edm don't want sandin

That tandem is rough.

Pretty light on the Puljujärvi contract. He'll get 3-3.5.

I like DeMelo, but he's not a 1st.

Are the Leafs allergic to keeping 1st round picks?

Jets accept.

They don't have any RHD, but they can use that first or some other assets to get one.

They would struggle to get a wild card spot with that goaltending

I don't think people realize that if Dubas is still around, he's going to try to retain a BIG 4 (even if it's not all of the same guys but they sure will do anything to keep AM34 even if it means making him the highest paid player), and they do need guys that can be ready in 3-5 years on cheap post-ELC contracts/ELCs. If Dubas isn't around, I'm sure the new guy will still try to keep Nylander, Matthews, and Marner (perhaps Marner would be let go if he's asking just as much as Matthews gets).

They also need guys that can play on ELCs that can play within the next 3 years as well, but no, (in general) they want to trade everything for rentals to fix what they view as core problems within the team, knowing very well that there is a 99.999999% chance for them to retain that player. Essentially, making the 2-year window with Matthews, a 2 year competition window for the Leafs even if they retain him and the rest of the big 4 (assuming Nylander isn't part of a mock trade).

Here, the OP probably might have traded a firsts for a 2 year rental, while trading off a young D-man with team control but at least he got another RFA (even if he's closer to UFA than Sandin). Much better than a lot of the Leafs ACGM teams out there.

It's the Big 5 now with Rielly making more than Nylander. But I think Dubie will just basically run it back with 2 new goalies.

Yeah, he's going to go cheapest as possible with goaltending and defence (which means he will want to retain Sandin on a sub 2m x2 deal or someone similar that plays RD if he's moved). Then that will allow him to add a 4m-5m pot. top 6 piece.

I was looking at TBs most expensive (when they had McDonagh) and saw that Toronto would need to spend ~3.1m on a starter to have a similar allocation of cap to Tampa's Big 5+McDonagh (3F-2D-1G), now it's Tampa's Big 5+Serge vs Leafs Big 5+starter goalie (including a goalie even if Muzzin/Brodie have higher cap hits because a starter goalie is a must).

So basically, if they want to compete with Tampa they are going to have to find quality budget goaltending (which I think is too high risk, if they aren't getting a 3-4m starter at the least) or a good quality budget top 6 forward+bottom 6.

Let's see if they land Husso, I think they will try to get him for somewhere between 3-4.5 on a 3 year deal, and goaltending with back up will cost at most 6m, probably closer to 5.5m like this year or lower if they can do it.

I'm wondering if they are thinking of trying to explore a Muzzin move and get a cheaper RD, or Sandin for a RD. All I know is first order of business is trading Mrazek and probably signing Sandin (even if they are considering a trade).

Dubas has said he thinks of the core as something larger than a Big 4 or 5, I think it's the Big 4 forwards+Top 3 D.

I think Dubie targets MAF. I don't know if he'd sign with Toronto or go back to Minny. Maybe the Penguins? Husso is flavour of the day but he won't be playing behind that solid Blues D. He might be exposed on the Leafs.

Not all goalies can survive the Toronto pressure cooker. They're easy scapegoats. Just ask Andersen and Campbell. MAF could handle Toronto in my opinion.

If the leafs trade Sandin it would be for a better player, then Jesse P. who isn't the type of player the leafs need in the top 6.