I think of Aerosmith. Dream On.

Why would Habs take Horton's contract and Leafs take Benn to give up Kapanen. Bad trade (Pacioretty) and Byron and Shaw will be on IR since they'll be back in a month or so.

Habs take on Horton's contract to get Kapanen. Habs have a lack of right shooting forwards, and he has enough upside that he would challenge Scherbak for the 2RW role. Leafs meanwhile, make a similar trade to the Blackhawks when they shed Bickell's contract. I used that trade as the basis of this trade. Horton needs to be on the roster to start the season before he can go on the IR, and the leafs are at a stage now where they could use the cap flexibility. More so for next year, but if they move him now they confidently re-sign their RFA's. Benn is just a similar toss in that we see so frequently in these types of trades. He's a depth defencemen whose versatility allows him to play either side. If he can't hold a roster spot, almost his entire cap hit can be buried. It's not the end of the world if we keep him until the deadline, but I wouldn't be shocked to see him as a toss in to a deal either.

Zacha, despite his poor offensive season, has positive advanced stats. He also finished last season with a 40 point pace. Not overly noteworthy, but trending in the right direction for a player who is only 21. If he can make that next step, there is potential there to be a solid 2C on a team that, despite some prospect depth, is still full of question marks. He also a 6'3 center and a good skater. A good combination for us.

Byron and Shaw will be back, but who will be out by then? Most likely we'll have at least one other injury. Deslauriers can be demoted and it's not going to be the end of the world if he gets claimed. Byron is a UFA and will likely be traded at some point this season. De La Rose has never shown the consistency to be more than a 3rd liner at best, more likely a 4th line center. If by adding Kapanen and Zacha we lose depth players with limited upside than so be it.

Mic drop