Leafs in 2020 Trades with Sharks Lightning Panthers and Flames

Team: 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: May 1, 2020

Published: May 2, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

With these trades the leafs not only build on Defense but they increase the offenses capability of playing a better defensive game as well without loosing too much on their amazing offense. Here is what I have come up with. Noted I did not include a CBO trade as in this scenario the leafs really don't need to use theirs or trade another with another team with the CBO as leverage.

1. Calgary and Toronto have a history of good trades so I decided to after 2 good depth players in exchange give Calgary kapanen. Out of the trade Toronto gets Mangiapane, a young cheap center in jankowski who is in need of a fresh start. (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). In general Calgary is reportedly very interested in Kapanan so I could see this trade working for both sides as toronto gets depth pieces and Calgary gets a solid top 9 RW who can pp2, pk, and can skate like a rocket.

2. K now on to Tampa. Toronto trades Liligren and a 2021 3rd for Cernak and a 2020 4th. Tampa gets a young future top 4 RD and in exchange Toronto gets a solid depth RD to play with Muzzin or Rielly. In general trade helps tampa better afford to keep both Cirelli and Sergechev.

3. Finally a trade between Florida and toronto. With florida needing to shed 10 million reportedly toronto trades kerfoot and dermott for weegar and a 3rd round pick. Florida gets a potential 2nd to 3rd line center whose cost is cheap and a cheaper LD or RD in Dermott, while Toronto gets a partner for Rielly or Muzzin.

4. Finally the San Jose sharks. Toronto trades Johnsson for Sorenson and a 2021 3rd (pick used in tampa trade). Trade works for both sides as Toronto gets a solid depth wing who can play 3rd line pretty well or take over first or 2nd should someone get hurt. While San Jose gets a nice young wing on a solid contract. When Sorenson arrives Dubas works on a nice cheap extension with him. 1.8 for 2 more years.

4. As for free agency the leafs were not busy there. They resigned spezza to league min but gave him a bonus while still keeping it 700k. 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 gauthier to league min deal for 2 years and he can replace spezza should he get tired. Also traded the kings a 2022 the signing rights to clifford for a 2022 7th pick. Sure clifford could stay but he could want a million or more and he would cost a 2nd round pick which to me makes him not worth it.

Overall the trades made are fair to all parties as 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 or Anton Krasotkin. 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 or Anton Krasotkin on the other hand are prime candidates as they are young, tall, and their numbers are pretty solid. The leafs can do what the rangers did with shesterkin, place either of them with the marlies, let him play and see how either does then if either does well bring whichever they signed 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 5 mill cap to possibly resign barbanov, extend hyman, and even sigh rielly to an early extension, etc.

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