There's going to be alot of criticism here and some praise, but here it goes. First I give Dubas credit for aquiring Campbell, really solid trade for an excellent backup goaltender, very difficult to come by for a cheap price. Other than that, not too impressed with him right now. Kadri never should have been traded; he was suspended in back to back playoffs but it was because there was no one else who showed some toughness on the roster, and he had to overcompensate for everyone, taking it too far on both occassions. In addition to Kadri, Wilson is a guy the Leafs could really use (toughness, great defence, and good offence) and I think given the seasons Kapanen and Johnsson have last year they could of aquired Wilson in summer 2019. Kapanen is solid defensively, puts up decent offensive numbers and is one the fastest players in the league. Johnsson also has decent offensive upside; I think you could get 50 points seasons out of each of those players one day. There's no way Jones is aquired in the 2019 offseason for Nylander, but midseason I think Columbus might take that trade. They are one of the lowest scoring teams in the league, Nylander has tremendous upside well before his prime (23), and look great on the top Columbus blueline. Maybe even subtract the 4th rounder and it gets done. They now have a young elite top pairing RHD. Toronto should have called teh Rangers in the offseason and incquired about Skeji. Knowing now that it required the LATER of Carolina's two first round picks, that's a deal Dubas could and should have made. Another relatively young top pairing dman. With the emergence Mikheyev and Roberston I could see them replacing Kapanen and Johnsson's numbers down the road. The tough pill to swallow is Nylander, but they don't have to win 8-6 games when they're winning 4-2. I'd take this roster over their current one any day. Now Robertson and Sandin would come along later in the seasaon, so Rosen on the bottom pairing or Spezza on the third line, Goat on the 4th would be the sensible lineup changes until those young players show they're ready. With the cap next year staying the same or going up very little, I could the Leafs moving Dermott and having Sandin/Liljegren on the bottom pairing. Going forward the cap situation is not the best, but certainly better than it is now and like I've said a much more competitive team. Defence and toughness wins championships, pure talent gets you a great season and a first round exit, and a frustrated fan base. Thanks! Oh and the Ceci trade, I think LA would take the 1 year deal of Ceci for a good draft pick on a team that's rebuilding.
No way the kings take a pick that will at least be 6yrs away from maybe making the nhl for a 20 5th that’s insane and Ceci doesn’t bridge the gap for that
Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying that to be mean. Look at what happened with Bobrovsky, Duchene, Panarin... Skilled players like Jones are aggressively sought after on the UFA market. Just like Matthews is probably leaving for the US in four years.
The point is, the Leafs are in "win-now" mode; at least according to management. Jones fills a gap short term, probably giving a chance to this team to contend now. Nylander helps Columbus on a longer term. The trade makes more sense than what people say.
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