Why would we not just sign JVR ourselves? You'd prob have to give him a NMC in his contract coming up so if he wanted to come to the Canes.....we could just sign him ourselves.

The only advantage to a "sign and trade" is a player can get an 8th year as opposed to a 7 year contract. Don't know if JVR likes that contract and do the Canes really need a left winger?
Kruger seemed to fall considerably this year and is playing in the AHL. Leafs probably like the potential of Aaltonen who will be at least 2m cheaper.
The question is 2 years of Faulk worth a first rounder? Yea Faulk is an upgrade over Carrick/Holl. If the Leafs sign Russian UFA RHD Ozhignov, probably, not and the Leafs hold their ammo till they are truly a competitive team,

I understand, what I’m asking is.. what would be the ask from Carolina? As canes fans I was hoping you guys would have an idea as to what type of return you are expecting from Faulk.

IMO two years of Faulk would be worth a late first rounder but what I’m asking is.. what would the ask be from Carolina? I put Krüger in the deal because we can easily fit his cap hit, use him, and taking his contract might sweeten the deal for Carolina. Faulk would become our second best defenseman and balance out the back end. The leafs are already a truly competitive Stanley cup contender and Faulk could help put them over the top.

Just read the sportsnet hype piece on Ozhiganov. "Great shot!" "Great mobility!" "Great puck mover!" "Heavy hitter!". Sounds like he'd step in and play 30+ minutes a night! Weird that he doesn't even play top 4 minutes for CSKA Moscow though...3rd pairing...behind former Leafs great Alexey Marchenko.

Justin Faulk immediately steps in as your second best dman (behind Reilly). You aren't getting him without giving up at least one of the 4 guys that were listed as non starters (Dermott Liljegren Nylander or Marner).

Those 4 have to be worth more than Faulk considering there all controllable for years to come and have tons of potential. Your saying that theirs no package with say Kapanen/Brown plus picks/prospects that could work? I was under the impression he could be moved because of all of Carolinas young D-men.

It isn't that I'm hyped over Oz, As you know one reason his minutes have been diminished is because he has threatened to end his contract. I'm just questioning if Faulk is worth it. Faulk had a terrible first half this seaon. I know there all this hype about the Carolina Dmen about superstars but they're not. Make the deal, fine but I just question if two years of Faulk is worth a rounder that's all. He really just takes the place of Carrick as Zaitsev and Hainsey are RsideDmen next year. And to take a 3.3.m cap hit for a minor leaguer Kruger seems rather futile.

I like the idea of a trade for these players. I don't know if a "sign and trade" could work here, but assuming it's the case, JVR definitely has more value than suggested, certainly as much as Faulk one-for-one.

My only reservation is with re-signing Komarov. I would pass and use Grundstrom instead, or Johnsson.

It's the market. People want top pairing RHD's. You say that those 4 have tons of potential, I'd argue that a guy who already plays on the top pair, is a RHD, and is only 25, probably has a ton of potential as well. Plus you're getting two full seasons of him. Yes, I'm sure the Marner's and Nylander's of the world could get you something different, but it's a quality over quantity thing when it comes to the Kapanen's and Brown's of the world.

You don't trade away from a deep D core to get guys that'll play on your third line. What picks/prospects are we talking about?