RIP Toronto's cap. This isn't even a full 23 man roster and you only have 260k of cap.

don't have to have 23 players, 18 all that is required.

Assuming that Trouba, Marleau, Kapanen, Winnipeg and Ottawa all co-operate, this looks great. But this is not an ideal world.

Nah, Leafs pass.

Trouba probably doesn't sign long term, he doesn't seem to like playing in Canada. With Yzerman back in Detroit, I can see Trouba committing to Detroit long term. Kadri and Borgman isn't enough value for Trouba anyways.

It's gonna take more than that to get Marleau "Orpiked" ... It cost Washington Phillip Grubauer who's now Colorado's starting goalie in the playoffs, Dzierkais and a 3rd is WAY off that.

Nelson for Ozhiganov is a wash of a deal. Probably rather keep Ozzy since he'd be more familiar with the Leafs system

There has to be at least 20 on the roster. (18 skaters and 2 goalies). Realistically a team can't get by with only 20 players on the roster. They don't need 23 but ideally 22 is the minimum. An extra forward and and extra defense.

Here is the CBA rule.
16.4 Active Roster Size; Playing Roster.
(a) There shall be a maximum of twenty-three (23) Players on each Club's Active
Roster at any one time, provided, however, that, on the date of each season's Trade Deadline, a
Club's Active Roster may be increased to any number of Players the Club, in its discretion, so
determines, subject to Article 50.
(b) Clubs are not permitted to Loan Players where the result of such Loan(s) would
reduce the Club's Active Roster below eighteen (18) skaters and two (2) goaltenders. However,
Clubs will not be required to Recall Players to maintain the minimum eighteen (18) skaters and
two (2) goaltenders on days which they do not play an NHL Game, provided that the deficiency
below those thresholds is a result of an injury that has caused the removal of such disabled
Player from the Active Roster.
(c) Except in case of emergency, there shall be no reduction of the required minimum
Playing Rosters of the Clubs, below eighteen (18) skaters and two (2) goaltenders.

so exactly what I said.. 18 skaters is the minimum. I wasn't including the goalies. Yes it's ideal to carry extra players, but no team HAS to carry any if they choose not to.

No that is not what you said. Your statement implied 18 players not skaters.

technicality. everyone knows you need 4 forward lines and 3 d pairs = 18 skaters.. didn't realize people didn't have common sense to not see that. My bad lol