It’s going to be the topic of the day from now until about, ohhh… July 1st. What trades to the Toronto Maple Leafs make between now and July 1st? Today, I’ll take my best stab at reconstructing “Canada’s” team – #Sarcasm
Move 1- Trade Phil Kessel
One of the teams that I suspect to very interested in Phil Kessel is the Florida Panthers. I think the Leafs could get the No. 11 pick out of Florida and a young player – say Brandon Pirri – if the Leafs keep a bit of salary. I don’t have an issue paying 1.5 million of Phil’s salary if I’m getting those two pieces to re-build with.
Move 2- Trade Dion Phaneuf & Jonathan Bernier
In the second blockbuster deal, I move Phaneuf and Bernier to the Oilers. Peter Chiarelli’s first move in Boston was to get a big-time defenceman and he’ll look to do the same thing with the Oilers and Phaneuf is likely the best defenceman that he’ll be able to acquire. Bernier also fits the Oilers’ need for a No. 1 goalie that can grow with the group they have.
As for what I think the Oilers would part with for Phaneuf and Bernier, I think the Leafs could get Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as the centerpiece, with a prospect and the No. 16 pick coming back. This would give the Leafs a No. 1 centre to re-build around, as well, Babcock gets his Datsyuk guy – hey RNH was compared to him at the draft.
Move 3- Get the Draft Right
So after those to big moves, The Leafs have four picks in the top 24 – No. 4, No. 11, No. 16 and No. 24. These pick will become the building blocks of this franchise. With these picks, the Leafs need to add skill, but most importantly, they need to get good NHL players, that will play a long time. It’s tough to know who will be there, but here is who I’m targeting.
No. 4- Mitch Marner or Dylan Strome
I believe both these guys are top-6 skill guys that you can build around and one of them – maybe both – will be there when the Leafs pick. I think Marner is more dynamic, so He’s my top choice, but if he’s gone, Strome is a real good building piece to have behind RNH.
No. 11- Zack Werenski or Timo Meier
I think Werenski will be gone by No. 11, but some have him falling that far. If he’s there I take him and partner him with Rielly in a few years. If he’s gone, Meier is a good power-forward player that should be a top-9 guy for sure. I like him to be a solid NHLers for a long time with upside to score 35 and play a physical game.
No. 16- Jansen Harkins or Colin White
I think Harkins will be a big raiser as the draft gets closer, but if he’s there, he has the type of character that you want to build a team around. He is a future NHL captain and has a lot of Bergeron/O’Reilly in him. I think he’s there at 16, but if not, White is great plan “B”.
No. 24- Jake DeBrusk
I’m pretty sure he’ll be there at 24, so I’m not going to post anyone else. DeBrusk plays hard ever shift and that is something you re-build around. He plays a gritty, character game and he notched 42 goals this past season. I think he’s a solid top-9 guy that can get 20-25 in the NHL.
Move 4- Trade Joffrey Lupul
I’m not sure what the market is for Lupul, but at 32 next season, he’s not going to be around once this franchise gets on track and moving him out helps with the culture change. As for what I’d take for him, I think you can get a mid-round pick and prospect for him. Teams like Winnipeg and Montreal might be good fits.
Move 5- Sign Antti Niemi & Justin Williams on July 1st
I know what people are saying right about now, but the fact is, you need good guys that know what it takes to win, to show the younger players the way. Both Williams and Niemi have done their share of winning, and would be great mentors to the younger players. Niemi was a Vezina finalist a few seasons back and his presence will help the young defenceman on the team play with more confidence. Williams is a clutch guy that will help with the scoring and show the younger forwards the way.
As for what it would take to land them, give them short-term deals at big money to show people this organization is about winning. After all, the Leafs have the cap space. I’d offer 3 years, 16.5-18 million for each of them.
So that’s how I’d re-build the Leafs, what would you do?
Thanks for reading
Ian
Move 1- Trade Phil Kessel
One of the teams that I suspect to very interested in Phil Kessel is the Florida Panthers. I think the Leafs could get the No. 11 pick out of Florida and a young player – say Brandon Pirri – if the Leafs keep a bit of salary. I don’t have an issue paying 1.5 million of Phil’s salary if I’m getting those two pieces to re-build with.
Move 2- Trade Dion Phaneuf & Jonathan Bernier
In the second blockbuster deal, I move Phaneuf and Bernier to the Oilers. Peter Chiarelli’s first move in Boston was to get a big-time defenceman and he’ll look to do the same thing with the Oilers and Phaneuf is likely the best defenceman that he’ll be able to acquire. Bernier also fits the Oilers’ need for a No. 1 goalie that can grow with the group they have.
As for what I think the Oilers would part with for Phaneuf and Bernier, I think the Leafs could get Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as the centerpiece, with a prospect and the No. 16 pick coming back. This would give the Leafs a No. 1 centre to re-build around, as well, Babcock gets his Datsyuk guy – hey RNH was compared to him at the draft.
Move 3- Get the Draft Right
So after those to big moves, The Leafs have four picks in the top 24 – No. 4, No. 11, No. 16 and No. 24. These pick will become the building blocks of this franchise. With these picks, the Leafs need to add skill, but most importantly, they need to get good NHL players, that will play a long time. It’s tough to know who will be there, but here is who I’m targeting.
No. 4- Mitch Marner or Dylan Strome
I believe both these guys are top-6 skill guys that you can build around and one of them – maybe both – will be there when the Leafs pick. I think Marner is more dynamic, so He’s my top choice, but if he’s gone, Strome is a real good building piece to have behind RNH.
No. 11- Zack Werenski or Timo Meier
I think Werenski will be gone by No. 11, but some have him falling that far. If he’s there I take him and partner him with Rielly in a few years. If he’s gone, Meier is a good power-forward player that should be a top-9 guy for sure. I like him to be a solid NHLers for a long time with upside to score 35 and play a physical game.
No. 16- Jansen Harkins or Colin White
I think Harkins will be a big raiser as the draft gets closer, but if he’s there, he has the type of character that you want to build a team around. He is a future NHL captain and has a lot of Bergeron/O’Reilly in him. I think he’s there at 16, but if not, White is great plan “B”.
No. 24- Jake DeBrusk
I’m pretty sure he’ll be there at 24, so I’m not going to post anyone else. DeBrusk plays hard ever shift and that is something you re-build around. He plays a gritty, character game and he notched 42 goals this past season. I think he’s a solid top-9 guy that can get 20-25 in the NHL.
Move 4- Trade Joffrey Lupul
I’m not sure what the market is for Lupul, but at 32 next season, he’s not going to be around once this franchise gets on track and moving him out helps with the culture change. As for what I’d take for him, I think you can get a mid-round pick and prospect for him. Teams like Winnipeg and Montreal might be good fits.
Move 5- Sign Antti Niemi & Justin Williams on July 1st
I know what people are saying right about now, but the fact is, you need good guys that know what it takes to win, to show the younger players the way. Both Williams and Niemi have done their share of winning, and would be great mentors to the younger players. Niemi was a Vezina finalist a few seasons back and his presence will help the young defenceman on the team play with more confidence. Williams is a clutch guy that will help with the scoring and show the younger forwards the way.
As for what it would take to land them, give them short-term deals at big money to show people this organization is about winning. After all, the Leafs have the cap space. I’d offer 3 years, 16.5-18 million for each of them.
So that’s how I’d re-build the Leafs, what would you do?
Thanks for reading
Ian