards will push the play and it will take pressure off the young defence. No spots given away and less pressure is what our defence needs, not a guy taking thier spot away...
Hyman Matthews Nylander
Marleau Kadri Marner
JVR ____ Brown
Leivo Komarov Kapanen
Moore
Trade Martin Bozak Soshnikov picks and prospects for JT
2 Dermott
3 Gardiner
4 Zaitsev
5 Hainsey
6 Carrick
7 Borgman
8 Polak
9 Holl
10 Marincin
11 Rosen
12 Liljegren
This is why I still would go after a center. The forwards will push the play and it will take pressure off the young defence. No spots given away and less pressure is what our defence needs, not a guy taking thier spot away...
Hyman Matthews Nylander
Marleau Kadri Marner
JVR ____ Brown
Leivo Komarov Kapanen
Moore
Trade Martin Bozak Soshnikov picks and prospects for JT
Odd, as much as we've seen and heard all season long D was the #1 priority, I'm leaning more towards an upgrade at Center being more beneficial.
I envision matchup nightmares for opposing coaches if we got a significant upgrade at Center over Moore.
For all the negativity directed towards the Leafs D, the numbers sure contradict the criticism!!
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I envision matchup nightmares for opposing coaches if we got a significant upgrade at Center over Moore.
For all the negativity directed towards the Leafs D, the numbers sure contradict the criticism!!
National Hockey League | GP | GA | GAA | |
| 1 | Boston | 49 | 120 | 2.44898 |
| 2 | Los Angeles | 51 | 126 | 2.470588 |
| 3 | St. Louis | 53 | 134 | 2.528302 |
| 4 | Nashville | 49 | 125 | 2.55102 |
| 5 | Tampa Bay | 51 | 132 | 2.588235 |
| 6 | Vegas | 50 | 132 | 2.64 |
| 7 | Dallas | 52 | 138 | 2.653846 |
| 8 | Winnipeg | 52 | 140 | 2.692308 |
| 9 | Toronto | 53 | 146 | 2.754717 |
| 10 | Chicago | 51 | 141 | 2.764706 |
| 11 | Anaheim | 52 | 144 | 2.769231 |
| 12 | San Jose | 50 | 140 | 2.8 |
| 13 | Columbus | 50 | 140 | 2.8 |
| 14 | Washington | 50 | 141 | 2.82 |
| 15 | Minnesota | 50 | 142 | 2.84 |
| 16 | Calgary | 51 | 146 | 2.862745 |
| 17 | Colorado | 50 | 146 | 2.92 |
| 18 | Philadelphia | 51 | 150 | 2.941176 |
| 19 | Pittsburgh | 52 | 155 | 2.980769 |
| 20 | New Jersey | 50 | 150 | 3 |
| 21 | Detroit | 49 | 147 | 3 |
| 22 | Carolina | 51 | 155 | 3.039216 |
| 23 | NY Rangers | 51 | 155 | 3.039216 |
| 24 | Montréal | 51 | 161 | 3.156863 |
| 25 | Vancouver | 51 | 164 | 3.215686 |
| 26 | Edmonton | 50 | 161 | 3.22 |
| 27 | Florida | 49 | 161 | 3.285714 |
| 28 | Buffalo | 51 | 170 | 3.333333 |
| 29 | Ottawa | 49 | 169 | 3.44898 |
| 30 | Arizona | 51 | 176 | 3.45098 |
| 21 | NY Islanders | 52 | 189 | 3.634615 |
I think a strong number 2 center puts us over the top.
Lets just say for argument's sake that its Tavares.
I would run Matthews, Tavares, Kadri and Komorov down the middle. (I think Komorov would be fine as a 4th line C. He seems tough, wily and and is pretty good at taking faceoffs).
This assumes that we have the good Gardiner of the last month and of last year's playoffs.
We just have so much promise on the blue line coming. I would think that someone amongst the group of Zaitsev, Carrick, Borgman, Dermott, Liljegren make that leap to a great top 4 dman. We can save a lot of money on the defense.
Lets just say for argument's sake that its Tavares.
I would run Matthews, Tavares, Kadri and Komorov down the middle. (I think Komorov would be fine as a 4th line C. He seems tough, wily and and is pretty good at taking faceoffs).
This assumes that we have the good Gardiner of the last month and of last year's playoffs.
We just have so much promise on the blue line coming. I would think that someone amongst the group of Zaitsev, Carrick, Borgman, Dermott, Liljegren make that leap to a great top 4 dman. We can save a lot of money on the defense.
BlueForever75
Registered User
- Oct 4, 2017
- 5,691
- 2,303
It would definitely need to be a C. We have a lot of D depth. At C we have the following when this season ends:
1) Matthews
2)Kadri
3)Gauthier
4) Altonnen
Sorry I don't consider Marleau, Nylander, or Marner centers.
The Leafs need to replace Bozak this summer. Its simple and is more of a need over a number 1 D that we hypothetically have in Reilly at 22 years old and still developing.
The goal was to develop the youth. Let Reilly develop but supplement the C position that was never drafted and weak as it stands today.
1) Matthews
2)Kadri
3)Gauthier
4) Altonnen
Sorry I don't consider Marleau, Nylander, or Marner centers.
The Leafs need to replace Bozak this summer. Its simple and is more of a need over a number 1 D that we hypothetically have in Reilly at 22 years old and still developing.
The goal was to develop the youth. Let Reilly develop but supplement the C position that was never drafted and weak as it stands today.
