As you can clearly see, the cost of signing of Alex Pietrangelo might be too steep, because not only do the Leafs need to face the reality of their own salary cap issues (pre and post any Pietrangelo signing), they have other concerns as well like become more well-rounded, better defensively and tougher to play against not to mention an expansion draft looming in the not-too-distant future.
Trades:
Blockbusters and big money flying everywhere might be the name of game, as far as what it will take to ultimately fit Pietrangelo under the cap while keeping an eye out for everything I've mentioned above, plus the long-term sustainability of this franchise. Would Dubas have the mental fortitude to entertain any of these deals? Hard to say, but I think these deals also work for Nashville, Colorado and Vegas, respectively, in their own ways. As part of the Colorado deal, Grubauer would agree to an extension. As part of the Vegas deal, the Leafs would agree to buy out Fleury.
Future:
The end result of these massive trades, plus the Kapanen deal gives the Leafs three 1st round draft picks in a deep first round of the 2020 NHL draft. I think it's important for this club to restock the prospect cupboard with good quality prospects.
Zach Hyman & Morgan Rielly:
In the Leafs' current roster iteration (ie not considering any changes I've made), the biggest concerns for the Leafs moving forward, at least in my mind, is resigning Zach Hyman for next season and resigning Morgan Rielly, the following season. With so many big contracts already on the cap, even before dealing with a Pietrangelo contract, the Leafs will have to address how they will navigate both new deals. In my mind, if Pietrangelo comes, Rielly (as far D moving) would have to go - it's just not possible in a flat cap to keep Rielly, plus Muzzin, plus Pietrangelo. Hyman, on the other hand, might be a little bit easier to afford, but it will also mean some key personnel changes up front. As you can clearly see, I've moved on from both Nylander and Marner, as far as big time contracts. And it's not so much that both players needed to go, reshaping this club to play a more competitive and tougher game was clearly a focused I've touched on already, above.
Expansion Draft:
I imagine the Leafs will go with a 7-3-1 system, as they did in the Vegas expansion draft. With my deals, here is what I would imagine the Leafs protection list to look like:
FORWARDS
(1) Auston Matthews
(2) Jon Tavares
(3) Zach Hyman
(4) Jonathan Marchessault
(5) Alex Tuch
(6) Ilya Mikheyev
(7) William Carrier/Colton Sissons
DEFENSE
(1) Alex Pietrangelo
(2) Jake Muzzin
(3) Ryan Graves
GOALIE
(1) Philipp Grubauer
Key Exempt Players:
C Nicholas Roy, LW Nick Robertson, D Zach Whitecloud, D Rasmus Sandin, D Timothy Liljegren
FINAL THOUGHTS:
So, should the Leafs go after Pietrangelo? My heart says yes but my brain says no. While I would love to see the Leafs make big meaningful changes, I just don't think Kyle Dubas is desperate enough to pull the trigger for big blockbusters deals like this.
Anyway, we shall see what the future holds. Be well and keep safe.
COL trade is a train wreck for COL. Grubauer is better than Andersson, they don’t really need Reilly, and the rest is just filler. Newhook ONLY gets traded for an elite talent and Nylander while great and on a great contract isn’t elite. Then throw in Graves and a 1st and that’s just so lopsided in the Leafs favor. Easy no.
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