TORONTO (May 11) — Alright, let’s begin by cutting out the dopiness. San Jose is not trading the second pick in this summer’s National Hockey League draft to the Maple Leafs, straight up, for Auston Matthews. I’m uncertain whether Mike Grier is a Hall–of–Fame general manager, but I don’t believe he escaped from an insane asylum.
Grier is not yielding an asset capped at $925,000 over the next three seasons for a slowing veteran that carries a $26.5 million commitment for two more years. Sure, the salary cap figure will soon be north of $104 million, but teams that contend for the Stanley Cup do not manage recklessly. Nor does it preclude a Toronto–San Jose deal. It’s just that the trade would need to be much bigger than one–for–one; the Maple Leafs retaining part of Auston’s salary while assuming a bad contract from Grier. Toronto GM John Chayka would probably have to include one of his better prospects (Ben Danford, Easton Cowan) before San Jose gives up a sure bet at No. 2. And, Grier would need to be entirely convinced that Matthews could join the Sharks at optimal health, after several years of mystery ailments. But, the northern–California hockey scene would procure one of its own; a player that scored 69 goals two seasons back and captained the United States men’s hockey team to gold at the Milan Winter Olympics.
Name recognition is invaluable to non–traditional hockey markets. Auston would provide the San Francisco Bay Area another large boost after the emergence of Macklin Celebrini as a top half–dozen player in the league.
All of this, of course, predicated on Matthews waiving his no–movement clause for the Sharks.
Really, it matters not what the Leafs give up or take back from San Jose. No Toronto player is close to untouchable. If Chayka could displace Matthews from the Leaf environment; own the top two picks for the first time in draft history (Brian Burke took the Sedin twins second and third in 1999) and sign an attractive free agent, the club could move forward in a completely new environment. Forget “culture” and “DNA” — those words/initials would vanish from the Maple Leaf lexicon. There would be addition by subtraction, removing Matthews’ influence on the team and its perennial playoff struggle. Nothing significant can change if No. 34 remains face of the franchise.
Encouraging him to waive is an absolute must for the club to move forward.
Someone is going to overpay for Darren Raddysh, coming off a 70–point season with Tampa Bay; a right–handed shot and still in his prime at 30. It may as well be the Leafs. Raddysh could be a clone of John Carlson, who puttered around in the 35–point range with Washington before busting out for 68 points at 28 years of age. He later contributed seasons of 75, 71 and 70 points while anchoring the Capitals’ powerplay. In this instance, Chayka could add a puck–savvy blueliner without yielding anything but cash. In which the Maple Leafs swim.
After selecting Penn State wiz Gavin McKenna, he would pick whomever the Leafs have rated at No. 2.
Or, perhaps package the second pick in a trade for a top–pairing defenseman.
Imagine, for example, getting Josh Morrissey out of Winnipeg. The 31–year–old Calgary native would present the Jets a 15–team no–trade list, as per his contract, with Toronto not included. Would Winnipeg take the No. 2 pick and Morgan Rielly, who needs a change of locale as much as any player in the league? Morrissey has two years left of contract control at a manageable $6.25 million against the cap. At least one good prospect and a fairly high draft pick would need to be included by the Jets for garnering this year’s No. 2 selection. But, it is doable.
Alternatively, Chayka could draft McKenna and the top–rated defenseman. As previously written, I have heard raves about Carson Carels of the Prince George Cougars (Western Hockey League), coming off a breakthrough 20–goal, 73–point season. Carels is generally ranked third among blueliners, behind Chase Reid (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL) and Keaton Verhoeff (University of North Dakota). Reid had 10 goals and 48 points in the Soo with a plus–28 rating. Verhoeff had 20 points in 36 games this past season at UND. Both are right–handed shots.
Amid the trio, I am told, Carels is the most–naturally skilled.
How might the Maple Leafs look, next season, with Matthews and Rielly gone; McKenna, Raddysh and Morrissey or Carels aboard? It’s a bit of a dream scenario for Chayka. But, hockey dreams are worth pursuing.
FROM THAT CRINKLED GREY CUP SCRAPBOOK
IT’S BEEN MORE THAN A HALF–CENTURY SINCE I UNFURLED THESE PAGES FROM A SCRAPBOOK I KEPT AFTER THE 1971 GREY CUP GAME. REMARKABLY, THEY ARE STILL CLEAR AND LEGIBLE. PLEASE ENJOY THIS LOOK AT ONE OF THE MOST–MEMORABLE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES IN TORONTO SPORTS HISTORY. WHEN LEON McQUAY INFAMOUSLY FUMBLED AND THE ARGONAUTS LOST TO THE STAMPEDERS, 14–11, AT RAIN–SOAKED EMPIRE STADIUM IN VANCOUVER.
EMAIL: HOWARDLBERGER@GMAIL.COM
I’d give them a kick in the you know where but that’s just me…
I like the ads in those ’71 Argos clips – $7.95 for a front end alignment from Esso, and a brand new 1971 Gremlin for $1,995 (I think – it’s hard to read). As for the Leafs, I completely agree that now is the time to move AM #34. Also, I’m not sure McKenna is the guy. I saw a game clip of him where he was floating on the back check – wasn’t even trying. Hopefully the Leafs are taking a long look at Chase Reid.
Auston Matthews is 28 years old and turns 29 later this year. He may still have eight good seasons in him. Similar with Nylander. Now is not the time to rush to trade them. It’s a moot point anyway with their no move clauses. They are both good players. Not the best of the league, but good players. Look elsewhere on the roster for change. It take 20 guys any given game night. 23 guys on the roster and 30-35 guys throughout a season. Elsewhere is where the changes have to come. It’s not all about star players. You need good journeymen too. As it stands today the biggest problem is leadership. Rielly Domi and Tavares are looked upon for leadership and provide none. Two of them wear letters on the front of their sweaters. First order of business is those three clowns. No improvement until they are all gone. But Tie Domi is in the mix now. He has influence on Sundin and Chayka. Unofficial advisor until one day they make it official? Maybe Max will be captain of the Leafs one day? Then we’ll win some cups?
am 34 wears the C PROVIDES 0 LEADERSHIP give me JT anyday he works and scores for his money
Patrick Roy for head coach. I like a guy who will ruffle a few feathers, Everyone in the Leafs organization deserves it. Maybe Roy will give fans some words to think about. Such as, it wasn’t Mitch Marner’s fault.
Yes you nailed it Howard. Berube is gone. As you mention, he should have been let go earlier but I’m glad he is no longer the Coach of the leafs.
If you look at the playoff points leader – it’s Marner.
The Goalie leader is Anderson – we had both of them, and both were letgo indicating team mismanagement.
No disdain for Marner jumping ship. Toronto never had a system that allowed him to play his game. Using MM to advance the puck from the D-Zone to O-Zone was nutty. The new GM needs to figure out how to get the puck up the ice while Mathews and McKenna are waiting at the blue line. (Toronto is taking McKenna because he’s the best player and they want to sell more Jerseys)
Marners’ play in Vegas FOR A WELL CONSTRUCTED TEAM is evidence that leafs management put their brains back in the drawer after drafting the 3 and signing Tavares. They COULD have become great had they taken time away from congratulating themselves, and counting revenues. They COULD have even built a great team around Mathews and Tavares or another combo (but not all) of the corpse 4, I bet Kelley McCrimmon would have done it.
Unfortunately that horse left the stable after a long bout of explosive diarrhea. And now Pelley-Chayka-Sundin will hang one of those little pine scented air fresheners labelled “McKenna” and loudly & proudly pretend all is well. And then they’ll raise ticket prices.
can we just tap the brakes on all this MARNER chatter.remember he wanted out he was not pushed out.he has played well this spring but he is not getting banged around like he was in T.O.there is nothing to say his points will keep up when he is playing KADRI next round and look out when VEGAS plays the EAST
Sadly, I see no world in which Leafs management opts to take the route you laid out, even though I think most astute Leafs observers would agree. I think Leafs management will see first round draft picks traded in 2027 and 2028 and say, “We need to ensure they are as high as possible.” Fans don’t care about losing 1st rounders when you make the playoffs. They do when you miss.
I think the best Leafs fans can hope for this off season is a free agent signing or two, maybe a Morgan Reilly trade. I don’t imagine too many impact players being too high on the Leafs given the current state.
If you’ll allow me to go completely off the rails … Imagine the Leafs trading the first overall pick + Cowan + more for McDavid. My gut tells me Edmonton would listen, but Toronto would balk at the asking price and/or couldn’t compete with others. I’m not even sure the Leafs make the playoffs with McDavid in the fold. But boy, that would be one heck of a bold move.
Agreed about U.S. born Matthews. It’s been 10 years of MIA in challenging games from him. More than time to move on with good Canadian leaders.
In a cap world, paying too much for a player means having that much less for other players. It should have nothing to do with how rich a team is or how much cap they have available. Spend foolishly and they are at a disadvantage to other teams who will spend wisely.
The Leafs can already pick McKenna with their 1st and can get Raddysh UFA all without trading Matthews. In effect, the Leafs get trade Matthews to get rid of Rielly and get Morrisey or Carels. All for Rielly and Matthews being traded but shouldn’t he fetch much more?!
I don’t see the logic in trading away the #2 overall pick for a top pairing defenceman when you’ve traded away your top center to play with (presumably) Gavin McKenna in order to do it? Matthews departure will put the Leafs in rebuild mode by default. Keep the 2nd overall pick or perhaps trade down with a team eyeing Stenberg and sitting in the top 5-6 and with piece(s) to offer the Leafs in return. At that point the urgency of trading Reilly and retaining salary becomes an option, not a necessity. A much better bargaining position.
Matthews isn’t good enough anymore to be the subject of a rebuild. And, has never been good enough when it matters. Move on from him. Or stay stagnant.
To trade Matthews now is to sell low. To trade Matthews at all the Leafs require his approval, his desire and his permission. The likeliest scenario is he plays out his contract and in two years, as a UFA, signs elsewhere. The Leafs will get nothing in return. For all the mismanagement, for all the years and decades that it has happened, it’s only the right conclusion to the Matthews era. Meantime, the team may try to refurbish the roster to become a playoff team again. It can be done. Do it. Kudos to Brad Treliving though. He alone brought the team from fifth overall last season to 28th this. In one season. What quality NHL GM.
If so, that’s at least two more years of playoff oblivion for the Leafs. Time to move on is now. And, Dino, vulgar insults aimed at a person will get you blocked. Obviously don’t want to do that. Make your point without dipping so low.
getting a little tired of hearing about the great run MARNER is on. he is not playing TAMPA BOSTON AND FLORIDA it is easier when you are not getting slammed into the boards. play the HABS CAROLINA and see how the stats look.
Play Colorado. Why are people on Marner? You don’t like good players? You like bad players? Do you like Rielly or Domi or Tavares?
i like players that put in an effort for what they are paid
You nailed it, Howard – top to bottom. These are my dearest wishes. May they all come to fruition.