Rumor: 2023 Free Agency and Trade Rumors: Will Sleepy Mac wake up for the deadline?

[Ararana]

Meh. Tampa in 7 again.

And even if Toronto manages to get past them, here's your reward: Boston.

I've got Tampa in 6 though. Tampa is going to be pissed with something to prove for the first time in three years. Vasey is going to go god mode.

 

[BaconNater]

No doubting Leafs are a great team but I think when Marner cried in the penalty box against Montreal their window was closed shut

 

[Freaky Styley]

I think people are really underrating Toronto’s defense… it isn’t high end, but it is deep. Lilj is fantastic, Timmy is coming into his own, Brodie and Gio are old, but still legit top 4 guys. Sandin has legit top 4 talent if he gets going. Reilly is flawed, but no doubt a legit top pairing guy. They could certainly use Chychrun, but they have a lot of good depth that can rotate through games. Now they also have two very high end defensive centers and arguably the best defensive wing in the game.

Going for a goalie… not needed IMO. You can win with average goalies. Guys like Vasi can cover up a lot of issues, but those guys are rare and Toronto doesn’t have the cap to fit it. Better for them to build up elsewhere.

I agree their D is underrated but it's rather soft for playoff hockey. They could use a guy like Manson back there (Schenn?). i think ROR is a shrewd move by Dubas because in his position on that team it's like adding another defenseman. So while their D isn't weak it certainly isn't a strength. And you can win with average goaltending when you have an elite #1 dman/team defense. The Leafs don't have that.

A Murry/Samsonov tandem is a scary thing to hinge your success on. Samsonov is rocking a .907% in his 7 career playoff games and Murray in his last 19 has a .909. Certainly not world-beating numbers, and it's not like they have a couple of easy rounds to find their groove. Are they good enough to get past Tampa? Perhaps, but only because Hedman has been a shell of himself this season. Beyond that anything can happen, but I still don't see them winning the cup with the current makeup in goal.

 

[John Mandalorian]

I agree their D is underrated but it's rather soft for playoff hockey. They could use a guy like Manson back there (Schenn?). i think ROR is a shrewd move by Dubas because in his position on that team it's like adding another defenseman. So while their D isn't weak it certainly isn't a strength. And you can win with average goaltending when you have an elite #1 dman/team defense. The Leafs don't have that.

A Murry/Samsonov tandem is a scary thing to hinge your success on. Samsonov is rocking a .907% in his 7 career playoff games and Murray in his last 19 has a .909. Certainly not world-beating numbers, and it's not like they have a couple of easy rounds to find their groove. Are they good enough to get past Tampa? Perhaps, but only because Hedman has been a shell of himself this season. Beyond that anything can happen, but I still don't see them winning the cup with the current makeup in goal.

Then there's this element.



Maybe it's changed?

 

[Freaky Styley]

Then there's this element.



Maybe it's changed?

Ya, overall it's just a pretty soft lineup. Loaded with skill but not sure they can manage the grind. Still, could see them making the ECF or even SCF because it's not like the other top teams in the East are overly physical. Tampa will be the test for sure.

 

[John Mandalorian]

Ya, overall it's just a pretty soft lineup. Loaded with skill but not sure they can manage the grind. Still, could see them making the ECF or even SCF because it's not like the other top teams in the East are overly physical. Tampa will be the test for sure.

I'd still put money on Tampa coming out of the east.

I'd like for Toronto and Tampa to have a rivalry. But Tampa isn't just going to roll over for anyone. And they're still great. Nevermind the regular season.

 

[jaisen73]

No doubt that Toronto got two good players and O'Reilly helps them defensively given his solid two-way play but their blue line doesn't scare me and even if Tampa made zero moves I'd still like their chances over the Leafs.

 

[redandyellowcametobe]

I think ROR is a perfect pickup for Toronto. Yes he’s obviously aging and having an off year but he’s had some bad luck with teammates finishing. Stepping in as a 3C couldn’t be more perfect for him. I see Toronto beating Tampa fairly easily. That said, it’s Toronto so

 

[AllAboutAvs]

Going to TOR which is a SC contender, playing for his childhood team and in front of family will most likely give ROR quite a boost IMO. Strong down the middle as far as talent is concerned but they are also slow at that position. It will still be very difficult for them to get out of the East.

 

[Vaslof]

We could probably get Kerfoot for free from Toronto if desired.

 

[John Mandalorian]

We could probably get Kerfoot for free from Toronto if desired.

You have to think about the consequences on the HF main board. There will still be threads for Toronto trading Kerfoot just so they can re-live the thrill of actually and finally getting rid of him.

 

[Vk1ing]

We could probably get Kerfoot for free from Toronto if desired.

I mean I liked him when he was here but I don't think we need him right now. Not really an upgrade at 2c

 

[Balthazar]

 

[dahrougem2]

I think Toronto on paper looks better than Boston. I don't believe in either team's goaltending but I believe in the Leafs players more because I think a lot of what Boston has done this season is unsustainable, especially come playoff time

 

[lionsDen]

I think it’s gonna be a quiet deadline for the avs.

We spend a lot of time looking at centers

Who is the singer available to pot goals?

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

I think it’s gonna be a quiet deadline for the avs.

We spend a lot of time looking at centers

Who is the singer available to pot goals?

Michael Bublé I guess?


But I'll be honest if they trade for him I'm choosing a new team.

 

[henchman21]

Who reported that Dubas questions the idea of trading a 1st for rentals?

If Friedman is right less than 10% of the time, that doesn't mean he's accurate when he finally gets one right. It's not like he's Schefter or Wojo.



Who is underrating Toronto's defense?

Pretty much everyone here that is saying their defense sucks. It doesn’t suck… it just isn’t great.

 

[lionsDen]

Michael Bublé I guess?


But I'll be honest if they trade for him I'm choosing a new team.

Lol nah you’re suck if you came through the 47 point Season.

 

[Balthazar]

Pretty much everyone here that is saying their defense sucks. It doesn’t suck… it just isn’t great.

And they still have enough cap space to bring in a top 4 dman

 

[Azrael89]

The Avs need to find any player who can score goals at this point. The 2nd and 3rd lines are just useless.

 

[John Mandalorian]

The Avs need to find any player who can score goals at this point. The 2nd and 3rd lines are just useless.

Bonino then?

 

[Azrael89]

Bonino then?

I’ll plan the parade. Lol

 

[dahrougem2]

Christ what a hit lmao

 

[Alienblood]

I’m not threatened by Toronto. Their Cs except Matthews are aging and their backend isn’t strong. Tampa will eat them.

Yes Yoronto aren't going anywhere , not beating Tampa or the Bruins

Never gonna happen.


If their goaltending holds up and the important players stay healthy, Toronto should take care of Tampa. The Bolts’ best chance is if Vasilevskiy goes full beast mode.

Don't think so and they will never beat the Bruins

 

[SoundwaveIsCharisma]

Christ what a hit lmao

What hit?