Knies is a (frank)ing beauty, but what is his next contract going to look like?
- Whipper

he will obv get an offer sheet and the Leafs will pay 11.5

There's a joke in there somewhere about him falling in only One Direction.

I'm just too lazy to work it out.
- Atomic Wedgie

Holy f@cking f@ck.

Great physical player but he won’t cost too much unless he ups his production notably… I think it will step up once Matthews and Marner truly get going but as of right now Knies is only on a 20P pace, without a notably better production he won’t cost as much as you think.
- Dozzer

If he plays how he has the 1st 4 games the points will come...at a rapid pace.

Pay him a bit more and get him locked in for 8 years.
- Dozzer

So far he's a career 0.42ppg, so maybe you do 4.5/75 x 8?

If he plays how he has the 1st 4 games the points will come...at a rapid pace.
- Santo_44

He’s not the core of the line and that obvious. So his points will go up faster once Matthews and Marner find their game.

So far he's a career 0.42ppg, so maybe you do 4.5/75 x 8?
- Fakepartofme

Exactly what I’m thinking, if Tre can get him for a bit under $5 mill for 8 years I’d be totally hopeful that he does…. He’s not the type that makes me worry about injuries lol… a young JVR type imo

Some blue and white thoughts with an eye towards the first Leafs and Lightning matchup coming on monday...

As if Ducherov couldn't be more dangerous, from the early eye test, it seems like he is taking a shoot first mentality this season. Duch always had a pass first bias, but with Stamkos and most of the scoring depth gone, he is taking Tampa on his back. If Guentzel settles into a facilitator role for Duch, then expect Duch to flirt with 50 goals this season. He might get a sniff of the Rocket if he keeps up. You can hate the guy, but he's driven and he might decide that 50 or 60 goals this season might be his last season's 100 assist chase.

He will likely cool off. Two of those goals were empty netters and one was a long range garbage pinball affair. If he scores a couple more against Ottawa, then the Leafs better shadow the poop out of him.

Stamkos is still pointless in Nashville and winless in the standings. Can Saros and a bunch of geezers keep it up?

Lightning's bottom six is trash. Double shift Matthews or Marner and try to make a lopsided matchup against their weak third and fourth lines.

Ideal outcome : Lightning steamroll Ottawa and then come into Toronto for a thrilling overtime game. Matthews scores on a slick snipe for the win and Tampa walks away with the loser point and saving face with the "undefeated in regulation" title.

Cam Fowler is on the trade block (again). Wouldn't mind him as a return for Liljegren.

But because the salary might be a problem, perhaps Radko Gudas becomes available as Anaheim continues to tank.

They named him C of the Ducks but there's no way a guy that competitive is okay with playing on a tanking team going forward. He has this year and 1 more year at 4 AAV and he's a really strong, tough, spirited playoff type RHD. Maybe the Ducks retain 1 AAV or the Leafs throw somebody in (Reaves) to clear the salary required.

Bringing in Gudas for Liljegren could really pay off in the playoffs.

Some blue and white thoughts with an eye towards the first Leafs and Lightning matchup coming on monday...

As if Ducherov couldn't be more dangerous, from the early eye test, it seems like he is taking a shoot first mentality this season. Duch always had a pass first bias, but with Stamkos and most of the scoring depth gone, he is taking Tampa on his back. If Guentzel settles into a facilitator role for Duch, then expect Duch to flirt with 50 goals this season. He might get a sniff of the Rocket if he keeps up. You can hate the guy, but he's driven and he might decide that 50 or 60 goals this season might be his last season's 100 assist chase.

He will likely cool off. Two of those goals were empty netters and one was a long range garbage pinball affair. If he scores a couple more against Ottawa, then the Leafs better shadow the poop out of him.

Stamkos is still pointless in Nashville and winless in the standings. Can Saros and a bunch of geezers keep it up?

Lightning's bottom six is trash. Double shift Matthews or Marner and try to make a lopsided matchup against their weak third and fourth lines.

Ideal outcome : Lightning steamroll Ottawa and then come into Toronto for a thrilling overtime game. Matthews scores on a slick snipe for the win and Tampa walks away with the loser point and saving face with the "undefeated in regulation" title.
- GalacticStone

Nashville has so many new players learning new systems and linemates, it will take some time to build chemistry. If im a preds fan, im not worried at all

Exactly what I’m thinking, if Tre can get him for a bit under $5 mill for 8 years I’d be totally hopeful that he does…. He’s not the type that makes me worry about injuries lol… a young JVR type imo
- Dozzer

I think this is a little crazy. Like Knies is 22 - he's still growing and developing. He hasn't shown just how good he can be yet.

After a couple of years with Matthews and Marner, Zack Hyman got a contract worth 6.03% - or $5.8m by current cap standards - for 7 years at age 29.

After a couple of years with Matthews and Marner, Michael Bunting got a contract worth 5.1% of the cap - or $4.7m by current cap standards for 3 years at age 28.

If you want to sign a 22/23 year old Matthews Knies to an 8 year deal, you're buying his unknown and unrealized future potential as well. If I'm his agent an 8 year deal probably isn't on the table until after this full season with Matthews and Marner and if he tops 55 points, the deal starts with a 7.

If you want to bridge him over 3 years you can get into the $4.7m range.

Cam Fowler is on the trade block (again). Wouldn't mind him as a return for Liljegren.

But because the salary might be a problem, perhaps Radko Gudas becomes available as Anaheim continues to tank.

They named him C of the Ducks but there's no way a guy that competitive is okay with playing on a tanking team going forward. He has this year and 1 more year at 4 AAV and he's a really strong, tough, spirited playoff type RHD. Maybe the Ducks retain 1 AAV or the Leafs throw somebody in (Reaves) to clear the salary required.

Bringing in Gudas for Liljegren could really pay off in the playoffs.
- Rare_Jewel

I like Fowler's but his AAV and M-NTC would likely prohibit him from being traded to the Leafs. Unless you can maybe throw in Domi into the mix somehow? Doubtful though.

I wonder if Gudas would waive his M-NTC to play for the Leafs? I feel like he most likely wouldn't. He's also one of those guys who would probably get a million PIMs in a playoff run with the Leafs.

Nashville has so many new players learning new systems and linemates, it will take some time to build chemistry. If im a preds fan, im not worried at all
- Fakepartofme

Can we all agree that trading Askarov was retarded?

I like Fowler's but his AAV and M-NTC would likely prohibit him from being traded to the Leafs. Unless you can maybe throw in Domi into the mix somehow? Doubtful though.

I wonder if Gudas would waive his M-NTC to play for the Leafs? I feel like he most likely wouldn't. He's also one of those guys who would probably get a million PIMs in a playoff run with the Leafs.
- mjones242

Depends on a lot of things. I would never move Domi. Jarnkrok and/or Kampf though, absolutely, gone to make that deal work.

I think he would because I don't see any major reasons why he wouldn't. He'd obviously get top-4 minutes on a playoff team / contender. I think that's a huge upgrade over being in Anaheim.

The penalties are for sure a problem. He was -22 in penalties drawn / taken. But he also kills 3 minutes of penalties per game. So in a way, he helps balance out his biggest weakness with PK contributions. Not to mention, he throws A LOT of hits and blocks A LOT of shots. Another series vs. Boston, he's a big asset.

Can we all agree that trading Askarov was retarded?
- mjones242

Way too early to tell if it was mistake or not.
Plus askarov asked to be out ov there.

Can we all agree that trading Askarov was retarded?
- mjones242

Leafs should have acquired him. But Nashville has Saros locked up for 8 years. Don't think they regret it.

Cam Fowler is on the trade block (again). Wouldn't mind him as a return for Liljegren.

But because the salary might be a problem, perhaps Radko Gudas becomes available as Anaheim continues to tank.

They named him C of the Ducks but there's no way a guy that competitive is okay with playing on a tanking team going forward. He has this year and 1 more year at 4 AAV and he's a really strong, tough, spirited playoff type RHD. Maybe the Ducks retain 1 AAV or the Leafs throw somebody in (Reaves) to clear the salary required.

Bringing in Gudas for Liljegren could really pay off in the playoffs.
- Rare_Jewel

Honestly, i would pass on fowler and definitely gudas....he sucks.
I do like fowler but to get his aav done would cost the leafs too much. Imo
Plus they'll be paying mccabe $5m per soon as well

Some blue and white thoughts with an eye towards the first Leafs and Lightning matchup coming on monday...

As if Ducherov couldn't be more dangerous, from the early eye test, it seems like he is taking a shoot first mentality this season. Duch always had a pass first bias, but with Stamkos and most of the scoring depth gone, he is taking Tampa on his back. If Guentzel settles into a facilitator role for Duch, then expect Duch to flirt with 50 goals this season. He might get a sniff of the Rocket if he keeps up. You can hate the guy, but he's driven and he might decide that 50 or 60 goals this season might be his last season's 100 assist chase.

He will likely cool off. Two of those goals were empty netters and one was a long range garbage pinball affair. If he scores a couple more against Ottawa, then the Leafs better shadow the poop out of him.

Stamkos is still pointless in Nashville and winless in the standings. Can Saros and a bunch of geezers keep it up?

Lightning's bottom six is trash. Double shift Matthews or Marner and try to make a lopsided matchup against their weak third and fourth lines.

Ideal outcome : Lightning steamroll Ottawa and then come into Toronto for a thrilling overtime game. Matthews scores on a slick snipe for the win and Tampa walks away with the loser point and saving face with the "undefeated in regulation" title.
- GalacticStone

You...know he won the Art Ross and should have won the Hart last year right...?

Honestly, i would pass on fowler and definitely gudas....he sucks.
I do like fowler but to get his aav done would cost the leafs too much. Imo
Plus they'll be paying mccabe $5m per soon as well
- Fakepartofme

Gudas has been steady in a 2nd pairing, shutdown, PK role his entire career. He's had playoff runs with Florida and has only been a minus player once in his whole career. He's also had seasons where his PIM were kept in check. He's definitely a Berube type player. Always willing to hit, fight and stick up for his team.

McCabe is going to cost that much, they should dump and replace him with Benoit. But even if they paid him 5 AAV, that money would come from the Tavares expiring contract, even if they give Tavares 7 AAV, which they shouldn't and probably go after a big defensive UFA fish.

Rielly / Tanev
OEL / Gudas
McCabe / Hakanpaa
Benoit / Timmins

That's not half bad for the playoffs. Not perfect, definitely would improve on it next UFA market if possible.

Gudas has been steady in a 2nd pairing, shutdown, PK role his entire career. He's had playoff runs with Florida and has only been a minus player once in his whole career. He's also had seasons where his PIM were kept in check. He's definitely a Berube type player. Always willing to hit, fight and stick up for his team.

McCabe, they should dump and replace him with Benoit. But even if they paid him 5 AAV, that money would come from the Tavares expiring contract, even if they give Tavares 7 AAV.
- Rare_Jewel

they made him C as the team is a bunch of prima donnas. They arent trading him for the likes of Lilgrin

You...know he won the Art Ross and should have won the Hart last year right...?
- AdamFrench

Yup, and I get the feeling that he's picking up right where he left off. Guy is gonna be extra dangerous this year and the Leafs are going to face him a bunch of times. I'm curious if Berube puts a target on him and if the Leafs batter the poop out of him to get him off his game. Dude has a temper. Piss him off and he takes stupid penalties.

I wonder if Gudas would waive his M-NTC to play for the Leafs? I feel like he most likely wouldn't. He's also one of those guys who would probably get a million PIMs in a playoff run with the Leafs.
- mjones242

I could be mistaken, but I recall the Leafs kicked the tires on Gudas before he signed with the Ducks, and he had ZERO interest in playing in Toronto.

I could be mistaken, but I recall the Leafs kicked the tires on Gudas before he signed with the Ducks, and he had ZERO interest in playing in Toronto.
- Whipper

I doubt that his mind can't be changed considering the tire fire of a team he's currently stuck on.

Darcy Tucker once deleted Mike Peca in the playoffs. They hated each other for years. Then played together on the Leafs. At the end of the day, players change their minds all the time.

Holy $hit, did anyone else see this?!?!?!?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

they made him C as the team is a bunch of prima donnas. They arent trading him for the likes of Lilgrin
- drexel

They'll be in full scale fire sale mode by the start of 2025.

I doubt that his mind can't be changed considering the tire fire of a team he's currently stuck on.

Darcy Tucker once deleted Mike Peca in the playoffs. They hated each other for years. Then played together on the Leafs. At the end of the day, players change their minds all the time.
- Rare_Jewel

I mean... He knew the team was going to be a tire fire when he signed there.