Trade Rumours and Free Agent Talk

[WTFMAN99]

There's definitely more emphasis on skating also style of play usually comes into play with defensive defenseman because they play a physical brand. I think it's important to view every player individually as no two players are the same.

I think you made some valid points, but I disagree with needing a mean style of play to be a good 3rd/4th line player. Brooks Laich/Gaustad have regressed with age, and physical style of play. The NHL brand is shifted towards a younger, faster style of player that leads to a shortened career of veteran players.

In terms of skating, Gauthier has a good stride for a big man. I wouldn't classify him as a fast or slow, but he's above average given his size. I disagree with the stereo-type of Gaustad/Laich as you're generalizing an old body with a young body. Is Gauthier going to be effective at 30? That's another question really.

I don't know if he'll be a surefire player, no one does. I just think you need to let him play out his first contract and see his development curve before judge anyone.

Couts is a very good #2/#3C over a role player. I wouldn't mentioned him in the conversation

Yeah, edited that part afterwards.

I think Gauthier is on the team in 17-18, but it was disappointing he wasn't even a regular in our AHL playoff run.

Even though I hated the pick, I want him to succeed, it's in all our (and the Leafs) best interest that he succeeds.

 

[Jack Bauer]

He isn't a total bust like biggs, but it's just a bit disheartening for his production since his d+1 year

His production issues go all the way back to Rimouski.

I've said it before and i'll say it again: The fact a physical monster like him didn't offensively dominate junior at 18 and 19 should be seen as very troublesome.

You can have all the defensive instincts you like but if you're role is the 4th line C and nothing else then you're not going to be playing on very good teams because that role is going to go to a more rounded player who is younger or a veteran who has a history of playing the role.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Have a feeling Bruins will start to load up - seeing how the panthers have kept their foot on the pedal this summer. TB should be confident. Montreal kinda mixed (with Weber and a healthy Price, they will be in the mix), Buffalo is trending upward too.

I think the Bruins are stuck in a win-now mode. Look for something crazy out of them.

Kinda thinking they go overboard on one of Shattenkirk/Fowler/Trouba

 

[TheCLAM]

Yeah, edited that part afterwards.

I think Gauthier is on the team in 17-18, but it was disappointing he wasn't even a regular in our AHL playoff run.

Even though I hated the pick, I want him to succeed, it's in all our (and the Leafs) best interest that he succeeds.

It's like marrying a fine lady and inheriting her step-son.

Sure.. the step-son may be kinda weird at first, but one day he grows up and becomes a wealthy entrepreneur. He remembers all the encouragement you bestowed onto him growing up and he buy's you a retirement house.

The moral is to be nice to Freddy because he could surprise you in more ways you know...

Or... he could go bankrupt and end up on the streets. In that case, you dis-own him and adopt a new son.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Have a feeling Bruins will start to load up - seeing how the panthers have kept their foot on the pedal this summer. TB should be confident. Montreal kinda mixed (with Weber and a healthy Price, they will be in the mix), Buffalo is trending upward too.

I think the Bruins are stuck in a win-now mode. Look for something crazy out of them.

Kinda thinking they go overboard on one of Shattenkirk/Fowler/Trouba

I can't say I really disagree on any of these points.

I see MTL blowing up 3-4 years.

Weber will start to slow down, and if (and it's certainly a chance) that Patches and Price could leave, that franchise could be in turmoil.

Boston is slowly fading.

BUF, FLA, TBL all trending up. OTT is stuck in neutral because their owner won't spend.

It's like marrying a fine lady and inheriting her step-son.

Sure.. the step-son may be kinda weird at first, but one day he grows up and becomes a wealthy entrepreneur. He remembers all the encouragement you bestowed onto him growing up and he buy's you a retirement house.

The moral is to be nice to Freddy because he could surprise you in more ways you know...

Or... he could go bankrupt and end up on the streets. In that case, you dis-own him and adopt a new son.

I could see them swapping out Gauthier for a different prospect in the league IF Gauthier doesn't show any significant improvement (ie, half way through the season, production hasn't gone up, doesn't look any different then the previous season)

 

[TheCLAM]

I can't say I really disagree on any of these points.

I see MTL blowing up 3-4 years.

Weber will start to slow down, and if (and it's certainly a chance) that Patches and Price could leave, that franchise could be in turmoil.

Boston is slowly fading.

BUF, FLA, TBL all trending up. OTT is stuck in neutral because their owner won't spend.



I could see them swapping out Gauthier for a different prospect in the league IF Gauthier doesn't show any significant improvement (ie, half way through the season, production hasn't gone up, doesn't look any different then the previous season)

I give him the rest of his ELC for sure, unless he plays terrible. A 40 point AHL season is a realistic expectation as he comes a top 9 player.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

I can't say I really disagree on any of these points.

I see MTL blowing up 3-4 years.

Weber will start to slow down, and if (and it's certainly a chance) that Patches and Price could leave, that franchise could be in turmoil.

Boston is slowly fading.

BUF, FLA, TBL all trending up. OTT is stuck in neutral because their owner won't spend.

I agree on your points entirely. Boston is slowly fading, but their management (IMO) won't allow it. Crazy to think that their abundance of 1st rounders could have stocked the cupboard. (all signs are pointing to another unsuccessful draft) But who knows.

If I were a fan, I wouldn't be too confident in the coming months. Their GM reeks of snap move to keep up with the rise of the division.

Ottawa wasn't even worth commenting on; they have some nice pieces, but will always be stuck behind the locked wallet of their owner. Players like Karlsson will either get fed up, or get accustomed to mediocrity.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I agree on your points entirely. Boston is slowly fading, but their management (IMO) won't allow it. Crazy to think that their abundance of 1st rounders could have stocked the cupboard. (all signs are pointing to another unsuccessful draft) But who knows.

If I were a fan, I wouldn't be too confident in the coming months. Their GM reeks of snap move to keep up with the rise of the division.

Ottawa wasn't even worth commenting on; they have some nice pieces, but will always be stuck behind the locked wallet of their owner. Players like Karlsson will either get fed up, or get accustomed to mediocrity.

I've hated Boston's last 2 drafts...slow fade, and Chara isn't getting younger.

Karlsson will totally walk on Ottawa at the end of that contract, no doubt in my mind.

Buffalo needs to spread aroun it's asset, convert a couple of forwards into a legit defenseman to play with Risto. I'm not sold on Lehner, but Ullmark (am I remembering the name right?) looked good in spurts last year, think he could be a good goalie for them.

Hoping FLA/TBL have to start disassembling (due to cap) as we're taking off. If Burns or Shattenkirk is available this off-season, we're in a great position to sign them with all the money coming off of the books for us if it comes down to it.

The year after Lupul comes off the book...things are looking nice for us

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Yeah, edited that part afterwards.

I think Gauthier is on the team in 17-18, but it was disappointing he wasn't even a regular in our AHL playoff run.

Even though I hated the pick, I want him to succeed, it's in all our (and the Leafs) best interest that he succeeds.

I wouldn't worry about that all that much. The same thing happened to Tobias Lindberg; he was on pace for like 45 points that season and was one of our best two-way players. Lindberg only got 3 games, whereas Gauthier got 9. That's what happens when you play on one of the best teams in AHL history.

On a separate note, regardless of whether he was taken a couple spots too high, I'm not calling him a bust until he proves he can't handle more. With Nylander, Carrick, and Arcobello all gone next year, he'll be given better line mates and more opportunities. We'll see how much he uses these opportunities to build off of a solid all-around rookie season and go from there.

 

[thewave]

I've hated Boston's last 2 drafts...slow fade, and Chara isn't getting younger.

Karlsson will totally walk on Ottawa at the end of that contract, no doubt in my mind.

Buffalo needs to spread aroun it's asset, convert a couple of forwards into a legit defenseman to play with Risto. I'm not sold on Lehner, but Ullmark (am I remembering the name right?) looked good in spurts last year, think he could be a good goalie for them.

Hoping FLA/TBL have to start disassembling (due to cap) as we're taking off. If Burns or Shattenkirk is available this off-season, we're in a great position to sign them with all the money coming off of the books for us if it comes down to it.

The year after Lupul comes off the book...things are looking nice for us

Florida is the hurdle. Buffalo will likely be more aggressive and a a result be tough as well.

Chars is about done.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I wouldn't worry about that all that much. The same thing happened to Tobias Lindberg; he was on pace for like 45 points that season and was one of our best two-way players. Lindberg only got 3 games, whereas Gauthier got 9. That's what happens when you play on one of the best teams in AHL history.

On a separate note, regardless of whether he was taken a couple spots too high, I'm not calling him a bust until he proves he can't handle more. With Nylander, Carrick, and Arcobello all gone next year, he'll be given better line mates and more opportunities. We'll see how much he uses these opportunities to build off of a solid all-around rookie season and go from there.

At this point, who are the centres down there? Froese got pushed off the Leafs for sure at this point.

Froese, Gauthier, Smith, and who?

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Florida is the hurdle. Buffalo will likely be more aggressive and a a result be tough as well.

Chars is about done.

I actually have a weird gut feeling that Chara is moved to a contender at the deadline.
Not sure if Boston would be smart enough to unload and gain some future assets though.

At this point, who are the centres down there? Froese got pushed off the Leafs for sure at this point.

Froese, Gauthier, Smith, and who?

Brooks?

 

[Mad Brills*]

Big year for gauthier regardless.

Wouldn't shock me if he's not given a QO after his contract is up if he continues this way

 

[SprDaVE]

Big year for gauthier regardless.

Wouldn't shock me if he's not given a QO after his contract is up if he continues this way

Babcock was a fan of him and played him on the PK A LOT in his short time here.

He's not a 'sexy' prospect or very exciting but does a lot of things on the ice that go unnoticed and he'll likely have a role in what Babcock wants out of his bottom line. As long as he stays cheap and we don't give him a Helm contract eventually, he should be a solid depth piece. The hate for him just because he was picked as a first rounder is unfair to be honest.

We'll see how he progresses this season though.

 

[Jack Bauer]

Babcock was a fan of him and played him on the PK A LOT in his short time here.

He's not a 'sexy' prospect or very exciting but does a lot of things on the ice that go unnoticed and he'll likely have a role in what Babcock wants out of his bottom line. As long as he stays cheap and we don't give him a Helm contract eventually, he should be a solid depth piece.

We'll see how he progresses this season though.

Babcock is only ever going to praise someone like him during a rebuild.

Gauthier was up at a time when all the Marlies were getting game action.

Let's see what Babcock thinks of him this upcoming season before we get so hung up on his comments from back in March.

A LOT of prospects are about to zoom right by Gauthier in training camp.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Big year for gauthier regardless.

Wouldn't shock me if he's not given a QO after his contract is up if he continues this way

I actually don't mind his progression. We shouldn't be expecting this guy to dominate the Marlies, in order to get a shot in the NHL. If Babcock has trust in him as a 4th line C; I think he eventually makes the roster, regardless if he doesn't have gaudy AHL numbers.

He is certainly a nice chip to have, if/when we start to unload players - he can slide in nicely on our 4th line C.

I actually think this is great for him though. Last year the Marlies were blessed with a bloated roster - Gauthier will be given the opportunity now and I think he actually has some good qualities to his game that will be shown this year.

The forgotten 1st rounder will start to show his NHL worth, mark my words, by the midway pt of the year Babcock and co. will be talking about 'finding a spot' for the goat.

 

[thewave]

Goat absolutely is being further developed. Babcock says "one thing I learned tonight is that the Goat can skate". Translation from Babcock. I liked what I saw out there from Freddy, he is a big guy that is on my radar and deserves my time to work with.

 

[Mad Brills*]

Babcock was a fan of him and played him on the PK A LOT in his short time here.

He's not a 'sexy' prospect or very exciting but does a lot of things on the ice that go unnoticed and he'll likely have a role in what Babcock wants out of his bottom line. As long as he stays cheap and we don't give him a Helm contract eventually, he should be a solid depth piece. The hate for him just because he was picked as a first rounder is unfair to be honest.

We'll see how he progresses this season though.

he didn't hit .5 ppg in the AHL.

I'll give him this season to be better, and hopefully he does, but if he gets passed by some prospects, future isn't looking to bright. Classic example of drafting floor vs ceiling.

 

[Mad Brills*]

I actually don't mind his progression. We shouldn't be expecting this guy to dominate the Marlies, in order to get a shot in the NHL. If Babcock has trust in him as a 4th line C; I think he eventually makes the roster, regardless if he doesn't have gaudy AHL numbers.

He is certainly a nice chip to have, if/when we start to unload players - he can slide in nicely on our 4th line C.

I actually think this is great for him though. Last year the Marlies were blessed with a bloated roster - Gauthier will be given the opportunity now and I think he actually has some good qualities to his game that will be shown this year.

The forgotten 1st rounder will start to show his NHL worth, mark my words, by the midway pt of the year Babcock and co. will be talking about 'finding a spot' for the goat.

True.

It's close to a make or break year for him, strong year as the 1c/2c on the marlies and he's potentially a nice long term 4C for the leafs. People start to pass him, and that's not good.

Hope he does well, but the signs haven't been promising.

 

[SprDaVE]

Babcock is only ever going to praise someone like him during a rebuild.

Gauthier was up at a time when all the Marlies were getting game action.

Let's see what Babcock thinks of him this upcoming season before we get so hung up on his comments from back in March.

A LOT of prospects are about to zoom right by Gauthier in training camp.

He has plenty of criticism for Nylander and Leivo. He wasn't hiding it.

Gauthier is going to play a role not many other prospect are capable of at the NHL level. You need those kind of players no matter who you are. Chicago has them. Pittsburgh has them. Anaheim has them. As long as they stay relatively cheap, they have a very crucial role in playing top defensive minutes on the PK and not being a liability 5 on 5.

Instead of signing a Winnik, or Santorelli, or whatever else, we have a younger version of those players and one that will be cost effective for a little while.

All we can hope now is that he develops more offence, which is probably not likely to happen.

 

[SprDaVE]

he didn't hit .5 ppg in the AHL.

I'll give him this season to be better, and hopefully he does, but if he gets passed by some prospects, future isn't looking to bright. Classic example of drafting floor vs ceiling.

His game isn't offence though? Not sure what you're expecting. And he played on one of the deepest AHL teams assembled. When he was drafted his question mark was offence and had some untapped potential there that never really surfaced.

I know a lot of of you are upset at his development and whatever but I do think he'll be a solid bottom liner at some point in the near future, whether it's with us or another team.

He really didn't look out of place when he was called up and that's a good sign. He moves well, he's huge, good on faceoffs and rarely ever loses a puck battle along the boards. All qualities of a good PK specialist and bottom line player, but obviously he needs to stay cheap for awhile.

 

[BertCorbeau]

he didn't hit .5 ppg in the AHL.

I'll give him this season to be better, and hopefully he does, but if he gets passed by some prospects, future isn't looking to bright. Classic example of drafting floor vs ceiling.

He's played one AHL season.. One. On an incredibly deep, loaded roster where he wasn't a go-to offensive guy.

This year will be more telling than anything else because he's gotten some experience and will have opportunity for bigger minutes.

 

[WTFMAN99]

I actually have a weird gut feeling that Chara is moved to a contender at the deadline.
Not sure if Boston would be smart enough to unload and gain some future assets though.


Brooks?

Hmm, could we give him an AHL contract, and if we like what we see do an ELC for him?

 

[Mad Brills*]

He's played one AHL season.. One. On an incredibly deep, loaded roster where he wasn't a go-to offensive guy.

This year will be more telling than anything else because he's gotten some experience and will have opportunity for bigger minutes.

True, but man his production in the Q, a notorious offensive league was underwhelming much more than this past year.

 

[Jack Bauer]

He has plenty of criticism for Nylander and Leivo. He wasn't hiding it.

Gauthier is going to play a role not many other prospect are capable of at the NHL level. You need those kind of players no matter who you are. Chicago has them. Pittsburgh has them. Anaheim has them. As long as they stay relatively cheap, they have a very crucial role in playing top defensive minutes on the PK and not being a liability 5 on 5.

Instead of signing a Winnik, or Santorelli, or whatever else, we have a younger version of those players and one that will be cost effective for a little while.

All we can hope now is that he develops more offence, which is probably not likely to happen.

Comparing him to players like Winnik tells me you see way more skill in him then he's shown at any level.

He's not at all like a player Chicago or Pittsburgh has brought along in my opinion. We do have many of prospects like that though and all are ahead of Gauthier on our depth chart.