Working hypothesis: Dubas acquired a first because he is negotiating for a high-end RHD and potential trading partner has said that a first would be needed.
Considering that (according to Lebrun in the Athletic) Dubas shopped Kapanen to Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Nashville, Anaheim, Minnesota, Chicago and Carolina looking for a #1 pick and that the #1 seemed necessary for any deal to be made, I think that it likely that Dubas is working on a deal for a high-end RHD and requires a 1st for those talks to progress.
As Dubas can't take on much cap in a trade for a high-end D there would obviously need to be players going the other way to almost balance the cap. Because of the front-loaded and signing bonus heavy contracts, many Toronto forwards are owed less cash than their cap hit which would be appealing to many teams.
I would assume that the teams listed above make no sense for being the target of the D as trying to negotiate Kapanen for a first would then mean trading them back their own first - so that removes teams like Nashville, Anaheim, Carolina, Minnesota etc in my opinion.
Obviously there could be many other Ds that Dubas is targeting, and many of those D's would not require Nylander. However, due to cap considerations, they would require something along the lines of Johnsson and/or Kerfoot. Mirtle indicated that Andersen, Kerfoot, Johnsson and Engvall are being shopped for small returns/cap relief. That leads me to think (hope) that Nylander is being traded for a high-end D.
As I said, there are plenty of other candidates, but Ekblad remains very high on my list. Big, physical 24-year-old all-around RHD with 5-years left on his contract. Ekblad is owed 31M in cash over the remaining 5 years of his contract. Nylander is owed 20.5M over the remaining 4 years of his contract. Does, Florida have any reason to want Nylander? No idea. Many may feel that Nylander and a first is too much for Ekblad. I have a tendency to agree. Something would be added on from Florida.
Dermott is traded somewhere in my scenario, as I think he needs to go to a team where he can challenge for a top-4 spot. I think that it is likely that some combination of Andersen, Kerfoot, Johnsson and Engvall are also traded. Gudas is signed because of rumours and Sandin needs that kind of partner. Lehtonen is still an unknown commodity, but could obviously win a spot.
maybe but Dubas said he wanted to give the core 4 1 more year
What else would he say in public forum? Never believe what a player, coach or executive says in public. They have an agenda and telling the truth to the masses isn't it.
no thank you. Rather draft Braden schneider than sign ufa like demelo or Gudas
im high on schneider but why? he is probably the most "ready" dman like Heinola or Bjornfot but that doesnt mean you should just ignore your current problems
im high on schneider but why? he is probably the most "ready" dman like Heinola or Bjornfot but that doesnt mean you should just ignore your current problems
heres the plan. Draft schneider. With the cap space Kapenan gives us sign Demelo or Gudas. Schneider goes to the AHL or something does very well comes up next year and we could see
Rielly-Demelo/Gudas
Muzzin-Liligren or Holl if not traded
Sandin-Schneider
saves cap and allows us to build a stable good blue line for the future.
heres the plan. Draft schneider. With the cap space Kapenan gives us sign Demelo or Gudas. Schneider goes to the AHL or something does very well comes up next year and we could see
Rielly-Demelo/Gudas
Muzzin-Liligren or Holl if not traded
Sandin-Schneider
saves cap and allows us to build a stable good blue line for the future.
Your plan requires Schneider being still available at 15 (I think he will go 12th), Demelo signing with the Leafs (I doubt it) or Gudas being able to play first pairing (nope), Schneider (if drafted) going to the AHL next year (he is not eligible) and Liljegren being able to play top-4 come the fall of 2021 (extremely little chance).
My idea is for the Leafs' to properly balance their roster and in the process to acquire an actual top-pairing RHD - something they need (and something Demelo and Gudas are absolutely not).
The Leafs' were aggressively trying to get a first round pick for a draft that is still 6 weeks away - and were fine with it being 17th or 18th (or much earlier). I don't think they have a prospect in mind.
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