[SWLABR]

OK, let's start the thread in July talking about off-season trades and Free-Agent signings.

Has Dubas lost the plot??

Maple Leafs Acquire Goaltender Matt Murray In Trade With Ottawa

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has acquired goaltender Matt Murray, a third-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft and a seventh-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for future considerations. Ottawa will retain 25% of Murray's...

www.nhl.com

Discuss...

 

[leftysg]

🤔 More head scratchers than an Agatha Christie novel...which were written about the same era as their last Cup victory. Just kiddin' Leaf fans.
I was interested to see Colorado leave Kuemper and go with my Rangers iffy backup as their go to guy. They saved $$ which allowed Nichuskin to resign, but losing Kadri may be a problem. They have more talent to protect Georgiev then the TML have to protect...Murray. That can't be the Leafs answer.

 

[DC23]

I liked Murray in Ottawa. The Nick Paul trade hurt after seeing him in the finals. It'd be nice if Ottawa could draw in a big name instead of trading away all talent after development.

 

[SWLABR]

🤔 More head scratchers than an Agatha Christie novel...which were written about the same era as their last Cup victory. Just kiddin' Leaf fans.
I was interested to see Colorado leave Kuemper and go with my Rangers iffy backup as their go to guy. They saved $$ which allowed Nichuskin to resign, but losing Kadri may be a problem. They have more talent to protect Georgiev then the TML have to protect...Murray. That can't be the Leafs answer.

Right?!?!?!?!

Murray cannot be the answer to solve the Leafs chronic playoff exits. Unless of course, they are trying to avoid an early exit by not making the playoffs at all.

 

[terminalvertigo]

Right?!?!?!?!

Murray cannot be the answer to solve the Leafs chronic playoff exits.

Why not?

 

[Rollin Hand]

Why not?

Injuries and a horrible save percentage?

I have to think he is coming in as the backup.

To me, the most interesting puzzle pieces are Kane and Qadri. Both quality players with some baggage.

And Malkin!

 

[EchoWD40]

Injuries and a horrible save percentage?

I have to think he is coming in as the backup.

To me, the most interesting puzzle pieces are Kane and Qadri. Both quality players with some baggage.

And Malkin!

Murray has tons of potential, and can potentially be the big gamble that will pay off. As a goaltender myself, you can see he is extremely talented but has been recently riddled with unfortunate health.

 

[Choo5440]

My guess is dubas is going for 1a/1b shared net, just have no clue who else he'll bring in to share it.

 

[SWLABR]

Why not?

This has the potential to be Andrew Raycroft all over again. Gambling on a return to form. Granted, Murray has a pedigree Raycroft did not. Cups vs Calder, but I don't think he will regain his former dominance.

I sincerely hope he does. I would love to eat my words. Please feel free to throw these in my face in a few months. I hope you can.

 

[TimH]

Injuries and a horrible save percentage?

So you'd rather have seen Dubas hitch the train to an unproven, late blooming goaltender for the next 5 years? I like Jack Campbell but not at the rumoured 5x5mil he's about to get in Edmonton. remember, Jack was hurt last year too and was not close to the same in the second half as the first.

Also, this team isn't built from the back out like some. They're much more Colorado than Calgary, as it were. Murray's save % last year, amid injuries, was .906. Darcy Kuemper had to put up .902 in the playoffs to win a cup. When they win, it will be because they overwhelmed offensively.

It's a gamble...but not an unrealistic one.

Personally my preferred future was either Marc-Andre Fleury or Gorgiev. They were gone before Dubas could dump Mrazk's salary. I also think they stayed away from Gorgiev 'cause they think either Kallgren or Woll will work out. Woll especially looked good in his limited starts last year going 3-1 with a .911

 

[SWLABR]

So you'd rather have seen Dubas hitch the train to an unproven, late blooming goaltender for the next 5 years? I like Jack Campbell but not at the rumoured 5x5mil he's about to get in Edmonton. remember, Jack was hurt last year too and was not close to the same in the second half as the first.

Also, this team isn't built from the back out like some. They're much more Colorado than Calgary, as it were. Murray's save % last year, amid injuries, was .906. Darcy Kuemper had to put up .902 in the playoffs to win a cup.

It's a gamble...but not an unrealistic one.

Personally my preferred future was either Marc-Andre Fleury or Gorgiev. They were gone before Dubas could dump Mrazk's salary. I also think they stayed away from Gorgiev 'cause they think either Kallgren or Woll will work out. Woll especially looked good in his limited starts last year going 3-1 with a .911

I'm not sold on Campbell either. If they could have signed him at the beginning of last season for the paltry amount they were offering, then yes, keep Campbell. But not at 5 & 5. Best wishes to Mr. Holland and the Oil's.

I am not a Sports Writer, just a fan. I don't profess to have the script Dubas should have followed, but as a long suffering fan, I don't see this as a path to the promised land. I will also not criticize everything Dubas does outright for the sake of it.
I'm just not confident he's made good on his promise to solidify the net, and get them past the first round.

 

[terminalvertigo]

What you would prefer he do/did?

 

[Rollin Hand]

Murray has tons of potential, and can potentially be the big gamble that will pay off. As a goaltender myself, you can see he is extremely talented but has been recently riddled with unfortunate health.

There is another factor, and that is the Sens aren't all that good yet. Thus, Murray could look great for the Leafs. I am just not sold. Dubas, however, is known for doing his homework and getting value.

If they put up 5 and Murray lets in 4, it's still a win.

And yes, $25M over five years is too much for Campbell. Hopefully the Oilers put a team option in there.

The goalies available this year seem to be good, not great. I am a big believer in not paying a goalie alot unless they are, for example, Cujo or Roy or Hasek.

 

[Dru Edwards]

I wonder where Malkin will end up. He asked for 3 years / $7M and Pens offered 3 years / $6M. Even though he stated he's going to free agency perhaps the Pens will reach out and offer something in the middle. The problem is that in 3 years he won't be worth $6M.

 

[Rollin Hand]

I wonder where Malkin will end up. He asked for 3 years / $7M and Pens offered 3 years / $6M. Even though he stated he's going to free agency perhaps the Pens will reach out and offer something in the middle. The problem is that in 3 years he won't be worth $6M.

Apparently he actually wants to stay, or so I have read. But I can see some team coming in and blowing him away with an offer. So he might get what he wants, and has to play .500 hockey for the rest of his career.

I'd take less for one more run with Sid. But that's just me, and it's not my money.

 

[SWLABR]

What you would prefer he do/did?

I honestly don't know...as I said:

"I am not a Sports Writer, just a fan. I don't profess to have the script Dubas should have followed, but as a long suffering fan, I don't see this as a path to the promised land. I will also not criticize everything Dubas does outright for the sake of it.
I'm just not confident he's made good on his promise to solidify the net, and get them past the first round."

I suppose it's my reaction to the announcement that shows how I felt about it. It did not instill confidence.

But what would I have done?? I'm not the GM of the Leafs... I don't know what was realistic. Maybe this was his only viable option. To go after the hope of a return to stellar numbers. When Murray landed in Ottawa, there was much rejoicing from my friends of that team. Murray was very shortly removed from his glory. As a Leaf fan, I was kind of worried.

I don't dislike Dubas. He's made some good, some not so good deals. Every GM does that. We remember Fletcher landing Gilmour far more than trading the farm away to get Clark back.

I've also stated I hope I am wrong. I hope this is not Raycroft 2.0 and we are left scratching our heads. I'd love to eat my words.

 

[Dru Edwards]

Apparently he actually wants to stay, or so I have read. But I can see some team coming in and blowing him away with an offer. So he might get what he wants, and has to play .500 hockey for the rest of his career.

I'd take less for one more run with Sid. But that's just me, and it's not my money.

I too think Malkin should stick around with the Pens unless an elite team reaches out to him. There will be a couple of teams that will overpay for Malkin but guessing they aren't Cup contenders.

 

[Rollin Hand]

I read a wild one. If they don't resign everyone, Colorado has enough cap space for Malkin.

 

[Ronniedblues]

I’m a lifer Leaf fan, ever since I can remember (’71 Parent and Plante, or was it Gamble?). Until they can win a round it doesn’t matter to me what they do anymore….

 

[TimH]

Coming back to Campbell…you know what’s stupid? The CBA was just recently amended to prevent teams from talking to UFA’s until Wednesday? How is it everyone knows Campbell is going to Edmonton at 5x5 if they haven’t talked? Stupid…