Speculation: Pierre Lebrun on Leafs Lunch: Leafs forward search

[SeaOfBlue]

they need a centerman who is versatile and not a winger
what good is a winger going to be if we lose JT or AM for a long strecth of time ? u think this team is going to survice with kerfoot or engvall down the middle ?


lets face it ..... the center depth on this team is horrible. sure we have a great 1 -2 punch when healthy , but the rest of the available players would be shit replacement in case of an emergency.


they will get granlund or haula
both play center and left wing which makes them perfect fits

It would Haula and Staal. Granlund is not even good enough to be a replacement center. Nylander would move down the middle before he would.

 

[Twine Tickler]

I don't particularly like any of the suggestions so far and don't think we are a Bennett away from a cup. My suggestion is we need another power forward at least top 9 or could play with Tavares and Nylander at times. In the playoffs you could run a Spezza, Thornton, Simmonds line if we find that guy. I'd rather run 7 dmen and 11 forwards come playoffs.

7D 11F is the biggest train wreck of a lineup. It very rarely works, and in the 2 games we have done it this year it's been a complete disaster. Power forwards that can play in the top 6 are unicorns. And as much as I'd love to see a Dubrusk type player on this team it is not likely IMO. Eric Staal I am not sure about. He probably has about as much game left as Simmonds, so you may as well just hang onto the assets. Dubas traditionally is not the type of guy who goes for rental players at the TDL. In his 2 full seasons as GM, his TDL acqusitions were Muzz, who had an extra year left on his deal after his aqusition, and Clifford + Campbell (main piece being campbell who had 1 extra year). Not to mention, I do believe they tried to resign Clifford, but he didn't want to resign. Not 100% on that though. Needless to say, I think Dubas will follow suit and go with an option that he feels he can either resign next year or has an extra year on top. For that, I think Miles Wood would be his target. But that's just my opinion

 

[123offtheglass]

woods in our top 6??

have you lost your mind?

woods stirs up another line brawl ,,when willy/marn/matty /JT are on the ice?

ya that will work out well

Yea but to get things going maybe Keefe roles Wood & Simmonds for some shifts just like old times in New Jersey. Honestly for Willie it might keep him on his toes or at least get him to wake up and engage, or even JT. I know if it were Pittsburgh Miles Wood would be great for a guy like Malkin, he plays really well when angry like a an angry russian hulk.

 

[Faltorvo]

they need a centerman who is versatile and not a winger
what good is a winger going to be if we lose JT or AM for a long strecth of time ? u think this team is going to survice with kerfoot or engvall down the middle ?


lets face it ..... the center depth on this team is horrible. sure we have a great 1 -2 punch when healthy , but the rest of the available players would be shit replacement in case of an emergency.


they will get granlund or haula
both play center and left wing which makes them perfect fits

nope they will get Staal

 

[123offtheglass]

7D 11F is the biggest train wreck of a lineup. It very rarely works, and in the 2 games we have done it this year it's been a complete disaster. Power forwards that can play in the top 6 are unicorns. And as much as I'd love to see a Dubrusk type player on this team it is not likely IMO. Eric Staal I am not sure about. He probably has about as much game left as Simmonds, so you may as well just hang onto the assets. Dubas traditionally is not the type of guy who goes for rental players at the TDL. In his 2 full seasons as GM, his TDL acqusitions were Muzz, who had an extra year left on his deal after his aqusition, and Clifford + Campbell (main piece being campbell who had 1 extra year). Not to mention, I do believe they tried to resign Clifford, but he didn't want to resign. Not 100% on that though. Needless to say, I think Dubas will follow suit and go with an option that he feels he can either resign next year or has an extra year on top. For that, I think Miles Wood would be his target. But that's just my opinion

As for the players with term the list is very short: Wood, Namestikov, Rakell, Brown. Wood may be a risky fit & whether or not he's currently good enough for the top 6 role is questionable (although what he brings is so intriguing & he on the 4th line for the time being wouldn't be so bad), Namestikov & Brown may not be good enough for the top 6 role too & Brown carries some cap hit baggage, Rakell pricetag will be very expensive (especially as he's hot right now) and so it better be worth it that deal were to go through.

But maybe the expansion draft effects things in terms of protecting players and going for rentals

Honestly I hope it comes down to either Wood/Rakell for guys with term or Palimeri/Foligno for rentals; Granlund is a little soft for my liking. I could see Namestikov 50% retained (@ 1m or even 500k cap hit for 1.5 seasons) being added but only as a 2nd piece if it fits in cap wise; I agree he isn't much of an add for a team making a playoff push. Say he were retained twice though without giving up too much; could be a good 2nd/additional option, especially with a cap bind next season.

 

[Faltorvo]

Yea but to get things going maybe Keefe roles Wood & Simmonds for some shifts just like old times in New Jersey. Honestly for Willie it might keep him on his toes or at least get him to wake up and engage, or even JT. I know if it were Pittsburgh Miles Wood would be great for a guy like Malkin, he plays really well when angry like a an angry russian hulk.

Pitt is a team that knows how to stand up for itself,,we sure as heck don't

and you are suggesting that woods start on the 4th line? because right now,,they are not touching that 3rd line.

 

[Faltorvo]

It would Haula and Staal. Granlund is not even good enough to be a replacement center. Nylander would move down the middle before he would.

given Staals size/board play ,H IQ,,enough gas in the tank

 

[123offtheglass]

Pitt is a team that knows how to stand up for itself,,we sure as heck don't

and you are suggesting that woods start on the 4th line? because right now,,they are not touching that 3rd line.

hell no, would be 4th line if he ever wasn't on the 2nd line.

 

[zeke]

Pitt is a team that knows how to stand up for itself,,
e.

Evidence?

 

[Faltorvo]

hell no, would be 4th line if he ever wasn't on the 2nd line.

well does that no defeat what dubas has said he wants,,a top 7 forward?

and i get why he says top 7,,,the 7th spot option is 3rd C,,, incase engvall flounders down the road,,my gut tells me , they have walked away from the notion that Nylander/Kerfoot are what they want as their #1 emergency C filler. It's why i have such confidence that ES is the play,,he could play 2nd LW or 3C if engvall flounders.

engvall has what? 20 ish NHL games at C?

 

[Faltorvo]

Evidence?

from watching them play,,they don't take crap from teams and it starts at the top sid/malk can be nasty when they chose to

 

[zeke]

from watching them play,,they don't take crap from teams and it starts at the top sid/malk can be nasty when they chose to

And yet the Habs trounced them in the playoffs.

 

[All Mod Cons]

from watching them play,,they don't take crap from teams and it starts at the top sid/malk can be nasty when they chose to

If you can't quantity it, preferably on a graph of some sort (lots of different colours would be cool), then we're not interested.

Hockey is a game played on paper/Excel, not the ice.

Stop watching the games you dinosaur.

 

[123offtheglass]

Pitt is a team that knows how to stand up for itself,,we sure as heck don't

and you are suggesting that woods start on the 4th line? because right now,,they are not touching that 3rd line.

Evidence?

Honestly I fully support this, I've watched Pittsburgh play a lot as longterm Crosby fan & Pittsburgh always being my #2 team. Good culture there even when they're without tough guys they stick up for each other & have the winning culture figured out. There core leaders Crosby Malkin Letang have all had their fair share of fights & tussles. Watch any hits, brawls, injuries & heated incidents from them against teams like Philli, Columbus, etc... & you'll see it

 

[123offtheglass]

And yet the Habs trounced them in the playoffs.

They just straight up got beat and outcoached. They've had their fair share of playoff success haha wasn't that long ago they won back to back cups with a lot of those same groups.

 

[Twine Tickler]

As for the players with term the list is very short: Wood, Namestikov, Rakell, Brown. Wood may be a risky fit & whether or not he's currently good enough for the top 6 role is questionable (although what he brings is so intriguing & he on the 4th line for the time being wouldn't be so bad), Namestikov & Brown may not be good enough for the top 6 role too & Brown carries some cap hit baggage, Rakell pricetag will be very expensive (especially as he's hot right now) and so it better be worth it that deal were to go through.

But maybe the expansion draft effects things in terms of protecting players and going for rentals

Honestly I hope it comes down to either Wood/Rakell for guys with term or Palimeri/Foligno for rentals; Granlund is a little soft for my liking. I could see Namestikov 50% retained (@ 1m or even 500k cap hit for 1.5 seasons) being added but only as a 2nd piece if it fits in cap wise; I agree he isn't much of an add for a team making a playoff push. Say he were retained twice though without giving up too much; could be a good 2nd/additional option, especially with a cap bind next season.

Yup I think you and I are mostly on the same page.
I can see how there are differing opinions on a guy like Hall. I personally will not associate 1 player to being a loser when its ultimately a team sport. He is still a very good player and would help our team. I just think the cost would not meet the output personally. And I can see why the fanbase would want a bigger fish like a Debrusk or Forsberg, I just dont think they are feasible IMO. Whereas I think a guy like Wood could be had for far less and produce almost equally if given the same opportunity. He is still very young, and could continue to develop. That said, all 4 guys you have listed as potential targets are pretty well spot on to what I think as well. My Order being Wood, Foligno, Palmeri, Rackell. I want guys that want to win tough games. I think there is a healthy amount of that characteristic in each of those guys games. What some people are missing is that we do not need to get the big fish in the TDL. We have a very good roster as is. We need guys that are gunna go balls out to win that cup. Guys that are not afraid to face adversity, and change the game in other ways besides putting the puck in the net

 

[zeke]

They just straight up got beat and outcoached. They've had their fair share of playoff success haha wasn't that long ago they won back to back cups with a lot of those same groups.

Been a while.

Since they won the cup:

Playoffs

PIT 7-13 (MTL, NYI, PHI, WSH)
TOR 8-11 (CBJ, BOS, BOS)

 

[jaric1862]

Seems like their options are fairly underwhelming at this point. Really hope they're after someone we aren't suspecting

 

[Faltorvo]

Seems like their options are fairly underwhelming at this point. Really hope they're after someone we aren't suspecting

what kind of overwhelming are you hoping for?

we are face smashed against the cap this season and next

we have to worry about protection issues thanks to the exp draft

 

[123offtheglass]

well does that no defeat what dubas has said he wants,,a top 7 forward?

and i get why he says top 7,,,the 7th spot option is 3rd C,,, incase engvall flounders down the road,,my gut tells me , they have walked away from the notion that Nylander/Kerfoot are what they want as their #1 emergency C filler. It's why i have such confidence that ES is the play,,he could play 2nd LW or 3C if engvall flounders.

engvall has what? 20 ish NHL games at C?

I wouldn't be so sure of that, why not 4th line as that top 7 player's 2ndary option opposed to 3C (sort of like another upgraded Simmonds)? Assuming we keep Kerfoot, I'm thinking we are pretty good for 3C depth along with others to potentially fill the spot. Maybe I am wrong though, just speculation.

 

[Faltorvo]

I wouldn't be so sure of that, why not 4th line as that top 7 player's 2ndary option opposed to 3C (sort of like another upgraded Simmonds)? Assuming we keep Kerfoot, I'm thinking we are pretty good for 3C depth along with others to potentially fill the spot. Maybe I am wrong though, just speculation.

IF they had confidence in Kerf to be our 3C,,i doubt they would have moved him out of that spot

It was said by KD,,he is not looking for soft skill,,heck he might be even looking to move out some soft skill(aka Kerf)

 

[TheScandal89]

Can we trade Kerfoot for Kadri back

 

[Faltorvo]

LMFAO Dirtbag Dreger up to his old tricks

5.5m/ 6m to retain Hyman

would have to give up sandin/roberts for Debrusk

 

[Iapyi]

I've always like Boone Jenner's game.

 

[123offtheglass]

Been a while.

Since they won the cup:

Playoffs

PIT 7-13 (MTL, NYI, PHI, WSH)
TOR 8-11 (CBJ, BOS, BOS)

Maybe because they're a burning out team that's getting old? My argument isn't how good they are it's that 'sticking up for eachother' certainly isn't a weakness holding them back, its in fact a strength. And in that time they've actually won a playoff series, making it past the 1st round, sadly unlike us. 2016 & 2017 cup wins & not that long ago where they had a lot of the same roster... been only 3 winners since... You're clearly making some strong claims about a team you haven't really watched/paid-attention to enough. They've always played this way; they're not always the toughest team but they stick up for their teamates & they stick up for themselves, starting with their stars.

If your curious of some examples I've found some:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z12t5h2mBJc
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4mbkx4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DG3PfxjN2DQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq9i6AUzeCI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5gtCHxWAq4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky_zP5pKdFg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c10pfUlX84k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQdlIAtLvBY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIlI1E4xnB4 they both play for them now btw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1sVc1xs2rs
Gotta See It: Brawl breaks out on Penguins bench - Sportsnet.ca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnbOcRrODD8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjlj5t6e-sk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBe5FsNw0eQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPIrOdbMBJk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrSDiT6DDgY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JviZhFC8u04
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16VPA8ICBe0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jred66xT1us

Remember when Marner stuck up for Matthews against Ristolainen by taking him down in a headlock and we all loved it? That happens routinely in Pittsburgh.