27 Sep 2020 21:39:46
The more I think about it, if we get Piet, than it is likely Marner that has to go. Willy makes tons of sense for many reasons including his contract and trade value, but I can't see icing a cup contending team when we have approx $42M tied up in 4 players (Piet is going to be in the $8.5+ likely)

I think a more solid defence core of Rielly + a group of better cost controlled 3-5 type guys would be better, especially long term.

3 trades to get there.

To FLA
Nylander 6.96
Dermott RFA

To Leafs
Weegar RFA
2020 1st 12OA
Gildon ELC

Fla gets a much needed scoring threat on a good contract for them + Dermott who is a lefty and should cost less than Weegar to re-sign. Leafs get a solid RHD that should cost 2.5-3 to re-sign. a 1st round pick and a solid D prospect, but not the Panthers top D prospect.

Trade 2
To NYI
2020 1st 15OA
To Leafs
Bailey 5
Mayfield 1.45

NYI moves the cap space needed to re-sign Barzal, Poluck and Toews while picking up a 15 OA 1st in the process. Leafs get a lesser replacement for Nylander and a solid 4-5 D. Both on reasonable cap hits and cost controlled

Trade 3
To NJ
Johnsson 3.4
To Leafs
Wood 2.75

NJ gets some speed and better scoring touch than Wood who's actual money paid is less than Wood. Leafs add a big winger who plays more a power games and sheds a bit more cap.

After the moves Leafs have about $7M in cap space to re-sign Weegar, Mikheyev and Spezza + a little left over likely. Leafs are more cost controlled for longer years although likely to lose one of Holl or Mayfield in the expansion draft unless Kerfoot goes.

Hyman Matthews Marner
Mikheyev Tavares Bailey
Wood Kerfoot Robertson
Engvall Spezza Barabanov
Extras TBD

Rielly Weegar
Muzzin Holl
Sandin/Lehtonen Mayfield

Anderson
Campbell

Unfortunately we lose Nylander. But a lot more well balanced, much improved D-core, more playoff style players and cap issues solved for a season or two. We also have a slightly better 1st pick and a new D prospect.

1.) 28 Sep 2020
28 Sep 2020 10:37:54
I like the first trade as Leafs could likely select Seth Jarvis a highly skilled right wing to replace Nylander as well as Weaver.
I really know nothing about Gildon.

I would pass on the trade with the Islanders, keep #15 and draft Dylan Holloway.
Bailey at $5 is too expensive for my blood.

Trade #3: I would prefer to offer Johnsson to Arizona for Connor Garland. He is younger and has more upside than Woods who is what he is, merely a replacement level player who is being overpaid at $2.75 which is far too much for a RLP.

2.) 28 Sep 2020
28 Sep 2020 13:09:36
Expat-The point of the moves is not about the future or adding more small skilled players. The moves are about getting better now and more balanced. We may not have the time to continue to draft and wait for them to develop as guys like Rielly, Matthews etc could be gone or ready to leave by the time current draft picks make the NHL.

Bailey may be a bit rich at 5 for sure, but 50-70 pts a season is going to cost $5M. It is also the type of deal that would interest the Islanders as they have no 1st or 2nd this year and need cap space. After moving Nylander we could use a little more skill upfront and now have the cap space. We also get another rd that is solid, on a good contract and an option for Rielly if Weegar isn't meshing.

Getting Wood is about size, grit, can skate and he has some ability. 2.75 for his production is high, but like Kassian, he isn't paid for his production so much. Last thing we need is another player like Garland imo. We have Robertson, Marner, and prospects similar.

Having Wood, Mayfield and Weegar on the team makes us tougher to play against and makes guys like Matthews, Marner etc feel a little more relaxed as we have the guys who will have their back.


I know the values may not be even in many minds, although real trades are rarely even in value. They are more about needs of each team and money (contracts) . (I am not suggesting you don't know that, but I do think we all forget it at times) .

For instance the Kapanen trade. If anyone one here posted that trade idea, they would have been roasted saying the Pens would never give that up for kapanen. Pens had a need to compete now and we had a need for cap space and were willing to trade a good, proven NHLer for futures. Value seems to have went in our favour, but Rutherford probably feels he got the best player in the deal and helps him compete now. My guess is both GM's thought they did well.