My Thoughts on Rumours

Team: 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Sep. 1, 2020

Published: Sep. 1, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Freddie -> Sad to see him in the news that he is on the trade block. I understand that he is likely past the point where Dubas would feel comfortable in signing him, especially since he will be 30+ on his next contract and "on the decline".

Freddie had a poor season to his standards, but had an incredible playoffs. There is no reason to believe that he is at fault for losing the Leafs that first round to Columbus. The Jackets were hungrier and Marincin is a terrible, terrible defenseman at the NHL level, and was exposed time and time again, leaving Freddie out to dry.

The trade is to improve the Leafs defence and the Hurricanes goaltending. The Hurricanes would have one of the best tandems not named Fleury/Lehner in the NHL and it would give Freddie enough rest throughout the course of the season to where he could legitimately win a cup in Carolina with the Hurricanes.

The return is Pesce. I'm sorry Caniac2000. Every Leaf fan loves Pesce, because he is exactly what the Leafs need for Rielly. Hopefully Pesce elevates Rielly's game and vice versa like the Pesce-Slaavin pair does.

Some stats for Caniac2000 because I'm expecting a reply of "Reimer is a superior goalie to Andersen, this trade is awful. Jmac490 stop making Toronto and Carolina threads"

Andersen (2019/2020 stats): GP: 52 W: 29 L: 13 OTL/SOL: 7, Shots faced: 1577 SV%: .909, GAA: 2.85, SO: 3 GSAA: -0.40
Andersen (Career as a Leaf): SV%: 0.916, GAA: 2.77, GSAA: 35.6 (he shouldn't be stopping as many pucks as he is)
Andersen (Playoffs vs Columbus): SV% 0.936, GAA: 1.84

Reimer (2019/2020 stats): GP: 25, W: 14, L: 6, OTL/SOL: 2, Shots faced: 712, SV% 0.914, GAA: 2.66, SO: 3 GSAA: 3.38

Andersen would be a quality starter for the Hurricanes, while Reimer and Campbell could be 1B goalies (think Koskinen/Smith) in Toronto.

I personally feel like the skill difference between Pesce and Holl is equivalent to the skill difference between Reimer and Andersen.


Johnsson -> This one is tough. I think he will sadly be a cap casualty, and he won't recoup the assets that Dubas wants/needs. San Jose Fans seem to really like him, so I will ship him out there.

Middleton could be an interesting depth piece at RHD who plays a physical game. Likely starts the season in the AHL for the Leafs/Marlies but he could grow into a bottom 4 physical defenseman for the Leafs.


Kerfoot -> After the playoffs he had, I think that the Leafs would be stupid to trade him. Kerfoot played a very energy heavy game and tried to provide a spark for the Leafs. I think he was one of the best forwards for the Leafs this offseason. The Robertson/Kerfoot/Kappy line impressed me immensely and I was pretty sad to see Kappy go.


Engvall -> Maybe trade him for a guy that hits more often? I'm pretty impressed with Reaves, but the Leafs would need to add a bit.


Rodrigues -> Not paying this guy 2M, ship him to a team like Minny who wants Centers for like a 7th

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