Team: 2019-20 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: May 8, 2019

Published: May 9, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

So I filled out the whole team but I only really want to talk about the Miller for Bracco+ deal.

Bracco is blocked by 3 skilled established RW in the NHL and unless one goes(Nylander isn't going and I believe shouldn't be dealt) he won't have a line to play on that will put him in a situation to best use his skills. He is not a black hole defensively and from what I've read from various people who cover the Marlies is actually pretty good but he is for sure not a checker in the NHL. If Kapanen were to be dealt Bracco could possibly play on a line with Kadri but I think they keep him.

Bracco would provide cheap scoring if they decided they wanted to play him in the NHL next year or he becomes one of their top prospects and certainly on the wing. In the AHL this year Bracco was second in league scoring as a 21 year old, top 10 in points per game, lead the league in primary points, 32 of his 39 points at 5v5 were primary so he does get a lot of points on the power play but he is no slouch at 5v5. He had a 54.84 goals for percentage at 5v5.

Dealing Bracco now also capitalizes on a surplus the Leafs have at RW to address a need at right d. Miller seems to be the odd man out in Vegas and they have some other d prospects coming that they really like so this could be two teams coming together to help each other out. Vegas also needs to make some cap space to resign a few players(Karlsson, Gusev, Engelland, back up goalie) so moving out money is a motivation for them as well.

The Leafs would like Miller as a mobile skating right shot d man to move the puck and balance out their d. He's also cost controlled for 3 more years which is important to them as they have to pay their top players now. Miller had a 55.87 shots for percentage and a 51.22 goals for percentage for Vegas this year playing the 4th most minutes on the team(McNabb was 10 seconds per game behind him). So basically Vegas played him as a 4/5 d man at a cap hit of 3.875 when next year they could play a rookie or one of their other d men in those minutes and save on the cap like they have to.

I built the deal around Bracco and Miller but the pieces around them I'm here to see what people think. Holmberg I've read has a chance to be an NHL player in a depth role but he has good vision and some good wheels but lower upside. Borgman is the odd man out on d and as good as he was in the AHL this year he's also blocked by a few players. I would consider Rosen but I believe he will be with the Leafs.

Let me know what you think and we can chat

1.

2.

3.