They won't accept Zaitsev though. You need Nylander, and Liljegren to get the deal done.

I don't know what this fascination is getting other teams mid to lower end RHDs for Zaitsev that improves the Leafs much. Let's imagine all those RFA signs go through. It's still necessary to get by with with cheap and in this case inexperienced Dmen like Sandin and Liljegren. Thought I expect them to be good long term NHLers to have both on the team playing big minutes seemed a step backwards for the Leafs next year. Just gotta think the Leafs need a better (most expensive) Dman in the lineup....and yes it will cost them a forward, maybe even a good forward.

the gap between Zaitsev and Pesce is massive. its not a little gap. Zaitsev is a low end RHD and Pesce would be a legit #2 playing with Reilly

I’m sorry but your way off here. It is not massive. Funny that zaitsev blocks more shots and lets in less goals with gardiner as a partner than pesce but gets no respect for his shut down game.

As for this agm you should trade zaitsev to a team looking for a shutdown RHD... now if only we could find a team looking for one.... any ideas?

Lmao Zaitsev is not a shutdown D. Look at his underlying numbers. He’s a liability defensively. Sure he hits, but based on shots/ goals against, he’s not very good at his role. Pesce crushes him

Here’s a good link for ya:
https://public.tableau.com/profile/bill.comeau#!/vizhome/SkaterComparisonToolv2/Dashboard1

Pesce is never going to be a number 2. He would just be the best option to play with Rielly. He is not better than Gardiner (inspite of his faults he's a very good player that does far more good than bad) and I don't think Pesce has the ceiling of Dermott. Everyone on her seems to think he's a legit star and he has done nothing to garner that praise. 20 points career high on a non playoff team that allows too many goals and doesn't score enough.

Dude he’s a rock defensively. offense isn’t his game. He’s a great defensive puck moving D. That’s what the leafs need.

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One thing that comparison does say is Pesce isn't playing nearly as difficult minutes as Zaitsev. So that doesn't help your argument.

They are a top 5 team defensively. They have wants not needs.

Compare 2017/18 or 2016/17. The gap between “difficult minutes” is much smaller then every other analytic. Zaitsev logs tough minutes I won’t lie, but Pesce would do a MUCH better job at it

It's hard to say, perhaps he doesn't fit in with Babccocks system? One thing we do know is TO is 2nd in the league and top 5 defensively this season. Zaitsev is a big part of that so the success level of his game is currently superior.

Guess we’ll have to agree to disagree there

Anyone who can play with gardiner the last 2 minutes of a one goal game and come out with a victory every time isn’t doing too bad. He’s been put into a different roll this year and I feel confident when he is on the ice. When he is paired with Reilly next season it will be a cakewalk for him lol.

Would I like an upgrade on D, of course. What team wouldn’t but with all of our prospects and tight cap it’s probably wise to wait. I would like to add not subtract or replace.

I don't disagree that Pesce is better than Zaitsev, but he isn't terrible and Pesce isn't an all-star. This weird love Pesce gets is so strange to me.

For what it’s worth, I was never saying that Pesce was better/worse than Zaitsev.
I just think Pesce fits better with a player like Rielly, IN MY OPINION, and the 500K savings helps when Dubas will be counting pennies.