Watch him just leave in UFA though

Only way if there's a extension and I don't think Ekholm would stay

You can't have a player retention over 50%, right?

Obviously a risk you take when trading for him. Hopefully he likes the City and the project the Leafs present him. Being a top 4 defenseman on a Championship contender surely has to be something that Ekholm would like. Hopefully his family would like Toronto as well. I think this could be a very smart move by Dubas.

The only way he’d want to stay is if the leafs can win a round. If they can’t even pass round 1 again this year, you cannot say they are a championship contender.

Nashville retains 50% ($1.875M)
third party retains 50% of the remaining $1.875M which would equal $937,500. That is = 25% of $3.75M his full cap hit.
Thus Ekholm at 75% retained is possible if three teams are involved. Tampa Bay, Columbus and Detroit did such a deal last year.

Their roster is absolutely a championship contender, you can't deny that. He would be the guy that takes them past that 1st round hopefully. As for the season after, lots of moves could happen. But the Leafs would likely be a contender again. Not unrealistic at all to see him resign in Toronto.

1 guy does not take you past a round. Their roster is not built for the championships. After the core 4, the depth is pretty saddening to be honest. It’s cause the core 4 takes up all the cap and leaves no cap for other improvements. Of course they are gonna play well still and make the playoffs but if you look at true contenders, they have depth throughout their lineup.

Even with multiple teams, I believe 50% is the maximum amount a salary can be retained. I believe on that trade Savard was 50%

https://puckpedia.com/salary-cap/retained-salary
"The maximum retention % is 50%."

I completely disagree with you. The Leafs have done an excellent job in adding depth pieces around the core 4. Ritchie, Kase, Bunting and Kämpf are all guys that will contribute in different ways. Robertson could have a calder type of season playing next to Tavares and Marner. Our defense with Rielly, Brodie, Muzzin, Ekholm, Holl and Sandin would be stacked. Our goalies are good as well in Campbell and Mrazek. I think you underestimate this roster greatly.

A team can only retain 50% of the salary. however, the next team can retain salary on that contract as well. Last year Columbus retained 50% of Savard's $4.25M contract ($2.125M). Then Detroit retained 50% of the remaining $2.125M ($1,062,500). Tampa had him on their roster for a quarter of his cap hit, thus what I am suggesting is fully legal and would work.

https://www.capfriendly.com/trades/players/david-savard

Don't think the Leafs just be giving up Dermot and three picks for a few months of Ekholm. Let's forgot this sign him next summer fantasy. Leafs have a one in thirty two chance of signing him as a UFA.

If Ekholm doesn't want to re-sign in NSH, it's a fine offer. I think NSH would prefer the 4th, and let Dermott go to the 3rd team though.

Why not act smart and replace Rielly with someone that already will be comfortable in the 2022 season when he resigns? Ekholm would already know all his teammates and have experience playing in Toronto and under the coaching staff. Ekholm at around $5M - $6M is way better value than Rielly north of $8M. I don't think it is unrealistic for him to resign at all if he was acquired during the season.

Could absolutely be an option!

I think you already answered your question. While I'm sure the Leafs have no desire or capability of signing Reilly north of 8m, there seems to no way Ekholm signs for well under 7m

I disagree, I think he would sign in the Muzzin to Petry range if he got an extension. He won't get $7M + in the open market. Thats just my opinion.

After the core 4 is just question markets waiting to be answered. Like if Kase can stay healthy and stills core. Can bunting be anywhere close to productive as last year etc. Honestly Kase could be very important if he can stay off the ltir I feel like

Maximum one team can retain is 50% of a contract.
Another team inheriting that contract can retain 50% of the remaining value.
Retention can not be applied to the same contract more than twice.
No team may reacquire a player they have retained salary on until a calendar year has passed.

So if team A retains 50% and team B retains 50% of the remainder, team C gets that player at 25% of their original salary.
If team A retains 25% and team B retains 25% (of the original contract value), team C gets that player at 50% of their original salary and nobody can offer retention on that player for the remaining duration of their current contract.

Did not know this. Thanks dudes.

Weak lazy chirps

I don’t think you can even do that

Yes you can, Columbus and Detroit literally just did it at the last trade deadline: https://www.capfriendly.com/trades/players/david-savard

Oh right

Well Nashville would probably demand you give them Sandin knowing their return wanted would be prospects and picks and not Dermott