The reasoning behind the one year deal for Mikheyev is the uncertainty with his hand plus cap considerations. Grigorenko is a wild card but he has been linked to TML last summer and I think he would be a more suited to third line role with some skilled players on either wing. Also neither player needs to be protected.

Robertson is a wild card obviously but if he can make the jump he could be Marchand 2.0.

Obviously the signing of Pietrangelo solidifies our D Corp. Liljegren gets a solid vet to play beside and Holl ideally moves down to the third pairing where he should be.

As to why the Sabres trade their 1st in 2020, there would be conditions if it ends up top 10 no dice but they get 3 full time roster players. Both AJ and Kerfoot add 40-50 points each. Kerfoot can play 3C or LW. Dermott will slot in nicely on the third pairing and adds some grit in the way he plays. I suspect a 2.5 million per for 3 or 4 years would do. Sabres would still have a ton of cap space to resign Reinhart. Hopefully Middlestat and Cozens can make the jump to their 2C. I think Middlestat takes another year in the AHL replaces Kerfoot who is exposed in the draft. If I am the Sabres I also trade my 2020 2nd or Miller to CBJ for Anderson. They also go after Holtby to solidify their goalie position.

Sabres

Skinner Eichel Anderson
AJ Cozens Reinhart
Olofsson Kerfoot Okposo
Girgenson Johansson Frolik

Dahlin Ristolinen
McCabe Montour
Dermott Jokiharju
Miller

Holtby
Hutton

Buffalo's pick is almost certainly top 10

Don't know how this makes the Leafs better. Paying one guy....the same as the three deparutres. Grigornko is a poor player, Robertson is no where near NHL ready. 21 man roster and hoping the cap is that high.

Yep. For the first time in the history of these forums I think that I agree completely with Hal.

Grigorenko has been great in the KHL, we don’t know if Robertson is ready true but Pietrangelo addresses all of our needs and allows our Rookies to play a more sheltered roll. Mikheyev is the far superior player to AJ. If we have to sub Robertson for Engvall and find an NHL minimum contract is it really going to be so bad?

The 3 million dollar increase is basically what happened last year so I don’t think it’s unrealistic.

Robertson will not be in the NHL next year. No way. He will not even turn 19 until mid September. It would be much better for his development to play huge minutes in key situations outside of the NHL for the next two years. The Leafs have enough wingers. They do not need to rush this kid at all.

It went up 2m last year. Nigel Dawes led the KHL in goal scored two seasons ago. KHL, hard to see how their league relates to the NHL.

This ain't it chief!