This team would definitely work, however, I think you'd have to pay more to get Skinner. I made a trade for him in one of my Armchair Teams recently, and I had more value than you do in this one but still got informed that it'd need to be more. But man, this team would rip the league apart.

Canes might ask for a bit more
Defence doesn't look that solid tbh, it seems like you're going all in by acquiring Skinner and Spezza for a year, just add a defenceman or two and this team is a cup contender. Other than that looks good. Habs fan btw

Yeah I get what you're saying. I think that D corps is better than they get credit for though. Polak and Hainsey really brought down our foot-speed this year, and Dubas believes in his young D. He knows what Sproul is capable of from his time in the Soo.

Maybe so, but Skinner's contract is up after this coming year so they may sell him a bit lower than his value just so they don't lose him for nothing.

As a Leafs fan, I like it, not loving DAL deal.
-I like that you didn't sign any of Tavares, Carlson or even JVR. You realised that it would be hell for our cap space in few years.
-That would not get you Jeff Skinner at all, rather keep Leivo and those picks and let guys in the system take place in the lineup, they would fight for that spot on even the 4th line. Grundstrom is the guy I'm talking about. But getting Skinner would be nice. That price tho.
-Hate the Spezza deal. We could get Thornton if he wants to end his career alongside player he started his career alongside (#1 and #2 overall picks in '97 draft)
-loving the Sproul signing. He is cheap but he has great attitude and has experience with both Babs (he was there when they drafted him in DET and was coaching him while in preseason camps so he knows what he is about) and Dubas (named alternate captain in SSM by then SSM GM Kyle Dubas, playing under him for 2 first years as GM)
-Hainsey would be playing. The odd man out is Carrick so it will be 1DP Gardiner-Hainsey, 2DP Rielly-Sproul and 3DP Dermott-Zaitsev and Carrick as 7th. Also count with Holl and Borgman having starts next season.
-I disagree with line combinations, I would suggest these (if these deals and everything happens):
Hyman-Matthews-Brown
Marleau-Kadri-Marner
Skinner-Spezza-Nylander
Johnsson-Aaltonen/Lindholm-Kappy

Overall I like, it is realistic. Good job!

Evander Kane went for a conditional 1st and 4th at the deadline after a hot season. Considering the Canes are in fire-sale mode and they tend to undervalue Skinner in terms of ice time, I think it's possible. He also is known to be injury prone so they might not risk waiting until the deadline to trade him

Spezza deal isn't pretty, but he's a leader and a Toronto boy. Remember, just like Skinner his contract is up at the end of the year. The price isn't bad for this 1 year. I love the idea of Thornton but the more I think about it the harder it is to imagine him signing a 1-year, and we can't (and shouldn't) afford him for anything more than that.

Those lines are fair, but I definitely wouldn't bury Kapanen and Johnsson like that. They're both way too skilled to see 4th line minutes and they need to grow with a proper centre.

Thanks for the feedback!

That skinner deal needs 1st rounder and Leivo coming to Canes considering it would be late pick in not so deep draft. But I like the idea of it.

I would not do the Spezza deal. Considering Mac has one good year in front of him and yeah he is a leader and a toronto boy, but is well past his prime. If Thornton is signed it would be 1 year deal. Nothing more. The price is not bad tho and both sides would benefit it in respective ways.

They would not be buried. Leafs now have not 4th line, the minutes under babcock are solid even for 4th line guys. Kappy is playing solid 10-12 minutes a night and additional ice-time when he would be on PP or PK.

As a Bruins fan - This doesn't scare me - AT ALL. And your team is scary good.

You aren't getting better...

JVR and Skinner are a push (I think JVR is actually better) & Bozak is better than Spezza at this point. You probably won't be able to afford to resign Skinner the following year, so you are giving away Leivo - who even if he doesn't really pan out in the NHL is cheap and would be more than fine on your 4th line.

IMO - you have to trade one of the kids for a Stud D. You have enough offense. Johnsson seems legit as does Kapanen. Move Nylander and Gardiner for Doughty? Karlsson (I know not to OTT). Eckholm (that contract would give you a #1 and help to retain everyone)...

If you need a 3rd or 4th liner, you could probably get one at the deadline for cheap. Dallas would probably pay half of spezza if you gave them a 4th...