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2025-2026 Off Season Thread - The Rehappening

I think there is going to be a lineup around the block to sign Ekblad. I suspect he gets 8 years, and there might be teams just as stinky with desperation as the Leafs to sign culture Bennett, some think 10 AAV. I dont think either is an easy sign, let alone both. They are doable though
 
MyNameIsJonas said:
I think there is going to be a lineup around the block to sign Ekblad. I suspect he gets 8 years, and there might be teams just as stinky with desperation as the Leafs to sign culture Bennett, some think 10 AAV. I dont think either is an easy sign, let alone both. They are doable though
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Bennett at 10 is wacky.

AFP has Ekblad at 7.8x7, Bennett for 6.6x6. I don't see any reason to doubt those being well in the neighbourhood of what the final deals are going to be. Last free agent period they were close on pretty much everything other than Stamkos and arguably Lindholm (Lindholm got about 600K and 2 years longer than they had).

I could see someone going silly for Bennett and pushing 7 million if they're in a less than ideal tax location (*cough*) for the full 7 years. But anyone saying 10 publicly is buddies with Darrin Ferris.
 
Is it at least a possibility that Marner finds nobody is willing to pay him anywhere near what he expects?

I just don’t see any of the smart organizations paying Marner like a top-5 player. And some of the dumb teams have young players on RFA contracts that are probably better than Marner and won’t want to set a ridiculous floor for their own guys. Other teams would like to have him, but might not be willing to pay Marner $6 or $7 million more than they pay their best players.
 
manny said:
Is it at least a possibility that Marner finds nobody is willing to pay him anywhere near what he expects?

I just don’t see any of the smart organizations paying Marner like a top-5 player. And some of the dumb teams have young players on RFA contracts that are probably better than Marner and won’t want to set a ridiculous floor for their own guys. Other teams would like to have him, but might not be willing to pay Marner $6 or $7 million more than they pay their best players.
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GMs love to overpay for all the stuff marner isn't
 
manny said:
Is it at least a possibility that Marner finds nobody is willing to pay him anywhere near what he expects?

I just don’t see any of the smart organizations paying Marner like a top-5 player. And some of the dumb teams have young players on RFA contracts that are probably better than Marner and won’t want to set a ridiculous floor for their own guys. Other teams would like to have him, but might not be willing to pay Marner $6 or $7 million more than they pay their best players.
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If you're Anaheim, Chicago, Islanders, Utah, or San Jose, you should be willing to pay. As much as it doesn't feel that way, we're a bit spoiled over the last few years with making the playoffs being a near certainty every year. For a solid handful of teams, that's the goal by itself and sneaking into the 2nd round and getting 5-6 home games and that sweet, sweet playoff revenue is a huge win.

If you're in that position, Mitch is a no brainer to add.
 
While he hasn’t performed like it, Mitch is desperate to play for a winner and win. I find it very hard to believe that he’ll be content signing with a shit team, or really any team other than the Leafs. It’s going to be interesting.
 
LeafOfFaith said:
While he hasn’t performed like it, Mitch is desperate to play for a winner and win. I find it very hard to believe that he’ll be content signing with a shit team, or really any team other than the Leafs. It’s going to be interesting.
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I think he's desperate to get paid and be left the fuck alone.

Your read on this kid has been dead wrong. His entire schtick has been saying what he thinks people want to hear and being as disingenuine as possible. Fans and media noticed this, and now he cant be bothered to keep up the facade and hates the attention. He's as soft off the ice as he is on the ice.

That said, a 100 point winger that certain teams have no choice to pursue
 
MindzEye said:
Yeah, if Mitch really really really wanted to win, that chart someone keeps posting, showing him entirely allergic to handling the puck in danger areas, wouldn't be a thing. Even pretty boy Willy goes to the net.
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I agree.

Also, wonder if our coaching staff actually notices this stuff and talks to the players so they can adjust.

Through this last decade, when you look at who we lost series to - it’s generally been 1) muffins 2) outcoached 3) lost trade line compared to their adds

We kinda fixed the muffin issue because an elbow to the head. But it’s hard to win within this division where there are usually another 2 of the top 5-7 teams in the league to get through when this keeps happening over and over. Doesn’t include the draft/development issues in the background.

Real bad for them to bring back this GM and coach for their chances next year. I still think this team will be in a fight for playoffs and I’m leaning towards missing it unless we get elite goaltending.
 
MindzEye said:
Bennett at 10 is wacky.

AFP has Ekblad at 7.8x7, Bennett for 6.6x6. I don't see any reason to doubt those being well in the neighbourhood of what the final deals are going to be. Last free agent period they were close on pretty much everything other than Stamkos and arguably Lindholm (Lindholm got about 600K and 2 years longer than they had).

I could see someone going silly for Bennett and pushing 7 million if they're in a less than ideal tax location (*cough*) for the full 7 years. But anyone saying 10 publicly is buddies with Darrin Ferris.
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Caution with both

Ekblad is going to be miss games every year , body is beat up

Sam is a solid 2C but is slotted perfectly in Florida

Your team better be a legit contender with all the chess pieces in place or this could end bad soon if a weaker team is chasing this 50 point center to be be more than what he is

I think Ekblad is gone but Florida retains Sam

Zito will find some shlep from Belarus to turn into the next Mikkola
 
Another good option is trading for Andersson.

Bet we could've done it for a 1st, Minten. Probably could get Kadri cheap too if you eat that contract.
 
soco22 said:
Real bad for them to bring back this GM and coach for their chances next year. I still think this team will be in a fight for playoffs and I’m leaning towards missing it unless we get elite goaltending.
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Pelley appears to be completely gutless thus far, but if they miss the playoffs next season (definite possibility) I'm not sure what choice he has other than to clean house completely.
 
LeafOfFaith said:
Bennett, though his style of play may make him washed up sooner than later, is still just 28 and at least a decent bet still on a long deal.

I wanted to confirm Ekblad's age just now, which I thought was like 33/34, and am shocked that he's only 29. I thought he came in around when Tavares did. Damn, he's going to get a nice long/rich deal from someone too.

Not sure both these guys come in under $16M, but if we can do it, that would at least make things very interesting next year.

Though it would shut the door on McDavid...and I'm still kinda partial to the idea of signing a couple of one year guys and roll the dice until getting a shot at the top prize.
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You're never getting McDavid so stop worrying about it.
 
LeafOfFaith said:
While he hasn’t performed like it, Mitch is desperate to play for a winner and win. I find it very hard to believe that he’ll be content signing with a shit team, or really any team other than the Leafs. It’s going to be interesting.
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This is total, wishful thinking bullshit unsubstantiated by observable reality. You say that Mitch is desperate to play for a winner and win without a shred of evidence to support it. What there is a lot of evidence for, however, is the argument that Mitch just wants to get paid and be the #1 guy on his team, whether they win or not. He's not giving the Leafs a hometown discount. He never has.

You are trying to wish Marner into re-signing because you can't accept objective reality (which, I suppose, goes with the territory of being a Leafs fan to begin with, but I digress)

You need to accept the reality that he's gone and, while you're getting there, accept the additional reality that he doesn't give a fuck about winning or losing so long as he gets paid like the top dog and is recognized as the top dog (something he will never have so long as Matthews is a Leaf and draws breath)
 
WeHaveMoreCupsThanYou said:
This is total, wishful thinking bullshit unsubstantiated by observable reality. You say that Mitch is desperate to play for a winner and win without a shred of evidence to support it. What there is a lot of evidence for, however, is the argument that Mitch just wants to get paid and be the #1 guy on his team, whether they win or not. He's not giving the Leafs a hometown discount. He never has.

You are trying to wish Marner into re-signing because you can't accept objective reality (which, I suppose, goes with the territory of being a Leafs fan to begin with, but I digress)

You need to accept the reality that he's gone and, while you're getting there, accept the additional reality that he doesn't give a fuck about winning or losing so long as he gets paid like the top dog and is recognized as the top dog (something he will never have so long as Matthews is a Leaf and draws breath)
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How the fuck do I get this guy to stop replying to my posts?

Why do we need fifty posts a day on the Leafs forum from a Habs fan incessantly bashing the team?
 
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