Dreger: Leafs have interest in McQuaid

[Kiwi]

Dermott wont sit. It will be Hainsey

So Babcock is going to press box a guy he's promoted back up to the top pair and is his number one PK option?

Does that seem likely to you? Because that sounds like wishful thinking to me

 

[zeke]

I trust Dreger a hell of a lot more than you.

 

[OVO16]

So Babcock is going to press box a guy he's promoted back up to the top pair and is his number one PK option?

Does that seem likely to you? Because that sounds like wishful thinking to me

True but the the fact that Hainsey was the one who was easily demoted to the 3rd pairing when we first acquired Muzzin...tells me that Babcock is mainly using Hainey as a placeholder for pairings. If Dubas forces his hand, Babcock would have no choice.

If Hainsey is still on the team when McQuaid is acquired, then I see Hainsey and McQuaid rotating in and out

 

[Martin Skoula]

What? Not on the ice with them. If teams are putting bodies on your stars then you want guys in the lineup like Mcquaid who can play a similar game to the opposing teams players, and drop the gloves if needed.

If McQuaid is in a position to hit someone that actually matters on the other team, they've probably already scored a goal or two against him. Otherwise McQuaid is hitting/fighting other 3rd/4th liners and I really don't see any value in that.

A Wilson or Byfuglien type makes sense, they're out against other top players and can punish them without being a liability. Playing McQuaid against top-lines in the hopes that he hits someone who actually matters is asking for trouble.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Maybe Kreider is the target (ie Dregs connected talks to Rangers but specualted on the topic) as the Leafs are very weak on the left side ; however Kreider obviously would come at a premium i'm not sure Dubas or most Leaf fans would be comfortable with (Lilly/Sandin plus an AJ /Kap or something that would undoubtedly sting anyway is my general point). However he'd potentially be a tremendous fit with his size and speed with the skill currently on the Leaf roster.

 

[CartographerNo611]

Babcock needs atleast one physical vet d-man that plays physical on his team. Hopefully Babs doesnt Commodore Mcquaid if the rumor comes to fruition.

 

[Kiwi]

True but the the fact that Hainsey was the one who was easily demoted to the 3rd pairing when we first acquired Muzzin...tells me that Babcock is mainly using Hainey as a placeholder for pairings. If Dubas forces his hand, Babcock would have no choice.

If Hainsey is still on the team when McQuaid is acquired, then I see Hainsey and McQuaid rotating in and out

After half a dozen games Babcock put Hainsey straight back onto the top pair which suggests a level of comfort in Hainsey's ability and his ability to do what Babcock wants

Hainsey is our no 1 PK option and Babcock plays the crap out of him on it

I can't see Babcock sitting him, I think he's going to stay where he is for the foreseeable future

 

[Gsh]

All 6 of our D are better options and Oz will suffice as a 7 considering the price. Some of these rumours are just bad.

 

[OVO16]

After half a dozen games Babcock put Hainsey straight back onto the top pair which suggests a level of comfort in Hainsey's ability and his ability to do what Babcock wants

Hainsey is our no 1 PK option and Babcock plays the crap out of him on it

I can't see Babcock sitting him, I think he's going to stay where he is for the foreseeable future

I guess we'll see.

To me, Hainsey is the one with the least amount of skill and mobility on our D currently. He would be the easiest to replace with a guy like McQuaid. I cant think of anyone else getting benched over him

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Babcock needs atleast one physical vet d-man that plays physical on his team. Hopefully Babs doesnt Commodore Mcquaid if the rumor comes to fruition.

Muzzin isn't physical? Dermott to a lesser extent as well. Your general point is correct tho, not many guys who make you pay the price (to say the least) on the roster.

 

[NYRKing]

If McQuaid is in a position to hit someone that actually matters on the other team, they've probably already scored a goal or two against him. Otherwise McQuaid is hitting/fighting other 3rd/4th liners and I really don't see any value in that.

A Wilson or Byfuglien type makes sense, they're out against other top players and can punish them without being a liability. Playing McQuaid against top-lines in the hopes that he hits someone who actually matters is asking for trouble.

It doesn’t mean he matches up against a top line. You can set a tone in the game against bottom 6 players, and most time it’s the bottom 6 causing havoc.

If I were the leafs I would want to add some cheap depth with some grit. Again, there are major issues in the playoffs when players go after your stars and you don’t have people who can throw it right back.

Most leaf fans think that Mcquaid is garbage...so be it. I just think they want depth and toughness on the back end and he fits the bill.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Gritty veteran defenseman seem to return pretty decently at every deadline. Gudas would be way better though for the Leafs.

 

[A1LeafNation]

What does that mean ? You realize that Toronto and Boston’s average age is like 0.7 years different? The bruins are not slow and they have tons of quality depth on D, which is why McQuaid was expendable. McQuaid is a penalty killing workhorse, fantastic shot blocker, first to stick up for a teammate, and will lay the occasional crushing hit. I hope the Rangers trade him out west, I currently love the leafs defensive roster, keep it the same. I’m pumped to watch another beantown beatdown come April. 4-1

LOL average age. Core age is what matters.

 

[dubplatepressure]

I'm all for getting a guy who'll bully people in our zone, but he has to be able to move the puck. Not being able to move the puck is a complete dealbreaker, it kills our entire breakout strategy and makes us easily exploitable. I'd rather pay a 2nd+ for a guy who can bully and kinda move the puck (think Gudas) than pay a 4th for McQuaid.

We are already easily exploitable.

 

[Menzinger]

Imo this seems more of Babcock or one of his assistants wishlist than something Dubas would actually do

 

[La Masse]

Hopefully not hes garbage and it would probably mean Dermott sits

 

[Marner4Life]

Gardiner should be traded! Everyone picks on Zaitsev but he is always on with Gardiner when they have brain farts. Zaitsev played good with Muzzin. Gardiner needs to go!!!

 

[Kiwi]

I guess we'll see.

To me, Hainsey is the one with the least amount of skill and mobility on our D currently. He would be the easiest to replace with a guy like McQuaid. I cant think of anyone else getting benched over him

Hainsey is one of the few players on the roster that can play on the top pair, he's not great but he can do a job and he's a decent foil for Rielly with his defensive solidity

I don't think McQuaid has ever played on the top pair so I can't see that changing now, McQuaid is a bottom pairing defenseman so that means one of Dermott, Gardiner, Zaitsev or Muzzin needs to come out imo

That suggests Dermott to me, hope I'm wrong but I think my take is reasonably sound

 

[alg363636]

He's not very good - not that you would know from the way Bs fan pine over him. He's a 7th dman with no offensive instincts who can shot block and fight sometimes. He's not terrible or anything but I don't think he is better than any of the D the leafs already have.

All this being said - I am almost positive Benning is going to throw term and $$$ at him over the summer.

 

[NHL WAR]

I'd be surprised if Dubas traded for McQuaid. If they need to insert a bottom pair righty, keep whatever McQuaid would cost to acquire and put Ozhiganov back in lineup.

 

[Deuce Awesome]

I like it if the cost is cheap. Would prefer Gudas though but if the bidding gets too high on him I say go for it.

 

[Man Bear Pig]

All I know is, I’ll be celebrating in the streets if the Leafs acquire McQuaid. It would seriously make me almost as happy as the Sharks acquiring Stone.

Well yeah, because you're obsessed with the Leafs.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

It would be a solid addition but it's not enough by it's not enough

 

[BringBackLibertys]

I mentioned this on the NYR board, but to be clear, this only works if we get all three of your 2020 7th round picks along with that 2019 3rd. We are building something over here after all.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

Yeah I doubt Dubas can pull one of those guys. Canes are one of the best teams in the league the past few months and nearing a playoff spot. They won't be moving those guys for futures and Dubas said he doesn't want to impact the roster so why would Carolina give away a quality player just to help the Leafs?

To me this still only makes sense if the Rangers want to use their cap space and wealth to take capdumps for futures like rebuilding teams do. A world where Dubas can dump Zaitsev and bring in some toughness in the process is ideal

Kadri + Gardiner
For
RH Dman + Ferland


Buy AND sell.
Hockey trade.

For canes;
Solid puck mover rental on the left side and former 30g C behind number 1c's on a solid term contract

For leafs;
Sturdy Dman who holds the stick differently than most of our guys. Power forward rental that seems to fit nicely in our top6 .

Sounds like a move a playoff hopeful makes.