Read if you Dare - Not to be Taken Overly Serious

Team: 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 17, 2020

Published: Apr. 17, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Let me preface this by saying this is not a realistic thing that I'm saying would/should happen, it's just me having fun trying to add Pietrangelo without losing one of the big 4.

I'm operating under 2 assumptions here: The cap goes up to $82.5m and stays there for 2 years and Pietrangelo (for whatever reason) is willing to sign in Toronto for $9m over 7 years. Again, both of these are conjecture and not realistic.

The trades:

Dallas adds a 3rd line guy who has the ability to pot 15-20 goals and can play up and down the lineup. Leafs get a pick and a cheap RHD option who is buried in Dallas' system.

As I state below the trade that is shown as Freddie for Georgiev is not actually that. It is just to show that the Leafs move on from Andersen and go for a more 50/50 split system with 2 capable but not spectacular goalies. Run with the guy who is hot heading into the playoffs. Let's just assume that after the Leafs trade Andersen and acquire Georgiev (or similar), it ends up being a wash regarding other assets.

Leafs send Kerfoot to the Hawks. Versatile C/W, who is speedy and good defensively. They get back A. Nylander who can play in the bottom 6 for cheap, though he is a downgrade from Kerfoot. They also take on Smith and a 3rd to make the cap work for the Hawks. They flip Smith elsewhere with a pick. The Hawks could just do that too, this is just to demonstrate that the Hawks will clear cap to fit Kerfoot. Essentially trade shakes out to Kerfoot for Nylander.

Kapanen for Jost and a 3rd. Leafs get a guy who can play 3C for cheap and a 3rd. Av's get a 2nd line winger who is quick, versatile, and brings energy. Also remains an RFA after this contract is up.

In future years, they will have to make some concessions. Hyman is likely part of that. But it depends on your philosophy on how to win hockey games whether this is worth it. Is it worth having one of (if not the) best groups of top end talent in the league if your depth will suffer a bit and you might end up screwed later on?

Note: I think it goes without saying that other trades will have to keep happening down the road. If Mikheyev or Jost explode, you're likely trading them for players at about their level now on similar deals because you can't afford their raises. The bottom six will be switching up year to year.

Feel free to trash this down below, it's just for fun. And maybe a question of the post here:

If something like this were available, would my fellow Leaf fans do it? Would you try to really shoot your shot over the next couple of years with Petro + the rest, or go for the more sustainable route and just try to make sure you're at least in the playoffs each year, but not necessarily a favorite?

IMO I'd probably go for the second option because I think the best you can do is keep your window open as long as possible and from there, you never know. Your time will come when it comes.

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