Toronto Maple Leafs

[Argo57]

As soon as I saw that Tavares had signed with the Leafs' my first thought was "Which of Marner and Nylander gets traded when they are up for their next contract?"

Personally I would prefer that it be Nylander, but I figure the Leafs trade one of them for a defenseman at the right time.

Can’t see Marner going anywhere TBH.

[jerrym]

I think it is going to be a problem in a few years when Matthews, Marner, and Nylander are looking for decent contracts.

In the modern free agent world, a team usually only has a limited window to go for a championship before the free agency starts costing one its stars. Better to go for it all while the chance is there even if it costs valuable high skill players long term.

[jerrym]

In case you remember him

Murray Westgate, the iconic pitchman for Esso in the Happy Motoring days of Hockey Night In Canada, has passed away in Toronto. He was 100 and always glad to give interviews on the golden age of televised hockey.

— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) August 27, 2018

[argolio]

A little before my time, but I've seen some of his ads.

RIP

[R.J]

Anyone else concerned that Nylander hasn't signed yet ?

[AngeloV]

Anyone else concerned that Nylander hasn't signed yet ?

Not really. He doesn't have any options, and I see him signing a 2 or 3 year bridge contract within the next week or so.

[R.J]

Not really. He doesn't have any options, and I see him signing a 2 or 3 year bridge contract within the next week or so.

I think Dubas wants a bridge deal; Nylander's side not so much.

[AngeloV]

I think Dubas wants a bridge deal; Nylander's side not so much.

True, but as I said, no options. I highly doubt he will get an RFA offer. Teams aren't willing to give up 3 or 4 first round picks anymore with a cap.

[R.J]

True, but as I said, no options. I highly doubt he will get an RFA offer. Teams aren't willing to give up 3 or 4 first round picks anymore with a cap.

Yeah, I think Penner and Weber were the last two guys who got RFA offers. I'm hoping Dubas can sign him over under $6.5 million; Pastrnak got around $6.7 million and he's a better all round player IMO. Heck, Scheifele's an elite centre IMO and he's getting $6.1 million.

I'm really interested to see what Matthews and Marner get though. IMO they overpaid for Tavares; which could inflate Matthews next deal.

[AngeloV]

Yeah, I think Penner and Weber were the last two guys who got RFA offers. I'm hoping Dubas can sign him over under $6.5 million; Pastrnak got around $6.7 million and he's a better all round player IMO. Heck, Scheifele's an elite centre IMO and he's getting $6.1 million.

I'm really interested to see what Matthews and Marner get though. IMO they overpaid for Tavares; which could inflate Matthews next deal.

I don't think they overpaid for Tavares at all. Guessing Matthew will get a similar deal to Tavares, and Marner if he plays the way he did in the 2nd half of the season (and I see the arrival of Tavares having a positive effect on his numbers) somewhere between 7-8.

[Argo57]

I don't think they overpaid for Tavares at all. Guessing Matthew will get a similar deal to Tavares, and Marner if he plays the way he did in the 2nd half of the season (and I see the arrival of Tavares having a positive effect on his numbers) somewhere between 7-8.

The Tavares signing was a great move and in fact he could have got more cash elsewhere.
Anytime you can add world class talent without having to trade anyone off of your roster you have to at least strongly consider it.

[Will]

Tavares and Marner have looked impressive during the pre-season. Matthews as well and that's playing with Tyler Ennis on one wing.
I wonder how Kadri does with new linemates. I don't think he'll have anybody on his wing who is considered to be a solid goal scorer (yet) although Kadri has scored more than he's assisted on (or close to it) the last few years.

What do you do at backup? MacElhenny or Sparks?

[R.J]

Tavares and Marner have looked impressive during the pre-season. Matthews as well and that's playing with Tyler Ennis on one wing.
I wonder how Kadri does with new linemates. I don't think he'll have anybody on his wing who is considered to be a solid goal scorer (yet) although Kadri has scored more than he's assisted on (or close to it) the last few years.

What do you do at backup? MacElhenny or Sparks?

Matthews continues to prove that you can have anyone on his line and he'll still perform. As for the back-up role, that's a tricky one IMO. MacElhenny has done well in the role, and IMO deserves to keep it based on last season and so far in the pre season, but then you run the risk of losing Sparks, because he'd have to go through waivers. Odds are at 25 Sparks may get picked up by someone; MacElhenny at 35 most likely won't get pick up at this time. If the Leafs lose Sparks though they still have Pickard with the Marlies, and Woll in the pipeline.

[Argo57]

Matthews continues to prove that you can have anyone on his line and he'll still perform. As for the back-up role, that's a tricky one IMO. MacElhenny has done well in the role, and IMO deserves to keep it based on last season and so far in the pre season, but then you run the risk of losing Sparks, because he'd have to go through waivers. Odds are at 25 Sparks may get picked up by someone; MacElhenny at 35 most likely won't get pick up at this time. If the Leafs lose Sparks though they still have Pickard with the Marlies, and Woll in the pipeline.

Sparks was brutal last night and probably cost himself any chance at a backup job.

[R.J]

Sparks was brutal last night and probably cost himself any chance at a backup job.

Sparks struggled yet again on Sunday. At least the Leafs can score a lot.

[Will]

Sparks struggled yet again on Sunday. At least the Leafs can score a lot.

The bodies that the Blackhawks were able to get in front of Sparks was an issue.

[R.J]

Henrik Zetterberg opened up about the friction in his relationship with Mike Babcock
https://www.bardown.com/henrik-zette...cock-1.1202702

“Maybe people think that we hated each other, sometimes,” Zetterberg said. “I won’t say we did that. But, there were times when we weren’t that friendly, maybe."

He is difficult. And, especially if you had him for 10 years, you know? Any coach for 10 years would be hard,” Zetterberg said. “But then you add Mike into it. He puts a lot of pressure on guys. He wants you involved. He wants you to buy in.”

“He found a way to push me into an 'I’m going to show you’ kind of thing. Not everyone, I think, can handle it,” Zetterberg said.

“My relationship with him has always been good. We butted heads a lot of times. I think he knew he could tell me whatever he wanted. And, I knew I could tell him whatever I wanted.”

I'm actually surprised some in Toronto are so surprised that Babcock is rubbing some players the wrong way in Toronto, it was well documented at one point that quite a few players in Detroit were hesitant to sign/re-sign there due to Babcock. Must just be a Toronto media thing.

[ArgoRavi]

Henrik Zetterberg opened up about the friction in his relationship with Mike Babcock
https://www.bardown.com/henrik-zette...cock-1.1202702



I'm actually surprised some in Toronto are so surprised that Babcock is rubbing some players the wrong way in Toronto, it was well documented at one point that quite a few players in Detroit were hesitant to sign/re-sign there due to Babcock. Must just be a Toronto media thing.

Babcock doesn't strike me as being the easiest guy to get along with. I would guess that his methods work better with younger players than older ones.

[R.J]

Babcock doesn't strike me as being the easiest guy to get along with. I would guess that his methods work better with younger players than older ones.

I think Auston Matthews would disagree.

[Will]

The William Nylander deadline approaches without a resolution. Do the Leafs let him sit out the year or trade him if they can't reach a resolution. I get the feeling that the asking price goes down the closer we get to the deadline.

In the meantime, the team continues to play quite well with John Tavares, Morgan Rielly and Mitch Marner doing much of the heavy lifting.

Knocking on wood, but Andersen's play has struck me as the biggest difference from last year. I do wish that they could get a better back-up behind him though.