Severson was benched by the Devils at times this year. Not worth the gamble for the Leafs especially when they have their own 4.5m Zaitsev who regressed last year.

Pal. . . . I do agree with you that Severson had a rough year, but I have always liked him. He certainly isn't, nor ever will be a top pairing RD man but would slot in nicely in a 3-4 role! (i know you hate numbering players but stay with me)! Too much as above for a 2nd pairing guy. . . . If thats a package NJ wants, they should be willing to hold back money ($1M - $1.5M) if they want the 1st included!

isles pass on the martin deal ross johnston provides way more offense and cheaper

Hi Doug. Yea, Severson has a nice contract if he can play to his good NHL standards. Obviously it would be an evaluation by the pro scouts.....is he going to NHL good for the duration of his contract.
If the trade was made, the Leafs still might be "iffy" going into training camp with Gardiner, Zaitsev and Severson.....13m. Gee Dermot looks like a rock on defence.
My preference would be not make the trade and see what Zaitsev, Hainsey, Carrick or Ozzie at RHD, maybe even Dermot. And in summer of 2019 it might be time to make a UFA splash if necessary though hoping LIljegren will be NHL ready.
Hoping that that Aaltonen has solved one of the centre positions next year...and for years to come.

My issue with rating Dmen in spots is that I think it's kinda meaningless. No use spending 8, 10 m on a premier Dmen, if it means you have a bottom pairing that aren't NHL good. Even the 5th or 6th Dmen play 14 minutes a game, most of it at even strength, they just have to NHL good for your team to do well. And with injuries, your seventh and even your eighth Dman better be NHL competent.

Don't see Leafs bringing back Carrick, but not unhappy with Zaitsev, Hainsey, and Oziganov, on the right! (believe Liljegren at least a year away) I agree that Dermot will likely take more minutes next year and should open the Leafs up to moving Gardiner, possibly in a package for an area of need. Aaltonen has really come on since January, and as you say should make the big club out of camp along with Par Lindholm, will provide a much needed boost out of that 4th line! It may be that Aaltonen is slotted left side as well, but gives Babcock what he loves, about 9 guys that can play center.

Too bad the Babcock and his inane line match up didn't have a centre on the issue when Marleau lost the draw to Krejci on the tying Kruk goal in game seven. Maybe having nine centres isn't even for Babcock My thought that Altonen will be centre. Grundstrom, Marleau and Johnson on LW. with Leivo and Martin. Hyman goes to RW with Marner, Kapanen and Brown as RWers Out of necessity and hopefully long term good. Nylander is at centre with Matthews and Kadri.

You're overpaying Pateryn, the Jersey trade also makes no sense for the Devils who need defence not wingers like Brown.

.

THIS IS BETTER THAN MOST TEAMS I SEE ON HERE....BUT I'M A PRICK SO HERE'S MY CRITIQUE:


1) I think you're over paying New Jersey for Severson.

- It's quite a package (Brown + Carrick + a 1st) - Especially for a guy who might not be an upgrade on Hainsey (in the short term) or Zaitsev (in the short or long term).
- Those assets should be reserved for someone whose proven they can be a top-pair RD - someone like Pesce, Manson or Parayko (we'll have to improve the offer though).
- Severson's cap hit is a bit high & his term is a bit long (NJ paid for potential) - It's similar to Zaitsev's deal & the Leafs would be in big trouble if neither of them improved.
- New Jersey might also be the wrong team to bargain with, given that their shallow at RD (and they got Taylor Hall for the last RD they traded).

2) I think you're over paying Pateryn at $3,000,000 x 3 years.

- I think we over paid for Hainsey as well, but we've been lucky so far (Hainsey may have just had a the best season of his career).
- But we already have Hainsey, so why would you push him off the roster & replace him with Pateryn? (that seems like a neutral move at best).
- It's also pretty rough on our cap situation, since we now have a $3,000,000 guy in the press box & we've committed to Pateryn for 3 years (with a 2019-20 cap-crunch coming).

3) I like the Tavares signing, but I don't think we can get him for $9,000,000.

- I really hope you prove me wrong on this though!
- I could see the NYI & a few other teams offering him close to $11,000,000 (possible teams = Islanders, Sharks, Golden Knights, Hurricanes, Devils, Canucks, etc).
- I could also see Montreal being absolutely stupid & offering him $13,000,000 or more (though I can't see Tavares accepting Montreals offer).

I think we could get rid of Martin much easier than everyone thinks.

- His $2,500,000 cap hit is obviously too high, but his salary will be much lower than his cap hit for his remaining 2 years.
- His total salary averaged over both years = $2,000,000 / year - but the Leafs owe him a $1,500,000 bonus this summer.
- Once that bonus is paid, his remaining salary is $2,500,000 total (or $1,250,000 / year).
- So the easy solution is just to trade him to a team that never spends to the ceiling (Arizona, Ottawa, etc) - which makes his cap-hit a non-issue.
- He's a good leader & he'd be a good fit on any young team that lacks depth, leadership or financial resources (and there are a few that lack all 3, so why not take him?)
- If we can't get a late pick for him, we could definitely just give him away without having to throw in assets.