The Official 2026 Off-Season Thread: Revenge of the Nerds

[Pwner]

I hate this "Top 6, Bottom 6" roster construction. Just have good/above-average hockey players. They will figure it out.

 

[LeafGm]

I hate this "Top 6, Bottom 6" roster construction. Just have good/above-average hockey players. They will figure it out.

For all the talk of burger boy being a progressive, data-driven whiz kid, it’s kind of hilarious that his July 1st strategy and ideas of roster construction seem to be ripped off directly from Brian Burke.

 

[Habsy]

The only “sense” (used loosely) that I can make out of it is that they have a vision of how the Leafs will play under Hiller. The one thing that all the forwards acquired have in common is forechecking. Add to that they are above average speed for the most part and you get the sense that they want to play a relentless forecheck style when the scorers are taking a breather. It could possible work but I prefer skill.

There’s also the Panthers element. Getting guys that can play against that rough style.

 

[MindzEye]

What kind of a douche goalie picks 72?

 

[LeafOfFaith]

What kind of a douche goalie picks 72?

Probably the real year he was born.

 

[axlsalinger]

a washed-up old goalie that’ll be gone in a year or two.

Sweet summer child gif

 

[LeafGm]

Sweet summer child gif

I mean, I’m under no illusions that we’ll be stuck with his cap hit for the full three year term. But that’s about as long as I expect him to last on the Leaf roster.

 

[axlsalinger]

I mean, I’m under no illusions that we’ll be stuck with his cap hit for the full three year term. But that’s about as long as I expect him to last on the Leaf roster.

Even after he wins the Vezina this year?

#BestGoalieEver #TrustTheChaykaPlan

 

[zeke]

View: https://x.com/markhmasters/status/2072753354468429991?s=20

 

[Preston]

View: https://x.com/i/status/2072749448640270347

I like him better than any of their signings btw

 

[Preston]

View: https://x.com/i/status/2072754431293079850

Lol

 

[zeke]

View: https://x.com/i/status/2072749448640270347

I like him better than any of their signings btw

yep.

 

[LeafOfFaith]

View: https://x.com/i/status/2072749448640270347

I like him better than any of their signings btw

But Chaykes needs to put his own brand on the team, so he'll trade him for some worse guy, but that guy will at least be "his" guy.

By the way, I predicted this just last night. That Joshua and Lorentz are almost surely gone.

 

[LeafOfFaith]

View: https://x.com/i/status/2072754431293079850

Lol

Honestly, fuck this plan and his big swings.

 

[LeafGm]

View: https://x.com/i/status/2072749448640270347

I like him better than any of their signings btw

I agree…and I don’t even like Joshua and would be happy to see him gone.

 

[axlsalinger]

But Chaykes needs to put his own brand on the team, so he'll trade him for some worse guy, but that guy will at least be "his" guy.

By the way, I predicted this just last night. That Joshua and Lorentz are almost surely gone.

if he wants to remake the 4th line to be fast and good forecheckers, at least that makes sense. What doesn't is having 7 4th liners.

 

[LeafOfFaith]

if he wants to remake the 4th line to be fast and good forecheckers, at least that makes sense. What doesn't is having 7 4th liners.

At least Joshua is one of the few from the collection of bottom sixers who could potentially do well on the third line though.

 

[axlsalinger]

At least Joshua is one of the few from the collection of bottom sixers who could potentially do well on the third line though.

I mean maybe. He spend some time there last year, not sure if the results were particularly impressive. I'd say Cowan, Paul, Roslovic are easily ahead of him, perhaps Sissons as well.

 

[hockeylover]

View: https://x.com/hobson_alex16/status/2072743229221396574?s=20

 

[MyNameIsJonas]

Im not the biggest Joshua guy, but if Sissons and a few others are getting 4M i think he at least equals his current deal if not gets a raise on it as a FA