Gonna let Dermott walk, play a couple unripened teenagers, a couple geriatrics, and a midget, and toss away an entire, effective 3rd line just to sign a guy for $9m for the back nine of his career.

Arizona has cap issues, even without signing Hall, Chicago also has some issues and Florida has money and owner issues. If there is no buyout, then these trades are and will be harder for teams to stay below cap limit.

Fair criticism. It's a real steep price to pay. But if the leafs really want Pietrangelo, I think this is the price.



Yeah tbh I couldn't be bothered to figure out which teams specifically would have the cap space to take these guys. I have no doubt though that if the price is low enough, somebody will. They are all serviceable players on decent contracts.

Exactly this.

The whole reason to take Pietrangelo is he would be free. If the subsequent costs is Kappy, AJ, Kerfoot and Dermott, then it really defeats the purpose.

I was getting a little hyperbolic for effect, but I don't think the Leafs are designed to take on another high-cap player. Maybe before they signed Muzzin, or if they would consider moving one of the big-money guys, which I doubt they would.

I don't necessarily agree that the whole reason to take Pietrangelo is that he is free. I think the the reason to sign Pietrangelo is to address the Leafs long-recognized need for a defensively responsible top-pairing RD. The fact that he's "free" would be a bonus. As you pointed out though, in the cap world, nothing is free.

IMO, if Pietrangelo was coming in, Marner would have to be heading out for a star/future star winger on a ELC.

0.1% chance any of that happens.

Easier ways to do it.

Pietrangelo is a great player, coming off a great season, but he's not worth blowing up the team. The inevitable decline with such a high price tag would be the extra shot in the gut.

Kappy is worth more like a low mid 1st

Pietrangelo does not get $9M He will be a $7M UFA at the top end if he wants to play for the Leafs. The cap will stay flat this year due to Covid-19 so all the UFAs are either going to sign cheaper than they expected a few months ago or pick up 1 year deals and hope to hit big next year when the cap makes a huge jump.

As far as trading Johnson, Kerfoot, Kapanen, Dermont that needs to happen with or without a UFA D 2 or 3 of them at least.

The leafs can't afford $10 for the 3rd line with what they are paying the top 4.

Dermot has earned a raise from where he is at now and will be out with the leafs having cheaper options in Sandin, Lehtonen and Lijegren.

Not to mention that trading these guys will bring back more assets.