Oilers decline

John by CapFriendly definition being at the cap with just a roster of 21....is over the cap.

Why in the world would Toronto trade Andreas Johnsson, who is on the upswing and hasn't reached his full potential yet, for Nick Ritchie, who has already topped out at his? I get to watch the Ducks 82 times a year and take my word for it -- this trade wouldn't improve the Maple Leafs.

The Oilers have made nine 2nd round selections over the last 10 years - their best pick was Anton Lander who played 215 NHL games with 35 points. They should make the trade.

Not sure what you're saying, the NHL mandates that teams must have minimum roster size of 20 players and this roster is not over the cap. That said, a roster of 21 players is not ideal and could pose a problem, particularly in the event of injuries, however it can be done. The 21 player roster size is the result of the cap issues the Leafs have; assuming they want to keep as many good players as they can.

Why? Simple - The Leafs have cap issues and Johnson reportedly turned down a $4M offer from the Leafs. The Leafs would have hope/gamble that Ritchie can find his game alongside Matthews.

But teams don't carry 21 players regularly....no team does. So depending on short changed roster to make the cap requirement, really just doesn't happen.

But you don't trade a good player for an inferior one in the "hope" that the lesser player will suddenly improve. Ritchie's three years show he's about a 15-goal scorer unless he's a very unusual late bloomer. Inflate that 50% (!) because he'd be playing with Mathews or Tavares while Hyman is on the LTIR and he scores maybe 23 goals. Meanwhile, Johnsson scores 20 goals and 43 points in his first full NHL season. I don't think the cap savings for one year (because the pressure will be off in 2020) is worth the difference in talent. To me, this has Martin-Erat-for-Filip-Forsberg written all over it.

I think you over estimate Johnson's upside and the value other teams will place on him. He'll be 25 in November, I could be wrong but I'm guessing we've seen his ceiling. Regardless, $4M+ will not fit under the cap (and the other GM's know this). It's not a matter of "want," it's a matter of "have to." Chicago didn't want to give up Byfuglien for Marty Reasoner or Joey Crab, they had to.

Paying three players $10M+ doesn't regularly happen, difficult choices have to be made.

I think you over estimate Johnson's upside and the value other teams will place on him. He'll be 25 in November, I could be wrong but I'm guessing we've seen his ceiling. Regardless, $4M+ will not fit under the cap (and the other GM's know this). It's not a matter of "want," it's a matter of "have to." Chicago didn't want to give up Byfuglien for Marty Reasoner or Joey Crab, they had to.

Agree with you that unless the rumored deal involving Marleau results in serious cap savings, either Kapanen or Johnsson has to go, but surely there are better returns out there.