This is me taking tips from posts earlier this week regarding the leafs future. I proposed a deadline deal of JVR around Shea Theodore, who according to posts is untouchable, although I don't think that is that case for a ducks team who need to win now with their aging star forwards.
This is an ideal leafs offseason this summer. First of the deal with the ducks happens at the deadline, Vatenen has struggled a little this year and the ducks are willing to move him along with ritchie and the leafs take back the bad contract of stoner. They get that top line LW to play with perry and getzlaf, moving rackell to the second line to form a phenomenal top 6. They also get leivo to play a bottom 6 role and corrado as a depth defenceman.
The leafs make a deal with Vegas, possibly giving up a pick to convince them to take Marincin instead of bozak/komorov.
At the draft, the leafs decide they want to roll with Nylander as their 2C, and ship out Bozak to the Blues, who anticipate losing Berglund to FA.
During FA, the leafs sign Karl Alzner to improve play in their own zone, with the caps having some cap issues they can't resign everyone.
Finally the big trade with the Jets, after signing Alzner. The jets know that trouba is not completely comfortable in his situation, he wants to play top pairing minutes and they cannot offer that. They do not want to have the holdout issue again next offseason, so they decide to make the move. Their main need is LHD, so the leafs offer up gardiner, who is under contract at a reasonable term, along with Carrick and Sosh. The value may not be perfect here, some more may need to be added, but I feel that getting three NHLers for trouba is fair. They get a comparable, not as valuable D who fills a need, a young RHD to replace trouba to play on the third pair who is holding his own as a rookie, and a bottom 6 winger in soshnikov who has proven he can play NHL minutes. The leafs get their top pairing RHD to play with Reilly which bumps Zaitsev to play on the second pair with Alzner, forming an excellent top 4. Vatenen moves to a third pairing role, or even can play with alzner while zaitsev is used to help transition Dermott to the NHL next season.
The possibility exists of signing a depth LHD if Dermott is not ready or a fourth line centre if they feel the goat needs more time in the minors. I feel that they can even try Uncle Leo as the 4C for a year and sign a depth winger, forming a pesky fourth line with Martin and Leipsec, and maybe seeing what they have in Rychel.
This team may not be contenders right away with a young group of forwards without much vet presence, but the D will be greatly improved and should keep them in contention, along with a years development of all young players. Then the next offseason, with the d and goalies all being set and Komorov/Lupul/Stoner contracts all coming off the books, they can focus on adding veteran forwards around their young core (not Tavares) and start building towards being a sustainable Stanley cup contender.
Just my take on the offseason, some trades may be a little off in value but giving it a go and having some fun. Go leafs Go!
Doubt if the Ducks would be willing to part with Ritchie. He's cheap and shows potential. IMO I wouldn't worry about losing Bozak or Komarov in the draft. I'd prefer to have them as Leafs next year, but by the summer of 2018, they likely will be gone, cause the Leafs will be moving on with younger guys.
Unless you really know Nylander can play centre next year, why trade Bozak? The picks aren't going to help next year and maybe never.
I'm sure Jets fans, wouldn't like the Trouba deal. And I'm not sure the Leafs do it either. Three full years of Trouba for two years of Gardiner three years of Carrick.
I don't really want Trouba in Toronto. He could come in with his contract issues and set a bad example for the rookies. Also probably doesn't resign in Toronto in 2 years.
I think if Alzner is willing to sign a contract like that the leafs should take him and maybe flip Rielly onto his RH side. _________________________________
Alzner-Rielly ______________________________
Gardiner-Zaitsev _______________________________________________________
Is not a bad top 4. Both those pairings could have similarish ice times but different usuage as well as having a defensive minded player on each pairing. This would allow Gardiner and Rielly to play offensively like they are ment to but can't out of necessity.
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
CapFriendly
CapFriendly