NJD does not have two salary retention spots available, so the leafs deal would not be able to be approved by league.

Fitzgerald talked a bit with media about saving that last slot ... he values it ... I'd think (hope) he's going to try to squeeze more out of it than Toronto's first, but it would be a solid return.

Yes, he did, and it sounds like he may have something in mind for that slot.

But this trade has two players retained...which would be four total for NJD, so league would not allow.
If we did trade after July 28th, we would have all three slots again and could do this deal.
But then, of course, it could not be for a 2021 draft pick (draft is on July 23-24).

Understood, I was disregarding the trade as proposed anyway for that reason. If they had the slots, Im not sure I give up both players for a 1 & 5, but I dont think its unfair valuation, just my personal preference. I'm sure the Leaf's fans will say Johnsson is negative value, but not to NJ.

I agree
And the odds of moving Wood are slim to none.
We just moved Maltsev....could lose Bastian in expansion.
We need a couple big bodies around.

(unless they think Schnarr can skate now, or Pytlik is ready)

Bastian will be a bigger loss than I ever would have believed last year, for this very reason. Its unique to the Devils, but you're right .... Blueline too could use another Graves type too.

Bahl 6'7" 220 lbs
Graves 6'5" 220 lbs
Siegenthaler 6'3" 210 lbs
Severson 6'2" 205 lbs
Subban 6'0" 210 lbs

Vukojevich 6'3" 210 lbs
Okhotyuk 6'0" 198 lbs (thumps like he is 6'5" 240 lbs)
McCarthy 6'1" 198 lbs
Mukhamadullin 6'4" 178 lbs

[Luke Hughes 6'2" 184 lbs]
[Brandt Clarke 6'2" 185 lbs]
[Simon Edvinsson 6'4" 198 lbs]

Got some bigs
Mix in a few littles in Smith, Edwards and Walsh...

Probably go to go back on blue line

What do you think Fitz has in mind for that last retension spot?

Yup, you're right, looks ok long term. I was more thinking this year. I dont really think of PK and Sever that way, but they are big dudes & Im not sure Bahl will impact this year ... but you're 100% right, overall they have the blueline covered.

I hope Okhotyuk makes it, I've always liked him. Solid start last year.

No clue ... best available package on draft day for taking cap dump? He doesn't have much time to use it, but he will certainly see plenty of opportunities in the meantime.

Wood is worth more than that.

btw Pytlik in czech language is ballsack

Well, it would be fitting then, to put him with Wood, above Foote