Thats.. intriguing. Id do it! What other prospects do you have instead of Verbeek that would interest Leafs?

You mean the Leafs can include send a 4th to MTL to take the last piece of CECI's contract?

Really, I question what would be accomplished by trading away a 3rd of a season of Cece's contract? Why would you then send an asset away to accomplish this? To me, this sounds like making sour milk more sour... if that makes sense! With Muzzin and Reilly missing so much time the Leafs have cap space to play with... this giving away assets to remove a problem thing is not necessary! The best thing to do in my opinion would be to put him on the Trade-Market with salary retention and if no wants him... waive him!

My Theory behind it is that it would open up spending for a guy like Brendon Dillon or Alec Martinez. The leafs literally won't be able to upgrade the blueline without shedding a good sized contract. So if it means opening up a slot for say a #4 RHD, I think it's something they need to consider.

Reilly - RHD
Muzzin - Barrie
Dermott - Holl/Sandin

Montreal potentially doesn't trade Verbeek and a 4th for Timashov... so why would they also take Ceci's dump?

Can't remember which broadcast it was, but it was recently explored and demonstrated that because of injuries there is now enough cap-space to sign a player with a contract of 4.5 million dollars per season... so let's go to the math.

Cece 4,500,000 cap hit divided by # of games (82)= $54,878 per game
The Leafs have 33 games left... 33 * $54,878 = 1,810,974 salary left.

Considering our position in the standings I don't think its good business to fix a minimal cap problem by throwing away assets is a wise choice. BTW, can't we bury 1,000,000 in the minors? if so that's only $810,974 cap relief... Not worth it!