Leafs shouldn't be giving up Niemela for 1.5 years of Severson. I mean, how is Severon replacing Holl going to make that much difference?

Reality is thats the kind of cost it will take. Leafs focus is the now, not the 4-5 years later when Niemala is ready to play top 4.

he's a big upgrade on Holl. But I wouldn't give Niemela either. Imo he's our top prospect now

Then the Leafs easily pass, The difference between Severson and Holl isn't gonna be that significant . Good chance Niemala is a Leafs in 23/24 Haven't the Leafs gone that silly path of giving up futures fro non difference makers.

Severson wont cost Niemela.
I think he is the guy to target to replace Holl.

Good chance Niemala is a 3rd pairing in 23/24. You are planning around him making an impact in 25-26 or later but thats going to be after the big 4 have all become UFAs and the Leafs window likely closed.

No, a player who is playing in 23/24 makes an impact in that year. So the Leafs won't have Holl, Severson and Niemala in 23/24. But again the discussion should be is Severson that much of a difference maker over Holl.

Niemela is a good start. I doubt Devils would have much interest in Ritchie, so Leafs can keep him and SDA and replace those two with a prospect like Amirov, Robertson or Knies. Lower the pick if you must.

I would put Robertson in there opposed to Niemela. But Severson at half for a year and a half certainly helps the Leafs. So long as it's a fair price. Devil fans have already likely jumped on here saying it will cost all our future picks and prospects.

I think Niemela could be making a difference sooner rather than later and I wouldn't move him. I'd replace him with Robertson

He's an upgrade, not sure he's a huge upgrade but an upgrade. I would feel better having him there if Muzzin got hurt. I think it benefits Holl as well, let's him relax on the 3rd pair with Sandin and be a stabilizing partner for him. Or he's now our 1st up which makes the defence super deep.

I agree with you here. While I am not believing he's going to be a top defenceman in the NHL, I think Niemela will be a very good contributor down the road at a very good cost. I wouldn't move him either.

The Leafs window is open until Matthews is 32 years old. That's 8 years from now. This whole, they are all leaving in FA is nonsense. Hopefully they spend all their good years here and beyond.

You aren't getting two top prospects for Severson. And Ritchie balances cap. Robertson, A 1st and a B prospect is your absolute top package you are going to get.

pass

If you were the GM you'd be like Ron Francis in Seattle, tried to drive a crazy hard bargain to take on cap and no one bought and now he has a crap team. You have to be reasonable to make moves try to hit a grandslam by waiting for that perfect pitch and you'll strike out looking.

The reality is you are open to moving him. You are open to moving him because you don't see him as a long term solution to your team contending. I wouldn't even consider moving Nylander for this very notion, hes going to be part of what leads to success for this franchise. Since you are open to moving Severson, you must see him as expendable. So be reasonable about it.

Over and over again.
Devils fans say no.
Leafs fans insult Devils fans.

Please let it go

Asking for Nylander is insulting

I'll disagree, the chances that the Leafs resign an UFA....is about 10 %...So no reason to think at least three of. the "top four" resign.. But why worry, just spend that new found cap on other players. I would suggest McDavid signing as Leaf when he a UFA is greater than Matthews.

My man, I have much respect for you but that is just a pipe dream.

Thanks for the compliment, But what is the pipe dream? Do you think McDavid is gonna resign with the Oilers? The cap for McDavid will be there possibly if Matthews and Marner leave. Do you think Matthew is gonna resign witht the Leafs?

I absolutely am certain Matthews resigns with TO. Marner may be moved and if the Oilers keep losing, Marner could be the center piece to get McDavid in TO sooner rather than later. I don't think McDavid will last to FA. The Oilers suck, their management sucks and they are going nowhere. They have no depth, bad defence, worse goaltending and their management think it's still the 90's. McDavid will want out and give them 3-5 teams as places he'll go. Teams that are contenders now and in his age group. Look at TO, Colorado, The Rangers as the 3 front runners and then maybe add Carolina and maybe Florida. Out of those 5 teams, I see the Rangers and the Leafs as the most likely to be able to offer a good enough package that won't gut their own teams. It's going to be a loss for Edmonton regardless but that's how I see McDavid leaving Edmonton.

Matthews won't leave though, he loves TO, they will pay him and he's a star. Where is he going to go? Arizona? They won't have a team as soon as this summer, they literally don't have an arena for next year and can't afford to pay their bills. They can't afford Matthews now and by the time he's even potentially a FA, the team will be in Quebec.

My prediction of Matthews is LA or Chicago. Rangers seemed to have tied themselves to long term cap in other players. Hey I hope you're correct, but I'm doubting Matthews stays a Leaf.
Yea at some time I gotta think McDavid traded by Oilers but IMO he still might be a UFA at the end of his contract

It just doesn't happen often that FA's leave teams. At least top FA's. JT is basically the only one to do so and he went to TO. Matthews himself said he was absolutely open to longer term but it would have cost more money. So Dubas found the middle ground. When it's time for a new contract he'll resign in TO without question. Unless I suppose they want to take a run at McDavid.

Top UF

Top UFA's don't leave???? Tavares, Karlsson, Stone (told the Senators they weren't resigning). Denault, Reinhart (told the Sabres he wasn't resigning) Hamilton,Pietrangelo, Trouba (told the Jets he wasn't resigning long term)
Just my opinion, but the reason Matthews didn't sign long term was because the incompetent Babcock was still the coach.