Way too big a project contract for the Sabres to take on (in terms of actual dollars not the cap).

I get the thinking, but I figure the leafs do this and probably make room to keep Meier?

Meier as a rental doesn't get anywhere close to that kind of return.

And if Toronto doesn't qualify him, He's automatically a UFA. And UFA rights are not that much.

Think the idea here is the Sabres would be the ones qualifying him unless I've missed something.

Probably going to need a 23 first for Gavrikov

I think the Sabres makes sense but I don’t know if they can do the contract. So they can be any team it’s just rough return.

Yes, Leafs either trade him at draft or after they qualify him.

The only way I can see keeping Meier would be if there’s a massive cap increase or trading Willy (cause I doubt Brodie is going anywhere)

The expiring fwd contracts clear up roughly 7.25 mil in space I believe. It'd cost the leafs their bottom six and probably bunting but they could make it work. Is Muzzin done hockey for good? Might be a permanent LTIR option to get breathing room.

It's not without its costs but I mean for Meier you'd do it.

Maybe but then you really need your stars to carry you…I guess it could be Bunting & Murray out if Samsonovs deals about right & you think he & Woll would work.
But seems unlikely to me, without a big cap jump

It would be tough, but you'd also be betting on some of the youngsters too, which is what good teams do in a cap crunch. You could make a legit argument that Meier may end up being their 2nd best skater.

Buffalo obviously doesn't do that