23 Sep 2021 13:37:50
The more I thought about it, Rielly in Ottawa made sense from a hockey standpoint (although he may have no desire to re-sign there). If Ottawa could have a top pair vet in his prime to go along with Chabot and with future's like Sanderson, Bernard-Docker etc why wouldn't they. A top pair vet is what they need on D.

Ott
Rielly $5M

Tor
Watson $1.5M
Thomson ELC
2022 2nd

Rielly makes Ottawa better immediately. They have the cap space to re-sign him, or if talks aren't going their way and they are out of the playoff picture, they could trade him at the TDL for a big haul I would think. What they give up for him, they have replacements in house.

Leafs get a big bodied strong defensive player in Watson who can play both wings, is physical and can PK. Would add to the Leafs 3rd line. He has some offensive abilities although limited, but could become a good net front n the PP as well. Thomson is a very good offensive RD prospect and Leafs also pick up another 2nd for this draft and $3.5M in cap space. It would foce the usage of guy like Sandin and Liljegren to see what they have. If they aren't satisfied, they have the cap space to go shopping for D.

23 Sep 2021 20:47:33
Solid trade value but last thing leafs need is trading a D for a F. If anything they need to go the other way.

24 Sep 2021 03:51:29
With Chabot, Brannstrom and Sanderson all being LD I’m not sure that Rielly is that good a fit for Ottawa.

24 Sep 2021 11:37:27
@JdB. $3.5M in cap space can be used to add a D.

@WB49. I felt the same way at first, but then i thought about why did we add Brodie? Because when you can add that kind of talent, you do it. They can always flip Rielly at the TDL as well.

24 Sep 2021 14:33:11
That wasn’t my point. My point is leafs have 12 guarenteed maybe even 13 forwards if u put Engvall in with this group.

Throw in Robertson gusev and hosang ontop of that and now add another st the expense of a dman. Using cap to get another dman doesn’t help the forward position

That’s all.

24 Sep 2021 15:01:53
Yea there’s too many factors in this trade there’s no way the leafs would move Reilly to a divisional rival unless it was and over pay from Ottawa.

24 Sep 2021 17:11:18
@JdB. I understand the log jam. Watson could make someone else disposable though. He is more of what we need. Say Mikheyev or Kerfoot for instance. Watson is a 3rd/ 4th liner and at $1.5 for two years. If they felt it makes Mikheyev or Kerfoot expendable as Leafs see them as 3rd liners, you trade either in a package which the Leafs have $5-7M they can bring back if Mikheyev/ Kerfoot is going. This doesn't have to be the only move.
@L1994. It is not likely, but it has been done. Toronto's window is the next 3 seasons, then who knows. Sens are probably 2-3 seasons away from even thinking of contending. Leaf's also need more higher
end prospects and higher picks to keep contending past the next 3 seasons. This deal gives them that.

I am not saying it is the best deal out there, but I do think there is a possibility when all is considered.

24 Sep 2021 17:31:47
Good point.