Speculation: 2018 Off-season Thread
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BUX7PHX
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- Jul 7, 2011
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Well, even though Chayka did say that we are pretty sure we are going to get a top selection at #5, that appears more to be just saying what we can about the value and nothing more or less. I mean, he is not going to say, "Well, we thought this draft was 4 players deep, and seeing as we have the 5th pick, we are probably getting the best pick of the second tier of players." I would assume all players in the top 5 of a draft list are on the high value side of things, so what is not to like about being in position to take a top 5 player?
I never look at things like that as a surefire reason to say that we make the pick. Things change and people's draft boards fluctuate. Maybe the player we had our eye on is now the player that MTL or OTT covets. I am not saying that we are supposed to read into Lebrun's comments either, but as RABBIT dug up below, it stated that Arizona has been talking about trading the 5th pick. So at this point, the only thing that we can say is that a team is likely to get a good player at #5 (duh) and that we have options of keeping the pick or trading the pick (another duh). If anything, this just makes me think that Chayka is simply keeping it in the back of people's minds that the #5 player will be good, and should we decide to move it, we need good compensation coming back, as this is not a case where there is a significant enough drop off in talent at #5 that we are willing to just sell the pick. It kind of gives the idea that the team that would be moving up to #5 has a specific player in mind to move up for and to attempt to drive the value up in case a team wants to make that move up to #5 OA.
IPreferPi
A Nonny Mouse
Barring some new development/revelation, I would say team draft boards are generally finalized during the week after the Combine. Scouts and GMs usually see all they need to see from the players at that point.
If you want to parse Chayka's statements as some sort of 11th dimensional chess game, you can certainly do so. But I think the general shift in tone and enthusiasm about drafting in the top 10 this year compared to last year is readily apparent.
BUX7PHX
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That's fair. And as I have been reading through, there must be something else regarding the possibility of Zadina being available at #5 that may be driving this idea, especially since this information just came to light yesterday. The tone of drafting within the top 10 this year vs last year is apparent, but it still doesn't mean that we aren't open to a deal, should the right one come along. In the end, while I have been suggesting moving around the #5 pick, it is more likely that there is no trade available to be had.
If Zadina is available at #5, we have to take him. If neither Zadina or Svechnikov is available, then I really don't know what the best option is. I was originally higher on Dobson than most. If Kotkaniemi is available, I won't fault the team for taking him, but that may also be something done to push Strome as well. Ultimately, I think the best pick is Wahlstrom based on position, need, etc. But he may not be the best player in that range when all is said and done.
rt
The Kinder, Gentler Version
RHS D with tons of AHL PP points the last few years:
Brandon Montour - probably very expensive
Julius Honka
Filip Hronek
Jordan Schmaltz
Ryan Sproul
Andy Welinski
Ryan Murphy - probably not worth it
There might be a sweet spot somewhere in the middle, there.
Brandon Montour - probably very expensive
Julius Honka
Filip Hronek
Jordan Schmaltz
Ryan Sproul
Andy Welinski
Ryan Murphy - probably not worth it
There might be a sweet spot somewhere in the middle, there.
IPreferPi
A Nonny Mouse
rt
The Kinder, Gentler Version
55+Hickey for 27+Hossa. Not at all unlike the Bolland for Crouse or Datsyuk for Chychrun trades.
27+74+Wood for one of them? Carolina wants to get "tougher" maybe they'd take Crouse and 27 entices them for Faulk, assuming they want to move on from their captain (it sounds like they really do).
Same goes for Calgary who's desperate to get back into the 1st round after blowing all of their picks on their blueline, that's also eating up all of their cap space. They might be happy to trade TJ Brodie for picks/youngsters and then make a run at JvR with the freed up capspace, thus ending up with a more well rounded team, and cupboards that are less bare.
Thing is Jake, a lot of teams actually have to worry about the salary cap and about competing. If they want to balance their line-up, they have to move dollars around. Picks and prospects are currency. So is cap space.
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PIT-Schultz - Not the top of my list but I like that there is no learning curve to Tocchet's system.
CGY-Brodie - I like him but I think one LHD on the right side in Hammer is enough.
MTL-Petry - I don't think he's available. Montreal is aiming for the playoffs.
CAR-Faulk - Would be top of my list but I think many interested suitors will drive up the price.
WPG-Myers - Contract is solid with dollars drastically lower than cap, but can we afford to extend in a year from now?
CGY-Brodie - I like him but I think one LHD on the right side in Hammer is enough.
MTL-Petry - I don't think he's available. Montreal is aiming for the playoffs.
CAR-Faulk - Would be top of my list but I think many interested suitors will drive up the price.
WPG-Myers - Contract is solid with dollars drastically lower than cap, but can we afford to extend in a year from now?
rt
The Kinder, Gentler Version
Wonder if we could get any of these guys cheaper if we accept a cap dump?
Maybe a guy like Troy Brouwer from Calgary. He's a boat anchor. If we agree to buy-out Brouwer for the Flames so they don't have to, how much cheaper does that make the Brodie acquisition cost?
Calgary has good blueline depth. They've got cheap prospects that are performing well like Andersson, Kylington, Fox, etc. They can fill Brodie's spot at least reasonably well internally with an ELC. Brodie and Brouwer combined have a cap hit over NINE million dollars.
1. Hickey+55 to CHI for 27+Hossa
2. 27 to CGY for Brodie+Brouwer
3. Brouwer (50%) to CAR ("tough") for a 2018 7th (#197)
RemoAZ
Let it burn
moosemeister
5,000 strong
I don't believe it. Even if its true, Babcock will go before Matthews.
That said, I hope Chayka is on the phone with their GM right away. lol
That said, I hope Chayka is on the phone with their GM right away. lol
rt
The Kinder, Gentler Version
RemoAZ
Let it burn
It says:
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock was reportedly not pleased following his meeting with Auston Matthews in Arizona about the direction of the team moving forward, per WGR 550.
Thanks. Who does Matthews think he is.....Eichel!!!!
RemoAZ
Let it burn
It was posted today. It says they met here so I think it's new. I don't know for sure though.
Maybe the new part is that he was "not pleased"?
This is an older one talking about a meeting here: Report: Babcock, Matthews to 'air things out' in Arizona
RemoAZ
Let it burn
Bonsai Tree
Turning a new leaf
- Feb 2, 2014
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It sounds like Toronto has become toxic. Schadenfreud for Buffalo fans I suppose. I'm looking forward to us having a crack at signing Matthews when he bolts out of Canada during free agency.
If or when Matthews ever leaves Toronto it will not be by signing as a free agent, he won't reach UFA for a long time and would certainly be traded if it comes close to that time and he doesn't agree to an extension. No way they let him walk. And I doubt the claim of toxic yet.
RABBIT
wasn’t gonna be a fan but Utalked me into it
Chayka and Dubas chatting on the draft floor would be a site to see. If you combine the number of years they look like, you get Lou Lamoriello
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