Speculation: Leafs need defensive help to contend

[hockeywiz542]

Blues’ Alex Pietrangelo potentially available; Leafs a possible fit​

“St. Louis is in a position where they’re going to have to make some tough decisions, and what’s happening now is the separation between playoff teams and non-playoff teams, which means the vultures are out right now,” said Nick Kypreos on Saturday’s Headlines on Hockey Night in Canada. “And Pietrangelo, despite a poor start to the season and a hand injury, one general manager told me he still may be the best all-around defenceman available by the trade deadline.”

“I don’t think that Armstrong is shopping Pietrangelo, but that doesn’t keep teams from calling … and asking about him,” said Kypreos. “I believe one of those teams is the Toronto Maple Leafs. I think where that would have to start is if Toronto and (GM) Kyle Dubas get St. Louis to possibly bite on (Nikita) Zaitsev’s contract – which is owed another five years at $4.5 million."

“If they can exchange right-handed defencemen, then there’s a chance you could put a package together maybe with a draft pick, a prospect, and then the likes of a young, fast player for St. Louis in the likes of (Kasperi) Kapanen or (Andreas) Johnsson.”

 

[Joedoggy]

The Leafs can load up and spend all they want unfortunately they are coached by Reg. season special teams coach not a Playoff coach who can coach 5 on 5 hockey.

 

[Critical13]

Easy. Trade Marner for Hanifin and trade Nylander for Ritchie so we can fix the mistakes of last 4 years drafting soft skilled players.

Dear God lol

 

[Leaffan1991]

Would rather have Parayko especially on his long term contract but Pietrangelo would be an amazing add.

 

[hullsy47]

Once Willy gets back to form, I think Kapanen will be dangled for defense. I have always though this, and his hot start only helped his value. I think Kapanen probably is a 50 PT guy, but he benefitted from Matthews' next level play at the start of the year.

He has been good, great even, but he is no William Nylander.

i like kappy as much as willy

 

[Anthrax442]

Marleau for Polak

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Dear God lol

It’ll solve all of our awful, awful cap troubles that Dubas got us into too

 

[Critical13]

It’ll solve all of our awful, awful cap troubles that Dubas got us into too

I can’t tell if this is sacrcasm so I am going to hope to Lord Sittler that it is

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

I can’t tell if this is sacrcasm so I am going to hope to Lord Sittler that it is

I don’t blame you after a loss

 

[Zybalto]

I saw givaways and missed defensive duties by the forwards as the biggest issue last night .

Didnt help Anderson was outplayed by Halak either.

 

[jrgtml67]

So the leafs played another soft game tonight.

The defense is a major concern. Unless Zaitsev/Hainsey get their minutes chopped, + Holl/Borgman step up in a big way, the defense as isn’t good enough to contend in the NHL this year, (or even win a round) which would be a massive waste of Matthews and Marner’s last ELC year Babcock needs to adjust his coaching and stop the goddamn line matching while Dubas needs to be active at this deadline.
A winger to force Connor Brown to the 4th line for good and defensive help (Pietrangelo/Gudas?) is sorely needed or else it’s another failure season.

Who are the targets the GM should look at?

Are you kidding several players stepped up physically..Kadri, Hyman, Hainsey and the first 2 I'm not just speaking of the fights

 

[jrgtml67]

I wish the Pieterangelo rumors were true..if we did get him its be at deadline or new yr but cant see it. Then again his is on LTIR.

 

[Mess]

Blues’ Alex Pietrangelo potentially available; Leafs a possible fit​

Leafs should be all in on this one.

Everyone Dubas hasn't given a verbal NTC is fair game to land an elite #1Dman.

To extend Pietrangelo however we're looking at $8.5 mil min cap room and season, so cap money will need to be going out.

 

[gamer1035]

Dump Nylander, Gardiner, brown, Marleau.

Use Nylander to get a top pairing defender, resign Kap/Johnson, replace Nylander and brown with cheaper 3rd/4th liners or our prospects.

 

[Not My Tempo]

Lol if we could get Pietrangelo and give them Zaitsev back, it would be two birds with one stone

 

[Joey Hoser]

I don’t blame you after a loss

I still don't know if it was sarcasm.

 

[Nineteen67]

There is not as much time as we’d like to get back on the right track. There is too much redundancy in the lineup, however it’s a good problem to have; several teams could use one of Leafs core players.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

I still don't know if it was sarcasm.

It’s still after a loss.

 

[Liminality]

I really like the idea of grabbing someone like Pietrangelo (even if he's having a down year) but not entirely sure how that trade would even be possible. Especially trying to keep him after his 6.5m contract expires. He'll be turning 31 in 2020-21 when he needs a new contract and he'd probably be looking for a retirement contract. I'm not too concerned about his age cause I don't think he'll suddenly decline drastically but he won't be in his prime when we're still trying to contend in 5 years.

Blues would have to take Zaitsev back which is a tough sell to begin with. I'd imagine our first round pick has to be an auto include, maybe even another pick of some sort. Roster player with upside in Kapanen?

It'll be a tough pill to swallow but Pietrangelo is still one of the better RHD's in the league imo. Him and Rielly should make some magic together.

 

[Nineteen67]

Really doubtful there will be a single move to this roster from a trade.

Barring injury, this is the roster this team is going into the playoffs with.

Babcock has to kick some asses.

If the coach gets his match-ups, the teams wins.

If they do not get a good match-up, they fold in the Gardens.

Fortunately, I don’t think Boston will make the playoffs, but I still don’t know who would be a favourablr match up.

 

[Nineteen67]

I really like the idea of grabbing someone like Pietrangelo (even if he's having a down year) but not entirely sure how that trade would even be possible. Especially trying to keep him after his 6.5m contract expires. He'll be turning 31 in 2020-21 when he needs a new contract and he'd probably be looking for a retirement contract. I'm not too concerned about his age cause I don't think he'll suddenly decline drastically but he won't be in his prime when we're still trying to contend in 5 years.

Blues would have to take Zaitsev back which is a tough sell to begin with. I'd imagine our first round pick has to be an auto include, maybe even another pick of some sort. Roster player with upside in Kapanen?

It'll be a tough pill to swallow but Pietrangelo is still one of the better RHD's in the league imo. Him and Rielly should make some magic together.

If they can get rid of Zaitsev’s contract it would be worth the chance. Kapenan and Zaitsev for Pietrangelo.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Leafs should be all in on this one.

Everyone Dubas hasn't given a verbal NTC is fair game to land an elite #1Dman.

To extend Pietrangelo however we're looking at $8.5 mil min cap room and season, so cap money will need to be going out.

That’s why Zaitsev would have to be the guy going the other way.

 

[Zybalto]

If they can get rid of Zaitsev’s contract it would be worth the chance. Kapenan and Zaitsev for Pietrangelo.

Trade is absolutely brutal for us.

Woohoo, we got a D partner for Rielly but now still need a top 4 RHD and have 0 cap to even sign Gardner so we're also worse on the left side going forward, and also don't have a rising star winger and lose our first as well?

Awful, awful asset management.

Cant see any big moves coming but this thread is sort of on the wrong track to begin with. The Leafs still lose last night the same way with that trade in place. Don't see how brutal forward decisions on the PK, Lindholm getting walked, Tavares/Marner having possibly their worst game of the season and Anderson letting in softies and getting outplayed by Halak would have been have been changed one bit.

We have assets and have to use them wisely. After the cap crunch and all our boys are signed and just entering their princes is when you really pull the trigger on our assets.

Seattle expansion also looms large.....

 

[Joey Hoser]

Trade is absolutely brutal for us.

Woohoo, we got a D partner for Rielly but now still need a top 4 RHD and have 0 cap to even sign Gardner so we're also worse on the left side going forward, and also don't have a rising star winger and lose our first as well?

Awful, awful asset management.

Cant see any big moves coming but this thread is sort of on the wrong track to begin with. The Leafs still lose last night the same way with that trade in place. Don't see how brutal forward decisions on the PK, Lindholm getting walked, Tavares/Marner having possibly their worst game of the season and Anderson letting in softies and getting outplayed by Halak would have been have been changed one bit.

We have assets and have to use them wisely. After the cap crunch and all our boys are signed and just entering their princes is when you really pull the trigger on our assets.

Seattle expansion also looms large.....

This trade would still leave a hole on defense, but it's certainly not awful... It has us trading our 5-7th best forward to turn our questionable #3-4 defenseman into a #1, while only taking on an extra 2-3 million dollar on the cap. Of course we do that. We could fill Zaitsev's hole fairly easily.

This trade has some implications, but is totally workable if not fantastic for us. Don't know where you get "brutal" from at all.

 

[Nineteen67]

Trade is absolutely brutal for us.

Woohoo, we got a D partner for Rielly but now still need a top 4 RHD and have 0 cap to even sign Gardner so we're also worse on the left side going forward, and also don't have a rising star winger and lose our first as well?

Awful, awful asset management.

Cant see any big moves coming but this thread is sort of on the wrong track to begin with. The Leafs still lose last night the same way with that trade in place. Don't see how brutal forward decisions on the PK, Lindholm getting walked, Tavares/Marner having possibly their worst game of the season and Anderson letting in softies and getting outplayed by Halak would have been have been changed one bit.

We have assets and have to use them wisely. After the cap crunch and all our boys are signed and just entering their princes is when you really pull the trigger on our assets.

Seattle expansion also looms large.....

I agree, Kapenan is worth more than a rental and Zaitsevs cap space. The better not let him walk for a 2nd round pick.