GDT: 2019 NHL/Bruins Free Agent Talk II

[ODAAT]

Marner may have permenantly damaged his relationship not only with the Leafs but certainly with their fans over this. Nylander has never regained the place in Leafs fans minds/hearts he once occupied before his contract holdout. May be a harsh lesson about the worth of money for Mitch.

Of course, continued success might wash that from the fickle mobs mind soon enough as well.

I think Marner is loved in TO and if a deal doesn`t get done, it`s Dubas not Marner who`ll take the worst hit from it. Truth is, they should have wrapped him up a long time ago and they didn`t and this is what happens

 

[NDiesel]

It is what it is. Certainly not doom & gloom as some would suggest. We can wax poetic over some of the kids, "not panning out yet"(Seny, Zboril specifically) or not signing Ferland, et al yada yada until we are blue in the face. Let's see this thing through before we start planning the eulogy on a season that hasn't started yet...lol. I believe that we will be fine.

Exactly. I wouldn't say we had an A+ summer so far, but the team still looks no different than the team that was 3rd in the league in points (except now we have Coyle for a full year). We look much better this year going into the season than we did last year IMO, with a lot of time left until the season actually starts.

 

[bbfan419]

another cheap deal 2/6.75

The ideal contract for this guy and our GM of the year sitting on his hands again, way to go Donny, maybe wait for the next Backes to sign instead.

 

[ODAAT]

Exactly. I wouldn't say we had an A+ summer so far, but the team still looks no different than the team that was 3rd in the league in points (except now we have Coyle for a full year). We look much better this year going into the season than we did last year IMO, with a lot of time left until the season actually starts.

it`s been precisely the kind of summer I anticipated with some RFA`s needed to be signed and contracts like Backes/Miller difficult to find takers on. Ritchie might be intriguing, we`ll see how the change of address affects his game, maybe Butch and his system agree with him and he finds a home on the team and is a guy the B`s can count on to play some gritty 4th line minutes, hopefully chip in a few.

Summer isn`t done, no way Sweeney is sitting in his office comfortable having that Backes deal still there

 

[BruinsFan64]

it`s been precisely the kind of summer I anticipated with some RFA`s needed to be signed and contracts like Backes/Miller difficult to find takers on. Ritchie might be intriguing, we`ll see how the change of address affects his game, maybe Butch and his system agree with him and he finds a home on the team and is a guy the B`s can count on to play some gritty 4th line minutes, hopefully chip in a few.

Summer isn`t done, no way Sweeney is sitting in his office comfortable having that Backes deal still there

We can only hope that Sweeney is not done. If these are all the moves we are making, it would be a pretty disappointing off season.

 

[missingchicklet]

I think Marner is loved in TO and if a deal doesn`t get done, it`s Dubas not Marner who`ll take the worst hit from it. Truth is, they should have wrapped him up a long time ago and they didn`t and this is what happens

I agree that Toronto fans are smart enough to realize that Marner is not at fault for wanting fair market value and that it is not his fault that Dubas has gone top heavy with his roster choices and salaries. Matthews $11.634 AAV, Tavares $11.0 AAV, Nylander $6.962 AAV -- roughly $30 mil AAV in just 3 players. Matthews has missed pretty decent portions of 2 of his 3 NHL seasons. Nylander had a bad season this past year. Meanwhile, Marner has played every game the past two seasons, and had 94 points this past season. Have to throw in he is arguably the most talented player on Toronto, and is only 22 yrs old. Surely Toronto will find a way to keep Marner, but it will cost them in other areas of the team. Not at all Marner's fault that the GM didn't necessarily make him the priority he needed to be.

 

[ODAAT]

I agree that Toronto fans are smart enough to realize that Marner is not at fault for wanting fair market value and that it is not his fault that Dubas has gone top heavy with his roster choices and salaries. Matthews $11.634 AAV, Tavares $11.0 AAV, Nylander $6.962 AAV -- roughly $30 mil AAV in just 3 players. Matthews has missed pretty decent portions of 2 of his 3 NHL seasons. Nylander had a bad season this past year. Meanwhile, Marner has played every game the past two seasons, and had 94 points this past season. Have to throw in he is arguably the most talented player on Toronto, and is only 22 yrs old. Surely Toronto will find a way to keep Marner, but it will cost them in other areas of the team. Not at all Marner's fault that the GM didn't necessarily make him the priority he needed to be.

agreed, IMO, you take Matthews out of that lineup and the Leafs, while not being as strong, survive, you take Marner out of that lineup and IMO that Leafs team will struggle in many areas. He is just so creative

 

[Number8]

I agree that Toronto fans are smart enough to realize that Marner is not at fault for wanting fair market value and that it is not his fault that Dubas has gone top heavy with his roster choices and salaries. Matthews $11.634 AAV, Tavares $11.0 AAV, Nylander $6.962 AAV -- roughly $30 mil AAV in just 3 players. Matthews has missed pretty decent portions of 2 of his 3 NHL seasons. Nylander had a bad season this past year. Meanwhile, Marner has played every game the past two seasons, and had 94 points this past season. Have to throw in he is arguably the most talented player on Toronto, and is only 22 yrs old. Surely Toronto will find a way to keep Marner, but it will cost them in other areas of the team. Not at all Marner's fault that the GM didn't necessarily make him the priority he needed to be.

I agree. IMO Dubas has made two bad moves. 1) As you rightly point out, not putting emphasis on Marner over Nylander and 2) not moving Nylander rights for some talent on D.

 

[ODAAT]

We can only hope that Sweeney is not done. If these are all the moves we are making, it would be a pretty disappointing off season.

IMO the biggest moves he can make this offseason would be to clear up space, sign CM and Carlo and from there, maybe see who is still out there prior to the year to sign who he thinks might help the B`s and if he can`t find that player, he`ll lean on internal competition. Clearly with that competition being between a number of kids, it isn`t ideal as you`d like that veteran element in the top 6 with a guy who has established himself but that`s also what the trade deadline is for and if DS clears himself enough space prior to the deadline, he`ll be in a better spot.

Again, this is pretty much what I anticipated this offseason so I`m not really disappointed. What I would have liked to see and what was realistic really are two different things

 

[DKH]

The Maple Leafs have had a very good off season.

They their soul for 2019-20 and no Marner, no depth, no grit

They win 2 games against s healthy Boston they should rejoice

 

[DominicT]

Labanc has a future deal agreed on, no doubt in my mind

Labanc is very good friends with Jumbo Joe. Best of buddies. In an interview Labanc said he's been talking to Joe daily and almost let it slip that Joe would be returning. Paraphrasing here but then he said "I know the team's cap situation and I wanted to do them a favor for this year. I'm banking on myself and know I'll have a better season this year and my turn will come up."

Won't find a more honest player and the fact he came out and said that proves it. Refreshing to hear a player come right out and say it.

 

[DominicT]

Ya'll may not like this proposal, but here it is anyway.

1) Anders Bjork to Vegas for Nikita Gusev
2) Sign Gusev to his 2 year $8 million deal ($4 million AAV)
3) LTIR John Moore and Kevan Miller to start the year
4) Leaves you with $1.2 million in cap space (of course, you have to be compliant when healthy)

See roster below

5) Once one of Moore/Miller are healthy, 14 day conditioning stint in the AHL
6) Trade that player while on conditioning stint for whatever
7) the other player becomes healthy, demote Kampfer and Backes and voila, cap compliant.

 

[JCRO]

Ya'll may not like this proposal, but here it is anyway.

1) Anders Bjork to Vegas for Nikita Gusev
2) Sign Gusev to his 2 year $8 million deal ($4 million AAV)
3) LTIR John Moore and Kevan Miller to start the year
4) Leaves you with $1.2 million in cap space (of course, you have to be compliant when healthy)

See roster below

5) Once one of Moore/Miller are healthy, 14 day conditioning stint in the AHL
6) Trade that player while on conditioning stint for whatever
7) the other player becomes healthy, demote Kampfer and Backes and voila, cap compliant.

View attachment 244415

Im big on Bjork. I still believe he's going to be a good player.

But I'd do it if that gets it done for sure.

Krejci needs a winger and this core just got another year older on top of a late playoff run last season.

 

[member 96824]

Ya'll may not like this proposal, but here it is anyway.

1) Anders Bjork to Vegas for Nikita Gusev
2) Sign Gusev to his 2 year $8 million deal ($4 million AAV)
3) LTIR John Moore and Kevan Miller to start the year
4) Leaves you with $1.2 million in cap space (of course, you have to be compliant when healthy)

See roster below

5) Once one of Moore/Miller are healthy, 14 day conditioning stint in the AHL
6) Trade that player while on conditioning stint for whatever
7) the other player becomes healthy, demote Kampfer and Backes and voila, cap compliant.

View attachment 244415

Is that all it would take for Vegas? If so..done.

 

[DominicT]

Is that all it would take for Vegas? If so..done.

From what I understand? Beats any offer they've gotten. Get a player they could eventually use on ELC

 

[Estlin]

Ya'll may not like this proposal, but here it is anyway.

1) Anders Bjork to Vegas for Nikita Gusev
2) Sign Gusev to his 2 year $8 million deal ($4 million AAV)
3) LTIR John Moore and Kevan Miller to start the year
4) Leaves you with $1.2 million in cap space (of course, you have to be compliant when healthy)

See roster below

5) Once one of Moore/Miller are healthy, 14 day conditioning stint in the AHL
6) Trade that player while on conditioning stint for whatever
7) the other player becomes healthy, demote Kampfer and Backes and voila, cap compliant.

View attachment 244415

As you know, I think that Boston should go after Gusev, but not at the expense of Bjork, who is my favorite prospect and, I believe, a part of the Bruins' future. How about Zboril or Lauzon instead of Bjork?

 

[DominicT]

As you know, I think that Boston should go after Gusev, but not at the expense of Bjork, who is my favorite prospect and, I believe, a part of the Bruins' future. How about Zboril or Lauzon instead of Bjork?

Whatever works for Vegas. But I would think they prefer a forward.

 

[NDiesel]

Ya'll may not like this proposal, but here it is anyway.

1) Anders Bjork to Vegas for Nikita Gusev
2) Sign Gusev to his 2 year $8 million deal ($4 million AAV)
3) LTIR John Moore and Kevan Miller to start the year
4) Leaves you with $1.2 million in cap space (of course, you have to be compliant when healthy)

See roster below

5) Once one of Moore/Miller are healthy, 14 day conditioning stint in the AHL
6) Trade that player while on conditioning stint for whatever
7) the other player becomes healthy, demote Kampfer and Backes and voila, cap compliant.

View attachment 244415

I do this without hesitation. I know a lot of people are really high on Bjork, but his health is an issue to me - he has yet to play 40 professional games in one season so far and it's not going to get any easier for him once he's in the NHL full time.

Secondly as I've said before I firmly believe Gusev can step in this year and be a difference maker in our lineup - whether that's on Krejci's wing or Coyle's wing or even with 63/37 he'll be an upgrade over what we have. Bjork included.

The only risks to me are is Gusev's KHL domination going to translate to the NHL and can we afford to keep him after his contract ends? I believe the answer to both is yes. We will have a lot of money coming off the books in 2 years if Gusev excels and earns a raise.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Ya'll may not like this proposal, but here it is anyway.

1) Anders Bjork to Vegas for Nikita Gusev
2) Sign Gusev to his 2 year $8 million deal ($4 million AAV)
3) LTIR John Moore and Kevan Miller to start the year
4) Leaves you with $1.2 million in cap space (of course, you have to be compliant when healthy)

See roster below

5) Once one of Moore/Miller are healthy, 14 day conditioning stint in the AHL
6) Trade that player while on conditioning stint for whatever
7) the other player becomes healthy, demote Kampfer and Backes and voila, cap compliant.

View attachment 244415

If that’s all it took then I’d do it yesterday.

 

[TCB]

Ya'll may not like this proposal, but here it is anyway.

1) Anders Bjork to Vegas for Nikita Gusev
2) Sign Gusev to his 2 year $8 million deal ($4 million AAV)
3) LTIR John Moore and Kevan Miller to start the year
4) Leaves you with $1.2 million in cap space (of course, you have to be compliant when healthy)

See roster below

5) Once one of Moore/Miller are healthy, 14 day conditioning stint in the AHL
6) Trade that player while on conditioning stint for whatever
7) the other player becomes healthy, demote Kampfer and Backes and voila, cap compliant.

View attachment 244415

I like it, but I'd switch Jake and Heinen. I just don't like DeBrusk on his off wing and I also think you could get Gusev signed a little cheaper around 3-3.5 range.

 

[DominicT]

If that’s all it took then I’d do it yesterday.

But...

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away.

 

[member 96824]

I don’t even know if I’m pronouncing it correctly but if the B’s trade Bjork for Gusev and you don’t think I’m showing up to the garden dressed as goose from top gun then you’re just playing yourself.

 

[DominicT]

I like it, but I'd switch Jake and Heinen. I just don't like DeBrusk on his off wing and I also think you could get Gusev signed a little cheaper around 3-3.5 range.

I don't think it matters that much. Gusev is a magician with the puck. Krejci being a right shot would have him on his strong side to set him up. A left shot on the opposite side coming off the wing towards the net - Gusev will find him. Or he's willing to take the shot himself. Just need a good shooter on the right.

 

[Fenian24]

Im big on Bjork. I still believe he's going to be a good player.

But I'd do it if that gets it done for sure.

Krejci needs a winger and this core just got another year older on top of a late playoff run last season.

I dont expect much from Gusev but he is a better gamble than Bjork to become a real top 6 forward. I do that deal in a heart beat.

Of course I also would try to figure a way to get Reaves in the deal and in under the cap

 

[TCB]

I don't think it matters that much. Gusev is a magician with the puck. Krejci being a right shot would have him on his strong side to set him up. A left shot on the opposite side coming off the wing towards the net - Gusev will find him. Or he's willing to take the shot himself. Just need a good shooter on the right.

Know doubt about Gusev, but i think Debrusk plays a lot Better on his natural side and Heinen adapts a lot better to his off wing. Debrusk is the better shooter/goal scorer so maybe he could adapt playing with a couple of high level players, but too me he looked so out of place this year when he was placed on his off wing.