what if they dont stay healthy though...this is the ride the Leafs bought tickets for.

(Older simmonds, spezza, muzzin, clifford and Kase's injury history and taking chances on bunting, engvall, mikheyev)

What's your point? Trade Marner?

Also, the Leafs bought their "ride tickets" before the Pandemic hit. Let's not pretend a $6,7,8M cap ceiling swing doesn't play a role in how tight they are to the cap.

You named 8 players. Does that mean every other team in the league is about 28 NHL players deep?

Leafs aren't counting on Simmonds or Clifford. They're apparently decent locker room guys.

All I was saying is what if the Leafs dont stay healthy, it'd be a minor miracle if they did (no other team has or can). My point wasn;t that the leafs were different, its just fools gold to think they are and that they'll ever be healthy, and unlike some they're closer to the cap.

I think it unlikely holl goes to minors and doesn;t get claimed?

Holl would likely be claimed if sent to the minors. Even with his poor season thus far. Cheap RHD depth is hard to come by.

Maybe I'm off base on that one but, that is the feeling that I get anyways.

OK. I agree. Since the Leafs have acquired Kerfoot (with the intention to run a Johnsson - Kerfoot- Kapanen 3rd line) they have never been fully healthy. They haven't had it as bad as other teams, they've just always had at least 1 regular out of the lineup.

Holl will get claimed, they won't waive him. They'd waive Ritchie first.

IMO, if they get closer to full health (no one on LTIR) they have to start considering moving Holl or maybe Engvall. Liljegren is getting closer and closer to looking like a legit upgrade on Holl.

If they could move one or both of those guys, and acquire some cheaper depth (maybe Schenn and a retained Motte from Vancouver?) they can accumulate a bit more capspace for one more deadline deal for a decent player. If Liljegren looks good beside Muzzin, target a LW. If Liljegren looks over his head, target a RHD.

My two cents.