Leafs in 2020-2021 Trades to fit the needs

Team: 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 21, 2020

Published: Apr. 21, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Ok so been thinking of a new spin to how the leafs can build a good D-Core while keeping their amazing offense. Here is what I have come up with

1. Calgary and Toronto have a history of big trades so I decided to after 2 toronto born players and an older 3c and in exchange give calgary kerfoot, kapanen, and dermott. Out of the trade toronto gets a young cheap winger, a young cheap center and a 4th round pick. (note - trade will only work is cbo is granted as lucic will probs get bought out by the flames giving them room to do this)

2. K now on to ottawa. johnsson dermott and engvall will be moved for picks to replenish the leafs pick depth. This isnt a cap dump more like mutual co-operation whereby the leafs get more picks and ottawa gets pieces to speed up the rebuild by 2 years.

3. Finally, if CBO's are granted the leafs should look for a team who has multiple contracts they want to CBO (isles, Tampa, etc) and offer to take a contract (boychuck) in exchange for acquiring a depth defenseman (mayfield). In this trade toronto also gives bracco for ho-sang as both are unhappy in their current situations, both have no value, and both could do with a fresh start. Bouthiller is just a throw in to play on the isles ahl or echl affiliate.

4. As for free agency the leafs left were not that busy there. They resigned spezza to league min but gave him a bonus while still keeping it 700k. However they go after Demelo as their big prize as he is young, can be a pretty solid top 4 RD, and can pair well with rielly or Muzzin. For RFA's brought Mikeyv on a 2 year 1.5mill deal as that kid despite getting injured can probs get a 50 point season. The only other RFAs signed was gautier and Avery to league min deal for 2 years and he can replace spezza should he get tired.

Overall the trades made are fair to all parties and sure our third line center depth could be ruined but its a risk worth taking to not only get cap space but keep this team competitive into the foreseeable future.

As a special interest I went to the KHL to sign a goalie to potentially replace freddie. , Alexei Krasikov. With Freddies contract ending in 2021 Toronto needs to make a tough decision, resign him for (7-8.5mill) or replace him with a solid younger goalie. Now Scott and Woll are candidates but they just aint ready yet and I am not sure they will be ready by the time freddie is up either. Alexei Krasikov on the other hand is a prime candidate as he has young, tall, and his numbers are pretty solid. The leafs can do what the rangers did with shesterkin, place him with the marlies, let him play and see how he does then if he does well bring him up to see how he plays in some NHL games. If it works out toronto has a cheaper alternative to resigning freddie to a new contract and can let him go. Which would give the leafs cap to possibly resign barbanov, extend hyman, etc.

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