That's not bad to start, might have to add another piece outgoing to Minnesota. Maybe like a 2nd or a good prospect

Adam Fox isn't available

Say hi to him for me next time you talk to him since you're so connected.

There's a log jam on the Carolina blueline. I'm sure they will look to move a piece or two...but when Fox says "I want to play in the NHL as soon as possible" I doubt that just means signing...he wants a chance to play...which he currently doesn't have in Carolina. So if they can't get him signed after his junior season, why wouldn't they look to recoup assets for him now? If he plays his senior season he's heading for free agency

I thought it was a pretty generous offer from him...but wouldn't have an issue if the leafs needed to add a bit to firm it up

For the record, as I have proposed a million times, the trade I really want to make with the Leafs is Spurgeon for Kapanen and Zaitzev...but, I would consider this deal. And, I agree with others here, it's a bit lopsided going the Leafs' way. A 2nd would probably even things out. I'll take your 1st too

will you settle for Gardiner's rights? haha.

I really don't want to see either Kapanen or Kadri go but it is what it is...can't complain when the cap crunch is a result of guys preforming well

I'm on board with everything but the McQuaid signing. I'd rather a Muzzin - Dermott solid 2nd pair. Then you can play Rosen-Fox on 3rd pair (yes they are both rookies, but Rosen is 25, so not like its a pair of teenagers there).

I think McQuaid is a liability at this point. Borgman can be on the team and battle Rosen for a spot if we need to add a physical presence.

I would also flip Bracco & Kappy. Put the playmaker (bracco) with Matthews, and put the goal scorer (Kappy) with playmaker Nylander.

If spurgeon had more control there might be picks needed, but he only has 1 year. Kadri / Zaitsev is more than fair.

you wont get Kap for a 29 year old dman with 1 year of control, regardless of how good he is. The leafs mgmt team has clearly shown they wont give up significant long term assets for a 1 year rental.

All fair points. I was kind of going with the concept that McQuaid is like the defensive version of Ennis. A vet you can either plug in or put in the pressbox on a cheap contract...but a useful tool to have in case of injuries. Bracco still needs to earn a spot on the roster for me...especially before I saddle him up beside Matthews...but if he impresses in training camp and can hang with Auston, it certainly makes the rest of the lineup look better

I don’t mind the value until the wild retain that bit of salary. I’m just not sure they’d be interested in the deal if they had to eat that salary. I’m a leafs fan but I don’t see the incentive to take Zaitsev an overpaid d man and then eat salary. Seems too lopsided for the leafs. I’d rather move kap than Kadri

The only reason I suggested adding something is because of Zaitsev's contract. Including him in the deal does make the trade a bit lopsided, especially if you're retaining on Spurgeon.

Offer came from Minnesota's side in a separate thread I had looking to get Kadri's trade value...I just wanted to see how it would look. A lot of people confuse Zaitsev's contract with his quality of play. He's got about $1m of undesirable AAV and maybe 1 year of term too long. But he's a quality defenceman. And if Minny has the cap space to spare, eating salary on Spurgeon for one year to acquire a great contract in Kadri isn't the end of the world if he's a guy you really want.

well if a wild fan through it out there I’m ok with it. My personal preference is to move kap in a deal centered around a #1 rhd. I prefer Kadris grit and I think Nylander is a superior player leaving kap as the guy I’d move.

I don't think Zaitsev has significant trade value...but I don't think he's a cap dump either. He's played some reliable D...and looks even better when he's not tasked with covering for Gardiner. Not to dog on Gardiner...I think he's a great offensive D-man...but I don't think Zaitsev is always ready to make the quick adjustment when Gardiner goes off script. It's been a while since the leafs have given up a goal that could be pinned on Zaitsev

The way I see it there's 2 spots available for Kadri, Nylander and Kapanen to fill given the Leafs' need to move cap space and the fact that Kadri-Nylander can play the same role and Nylander-Kapanen can play the same role.

For what it's worth, I'd think Minnesota might prefer Kapanen to Kadri in this exact same deal...but my gut says that Dubas prefers both Nylander and Kapanen to Kadri.

One too many Adams on the blue line... think I would stick with Oz and Dermott on the bottom pair. I do like the spurgeon trade and if they were seeking more I would add a conditional for the re sign.

Bracco has taken a pretty big leap in his development the last couple of years. The reason I like him with Matthews is his playmaking ability. Typically maybe he breaks in 30 pt rookie, but if he found chemistry with Matthews (they actually played together for USNDTP) who is the best 5v5 scorer in the league then, maybe he's a 40 or 50 pt rookie. We are starting to see guys ceilings get adjusted by being able to play with our superstar stable of centres.

Would also allow Nylander/Kappy to dominate lesser comp.

But, I'm sure going forward, there will be lineup adjustments, just like this year, and maybe Bracco starts on the more sheltered Nylander 3rd line.

Ya...didn't mean to dog on Bracco...just my personality tends to remain pessimistic on prospects until they prove it at the NHL level. Sparks was the best goalie in the AHL last year but he's not winning many people over as even a backup right now. They've played well enough for the Marlies to earn a shot...the rest is up to them to see how far they can run with it.

With Fenton willing to shake up the team with a rebuild/retool, and the fact Minny has a boatload of cap room going into next season right now, Spurgeon may be a legit top target of the Leafs this summer.

I also wouldn't mind pairing the bigger more physical Muzzin with Spurgeon on a shutdown line, and pairing Rielly and Dermott together to go against other teams 2nd lines (at home) and let Rielly dominate.

If I could have the Brown, Kadri and Zaitsev of two years ago, I would trade Ristolainen, Reinhart and a first. But alas, we are trading the current version of the three players. More to the point, will their performance level in Toronto translate to similar production in Buffalo.
I would like to add Brown to the Sabres, he would be a great addition to the bottom six. I think Carolina fans view Fox the same as Sabre fans view Nylander, both good prospects but only prospects.
I think Kadri is Brad Marchand light. An instigator who can score a few goals. I would like to add him as my #2 center a position that the Sabres need to fill.
We completely agree about Zaitsev, he is over paid by about $1,000,000 but still brings talent to the team.
I think the Leafs need to make cap space therefor Kadri and Zaitsev are being moved or being the players targeted. So here is my offer: Ristolainen (25% retention), Girgensons and Nylander for Brown, Kadri, Zaitsev and 2019 second.

This is also a solid offer depending on how highly Dubas views Ristolainen. The Minny trade gives up a bit more cap flexibility but this could definitely work too.

What's Girgensons likely going to cost to re-up?

I would prefer the leafs chase Pesce from Carolina I think there is a fit there centered around kap going the other way. Better contract and love the player. I completely agree that there is only room for 2 of Kadri, Nylander and kap. Nylander should stay as I think he’ll end up being a bargain contract moving forward

I do not have the tools that the GM's can use, but IMO it would be about the same as he is earning. Yes the MIN trade does provide more cap space, but Ristolainen is younger and signed for a decent term. I know my fellow Sabre's fan would rail against taking on Zaitsev salary, but with Montour, Ristolainen is sort of redundant.

The Minni trade would have possibilities. Leafs need cap space....Minni trades one year of Spurgeon for 8 NHL year of Kadri/Zaitsev. Despite the rumours, Zaitsev is competent and is a minute eating Dman.
If Fox is ready to turn pro, I imagine he sign with Carolina and if Carolina want to a roster spot for him they can trade one of their other DMen.

I prefer Pesce too I just don’t see the same avenue to shed enough salary in the process