15 Dec 2025 13:27:45
If the Leafs were trading Matthews, LA could be a good target. It is much closer to his family and hometown. He may prefer to be in the US. May need a 3rd team to help make it work. Going to combine a bit of one of my last trade suggestions
LA
Matthews(T) $13.25M
Hopkins (T) No contract
VCR
Maccelli(T) $1.7M(50% retained by LA)
Tor
Byfield(LA) $6.25M
Clarke(LA) $.863M
Kuzmenko(LA) $4.3M
Mallot (LA) $.775M
Greentree (LA) ELC
Klimovich (VCR) $.833M
LA gets the best player in the deal who still has 2 years left on his deal after this and would be the heir apparent to Kopitar. Hopkins was Leafs latest 3rd round pick.
VCR takes on Maccelli at 50% which is retained by LA. They give up a B prospect for a player who may be able to help them now if he fits in.
Toronto gets a cost controlled, hometown centre in Byfield. He needs big time work on the dot, but JT can help mentor him. They get a young puck moving D-man right shot in Clarke. Mallot adds some 4th line grit. Would be a good fit with Lorentz and Laughton. Greentree is a big local boy power forward prospect. Klimovich comes via VCR in the Maccelli trade. Toronto takes on the expiring contract of Kuzmenko in order to make the cap work and can bury him or give him a shot(probably bury him). Leafs also clear some cap space.
16 Dec 2025 00:04:25
I suggested the Matthews to LA for Byfield, Clarke and Greentree a couple of weeks ago on this site.
I see it as a good deal for both teams.
LA gets their new face of the franchise with Kopitar retiring.
Leafs get youth for their rebuild.
Trade Nylander and Reilly as well.
16 Dec 2025 09:16:07
I just don’t see the kings parting with that much of their team for a guy who hasn’t played up to his usual expectations in a years time.
16 Dec 2025 12:42:56
Goat, you may be right. That said, it would depend on whether the Kings see Byfield as a #1 or #2 centre going forward and is Clarke a top pair or 2nd pair D. If both is the latter and they believe Matthews would rebound somewhere else, they may be willing. Leafs are taking on Kuzmenko and his contract, which LA has to pay something for that.
How about this then;
LA gets Matthews, Klimovich and Hopkins and still retain the 50% on Maccelli
VCR gets Maccelli at 50%
Tor gets Byfield, Clarke, Kuzmenko, Greentree, LA's 2026 3rd (Dallas)
In this case, LA also gets Klimovich and keeps Malott. LA gives up a 3rd instead.