Honestly if it were me I would be trying to offload Ceci and get Gardiner back around 5.5 mil if he would

I think that could actually be the plan now with rumblings of Ceci going to arb. And if it is, I tell ya, that would be some serious GM'ing and maybe give us a d something like this..

Gards - Mo
Muzzin - Barrie
Dert - Lilly

I know it's Morgan on his wrong side, but that looks pretty solid to me. Especially considering how things were looking just a couple of days ago.

only reason I don't think this happens, I think they would rather save that space for next year to make a push for Barrie or Muzzin. Wouldn't be shocked if Ceci gets dealt though, especially if he might get more than Zaitsev would have.

That's a good point. K. Let me ponder that..

I think teams are hesitant on Gardiner because of his back issues and im starting to think he gets a 1 year show me deal. Who says it cant be with the leafs

The thing is if Barrie actually wants 7-9 mil next season the leafs might be just using him as a rental because id rather have gardiner at 5-6

That would just make Muzzin as only defender in first two Pairs.....as much as i was advocate fo Gardiner for last two years, he just got replaced by Barrie for one year, so if anything, Ceci with some prospects and picks should be flipped for shutdown D.

I guess if a deal is there, but i seem Gardiner as a defending dman also, hes not tough and good down low but he stops zone entries better than anyone we have

You know neither Gardiner nor Barrie are great defenders in their own end.
If Barrie is going to cost that much, I'd rather pay that kind of money to a Spurgeon who is not far off offensively but is far superior defensively.

Costing only money means the team doesn't get gutted talent wise.