couldnt afford 2nd t
Joined: Sep. 2021
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 441
The Leafs need someone who can play NHL games.
While Daccord was cut from Seattle, he was on the cusp of making the NHL Last year. Additionally, his value has increased now that he is exempt from waivers until he meets the required number of games or days in the NHL.
Daccord is better than Kallgren, and is more likely to win the Leafs games. There is a small chance of him putting it together this year. Seattle was surprised that he cleared waivers. Now that they don't have to move him, they aren't giving him up for free. Someone will suffer a goalie injury, and give them an asset for him. Additionally, the Leafs can possibly flip Daccord in 4-6 weeks when Murray returns. They would be unlikely to get a 3rd for him, but if a team has an injury and needs a goalie, they could get a 4th-6th pick.
If Daccord breaks out, they can waive Murray and send him to the Marlies to work on his game. No one will claim Murray. The Leafs benefit from their AHL squad being in the same city as their NHL squad. That makes an arrangement with Murray rebuilding his game (for the 20th time) easier to manage.
A comparable would be in 2017 when Pittsburgh traded Mike Condon for a 5th round pick shortly after claiming him on waivers, because Ottawa had an injury in net and needed another NHL goalie. Unlike Condon, Daccord is waiver exempt due to clearing waivers. He also has a league minimum cap hit. Lastly, he does have some upside and is perceived to be a future NHL goalie, which is why Seattle was surprised he wasn't claimed. I don't think Seattle lets him go for less than a 3rd now. Maybe at the deadline, the price softens if they don't have him in their plans next season.