Yep. Leafs should make sure they trade all 1sts, and any prospects that may be able to contribute on cheap deals for 20ish games of redundant players, so they're forced to dumpster dive every summer.

The road to sustainable success!!

I would do that Arizona trade were it ever on the table. I doubt it would be.

Klingberg would be a wonderful add. Its just that the Leafs really aren't in a position to add a player of that magnitude with their cap situation and a depleted draft capital pool. At some point, you have to consider the future.

Its probably best to let someone else overspend on Klingberg. Because it will happen. I am certain of that.

DAL accepts. ARI doesn't.

tbh with ya, I'm in the same boat when it comes to thinking about the future. Yeah, id be happy with having Klingberg, but id be more intrigued with a Scott Mayfield or a Ben Chariot, as they come at a cheaper expense, that way, we hold on to the future's. Its only a matter of time before the likes of Robertson, Amirov, Niemela and Knies joins the team

Exactly.

Leafs could have a very good LW group within a couple of years of Bunting, Robertson, Amirov and Knies and it would cost them likely $6M or less. All 3 of the prospects are looking like surefire NHL locks (barring injuries/more injuries). If they can have some playoff success, they still have work to do this summer (Campbell, Mrazek, Ritchie, etc.), but past that, if they give out the right term to their RFAs, they can be in solid shape for awhile, in terms of prospects/youth replacing vets and good amount of cap flexibility.

Most of the times when I'm doing these ACGM stuff, its because i see trade rumours going around on social media, and would be curious as to how they would work out, plus, to see others reactions. Would I want Klingberg? Yeah obviously, but I wouldn't do the trade above, hence why I don't believe the leafs should be targeting big names like Klingberg, Chychrun, Hertl, etc...
Cost will be way too expensive and in years to come when Marner, Matthews, Tavares and Nylander's contracts are up, you gotta have potential replacements on the ready

Warning. Long-winded hypothesis.

Over the Xmas break I was thinking about those extensions. Obviously this is the optimistic view, but I don't think it's not to out to lunch.

But I think the pandemic, the overpays, the "greed" might come back to benefit the Leafs in the end.

Obviously Shanny saying take less to build something great fell on deaf ears the first time around, but now that they all have a bit of $$ in their pockets, will it work this time?

Rielly (again) has set the table and took less than market. Will Campbell follow suit? If everyone's fav guy takes a bit less, will that spark the rest?

Even if it doesn't, when all their deals expire, the league will still be feeling effects of the Pandemic. Top salaries have more or less been paused the last couple of years. As long as MacKinnon doesn't blow the roof off the "glass ceiling" that freeze will likely still be in effect more or less.

So, IMO the big 4 could cost the same today as they do 3/4 years down the road. Matthews will become highest paid player $13.5M on long term deal. That'll riase the bar a bit then McDavid will smash it 2/3 years later. Nylander $8.5 or $9M seems reasonable. Did marner learn his lesson? Surely to God he'd be happy with $11M long term. Tavares being the wildcard, he would have made $100M or more, but if he's still effective (likely based on how he looks now) maybe he's looking at a Pavelski deal (and shift to the wing). Maybe $7M.

13.5+9+11+7 = $40.5M.

So, if Leafs can weather the salary cap storm this summer, they could be setting themselves up for some long-term cap certainty.

Wow, that is a very good point. I didn't think of the pandemic side of things when it came to the cap. However, i didn't ponder the thought of Rielly taking a discount, and the possibility of Campbell following suite (he did say many times he doesn't want to leave and that he loves playing in Toronto). I wonder if Campbell really does take anywhere in the ballpark of 4-5 mil per, would it spark the likes of the core 4 to also go in that direction. I pray to god that they do