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What we’re hearing about the Leafs’ plans for free agency, Mitch Marner



What we’re hearing about the Leafs’ plans for free agency, Mitch Marner

by Soggy_Specific4093

12 Comments

  1. Soggy_Specific4093

    Important parts,

    They’ve been extremely busy behind the scenes these past seven weeks since their season ended, pursuing roster improvements at basically every position and in every way possible.

    The Leafs were runners-up for Flames netminder Jacob Markstrom last week, losing out to the New Jersey despite having what some might consider a better package of assets on the table.

    In that offer was Toronto’s first-round pick for the coming draft, which shows just how seriously Treliving was pursuing the upgrade in net.

    Judging from all the conversations Treliving is having around the league, goaltending isn’t the Leafs’ top priority.
    What is shouldn’t be a huge surprise.

    The Leafs are determined to improve their defence, and the right side of their defence, most of all.

    Tanev, not surprisingly, holds the most appeal to the Leafs.

    One other top-four option for Toronto that hasn’t received much fanfare to date would be Kings blueliner Matt Roy, a right shot who logged 21 minutes a night this past season and brings a solid two-way game. It’s believed the Leafs are interested, despite the fact he could receive close to $6 million a season on a long-term deal.

    Though Jake McCabe played his best hockey on the right side last season, he’s likely to land back on the left next season — assuming the Leafs can find the righties they desire this summer.

    The other somewhat surprising pursuit for the Leafs in free agency is going to be bolstering what they have on the wing. In an ideal world, they would like to add a centre, but the market is thin on great options.

    Two former Blues who played under new coach Craig Berube, David Perron and Dakota Joshua are two players the Leafs like. So is Jake DeBrusk.

    The Leafs aren’t against bringing Bertuzzi and Domi back but want to keep the bulk of their cap space available heading into July 1 for defence. Their return to Toronto may hinge on being able to circle back after the initial wave of UFA signings takes place around the league on Monday.

    Based on what we’re hearing, the Leafs — in their exploration of a Marner trade through calls to teams around the league — are already getting a good sense of the challenges involved with making this deal.

    One, in particular, seems to be a lack of teams that a) Marner would conceivably accept a trade to that can b) accommodate his $10.9 million cap hit for next season and c) are willing to send back piece(s) the Leafs would find attractive, which would ideally include an impact defenceman.

  2. Expensive-Ranger6272

    Lmao Calgary refusing to trade with the Leafs is hilarious

  3. Big_Muffin42

    Mitch not waving his NMc to be traded will be worse than the Sundin situation.

    Mitch doesn’t have the clout Sundin did. The team is also in contend mode and knows they can’t do much with him on the books

  4. Stevet159

    I actually don’t care how busy a front office is. If this front office mentions how they tried really, really hard, but everyone has NMC, and no one want to trade with the Leafs as they run it back with a couple overpriced FAs and the same core. I’m going to fry my eyeballs so I won’t be able to follow these disappointments anymore.

    Don’t do right to your players unless it helps you win. Backstab every hockey relationship you have to win. Win at every step at all costs or get out of the way. I would really like Shanny to get out of the way

  5. thewolfshead

    On the Leaf Report, Mirtle *really* made it seem like he thought nothing was going to happen with Marner. 

  6. Significant_News_638

    Seems to be a trend in who theyre gonna target.

    Perron really seems like a certainty at this point – which could be fine depending on $$.

    Seems like we should prepare for Marner there in October. Just seems like too many variables to navigate and the timing just doesnt work.

    I’m scared of the contracts Tre might offer a Dakota Joshua or Tanev. Not that the players arent a fit, but the over-pay risk is there and there is a lot of buyer beware.

    I really hope they target Skinner with the buyout. Hes averaged 28 goals and 65 points over the last 3 years, is a hometown boy and might take a cheap deal with the buyout cash already in his pocket. If they could get him at a reasonable cap hit, I don’t see a world in which they get better bang for buck.

  7. This whole Calgary feud is so childish on the part of the owner over there. I actually don’t hate that we didn’t get Markstrom, I’m pretty excited we kept our 1st rounder (for now!).

    I am glad it’s getting out there that we had the better package. The owner can’t just snicker away behind closed doors like an immature child without it being known that he’s hurting his franchise by turning down better deals just because he’s butt hurt one of his employees resigned. It’s not accidental that we are hearing this.

  8. riko77can

    If Mitch doesn’t accept a trade he will have an absolutely miserable year in Toronto. I guara-fucking-tee it.

  9. swagginpoon

    Tanev is not worth our time. Please pursue Brandon Montour and/or Matt Roy. Also not sure why goaltending is not a priority for us…..

  10. LtColumbo93

    Yeah Marner isn’t going anywhere this summer. 

  11. AdIll5946

    Tanev being the Leafs top priority would be shocking. He’s 34 and a walking bandaid.

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