Tanev is to me the best fit with the retained salary. I’m not positive that package gets him retained but we do have other options. I think at full price it is a deal breaker. I would really like to hang on to Rosen as we may need him next season but I do like the idea of the trade.

Tanev isn't worth Sandin or Liljegren, so I went with the most ready defender outside of Dermott. Rosen is a good player and one I think will be an NHLer in the coming years. I agree that Tanev at full price isn't really a solution but at half his contract, its very attractive and gives the kids another year of development.

I thought we were over this after the Parayko fiasco

Tanev does not have close to the same value as Parayko. Tanev is a terrific defenceman and is the perfect player for what TO needs. Still you don't over pay for the sake of making a move. This is why Winnipeg has been so patient, the right move will happen if you wait for it, but jumping the gun results in mistakes.

Tanev is turning 28, has never played a full season and his team is going through a rebuild and has only 1 defensive prospect. Getting a 1st round pick and a defenceman who can jump into their lineup immediately, Rosen would be 2nd pair LHD on Vancouver, they are that bad.

All that Parayko crap was kapanen and a 2nd for Parayko which is hilariously bad.

But since you seem to have such an insight on everything, what would make this trade work?

Not sure what you mean. The Leafs could find a guy like Tanev and pay about that much to get him. The difference between Tanev and the other guys (Parayko/Manson/Montour/Dumba/Pesce) is that the Canucks probably will make him available at some point because he isn't in their future plans. Aside from Tanev, the only other really good fit I could see is Spurgeon, but that would depend on the direction of Minnesota, which probably will be up in the air until closer to the deadline. Tanev and Spurgeon have 2 yrs left - their teams will have to start planning exit strategies if they're not going to be contenders.

Well said.

I'd be happy with either Tanev or Spurgeon, although I think Tanev would be cheaper due to his injury past.

If he’s not worth Sandin (our late first rounder) why would the leafs trade a first for him lol.

Its kind of a weird concept that I have put some thought into, but a 1st round pick is an unknown, there is no face to it. Its like changing bitcoin into cash. Sure bitcoin has all sorts of potential value, but we still don't know what it will be. But once you cash in that pick (bitcoin) you now have a tangible asset that you can see, put a face too and start building an emotional connection too.

The other part to it, is that Sandin was picked last summer and really impressed in the preseason. I'd say he was one of the better defenceman overall in the preseason for Toronto and I'm including the vets.

So why is Sandin worth more than a late round pick? In this case its because he looks like a steal, and he is a year closer to being a contributor than someone they'd draft this summer.

If I am looking at the Leafs from a cap perspective over the next 8 years (the length of the big three contract extensions I hope) then Sandin is someone I see as a potential long term replacement for Gardiner. Perhaps not next season but in the near future for sure. He's closer to making the NHL than whoever they pick this summer. So that makes him more valuable than next years late round pick.

It really does seem funny, but it makes sense.

Well said. And I agree with everything but I’d add one thing. The reason why I would keep the first rounder is simply the leafs need cheap players playing with this Alastair team 3 years of elc is worth a ton on players who pan out. And I believe Dubas will do a very good job with that pick. For the right piece I’d move a first no question but it has to be for a under 27 cheap controlled Well rounder D that adds a different element to this Team. Like a Pesce type. And of course more pieces would be involved.

A guy like Pesce would be too expensive, they'd want a first and Liljegren as a start. An under 27 year defence guy with a"different" element, will cost a tonne. Which is why I'd look for a stop gap Guy who can give Liljegren more time.