I wonder if the Leafs would do a Marleau for MacDonald swap? They can then buyout MacDonald and save space and assets.

I'd prefer that over this deal. Laughton + 3rd for Kadri is atrocious. Paying a 2nd for moving Marleau is more or less as high as I think the Leafs will need to go.

I agree. Under normal circumstances there's no chance the Leafs would do Kadri for Laughton and a 3rd, but the Leafs aren't in normal circumstances right now. If they can't move Marleau and Zaitsev over draft weekend then they're going to get desperate before July 1 and make a move Leafs fans will hate so they can get Marner locked up before he can sign an offer sheet.

Just because Toronto is going to need to pinch some pennies doesn't mean they are going to give away Kadri for pennies on the dollar.

They can make a move like Marleau for MacDonald. If they take a comparable deal back that they can buy out it should be fine. Zaitsev shouldn't be that hard to deal they just won't get as much as they would like for him.

Kadri if moved, will be a hockey trade. His contract is very favorable for what he brings.

They could. But the Flyers would have to want that. If the Flyers are thinking about trying to sign Marner or Kapanen to an offer sheet then I doubt they'd be willing to help out the Leafs cap situation. Every team knows the Leafs cap situation is ugly and I can't see any team doing them any favors. The Leafs will have to pay big time to get the cap relief they need to keep their best players.