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Joined: Jun. 2018
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Toronto has to make a trade, and it's a trade for defense.
It's not about this year either it's about next.
They will have 2 to possibly 3 defense men and that's a very weak 3 defense men on roster at the end of the year.
Dermott will resign and probably get paid a lot more than what he's making. I'm guessing 3-4 million range and Liljen will come in and play 3rd pairing. Even though I don't think he's ready. They don't really have a choice to.
But given their cap space, all the other positions they have to fill. I mean they got 8 forwards, 1 defense man, and 1 goalie and only have roughly 18 million in cap space to work with.
If you pay Dermott 3 you are down to 15. if you pay the 5 forwards 4 million in total (which probably isn't going to happen) you are down to 11. You pay a backup goalie roughly 1 you are to 10 million. A AHL back up defense man you are down to just above 9. Liljen you are 8.5 roughly?
you got to sign 3 NHL caliber defense men for 8.5. Good luck with that on the open market. You will end up with garbage worse that the defense is now.
They should be trading for defense this year. Even if it means moving some of their current guys out. They need cheap with term who can play.
If you can package a deal with a forward to clear cap space great.
But this team has no choice but to look into a trade or two by deadline.