@SammyT_51 Thoughts?

as a toronto fan, I enjoy this

Leafs easily say no. Zaitsev is not a cap dump, and it has already been said that Dubas is not going to trade him if that is how he is valued.

You want him, pay a 2nd or Faska (and then we can trade Kadri for a defenseman). Otherwise, you won't be getting him.

Zaitsev could get back to at least part of his former glory playing in a more offensive role, and Kapanen would pair really well with his fellow Finn (Hintz) on the 2nd line. With the Cap continuing to increase, Zaitsev's $4.5M cap hit gets easier to stomach every year.

Dickinson is primed to take over Faksa's two-way role, and with Dellandrea knocking on the door to the NHL, Faksa's going to get pushed down to 4C in the Stars lineup. If I'm Dallas, I trade him while his value is high.

It's been posted all day by very reputable sources that Dubas is currently looking to move him. Whether he's viewed as a cap dump or not, the truth is that's exactly what he's going to be for Toronto. Both he and Kadri are the easiest "large" contracts to move. He's been very sub-par over the last two years. Bottom line is that the Leafs are going to lose him for very little. He's not worth what he would have been 2 years ago.

You aren't getting a 2nd round pick or Faksa for Zaitsev. His primary numbers were bad this year, and his advanced possession numbers were just as bad.

I don't dislike Zaitsev, he was much better with Muzzin this year but he asked for a trade so that will decrease his value. We won't have the room for Kapanen anyway with needing to replace Z and Marner contract and Johnsson etc.

My thoughts is we get another good young D and a good depth C in Faska.

Yes, the Leafs shed cap but they lose on the ice. Faska...two years of NHL control for Kapanen who is 2.5 year younger and five years of NHL. control. Think the Leafs lose on the ice immediately.
Zaitsev for Honda. Honda hasn't proved he an NHLer. So the Leafs lose a top 4 Dman and have no replacement, though they would save cap immediately.
Leafs have lost to UFA, Gardiner, Hainsey, Dermot is injured. Don't think they can just give up Zaitsev for nothing despite the cap saving.

In terms of top-6, the Leafs would still have Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Hyman, Johnsson, and Nylander. Picking up Radek Faksa is going to be cheaper than a Kapanen contract, and allows him to slot into Kadri's role, if Toronto can find a suitor to take his contract.

Honka, though he hasn't had the time in the NHL, during his time with Dallas, his possession numbers are among the best on the team. He's a very strong puck mover. He's not great on defense, but he's a solid, possession driving defenseman. He's an extremely cheap 3RD for Toronto.

Given Toronto's Cap situation, I don't see them getting a much better offer. They really don't hold the cards in most trade talks, due to their salary cap desperation.

Losing someone good to Seattle

Worst case, Dallas loses Gardiner (which is better than losing the other 3). Best case, Dallas trades a pick/prospect for Seattle to take Zaitsev (or a similar player).

I'm good with the players you are asking for. I'm not sold on Gardiner especially as a LD. Would make more sense to grab Stralman as a UFA. Slide him on the second pairing with Lindell. Heiskanen can then play top pairing with Klingberg. If you get Zaitsev in this trade, he would be great on the third pairing with PP time. Bayreuther would be a good partner as well. We would have 3 pairs with really good puck moving ability.

Also, not resigning Zucc?? That should be a no brainer.

If the Stars land Kapanen & Dzingel, it makes no sense for them to give up a 1st Round Pick for a RW that would end up on the 3rd line, and cost $5.5M+. I love Zucc and thought he was great in Dallas, but there are equal, if not better, options available that won’t cost a 1st Round Pick.

If all else fails, and none of those options come to fruition, re-sign him and give up the 2020 1st, but it would be more of a last resort, if I were Jim Nill.

I think you are overvaluing a 1st round pick. If it gets 3 years of a 50 pt Zuccarello and a shot at a SC, I make the trade off.

Not for a 3rd Line RW. In this scenario the Stars have Radulov, Kapenen, and Dzingel (who can play both RW & LW) that are all either better than Zuccarello or the difference between them isn't enough to warrant a 1st Round Pick. The top-6 assembled here is equal, if not better, than a top-6 with Zuccarello in it, and it doesn't cost Dallas a 1st Round Pick. Zuccarello is also going to want between $5.5-6M for the next 5 years. That takes him through his age 36 season. The Stars will regret that contract in 2 years, and then they're stuck with an inflated contract an on aging player. I love Zucc, and have no issues having him back in Dallas, but there are significantly better options via trade & free agency.