Line Combos: If Kerfoot is gone, pick a cheap UFA replacement

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Craig Smith is a better winger, as is Glach, they shouldn't be in this Poll.

I voted Huala and Eakin and Soderberg

 

[Shak19]

brad richardson

 

[Faltorvo]

Fine options for 4C.

The 3C needs to provide offence too.

If this is the list of options, keep Kerfoot.

provide offence??? well that rules out kerfoot

 

[kb]

provide offence??? well that rules out kerfoot

Except it doesn't.

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

Boyle for 4th line. One of these guys for 3rd.

 

[jaric1862]

Kerfoot only moves if a very big signing happens on the back-end, perhaps a cup-winning, gold medal winning, Right-handed Defenceman. I wonder if there's a UFA this season that fits that description.

If that is the case, then get the best available player for cheap who is capable of being an adequate 3rd line Center. Preferably someone who is good defensively and won't cost the Leafs any goals while on the ice.

 

[Kiwi]

I've never appreciated Kerfoot more than when I was reading that list of has beens or never were

God damn that's ugly, Kerfoot by 1000%

 

[The Podium]

Remember how the repeated mantra in the Clifford departure thread is that he's easy to replace? What's so difficult to replace about 9 goals, 19 assists in 65 games in a buyer's market? The problem is who would take Kerfoot's contract and why in the world would the GM completely nuke the Kadri deal after 1 season? Surely the GM doesn't have a death wish.

I’d be happy with keeping Kerfoot around, but worrying about the optics of the Kadri deal should be Dubas’ last priority. Do what it takes to improve the team rather than force something that isn’t working just to get a “win” from a trade that was made over a year ago.

 

[mydnyte]

For the record, I think Kerfoot will be back. We have no internal replacement, that I can see. So let's take a quick look at possible replacements that will be available as free agents.

For this thread, assume Kerfoot is gone, and we have to sign a UFA to replace his spot at #3C. Please pick any name that you think can do the job AND sign for less than Kerfoot's 3.5 million. Select all that you think apply.

You don't have to like them better than Kerfoot. Go ahead and suggest a name if I missed someone legit.

I also added a "Spezza can do it" option, just to see how many fans think that's feasible.

Please post your picks.

what makes you think 1/2 those guys would come cheaper?

 

[qqaz]

what makes you think 1/2 those guys would come cheaper?

I don't. That's why I posed a question on a discussion board.

 

[Kurtz]

Which one can pass to Robertson, win faceoffs, PK and sign for 1m or under?

I want that guy.

That's Koivu - although he might get more than $1 mil.

 

[LeafChief]

I don't imagine Soderberg, Smith or Haula will come in cheaper than Kerfoot.

 

[I am Canadian]

I would be okay with Spezza as #3 and a #4 faceoff pking signing

We have Tavares and Matthews. We should be fine with a low end 3C. Have to make cuts somewhere if we want defense

 

[Censored23]

Would have really liked to see what Hallander could do.

 

[Shanwhatplan]

I thought it wasa given that he was getting traded to clear cap space

Not in this flat cap era. I think it will be extremely difficult to trade Johnsson due to his knee injury and teams not knowing if he’s fully recovered.

 

[Shanwhatplan]

Kerfoot only moves if a very big signing happens on the back-end, perhaps a cup-winning, gold medal winning, Right-handed Defenceman. I wonder if there's a UFA this season that fits that description.

If that is the case, then get the best available player for cheap who is capable of being an adequate 3rd line Center. Preferably someone who is good defensively and won't cost the Leafs any goals while on the ice.

The rhd UFA signing only happens if Marner (+) or Nylander (++) get traded. Otherwise I can’t see them fitting him in under the cap. Unfortunately, I don’t believe Dubas will trade either one of them. Hope I’m wrong.

 

[Trapper]

If we downgrade our 3C and D anymore, it won’t matter what you are doing with those guys at the top. You have compromised the team.

 

[phillipmike]

Wouldn’t mind Brassard. Had 32 points in 66 games (more than Kerfoot). Is 6’1”, has 25 pounds on Kerfoot and averages about 100 hits a year. He had 115 hits last year, more than any other Leaf last year and more than Kerfoot had in his career (112). Brassard was 55% on the draws last season.

Only signed for 1.2M last year. Biggest downside is he can’t play short handed. But neither did Kerfoot. If you can get a good deal for Kerfoot, I gladly take it. You can find what Kerfoot did last year very easily.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Larsson would be great, but I think the cat may be out of the bag about him being underrated and a potential shrewd pickup. He's coming off a contract that saw him paid $1.55 million. If there's a bidding war for him we could be looking at a $2 million AAV for him, which would be manageable but not super cheap. I see him as a 3C on this team given his defensive prowess, his strong possession numbers, and he would be great to have on the PK. Also see this tweet regarding his defensive acumen and who he matched up against.



He's my top target to replace Kerfoot.

 

[Dreakmur]

Vlad Namestnikov is over looked here. He's often undervalued and well rounded.

Really like his game, but he hasn’t played center since leaving TB, likely because he’s brutal on draws.

 

[Dreakmur]

That's Koivu - although he might get more than $1 mil.

If Koivu comes in under a million, I would probably take that risk. He’s really good on face offs. Even in decline, he’s really good defensively. Offence has dried up a lot, but maybe a change of scenery invigorates him.

 

[The Nic]

I like Haula, Brassard and Larsson as a potential #3 Center... Grant would be a fine #4.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Dubas picked up a decent bottom six center in Evan Rodrigues. If Dubas offers him a contract which will be much less than his previous arbitration contract he should take it to build his career. He’s a decent player at the right price

 

[The Iceman]

brad richardson

I had him in mind too as he always seems to play well against us but I don't know enough about him to support bringing on a guy that will be 36 years old next season.

 

[Sonofamitch]

Yikes brutal list. I’d rather have kerfoot than all those guys. That list is better suited for 4th line options.