GDT #56: Leafs @ Habs HNIC

[LeafGm]

As much as this team has had some frustrating outcomes lately, in the end I'm still pretty confident that we'll get in.

Andersen eventually will have a run of better play, you'd think. At worst, Campbell doesn't look like he'll blatantly chuck away points like Hutch did. And there's the possibility he might be better than that. He certainly gave them a chance to win against both Anaheim & Montreal.

I expect that our offense will keep chugging along, especially when we get Willy back. Sandin & Lilly look good so far. I think there are also decent odds Dubas makes a trade of significance before the deadline, especially with the windfall of LTIR room we have from Rielly & Ceci.

 

[Artnes]

I think Dermotts days as a Leaf are coming to a close

Wouldnt he shocked to see him packaged

 

[hockeylover]

I think Dermotts days as a Leaf are coming to a close

Wouldnt he shocked to see him packaged

I think so too.

 

[zeke]

?

I was referring to the Habs. That was the killer. Yeah they had injuries but dropping 16 games with just a smattering of loser points? Unacceptable.

Yes losing games is bad.

 

[LeafGm]

I think Dermotts days as a Leaf are coming to a close

Wouldnt he shocked to see him packaged

Yep. I expect that's in part what the reported contract negotiations with Muzzin are about.

Dubas wants to get some clarity on Muzzin's future before the deadline, because if Muzzin's staying, that frees up Dermott as a trade chip, considering we'd have Rielly, Muzzin, Sandin & Dermott all locked in on the left side of our defense.

And none of them can effectively play the right side, really.

 

[Volcanologist]

Also, I don't think Dermott is developing quite as they had hoped.

 

[zeke]

Tough to trade him with Mo out.

 

[MindzEye]

As a bonus we also just happen to be the one team of all of them that actually has a good reason to think an improved pace the rest of the way is not just possible, but likely, given how badly the babcock near 1/3 of the season is still impacting our pace.

Columbus has received...wait for it....

.938 goaltending since Dec 1st

.938

Either Elvis fucking Merzlikins is the new Dom Hasek, or that's ridiculously unsustainable

 

[MindzEye]

I think the lack of development from Dermott is being a bit over stated here. Missed the summer and training camp. Strong analytics, good shot/chance suppression numbers, good but only good 5on5 scoring rates. Has done all this with his most common defence partners being easily our worst defender, or another right handed guy that half the board would drive to the airport to see the back of.

He's performed as a way above average 3rd pairing defender when left in that role, but struggled as Barrie's babysitter, or facing higher level competition with Holl. Only way he gets traded is if a Muzzin extension is locked and loaded.

 

[Deckie007]

I think the lack of development from Dermott is being a bit over stated here. Missed the summer and training camp. Strong analytics, good shot/chance suppression numbers, good but only good 5on5 scoring rates. Has done all this with his most common defence partners being easily our worst defender, or another right handed guy that half the board would drive to the airport to see the back of.

He's performed as a way above average 3rd pairing defender when left in that role, but struggled as Barrie's babysitter, or facing higher level competition with Holl. Only way he gets traded is if a Muzzin extension is locked and loaded.

Yeah and the guy only just turned 23. Development stunted by injury and the cock. If he gets you a piece back that you really like then sure trade him but there's still a bunch of development left to do. If you believed in him last year, there's nothing that's happened that should change that.

 

[aniablue]

I like Dermott. A lot. Keep him. He is good. Still think he is a Horton in the making.

 

[blkngldbabe]

So who is the toxicity in the locker room coming from? Kappy and hence the lateness suspension?

 

[Preston]

So who is the toxicity in the locker room coming from? Kappy and hence the lateness suspension?

Not sure I entirely believe it but if I had to guess I'd say Kapanen, Dermott seems like a dickbag, and Nylander seems annoying and air-heady but largely harmless. Other than that, meh. Don't really buy that anyone is all that toxic.

That guy clearly has an audience after nailing the trade so he's trying to capitalize on the fifteen minutes.

 

[MindzEye]

Yeah and the guy only just turned 23. Development stunted by injury and the cock. If he gets you a piece back that you really like then sure trade him but there's still a bunch of development left to do. If you believed in him last year, there's nothing that's happened that should change that.

I don't really see the point in trading him. Our LHD depth is Rielly-Muzzin-Dermott-Sandin. Which is really good, but moving him now would create problems both now and next season. The problem now is that Rielly is out for quite a while so our LHD becomes Muzzin-Sandin-Marincin over night (unless you trade him for another LHD...but I kind of don't get the point in that). The problem next year is that now you're basically locked into Muzzin on an extension (which negates our ability to chase AP in free agency, and he actually solves our RHD problems in a real way) and you're really unlikely to get a RHD that legitimately moves the needle for say, Dermott and Johnsson (if there's even one available).

The team has played very well since mid November, the biggest gaping axe wound appears to have been sorted (I'd call Campbell's first two games with the Leafs "competent" overall. A drastic improvement over Hutch). Freddy should be back shortly and even just meh Freddy is okay at this point. If we don't get good goaltending in the playoffs, any shuffling of the defensive deck chairs is just that. Save the cap space, take a run at AP in the summer. Next year go with

Rielly-Holl
Dermott-AP
Sandin-Lilly

Rielly has carried around far lesser defenders to great results. AP would be a great partner and mentor to help Dermott take the next step into being a legit top 4 guy. The kids are already easily good enough to manage 3rd pairing competition. Then if we want we can turn around and package some stuff (say, Kerfoot + Johnsson + stuff) for a really, really good 3C (Getzlaf?Staal?Staal?etc)

Soupy-Matthews-Marner
Hyman-Tavares-Nylander
Engvall-Stud 3C-Kapanen
XXXXX-Spezza-XXXXXX

With Goat, Tima, Brooks, and the usual cavalcade of veteran scrubs we sign to league min contracts competing for the 4th line spots.

 

[leafman101]

I don’t see any reason to rush to move Dermott. it is disappointing that he hasn’t been good with the increased opportunity but he’s a good bottom pair D. Unless it’s in a deal to get a legit tip pair RHD.

 

[Jeremy]

Yeah Dermott is only 23. Feels like it would be impatient to give up on him. Not saying they’re the same player but for example we later regretted giving up Steen too early.

 

[Artnes]

I dont think you are giving up him but if they feel Muzzin is a better fit for the current lineup then it comes down to getting pushed out.

Dubas better be sure the upgrade he is receiving is significant enough to expose the left side though as Im not over confident having Marincin playing every night even with sheltered minutes

 

[zeke]

So who is the toxicity in the locker room coming from?

 

[Bleedsblue&white]

Mike litoris says one thing, Mike hunt says another....who you going believe?

 

[aniablue]

Don't like hearing that about locker room toxicity. Seems like a cool team.

Don't like hearing that people are souring on Dermott, he is still very young, very talented and is coming off a major injury that required operation.

Kid is good.