Team: 2021-22 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 1, 2021

Published: Jun. 1, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION...

sabres fans might argue that the return for eichel isn't enough. fair, but can't be too high on eichel with his disgruntle + injury + surgery. marner ended top 5 in league scoring this year. its in the same ball park and probably the best sabres can get at this point. (would you rather have laine instead? i dont think so). also, you'd have to get over the trading to division rivals aspect. could swap 2nd round for 2022 Leafs' 1st but that would be an overpayment by the leafs. 2nd is fair value on paper. buffalo will face challenge of finding a replacement 1C but thats kevyn adam's problem to solve. with eichel, getting the highest value return vs positional need is more important.

ristolainen leaving buffalo is inevtiable. defensive liability cap dump to leafs. leafs pair him with either muzzin on d2 or reclaim him with sandin as a swedish duo (rolling 3 pairings) and hope his game improves. (another tyson barrie-esque style gamble). buffalo gets a guaranteed bottom pairing d in dermott (controlled) + a potential top 4 project with liljegren. addresses buffalo's defensive depth issue.

if you are seattle, how could you not taken kerfoot at this point.

cant see foligno getting a much better deal nor being happier other than toronto. team friendly deal on par with his production value. he slots in a reduced role but bedrocking the 3rd line where he can get better matchups and also provide stability to younger 3rd line wingers (swapping simmonds for robertson when hes ready). also mikheyev is DAMN fast. that would make up for foligno's lack of speed.

tavares with a scary injury. possibly wont return as the same player. shelter him on wing for longevity (much like lindros transitioned over to wing after scott stevens open ice ptsd)

sucks to lose marner as reason why matthews wins rocket is due to marner's playmaking. however, habs easily could counter the marner pass matthews finish combo. hyman was the forced threat option which didn't work well (as the game 7 results showed). nylander is a real secondary shooting threat. matthews will need to make his own plays rather than getting spoon fed from now on.

eichel has a similar skill role as matthews on the 2nd line. tavares can shift to an all-round support role to free up the ice and provide secondary scoring threat options. galchenyuk staying with the leafs to develop is the only good option in his career right now. he'll have to step up and play the support role (which i think he can with some confidence). swap him with foligno, mikheyev, or even robertson until there is chemistry.

theres talks that campbell play a starting role as a 1B. i dont know where leafs find the cap for another goalie but maybe some dubas magic happens with some retention 3-way or don't re-sign riley nash. this is a gamble but could pay off.

team is missing some injury depth but that will need to get solved through 2way, league min ufa, etc.

leafs fans back me up!
everyone else, feel free to toss some salt in the thread. i like my wounds seasoned.

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