Joined: Apr. 2016
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It's not that far off. If the leafs traded Dermott they'd likely get a 2nd rounder. And if they're not convinced Dermott is who they want to see on the right-side, they might opt against trying to re-sign him to $2m+ or whatever he's asking.
A lot would depend on what the leafs want out of their 3/4 C. With Kerfoot, Spezza, Gauthier and Engvall as the current options (depending on what Spezza wants to do)...I can see them looking to move Kerfoot to save on cap space. There's long been rumours that the Leafs like Glendenning, but that was also in the Babcock days. But with this deal you could roll with 3/4 Centres both under $1m on the cap, trade Kerfoot and use the space to get someone to play RHD you like better than Dermott,
A lot of people on here assume you can pick up someone better in free agency...but trades give GM's certainty they don't have going into the July 1 negotiating period. It's why I think a guy like Dermott has more value on here than most give him credit for, should the Leafs choose to make him available