At this point, it doesn't get any better. Agree to the trade

I just saw your trade. Like it too. I was just trying to get a better player in a one for one deal. Nylander has more upside than Pesce, but it helps the Leafs now.

This is tough because I think Nylander is a superior player, but they're about the same value on the trade market. I think you only do this if you realize you just can't sign Nylander.

I'm not so worried about the Leafs "can't sign Nylander". He is under Leafs NHL control for 5 years so logic says Nylander signs an NHL contract, even it's as a Leaf. Leafs might even have to make this type of trade next year if they need to improve their defence....in effect trading a cap hit of a forward for a cap hit of Dman.
Maybe if I'm GM of the Leafs, I do it know to get the season rolling with Pesce on the defence at the start of the season. Heck maybe it sends a signal to other players and agents....Leafs have $$$ expectations their RFAs.
Will agree with you that Nylander has the chance to be superior than Pesce....maybe even this year.

If they can't get nylander to come down to market this trade help both teams but lets just hope nylanders agent finally starts negotiating which if he's not aware you start at an overpay and go down to around market value. Anyways if he doesn't want to play at market value then i would have no issue with this trade. But Pesce plays with Reilly not Gardiner.

I liked Hainsey with Reilly last year. Pesce and his defensive prowess might aid Gardiner. That's why I did the pairings like that. IMO not having Carrick or Holl playing big minutes would be the bonus of the trade.
Note on the trade, I still paid "just" 7m but the deal takes Nylander straight to UFA. The Leafs could probably do that money deal but what happens next year. Marner and Matthews want four year deals which take them right to being UFAs. Trading Nylander sorta tells others...The team has options, don't mess with us.

He did well in the 1st half but by the playoffs he was completely fatigued by the min he played. But i could see him with Reilly at the beginning of the season but but allstar break pesce will be with Reilly. Agree with everything else though and with how well Kap look after his improved conditioning this offseason i think he could be playing more min next season and could be by allstar break playing with Matthews or Tavares if they trade Nylander.

A good young RHD on a great contract for a top line scorer who will get overpaid.

Good trade

Not at all opposed to a trade like this but even if he holds out til Christmas there’s no way Nylanders getting 7,000,000 a year without giving up any UFA years.

From what I’m reading nylander will be signing for under 7m. This trade isn’t horrible but in the long run may hurt us. I would feel much better about this trade after this season when johnsson and kappanen are signed and we are sure they developing the way they have been trending. I think 7m is doable this season. Peace and nylander will both lose a year of control so I believe the trade holds value.

No. Pesce aint worth that.

I'd much prefer Brandon Montour, but he's only signed through next year. If Dubas is forced into a trade, this is the one he should make. What I'm terrified of is that the parties come to an impasse, Nylander demands a trade to Buffalo to join his brother, and Dubas trades him for a Scandinavian not named Dahlin.

Maybe the Leafs and Sabres make a trade....the Nylander switch teams. It would save money in sweaters . I can't see Dubas "being forced" into a trade. And certainly Dubas isn't on an island with this negotiation. He has the input and support from the owners and more importantly other Leafs executives.