Subban

Oh dear.....

He's a decent power play QB, but more of a big name at this point. Also...that's a lot going the other way.

Somehow you have added a tonne of assets to Cody Ceci, to get a player as good as Cody Ceci, at twice the cap hit.

Ceci is OK, and Subban is probably not as good as Ceci right now. Absolutely horrid trade proposal for the Leafs. Subban at 50% retained for Ceci might be fair, but Leafs probably don't want the extra two years of Subban at even 4.5m

I can see from the early responses that this proposal is not well received. But hear me out.

First lets look at the player heading to the Leafs, Subban: an elite game changing defenceman who skates and sees the ice well, brings some needed physicality, can QB a powerplay, and who's stock is currently trading low. Yes, he may be passed his prime but he's still young enough to make an impact for another two years after this season. Yes, it's a huge price tag, but a rejuvenated Subban playing in his hometown might just revert to the dominant defender he's been for a decade. He solidifies the Leafs top four because he can be effectively used in a shutdown role and log big minutes.

Next, the players leaving: nobody is shedding a tear over the departure of Ceci, he's essentially salary ballast and a replacement for the RHD leaving the Devils. Sad to see Timoshov go but with the current situation he's likely claimed if put on waivers. Undersized Kerfoot, is probably not a natural center, and while possessing a strong skill set still sits at a mere 9 points on the season, and any hesitation to move him could be rooted in the fact that it exposes the Kadri trade as a disaster. Johnsson is tough to give up, he's played adequately but hasn't excelled considering his linemates, and the old saying goes that you've got to give something to get something.