Team: 2021-22 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Aug. 1, 2021

Published: Aug. 1, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

So in no way shape or form are the Leafs resigning Reilly after this season but what the Leafs could do is trade Reilly for a cheaper LHD to take his place and get a 3C while they're at it insert the Nashville Predators.
Ekholm was linked to the Leafs just this past season but nothing became of it? Either the asking price was too high or they just couldn't come to an agreement but since it looks as thought that Nashville is leaning more towards a rebuild the Leafs might take advantage of both that situation and their cap space? So Nashville lacked scoring last year both from their offense and their blue line Reilly would help change that in more ways that one being an offensive defenceman to play beside Roman Josi in a less talked about market could go well for Reilly plus Nashville would have the cash to spend on an extension for him. Mikhayev is added just so Nashville has someone they can roster on their team and if it doesn't work out it's just for this season then they don't have to resign him. Leafs add in Abramov who was the leading scorer on the QMJHL winning Victoriavile Tigers last season and is a highly skilled center that can score goals that Nashville would definitely take to rebuild their future.

Leafs get in return
Ekholm who is a great shot blocking two way defenceman who has great shooting stats as well. Problem is that he has fallen off as of late whether it be from the partner he has been paired with or just being on an offensively stunted Preds team but on the Leafs offense isn't a problem when you have Matthews and others scoring goals. So Ekholm could do his thing without having to worry about production and at a cost lower to that of Reilly but with Similar stats with Rielly having the better season stats all around but 3.75mil compared to 5Mil seems like a surefire win if the Leafs can do this plus with Ekholms stat lines it makes it easier to sign him to a lower extension cap hit so instead of 7 or 8 Mil the Leafs could sign Ekholm to maybe 6Mil and under and save money in that sense? The other player included is Nick Cousins and wouldn't you know it he is a former Soo Greyhound in the time of Dubas. Smaller in size but gritty as all hell. Faceoff% over the past two seasons was higher that 50% and would be one hell of a shutdown 3rd line Center alongside Ritchie and Kase maybe?!

Other trade fixes the Top 6 issue by trading for a player that the Islanders are trying to get rid of and would be a proper Hyman replacement in Josh Bailey. Former Spitfire and gritty fwd with a decent stick and great leadership skills and better yet Tavares and Bailey were former all stars in 2018 with the Islanders as well so there is instant chemistry between the two? Leafs would have to trade Kerfoot who is offensively capable and would be a much needed asset on the Island, Engvall can be easily buried in the Minors, Liljgrenn because the Islanders I think gave up a defenceman for nothing and lost Boychuk this past year so they might want to bring forth younger talent and Liljgrenn was originally drafted by Lou Lamoriello when he was Leafs GM in 2018 and might want him to try and untap his potential under Barry Trotz. The 3rd rounder is for the cap retention on Bailey.

Leafs then sign a d man like Gundbransson for cheap to solidify and strengthen the blueline and Brooks and maybe a 3rd goalie becomes scratches? Idk I like this plan Leafs have to sign Ekholm to an extension as soon as they trade for him though but this team would be wicked if they accomplished this?!?

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