Quoting: aadoyle
Leafs wont trade with a divisional rivals as why make it harder for yourself come next season, Anaheim has enough wings and need strong centers, they may do it but its doubtful.
Nashville makes the most sense as rn, they have the space to take on Marners contract, they want to stay competitive, they have 2 contracts they want gone and have an abundance of other assets
Only problem is the return as what was stated a long time ago you dont win a marner trade unless its superstar for superstar. But that wont happen with Nashville so it means Toronto will have to take on cap space to make any deal work
Now the other team who you could argue could make it work is Philadelphia. But again we got to take on cap to make it work
I disagree on your Anaheim take, I think their current depth up front is irrelevant because they’re rebuilding (not that I like most of the veterans that much anymore tbh…), and long term they’re completely set up the middle with Zegras and McTavish in the top 6, and a couple options at 3C (Henrique for a bit, maybe Steel or Lundestrom). They could really use more young wingers imo, they’ve got Comtois in the NHL, I like Perreault as a prospect, and some people like Tracey/Pastujov, but there isn’t much depth there, and no guaranteed top line threat. I think putting Marner with Comtois and McTavish would be an excellent line (and then the sniper Perreault with the playmaker Zegras, along with Pastujov, Tracey, or someone else they bring in), especially if the Comtois-McTavish-Marner line can be their “2nd” line. Presumably of course they’d have to give up at least one of the wingers I mentioned (maybe Comtois, Anaheim probably prefers Tracey/Pastujov), along with probably Rakell and/or Manson, and maybe a guy like Dostal + picks. Some package with pieces like that. Imo that would work out well for Anaheim, and Toronto
may be able to justify that the cap space+depth increase helps them too, like if you get Rakell+Manson (potential for extensions to be pre-negotiated with one or both)+Dostal+Steel/Lundestrom+1st that’s a solid package, 3 roster players including a young 3C, a young goalie of the future (something the Leafs don’t have and haven’t had for a long time), and a pick you can use to upgrade further because even if Anaheim doesn’t retain the Leafs get ~3mil cap room. If the Leafs get Comtois+Manson (preferably extended)+2 picks/young players/prospects that would be a decent trade too, again with more cap space for upgrades.
Also the Preds could give negotiating rights with Forsberg to the Leafs, and then throw in like Fabbro+picks or prospects to make a solid package that might appeal to the Leafs.