2019_2020

Any reasonable fan has always stipulated that the only way Marleau is traded....is IF he retires. His contract could traded to a team with cap space, similar to Datsyuk.
Your trade...Leafs are decimated at forward.....four forwards for one NHL forward (Kassian).

That would make 5 forwards.

My point in this was to see the comments from individuals that had commented on 2 other trades. This is an amalgamation of those trades addressing some of the issues. The Edmonton players can almost be ignored. The real emphasis is on the five players traded and the added cap space. Now my personal view on the 5 players:

1) Nylander is overpaid and I would have traded his rights while he was holding out.
2) Kapanen is an okay player that has plateaued. He was almost non-existent in the playoffs.
3) Ziatsev is overpaid, but showed signs of life in the playoffs playing with Muzzin. His part in the trade was mostly cap related.
4) Conner Brown is a good bottom 6 forward. His salary is probably a bit too high.
5) Kadri has blossomed under Babcock, and has a good contract. Unfortunately, his temper and immaturity cannot be stood for.

One of the problems I see with an Oiler/Leaf trade is that both teams have cap issue. So IMO the Leafs need to rid themselves of a player like Nylander and his cap, it's finding a team that can take his cap without sending any back. His actual 4.9m payout every year is rather modest which might be attractive. Maybe a trade will wake up him and he can be the player he can be.
Zaitsev, I can't see him being traded. The Leafs don't have one to take his place, and they are losing Gardiner and Hainsey. It seem illogical to me that his 4.5m can be traded (it's isn't a bad contract) and be replaced by a 1m player effectively) which so many Zaitsev trades show.

If it makes you feel better, I could’ve made the trade with Carolina. Pesce, Van Riemsdyk, and Ferland.

Where is Puljujärvi? You traded for him, but you didn’t sign him.