Oof, taking $10M in cap isn't something I'd like them to do as a DAL fan.

I see. But you are getting upgrades tbh.

To be fair, I'd use that $10M to go after better players. Considering how tax friendly DAL is, I don't see them having to add too much to land for example Panarin... And who wouldn't take Panarin over Kadri and Zaitsev, you know what I'm saying?

Oh of course I know what you are saying. I know it very well. Im just exploring options for Zaitsev who wants out of Toronto for fair value.

Define "fair value" maybe I can help you form a trade

Fair value for Zaitsev imo is cheaper RHD that is not as good (Santini) or has not fully get to the potential (Honka) or had injury issues (Demers with retention) or something like that. I think Honka for Zaitsev makes a lot of sense for both teams. Dallas gets top-4 Dman who will rejuvenate and Leafs get lesser Dman who might rejuvenate (I believe he would) and save cap space.

Well I personally disagree with you there. I don't really think Zaitsev has value. He's good enough to be not considered negative, but his contract which is relatively bad will lower the value. I'd say the only realistic benefit you'd get in exchange to Zaitsev is that you'd save some money. In my opinion the best way to move Zaitsev is as a cap filler on a bigger trade.

Why Dallas will trade for Zaitsev if they can sign a #5-6 defense for 1 or 2M ??

No to Kadri.

Massive upgrade over Faksa.

I disagree. He might be offensively, but Faksa is more valuable on a deep team for his shut down ability, even though he struggled some this year. I think Kadri is overrated, but that's just my opinion. Especially at that cap hit.

Also, we don't really need a center since we have Hintz.

Kadri at 4.5 is perfect 2C on Dallas. He is very good defensively, very good offensively. How can a guy who scored back to back 30+ goals with linemates like Brown, Komarov be overrated at 4.5? That just makes zero sense.. you dont have deep team so acquiring more offensively dangerous players is important to your organization. You dont have proper 2C (Hintz is not that), Kadri would provide you with that. And if there is possibility to get him for Faksa.. you better jump on it.

Again, why when we have Hintz? 4.5 is not the number I am concerned with. I would pay 4.5 mil for a second line center, just not when I have Hintz. My concern is his next contract and the possibility of , at 29, of a regression back to his norm. Which, this season, he did regress to. In addition, I just have never been a fan of Kadri, and never will. This is a personal opinion. He has 3 goals in 19 playoff games. Other than 16-17 and 17-18, he isn't exactly been worth 4.5 mil and has been somewhat underproductive in his career minus the aforementioned years. He's a good player, just not what I am personally looking for right now at 2C. If Faksa is the trade, then fine. We haven't given up much for him. Personally I wouldn't, but I am not Jim Nill.